In Steve McQueen’s gripping thriller Widows, a band of armed robbers meets their end during a high-stakes heist. In the wake of their deaths, their bereaved wives take matters into their own hands, orchestrating a heist to pay off their husbands’ debts. As explained in the film’s conclusion, these determined women not only pull off the robbery successfully but also ensure their safety from repercussions. The motley crew includes Veronica Rawlings (Viola Davis), alongside Alice (Elizabeth Debicki), Linda (Michelle Rodriguez), and Belle (Cynthia Erivo), who combine their strengths to reclaim their lives.
Alice struggles to adapt after her cruel husband Florek (Jon Bernthal) is killed in the botched heist. Linda uncovers that her late husband squandered their savings, leading to the impending collapse of her business. Belle, who works as Linda’s babysitter, is determined to support the group, proving to be an essential asset in their ambitious plan. This shared resolve propels these inexperienced, yet resolute women into action, as they embark on a risky venture to secure their futures, unshackled by the death of their spouses.
The Conclusion of Widows
The Widows’ Successful Heist
The heist begins almost flawlessly. Veronica and Belle conduct thorough reconnaissance to familiarize themselves with the security layout. They approach the rear entrance, distracting the security guard with a knock on the door. Yet, just as they reach the concealed vault, they are confronted by Tom Mulligan (Robert Duvall), who raises a gun and tears off Veronica’s mask. In the ensuing chaos, Tom shoots Alice in the shoulder but is fatally shot himself.
Undeterred, the remaining crew rushes to the vault, hastily stuffing cash into bags before making their escape. However, their getaway is interrupted when Jatemme (Daniel Kaluuya) confronts them, holding Belle at gunpoint. He steals their money, but his triumph is short-lived.
In a desperate chase, the widows crash their car into Jatemme’s van, prompting a tragic outcome when he collides with a concrete barrier. They seize the opportunity to reclaim the money and flee. Linda drives Alice to the hospital, fabricating a tale about a drive-by shooting, while Belle quickly vanishes from the scene.
Meanwhile, Veronica sets up Harry by planting the weapon used to kill Tom in his vicinity, cunningly covering her tracks.
Upon returning to the garage to face Harry, a heated exchange reveals his infidelity and aspirations of starting anew with Amanda. In a moment of desperation, Harry demands the stolen money, leading to a violent encounter in which Veronica kills him. Once again, she ensures the evidence points to Harry’s involvement, facilitating her own escape.
As the film concludes, each widow disperses with her share of the money, empowered to forge new lives free from their deceased husbands’ shadows.
The Deception Behind Harry Rawlings’ Faked Death
Harry’s Alliance with Corruption
Before the heist unfolds, an unexpected twist reveals that Harry (Liam Neeson) is not dead; rather, he orchestrated his crew’s demise to escape their dangerous lives, assisted by the unscrupulous politician Jack Mulligan (Colin Farrell). During Veronica’s visit to Amanda Nunn’s (Carrie Coon) home, she stumbles upon Harry’s drinking flask, igniting her suspicions of an affair between Harry and Amanda, suggesting their newborn is his child.
Realizing the depth of betrayal, Veronica leaves abruptly, unaware that Harry lies just beyond the door. In a poignant final confrontation, Harry admits that following the death of their son drove him to pursue a fresh start with Amanda.
In an elaborate scheme, Harry arranged for explosive devices to be attached to a getaway van, walking away just before the calamity unfolded. With Jack Mulligan’s help, he swapped a body at the coroner’s to create a convincing scene, ensuring the charade of his death remained intact.
The Widows’ Clever Evasion of Justice
Benefiting from Harry’s Manipulation
Harry’s deception works in Veronica’s favor, as it clouds suspicion surrounding her and her accomplices. After dispatching Harry in the garage, she cleverly places the gun linked to Tom Mulligan’s murder in his hand, effectively framing him for the crime. This ensures that when authorities discover Harry’s body, the narrative will be that he faked his death and returned for one last heist.
To further mask their identities, the widows employed disguises, tactical clothing, and voice-altering technology, ensuring that they went unnoticed amidst the chaos. The question lingers as to whether Jatemme relayed information about the widows’ plans to Jamal; ultimately, Jatemme seems to operate independently, possibly motivated by personal gain.
Jack Mulligan’s Political Ascendancy
A Tragic Boost to Jack’s Campaign
Despite Jamal Manning’s impassioned debate performance, Jack Mulligan is elected Alderman of the 18th Ward. This victory is bittersweet, as it becomes apparent that Jack’s ascent to power was more compelled than desired, largely driven by his father’s influence. Curiously, it is Tom’s untimely demise that sways public opinion in Jack’s favor, merging tragedy with political gain.
Life for the Widows After the Heist
Rebuilding Their Lives
Assuming Veronica decides to settle her debt with Jamal Manning, each widow walks away with approximately $750,000. Linda plans to reinvest this windfall into her business and solve her family’s financial troubles. Cynthia leaves funds for her former boss, liberating herself from Jack’s influence while prioritizing her daughter’s future. Alice breaks free from her escort life, seizing the opportunity to shape her own destiny. Meanwhile, Veronica regains her footing, unencumbered by fears of homelessness, and embraces a future filled with possibilities.
The Significance of the Final Scene for Veronica
A New Beginning in Friendship
As the plot unfolds, Veronica expresses an intention never to see the widows again. However, fate intervenes, leading her and Alice to cross paths at a restaurant post-heist. Initially, Veronica considers ignoring Alice, but her instincts compel her to reconnect, questioning Alice about her wellbeing.
This moment carries profound meaning. Veronica’s previous adherence to her late husband’s rules is challenged; she recognizes Harry’s true nature through her experience. By reaching out to Alice, Veronica begins defying the constraints of her past, signifying her intent to forge a new path.
Moreover, this gesture underscores the necessity of human connections. Despite her immense loss—first of her son, followed by her husband—Veronica now finds solace and hope in her newfound relationships. Choosing to initiate contact with Alice, who embodies the softer aspects of their crew, reflects Veronica’s acknowledgement of shared struggles and resilience.
The Themes Embedded in Widows‘ Ending
Veronica’s Liberation and Emotional Journey
At its core, Widows explores the aftermath of emotional and physical abuse endured by its female characters. Each widow’s journey speaks to their strength in overcoming oppressive relationships. Alice suffers at the hands of her violent spouse, Belle is ensnared by limited options, and Veronica faces the ultimate betrayal from Harry, who fakes his death to escape their marriage, showing a complete disregard for her feelings.
The film culminates in Veronica’s moment of transformation: her smile, coupled with her decision to connect with Alice, signifies more than just a moment of relief. She moves beyond the trauma inflicted by Harry, claiming agency over her life as she eliminates his influence. This newfound joy represents Veronica’s quest for independence and illustrates her determination to start anew.
Public Reception of Widows‘ Ending
Divergence in Critical and Audience Reception
The critical acclaim for Widows is reflected in its impressive 91% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, audience reception diverged sharply, with a score of just 61%. Some viewers expressed disappointment over the pacing and focus of the heist, feeling it didn’t unfold as engagingly as expected. One audience member noted, “It’s a heist movie where the heist doesn’t happen until the very end, is very quick, and isn’t very interesting.”
Conversely, critic Stephenie Zacharek of TIME recognized the film’s deeper emotional resonance:
“The women of Widows get things done not because they buy ‘You can do anything!’ bathroom-mirror bromides, but because they don’t. They have to sell the idea of self-confidence to themselves, because that’s mostly how self-confidence works; it’s a self-renewing resource, not a fountain with an autopump.”
The film’s ending has been described in a Reddit thread as “one of the most emotionally devastating heist movies I’ve ever watched.”The original poster described their experience as transformative, attributing it to McQueen’s direction and Gillian Flynn’s compelling screenplay, as well as Viola Davis’s standout performance.