Don't Move

The ending of “Don’t Move” leaves viewers with a sense of both relief and reflection. After a tense and harrowing ordeal, Iris manages to outsmart Richard, her captor, by using her wits and newfound strength. Throughout the film, Richard’s manipulative and psychotic nature is revealed—his enjoyment from prolonging the killing process and his belief that he’s in control of life and death. Iris, once overwhelmed by her grief and contemplating her own death after losing her son Mateo, begins to see a chance for survival when she fights back. She cleverly tricks Richard with her regained motor skills and a shared emotional connection, convincing him to drop his guard. In a final act of defiance, Iris jams his throat with a knife and shoots him, ultimately ending his reign of terror. The scene closes on her face, showing a mix of exhaustion, relief, and a profound transformation. She’s fought back not only against Richard but also against her own suicidal thoughts, realizing that her life still holds meaning. Her last words to Richard—“thank you”—are bitter and symbolic, signaling her rejection of his god-like control and affirming her resilience. The film’s conclusion emphasizes that even in the darkness, human strength and the will to survive can prevail, leaving Iris as a survivor who has reclaimed her autonomy and found a new sense of hope. Richard’s fate remains ambiguous, as he is shown choking on his injuries and likely to die, but the focus remains on Iris’s powerful journey to reclaim her life from horror and despair.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44