Passing (2021) Ending Explained – Final Scene & Meaning Breakdown

Passing

Year: 2021

Runtime: 98 min

Language: English

Director: Rebecca Hall

Drama

In 1920s New York, childhood friends Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry find their lives intertwined by the complexities of race and identity. Clare, who can pass as white, unexpectedly re-enters Irene’s life, creating a precarious situation built on secrets and deception. As Clare inserts herself into Irene's world, the blurred lines between their realities become increasingly dangerous, threatening to expose hidden truths and upend their carefully constructed lives. The consequences of passing become a matter of survival, testing the limits of their friendship and forcing them to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and society.

Passing concludes with a tragic and ambiguous ending that highlights the toxic consequences of racial and social concealment. During a heated confrontation, Clare is pushed out of a window by Irene—either by accident or in a moment of panic—leading to her death. Throughout the film, Clare’s desire to pass as white and live a carefree life clashes with her deep dissatisfaction and envy of Irene’s genuine confidence. Irene, overwhelmed by suspicions of Clare’s relationship with her husband and her own fears of being exposed, acts impulsively during the confrontation. Her pushing Clare out of the window is a symbol of the destructive nature of trying to hide one’s true identity and the destructive impact of societal pressures. As Clare falls, the scene is left open to interpretation: was it an accidental pushing, or was Irene driven by fear to act in a moment of desperation? The police quickly consider her death an accident, and the film closes with Irene’s haunted silence, reflecting on the tragic loss caused by the masks people wear and the societal prejudices that push individuals into dangerous corners. Ultimately, the ending underscores how the complex interplay of race, identity, and societal expectations can lead to irreversible consequences.**

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44

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