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Ending Explained

Red Notice (2021) Ending Explained – Final Scene & Meaning

Release, runtime and language
2021 · 118 min · English
Echo score 49
JustWatch #30,907 1
Directed by
Rawson Marshall Thurber
Starring
Ryan Reynolds, Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot, Bobby Blish, Bradford Norris, Brandon Parker
Budget
$200M

A renowned art thief and Interpol’s top profiler find themselves reluctantly teaming up to track down the world’s most wanted criminal, known only as "The Bishop." As they navigate a dangerous game of cat and mouse, Hartley and Booth must forge an uneasy partnership, facing thrilling heists and unexpected twists in their pursuit of the elusive mastermind.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens at the end
  3. 3 Final events in order
  4. 4 Ending questions answered
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Movies like Red Notice
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Red Notice (2021)

Where can you watch Red Notice? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix and Netflix Standard: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Ending explained · contains spoilers

What Happens at the End of Red Notice?

How Red Notice (2021) ends, what the final scene means, which earlier moments set it up and how to read the ending if the film leaves it open. The full ending explained, with every spoiler.

In the end, the three main characters—Nolan Booth, John Hartley, and Sarah Black—manage to outsmart the authorities and each other to keep all three of Cleopatra’s legendary eggs. After a series of twists and clever deceptions, Booth reveals that only two of the eggs are genuine, and the third is a fake he had prepared earlier. They then make a deal with the Egyptian billionaire, exchanging the eggs for a hefty reward. However, during the bishop’s betrayal at the wedding, Hartley and Sarah are framed and arrested, but Booth secretly tips off Interpol and escapes. Several months later, Booth visits Hartley and Sarah while they’re vacationing, revealing that he manipulated the law to tip off the authorities about Bishop’s large stolen fortune. He offers to team up with them for one last heist, promising riches and freedom. The trio then infiltrates the Louvre, where more thefts are planned, and as the story ends, they’re once again on the run, operating outside the law, with unresolved tensions and a sharply uncertain future. The ending leaves the audience questioning whether their criminal escapades will finally catch up with them or if they will continue their daring adventures, always one step ahead of the law.**

Last updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44

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The last 4 events

How Red Notice Ends: The Final Events in Order

The last events of Red Notice (2021) in chronological order, the run-up to the ending explained above. The complete timeline has all 15 events, scene by scene.

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  1. The Revelation in Egypt

    As the action intensifies, Booth divulges that the location of the third egg is hidden in Argentina, encoded on a watch belonging to his late father. With this new revelation, they set off on a treacherous adventure across the Argentinian jungles.

    When
    2021
    Where
    Argentina
  2. Finding the Third Egg

    In the jungle, they discover a secret bunker filled with Nazi memorabilia, where the coveted third egg is hidden. Just as they claim their prize, the situation escalates as Black attempts to seize the egg at gunpoint.

    When
    2021
    Where
    Argentina
  3. The High-Speed Chase

    The tension peaks with a thrilling escape as Hartley, Booth, and Black are pursued by Inspector Das and her local police unit through a treacherous copper mine. The chase culminates in a daring leap into a waterfall, forcing them to split up to evade capture.

    When
    2021
    Where
    Copper mine, Argentina
  4. The Final Deal in Cairo

    In Cairo, Hartley and Black present the three eggs to their billionaire buyer during a lavish wedding ceremony. Just as the celebration begins, an Interpol raid disrupts the event, leading to unexpected revelations and the promise of a new heist.

    When
    2021
    Where
    Cairo

Ending questions answered

Red Notice Ending: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about the ending of Red Notice (2021): what the final scene means, how the twist works, what happens to each character and how to read the ending. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

What happens to the Cleopatra eggs at the end of Red Notice?

The three main characters end up keeping all three Cleopatra eggs. However, Booth reveals that only two of the eggs are genuine, the third is a fake he had prepared earlier. They then trade the eggs with an Egyptian billionaire in exchange for a large monetary reward.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Booth demonstrates his skill at creating convincing replicas, hinting at his contingency plan.

  • cleopatra eggs
  • fake egg
  • egyptian billionaire
  • heist outcome
Q2

Why are Hartley and Sarah arrested at the wedding?

During Bishop's betrayal at the wedding, Hartley and Sarah are framed for the theft and criminal activities. This allows Bishop to orchestrate their arrest while attempting to escape with the eggs himself.

Foreshadowing: Bishop's double-cross at the wedding follows his pattern of manipulating others throughout the film.

  • hartley arrest
  • sarah black arrest
  • bishop betrayal
  • wedding scene
Q3

How does Booth avoid getting arrested?

Booth secretly tips off Interpol about the situation, which allows him to escape arrest while Hartley and Sarah are taken into custody. His inside knowledge of the criminal world and quick thinking help him stay one step ahead of the authorities.

Foreshadowing: Booth's established relationship with Interpol contacts earlier in the film makes this escape plausible.

  • booth escape
  • interpol
  • arrest
  • fugitive
Q4

What does Booth reveal about Bishop's fortune?

Several months after the wedding incident, Booth reveals that he manipulated the law to tip off authorities about Bishop's large stolen fortune. This act of revenge exposes Bishop's criminal assets and clears the path for Booth to team up with Hartley and Sarah again.

Foreshadowing: Booth's vengeful personality is established early when he seeks retribution against those who double-cross him.

  • bishop fortune
  • stolen money
  • authorities
  • revenge
Q5

What happens at the Louvre at the end of Red Notice?

At the end of the film, the trio infiltrates the Louvre, where more thefts are planned. As the story concludes, they are once again on the run, operating outside the law with unresolved tensions and an uncertain future about whether their criminal escapades will finally catch up with them.

Foreshadowing: The film's opening establishes the Louvre as a major target for high-profile art thefts.

  • louvre
  • art heist
  • on the run
  • fugitives
Q6

Do the main characters get away with their crimes in the end?

The ending leaves the trio technically free but still fugitives. Hartley and Sarah's reputations remain tarnished from their arrest, and they continue operating outside the law. The ending suggests they will keep having adventures, but whether they finally get caught remains uncertain.

Foreshadowing: The film's light tone and comedic approach to consequences reinforce this ambiguous conclusion.

  • get away
  • fugitive
  • ending fate
  • catch up
Q7

Who is the Bishop at the end of Red Notice?

The Bishop is revealed to be a dual identity, two separate criminals using the same moniker. This twist explains how the character manages to be in multiple places throughout the film and sets up the complex betrayal dynamics in the final act.

Foreshadowing: Hints about the Bishop's movements throughout the film support this dual-identity revelation.

  • bishop identity
  • the bishop
  • dual identity
  • twist
Q8

Why do Hartley and Sarah agree to work with Booth again?

After Booth reveals he exposed Bishop's stolen fortune to the authorities, Hartley and Sarah decide to team up with him for another heist at the Louvre. The promise of riches and freedom, combined with their shared criminal history, makes the partnership worthwhile despite the risks.

Foreshadowing: The trio's dynamic throughout the film shows they work well together despite their disagreements.

  • team up
  • louvre heist
  • booth hartley sarah
  • partnership
Q9

Is the ending of Red Notice a happy ending?

The ending is mixed. On one hand, the central trio evades capture, gets rich from the egg exchange, and teams up for another adventure, suggesting a victorious outcome. On the other hand, Hartley's and Sarah's reputations remain damaged from being framed, and they are still fugitives living outside the law, leaving their future uncertain.

Foreshadowing: The meta notes indicate the emotional weight is light, which aligns with this bittersweet conclusion.

  • happy ending
  • bittersweet
  • conclusion
  • resolution

Movie threads

More Movies Like Red Notice, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Red Notice tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Witty Heist Adventures like Red Notice

Playful, high-stakes capes filled with clever dialogue and international intrigue. Find more movies like Red Notice that blend thrilling action with sharp comedy. This collection features globe-trotting crime capers, charismatic thieves, and stories where the banter is as exciting as the heists, perfect for fans of fast-paced, playful adventures.

  • action-packed
  • witty
  • playful
  • globe-trotting
  • banter-filled
  • thrilling
  • Tone: light, witty, playful
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread often follow skilled professionals—thieves, agents, or con artists—as they engage in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse across exotic locations. The plot is driven by a series of elaborate set pieces, double-crosses, and a central rivalry or partnership built on sharp, humorous dialogue.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared high-energy, playful vibe. They prioritize spectacle and cleverness over deep drama, creating an entertaining experience defined by charismatic characters, elaborate heists, and a consistent undercurrent of humor that keeps the tone light even during intense action.

Movies with Competitive Duos like in Red Notice

Rivals forced to team up, where trust is the ultimate gamble. If you liked the rivalrous partnership in Red Notice, explore these stories of unlikely allies. These films feature charismatic opposites forced to work together, blending action, comedy, and a central relationship built on deception, trust, and clever one-upmanship.

  • unlikely partnership
  • deceptive
  • competitive
  • banter-filled
  • shifting allegiances
  • charismatic duo
  • Tone: light, deceptive, competitive
  • Pacing: fast, variable
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative centers on a duo defined by their professional opposition. Forced into a temporary alliance to achieve a common goal, their partnership is a constant negotiation of trust and suspicion. The story unfolds through a series of challenges where they must rely on each other's skills, all while anticipating the next double-cross, leading to a finale that redefines their relationship.

Why they belong together: These movies are united by the central dynamic of a competitive partnership. The appeal lies in the tension between cooperation and rivalry, the chemistry between the lead actors, and a plot structure that uses deception and shifting allegiances as its primary engine, resulting in a fun, unpredictable ride.

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Every angle

Red Notice (2021) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

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