Samaritan (2022) Ending Explained – Final Scene & Meaning Breakdown

Samaritan

Year: 2022

Runtime: 102 min

Language: English

Director: Julius Avery

ActionSci-FiDramaFantasy

In a crime-ridden city desperate for a hero, a young boy named Sam Cleary discovers that the legendary Samaritan, Granite City's long-thought-dead guardian, might still be alive. As chaos engulfs the city and crime escalates, Sam sets out to find the mysterious Mr. Smith, played by Sylvester Stallone, who may be the fabled Samaritan in hiding. He hopes to convince him to emerge from his self-imposed exile and restore hope to the desperate community.

Joe, the elderly man believed by many to be Samaritan, reveals himself to be actually Nemesis—once thought dead after their intense fight. In a flashback, we see Joe surviving the clash with Nemesis, but he hides his identity to protect himself and others. Throughout the film, Cyrus, a new villain inspired by Nemesis, plans to cause chaos and upend the city’s order using bombs and a blackout to obscure his actions. Joe’s connection to Nemesis is hinted at but kept secret to maintain the suspense. In the climax, Joe fights Cyrus and his gang in a fiery showdown, during which he is exposed as Nemesis. Despite his confession, Joe isn’t entirely the villain; he emphasizes that good and bad qualities can coexist within a person and that actions, rather than identity, define who someone truly is. After causing chaos and violence in his berserk state, Joe’s moral complexity is revealed. The film closes with Sam publicly claiming that Samaritan is still alive, effectively giving Joe a chance for redemption and hinting that despite his dark deeds, he is not simply a hero or a villain, but a complex character shaped by circumstances and choices.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44

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