The Hand of God
Year: 2021
Runtime: 130 min
Language: Italian
Director: Paolo Sorrentino
Echo Score: 80Budget: $13M
In 1980s Naples, the life of young Fabietto Schisa is profoundly impacted by the arrival of football superstar Diego Maradona. Amidst a backdrop of both joy and tragedy, unexpected events shape his destiny. This deeply personal film from Academy Award-winning director Paolo Sorrentino explores themes of family, identity, and the role of chance, blending sports, cinema, love, and loss in a poignant and evocative portrait of a young man’s coming-of-age.
Warning: spoilers below!
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The Hand of God (2021) – Ending Explained & Final Scene Breakdown
Still thinking about how The Hand of God (2021) ended? Here’s a full breakdown of the ending, key final moments, major twists, and the deeper meaning behind the film’s conclusion.
The ending of “The Hand of God” is a deeply personal reflection on loss, destiny, and the power of memory. After experiencing profound tragedy when his parents die in a house accident, Fabietto leaves Naples to pursue his dream of becoming a filmmaker in Rome. His journey is influenced by mentor figures and encounters that shape his understanding of life and art. In the final moments, Fabietto visits the place where his family used to gather, immersed in nostalgia and acceptance. There is a heartbreaking recognition that life is unpredictable and often cruel, yet it is also beautiful in its impermanence. Fabietto’s return to his childhood home symbolizes a reconciliation with his past—embracing both the pain and the hope that come from remembering those who are gone. Ultimately, the film suggests that even amid suffering, art and memory can serve as a means of healing, allowing the characters—and by extension, the audience—to find meaning in life’s transient moments. The ending invites us to see that our stories are shaped by the hand of destiny, but it is how we carry them forward that defines us.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44
Explore Movie Threads
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Movies about grief and growing up like The Hand of God
Stories where sudden loss irrevocably shapes a young person's journey to find themselves.If you appreciated the poignant blend of personal tragedy and self-discovery in The Hand of God, you'll find similar resonant stories here. These films explore how young protagonists navigate profound loss while forging their own path, often with a melancholic and nostalgic tone.
Close
2023
The Sweet Hereafter
1997
Winter Boy
2023
Ordinary People
1980
Rabbit Hole
2010
Moonlight Mile
2002
Every Thing Will Be Fine
2015
Strange Weather
2017
All of Us Strangers
2023
Longing
2017
Dark Illness
1990
The Time to Live and the Time to Die
1985
Fireflies in the Garden
2008
My Favorite Season
1993
Character
1997
Narrative Summary
These narratives typically follow a linear path centered on a young protagonist. A sudden, life-altering event—often the death of a family member—shatters their world, forcing them to confront grief, survivor's guilt, and the meaning of their own existence. The journey is internal, focusing on reflection and slow emotional processing rather than external action, culminating in a departure or decision that is hopeful yet forever marked by the loss.
Why These Movies?
Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the heavy emotional weight of grief intertwined with the coming-of-age arc. They possess a melancholic tone, slow, reflective pacing, and a central theme of how tragedy can be a catalyst for artistic or personal destiny.
Atmospheric period dramas like The Hand of God
Evocative films that use a specific era and location as a character in a personal story.For viewers who loved the rich, nostalgic atmosphere of 1980s Naples in The Hand of God, this thread collects films where the setting is a central character. These movies use a specific time and place to enhance deeply personal stories of family, memory, and identity.
Nostalgia
2018
Somewhere in Time
1980
Summer Days, Summer Nights
2021
Walking Distance
2015
Sentimental Destinies
2000
Only Yesterday
1991
Rambling Rose
1991
Liebestraum
1991
Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean
1982
Romance on the Orient Express
1985
Late Autumn
1960
My Reputation
1946
Drumroll
1993
My Favorite Season
1993
Days and Nights in the Forest
1970
Narrative Summary
The narrative is often episodic or memory-driven, weaving together family dynamics, local culture, and significant historical or pop culture events of the era. The plot may feel loose, serving as a vehicle to explore the textures, sounds, and feelings of a bygone time. Character arcs are intimate and interwoven with the environment, creating a deeply sensory and evocative experience.
Why These Movies?
These films are connected by their primary emphasis on atmosphere and setting. They share a dreamlike, nostalgic mood, a moderate pacing that allows for immersion, and a complexity that comes from capturing the multifaceted nature of a specific cultural moment and its impact on personal lives.
Unlock the Full Story of The Hand of God
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Hand of God in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Hand of God is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
The Hand of God Summary
Read a complete plot summary of The Hand of God, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
The Hand of God Timeline
Track the full timeline of The Hand of God with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Characters, Settings & Themes in The Hand of God
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Hand of God. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
