Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

The Last (2019) movie poster

Ending Explained

The Last (2019) Ending Explained – Final Scene & Meaning

Release, runtime and language
2019 · 123 min · English
Echo score 52
Directed by
Jeff Lipsky
Starring
Elaine Bromka, Reed Birney, Nimo Gandhi, Julie Fain Lawrence, AJ Cedeno, Ariel Eliaz
Budget
$100M

Bound by ancient magic, Arius finds himself trapped and seeking freedom. He's offered a chance at liberation by pursuing the soul marked with the dangerous Sword of Affliction. His quest leads him through perilous and treacherous landscapes, forcing him to confront not only external threats but also the darkness within himself as he struggles to survive.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 What happens at the end
  2. 2 Final events in order
  3. 3 Ending questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like The Last
  6. 6 Every angle

Ending explained · contains spoilers

What Happens at the End of The Last?

How The Last (2019) 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.

The story concludes with Diana successfully escaping after killing Nistrol, a brutal bandit leader who had been like a guardian to her and her brothers but ultimately met his end in her hands. Before she leaves, she manages to save Princess Lily, who is taken to a safe land governed by women, away from the chaos of the conflict. Diana’s sacrifice is heartbreaking, as she is presumed to have died from her injuries, but her action ensured that Lily’s life was saved and that her own sacrifice was meaningful. Meanwhile, Tyrion, who had tried to expose Roland’s treachery, is betrayed and captured. Despite his efforts and good intentions, he is overpowered and killed by Nistrol, who had switched allegiances. In a tragic final act of love and sacrifice, Diana chooses to save Lily from Nistrol, even at the cost of her relationship with Tyrion, whom she loves. Her choice underscores her moral integrity and dedication to protecting the innocent. The ending leaves the fate of Lily somewhat uncertain—she is safe but separated from her family and in the care of the women in Nora. Roland, the usurper king, continues hunting for Lily, determined to reclaim her and solidify his power, leaving open the possibility that Lily might someday grow up to challenge him or seek revenge for her parents’ deaths. Overall, the movie ends on a note of sacrifice and hope, emphasizing that the heroes’ actions, even in the face of tragic loss, can create a meaningful future for the innocent. It suggests that Lily’s journey is just beginning, with the potential for her to grow into a formidable protector of her kingdom someday.

Last updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44

Was this helpful?

The last 4 events

How The Last Ends: The Final Events in Order

The last events of The Last (2019) in chronological order, the run-up to the ending explained above. The complete timeline has all 15 events, scene by scene.

Open the full timeline
  1. Birth of Marguerite's Son

    Days before the duel, Marguerite gives birth to a son, heightening the emotional stakes of the upcoming conflict. This new addition to their family adds both hope and despair to the impending duel.

  2. The Duel Commences

    The duel begins with both Jean and Jacques jousting on horseback. When both men are unseated, they engage in brutal hand-to-hand combat, showcasing their fierce rivalry and desperation.

  3. Jean Victorious

    Despite suffering a stab wound during the struggle, Jean ultimately prevails over Jacques. He pressures Jacques to confess, and when faced with denial, Jean kills him, securing justice for Marguerite.

  4. Aftermath and Reflection

    In the epilogue, we learn that Jean dies in the Crusades shortly after the duel, leaving Marguerite to manage his estate alone for thirty years. She remains resolute in never remarrying, highlighting her strength and loyalty.

Ending questions answered

The Last Ending: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about the ending of The Last (2019): 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

Why does Diana kill Nistrol?

Diana kills Nistrol because he has switched allegiances and sided with Roland, the usurper king who killed Lily's parents. Although Nistrol had been like a guardian to Diana and her brothers, his betrayal forces her to stop him from capturing or killing Princess Lily. Diana chooses to protect the innocent child over her past relationship with Nistrol.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes establish Nistrol's dual nature as both protector and ruthless bandit leader.

  • diana
  • nistrol
  • princess lily
  • betrayal
  • Roland
Q2

Does Diana die at the end?

Yes, Diana is presumed to have died from her injuries after killing Nistrol and saving Lily. She makes the ultimate sacrifice to ensure Lily reaches safety in Nora, the women-governed land. Her death is framed as meaningful because it saves the princess's life.

Foreshadowing: Diana's earlier willingness to pursue the dangerous Sword of Affliction foreshadows her capacity for self-sacrifice.

  • diana death
  • sacrifice
  • princess lily
  • ending
Q3

What happens to Princess Lily at the end?

Princess Lily is saved by Diana and taken to Nora, a safe land governed by women, away from the conflict. While she is safe from immediate danger, she is separated from her family and left in the care of the women there. Her ultimate fate remains uncertain, though the ending suggests she may grow up to challenge Roland.

Foreshadowing: The introduction of Nora as a women-governed territory earlier in the film sets up this refuge.

  • princess lily
  • Nora
  • safe land
  • Roland
Q4

Why is Tyrion killed at the end?

Tyrion is killed because he attempts to expose Roland's treachery and is betrayed and captured. Despite his good intentions, he is overpowered and killed by Nistrol, who has switched allegiances to support Roland. His death highlights the danger of confronting the corrupt powers.

Foreshadowing: Tyrion's investigation into Roland's plot creates tension throughout the story.

  • tyrion
  • Roland
  • betrayal
  • death
Q5

Why is Lily taken to Nora?

Lily is taken to Nora because it is a safe land governed by women, completely separate from the chaos of the conflict with Roland. Diana chooses this destination specifically to protect the princess from Roland's continued hunting. Nora represents a sanctuary where Lily can grow up away from the violence that claimed her parents.

Foreshadowing: Nora is introduced as a distinct matriarchal territory earlier in the narrative.

  • princess lily
  • Nora
  • sanctuary
  • women ruled
Q6

What happens to Roland at the end?

Roland, the usurper king, continues hunting for Princess Lily at the end. He remains determined to reclaim her to solidify his power. The ending leaves his fate unresolved, suggesting he will continue his pursuit while Lily grows up in safety. This open ending implies future conflict.

Foreshadowing: Roland's role as the antagonist pursuing Lily is established early in the film.

  • Roland
  • usurper king
  • lily
  • villain ending
Q7

Will Lily seek revenge on Roland?

The ending strongly implies that Lily may grow up to challenge or seek revenge for her parents' deaths. She is taken to Nora to safety, but Roland continues hunting her. The film suggests her journey is just beginning and that she could become a formidable protector of her kingdom someday, potentially confronting Roland in the future.

Foreshadowing: The ongoing threat from Roland ensures Lily's story is not over.

  • princess lily
  • revenge
  • Roland
  • future
Q8

What is the meaning of the ending?

The ending emphasizes sacrifice and hope. Diana's death saves Lily, demonstrating that heroism can create meaningful change even through tragic loss. The bittersweet conclusion shows that while Roland still threatens the kingdom, the heroes' actions have ensured a potential future leader in Lily. Their sacrifices were not in vain.

Foreshadowing: The film's consistent focus on loyalty and protection builds to this thematic conclusion.

  • sacrifice
  • hope
  • ending meaning
  • heroes
Q9

Why does Diana choose Lily over Tyrion?

Diana chooses to save Lily from Nistrol even though it means sacrificing her relationship with Tyrion, whom she loves. This decision reflects her moral integrity and dedication to protecting the innocent. She prioritizes the child's life over her personal happiness, understanding that Lily represents the future hope for the kingdom.

Foreshadowing: Diana's quest for the Sword of Affliction already demonstrates her willingness to prioritize duty over personal safety.

  • diana
  • tyrion
  • lily
  • choice
  • sacrifice

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Last, by Mood & Story

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

Grim historical dramas with moral challenges like The Last

Stories where characters are forged in the brutal fires of injustice and revenge. For viewers who liked the heavy themes and historical setting of The Last, this section features movies like it. Discover similar grim dramas where characters face brutal moral crucibles, navigate corrupt systems, and seek vengeance or justice in unforgiving worlds.

  • grim
  • tense
  • brutal
  • unsettling
  • melancholic
  • oppressive
  • Tone: dark, grim, tense
  • Pacing: steady, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically follow a protagonist or group responding to a grave injustice, often a personal violation like betrayal or assault. The journey is one of pursuit and confrontation, set against a bleak and oppressive societal backdrop, culminating in a high-stakes resolution that is rarely purely victorious, leaving emotional scars.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared dark tone, high emotional weight, and focus on themes of justice, vengeance, and survival within a brutal, often historical, context. They deliver a similarly intense, unsettling, and thought-provoking experience.

Complex multi-perspective stories like The Last

Unraveling a single traumatic event through the conflicting eyes of those involved. If you appreciated the complex, multi-perspective narrative of The Last, this list is for you. Find movies with similar storytelling techniques that explore a central trauma or conflict from different viewpoints, creating a layered and ambiguous experience.

  • complex
  • unsettling
  • psychological
  • tense
  • melancholic
  • non-linear
  • Tone: unsettling, melancholic, tense
  • Pacing: steady, methodical
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves revisiting a key, often devastating, event through the unique lenses of various characters. This structure builds complexity, challenges the viewer's perceptions, and deepens the exploration of themes like memory, guilt, and the elusive nature of objective truth, often leading to a bittersweet or ambiguous conclusion.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their sophisticated narrative architecture. They share a complex structure that prioritizes psychological depth and thematic exploration over straightforward plotting, resulting in a similarly intellectually engaging and emotionally resonant experience.

If you liked this

Movies Like The Last

Similar movies to The Last: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

The Last (2019) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Last in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app