The Restless

The Restless

Year: 2023

Runtime: 117 min

Language: French

Director: Joachim Lafosse

Drama

Leila and Damien's intense relationship is tested by his struggle with bipolar disorder. As their passionate love blossoms, they navigate the challenges of his condition, seeking stability and a shared future. He grapples with the fragility of his mental state while yearning to build a lasting life with her, creating a complex and emotional journey for them both.

Warning: spoilers below!

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The Restless (2023) – Ending Explained & Final Scene Breakdown

Still thinking about how The Restless (2023) ended? Here’s a full breakdown of the ending, key final moments, major twists, and the deeper meaning behind the film’s conclusion.

At the end of “Restless,” Thomas’s world is spiraling into chaos as he tries to cover his initial mistake—a hit-and-run that killed a man—by hiding the body in his car trunk. His attempts to dispose of the body using a plan involving his daughter’s toy and an air conditioning vent are frantic and almost comedic, but he manages to bury the body and attend to his family obligations. However, the plot thickens when he starts receiving threatening calls from Marelli, the corrupt narcotics chief, who wants the body for his own nefarious purposes. Marelli is involved in a conspiracy where he and Barcelo, the murdered victim, were secretly engaged in drug trafficking—selling drugs through illegal alcohol and betraying each other for financial gain. Barcelo’s body contains a key to a hidden vault filled with drug money, which Marelli desperately seeks. Thomas’s discovery of this vault and the evidence inside reveals that Barcelo was murdered before his body was hit by the car, exposing Marelli’s crimes.

In a final act of cunning, Thomas gives Marelli the body, but secretly plants a bomb in it. When Marelli attempts to leave with the body, the bomb explodes, nearly killing him. Subsequently, Thomas confronts Marelli, shooting him dead to prevent him from causing more damage. This ultimately leads to Thomas’s arrest, but the police decide to cover up the scandal to protect the force. In the end, Thomas leaves the police force and uses the money hidden by Barcelo—found thanks to the key given by Naomi, a detective who was investigating the case—to start a new life. Ironically, the tragic accident that initially brought him into this dangerous world ultimately gives him a chance at wealth and freedom, highlighting the story’s themes of corruption, guilt, and justice being tangled together in a disturbing but fitting conclusion.

At the end of “Restless,” Thomas’s desperate efforts to cover up his involvement in the hit-and-run and the secrets of the drug conspiracy come to a head. His initial guilt over the accident and subsequent illegal activities lead him deeper into a dangerous web of corruption, especially after he learns that Barcelo, the murder victim, had been killed before his body was hit by Thomas’s car. The key hidden inside Barcelo’s body reveals the existence of a secret vault filled with drug money, which Marelli, the corrupt narcotics officer, desperately wants to get his hands on to sustain his criminal empire.

Thomas’s clever but chaotic plan to use the body as bait ends with him planting a bomb in it, intending to eliminate Marelli once and for all. When Marelli attempts to leave with Barcelo’s body, the bomb detonates, severely damaging Marelli and forcing him into a confrontation where Thomas shoots him dead. Though Thomas is arrested afterward, the police choose to bury the case, fearing the scandal it would cause. In a surprising twist, Thomas leaves the police force and, thanks to the key given by Naomi—who had been investigating the case—he finds a stash of Barcelo’s hidden drug money. This bizarre series of events, sparked by a tragic accident, ultimately offers Thomas a chance at wealth and freedom, blending themes of guilt, corruption, and moral ambiguity into a dark but oddly satisfying conclusion.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:59

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The Restless Summary

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The Restless Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Restless

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