This Is Not a Comedy (2022) Plot Summary & Ending Explained

The ending of "This Is Not a Comedy" is deeply symbolic and focuses on Gabriel’s journey toward finding peace and self-acceptance. Throughout the film, Gabriel struggles with a sense of meaninglessness, using his imagination and stories as an escape from his reality. His creations—a story about a female astronaut on Mars—mirror his own search for purpose, representing his desire to transcend his current life and reach something greater. As Leyre leaves Earth, her belief that she is traveling to another galaxy after being picked up by aliens highlights her own desire to escape her struggles, almost like a cult’s faith.

Gabriel's life begins to mirror the dissolution of his illusions when Leyre departs, and Melissa cancels her plans for a sperm donation, leaving him with a sense of loss. Meanwhile, the imaginative metaphor of the astronaut also vanishes, symbolizing his internal defeat and the fading of his hope. However, the film ends on an uplifting note when Gabriel’s story is published as a children’s book, becoming a bestseller. This unexpected success allows him to rediscover his identity as a creator and gives his life new meaning. When he hears Leyre’s voice on the radio and a spaceship appears to take him away, it isn’t literal but metaphorical—representing his acceptance of himself and his readiness to move beyond his old self. The spaceship symbolizes his final step in finding peace, embracing the idea that true fulfillment comes from within. Ultimately, Gabriel’s journey is about letting go of illusions and accepting that meaning is something he can create for himself, even if it’s in a different form than he had initially envisioned. The film closes with the idea that sometimes, letting go of everything to find peace is the real victory, and that the mind’s imagination can be a powerful tool in achieving this acceptance.