Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) Ending Explained – Final Scene & Meaning

Diana chooses the Lasso of Truth because killing Maxwell would not solve the core problem, all the wishes he granted would remain in effect, continuing to destabilize the world. By using the Lasso, she forces Maxwell to confront his own greed and the harm he's caused, compelling him to willingly renounce his wish. This act of truth not only reverses the global chaos but also demonstrates Wonder Woman's commitment to justice through redemption rather than vengeance.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Diana hesitating to kill even when faced with danger, establishing her moral code against lethal force.

• maxwell lord
• lasso of truth
• wonder woman
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• redemption

Barbara Minerva is defeated by Diana during the final battle and, like all the wishes granted by Maxwell Lord, her transformation into Cheetah is undone when Maxwell renounces his wish. This means Barbara returns to her normal human form, though the emotional and psychological toll of experiencing power and then losing it likely leaves lasting consequences for her character.

Foreshadowing: The film's theme that every wish comes with a cost foreshadows that Barbara's superhuman abilities would not be permanent.

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Yes, Steve Trevor dies for the second time in the film. When Maxwell renounces his wish to have his son, all wishes are nullified, which means Steve, who was brought back through Diana's wish, returns to being dead. Unlike the first time, this death is permanent because Diana chooses not to wish him back, understanding that restoring him would risk the world's stability. His sacrifice is the bittersweet conclusion to their romance.

Foreshadowing: The film explicitly establishes that wishes come with a cost, and Diana's wish to bring Steve back ultimately requires her to give him up to save the world.

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Diana flies for the first time in the film's climax while rescuing people from danger, symbolizing her fully embracing her role as Wonder Woman. At the ending, she flies among the celebrating crowd as a public display of hope, confirming she's no longer hiding her identity. This moment represents her acceptance of her duty to protect others openly, rather than living in the shadows as she has since World War I.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Diana using her Lasso and fighting skills, building toward her full superhuman potential being revealed.

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After Maxwell Lord renounces his wish to see his son, his powers collapse and all the wishes he granted are undone. The ending implies he goes into hiding, having sacrificed his health, wealth, and reputation for a brief reunion with his son. His ultimate fate is left ambiguous, he is not killed or arrested, but rather fades away as a broken man who lost everything through his own ambition.

Foreshadowing: Maxwell's rapid physical deterioration throughout the film hints at the unsustainable nature of his power.

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The Dreamstone's power is reversed when Maxwell Lord, under the influence of the Lasso of Truth, voluntarily renounces his own wish to have his son. Since Maxwell was the source of all the granted wishes, he was the one bearing the costs while channeling the Dreamstone's power, renouncing his wish creates a cascading effect that nullifies every wish he granted worldwide. This resets reality back to its original state before any wishes were made.

Foreshadowing: The film's rule that wishes come with a cost is established early, showing that the wish-granter bears the burden.

• dreamstone
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• reversed
• nullified
• maxwell lord

Diana's ending shows her fully accepting her identity as Wonder Woman. Instead of hiding her powers and living a quiet life, she flies openly among the public, symbolizing her commitment to protect others without secrecy. She also continues searching for Asteria, the legendary Amazon warrior, suggesting her journey as a hero is ongoing. The ending establishes that she will fight for justice from the shadows when needed but is now willing to be seen as a symbol of hope.

Foreshadowing: Diana's internal conflict about whether to reveal herself runs throughout the film, making her public flight a definitive character choice.

• diana
• wonder woman
• character arc
• acceptance
• identity

Yes, the ending includes several setups for future films. Diana continues searching for Asteria, the legendary Amazon warrior who allegedly wore golden armor, hinting at potential new adventures. Her ongoing fight for justice in secrecy suggests future conflicts. Additionally, Barbara Minerva's fate, while reverted, could allow her return as Cheetah in future installments. The open-ended nature of Maxwell Lord's whereabouts also leaves room for potential redeeming or antagonistic returns.

Foreshadowing: The post-credits scene and thematic hints about Asteria were likely planned as sequel hooks.

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• dceu

The ending emphasizes core themes of love, sacrifice, truth, and hope. Diana's choice to let Steve go demonstrates that true love sometimes requires selfless sacrifice for the greater good. Her use of the Lasso of Truth rather than violence shows that confronting reality and accepting consequences is more powerful than revenge. The restored world represents hope, that even when desires corrupt, redemption is possible. Diana flying among the people symbolizes her role as an accessible protector rather than a distant god.

Foreshadowing: Throughout the film, characters who make wishes without considering consequences face ruin, while Diana's selflessness ultimately saves everyone.

• themes
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The world returns to normal because Maxwell Lord was the conduit through which the Dreamstone granted wishes, he took on the costs while channeling its power. When he renounces his core wish (to see his son), the magical connection is broken entirely. This reverses every wish he granted globally, since all those wishes depended on his personal sacrifice to sustain. Without Maxwell's willingness to bear those costs, the wishes cannot exist, causing reality to snap back to its original state.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes that Maxwell's health deteriorates proportionally to the number and magnitude of wishes he grants, showing the unsustainable nature of his role.

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