Passing ending explained: How does the Netflix movie end?

Passing is now available to stream on Netflix, and those last moments of the new Netflix movie were intense, to say the least. After watching the drama film, we were in disbelief by that shocking ending. We just have to talk about what went down at the end of Passing.

Passing tells the story of two childhood friends, Irene and Clare, who reunite as adults in Harlem during the 1920s. While Irene pretty much stayed the same, Clare is different than how she was as a kid. As an adult, Irene celebrates her racial heritage as an African-American, while Clare hides who she really is by using her light complexion to “pass” as white.

This reunion between old friends starts off innocent before it transforms into this explosive relationship. However, we still weren’t expecting the story to end how it ended.

If you haven’t watched the drama film yet, you might want to click off this article because we’re about to discuss the film’s ending. But, make sure to come back because we break down what happened, and you’re going to need some clarification after that shocking ending!

Spoilers ahead for Passing!

Passing ending

For those who read the source material, you probably weren’t surprised by how the film ended because the endings are the same. However, for the people who hadn’t read the source material, the film’s ending probably came as a shock to you. Well, not a complete shock.

After a disastrous tea party and a run-in with Clare’s husband, John, Irene is fed up and ready to distance herself from Clare. Unfortunately, she, her husband Brian, and Clare are invited to a friend’s house for a party, so she’s forced to interact with Clare.

While traveling up flights of stairs to get to the friend’s house, Brian and Clare laugh and have a good time while a low-spirited Irene follows behind them. When they finally reach the house, Irene is out of it and is by herself while everyone else is enjoying the party.

Irene reaches her breaking point and goes to take a smoke break. She opens a window to let some fresh air in, and Clare notices Irene all by herself. As Clare walks closer to Irene, a knock is heard, and there’s a commotion.

The person at the door is John, and he’s asking for his wife. Clare moves to stand next to Irene by the open window and looks sullen. Irene and Clare share an intense look before John bursts through the door and charges at Clare. He calls her a liar since she lied about being white, and Clare breaks down into tears. John lunges at Clare, and Irene puts her hand out, but Clare tumbles out the open window and falls to the first floor.

While everyone rushes outside to help Clare, Irene stays inside the house and is in shock. After the shock wears off, she goes downstairs and finds out that Clare is dead. Irene starts crying and is distraught. Brian consoles her while Clare’s body is taken away.

Was Clare’s death an accident?

After watching the final scene, the main question on everyone’s mind is if Clare’s fall was really an accident. Irene was fed up with Clare by the end of the film, but did she really dislike her that much to push her out the window?

Then, on the other hand, when Clare walked towards Irene and stood next to her, it almost looked like she knew things were about to blow up in her face, so she made a decision. So, did Clare purposely fall out the window because she couldn’t deal with her secret coming to light? Did she choose to end things because she couldn’t face the reality of her situation?

It’s an ambiguous ending, but I say that Irene pushed her out the window. I don’t think Irene did it intentionally. I think she just snapped. There was so much tension between Irene and Clare leading up to Clare’s death.

Clare was basically taking over Irene’s life. Irene’s kids, husband, and friends all loved Clare. Irene was being replaced, and we could see how Clare’s presence in her life was affecting her. Many times throughout the film, we see Irene showing panic attack symptoms.

Then to top it all off, Irene had some form of an attraction to Clare. I’m not sure if Clare felt the same way about Irene, but if their intense looks were anything to go by, I’d say there was a mutual attraction. I think Irene was battling all these thoughts in her head while at the party and didn’t realize what she was doing until it was already done.

Even though I think Irene pushed Clare out the window, I also believe there’s a chance that Clare purposely fell out the window. Right before John lunges at Clare, Clare looks to the ground and sways a little bit as if she’s trying to get closer to the window. Then, when Irene puts her hand out, Clare looks peaceful as if she’s accepted her fate.

So, my guess is that Clare’s death wasn’t an accident. She was either pushed by Irene, or she fell from the window purposely.

This film was very thought-provoking, and I recommend you watch it if you haven’t already. Passing is now streaming on Netflix, so try to check it out.