Emily Springer: "Dear Vina Jie-Min Prasad: Subdued Foreshadowing"

Dear Vina Jie-Min Prasad: Subdued Foreshadowing

By Emily Springer

Who even likes happily-ever-afters? I know I don’t. I don’t want to sit through an entire story just for everyone to end up just like my subconscious expected. Instead, I want stories to surprise me. Denis Villeneuve’s movie, Arrival, has a well done ending because it ties together little, foreshadowing details from throughout the story in a way specific enough to be clear, but vague enough to allow me to still draw my own connections and meaning from it. 

Arrival drops details that may appear meaningless and insignificant at first, but these details are incorporated in the story later. Arrival combines details such as language’s effect on the way a person thinks and specifics about the alien language. Individually, these details do not even seem like foreshadowing, yet once they are combined, one can see the impact the alien language will have on the main character’s thoughts. It was subtle enough that I did not catch it during the first time I watched it, which I like because it made the ending unexpected, yet logical in hindsight. After watching it a second time, I could catch these hints, realizing how brilliant of an ending it truly is.

In addition, I like how the ending takes it one step farther than just a compilation of foreshadowing details by adding a heart-wrenching, philosophical twist. Even after understanding the main character’s ability, it is completely different to understand why this character would still put herself through the hardship of losing a child. However, I can learn from her that the pain is worth the immense joy. I can apply this lesson to other aspects of my life because it invalidates the thought of not doing something simply because I could get hurt, either mentally or physically. I like that this surprise ending makes me reflect on my past life choices and look forward to future ones.

Arrival’s ending was good because it offers an ending where there is still realistic hardship, yet the world is not in ruins. For a story to gain the power of impacting my life, I need it to seem realistic. If the story ends with everyone happy, I will remain unaffected. However, Arrival contains an ending where the main characters must make tough decisions, even after knowing the result. Although this twist could potentially distance the audience from the story, since in our world, people cannot know the outcome before making the decision, it sends a different message, directly affecting the audience. It shows that there may not be a completely correct choice to make, but one should instead focus on what makes him or her happy. 

An ending is satisfying when the story ties together all loose ends while still leaving a clear future for the storyline. Arrival did this perfectly, for I did not see any obvious aspect left unexplained. Even though the ending is a little chaotic with the illegal phone call to China, the movie still shows the long-term effects of the alien landing. By continuing the storyline, it makes the entire story seem more realistic and meaningful. I do not like when the ending of a story discredits the rest of the story because it makes me feel like I just wasted my time reading or watching it. Instead, Arrival leaves the story on its own path to continue in the future.

Arrival’s ending satisfies its audience by connecting slight details throughout the story, creating a surprising, engaging conclusion to the story. By allowing the audience into the story, Arrival gives its audience a sense of meaning and purpose in life. It does not simply say that life is good by giving a perfect ending, but instead shows how to find the good in difficult situations, a much more useful lesson.