Parthenope (2024)

The ending of Parthenope (2024) shows the protagonist, Parthenope, now a respected professor, returning to Naples in 2023. She reconciles with the trauma of her brother Raimondo's death, embraces the contradictions of her city, and finds a sense of belonging as she watches Napoli football fans celebrate a major victory, smiling in quiet acceptance.

Expanded narrative of the ending scene by scene:

The film's final act takes place in 2023, decades after the youthful summers that shaped Parthenope's life. Parthenope, having evolved from a restless young woman into a mature academic, arrives back in Naples. The city is alive with celebration as Napoli's football team has just won a significant match. The streets are filled with jubilant fans waving flags and chanting, embodying the city's passionate spirit.

Parthenope walks through the crowd, observing the vibrant, chaotic energy around her. Her face reflects a complex mixture of emotions--nostalgia, sorrow, and finally, a serene acceptance. This moment marks her emotional reconciliation with her past, particularly the tragic death of her brother Raimondo, whose suicide had cast a long shadow over her youth.

As she watches the fans, the film lingers on her expression, capturing a subtle but profound smile. This smile signifies her coming to terms with the contradictions of Naples--its beauty and brutality, its sacred traditions and profane realities. It also symbolizes her acceptance of herself, her history, and her place within the city's ongoing story.

The fate of the main characters at the end is as follows:

• Parthenope: She has grown into a respected professor, intellectually fulfilled and emotionally reconciled with her past. Her return to Naples and her smile amid the celebrations indicate a newfound peace and belonging.

• Raimondo: His tragic suicide remains a pivotal event in the narrative, shaping Parthenope's journey. Though he is deceased, his memory continues to influence her.

• Sandrino: While not present in the final scenes, his earlier unrequited love and complex relationship with Parthenope contribute to the emotional texture of her story.

The ending encapsulates the film's themes of loss, identity, and the search for happiness within the contradictions of life and place. It closes on a note of quiet hope and acceptance rather than resolution or triumph.

Raimondo throws himself off the cliffs of Capri after Sandrino seduces Parthenope, which triggers a deep emotional crisis in him. Raimondo has an incestuous attachment to his sister, and witnessing her intimacy with Sandrino shatters him, leading to his tragic suicide.

Sandrino is the son of the Di Sangro family's housekeeper. He grows up alongside Parthenope and becomes obsessed with her. Their relationship is marked by unrequited love and tension, culminating in Sandrino seducing Parthenope during a trip to Capri, which leads to Raimondo's suicide.

Parthenope meets Roberto Criscuolo, a mafioso, at a party in honor of actress Greta Cool. Criscuolo takes her to a family ritual where heirs of two Camorra families conceive a child to mark unity. Parthenope later becomes pregnant by Criscuolo but chooses to have an abortion.

Parthenope attends an anthropology course taught by Professor Devoto Marotta, known for his severity. She challenges him during an evaluation, and they develop mutual respect. Marotta later advises her on her academic work, suggesting she research the cultural impact of miracles instead of suicide, and becomes a mentor figure in her life.

John Cheever, the American writer, meets Parthenope during her time in Capri. Unlike other men, he is not overtaken by lust for her and instead offers her thoughtful advice about youth and beauty. He tells her, 'I don't want to steal one minute of your youth from you,' reflecting his own loneliness and self-loathing.