One of cinema’s most famous crime drama thrillers, The Departed swiftly gained widespread acclaim and achieved significant financial success, grossing over $291 million during its theatrical run.
Adding to that, it earned four Oscars, including Scorsese’s long-awaited victory for Best Director. This movie could also see a return in the form of a TV show, although this a speculation.
The Departed follows Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio), who assumes the role of an undercover police officer in crime-ridden South Boston. His mission is to infiltrate the mob syndicate led by Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson) and ultimately earn his trust.
Simultaneously, Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), a seasoned criminal with connections to Costello’s organization, ascends the ranks within the police force while secretly working as an informant for the mob.
Both protagonists become fully immersed in their dual lives, always at the risk of exposure. Survival hinges on exposing the other’s true identity, but the depth of their involvement as undercover agents makes it an exceedingly difficult task.
Keep reading for a breakdown of the events leading to a very intense ending. For those who haven’t seen the movie, spoilers ahead!
Why Did Sullivan Get Shot at the End of The Departed?
In the movie’s gripping finale, many characters meet their demise, leaving only Colin Sullivan as the lone survivor. After several years of serving as a spy for the mob, he remains the only one aware of his betrayal.
However, his secret is at risk of being exposed when his girlfriend, Madolyn Madden (Vera Farmiga), receives incriminating evidence against him through an envelope that Costigan gave her in case anything was to happen to him. The envelope exposed Sullivan to be the rat with his ties to Costello and also revealed his role in Costigan’s death.
This envelope reaches Dignam, presumably through Madolyn, which blows his cover and causes Dignam to exact revenge on him by killing him in his apartment.
Even if Madden chose not to disclose the contents of the envelope, Sullivan could not evade the imminent possibility of his cover being blown.
What Is the Meaning of the End of the Movie Departed?
We see this theme throughout the movie, wherein characters inevitably face the consequences for their deceptive nature, with no one able to conceal their true identity indefinitely. Despite Colin’s belief that he could escape unscathed, the constant threat of his girlfriend knowing the truth weighs heavily on him.
In the case of Sullivan, it eventually catches up to him when Sergeant Dignam (Mark Wahlberg) shoots him in his apartment at the end of the movie.
Presumably, Madden takes the envelope to the police after Costigan’s funeral, which means that Dignam would have all the necessary evidence to exact revenge on Sullivan for his actions throughout the movie.
What Does the Rat Mean at the End of The Departed?
Right after Sullivan is shot to death by Dignam, we witness the final scene of the movie, which has sparked considerable debate and controversy. After Dignam exits, the camera pans up to the Boston skyline, and we see a rat crawling across the patio railing.
The term “rat” is slang for someone who betrays the trust and exposes vulnerable information of whatever organization they are part of. This shot fits perfectly into the context of the movie, with so many characters being double agents.
Costigan was a rat within the mob because he provided insider information about the mob to the police. Sullivan was also a rat within the police department, providing crucial information to Costello. In a twist, Costello also turned out to be a double-crosser within the mob, providing reports to the FBI.
Ultimately all these double agents end up dead, leaving behind very little to justify their actions.
The rat is symbolic of these characters whose loyalties are questionable, to say the least. Towards the end of the movie, the audience becomes so involved in a world full of rats that Martin Scorsese decides to end the film with a symbolic shot of a rat running across Sullivan’s banister.
There are many other theories and reactions to the rat, with some fans creating @RatErase to digitally remove what they think is an unnecessary shot to a good movie.
Who Is the Bad Guy at the End of The Departed?
It is difficult to gauge who exactly the antagonist is in this movie. By the end of the film, it becomes clear to viewers that all the characters want to present a façade of morality and allegiance to their respective organizations while secretly pursuing their own agendas.
The larger message conveyed by the end of this movie is that the world of crime is characterized by chaos and unpredictability. It also reflects the real world, where anyone can fall victim to violence, irrespective of their moral standing.
Typically, in films, we root for the triumph of the virtuous and the downfall of the villains, but with this movie, we see that the distinctive line between good and bad is blurred, and everyone ultimately suffers defeat.
If you’re into drama with a bit of a dark twist and want to see more movies that are as twisted as The Departed, make sure you check out here.
The Departed is currently available to stream on HBO Max.
What do you think of the movie? Do you think Sergeant Dignam could have also been a rat all along? How did you interpret the final shot of the movie with the rat? Should it be removed from the film?
Do let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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