Jay Kelly Ending Explained: What Does the Final Scene Signify?

Directed by Noah Baumbach, ‘Jay Kelly’ presents a moving story about a celebrated movie star undergoing a midlife crisis. The Netflix film centers around the titular character, Jay Kelly, an industry giant, whose exceptional acting career has cemented his name in the pages of history. However, after he suffers the loss of a dear friend and filmmaker, he begins to question his life and all the choices he has made that led him to this moment. As a result, in an attempt to have no regrets moving forward, he decides to undertake a last-minute trip across Europe, chasing after his career and his family in one fell swoop. Although he has his entire court of staff at the beginning of this trip, the only person he can really rely on to be by his side is his manager, Ron Sukenick. Even so, as he nears his final destination: the Tuscany Film Festival, bestowing him with an honorable tribute, he’s forced to examine the reality of even that relationship, and every other one in his life. In the end, although he’s in the right place at the right time, the bitter thought of what-ifs lingers behind. SPOILERS AHEAD!

Jay Kelly Plot Synopsis

On the final day of the shooting for his latest film, Jay Kelly experiences the familiar melancholia that comes with the end of every project. Yet, this time around, something seems different about the comedown. Thus, matters aren’t helped when he returns home to find that his daughter, Daisy, is setting off on a European summer trip in the coming days. Her plans effectively make moot his ideas for some father-daughter bonding time. He’s particularly bummed out because Daisy will be heading off to college this year, marking her official step into adulthood. Shortly afterward, he also receives some devastating news from his manager and close friend, Ron Sukenick. As it turns out, Peter Schneider, the filmmaker who helmed Jay’s debut project, has passed away. When the actor recalls their last day together, some six months ago, he can’t help but feel guilty remembering how he turned down Peter’s request to star in his upcoming project.

Later, at Peter’s emotional funeral, Jay runs into a friend from his youth, Timothy, whom he hadn’t seen in ages. After exchanging friendly small talk, he decides to go out for a drink with him, much to Ron’s displeasure, who can’t help but be cautious about the actor’s public outing with a near-stranger. Apparently, he was right to have a cause for concern since Jay and Timothy’s catch-up soon turns sour when they reminisce far back enough. Years ago, before Jay became Jay Kelly, celebrity extraordinaire, the duo were in the same acting class. The latter had accompanied Timothy to an audition to help him feed lines. However, after his friend lost out on the role, he asked to read for the same part, equipped with the other man’s earlier notes, and ended up catching the filmmaker’s eye.

On top of everything, Jay also had an affair with Timothy’s girlfriend, cementing the end of their friendship. Therefore, in the present-day reunion, the latter can’t help but harbor some bitter feelings toward the actor, which results in a bar fight. The next day, sporting a black eye, the acclaimed thespian makes a few whirwhind decisions. First off, he insists on dropping out of his upcoming role in the coveted Louis Brothers project. Additionally, he decides to fly out ot Europe to piggyback on Daisy’s vacation without her knowledge. As a result, Ron, publicist Liz, and an entourage of other staff members find their plans wrecked in order to appease the star’s worldly whims. One of these whims includes taking a train from France to Italy, once his team’s sluethy methods reveal Daisy to be on the same train. Naturally, Jay’s presence in public transport generates much fanfare, allowing the star to shine in his element. Furthermore, he also pushes Ron to secure him a film festival tribute that he previously turned down.

Meanwhile, Liz panics behind the scenes as she learns about Jay’s violent bar outing of the other day. Soon enough, the team becomes sick of catering to the star’s unhinged whims, compelling them all, except Ron, to abandon him. On the other hand, Daisy doesn’t take too kindly to her father’s stalking methods and ultimately declines to attend his tribute event. All of this brings up some uglier emotions for the actor in relation to his embittered relationship with his eldest daughter, Jessica. Eventually, by the time he arrives in Italy, things have gone spectacularly upside down for him. Furthermore, as Ron finds himself occupied with another engagement, Jay has to attend the lunch with the festival people, and his father is all alone. Consequently, he begins to realize how truly lonely it can get, being on the top of the mountain.

Jay Kelly Ending: What Does the Final Scene Mean?

Despite everything, Jay manages to make it to the Tuscany film festival, even if it is with only one person in his corner: Ron. Throughout the film, the actor has been struggling to reckon with the darker side of his life. Full of youthful ambition and drive, he spent his early years chasing after his artistry and stardom. Although his efforts cemented him as a legend in his own right, it also came with a brutal cost. In order to prioritize his career, he had to make sacrifices in his personal life. As a result, his marriages, of which there were multiple, suffered, as did his relationship with his children, particularly Jessica. Likewise, old friendships withered away until he found himself surrounded by “friends” who were really just on his payroll. Even then, he couldn’t help but disappoint or hurt these people in the pursuit of his own selfish happiness and ambitions.

However, the ending sequence, where the Tuscany film festival showcases a montage of Jay Kelly’s career bests, brings the other side of the coin to the actor. The wrapping up of his latest project, Peter’s death, and his own age have compelled the protagonist to face the reality of his mortality. Therefore, he can’t help but look back on his life with a bitter perspective, beating himself up for missed opportunities, mistakes, and unfixable regrets. Nonetheless, when faced with the tribute and the awe and attention of every single attendee, Jay begins to realize the flipside of the choices he made. Even though his career may have distanced him from even the most important of interpersonal relationships in his life, he also gained something from that trade-off. His artistry and his work have influenced and touched millions and will continue to carry forward his legacy.

For the same reason, in the aftermath of the sentimental montage, Jay is visibly moved. Additionally, when he looks to the camera and asks “if he can go again,” the scene becomes a callback to the very beginning of the film. The story opens with the actor on the set for Eight Men From Now, where he asks if he can act out the final scene once again. Apparently, this desire for retakes is a signature habit of the actor’s. By asking for retakes, Jay showcases the perfectionist, yet vulnerable side of his personality, wherein he constantly thinks that he can improve upon his previous actions. The protagonist spends the entire film coming to the same realization, where he can’t help but think that he can do a better job at playing the part of Jay Kelly, if only he had the learned perspective of his current self. He would be a better father, husband, and friend—if only he could have another go at it.

Does Jay Retire? Will He Do the Louis Brothers Movie?

Another way to interpret Jay’s climactic dialogue presents an even more optimistic and joyous conclusion to the protagonist’s story. Shortly after wrapping up Eight Men From Now, the actor begins to court the idea of retirement. Peter’s death further cements his stubborn decision to drop out of the Louis Brothers film, which becomes a major source of conflict between him and Ron. The project has the potential to be incredibly important for the future trajectory of Jay’s career. Nevertheless, since the actor isn’t sure he wants to pursue a career anymore, he’s nonchalant about the entire prospect. His run-in with Timothy has brought up various complicated feelings for him regarding his acting career. Jay can’t help but feel like, over time, he has repeatedly ruined his interpersonal relationships in the name of his career.

Jay screwed over his friendship with Timothy during the audition, he neglected his relationship with Jessica, and he even disappointed Peter months before his death by choosing the Louis Brothers project over his film. The examples are endless. For the same reason, in his midlife crisis, he entertains the idea of retirement so that he can spend the rest of his life making amends and possibly fixing the relationships he has ruined along the way. Nonetheless, when it comes down to it, Jay doesn’t really regret his actions. He regrets not being a better father and a friend, but he doesn’t regret chasing after his ambitions and achieving them. The tribute montage possibly reminds him of the same. Therefore, while the film leaves the question of Jay’s future career unanswered, it’s possible to read the ending and his desire “to go again” as a wish to re-live his career. Thus, it’s possible that once reminded of his love for acting, the thespian would decide against retirement in the future.

Why Does Jay Care About the Tribute? Who Attends it With Him?

Initially, when Ron presents Jay with the prospect of receiving a tribute at the Tuscany Film Festival, the latter promptly declines the offer. He expresses his steadfast and consistent distaste for tributes, claiming that he would never approve one. Yet, in the aftermath of his fight with Timothy, the actor completely changes his mind and decides that he wants the tribute perhaps more than anything else. Part of the reason behind this change of heart could be the nature of his interaction with Timothy. During their meeting, Jay makes it a point to emphasize just how brilliant an actor his friend is. He was at the top of the group during their acting classes days, and he still harbors the kind of skill that makes even reading the menu captivating.

In turn, once enough time passes and Timothy’s discretion runs thin due to alcohol, he brings up the truth about the day Jay was discovered. The fact that he had not only stolen the audition but Timothy’s notes as well casts a dark shadow on the star’s own brilliance. It’s no secret that if this truth comes out in the open, people’s perception of the great Jay Kelly may change. However, it’s only highlighting part of what contributed to the actor’s success. While luck had its part to play in building his career, a certain ambition and dedication were also required to reach the level of stardom that Jay did. Perhaps for the same reason, in light of this interaction, he’s desperate to prove the tangibility of his own efforts to himself. Furthermore, he wants to prove to himself that all the sacrifices he has made in his life, mostly of his interpersonal relationships, were worth it in the end. This, paired with his shaky retirement plans, compels the actor to seek out an exceptional send-off, one that is perfectly manifested through the tribute.

However, the bitter truth remains: Jay may be at the top of the mountain, but he’s also dreadfully lonely. His marriages have all ended in disaster, Daisy is eager to chart her own path outside of him, and Jessica has already moved on from the worst of his childhood neglect. Even his father ends up turning his back on him at the last moment, preferring to return home after a night of jaunty partying rather than support his son. Jay’s lonely reality is further contrasted by another actor, Ben Alcock, who brings five carfuls of his family to the event, all of whom are happy to show their love and support. Still, even when everyone abandons the protagonist, he finds one reliable shoulder to lean on: Ron. The latter’s relationship with the actor isn’t on the best of terms, professionally. Still, when Jay asks, clearly desperate and lonely, Ron decides to stick by his side, proving the depth of his friendship. As a pleasant surprise, Jay also notices a group of fans he had befriended on the train has also shown up for the event, showcasing how beloved he is by the public.

Does Ron Stop Working With Jay? Does He Forgive Him?

Although Ron does attend the film festival with Jay, it doesn’t erase the complications of the duo’s relationship. Throughout the film, the manager struggles with recognizing the line between his relationship with the actor as an employee and a friend. Truth be told, he’s one of the only people who truly sees Jay for who he is and loves him for it anyway. Still, his loyalty and affection for the other man come with their own attached strings. The reason he can recognize the significance of his talent and overlook his more personal indiscretions is that his own professional success is reliant upon the actor. While his family can hold a grudge against him for overworking and prioritizing his career over their relationships, Ron can afford to look past it and appreciate him for his career. Similarly, unlike his friends and family, Jay can rely on Ron to constantly be by his side by virtue of being the one who signs the other man’s cheques.

Consequently, the imbalance of power dynamic and the monetary aspect of their relationship murkies the waters of their friendship. The actor has his doubts about how much of a friend his manager would be if he weren’t taking 15% of his project deals. Likewise, the latter has to reckon with the idea that he may not be as important a monolith in Jay’s personal life as he is to him. Ultimately, all of this rises ot the surface with Jay’s midlife crisis as he repeatedly declines to work on the Louis Brothers project regardless of how it may affect the lives of those around him. This becomes the final straw that makes Ron realize it would be impossible to have a professional relationship with Jay without risking the destruction of their friendship and vice versa. Simply put, it’s not healthy for Ron to continue working for the star. However, as evidenced by the ex-manager’s decision to accompany the actor for the tribute, the end of their professional relationship doesn’t mean the duo has to give up on their friendship as well.

What Happened Between Jay and Jessica? Does She Forgive Him?

Jay’s relationships with his daughters become instrumental pillars of his personal life and the regrets he harbors. However, the nature of his dynamic with his two daughters differs greatly. His younger kid, Daisy, seems to have grown accustomed to the reality of what it means to have a superstar for a father. She doesn’t expect to spend time with him often and makes her plans around him. Nonetheless, Jessica had a much different experience. From a young age, she has felt abandoned by her father, detesting him for the decisions that led him farther and farther away from her. The fact of Jay’s divorce from Jessica’s mother further complicated matters, as it took the kid even farther away from him. Yet, it wasn’t simply circumstances that contributed to the destruction of their relationship.

Throughout Jessica’s early years, Jay made the conscious decision to prioritize his career over his time with her. He was desperate for stardom and acclaim, and he chased after his ambitions with great devotion. As he was making these choices, he was aware of the distance he was putting between himself and his daughter, but he convinced himself that it was a price he was willing to pay in order to get what he wanted. All of this comes out in the open in the final phone conversation between the actor and his daughter, wherein he tries to convince her to fly to Tuscany to attend the tribute with him. Perhaps he wishes to show her the fruits of his labor in an attempt to convince her, too, that his neglect had ultimately been worth something. Nonetheless, Jessica doesn’t owe him any closure or forgiveness. She suffered under the neglect of a distant father throughout her childhood, and now she’s finally happy in her adult life, of which Jay is not a part by design. Ultimately, the latter is forced to pay the price he traded for his career.