The Flash culminates in a reality-altering climax where Barry Allen, after undoing his mother’s death, ultimately decides to restore the original timeline, accepting his loss but ensuring the integrity of the broader multiverse. This decision, however, results in a subtle yet significant change: Bruce Wayne is no longer the Batman of the original DCEU; he’s now portrayed by George Clooney.
The Chronal Chaos and Barry’s Dilemma
The core conflict of The Flash revolves around Barry Allen’s impulsive choice to travel back in time and prevent his mother’s murder. This seemingly benevolent act unravels the fabric of reality, creating a fractured timeline and unleashing a cascade of unintended consequences. Barry finds himself in an alternate 2013 where General Zod is still threatening Earth, but without the Justice League present. Instead, he encounters a younger, powerless version of himself and a retired, disillusioned Batman played by Michael Keaton.
The ensuing chaos is directly attributable to Barry’s tampering with the past. By altering a single crucial event, he triggers a butterfly effect of epic proportions, resulting in a dramatically different and increasingly unstable timeline. This unstable timeline manifests in numerous ways, including:
- The emergence of Dark Flash, a corrupted version of Barry driven mad by his time travel attempts.
- The weakening of the Speed Force, which sustains Barry’s powers and the stability of the timeline.
- The displacement of individuals across timelines, leading to the presence of multiple Barrys and Batmans.
Barry is faced with a difficult choice: either maintain this new reality, where his mother lives but the world is perpetually threatened, or correct his mistake and return to the original timeline, accepting his loss. His internal struggle forms the emotional heart of the film.
The Final Showdown and the Multiverse’s Reckoning
The climactic battle sees Barry and his younger counterpart, alongside Supergirl (Sasha Calle) and Michael Keaton’s Batman, confronting General Zod and Dark Flash. The fight is brutal and ultimately ends in the deaths of Supergirl and Keaton’s Batman, further underscoring the cost of Barry’s temporal meddling.
Realizing the devastating consequences of his actions and recognizing the growing instability of the fractured timeline, Barry ultimately makes the selfless decision to return to the moment he altered the past. He allows his mother to die, effectively resetting the timeline to its original state. This act requires immense emotional fortitude, as he’s forced to relive the trauma he had desperately tried to erase.
However, upon his return to the “present,” Barry discovers that while the core events remain the same, the ripples of his time travel have left a lasting, albeit subtle, alteration. Instead of Ben Affleck reprising his role as Batman, Barry encounters George Clooney, signaling a significant shift in the DCEU timeline and hinting at a more profound disruption to the established cinematic universe. This suggests that even seemingly minor alterations to the past can have significant and unpredictable repercussions.
The Significance of Clooney’s Batman
The inclusion of George Clooney as Batman serves as a meta-commentary on the ever-evolving nature of superhero adaptations and the multiverse concept within the DC universe. It acknowledges the past iterations of Batman while simultaneously opening the door to new possibilities and future storylines.
It’s important to note that the film doesn’t explicitly explain why Clooney’s Batman replaced Affleck’s. Theories abound, suggesting that Barry’s meddling, while restoring the “original” timeline, subtly altered the specific details of that timeline. Perhaps the encounter with the various Batmans during his time travel somehow influenced the selection of who would ultimately occupy that role.
The cameo is also a nod to Clooney’s widely criticized portrayal of the Dark Knight in Batman & Robin (1997). It’s a playful acknowledgement of that film’s legacy and a suggestion that even perceived failures can find a place within the expansive DC multiverse.
FAQs About The Flash Movie Ending
Here are some frequently asked questions about the ending of The Flash, providing further clarity and insight into the film’s complex narrative:
FAQ 1: Why did Barry decide to let his mother die in the end?
Barry realized that his attempt to save his mother created a much worse reality, with countless lives lost and the potential collapse of the multiverse. He understood that his personal happiness couldn’t come at the expense of the greater good, forcing him to make the painful choice to restore the original timeline. This illustrates the importance of acceptance and responsibility when wielding immense power.
FAQ 2: What happened to Supergirl and Michael Keaton’s Batman?
Both Supergirl and Michael Keaton’s Batman were killed during the final battle with General Zod and Dark Flash in the altered timeline. Their deaths were a direct consequence of the unstable reality Barry created and served as a stark reminder of the stakes involved. These sacrifices highlighted the tragic cost of time travel.
FAQ 3: How does the ending affect the wider DC Universe?
The ending is deliberately ambiguous, suggesting a soft reboot of the DC Universe. The appearance of George Clooney’s Batman indicates that the established continuity has been altered, paving the way for new stories and interpretations of iconic characters. This signalled a new era under James Gunn’s leadership.
FAQ 4: Is there a post-credits scene in The Flash and what does it mean?
Yes, the post-credits scene features Barry Allen encountering Aquaman, who is portrayed by Jason Momoa. Aquaman is intoxicated and rambles incoherently, suggesting a light-hearted tone. The scene primarily serves as a humorous moment but doesn’t offer significant clues about the future direction of the DC Universe.
FAQ 5: Why George Clooney and not another Batman actor?
The choice of George Clooney as Batman is largely symbolic. It acknowledges the different iterations of Batman throughout cinematic history and serves as a playful meta-reference. The ending is about showing that the DC multiverse has been changed, and a different actor appearing in the role, one known for a critically panned performance as Batman, reinforces the notion that anything is possible.
FAQ 6: Does the ending negate everything that happened in the movie?
No, the ending doesn’t entirely negate the events of the film. While Barry restores the original timeline, the experiences and lessons he learned during his time travel journey remain. He gains a deeper understanding of loss, responsibility, and the importance of accepting the past.
FAQ 7: What is the significance of the “fixed point” in time?
The concept of a “fixed point” in time, as referenced in the movie, refers to crucial events that are difficult or impossible to alter without causing significant temporal paradoxes. Barry’s mother’s death appears to be one such fixed point, essential for maintaining the stability of the timeline.
FAQ 8: Will Barry Allen remember the events of the alternate timeline?
Yes, Barry retains the memories of his experiences in the altered timeline. This knowledge informs his future actions and shapes his character arc, making him a more mature and responsible hero. He carries the burden of his choices and the lessons learned from them.
FAQ 9: Is Dark Flash permanently defeated?
Dark Flash is destroyed in the altered timeline, so it’s assumed he no longer exists in the restored timeline. However, the concept of the multiverse allows for the possibility of other corrupted versions of Barry Allen existing in alternate realities.
FAQ 10: Did the ending set up a sequel to The Flash?
While the ending leaves the door open for future stories featuring Barry Allen, it doesn’t explicitly set up a sequel. The focus is more on establishing a new direction for the DC Universe as a whole rather than continuing Barry’s individual narrative immediately. Given the film’s box office performance, any plans for a sequel were likely shelved.
FAQ 11: How does the Speed Force work and why was it weakening?
The Speed Force is an extradimensional energy field that grants speedsters their powers. Barry’s time travel and manipulation of the timeline weakened the Speed Force, threatening the stability of reality itself. This demonstrates the potential dangers of tampering with fundamental forces.
FAQ 12: Is the Flashpoint storyline from the comics the same as the movie?
While the film draws inspiration from the “Flashpoint” comic book storyline, it’s not a direct adaptation. The movie deviates significantly from the source material, introducing new characters and altering key plot points to create a unique cinematic experience. However, both explore the consequences of Barry Allen altering the past.