The Departed Ending Explained

Main Plot

"The Departed," directed by Martin Scorsese, is a crime thriller set in Boston. The story revolves around two men on opposite sides of the law: an undercover cop infiltrating a powerful crime syndicate and a mole within the police force working for the same syndicate. Both men are tasked with uncovering the other's identity, leading to a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. As they delve deeper into their respective roles, the tension escalates, and the lines between good and evil blur. The film explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the moral complexities of living a double life, culminating in a dramatic and intense showdown.

Characters

Leonardo DiCaprio plays Billy Costigan, an undercover cop infiltrating the Irish mob to gather intelligence and bring down the crime syndicate.
Matt Damon plays Colin Sullivan, a mole within the Massachusetts State Police who secretly works for the Irish mob, undermining police efforts from within.
Jack Nicholson plays Frank Costello, a ruthless Irish mob boss whose criminal activities are central to the film's plot, driving the undercover operations and cat-and-mouse tension.

Ending Explained

In the climactic conclusion of Martin Scorsese's "The Departed," the intricate web of deceit and double-crossing reaches a violent resolution. Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio), an undercover cop, successfully apprehends Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), a mole within the Massachusetts State Police working for mob boss Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). Costigan attempts to bring Sullivan to justice, but the plan unravels when another mole within the police force, Trooper Barrigan (James Badge Dale), kills Costigan. Barrigan reveals himself as an accomplice to Sullivan, but Sullivan, seeking to cover his tracks and eliminate loose ends, kills Barrigan. Sullivan returns to his life, believing he has escaped unscathed. However, the final scene delivers poetic justice: Sergeant Dignam (Mark Wahlberg), who had been suspicious of Sullivan, confronts him in his apartment. Dignam, wearing gloves and a hairnet to avoid leaving evidence, shoots Sullivan, ensuring that his treachery does not go unpunished. The film closes with a shot of a rat on Sullivan's balcony, symbolizing the pervasive corruption and betrayal that defined the narrative.