{"id":48990,"date":"2024-04-04T13:00:44","date_gmt":"2024-04-04T11:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=2016758"},"modified":"2024-04-04T15:51:41","modified_gmt":"2024-04-04T13:51:41","slug":"ripley-ending-explained-netflix-thriller-leaves-door-open-for-lots-more-to-come","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/ripley-ending-explained-netflix-thriller-leaves-door-open-for-lots-more-to-come\/","title":{"rendered":"Ripley ending explained: Netflix thriller leaves door open for lots more to come"},"content":{"rendered":"

Will we see Andrew Scott as Tom Ripley again? <\/p>

By Lewis Knight\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 04 April 2024 at 11:00 AM<\/p>

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Adapting a classic novel such as The Talented Mr Ripley will mean many fans will wonder if changes are made to its ending.<\/p>\n

The Netflix limited series Ripley<\/a> adapts this story in gorgeous black-and-white for a new streaming audience and follows Tom Ripley (Andrew Scott<\/a>) as he attaches himself to the wealthy and charismatic Dickie Greenleaf (Johnny Flynn).<\/p>\n

However, what starts as a friendship soon turns increasingly sinister and Dickie\u2019s lover Marge Sherwood (Dakota Fanning) is increasingly wary of the interloper\u2019s presence in Italy.<\/p>\n

As the series goes through twists and turns, just where do the trio end up and does it match with the ending of Patricia Highsmith\u2019s original novel?<\/p>\n

*Spoiler warning for the end of Netflix\u2019s Ripley*<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ripley ending explained: Netflix thriller leaves door open for lots more to come<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Who dies in Netflix\u2019s Ripley?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Johnny\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Johnny Flynn as Dickie Greenleaf in Ripley.<\/span><\/figcaption> Courtesy of Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Dickie Greenleaf\u00a0<\/strong>is bludgeoned to death with an oar aboard a small motorboat by Tom Ripley in the third episode of the series. After this, Tom leads a dual life as himself and Dickie to achieve his goals.<\/p>\n

This deception is discovered, however, by an old friend of Dickie\u2019s, Freddie Miles<\/strong>, who is then bludgeoned to death with a thick glass ashtray in the fifth episode of the series at the hands of Tom Ripley.<\/p>\n

In regards to both murders, Tom Ripley goes unpunished by the end of the eight episodes.<\/p>\n

Is Tom Ripley caught out in Netflix\u2019s Ripley?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Dakota\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Dakota Fanning as Marge Sherwood in Ripley.<\/span><\/figcaption> Stefano Cristiano Montesi\/Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Not until the final scene does anyone still alive in the show stumble across the true actions of Tom Ripley.<\/p>\n

Having avoided the authorities or any of Dickie\u2019s loved ones realising that no one saw the real Dickie following his brief holiday with Tom and then in Rome and beyond, Tom successfully alternated between impersonating Dickie and being himself.<\/p>\n

Tom even performs well enough as both Dickie and then, later, a much hairier version of himself to Inspector Ravini that the police officer is convinced they are indeed two separate people.<\/p>\n

In a very tense scene in the final episode, it appears that Marge Sherwood may be about to stumble across the truth when she finds Dickie\u2019s signet ring in Tom\u2019s possessions.<\/p>\n

However, having learned to somewhat trust Tom, Marge believes this furthers his narrative that Dickie was suicidal and not intent on returning after the murder of Freddie Miles.<\/p>\n

Once this happens, the police and the Greenleaf family also come into possession of a letter written to Dickie\u2019s Roman landlady Signora Buffi (Margherita Buy) which indicates his desire to part from his belongings and says he now feels those and his passion of painting are now \u201cworthless\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"John\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
John Malkovich as Reeves Minot in Ripley.<\/span><\/figcaption> Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

As everyone appears to believe Dickie murdered Freddie and has now likely committed suicide, Tom is believed by everyone and is free to live his new life of luxury, now buoyed by his criminal connections to criminal art dealer Reeves Minot (John Malkovich).<\/p>\n

The show ends with Minot providing Tom with a fake passport for a Timothy Fanshaw and he is last seen using the alias and unpackaging a Picasso painting with it \u2013 the same piece that once hung in Dickie\u2019s Atrani apartment.<\/p>\n

Yet, in the final scene, Inspector Ravini is pleased to receive a present in the form of Marge\u2019s now-published photographic book on Atrani, which is dedicated to Dickie and includes a photo of the real man.<\/p>\n

Ravini is then shocked to realise that he never met and interviewed the real Dickie and even vocalises the name of Tom Ripley, suggesting he now realises he was tricked.<\/p>\n

Is the ending the same as the novel The Talented Mr Ripley?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Maurizio\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Maurizio Lombardi as Inspector Ravini in Ripley.<\/span><\/figcaption> Philippe Antonello\/Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Not exactly<\/strong>. Unlike the novel by Patricia Highsmith, the Ripley series ends with the fraudulent identity of Dickie Greenleaf being discovered by Inspector Pietro Ravini when he sees an image of the real Dickie Greenleaf in a copy of Marge Sherwood\u2019s book.<\/p>\n

However, in the novel, Ripley\u2019s actions go undiscovered by everyone who suspected him, and his biggest threats are either dead or neutralised.<\/p>\n

The book sees Ripley left the fortune of Dickie Greenleaf and he will inherit the family fortune when Dickie\u2019s parents both die. This sets him up to live a life of luxury as Tom Ripely in the future.<\/p>\n

However, given Tom seizes a new identity in the series, it means Ravini will be unlikely to catch him quickly, at least if he now assumes it was him impersonating Dickie.<\/p>\n

Should the series return, this question would certainly need addressing.<\/p>\n

Read More<\/strong><\/p>\n