A series of devastating twists at the end of The Son creates some doubts about Nicholas' fate in The Son. Here's what really happened to him.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Son

This article contains discussions of suicide.

What happened in The Son creates some doubts about Nicholas' fate in the movie. Written and directed by Florian Ziller, the movie features an ensemble cast led by Hugh Jackman as Peter, a man who has successfully reinvented his family life with Beth (Vanessa Kirby) and their young son Theo. Peter must confront his ex-wife Kate (Laura Dern) who informs him that their teenage son Nicholas (Zen McGrath) is struggling with depression.

The Son is somewhat of a symbolic sequel to The Father, Zeller's 2020 Oscar-winning film. The Son features a brief cameo from Anthony Hopkins who starred in The Father and won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of a man with dementia. The Son continues the theme of The Father in its in-depth and lifelike exploration of mental illness and its wide-reaching impact.

Nicholas Shoots Himself In The Son's Ending

The Son tragically ends with Nicholas taking his own life using his father's gun. This outcome happened in spite of Peter and Kate making the difficult decision to keep Nicholas in a psychiatric ward with the hope that he would get proper medical treatment. However, they changed their minds and decided against leaving Nicholas there alone and signed the paperwork for his release against the doctor's orders. Nicholas seemed relieved and happy to be with his parents as he prepared them tea at home, but still chose to end his own life.

Earlier in The Son, Nicholas had discovered Peter's gun that he kept in the house. Nicholas voiced a heartfelt message to his parents before going into the bathroom where the gunshot was heard. Nicholas told Kate and Peter that he loved them and asked for their forgiveness. The fleeting moment seemed like the turning point for Nicholas, who finally seemed at ease. Prior to the gunshot, Kate was asking Peter if he'd join her and Nicholas at the movies in a scene that momentarily promised a more happy ending.

Nicholas Really Is Dead In The Son (Despite Hugh Jackman's Fantasy)

Causing confusion about Nicholas' death was the final scene, which showed Peter imagined what a life with Nicholas still around would be like. He invited his son into his home with Beth, envisioning that Nicholas was coming over with a girlfriend named Lena. The two hug and catch up in the living room where Nicholas appeared to be doing much better living in Toronto. Peter fantasized about what his son would have been like if he had been more attentive to him, imagining that Nicholas would have matured into a well-rounded person and even a novelist. The dreamlike moment came crashing down to reality in another heartbreaking twist as Peter is shown crumbling under his guilt for losing Nicholas in The Son.