Beautiful Boy ending explained: A father is a father after all

Beautiful Boy was one of the many films released in 2018, a year packed with bangers like Avengers: Infinity War, Aquaman, Bohemian Rhapsody, and more. But among them was Felix van Groeningen’s English feature Beautiful Boy, which failed at the box office but ruled the hearts. It’s a story about addiction inspired by true events from the lives of David Sheff (Steve Carell) and his son, Nic Sheff (Timothée Chalamet).

David Sheff is one father every kid craves. He isn’t a spoiling dad but a supportive one who has gone through what Nic is going through in the movie: drug addiction. But David is also human, so he has his limits. This is why he, at one point, almost gives up on his son. But then, a father is a father after all. He is there for his son after he almost dies of a drug overdose at the end of the story.

Nic is a Beautiful Boy, and David is a Beautiful Man

Beautiful Boy didn't perform well at the box office. (Image via Plan B Entertainment)

Drug addiction destroys families, though it isn’t exactly the case here, as David’s family is a strong one from his second marriage with Karen Barbour-Sheff (Maura Tierney). Nic was born of his first marriage with Vicki Sheff (Amy Ryan). When you see Nic, you’ll know the grand talent in him, but he has succumbed to crystal meth, one of the worst substances that can even lead to death.

David is always supportive of his son in Beautiful Boy, trying to help him get his life on track. Nic is always in and out of rehab, and when he’s out, it seriously appears as if he has left the addiction behind. However, this isn’t the case, and it becomes clear in his behavior. There’s even a moment when Nic uses the F-word on his father.

Throughout the entire story, the viewer will almost feel bad for David, and some might even wish he’d just let go of his son and move on. However, it’s really easier said than done. There’s a lot of courage involved in making such a decision. Neither letting a son go nor continuing to try to save him are easy decisions to make.

David is there for his son at the end

Closing credits show that Nic overcame his addiction. (Image via Plan B Entertainment)

In the final moments of the film, Nic has again consumed crystal meth with a girl who almost died. This event shakes him to the core, so he calls his dad, hoping he will be there for him in this moment of inner chaos. However, there’s a bigger shock waiting for him, as David clearly tells him that he cannot help and that Nic should call his sponsors.

With nowhere to turn, Nic again injects himself with the substance, and this time he overdoses and almost succumbs to death. Nevertheless, he is saved, and the last few seconds are the most emotional and reassuring at the same time.

Both Nic and David are sitting on chairs at the end of Beautiful Boy, and we see the former bursting into tears. David is just there, comforting his son.

It's a beautiful scene.