Promising Young Woman ending explained: Real meaning behind Cassandra's necklace

Promising Young Woman is a drama thriller film that premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. It's written and directed by Emerald Fennell, who has also produced it with Margot Robbie, Ashley Fox, Ben Browning, Tom Ackerley, and Josey McNamara.

The film was released by Focus Features on December 25, 2020, in the United States. Here's the official synopsis as per Letterboxd:

A young woman, traumatized by a tragic event in her past, seeks out vengeance against those who crossed her path.

Let's explore how the film ends and find out the real meaning behind the necklace Cassandra wore.

What is the plot of Promising Young Woman?

Promising Young Woman is about a young woman named Cassandra Thomas, aka Cassie (played by Carey Mulligan). She had dropped out of medical school and is haunted by a tragic event from her past. Cassie then decides to seek revenge from those who wronged her.

How does Promising Young Woman end?

Towards the end of Promising Young Woman, Cassie starts developing feelings for Ryan (Bo Burnham). She slowly begins to realize that life is not all bleak. Madison (Alison Brie) shows her a video that captures the assault on Nina. It establishes that Ryan was there and might even have recorded the incident.

Cassie is enraged and meets Ryan to ask him about AI's next bachelor party. She disguises herself as a stripper and reaches the remote cabin where the party is taking place. She handcuffs AI to the bed in an attempt to k*ll him. But he manages to break free and chokes Cassie to death.

The film ends with AI getting arrested for k*lling Cassie. Joe (Max Greenfield) manages to escape but runs the risk of getting caught.

Jordan was trying to undo all the wrong things he did by helping Cassie. He manages to call the police, who then search the area. This leads to the arrest of AI and Joe. He is the only male figure who helps Cassie in her quest for revenge. Meanwhile, Ryan appears sweet and sensitive on the surface. But we realize that he is just a monster in sheep's clothing. He chooses to side with his male friends over Cassie.

Promising Young Woman also has a metaphor in the form of a gold necklace. Cassie wears this throughout the film. In the film's last scene, one of her colleagues finds one half of that necklace. It has Nina's name on it, and it's put inside an envelope. Cassie had left it there before going to the bachelor's party. A police dog is sniffing the charred remains of Nina. That's where we see the other half of this necklace. In a way, the two are reunited after their death. This also signifies that the two might have been more than just friends.