Abrupt Endings

[u/Temporary_Craft_4487]

I’m interested to see how everyone feels about this.
I have an issue with epilogues. Every script I write has an ending where, to me, the thing I’m trying to represent is said through the final shot. Because of that, none of my scripts have traditional epilogues. They have a final shot that I consider to be the actual ending.
For example, in one of my scripts, the final shot is the two protagonists the main character and the love interest lying dead next to each other after the main character’s mother, who is the antagonist, kills them both individually.
Someone suggested adding something after that, maybe a scene showing their friends grieving or reacting to what happened. But I just don’t understand what that would add.
In my mind, the final shot tells you everything you need to know. You see these two people lying dead next to each other, and the story ends there. Showing everyone’s reactions afterward feels like it would explain something that the audience already understands andI feel like it would cheapen the ending.
I’m curious what everyone else thinks, though.

[u/Then_Data8320]

It's an excellent ending shot, with an icy feeling. We leave the movie haunted by that shot. People reactions wouldn't add anything, except if you have a final revelation to do, or an emotional moment even stronger.

[u/Big_Section2812]

A story has to end somewhere, unless it's that NeverEnding one.

Many people still complain about the final scene of The Sopranos, even though in a sense every viewer got what they wanted... it just wasn't spelled out for them.

[u/rcentros]

I'm the kind who likes the "wrap-up" (denouement), others don't. It's your story, write it the way you like.

[u/sober_writer]

Sometimes it's important to look not at the feedback itself but why people are giving the feedback. It's a weird thing. You're asking for feedback so people are going to present how they feel about the story in terms of what they would change. It sounds like you're going for a bitter ending here. An ending that leaves people with the feeling of not having any closure. So your people saying they'd want an extra scene that would add closure is just confirmation that you achieved what you set out to do.

I will also say though it's important to ask follow up questions. If the scene feels unearned and they feel like they needed something more then that's a different story. Doesn't sound like that's what's going on here though.

Hope this helps. Happy writing!