We discuss the ending of the 2023 Netflix Filipino movie What If, which will contain significant spoilers.
What If is a drama-romance film that tells the story of two newlywed musicians who get trapped in a storm on their island honeymoon. They face difficult truths that could tear their marriage apart.
During the film, through multiple flashbacks, we see their character and chemistry dynamic slowly build and then break down. What If is has a very slow pace without a strong enough storyline to keep you captivated.
What If (2023) Ending Explained
How does the film What If end?
In the beginning, we see a woman walking alone on a beach, then traveling by boat alone with a dead plant, but still wearing her wedding ring. The voice-over discusses how she’s made the right choice, and this is where “it ends.” Cut to the couple arriving at their honeymoon with a very much alive plant.
Roughly forty minutes before the end, the storm finally makes its appearance in the film, and the couple is fighting. Billie has a complete breakdown, crying about her childhood and how she doesn’t believe she can be a good parent and be in a relationship.
READ: Where was the 2023 Filipino movie What If filmed?
You can see the couple are now less connected. They’re talking very little, sitting away from one another, and genuinely do not look like they’re enjoying themselves.
Towards the end, we see what we saw in the beginning: Billie leaving the island by boat with her dead plant and relationship in hand. However, this time, Billie gets a call that Jac’s mum has passed away.
She returns to the island, standing in front of Jec as he grieves the loss of his mother. Together, they decide to leave the island together, and the impression given is that they will try. Even though in the beginning, it’s implied it’s the end.
Why is their marriage in jeopardy?
The film shows how music is the main thing the two lovebirds have in common, and this is what makes them think they’re a match made in heaven. However, the couple clearly have their differences, and this puts a strain on their marriage.
The main difference is about their future as parents. We see in a flashback that Billie might not be able to have children, and together, they make the decision not to have children, and Billie is very accepting of this.
However, Jec still lives in the hope that one day they will. His family is constantly FaceTiming during the film, asking and mentioning grandchildren, coming up with remedies for Billie, and forcefully putting this idea in Jec’s head. The old married couple who are on the island are also constantly mentioning children, adding more pressure.
The other conflict is Billie’s jealousy — constantly checking on Jek’s social media, accusing him of fancying other girls, and cheating.
Do they stay together in the end?
Predictably, no. Well, it’s poorly left open to interpretation. I don’t think they have stayed together. The opening sequence suggests something has ended. The plant dies, his mother dies, and everything is dying. However, in the end, there is the unanswered question of whether they will go back to being their old selves, so you can either agree with me that they didn’t stay together or think they went back home and lived happily ever after.
What did you think of the ending of the 2023 Netflix Filipino movie What If? Comment below.
