Everyone would like to wish their fantasies into existence, but the ending of Lindsay Lohan’s Netflix rom-com Irish Wish cautions against it. Protagonist Maddie wishes to take her best friend Emma’s place as Paul Kennedy’s bride. Maddie is Paul’s book editor and has always had a crush on him but never got the courage to tell him. When in Ireland for the wedding, Maddie meets Saint Brigid next to the magical wishing stones, who grants her wish to become Paul’s beloved. Maddie wasn’t planning on meeting and falling in love with photographer James.
In the end, she realizes what a mistake making that magical wish truly was.
Irish Wish Ending Explained
At the end of the rehearsal party, James calls Maddie out. As much as she claims she’s happy marrying Paul Kennedy, it’s clear to James the soon-to-be newlyweds are not compatible. Maddie doesn’t respond well to James’s comments, and the two decide never to speak again after the nuptials. Maddie would like James to leave on the spot, but he is the wedding photographer and needs the money for his upcoming trip to take pictures of tree lizards in Bolivia.
Meanwhile, back in Des Moines, Saint Brigid is still working on sabotaging Rosemary’s flight. The mystical wish goddess clearly does not want Jane Seymour to share screen time with Lindsay Lohan.
Are Paul and Emma meant to be despite Maddie’s wish?
Before letting her go to bed, Paul asks Maddie to edit their wedding vows. He’s a writer, so he thought it appropriate to write both sets of vows. What’s more disturbing is Maddie catching a glimpse of Emma bursting into tears after bidding Paul good night. Even in Maddie’s wishful version of reality, Emma and Paul are made for each other.
It’s the morning of the big day, and Maddie takes a stroll around the massive estate, where she runs into James. He points out how sad she looks even when she tells him that marrying Paul is her “wish come true.”
As she’s all dressed in the horrendous legacy wedding gown her mother-in-law is forcing her to wear, Maddie confesses to the priest about making a wish to Saint Brigid. Of course, he doesn’t take her confession seriously but notes how Saint Bridid gives people what they need, not what they want.
When Emma enters the room, Maddie asks her friend if she has feelings for Paul. Emma is honest, and Maddie promises to make things right.
What happens at Maddie and Paul’s wedding?
Her idea of fixing things involves showing up for the wedding in normal clothes and giving a heartfelt speech on the importance of being sure about big life decisions. Olivia doesn’t take it too well, and neither does Paul. Adding fuel to the fire, James tells everyone that Maddie did most of the writing for Paul’s new book, and the event devolves into chaos.
After a brief rough and tumble, James walks out with Maddie following him. He says he doesn’t want anything to do with her and regrets ruining her wedding. They kiss, and the world spins, but James still leaves, shattering Maddie’s heart.
Does Maddie choose to keep her wish?
Now that she’s finally learned her lesson, Maddie runs back to the wishing stone and summons Saint Brigit begging to “un-wish” her wish. Saint Brigit relents after Maddie promises she learned her lesson.
We then get a complete rewind of the entire movie before Maddie is back where she’s supposed to be; a bridesmaid at Emma and Paul’s wedding. As a side note, Emma’s wedding gown is not that horrid antique dress.
When Maddie runs into the happy groom, he asks her to start working on the sequel for his new book. She asks for co-author credit, but Paul refuses. It appears he’s the “author” and his name sells books. Now that Maddie is no longer in love with Paul, she refuses another unfair collaboration.
How does Irish Wish end?
Maddies seeks out James, and the two instantly connect. She plans to stay in Ireland for a while to write a book about the Cliffs of Mahor, while James declined a work offer to photograph tree lizards in Bolivia because he met an “interesting woman.” He’s referring to Maddie, but in this universe, the two only spent 20 minutes or so riding a bus together and exchanging innocuous banter. That was somehow enough to change his entire life.
The movie ends with Maddie and James enjoying a nice walk by the Cliffs of Mahor.
What did you think of the ending of Irish Wish? Comment below.
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