The ending of Don’t Move is ironic in many ways because “Richard” caused his downfall with Iris, ultimately leading his victim to escape and his death. We are often told that eventually, serial killers overstretch, either by arrogance or because they want to get caught.
The opening of the movie is equally as important at the end. Iris wanted to kill herself. She was ready to leave the world as the grief of her son’s death was too important. She believed she had little to live.
But “Richard”, who could have left her alone to her own demise, charmed Iris into considering to at least live another day as he casually led their situation so he could kidnap her, and eventually, assumedly, sexually assault and kill her.
But the ending of Don’t Move proved that Richard messed with the wrong woman. He gave an intelligent person a reason to live, so once Iris was captured, her resilience to live was far too strong. She had already reached rock bottom; surviving to live was her biggest strength, as she had already accepted she was going to die.
Ironically, “Richard” incentivized Iris to stop him.
That is why, as Richard dies slowly at the end of Don’t Move, Iris thanks him. As he chokes on his blood, she credits him with giving her a different perspective on life.
Of course, I’m not suggesting for one moment that Iris should have gone through the horrific ordeal of being captured by a serial killer, but her desire to fight to live and the extremities behind it was done by Richard. The new lease of life came because she realized, in the absolute danger of turmoil, that she had a reason to live.
And it’s possible that in a way that Iris detected that Richard’s secret life separate from his family was taking a toll. He has the perfect family life—a wife and a daughter who love him dearly. But what fulfilled him was these trips away where he preyed on women due to a car crash he experienced in the past. Iris connected with Richard on his personal burden – juggling two lives: one where his mask is always on and the other where he can finally let it slip.
Richard had many opportunities to discard Iris, but it’s possible that her efforts to relate to him delayed what he convinced himself was inevitable.
However, his death and Iris’s survival were inevitable in the end, giving a superb end to a fantastic thriller. Once Iris regained muscle function, it was over for Richard. She was far too smart for him.
