Babylon Movie Explained | Ending Explained 

Hope my research and ideas help you out and offer some new insights! What were your thoughts and ideas around Babylon? I would love to discuss! Let me know below!

Loved Sydney Palmer's character the most. His decision must have been so hard because Manny guilt tripped him by saying "Other people's families will starve because you won't put on make up". Him going through it once and never going back was such a profoundly grown up thing to do.

My favorite part is Nellie’s scene that took eight takes to get it right 🎬

Great breakdown! Damien Chazelle said in an interview, “Babylon is a love letter to cinema, but a hate letter to Hollywood.” To me, this is Chazelle grappling with his own fame and power in Hollywood. La La Land was written before he made Whiplash and became a famous filmmaker. It’s about the outsiders romanticism of the industry. Babylon was written after he won an Oscar, got remarried and had a child. Manny comes back with his wife and child years later only to fall in love with cinema all over again. I also think it’s no coincidence that Nellie is from New Jersey and rose to fame quickly. Damien Chazelle is from New Jersey and rose to fame quickly as well.

Diego HAS to win the Oscar! He was so raw and perfect in this film. Especially being a newcomer. He was great !

that ending really hit me hard. Harder than I expected, but in a great way. Makes me remember why I make films in the first place.

Jack Conrad goes through something similar although a bit more brutal than Leo's Rick Dalton in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. You can't help but feel sad for Jack because even though he cares about his image he is not overly full of himself or self-centered. He gives credit to George. He really loves making movies...he tells Manny making movies is the most magical thing. You know right then he loves what he does and those involved with it. Brad Pitt did amazing acting with his eyes as he becomes more saddened throughout the second half. Really felt like I was experiencing his sadness when he snuck into the movie and until the end.

I think that one of the overarching themes of the film is the need to be loved at all costs. Much has been said about the kind of people who go into show business. Oftentimes, people enter the business already broken in some way, hoping that success and fame will heal them. It's clear when we first meet Nellie that she's damaged. But she has a gift--perhaps because of that damage--and it gives her a career. Sadly, she is so emotionally scarred that she is never able to find peace, to tame the demons that haunt her. Jack's issue is that he doesn't know who he is without success and adoration. He cannot exist without those things. He doesn't have the tools. Sydney, on the other hand, craves success because he wants to be better and do better than his contemporaries. He is the only character in the film who deserves his success, but he finds that the sacrifices he has to make are too great. Luckily, he has enough self-esteem and courage to save himself, as he is the least scarred of the main characters. I think that Sydney represents those who enter the business with good hearts and intentions, willing to do the work, but get chewed up anyway.

A great piece of symbolism towards the end of the film: When Tobey Maguire's character is pitching Manny on his movie ideas, his last pitch is basing an entire film around "someone". He insists Manny and the Count need to see for themselves and eventually takes them to an underground LA party with several different floors (the circles of hell). The final floor showcases a crowd hysterically cheering on a masked, muscled man to whom Tobey Maguire was referring to. Purposely depicted as a low IQ circus freak, the masked "hero" opens a basket containing live mice and proceeds to gruesomely eat one on stage. The crowd erupts in applause... I interpreted that scene as Chazelle's deliberate commentary on the Marvel/superhero studio cash grabs that have become the unfortunate reality of today's films. So perverse to cinema that they belong in the depths of hell. The mouse being eaten represents the desecration of Disney's iconic historic imagery, Mickey Mouse. (Disney purchased Marvel back in 2009)

I know a lot of people have called this film "scathing." I think if you've worked in the industry at all, it's hardly scathing, just accurate. But the final scene, to me, is a celebration of cinema as an ecosystem. It's not asking "was all this worth it???"; it's acknowledging that this massive, multifaceted living thing has darkness, has light, the highest of highs and the lowest of lows -- but it all exists as one. And despite what it takes from us, we live for what it gives to us. Loved your take on the film, thank you!

As soon as I left the theater I was looking for a vid like this. Great breakdown, amazing film. I really hope this wins awards. This film truly had every genre into one massive thrill ride.

literally went in blind to this movie, didnt see any trailer or anything. man wtf i was so blind sided and loved it. i was surprised how late it was when i left, i didnt notice it was 3 hours. i felt maybe it was hard to piece together the themes tho so i went online and saw so many critics and other people complaining about it. jeez its crazy. anyway thanks for helping me see some of the through lines in the movie. good luck with more videos!

Just watched this movie last night, spot on analysis but I wanted to point out the ending in the movie theatre with Manny. Not only is he witnessing how far cinema has come, but he remembered his part in it and how he wanted to be part of something bigger. The detail that the movie he watches is Singing in the Rain which must have been a punch to his gut given the parallels of his own transition to talkies, and the struggles of the silent actress to sound being a running gag, this scene has a lot more depth than most movies in the last few decades. It really is a love letter to cinema and hate mail to Hollywood.

The first act had me questioning if this film would be good, but the rest of the film, specifically from the scene where Nellie takes 8 takes to do the scene, and onwards was perfect. Babylon deserved wayyy more praise than it got!!!

I watched this on Christmas 2 days ago, I’m 15, definitely was not expecting such an intense movie. I felt very uncomfortable throughout various moments including the grotesque and rather gruesome points but ultimately that was just an accurate representation of how absolutely chaotic and almost uncivilized the roaring 20s were. Manuel’s character was the one that I rooted for the entire film, I think he represents us, the viewers as he is an outsider of the industry until he almost gets consumed into it. Great video!

Dude your video was amazing. You kept it short and straight to the point. You broke it down better so i could understand each character on a deeper level more. The one thing I will say, I feel Mannie at the end is reliving the whole movie that we just watched in his head and how he said he wanted to make an impact in the film industry with Nelly, and he really did. And that’s why he smiles at the very end watching the cinema. Such a beautiful movie!!

This movie reminds me of The Weeknd’s ‘After Hours’ album and its themes about Hollywood and what it’s really about underneath the ‘Blinding Lights’ and wanting to ‘Escape From LA’ and that life style with Nellie LaRoy being the ‘Snowchild’, Jack Conrad losing his ‘Faith’ and Manny becoming ‘Heartless’ (those puns are intended). If you haven’t heard the album I’d recommend it especially if you’re XO fan and to watch the music videos in timeline order

This has been one of my most anticipated movies of this year for months. I've just come out of the theater and I can confidently say it's my favorite out of this year and that's saying a lot, considering all the top tier movies we've had since January. I'm also really glad you're one of the earliest people to review this. Not only do you have a very calming voice that's easy to listen to in your videos, but you also make plenty of valid points that I sometimes overlook. For instance, I'd originally seen Manny's ending as more on the tragic side (despite being alive with a newfound family), I first felt that Nelly basically ruined his life by constantly dragging him into her mess. After your review, I have a pretty different outlook on the final scene, especially after you mentioned her indirectly saving him from losing himself, and him crying at the end almost seems like tears of relief in retrospect. Thank you for putting this video out so early!

Dude, this was the best analysis I’ve ever seen. Thank you so much. and you got it up in literally one day after you watched it that’s so cool

This breakdown is fantastic! So many new insights I didn’t catch when watching the film. Thank you for this!!

Right up there with the best movie critiques and synopses I've read. Thank you! You've genuinely made me excited to watch it, despite the many negative reviews it has received.

Compliments Lucas. Enjoyed your presentation on the symbolism, mythical and archetypal breakdown of the themes of Babylon. Your research is evident. I think this type of art in cinema exploration could easily be the basis for a college level course. Well done.

Wow wow wow. Love this review. You said what all the other critics can’t seem to grasp AND what people like me, who defend the film, can’t say as eloquently as you did. Thanks!

This is a wonderful review. We hope to see more amazing content like this. Happy Holidays.

Amazing analysis. Can't wait to check this one out!

U posted this while I was in the theater watching this🔥 love ur view on it

The kindest review on this film I've seen so far. I've just finished watching and still digesting this film. It's definitely not close to Damien's previous works, but I do love the tainted and excessive view on the industry that spoiled everyone involved.

I just saw Babylon and I really appreciate your beautiful analysis. You picked up on on the important themes running through the film.

Fantastic video essay! Subscribed, and going to watch more.

A very nice, intriguing and coherent interpretation of the film. Thanks!

Glad to find a video actually discussing the themes etc of the movie, I just watched it last night and really enjoyed it then I come online and can only find massive criticisms.

Great analysis! I've seen this movie 3 times already (it was released in January in my country) and I love every piece of it. Every time I watch it I notice something new, might go 4th time 🍿

One of the things that I thought made Manny’s character really interesting is that he never really does anything on his own, even when he’s a studio exec. When he’s pushing the elephant up the mountain, it’s because the party hosts wanted it. When he shoots at the extras, it’s because Jack Conrad wanted it. When he told Sidney to put on black face, it’s because the editors and ceos wanted it. The only thing I think he ever did more because he wanted it than anything else was asking Nellie to marry him, and in the end, it was far too late. Even in his struggle to keep Nellie in the spotlight, he’s struggling between doing things for Nellie and doing things for the Execs. Sometimes one side wins, sometimes another, but I think in the end he chose to listen to the execs too much, and that’s what ultimately led to his downfall.

Hey man, great breakdown, I didnt realise the amount of the stuff I missed until your breakdown, just discovered your channel, your quality is top notch but I hope you work on your thumbnails, cant wait to see you get the recognition you deserve!!!

You absolutely NAILED this breakdown! Amazing video

It's an absolute masterpiece, a classic to be! People find it choatic, well that's fully on purpose, that time period is called the roaring twenties for a good reason! Your analysis is spot on.

I easily hit that subscribe button after your analysis for this film!

I thought the scene where pitt realizes his career isnt going anywhere was the best. One of the only scenes that didnt feel dragged out, pointless or rushed

Great as always

I saw the trailers to this and yeah it is pretty batshit insane can’t thank you enough for this video on this movie. Your analysis is very deep and insightful as always merry Christmas 🎄🎁 and happy New Year 🎆🎊.

Lucas, Fabulous analysis of the movie Babylon. I like period pieces like this. I havent even seen it yet. But it's long so I will see it on netflix or video. Thanks for the upload.

👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾 very articulate well-spoken analysis of this movie 🎬 thank you 😊 I enjoy this movie and your break down of It.

Amazing analysis! I think this is one of the greatest movies of all time!

This video was exactly what I was looking for 🔥. I’ve seen the movie getting some hate and I actually liked this movie a lot to the point where I would actually rewatch it which isn’t common for me.

Just finished the movie and wanted to watch some reviews. Yours is the first one I stumped upon. Thanks for this

Thank you!!! Didn't see the film yet but love your videos!

Yea and yes!! You completely described it all so perfectly! Wow! Bravo. I was very sad to see them kill Jack Conrad instead of him just fading into obscurity. So Tragic but unfortunately happens far too often. I guess it wasn’t meant to have a happy ending with Nellie or Conrad.

Excellent review.

Yeah that was a great breakdown of the film 💯🙏🏿

Great analysis!

Just saw it and loved it. Thanks for your breakdown of the film. 🎬

Lowered the weight of doubt with this explanation.

This video is great man. Keep up the good work. My advice: try to get your background to look more professional and objective to get a broader amount of viewers

Amazing analysis. Wish more critics and people who think they're critics saw it the same way.

Thank you .

Fantastic Analysis! Theme 1 - Don't stop dancing - BoJack Horseman

Phenomenal essay!

Great analysis.

This was a brilliant analysis I subbed

Loved this movie so much. The only thing that bothered me was the closing montage

Love your analysis! The tittle of the film might also reference Keneth Angers book, Hollywood Babylon where he explored a lot of gossip and scandals of the pre code Hollywood. I just find this movie and themes so fascinating and tragic.

I loved this movie. I think it also critiqued the excessive lifestyles of the roaring 20s while showing its awesome glory. The girl dying at the party and simply being replaced by nellie or the owners being the only ones not having fun bc they sold their souls. Then theres the whole toby maguire fucked up shit. Really shows the dangers that come with this level of power and freedom.

I loved it.... I love how it asked questions of us about our own lives and position in the world...... the way our own rose tinted view of our experiences end up being confronted with scary change... but that scary change is the rose tinted view of the next generation. Just like the amazing Elinor St John says to Jack Conrad, you won't be the first - the cycle will continue for goodness knows how long. I also loved the reflection on cinema creating a few immortal beings to be icons for as long as we remember them (Jack), on how it destroys countless more lives with broken dreams (Nellie), but also gives a blessed few the realisation that they value their talent and can find their own path (Sidney). But importantly, I feel like it leaves a final question of 'where is cinema going next?' Ultimately, it's a love letter to cinema.... but with warts and all.

Hello sir, I started following your channel ever since the la la land explanation and I'm really huge fan of your content. I had a small request could you please review Kantara. It's available on Netflix and Amazon prime.

One thing that seems self-evident to me is that Babylon's opening sequence - basically, the big orgy - is suggestively mirrored in the film's final sequence, a veritable orgy of historical cinematic images, ultimately broken down into their most basic constituent elements: dye, image, celluloid, etc. (Oddly, much of the final sequence, with the blurry multi-colored dyes unfolding like abstracted flower petals in an underwater ballet, is suggestively comparable to the psychedelic space trip sequence toward the end of 2001.) I think Lucas lays out the case rather well that the film's principal characters, having achieved fame and power in the industry in various capacities, live rather emotionally bereft, threadbare lives - that in spite of fame and power, they live their passions vicariously through the industry and the image created of them , and that once their fame and power - and most importantly, their PR constructed image - fade, they themselves no longer have a reason to exist. They no longer have any image of themselves, and in fact, really never did. But most important, I think, is the film's warning to audiences: yes, cinema is an extraordinary gift, but today we ourselves live in an unending orgy of images, displacing our passions and living vicariously through a steady stream of projections in the form of movies, TV, advertising, etc.They are nothing but constructions, amusements, deceptions - ink, paper, celluloid, digital bytes. You are the real thing. See yourself.

I just finished the movie and it was very enjoyable like you said it was so very chaotic and even though the movie was over 3 hours it went very quickly. The theme of every character stripping themselves of they're humanity to succeed in Hollywood was very engaging for me and they all hit so differently. The movie reminded me of boogie nights. The one scene with manny goes the drug lord house with the enforcer constantly spitting really reminded me of the boogie nights scene when they try and Rob the drug dealer and the little kid is lighting fireworks in the house where the tension just kept building and building and then everything thing comes to a crazy climax. It felt like they were descending into hell from the freak show orgy to the dude eating the rats i thought it was fucking wild i really like that it felt very unexpected. Overall I really was invested in the characters and enjoyed the movie but for me the one standout was Margot Robbie she was amazing her acting abilities have gotten so good. After watching Babylon i thought man she has to be nominated for academy award and I was really surprised she didn't get a nomination cuz I thought she had one of the better performances of any the movie I seen this year from a leading female. Maybe not to win it but not to even get nominated That's so messed up. I wonder if the academy took this movie and insult cuz I could see it being taken that way even though stylistically and acting was it was great. I thought you had a great insight about the movie I really appreciate the breakdown

Thank you for this wonderfully detailed analysis. I wonder if this will be similar to "Reds" .. that passed with little fanfare in early 1980's, and will gain more viewers in the future.

Fantastic insight! Subd

I think you flipped it. To me it wasn't about people selling off their humanity but rather about the kinds of people that thrive and flame out in that environment. Eg the 'moths that are drawn to that flame.' Nellie starts out disfunctional -- she doesn't lose her humanity; she is already fragmented. She thrives because she craves the facade of stardom. She is escaping her shitty life by rolling in the indulgences of Hollywood. She can make one tear drop on cue because she is disconnected from her real feelings and who she really is. Hollywood isn't paying her to lose her humanity; it is paying her because she is broken in a way that is useful to it. Manny thrives because he can get stuff done. When everyone else is too broken, drugged up, drunk or self-absorbed to be useful Manny is there to save the day. He is like Hollywood's designated driver. Mostly the film is a mess because it is trying so hard to be outrageous that it doesn't care about earning moments of emotional truth. The film seems to give you a choice of characters to connect with and hopes that at least one of them will work for you.

If u had a letterboxd I’d def follow. I think u got one of the best explained videos for every movie

This was a great video for a great movie

Big thumb up from france !!!

I thought somehow when nellie neck was bitten by the snake it would make her voice some how better and her career sky rockets again

The ending of the movie made me see why I love cinema all over again

I love film and so does Damien Chazelle

You’ve earned a sub from me man. Just watched it last night and I really enjoyed it and I enjoyed your breakdown on the movie. I see Hollywood as the main character while the stars in this movie are the ones being controlled. I loved how it showed how evil in nature Hollywood can be. It being a love letter to cinema while also showing the hatred of cinema.

This movie captivated me and repulsed me at the same time. I found myself falling in love with the beauty while being incredibly uncomfortable with some of the themes and gore. It was a wild experience and I’m guessing exactly what Chazelle was going for. Thank you for your analysis. It firmed up some things I felt during the movie and wove it all together beautifully. Makes me appreciate the movie even more. Sadly, I wonder if many viewers will get past the rather rank facade to see the deeper meaning of this film.🤔 Ps is it weird that I like Margot more as Nellie than Barbie? This role was made for her. ❤

loveddd the way you broke down the movie

Art can and will never depreciate

Pretty much spot on.

This was a great movie I'll say this and The Whale will be a seriously hard coin flip for best film of the year at the Oscars

I just watched this movie. Loved it. Indescribable but feels good.

I just finished the movie! I enjoyed it and like it !

Does anyone know the point of the scenes with Toby McGuire. I really enjoyed the movie but those scenes just seemed too much and went nowhere

You can't be in Hollywood if you don't give up every bit of yourself it's not going to happen they don't care about your talent there's a lot of talented people out here what they're looking for are Muses.

wondering was movie Balylon heavely influenced by "The Wild Party" 1975 ? Director :James Ivory

Definitely a love letter to old hollywood and black/white/nontalking films. Super deep film.

I loved it so much 10/10

I dont see hiw critics didnt like this movie. So many called its themes pretentious or lacking in execution but i think it was perfect

Manny regresa a México y al poco tiempo comienza la etapa del cine de oro mexicano en 1936-1956, una coincidencia curiosa.

I found one more movie (that I believe is full of meaning to analyze). I'm not a Bollywood fan, but the movie Tumbbad is absolutely awesome. Hopefully one of these days you can see it and give your thoughts.

The saddest movie of the year, it reminds us we are nothing but cockroaches. To be replaced by younger and stronger, and when our looks fade….all we will have is our memories.

Still confused on the gunman scene.... can anyone explain lol

I thought the film was garbage. I have to say that your breakdown of the film is thoughtful and intelligent. Keep up the good work!

I thought he cry for the young female actor bringing memories after watching a movie about them

Nice video from the sidemen and their colleague Ethan

This movie Deserved to get nominated for Best Oscar instead of Top Gun Maverick and Avatar 2 how much money 💰 a movie makes should have nothing to do with it's maret or weather it gets a nom or not I loved this movie 😍👍

Honestly before this movie I didn’t know it took that much work to make a movie. The scene where they take so many takes because the sound and people keep interrupting them. Who would have thought there are so many ups and downs when making art.

I think there's more to the end. The scene goes like "music, lights, and camera" (with the 3/2/1) pointing out that the real actors of tomorrow's cinema are sitting in the theater. That's my opinion though!

Good job, Lucas. You’ve got a future in this. Though, I have to admit your intonation/manner of speaking is hard for me to get over.