The Dinner Movie Ending Explained, Plot, Cast andMore
by A Maria | Updated Jun 19, 2023
The Dinner Movie
"The Dinner is a 2017 American drama film directed and written by Oren Moverman. It is based on the Dutch novel of the same name by Herman Koch and serves as the third adaptation of the novel. The original Dutch version, titled Het Diner, was directed by Menno Meyjes in 2013, and the Italian film I nostri ragazzi, directed by Ivano De Matteo, followed in 2014.
The star-studded cast of The Dinner includes Richard Gere, Steve Coogan, Laura Linney, Rebecca Hall, Chloë Sevigny, Charlie Plummer, Miles J. Harvey, and Adepero Oduye. The film beautifully portrays the complexities of familial relationships, ethical dilemmas, and dark secrets. Premiering at the Berlin Film Festival on February 10, 2017, The Dinner received critical acclaim for its powerful storytelling and compelling performances.
It subsequently had a theatrical release on May 5, distributed by The Orchard, captivating audiences with its thought-provoking narrative and thoughtfully crafted characters."
The Dinner Movie Ending Explained
In the intense climax of the film, Paul leaves the restaurant and heads to Stan's house in search of Beau, convinced that the only solution to their problem is to kill him. He believes that by eliminating Beau, he can prevent him from turning in the other boys. Determined and filled with a sense of desperation, Paul confronts Beau outside the house. Paul grabs Beau by the neck, ready to strike him with a rock, aiming to silence him permanently.
However, his violent act is interrupted when an enraged Stan, accompanied by Katelyn and Claire, confronts Paul. The tension reaches its peak as the situation becomes a showdown between the characters. As the confrontation unfolds, Katelyn attempts to call Beau on her phone, but before she can reach him, an unexpected call comes in for Stan's aide. T
he call brings news that the crucial votes required for the mental health bill have been secured. This sudden turn of events changes the dynamics of the situation and interrupts the immediate course of action. The film ends abruptly at this point, leaving the viewers with lingering questions and a sense of uncertainty. In the final moments, Paul, overwhelmed by the events and the tension, refers to everyone around him as "apes with phones," expressing his frustration with the reliance on technology and the shallow nature of human interaction.
In a moment of ambiguity, Paul claims to have just been talking to Beau, despite the inability of anyone to reach him on his cell phone. The ending leaves the audience pondering the consequences of the characters' actions and the unresolved conflicts that remain.
The Dinner Cast
Richard Gere
Stan Lohman
Steve Coogan
Paul Lohman
Laura Linney
Claire Lohman
Rebecca Hall
Katelyn Lohman
Chloe Sevigny
Barbara Lohman
Charlie Plummer
Michael Lohman
Adeparo Oduye
Nina
Michael Chernus
Dylan Heinz
Taylor Rae Almonte
Kamryn Velez
Joel Bissonnette
Antonio
Seamus Davey Fitzpatrick
Rick Lohman
Miles J. Harvey
Beau Lohman
Laura Hajek
Anna
CAST
CHARACTER
The Dinner Plot
On a snowy evening in Dobbs Ferry, history teacher Paul Lohman, his wife Claire, Paul's congressman brother Stan, and Stan's wife Katelyn gather for a planned dinner at an upscale restaurant. Stan has made the reservations, bringing the four of them together. As they wait for their meal, Paul and Claire discuss their son Michael, noting the stronger bond he shares with his mother. Tensions are apparent between Paul and Stan, suggesting a strained relationship between the brothers.
Stan, who is running for governor, arrives with his aides, whose constant interruptions throughout the dinner annoy Paul. Paul doesn't hesitate to express his irritation, making it clear to everyone present. Through a series of flashbacks, we see Michael and his cousins, Rick and Beau (Stan's children from his previous marriage to Barbara, with Beau being adopted), encounter a homeless woman seeking refuge in an ATM building they need to use.
Michael verbally and physically harasses the woman while Rick and Beau observe. Michael cruelly taunts and throws trash at her, eventually escalating to lighting matches and setting her sleeping bag on fire. Tragically, the woman succumbs to the flames, while Michael callously records the event on his cell phone. Beau witnesses the incident as an unprovoked attack but leaves before the woman's death occurs.
As the dinner progresses, tensions rise among the group, interspersed with flashbacks revealing the dysfunctional nature of their family and Stan's attempts to support Paul through his depression. Arguments escalate as they clash over whether the boys should take responsibility for their actions or attempt to cover up the incident. Another flashback unveils Claire's battle with cancer. In the present, Paul discovers that Beau uploaded a video of the homeless woman's death, which he found on Michael's computer.
Michael refuses to delete the video, leading to a rift between him and his father. Paul is shocked to learn that not only does Claire know about the incident, which he thought he kept secret from her, but she is also colluding with Michael to pay hush money to Beau. In another flashback, Stan and his first wife offer to care for Michael while Claire is in the hospital. Paul becomes enraged and strikes Stan with a saucepan.
During the dinner, Stan announces his intention to withdraw from the gubernatorial race and hold a press conference regarding the ATM incident, accompanying his son to the police. A bitter argument ensues between Stan, Claire, and Katelyn, with Paul sitting in silence, distanced from the table. Katelyn convinces Stan to postpone his plan. Convinced that Stan and Katelyn are prepared to turn in both Michael and Rick, Claire and Paul discuss the need to deal with Beau.
Paul confesses that he has been off his medication for several months, and Claire admits she was aware of it but kept silent because she wanted Paul back. She tells Paul that he needs to "take care" of Beau. When he seeks clarification, she hesitates briefly before suggesting that he needs to "talk" to Beau and persuade him not to incriminate their son.
Motivated by this desperate belief, Paul leaves the restaurant and heads to Stan's house in search of Beau, convinced that killing him is the only solution to their predicament. Beau comes out to speak with Paul, who grabs him by the neck and prepares to strike him with a rock to prevent him from exposing the others. However, an enraged Stan arrives alongside Katelyn and Claire, interrupting Paul's violent act. Katelyn tries to call Beau while Stan's aide receives a call confirming the necessary votes for a mental health bill.
The film concludes abruptly as Paul refers to everyone as "apes with phones" and groans in pain. Although no one can reach Beau on his cell phone, Paul claims to have been talking to him moments before.
About The Dinner Movie
Directed by
Oren Moverman
Screenplay by
Oren Moverman
Based on
The Dinner
by Herman Koch
Release dates
Country
United States
Language
English
The Dinner Trailer
The Dinner Movie Ending Explained - FAQs
"The Dinner" premiered at the Berlin Film Festival on February 10, 2017, and had a theatrical release in the United States on May 5, 2017.
In the intense climax of the film, Paul confronts Beau outside Stan's house, intending to harm him to prevent him from exposing their children's involvement in a tragic event. However, the confrontation is interrupted by an enraged Stan, Katelyn, and Claire. As the situation reaches a peak, an unexpected call comes in with news about the mental health bill, changing the dynamics of the situation. The film ends abruptly at this point, leaving the viewers with unresolved conflicts and lingering questions.
"The Dinner" was directed and written by Oren Moverman.
"The Dinner" revolves around two brothers, Paul and Stan, along with their wives, Claire and Katelyn, who meet for a planned dinner at an upscale restaurant. Tensions arise as they navigate their complicated familial relationships and confront a dark secret involving their children's involvement in a tragic event. The dinner becomes a catalyst for intense arguments and ethical dilemmas.
Yes, "The Dinner" is based on the Dutch novel of the same name by Herman Koch. It is the third adaptation of the novel, with the original Dutch version titled "Het Diner" directed by Menno Meyjes in 2013 and the Italian film "I nostri ragazzi" directed by Ivano De Matteo in 2014.