Burning Sands Ending Explained, Plot, Cast, Trailer and More

Get the Burning Sands ending explained in this article and know what happened at the climax of the 2017 American drama film 'Burning Sands.

by Sangamithra

Updated Jul 12, 2023

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Burning Sands Ending Explained, Plot, Cast, Trailer and More
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Burning Sands

Burning Sands is an American drama film, released on March 10, 2017. It was directed by Gerard McMurray and Christine Berg and released by Netflix. On January 24, 2017, the movie world premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The story revolves around five young men who joined a fraternity at Frederick Douglass University. Zurich leads the pledge class through intense hazing, both on campus and at the fraternity house.

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They juggle academic obligations with a social life filled with parties, dating, and sorority girls. Dean Richardson promotes the fraternity system but maintains the code of secrecy. When Hazing exceeds its limit, a pledge got seriously injured and advised to be taken to the emergency room without getting caught on camera. The Neophyte brothers waited for their Frank at the hospital.

In a tragic turn, the doctor delivers the devastating news that Frank has died from a ruptured aorta artery. This news deeply impacts Zurich, prompting him to call his father and finally grasp why his father never joined the fraternity. This realization brings Zurich to a profound understanding, marking the poignant conclusion of the movie.

Burning Sands Ending Explained

Set in the historically Black institution of Frederick Douglass University, five young men make a resolute commitment to join the Lambda Lambda Phi Fraternity. Among them, Zurich, a student, assumes a leadership role, guiding the pledge class through the grueling ordeals of big brother hazing, both on campus and during lineups at the fraternity house.

Despite the daunting challenges they face, the pledges strive to strike a delicate balance between their academic pursuits, attending classes under the guidance of English professor Hughes, and immersing themselves in the vibrant social scene that accompanies fraternity life, including attending parties, interacting with sorority girls, and exploring romantic relationships.

Throughout their journey, the pledge class not only endures moral and physical hazing but also wholeheartedly embraces the mottos and values of brotherhood, forging profound bonds with one another along the way. These bonds grow stronger despite, and perhaps even because of, the trials they encounter during their initiation process. Simultaneously, Dean Richardson, an esteemed alumnus of Lambda Phi, proudly presents himself as an exemplary figure of the fraternity system, extolling its virtues and highlighting the benefits it offers.

He positions himself as someone approachable in case of any reports of abuse during the pledging period. However, he remains unwilling to take decisive action that would break the prevailing code of silence and secrecy within the fraternity. Consequently, fraternity members find themselves with limited options when confronted with instances of mistreatment or abuse. As the narrative unfolds, a crucial night arrives when the hazing reaches a perilous peak.

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A senior member, known as the big brother, advises the pledge class to discreetly transport a severely injured pledge to the emergency room, emphasizing the need to avoid potential cameras that could document the incident. Despite this counsel, the young neophyte fraternity brothers opt to stand together in unwavering solidarity, anxiously awaiting news about their friend, Frank, at the hospital. In a moment of heartbreak, the doctor delivers the devastating news that Frank has tragically succumbed to a ruptured aorta artery.

This shattering revelation shakes Zurich to his core, compelling him to reach for his cell phone and dial his father's number. In that profound instant, Zurich gains a profound understanding of the reasons behind his father's decision to never join a fraternity, leading to a powerful realization. With this epiphany, the movie concludes on a poignant note, leaving audiences with a profound sense of reflection on the consequences of hazing and the profound impact it can have on individuals and their families.

Burning Sands Plot

In a historically Black institution called Frederick Douglass University, five young men pledge the Lambda Lambda Phi Fraternity. Led by Zurich, they navigate the challenges of big brother hazing on campus and at the fraternity house. While balancing academics with a lively social life, including parties and interactions with sorority girls, the pledges forge a deep bond with each other, embracing the mottos and values of brotherhood.

Their journey involves enduring moral and physical hazing, which ultimately strengthens their connection despite the difficulties they encounter during the initiation process. Dean Richardson, an alumnus of Lambda Phi, presents himself as a model fraternity member, praising its virtues. While he claims to be approachable regarding reports of abuse, he refrains from breaking the fraternity's code of silence.

Consequently, fraternity members have limited options when faced with mistreatment or abuse. As the story progresses, a crucial night unfolds, pushing hazing to dangerous levels. A senior member advises the pledge class to discreetly take an injured pledge to the emergency room, avoiding cameras. Despite this counsel, the young fraternity brothers choose solidarity and wait anxiously at the hospital for news about their friend, Frank.

In a tragic turn, the doctor delivers the devastating news that Frank has died from a ruptured aorta artery. This news deeply impacts Zurich, prompting him to call his father and finally grasp why his father never joined the fraternity. This realization brings Zurich to a profound understanding, marking the poignant conclusion of the movie.

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Burning Sands Cast 

Cast

Character

Trevor Jackson Zurich
Alfre Woodard Professor Hughes
Steve Harris Dean Richardson
Tosin Cole Frank
DeRon Horton Earnest (Square)
Dominique Mari Tiffany
Mitchell Edwards Stephon
Jeremy Rudd Christopher
Christian Robinson Big Country
Trevante Rhodes Fernander
Malik Bazille Dwight
Octavius J Johnson Ron
Rotimi Akinosho Edwin
Serayah Angel
Nafessa Williams Toya
Imani Hakim Rochon
Adrian Rae Candy
Racquel Bianca John Joy
Chiké Okonkwo Breyton

Burning Sands Where To Watch?

Burning Sands is currently available on Netflix. No other platforms such as Hulu, Disney Plus, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video streams Burning Sands. Burning Sands is an American drama film directed by Gerard McMurray and Christine Berg. The story revolves around five young people who joined the fraternity through their university. Trevor Jackson portrays Zurich in the film and him being the leader of hazing in the fraternity house and on campus.

Their journey involves enduring moral and physical hazing which strengthens their connection. Dean Richardson being an ideal representative of the fraternity system refrains himself from taking the necessary steps to break the code of silence and secrecy within the fraternity. One day, a senior known as big brother advises the pledge class to take an injured pledge to the hospital.

They wait together at the hospital, for the updates from the doctor. But the doctor delivered that Frank died. This made Zurich call his father, and he realized why his father didn’t join the fraternity. This profound understanding brought a poignant conclusion to the movie. 

Burning Sands Trailer



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Burning Sands Ending Explained - FAQ

1. Where To Watch Burning Sands?

Burning Sands is currently available on Netflix.

2. When was Burning Sands released?

Burning Sands was released on March 10, 2017. 

3. Who is the Director of Burning Sands?

Burning Sands was directed by Gerard McMurray and Christine Berg.

4. Who is portrayed as Zurich?

Trevor Jackson is portrayed as Zurich.

5. How did Frank die?

Frank died from a ruptured aorta artery.

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