Unfaithful Ending Explained, Plot, Cast, Trailer and More
by Mathelene
Updated Jul 06, 2023
Unfaithful(2002)
Unfaithful, released in 2002, is an erotic thriller film directed and produced by Adrian Lyne. The movie features a star-studded cast including Richard Gere, Diane Lane, Olivier Martinez, Erik Per Sullivan, Chad Lowe, and Dominic Chianese. It is actually an adaptation of the 1969 French film "The Unfaithful Wife" directed by Claude Chabrol.
The storyline revolves around a suburban New York City couple whose marriage takes a dangerous turn when the wife engages in an affair with a stranger she meets by chance. The film garnered a box office gross of $52 million in North America and a worldwide total of $119.1 million.
While reviews were mixed, Diane Lane's performance received significant acclaim. She won several awards, including Best Actress from the National Society of Film Critics and New York Film Critics, and received nominations for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award in the Best Actress category.
Unfaithful Ending Explained
At the end of the movie "Unfaithful," after completing her grocery shopping, the protagonist, Connie, decides to meet with Paul but discovers him rushing into the library with another woman. This angers her, and she confronts Paul about his infidelity. However, Paul fails to disclose the extent of his multiple affairs. Frustrated, Connie declares that their relationship is over and tries to leave, but Paul forcefully pins her against a hallway wall. Unable to resist his advances, she gives in.
As Connie exits the building, she narrowly misses encountering her husband, Edward, who has arrived to confront Paul about his wife. Paul invites Edward inside his apartment, where they discuss Connie. During their conversation, Edward notices a snow globe that he had given to Connie in the past. When he questions Paul about it, Paul falsely claims that Connie had given it to him as a gift.
Edward's anger escalates at this confrontation, and he grabs the snow globe, smashing it against Paul's head. The blow fractures Paul's skull, causing his immediate death. In a calculated manner, Edward cleans up all traces of the crime. While doing so, he hears a voice message that Connie had left for Paul, expressing her desire to end their affair for the sake of her family and apologizing for hurting her husband. Edward deletes the message and disposes of Paul's body in a landfill.
However, despite his efforts to return to his normal life, Edward is plagued by flashbacks of that day and finds it difficult to live in peace. When the police visit their house, explaining that Paul's wife has reported him missing, Connie claims that she does not know him well.
As time passes and things settle down, Connie and Edward attempt to resume a normal life, accepting the truths they share with each other. Eventually, Connie suggests to Edward that they leave the city and start anew in a different country. Although Edward agrees initially, he unexpectedly pulls up in front of a police station and decides to turn himself in.
Unfaithful Plot
Edward and Connie Sumner reside in affluent Westchester County, New York, with their son Charlie. Although their marriage is stable, it lacks excitement and has fallen into a routine. One day, while shopping in SoHo, Connie accidentally collides with a stranger named Paul Martel due to strong winds.
Concerned about her scraped knee, Paul invites her to his apartment to tend to her injury. After applying an ice pack and engaging in conversation, Paul gives Connie a book, highlighting a passage about seizing the moment. Feeling uneasy, Connie leaves. To her surprise, she finds Paul's phone number tucked inside the book and decides to call him from Penn Central.
She visits him again, and despite her initial hesitation, they end up having sex. Connie experiences a mix of arousal and fear, but the thrill of the affair keeps her returning to Paul's apartment. Edward begins to grow suspicious as he catches Connie in lies, and her behavior becomes increasingly distant and preoccupied.
A perceptive employee, who has witnessed Connie and Paul together, hints to Edward about his own family's secrets. Disturbed by the revelation, Edward hires a private investigator and is devastated when he sees photographic evidence of Connie's affair. As guilt weighs heavily on Connie, she realizes she can no longer continue the affair.
Determined to end things, she heads to Paul's apartment. However, she discovers him with another woman, which triggers her jealousy. Paul claims that the woman is just a friend, but Connie angrily declares the end of their affair and storms out. Paul pursues her and forcibly engages in sexual activity with her in the hallway against her will.
After leaving, Connie narrowly avoids running into Edward, who has come to confront Paul about the affair. Paul invites Edward inside, where he discovers a snow globe that he had given to Connie. Overcome with anger, Edward strikes Paul with the snow globe, causing a fatal skull fracture. In a state of panic, Edward cleans up the evidence, overhearing a voicemail message from Connie in which she ends the affair for the sake of her family.
Edward erases the message and disposes of Paul's body in a landfill. Detectives from the NYPD later visit the Sumner residence, as Connie's number was found in Paul's possession, and his wife had reported him missing. Connie feigns ignorance about the extent of her relationship with Paul. When the detectives return a week later to announce that Paul's body has been found, both Edward and the detectives notice Connie's reaction to the news.
At the dry cleaner, Connie discovers photos of her and Paul hidden in Edward's clothes. Realizing that Edward knows about her infidelity, she becomes distraught. Later, at a party, she comes across the snow globe she had given Paul, now a part of their collection. Locking eyes with Edward, she suspects his involvement in Paul's disappearance.
Connie confronts Edward, but he deflects blame onto her for the affair. He admits to knowing about the infidelity all along and confesses that he initially wanted to harm her, not Paul. In the following days, Connie finds a hidden compartment in the snow globe containing a photograph of them and their infant son, along with a heartfelt message from Edward expressing his love for her.
Overwhelmed by remorse, Connie burns the photos of her and Paul and expresses her fear. Edward suggests turning himself in, but Connie objects, determined to find a way to move forward together. Briefly, they seem to return to a semblance of a normal life. However, on their way home from an event, Edward stops the car at a red light with Charlie asleep in the backseat.
As Connie drifts into a fantasy of escaping to another country and starting afresh, Edward consoles her. It is then revealed that heBut as they stop at a red light, Connie's mind drifts into a fantasy of escaping to another country and assuming new identities. Edward, sensing her distress, comforts her as she begins to cry. Suddenly, it becomes clear that Edward has purposely stopped the car outside a police station.
The ending implies that Edward has decided to turn himself in, possibly for his role in Paul's death or for his knowledge of the affair. Connie's hopes of starting anew are shattered as they face the consequences of their actions. The film leaves the audience with a sense of uncertainty about the future of their relationship and the choices they will make.
Unfaithful Movie Cast
Richard Gere
Edward Sumner
Diane Lane
Constance "Connie" Sumner
Olivier Martinez
Paul Martel
Erik Per Sullivan
Charlie Sumner
Chad Lowe
Bill Stone
Dominic Chianese
Frank Wilson
Erich Anderson
Bob Gaylord
Michelle Monaghan
Lindsay
Kate Burton
Tracy
Margaret Colin
Sally
Željko Ivanek
Detective Dean
Michael Emerson
Josh
Damon Gupton
Other Businessman
Joseph Badalucco Jr.
Train Conductor
Cast
Character
Unfaithful Release Date
"Unfaithful" made its theatrical debut on May 10, 2002. This marked the official release date of the film, when it became accessible to audiences in cinemas. Directed by Adrian Lyne, the movie was introduced to viewers on that particular day, allowing them to witness the unfolding narrative and the performances of the talented cast.
The release of "Unfaithful" brought the story to the big screen, captivating audiences with its intriguing plot and exploration of themes such as infidelity and the consequences it can have on relationships. With Richard Gere portraying Edward Sumner, Diane Lane as Constance "Connie" Sumner, and Olivier Martinez as Paul Martel, the film presented a compelling ensemble cast.
As moviegoers entered theaters on May 10, 2002, they were immersed in the world of "Unfaithful," experiencing the emotional journey of the characters and the dilemmas they faced. The release date marked the beginning of the film's cinematic journey, allowing audiences to engage with its storyline, performances, and the artistic vision of the director.
Unfaithful Where To Watch?
Presently, "Unfaithful" is available for streaming on the Netflix platform. Additionally, you have the option to purchase or rent the movie through various online platforms. You can buy or rent "Unfaithful" on Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Apple TV. These platforms offer the movie as a digital download, allowing you to own or temporarily access it for viewing. Please note that availability may vary depending on your geographical location and the specific streaming or digital platforms in your region.
Unfaithful Trailer
Unfaithful Ending Explained - FAQs
"Unfaithful" was released on May 10, 2002.
"Unfaithful" can be streamed on Netflix.
"Unfaithful" tells the story of a married couple, Edward and Connie Sumner, whose lives take a dangerous turn when Connie engages in an affair with a stranger named Paul Martel. The film explores the consequences of infidelity and the impact it has on their relationship.
"Unfaithful" was directed by Adrian Lyne.
The main cast of "Unfaithful" includes Richard Gere as Edward Sumner, Diane Lane as Constance "Connie" Sumner, Olivier Martinez as Paul Martel, and Erik Per Sullivan as Charlie Sumner.