The Wall (2017) ending explained: What happens to Isaac?

The 2017 film, The Wall, directed by Doug Liman and written by Dwain Worrell, stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Sergeant Allen Isaac. Its ending received mixed reviews, but its unique narrative made for a compelling, though difficult, experience.

The film’s plot takes place in 2007 in Iraq. This is when Isaac and John Cena's character, Sergeant Shane Matthews, are assigned to investigate a location where US soldiers were killed. After Matthews is shot and critically injured, Isaac hides behind a wall. He then attempts to signal for help using his broken radio.

Isaac quickly realizes that the Iraqi sniper who shot them is listening in on his radio transmissions. The sniper engages Isaac in an unsettling conversation. This demonstrates an unusual interest in his personal affairs. As Isaac suffers from dehydration and the sniper continues his psychological torment, the film's ending remains ambiguous. It emphasizes the intense mental and physical strain of the situation.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from the movie, The Wall. Reader's discretion is advised.

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The Wall ending explained

Over the radio, Isaac hears the Iraqi soldier posing as him. To fool rescuers, the soldier has perfected the art of imitating Isaac's voice. Isaac deduces that the soldier is tricking helicopters into coming into an ambush. From the radio background noise, he also locates the sniper - in a trash heap.

Isaac sees the helicopter approaching and knows he needs to act quickly. He doesn't mind the wall between him and the danger; instead, he concentrates on a pile of trash nearby. He glances at the area and finds the sniper hiding there. Isaac immediately takes aim and fires at the sniper's position. Isaac hopes that his quick decision will ensure the helicopter's safety. The situation was tense, but Isaac's quick thinking and action were critical to securing the helicopter and getting everyone to safety.

When the helicopter lands, Isaac feels safe because no one shoots at him and he's taken away on a stretcher, even though he's not sure if he hit the sniper. As the helicopter lifts off, Isaac warns the crew about the remaining sniper in the trash. Despite his warning, the helicopter is quickly attacked and crashes, leaving Isaac's concerns unanswered and returning him to a dangerous situation.

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What happens to Isaac?

Isaac's fate is unknown in The Wall, but his death is strongly implied. The final scene depicts the sniper peering through his rifle scope at the destroyed helicopter. The wreckage appears severe, with no signs of life. This suggests that Isaac and his team are probably dead.

The scene then intensifies with a tense radio exchange. An American woman tries to contact survivors of the rescue team. Instead, the Iraqi sniper responds. He speaks with a perfect Texas accent, saying, "Reading you, Lima-Charlie." This response indicates that the sniper succeeded in his plan. He deceived the American soldiers and defeated them.

The film closes on a dark note. It's evident from the sniper's success and Isaac's probably fatal end that not all tales have happy endings. The hard and frequently horrific realities of war are emphasized in the movie. It suggests that there is no end in sight to the sniper's deception and attacks.

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Closing lines

The Wall emphasizes the tremendous psychological and physical toll that war takes. The movie demonstrates how these difficult circumstances are made even worse by deceit and manipulation.

The experiences of Sergeant Allen Isaac in The Wall serve to emphasize themes of vulnerability, aloneness, and the struggle for survival. The deceit of the sniper and the ambiguous conclusion highlight how unpredictable and harsh war can be, with no obvious winners or happy endings. Those interested in the film can watch it with an Amazon Prime subscription.