White Bird movie ending explained: What does Sara's story teach Julian in the end?

White Bird, a period drama released in the United States on October 4, 2024, follows the gripping tale of a holocaust survivor’s experience. With Marc Forster's direction, this sequel and prequel of Wonder (2017) explores themes of acceptance, survival, and compassion.

The film centers around Julian, Auggie's former bully from Wonder, and his transformation. In White Bird, Julian learns a valuable lesson from his grandmother, Sara, as she recounts her story of survival during World War II. The movie features Helen Mirren as Sara, Bryce Gheisar as Julian, Ariella Glaser as young Sara, and Orlando Schwerdt as Julien Beaumier.

By the end, Julian learns an invaluable life lesson and realizes how important it is to stand up for the right thing.

The official synopsis of the film states,

"Struggling to fit in at his new school after being expelled for his treatment of Auggie Pullman, Julian is visited by his grandmother and is transformed by the story of her attempts to escape Nazi-occupied France during World War II."

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Explaining the story of White Bird and its ending

In White Bird, Julian is troubled by how he treated Auggie in the past and goes to see his grandmother, Sara Blum, to feel better. In her childhood, Sara lived in France during the Nazi era. As a Jewish girl, she was hidden from the Nazis by a classmate named Julien Beaumier. Julien, who had polio, did a lot to protect Sara despite the dangers.

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Sara’s escape and survival

Rose Blum, Sara's mother, loses her job as a math teacher when the Nazis take over France. At first, the family thinks that their French citizenship will keep them safe. But they soon learn that the Nazis are after them. Julien and his family hide Sara in their barn, helping her narrowly avoid being caught. The Beaumiers are still protecting her from the Nazis, even though danger in his life is increasing.

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Vincent's betrayal

While Sara stays hidden, things get worse when Vincent, a former class bully who now works for the Milice, sets his sights on Julien. Vincent starts to worry when he sees Julien taking Sara's sketchbook. He follows Julien to the barn and makes threats against him. In the end, he tells the police about Julien. Julien is always kind and brave. Even when his own life is in danger, he protects Sara.

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Julien’s capture and tragic fate in White Bird

Julien is so happy on Sara's birthday that he makes the mistake of taking the main road to school. Vincent sees him and informs the police. Julien is caught and tragically killed while trying to get away, leaving Sara heartbroken.

His death presents the ultimate sacrifice that can be made for kindness and compassion. After the World War, Sara and her father are reunited, but Julien's demise keeps haunting her.

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Sara's purpose in telling the story

Sara tells Julian her story because she wants to teach him how to care about other people. She can see that Julian is having a hard time dealing with the fact that he was kicked out of school for bullying Auggie. He also doesn't seem too upset about being kicked out of school for bullying Auggie because he sees it as Auggie "leaving" the school for making trouble.

Sara hopes that her story will motivate him to change. Throughout the movie, Sara emphasizes how important it is to always stand up for others, no matter what, and how brave it is to be kind when people are mean.

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Julien’s influence on Sara’s life

Julien's constant kindness has an enormous impact on Sara's life. It changes the way she perceives everything around her and makes her want to live with kindness. Julien is still a symbol of hope and courage, even though he has physical problems and is in danger.

Sara learns from his lack of selfishness that kindness can win even in the worst situations, which is something she wants Julian to learn too.

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Julian’s transformation

Julian starts to understand the consequences of his actions and how important it is to be kind by the end of White Bird. In response to Sara's story, Julian seems to be changing. He starts his path to redemption when, the next day at school, he helps a student who is being picked on and joins a kindness club. He really gets what Sara was trying to teach him through her story.

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How does Sara's story impact Julian's life?

A still from White Bird (Image via Lionsgate movies)

Hearing Sara's story makes Julian think about the mistakes he has made in the past and motivates him to change for the better. Her message that one should use light to drive away darkness stays with him and makes him want to be more kind in his own life.

White Bird is a powerful story about staying alive, being kind, and what happens when you are brave in the face of cruelty. Julian changes because of Sara's story. It shows him how important it is to care about others and have the courage to do what's right. White Bird shows how kindness can make things better, even in the worst times, through Sara's story.