“Grindhouse” is a 2007 double feature film directed by Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. It consists of two feature-length segments, “Planet Terror” directed by Rodriguez, and “Death Proof” directed by Tarantino. Here’s a detailed description of the ending of each segment, including spoilers:
“Planet Terror”:
In the climax of “Planet Terror,” the survivors of a zombie outbreak led by Dr. William Block (played by Josh Brolin) and his former lover Cherry Darling (played by Rose McGowan) confront the military forces responsible for the outbreak. The group discovers that the military has been experimenting with a deadly gas called DC2, which transforms people into zombie-like creatures. As chaos ensues, Cherry uses her newly attached machine gun leg to fight off the zombies. Eventually, the survivors manage to escape the military base and detonate a bomb, destroying the facility and ending the outbreak. In the final scene, Cherry, now equipped with a grenade launcher leg, and her allies drive off into the sunset, ready to face whatever challenges come their way.
“Death Proof”:
In the climax of “Death Proof,” Stuntman Mike (played by Kurt Russell), a psychopathic stuntman who kills women with his “death-proof” car, faces off against a group of female survivors who turn the tables on him. After realizing Stuntman Mike’s intentions, the women, led by Zoe Bell (playing herself), decide to confront him head-on. They engage in a high-speed car chase, during which Zoe hangs onto the hood of the car, evading Stuntman Mike’s attacks. Eventually, the women manage to disable Stuntman Mike’s car and take him into custody. In the final scene, Stuntman Mike is shown to be incapacitated and humiliated, while the women celebrate their victory and drive off into the night.
“Grindhouse” as a whole pays homage to the exploitation films of the 1970s, with both segments featuring over-the-top action, violence, and references to B-movie tropes. The endings of both segments reflect the genre’s penchant for satisfying climaxes and triumphant resolutions for the protagonists.