Samaritan concludes on a bittersweet note with young Sam realizing his neighbor Joe is the long-thought-dead superhero Samaritan, who sacrifices himself to defeat his nemesis and brother Nemesis. After a climactic battle, Samaritan plunges off a building with Nemesis, choosing to end both their lives rather than perpetuate their cycle of violence. The ending implies that while Samaritan’s immense power could save others, it could not redeem his brother’s twisted hatred. Yet hope remains as Sam resolves to share Samaritan’s story, suggesting his noble heroism will inspire the city despite his absence. The finale mourns necessary sacrifice and the loss of Sam’s father figure Joe, who showed Sam goodness through his everyday actions. But Joe’s modest heroism and moral character prove his real superpower is inspiring decency in others. By making the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good, Samaritan transcends the limitations of the “superhero” trope to become a symbol of humanity’s potential for redemption and light, even amidst darkness. The coda suggests this glimmer of hope persists in Sam and the people Samaritan touched, though he could not save his condemned brother.
The bittersweet ending conveys that while evil persists, goodness lives on through our bonds with others and the stories we share. By choosing compassion over vengeance, Samaritan exemplifies an everyday heroism we all can aspire to. His mythic tale inspires hope that common people have the power to overcome hatred, if they follow his example of quiet courage and sacrifice. Sam inherits Joe’s humble but profound hero’s journey.