The Fate of the Money in No Country For Old Men: Unraveling the Mystery

At the end of No Country for Old Men, the fate of the 2 million drug money is left ambiguous. The story revolves around a drug deal gone wrong, with a briefcase containing the substantial amount being a central plot element. Llewellyn Moss, the protagonist, discovers the money and is pursued by the relentless hitman Anton Chigurh, who is determined to recover it.

The final scenes see Moss killed, and Chigurh, despite pursuing the money, ultimately does not keep it for himself. His interest seems to lie more in the moral implications of his actions and the randomness of fate. The film concludes with Chigurh escaping after a car accident, leaving the money implied to be lost to both him and the other characters. This ending emphasizes themes of fate, morality, and the changing nature of crime, leaving viewers to ponder the ultimate significance of the money in the larger context of the story.

The Upper Stratus in the Crime World

The novel No Country for Old Men speaks of an “upper stratus” in the crime world - a group consisting of the ultra-rich and powerful. These individuals can be public figures whom we might not automatically associate with organized crime. They are so removed from the day-to-day dealings that most in the “business” have no idea who they are. Think of the type of people who know senators and governors and own their own islands somewhere. The upper stratus operates in complete anonymity, making their identities a mystery even to those directly involved in the crime.

Chigurh’s Return of the Money and Its Significance

In Cormac McCarthy’s novel, Anton Chigurh delivers the remaining drug money to an unnamed man in a large office building, who is presumed to have taken over for the company that Chigurh killed earlier. The man does not know Chigurh but seems to know about the stolen money. Chigurh’s return of the money is a demonstration of his competence and honesty, emphasizing that he means business. He subtly insists, with implied threats, that he and the company are going to continue a heroin dealing relationship with a Mexican cartel.

In the Coen brothers’ film adaptation, Chigurh is last seen lurking in the shadows, with his fate still uncertain. The ambiguity surrounding the money and its ultimate disposition adds to the film’s enigmatic and haunting quality, leaving the audience to speculate about the future of the crime world and the elusive motives of its players.

The enigmatic conclusion of No Country for Old Men highlights the role of fate and morality in the intricate web of criminal activities. It leaves the viewer pondering the significance of the money and the broader implications of Chigurh's actions. The mystery of who is the man in the office and what happens to the money after Chigurh's final scenes add layers of intrigue to the narrative, making the film a complex and thought-provoking exploration of crime and its ramifications.

Overall, the fate of the money in No Country for Old Men remains a central mystery that encapsulates the themes of fate, morality, and the ever-changing landscape of crime. It invites viewers to contemplate the deeper meanings hidden within the cryptic events and characters portrayed in the film.

Keywords: No Country For Old Men, Anton Chigurh, Llewellyn Moss