Why Does the Ending of Avengers: Infinity War Seem So Sad?

The ending of Avengers: Infinity War is often perceived as sad because of the sense of permanence of death among both villains and heroes. Even though we know that Avengers: Endgame will reverse these tragic events, the immediate impact of the losses feels overwhelmingly poignant.

The Perceived Sadness in Infinity War

The ending of Avengers: Infinity War is indeed a somber one. The film culminates in several beloved characters' deaths, each leaving an indelible impact on the audience. It is natural to feel upset about these losses, even if the outcome is reversed in the future. The film's creators have masterfully crafted moments that make these deaths more emotionally impactful, to the point where even knowing the eventual reversal cannot erase the sadness.

Why Is the Ending Treated with Disappointment?

Many viewers find the conclusion of Avengers: Infinity War sad because a significant number of the cast members, including key heroes, meet their end. Thor's misaimed shot at the head might seem like a fundamental reason, but there are deeper layers to the sadness:

Bucky Barnes: The way Bucky asks, "Steve" as if there’s something Steve can do, signifies Cap’s loss of his best friend once more. This is particularly poignant as Bucky already represented a significant loss for Steve. Sam Wilson: Steve loses Bucky and then loses his closest friend, Sam, too. Rhodes' reaction, "Sam," adds to the sorrow, highlighting Steve's grief over their companionship. Groot: The directors confirmed that Groot's last words were "Dad." This makes the scene even more emotional, as Rocket finally manages to see Groot as a father only to witness him die yet again. T’Challa: The loss of T’Challa crumbled in front of his biggest fan, Okoye, and the emotional pain is palpable. Okoye’s love for Wakanda makes this a deeply moving moment. Wanda Maximoff: The pain of losing her parents, brother, and the love of her life is evident. Wanda’s welcoming death as an old friend solidifies the sad impact of the scene. Mantis: While Mantis is not as emotional due to her lesser screen time, the fear in her face before disappearing adds to the overall sadness. Drax the Destroyer: His look of despair and the realization that he might not be able to avenge his wife and daughter contributes to the emotional weight. Peter Quill: His pain and realization that he doesn’t want to die are clear from his reaction. His connection to his childhood and his own father figure is deeply affected by the event. Stephen Strange: His face conveys the profound realization that this is the only way, simultaneously showing his reluctance to accept it. Peter Parker: The scene is the most heartbreaking, as it portrays a child, one of the least deserving, facing an untimely death. Parker’s facial expression and his desperate plea to his father figure magnify the emotional core of the scene.

Common Thread in All These Deaths

One common factor in all these deaths is that they are not leaders of the original Avengers. Instead, the main heroes are left standing, setting the stage for the ultimate battle against Thanos. While these heroes are resilient and capable, the presence of numerous deaths among the supporting characters intensifies the emotional impact on viewers. Each death, no matter how minor, leaves a mark on the hearts and minds of the audience, making the finality of each life loss deeply felt.

Thus, even though we know the events will be reversed, the immediate emotional impact of these losses makes the ending of Avengers: Infinity War highly impactful and often perceived as sad.