It Boy — Ending Explained

Throughout the film, Alice balances her high-pressure job with orchestrating public dates with Balthazar. Although she initially treats him merely as a tool to cultivate an edgy social image, she begins falling genuinely in love with his kindness, humor, and sincerity.

The turning point occurs when Balthazar discovers that Alice initially approached him only because having a younger boyfriend boosted her career prospects with Vincent Khan. Devastated and feeling commodified, Balthazar terminates the relationship immediately and refuses Alice's attempts to apologize.

Alice receives the coveted promotion to editor-in-chief at Rebelle, achieving the singular goal she pursued for years. However, surrounded by applause in her sleek new office, she realizes that the achievement is completely hollow without Balthazar. In a dramatic final act of self-reclamation, Alice walks away from the job. She rushes to Balthazar's university, interrupts his packed architecture lecture in front of hundreds of students, and delivers an emotional speech admitting her cowardice and professing her love. Balthazar accepts her sincere apology, and the two reconcile, stepping into an uncertain but genuine future together.

The Feminist Subversion vs. Rom-Com Concession: Some feminist critics celebrated the film for reversing the classic age dynamic and exploring female desire without shame. Conversely, other commentators argued that Alice’s need to feign a bohemian lifestyle to achieve professional success illustrates how corporate culture still penalizes women for seriousness and maturity.

Satire of Corporate "Youthification" (Jeunisme): Another reading frames the film as an indictment of the fashion and media industries' obsession with performative youth culture (jeunisme), where authentic experience is undervalued unless packaged with trendiness.

A Re-examination of Modern Masculinity: Balthazar represents a modern romantic male ideal—unintimidated by Alice’s seniority, emotionally communicative, and unapologetic about valuing genuine affection over cynical gamesmanship.