Regular Show: The Movie - Ending Explained

The central twist of "Regular Show: The Movie" is the revelation of Rigby's long-held secret: he was the one who didn't get into College University, while Mordecai was accepted. Fearing that he would lose his best friend, Rigby created a fake rejection letter for Mordecai, ensuring they would stay together. This lie is the true origin of the conflict, as their attempt to build a time machine to get into college is what led to the creation of the Time-nado and Mr. Ross's vengeful crusade.

The film's climax sees Future Mordecai, who has been an antagonist for much of the movie, sacrificing himself to save his past self from a volleyball bomb thrown by Mr. Ross. In his dying moments, he expresses his deep regret for letting his anger over Rigby's betrayal consume him, urging his younger self to forgive his friend. This act of redemption is a pivotal moment, pushing the present-day Mordecai towards reconciliation.

The ending involves Mordecai and Rigby successfully destroying the Time-nado after they repair their friendship. They then travel back to their high school days one last time, where the present-day Rigby apologizes to a young Mr. Ross before he can be arrested. This act of closure prevents Mr. Ross from ever becoming a villain, thus altering the future and erasing the dark timeline. The final scene shows that Mordecai and Rigby have learned from their experience, vowing not to let their friendship degrade to the point of trying to kill each other, as their future selves did.

One of the most prominent alternative interpretations of "Regular Show: The Movie" is viewing the entire narrative as a metaphor for the anxieties of entering adulthood. In this reading, the "Time-nado" isn't just a sci-fi plot device but a symbol of the overwhelming and chaotic feelings associated with major life changes. Rigby's fear of Mordecai going to college is a stand-in for the real-world fear of friendships changing and being left behind as peers move on to different stages of life.

The dark future, with a bitter, cybernetic Mordecai and a desperate Rigby, can be interpreted as a symbolic representation of what can happen when people lose touch with their friends and their youthful optimism. It's a cautionary tale about the dangers of letting regret and resentment define one's adult life. The film's resolution, where they fix the timeline, can be seen as a metaphor for the conscious choice to maintain friendships and stay true to oneself despite the pressures of growing up.