The Berlin File — Ending Explained

The arms deal collapses and Pyo is framed as a defector. The conspiracy centres on Dong, whose clan is powerful in the North Korean regime. In the finale a three-way shootout among Pyo, Jung, Dong, the North Koreans and the Arabs kills Abdul and his men and Dong's men. Pyo and Dong then face each other, and Pyo kills Dong with an injection. Ryun is caught in the crossfire and dies from her wound.

Jung then reports to headquarters. He learns that Dong's father has covered up the scandal and made Pyo the scapegoat. Jung is frustrated but his hands are tied. He tells Pyo to hide and live "looking over his shoulder", because both governments treat him as a fugitive. In the final scene Pyo is in an airport and phones Dong's father to tell him he is coming. This points to a vengeance still to come, and the tragedy is that the system survives even though its agents are destroyed.

Some critics read the ending as a setup for a sequel. Film Comment called it predictable, and thought it suggested the film "wasn't made to stand alone". Others read Pyo's closing phone call as a statement of defiance. It shows that a man whom both states disowned is now outside of their control.