Touch of Evil - Ending Explained

The Final Twist: After Quinlan is shot and dies floating in the garbage-filled water, Schwartz (the DA's assistant) reveals a shocking fact: the young Mexican man, Sanchez, whom Quinlan had framed for the bombing, has confessed. He was actually guilty. This serves as the ultimate irony—Quinlan's intuition was right, and he didn't need to plant the evidence that ultimately cost him his life and reputation. His corruption was unnecessary, making his downfall even more tragic and senseless.

Quinlan as the Tragic Hero: While ostensibly the villain, some critics view Quinlan as the film's true protagonist—a tragic figure whose 'intuition' was actually a supernatural talent for spotting guilt. The irony that he framed a guilty man suggests his instincts were correct, even if his methods were criminal.

The Failure of Modern Law: Another reading suggests the film is cynical about modern justice (represented by Vargas). Vargas's intervention destroys the town's equilibrium and leads to multiple deaths, whereas Quinlan's corrupt order kept the peace. In this view, Vargas is an agent of sterile chaos.