Zack Snyder's Justice League - Ending Explained

Zack Snyder's Justice League culminates in a massive battle in a deserted Russian city where Steppenwolf has united the three Mother Boxes to form 'The Unity,' which begins terraforming the Earth for Darkseid. The league, now joined by a resurrected Superman in a black suit, fights Steppenwolf and his army of Parademons. In a critical moment, The Flash is wounded, and the Unity synchronizes, causing a massive explosion that seemingly kills the league and dooms the planet. However, The Flash pushes his powers further than ever before, running faster than the speed of light to enter the Speed Force and reverse time by a few crucial seconds. This gives the heroes a second chance. Cyborg, with a supercharge from The Flash and assistance from Superman, manages to get inside the Unity and separate the Mother Boxes. An enraged Steppenwolf is then impaled by Aquaman, punched by Superman, and finally beheaded by Wonder Woman as his body is thrown back through the portal to Apokolips, landing at the feet of a furious Darkseid, who vows to return to Earth for the Anti-Life Equation.

The film's extensive epilogue reveals several key plot points intended for future films. We see Lex Luthor meet with Deathstroke, revealing Batman's secret identity to him. Bruce Wayne has a vision of the 'Knightmare' future, an apocalyptic timeline where Darkseid has conquered Earth and turned Superman into his pawn after murdering Lois Lane. In this future, Batman leads a small resistance force that includes Cyborg, The Flash, Mera, Deathstroke, and, surprisingly, the Joker. The Joker taunts Batman about the death of Robin, and it's implied their truce is temporary as they work to send The Flash back in time to prevent this outcome. The final scene shows Bruce Wayne being visited by the Martian Manhunter, who reveals himself and offers his help in preparing for Darkseid's return.

One of the primary alternative readings of the film views it as a meta-commentary on its own creation. The resurrection of Superman can be interpreted as a metaphor for the resurrection of Snyder's film itself. Just as Superman is violently brought back from the dead, confused and not quite himself before being restored by love and memory, the 'Snyder Cut' was brought back from its 'death' (the 2017 version) by the passionate efforts of fans and the director's own commitment. In this reading, the league uniting to bring back their most powerful member mirrors the fan movement uniting to bring back the director's original vision.

Another interpretation focuses on the film as a modern epic poem or religious allegory. Snyder frequently employs mythological and theological imagery, casting the heroes as flawed, suffering gods. Superman's death and resurrection are overtly Christ-like, while the struggle against Darkseid and the forces of Apokolips can be seen as a Manichaean battle between light and darkness. The Mother Boxes are holy relics, and the characters are on a spiritual quest for redemption and faith. The film's somber tone, deliberate pacing, and epic scope align it more with classical mythology than with the fast-paced action of its contemporaries, inviting an interpretation of the story as a grand, modern myth about divinity, humanity, and sacrifice.