'Suncoast' Ending Explained: Doris grapples with heartbreak after Max's death in Hulu's coming-of-age film
Contains spoilers for 'Suncoast'
PINELLAS PARK, FLORIDA: Laura Chinn's semi-autobiography movie titled 'Suncoast' first premiered at the Sundance Festival on January 21 and narrates the beautiful tale of a teenager's quest for self-discovery.
The film, which explores the universal themes of friendship, family, loss, and grief, debuted on Hulu on February 9.
The movie follows Doris (Nico Parker), who longs for attention but feels unappreciated because her mother, Kristine (Laura Linney), is too preoccupied with tending to her dying brother Max (Cree Kawa). When her brother's health deteriorates, he is moved to a hospice center called Suncoast.
There she meets Paul (Woody Harrelson), and they develop an unusual friendship that aids her in her quest for self-awareness.
Doris leaves Suncoast
Doris attends a party with her friends Brittani (Ella Anderson), Laci (Daniella Taylor), Megan (Ariel Martin), and Nate (Amarr) as she begins to enjoy her adolescence.
However, she quickly returns to the hospice center after learning from Kristine that Max may not survive the following night.
She gets the biggest shock of her life, though, when she finds out that Kristine is only lying to her, as she bemoans the fact that she is out having fun while her brother is critically ill.
Exasperated with Kristine's emotional outbursts, Doris packs up her belongings and declares she will never return to the hospice.
Paul, witnessing her furiously running outside, advises her to reconcile with her brother, or later she will regret it.
Upon hearing Paul's remarks, Doris became enraged and asked him not to pursue her.
Doris makes amends with Kristine
The next day, we witness Nate asking Doris to prom, which she graciously accepts, and they exchange a kiss.
A disturbed Doris spends the night watching news reports about Terri Schiavo's removal of her feeding tube and going through photo albums and videos to relive the happier moments she shared with her brother.
The following day, as Doris and her friends are getting ready for prom, she gets a call from Kristine, who apologizes for her actions and tells her that Max probably won't make it until the next morning, leaving it up to her to decide whether or not to visit.
Visibly upset by the news, Doris decides to proceed with her prom plans but quickly leaves the party when she realizes that this might be her last chance to spend time with her brother.
When she gets to the hospital, she finds out that her brother has died, and she sobs sorrowfully in his memory.
She is comforted by Kristine, who consoles her with comforting words and embraces her Later, Doris meets Paul, who consoles her over Max's death.
Doris adds that while she is saddened by her brother's death, she is certain that he is in a much better place.
The movie ends with Kristine letting Doris drive for the first time, and the truck's klatch opens up just like at the start of the movie. The duo pays no attention and drives away.
'Suncoast' is now streaming on Hulu.
