Build an interpretation, leave room for doubt

An ending that stays open

The film’s final journey shifts away from familiar explanations. Treat your response as a reasoned interpretation rather than a puzzle with a single answer.

Choose two possibilities

1. A story of transformation: humanity changes into something new.
2. A story of limits: human knowledge meets an experience it cannot fully explain.

For each reading, identify one image, sound or change of scale that supports it. Then note one detail that makes the interpretation less certain.

Your final journal note

Complete this sentence in your own words: “My current reading is … because … . I remain uncertain about … .” Return to the HAL chapter to add it to your Scratchpad.

Read a contemporary critical response from 1968.