‘The Nutcracker’ Ending Explained: Hulu Movie Delivers a Heartwarming Climax
Contains spoilers for “The Nutcracker”
“The Nutcracker” is a new holiday movie on Hulu with Ben Stiller taking center stage. The 58-year-old actor plays Mike Maxwell, an ambitious city dweller who suddenly has to move to a remote Ohio farm after the death of his sister. The reason? Caring for her four orphaned nephews until Gretchen (Linda Cardellini) from Family Services can find them a foster family.
The problem is that Mike doesn’t want to take responsibility for these children. Firstly, because he is too busy in his professional life; and secondly, he is “incapable” of loving, as his sister said. He races against time to find the children their new home before it seriously damages his career. That’s why he prepares the children for a ballet performance, hoping that people will be interested in adopting them.
The final scene of the ‘Nutcracker’ ballet explained
An image from “The Nutcracker” (Hulu)
Mike has reserved a room for the ballet. The day is finally here and the audience fills the seats. However, moments before the show begins, Simon (Arlo Janson), one of the boys, overhears a conversation between Mike and Gretchen. Mike mentions how troublesome the kids are and he’s not ready to take on their responsibilities.
When Mike goes to the makeup room, he sees that the boys are gone. Assuming they could have hopped the train to Kansas City, he takes the stage and announces that the show is canceled.
Meanwhile, we find out that the boys haven’t escaped the city but are ready for the show. The only difference is that they go to the memorial in honor of their deceased parents. The crowd gathers and cheers for the boys. At the end of the performance, the judge (Homer Janson) asks Mike his usual question: “When I wake up tomorrow, will you still be here?” Mike nods and all the boys run up to hug him. Eventually the boys accepted him into their lives and vice versa.
Who adopts the boys from “The Nutcracker”?
Ben Stiller in “The Nutcracker” (Hulu)
The film ends with the ballet scene but a scene accompanies the credits which suggests that Mike is now the boys’ official guardian. They all live on the farm where Mike is now more involved with the boys than before.
The climax doesn’t mention exactly what happens to his job. However, moments before the ballet performance, he receives a call from Carol mentioning that they need him in the office for the deal after a failed attempt. So, Mike still has a chance to get the deal back, but it looks like he now has other priorities. We can assume he works remotely or left that job to live a slow life in Ohio.
Do Mike and Gretchen end up together in “The Nutcracker”?
Linda Cardellini in “The Nutcracker” (Hulu)
Since the beginning of the film, we were hoping to see some romance between Mike and Gretchen. But, surprisingly, that didn’t happen. However, the credits scene gives us hope as we see Gretchen arrive at the farm and Mike offers her a bouquet of roses. It seems the boys have found their significant other and father in Gretchen and Mike.
“The Nutcracker” is available to stream on Hulu