The Time Loop Paradox In Edge Of Tomorrow’s Ending Explained

The Film Does Not Logically Explain The Final Time Reset

Unfortunately, Dr. Carter’s theories on the Mimics and the time loop are based only on Vrataski’s unsuccessful first attempt at finding the Omega. As a result, the film does not offer a finite explanation from Carter, Vrataski, or Cage regarding what would happen if they succeeded – let alone an outcome where Cage reacquired the ability to reset time. With limited insight, we do not know how the Mimics developed the ability to manipulate time in the first place, or the larger mechanics of the ability.

The source material digs deeper into the Mimic’s backstory, but the film adaptation takes a significant amount of liberties. For that reason, within the context of Edge of Tomorrow, it’s unclear whether time manipulation was an evolutionary leap in Mimic physiology, or a technology they created. Is the ability to alter time confined only to a certain area of influence? Or can a single Omega alter time across the entire plane of existence – including the fates of other Mimic collectives around the universe?

Because we are not told all the rules, there is not one clear-cut explanation for how the final reset could start hours earlier and incorporate the destruction of the mimics, but leave every other variable unchanged. Time travel logic is always a can of worms, meaning that viewers should have no problem coming up with their own ways of explaining the ending. Still, based on the limited information within the film, the end result is a paradox – one that ultimately provides the audience with a (semi-)happy ending at the expense of a more straightforward story of sacrifice.

Theories For Edge Of Tomorrow’s Confusing Ending Explained

Some Speculation Can Help Explain What Happens

Theory 1: Years of complicated sci-fi time travel movies and shows (Doctor Who, Looper, Primer, among others) have laid the foundation for an educated guess – one that fits with Dr. Carter’s Mimic theories. The Omega’s ability to reset time and retain memories from the previous loop means that, to some extent, it exists outside the traditional observance of time. This suggests that even though time resets for Cage, Vrataski, J-Squad, and humankind, the Omega’s death is a fixed event outside the loop.

In that situation, time adjusts to the change during the next reset – incorporating the explosion and the death of the Mimics. Given that humanity exists within the normal restrictions of time, when Cage’s death causes the final reset, Vrataski and J-Squad are restored to their former positions at the beginning of his loop. This, however, raises another intriguing question: why does Cage awaken hours before his normal start point on the Heathrow tarmac?

In his previous resets, Cage reverts to his first waking moment, which – since he was previously knocked out by a taser – occurred on the airfield. However, the opening of the film reveals that Cage’s day originally started hours earlier, prior to his fateful meeting with General Brigham, when his helicopter arrived at UDF headquarters. If, in fact, time has adjusted to the death of the Mimics, then Cage avoids meeting with the General – since Operation Downfall is no longer necessary.

For that reason, Cage would have never been marked a deserter, never been knocked out, and would never have awakened on the airport tarmac. As time anticipates and adjusts to the changes, Cage’s waking moment reverts to its original starting point – when the helicopter landed at the UDF.

Theory 2: It is also possible that Omega (as opposed to Alpha) blood gave him increased power for the new reset – either by throwing him farther back in time or providing him with the agency to decide on a different starting point for the reset. After all, the extent of the Omega’s powers is not outright explained (or known). This means it’s also possible the brain blood allowed Cage to drastically manipulate reality – by choosing a new waking point, as well as pulling the destruction of the Mimics into the new timeline.

Regardless of the actual explanation, the new waking point allows Cage to avoid his original arrest and retain his Major rank. As for whether Cage is still able to time loop with no Mimics left on Earth, the post-Omega reset should be Cage’s last. It can be ᴀssumed that without the Mimic collective around, Cage no longer has the power to reset time.

Still, he might want to ask for a blood transfusion, just to be safe. Otherwise, Major Cage is now free to debrief Vrataski on what actually happened after Edge of Tomorrow‘s ending – over a cup of coffee (with three sugars).

How The Movie’s Ending Sets Up Edge Of Tomorrow 2

Edge Of Tomorrow’s Ending Is Conclusive But Leaves Room For A Sequel

Although Edge of Tomorrow‘s ending gives a well-rounded closure to its storyline, its ambiguous conclusion leaves room for a follow-up. The fact that the film does not explain how the Tom Cruise character gets one final reset despite killing the Omega could be the starting point for a sequel. Or, a sequel could mark the arrival of another set of aliens with another Omega brain behind them. Interestingly, Edge of Tomorrow 2 has been in the talks for several years. Doug Liman also revealed (via Total Film) that Warner Bros. keeps asking him if he wants to pursue the sequel.

Here’s his full statement:

I do think there’s probably no better compliment to a movie than people wanting for there to be a sequel. Road House – there’s call for a sequel. Edge of Tomorrow, there’s no better compliment than Warner Bros. constantly bringing up, “Will you go and make another one of these?”

Unfortunately, despite the studio’s interest, Edge of Tomorrow 2‘s future remains uncertain. Given how Tom Cruise’s run as Mission: Impossible‘s Ethan Hunt is about to end, it would be a good time for him to move the flywheels of Edge of Tomorrow 2‘s production to have another action franchise under his belt. Emily Blunt could also benefit from starring in an action movie franchise after The Fall Guy‘s box office failure. However, for now, Edge of Tomorrow 2 remains in the early stages of development hell. Hopefully, it will someday see the light of day.

How Edge Of Tomorrow’s Time Loops Compare To Other Movies

Edge Of Tomorrow Is A Unique Entry Into The Time Loop Genre

The time loop genre has had surprising longevity considering how specific the premise is. Edge of Tomorrow was another reminder of how versatile this kind of movie could be, bringing the concept to a sci-fi action flick while other time loop movies have found their way into other genres. Groundhog Day was a romantic comedy while Happy Death Day was a slasher movie, yet they each found new ways to take on this kind of story.

Despite the very different genre setting, Edge of Tomorrow does follow a typical time loop movie formula in the beginning. As seen in Groundhog Day and Happy Death Day, Cage begins his time loop journey with confusion as he tries to understand if he is really repeating the same day or if this is some strange dream. Then comes the realization that he is trapped and his attempts to break the cycle. Finally, Cage begins to learn how to use the time loop and uses knowledge of everything that is going to happen to his advantage.

While these aspects are familiar in the other time loop movies, Edge of Tomorrow sets itself apart by having the time loop be a weapon for Cage. Other fils in the genre typically include a montage of the characters having fun with this new existence, only to grow tired of it and want to escape. For Cage, losing the time loop is a gift that can allow humanity to win the war. In fact, losing the ability raises the stakes in the finale.

How The Edge Of Tomorrow Ending Was Received

Critics Pointed To A Messy Ending To A Solid Movie

Edge of Tomorrow was an acclaimed sci-fi action movie with many of the critics hailing it as taking something overly familiar and doing something new with it. However, when it came to the film’s ending, the final act was largely seen as one of the weaker aspects. While the early moments of Cage exploring the realities of the time loop and his partnership with Rita were praised as exciting and fresh, some critics felt the movie fell into stagnant storytelling in the finale.

The review for The Hollywood Reporter felt that both the storytelling and the filmmaking seemed to lose steam when it entered the final act:

Unfortunately, the final stretch becomes dramatically unconvincing and visually murky… leaving it to the stars to do the heavy lifting during the least engaging section, making for a sense of considerably diminished returns.

While others seemed to agree with the uneven ending, they also acknowledged that the rest of the film gave Edge of Tomorrow enough good footing for its complicated conclusion. The review in Variety pointed out last-minute story revelations felt unneeded but not devastating to the quality of the overall movie:

The final twists are likely to throw a few viewers for a temporal loop, but by that point, the film has more than earned their goodwill.

However, there are also some critics who felt the time loop element of the story was effectively used in bringing the movie to a close. In the review at RogerEbert.com, Edge of Tomorrow was praised for planting seeds and building the story in a way that felt like the audience was coming along as the story was taking shape:

It repeats key images and lines near the end as well, but always for good reason. When you see the familiar material again you feel different about it, because its meaning has changed. The movie has an organic intelligence and a sense that it, too, exists outside of linear time. It seems to be creating itself as you watch it.