Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of V for Vendetta. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: V dies after being shot by Finch, and Evey takes his mask and place. The government collapses into chaos.
Quick facts
– Book: V for Vendetta by Alan Moore and David Lloyd
– First published: 1982
– Type: A graphic novel
– Tone of the ending: Defiant
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
V is a masked anarchist who fights a fascist government in Britain. He rescues Evey and trains her. He kills those responsible for his torture.
What Happens at the End of V for Vendetta
V destroys government buildings and kills the leaders of the regime. He is fatally wounded by Finch, and dies in Evey's arms. Evey places his body on a train filled with explosives and sends it toward 10 Downing Street. She takes on his role.
The Ending in Five Quick Points
- V destroys government buildings and kills the leaders of the regime.
- He is fatally wounded by Finch, and dies in Evey's arms.
- Evey places his body on a train filled with explosives and sends it toward 10 Downing Street.
- She takes on his role.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| V | Dies |
| Evey Hammond | Takes V's mask |
| Eric Finch | Leaves the police force |
What the Ending Means
The ending raises questions about order and freedom. Anarchy replaces fascism, but it's unclear what comes next.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers see Evey's choice as hopeful, while others see it as another form of risk.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Freedom. The final pages are where this idea lands hardest, and rereading the last chapters with freedom in mind changes how the ending reads.
Fascism. Alan Moore and David Lloyd uses the closing events to show what fascism costs or achieves, rather than simply stating it.
Anarchy. The ending gives anarchy a final shape, which is why readers often point to it when they explain what the book is really about.
Identity. Even in the last scenes, identity keeps shaping the choices the characters make.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of V for Vendetta as Defiant. That reaction usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Alan Moore and David Lloyd to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 2005 film changes the story to a more political and less anarchist one.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading V for Vendetta with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about freedom, and do you agree with Alan Moore and David Lloyd's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- After finishing, would you describe the book as defiant, or would you choose a different word?
Discussion Prompts by Theme
- Freedom: Which moment in the last chapters made freedom feel most real to you, and did it change how you saw earlier scenes?
- Fascism: How does Alan Moore and David Lloyd use the closing events to say something about fascism, and do you agree with that view?
- Anarchy: If you could ask a character about anarchy at the very end, who would you ask, and what would you say?
- Identity: Does the ending leave identity resolved, or is it something that stays unsettled after the last page?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces freedom and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Alan Moore and David Lloyd leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in V for Vendetta often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of V for Vendetta earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
- Would you recommend V for Vendetta to a friend who dislikes spoilers, or to one who loves a discussion?
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Books to Read After V for Vendetta
Related: V for Vendetta by Alan Moore and David Lloyd: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like V for Vendetta You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of V for Vendetta?
V dies after being shot by Finch, and Evey takes his mask and place. The government collapses into chaos.
Is the ending of V for Vendetta happy or sad?
Most readers call it Defiant.
What does the ending of V for Vendetta mean?
The ending raises questions about order and freedom.
Is the ending of V for Vendetta the same in the adaptation?
The 2005 film changes the story to a more political and less anarchist one.
Who should read V for Vendetta before reading the ending explained?
Anyone who plans to read the book, because this post gives away the whole ending.