Black Adam has crashed into theaters, and while fans and critics seem to have vastly different opinions about the DC Comics film, it's left us with plenty of big talking points.
Among them is an ending that plays out vastly different than you might expect. There's a huge character death, an unexpected status quo shift for Teth-Adam, and a massive tease that could change everything you thought you knew about what comes next for the DC Extended Universe.
In this spoiler-filled breakdown, we're explaining Black Adam's ending, starting by revealing the anti-hero's secret origin before diving into all the final act's biggest moments.
Massive details for the film follow from this point on, so you just need to tap that NEXT button to find out what's in store for you if you choose to watch Black Adam this weekend!
Black Adam's Origin Story
5,000 years ago, a young slave boy, Hurut, revolts against the tyrannical rule of King Anh-Kot, a vicious dictator who enslaves his people in an effort to forget the Crown of Sabbac from "Eternium" crystals.
With that, he can gain the power of Hell, but first decides to make an example of the child with a public execution. The boy is saved by The Wizard and granted the powers of Shazam, and while the world believes Hurut killed the King and freed his people before vanishing, the truth is much different.
In reality, the King hit back at Khandaq's new champion by targeting his family. Returning home, Hurut passes his powers to his dying father and is immediately shot down by an arrow, dying in Teth-Adam's arms. In a rage, he unleashes his fury and murders Anh-Kot and his men before being imprisoned by The Wizard for abusing Shazam's power.
In the present day, history begins repeating itself...
The Final Battle...Or So It Seems
Intergang leader Ishmael Gregor is Anh-Kot's final living descendant and now hopes to use the Crown for his own nefarious means. Kidnapping a young boy who Black Adam befriended, the villain proceeds to point his gun and fires at the child, and while Adam saves him, he once again unleashes that uncontrollable rage.
That actually injures the boy, and while Gregor has been defeated and reduced to a charred corpse, Adam is horrified by what he's done.
He agrees to say the world "Shazam" and lets the Justice Society place him in Amanda Waller's custody in an underwater facility full of powered beings who are also in stasis. Once again put to sleep, that appears to be it for Black Adam, but Gregor actually wanted to die and is revived by unnamed demons.
Sabbac has been unleashed on Khandaq, prompting Dr. Fate to reach out to Adam and tell him he's needed.
The Final, Final Battle
Fighting his way out of that prison, a badly injured Teth-Adam attempts to swim to the surface, but appears to drown. With that, he's reunited with his wife and son, though the latter tells his father it's not his time yet. He must return to life and say the word: "Shazam."
He does so, and returns shortly after Dr. Fate has died in battle against Sabbac. Kent Nelson had foreseen Hawkman's demise, but realised the only way to save his friend was to take his place. He does so after an impressive show of power and goes out every bit the hero.
Hawkman uses Dr. Fate's helmet to trick Sabbac and that gives Black Adam the chance to power up and use his rage to literally tear the bad guy in half.
The JSA parts on good terms with Adam, and there are even some hints that they might team up again one day. For now, Adam is left to watch over Khandaq, but what does that mean exactly?
Khandaq's New Ruler
Decked out in a comic-accurate costume, cape and all, Black Adam stands tall after his hard-fought victory. Walking to King Anh-Kot's throne, he takes a seat and strikes that classic pose. Alas, it doesn't feel right to him.
Leaping into the air, Adam returns to Earth and demolishes it. He won't be Khandaq's ruler, but is willing to be its guardian.
While he's not quite a hero at this point, it's apparent that the character will continue to dole out his own form of (lethal) justice. It's an interesting place to end Black Adam's story, but anyone hoping to see him become a full-blown villain in the DCEU are likely to be disappointed.
Of course, this doesn't mean he won't still come to blows with some of the world's true heroes...
Superman Returns
In a mid-credits scene, Amanda Waller appears before Adam in a hologram and says, "Okay, Black Adam. My name is Amanda Waller. Congratulations, you have my attention. This is going to be your only warning: you don't want to stay in my prison, that's fine, Kandaq is your prison now. You step one foot outside of it, you will not live to regret it."
He smiles and responds, "There's no one on this planet that can stop me."
Waller comes back with, "I can call in a favor and call in people who aren't from this planet."
"Send them all," he demands before destroying her drone. With that, a caped figure emerges through the smoke. It's Henry Cavill's Superman, and he's wearing a much brighter costume than the last time we saw him.
"It's been a while since anyone's made the world this nervous," the Man of Steel states as John Williams' score plays. "Black Adam...we should talk." The anti-hero responds with a smirk and the screen fades to black.
Henry Cavill is back as Superman, and the stage is set for his Man of Tomorrow to clash with Black Adam in a future film. We don't get to see what happens next in this exchange, but can't imagine it ends peacefully.