The thrilling finale of Australia’s latest Netflix hit, Boy Swallows Universe, delivers a blend of violence and jubilant resolution. In the last two episodes, we see a leap forward from 1985 to 1989, revealing the remarkable growth of our beloved protagonist, Eli (played by Felix Cameron and Zac Burgess).
From being the weakling who was ever the target of bullies in school, he has now blossomed into a rising star among the staff writers at the local newspaper.
Having weathered a series of traumatic events alongside his mysteriously silent older brother, Gus (portrayed by Lee Tiger Halley), who possesses some form of divination, Eli finally achieves his long-awaited dream of reuniting his fractured family.
1. What Happens In Boy Swallows Universe Ending?
In the explosive climax of Boy Swallows Universe, our protagonist, Eli Bell, embarks on a daring adventure with the object of his affection, fellow journalist Caitlyn Spies. Their destination? The opulent residence of Tytus Broz, a wealthy benefactor known for his generosity to the local community.
But beneath Tytus’ benevolent facade, Eli suspects a darker truth: that he and his hired hitman Ivan Kroll may be responsible for the recent murders of Bich Dang and Tim Cotton. Determined to uncover the truth and avenge his stepfather’s death, Eli and Caitlyn face off against Tytus in a tense showdown.
Despite being intimidated and threatened by Tytus, the two tenacious journalists refuse to back down. When Tytus leaves to attend a prestigious awards ceremony, Eli and Caitlyn seize the opportunity to sneak into his mysterious research facility and uncover the shocking secrets hidden inside.
As they made their way through the research facility, Eli and Caitlyn stumbled upon Lyle’s preserved severed head. Ivan Kroll, intent on stopping them, chased them through the corridors. But they managed to escape and finally arrived at the Queensland Champions ceremony.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, as Tytus was about to deliver his speech. Without a moment’s hesitation, Eli rushed onto the stage, carrying Lyle’s decapitated head as evidence.
The crowd gasped in shock as Eli revealed the truth: Tytus, known for his expertise in creating mechanical limbs, secretly ran a human limb farming operation in his backyard. Amid the chaos and confusion, Tytus was promptly arrested.
But before anyone could celebrate, Kroll showed up and attacked both Eli and his father. It seemed like all hope was lost until Gus, a loyal friend and member of the Bell family, courageously leaped into action.
2. What Eli & Caitlyn Discover In Tytus Broz’s Research Facility
Eli and Caitlyn’s thirst for adventure nearly leads to their downfall as they sneak into Tytus Broz’s secretive research facility. Cages filled with captive animals and scattered skeletons hint at the unethical practices.
But as they delve deeper, Eli makes a shocking discovery: his stepdad Lyle’s decapitated head, pickled in a mysterious blue liquid, alongside several other heads. This grim scene confirms Eli’s long-held suspicion that Kroll, a colleague of Tytus, was responsible for Lyle’s untimely death years ago.
3. Why Eli Did THAT With Lyle’s Severed Head
Rather than letting the police handle the evidence, knowing that some of them were corrupt, Eli took matters into his own hands and brought Lyle’s head to the Queensland Champions ceremony.
While it was undoubtedly a bold movie, it was also very in character for the spontaneous and blunt Eli, who knew that presenting Lyle’s head in front of a crowd would be the only way to bring Tytus to justice.
Eli had been incredibly, and often dangerously, involved in the corrupt affairs that were going on throughout the series, from trying to break up a violent street fight to seeing his mom in prison.
4. Final Hospital Scene With Tytus & Red Phone Explained
At the end of Boy Swallows Universe, Tytus is seen picking up a scalpel at the hospital and opening a door before Eli wakes up and sees Caitlyn reading the paper.
The red phone also rings throughout the brief scene, a common theme throughout the Netflix series, but the scene itself is unclear whether Tytus was there.
It appears that since Tytus was shown to have been thrown in jail based on the front-page photo of the paper, Eli was only having a nightmare that he had come to pay him a violent visit at the hospital.
5. How Eli Survives Despite Gus’s Blue Wren Prophecy
In the opening moments of the very first episode of Boy Swallows Universe, Gus traces a haunting message into the dirt with his finger: “Your end is a dead blue wren.”
This simple act betrays Gus’s incredible gift of foresight, aptly showcased through his striking drawings and all-knowing visions throughout the series.
In an eerily prescient manner, Gus predicts the ultimate fate of his dear friend, Eli – marked by the death of the blue wren. And in the climactic finale of Boy Swallows Universe, that scene unfolds before our eyes.
With a ruthless stomp of his boot, Ivan Kroll brutally crushes the delicate bird just moments before Gus swoops in to save Eli’s life.
As the blue wren lies lifeless, so does Eli’s story reach its final chapter: a poignant truth that Eli himself reflects upon in the closing scene, forever etched in viewers’ minds.
6. The Real Meaning Of Boy Swallows Universe Ending
In the ultimate climax of Boy Swallows Universe, Eli’s deeply rooted desire for his family to be reunited is fulfilled in the closing scene of the Netflix show.
Despite enduring countless tragic events during his formative years, Eli’s perseverance ultimately pays off as his family, his budding career as a journalist, and his budding relationship with Caitlyn all align in the heartwarming finale.
The show’s poignant message emphasizes the importance of resilience and staying true to oneself, even in the face of life’s hardships and challenging individuals.
7. About Boy Swallows Universe
Boy Swallows Universe is an Australian coming of age television limited series for Netflix based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Trent Dalton. Produced by Andrew Mason and Troy Lum and written by John Collee, the story revolves around Eli Bell, a working-class youth who enters Brisbane’s underworld to save his mother from danger.
Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gives the series a 82% approval rating based on 11 reviews.
Luke Buckmaster reviewing the series for The Guardian rated it four stars out of five. Kylie Northover reviewing the series for The Sydney Morning Herald rated the series as five stars out of five, “As in the book, the mood is a tightrope walk between despair and childish optimism; the brothers’ lives are shaped by trauma, but this sprawling story is infused with humour and great warmth, even for the adults who have let them down.”
No Comments on Netflix’s Boy Swallows Universe Ending Explained