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Brian De Palma’s Scarface remains one of the most talked-about films in modern cinema. A remake of the 1932 classic, it depicts the rise and fall of Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant who establishes a drug empire in Miami. Tony, played by Al Pacino, is a complicated and divisive character—ambitious, aggressive, and ultimately self-destructive.
The brutal violence, explicit language, and depiction of excess in Scarface have provoked decades of controversy, gaining both condemnation and cult love. Its influence on popular culture is evident, affecting music, fashion, and even video games. Scarface is primarily a cautionary story about power, greed, and the dangers of unrestrained ambition.
This article explains the ending of Scarface—how it unfolds and what it reveals about Tony Montana as a character. Even decades later, the final moments of Scarface continue to provoke discussion and remain a defining image of 1980s cinema.
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Who is Tony Montana?
In Scarface, Tony Montana is introduced as a Cuban refugee arriving in Miami during the 1980 Mariel boatlift, accompanied by friends Manny Ribera (Steven Bauer) and Chi-Chi (Angel Salazar). With little more than ambition and defiance, he quickly sets out to achieve the American Dream through violence and crime.
His ascent begins with a government-arranged assassination that earns him a green card, followed by a brutal drug deal that ends in bloodshed. Tony survives the ordeal and personally delivers the drugs to Miami kingpin Frank Lopez (Robert Loggia), immediately casting doubt on the loyalty of Lopez's associate, Omar Suarez.
Montana’s rise is defined by his ruthlessness and charisma. He’s volatile, unfiltered, and fiercely loyal to his closest allies—particularly Manny and his sister, Gina. Al Pacino’s performance adds complexity to the character, blending menace with magnetism. This dangerous charm plays a crucial role in the film’s narrative arc, making Tony’s eventual downfall feel both inevitable and deeply tragic.
Tony’s path to ruin
As Tony Montana’s drug empire grows, so does his volatility. His unchecked ambition gives way to paranoia, addiction, and a growing sense of invincibility. He marries Elvira Hancock (Michelle Pfeiffer), the former partner of Frank Lopez, and surrounds himself with wealth and security. Yet, as his power increases, trust erodes and loyalty fades.
Tony’s downward spiral accelerates after he is caught in a money laundering operation. His relationship with Elvira deteriorates, culminating in a public confrontation that drives her away.
Tensions peak when his supplier, Alejandro Sosa, orders the assassination of a journalist. Tony initially agrees, but refuses once he learns the target is traveling with his family. Despite his violent nature, he draws the line at harming innocents.
By killing Sosa’s assassin, Tony violates a cardinal rule: never cross the supplier. The act sets off a chain of consequences. With law enforcement closing in and Sosa seeking retribution, Tony’s empire collapses.
What happened in Scarface ending?
Tony Montana makes his most terrible mistake in Scarface under a fog of drugs and fear. Driven by possessiveness and mistrust, Tony kills Manny in a flash of wrath after learning his sister Gina had covertly married his close buddy. Only after the gun is fired does the weight of his actions become evident, signifying a turning point when he loses his remaining family and stability.
Tony brings a distraught Gina to his mansion as Alejandro Sosa's assassins launch a full-scale assault. Delirious and grieving, Gina confronts Tony with accusations before firing at him. Though wounded, Tony retaliates and kills her accidental shooter, but the damage is done.
What follows is an iconic and chaotic final standoff. Armed with an M16 fitted with a grenade launcher, Tony unleashes a barrage of gunfire, defiantly shouting, “Say hello to my little friend!” Despite his injuries, he continues fighting until he is finally shot and killed—an explosive end to a violent rise.
Tony's death
Tony is finally killed not by the chaos around him, but by a silent, methodical execution. "The Skull," one of Sosa’s assassins, slips through the carnage and shoots Tony in the back with a shotgun. Tony stumbles forward, blood gushing, and topples over the balcony.
He crashes into the ornate fountain below, his blood seeping into the water. Above him, the camera lingers on the golden globe that once inspired his rise, emblazoned with the words: The World Is Yours. The irony is inescapable; Tony had it all—money, power, the world—and it killed him.
The final image of Tony’s body beneath the glowing globe is as chilling as it is poetic. The very phrase that fueled his delusions of grandeur now looms above him in hollow triumph. It’s the visual punchline to the ultimate cautionary tale.
The pristine, luxurious fountain is stained with blood—his, and by extension, everyone’s. It's neither a noble death nor a martyr’s fall. It represents the demise of a man who allowed ambition to turn into obsession, believing he could rule the world without incurring the necessary costs.
What the Scarface ending means
Scarface's ending offers a clear picture of the results of unbridled ambition, brutality, and the quest for power. Tony Montana's ascent is based on treachery and violence; his ultimate fall represents the price of his decisions. His accumulation of riches and prestige exposes the hollowness underlying his interpretation of the American Dream, depriving those closest to him.
Though the character is aggressive, the film's ending is nonetheless arresting for its emotional weight and intensity. Tony's distinguishing qualities—his ambition, stubbornness, and refusal to submit—make his fall interesting to watch.
The long-lasting influence of Scarface depends mostly on this intricate interaction. Although Montana is not shown as someone to respect, his narrative has come to symbolize the perils of authority and excess. His last position leaves a lasting imprint in film history as it captures the appeal and destructiveness of his environment.
Scarface is available for online streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV.
