The Mind-Bending Twist Unraveled: Safety Not Guaranteed Demystified!

Directed by Colin Trevorrow, Safety Not Guaranteed is a 2012 indie sci-fi film that has gained significant attention for its all-star cast, including fan-favorite icons Aubrey Plaza, Jake Johnson, Mark Duplass, and Karan Soni. Trevorrow's comedic take on the time-travel concept offers a refreshing twist, making it a must-watch for any sci-fi enthusiast.

Running just over 80 minutes, Safety Not Guaranteed takes viewers on a thrilling and fast-paced journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. Trevorrow's inventive comedy constantly challenges audience expectations, ultimately leading to a gripping and dramatic conclusion. This finale has sparked debate among viewers, resulting in various interpretations of the film's enigmatic ending. What is the true meaning behind Safety Not Guaranteed and how does it ultimately conclude?

What Is Safety Not Guaranteed About?

Safety Not Guaranteed tells the story of a group of journalists who find themselves on an unforeseen journey. It all starts when Jeff Schwensen, played by Jake Johnson, stumbles upon a peculiar newspaper advertisement that reads:

"Seeking an individual to accompany me on a time-travel expedition. No joking around. P.O. Box 91 Ocean View, WA 99393. Compensation upon our return. Please bring your own weapons. I've successfully attempted this risky endeavor once before. Safety is not guaranteed."

To find the elusive author of the unique advertisement, Jeff assembles a team to accompany him to Ocean View. Among the team members chosen are Darius (played by Aubrey Plaza) and Arnau (played by Karan Soni), both interns who assist him in unraveling the story. However, it becomes apparent upon their arrival in Ocean View that Darius is much more dedicated to the investigation than Jeff, who is mainly focused on rekindling a past romantic relationship.

Surprisingly, Darius successfully tracks down the peculiar time traveler, named Kenneth (portrayed by Mark Duplass). To gather more information about this enigmatic character, Darius conceals her true identity as a journalist and instead convinces Kenneth that she wishes to accompany him on his time travel exploits. Gradually, their relationship evolves from friendship to romance. Throughout the film, it remains uncertain whether Kenneth is a genuine time traveler or simply mentally unstable, creating suspense that captivates the audience.

How Does Safety Not Guaranteed End?

Once audiences start believing that Kenneth is telling the truth, a sudden twist at the end of the movie confirms that he is not a legitimate time traveler. Earlier, Kenneth had confided in Darius about his desire to travel back in time to 2001, in order to prevent his girlfriend's tragic death caused by a car crashing into their living room. In an emotional moment, Kenneth expressed his enduring love for his late girlfriend, Belinda, and the overwhelming guilt he carries for her demise. However, Jeff ultimately uncovers that Belinda is still alive and resides nearby, proving Kenneth's lack of authenticity as a time traveler. This revelation comes as a devastating shock to Darius, who had placed her trust in Kenneth.

Once Darius conducts an interview with Belinda (played by Kristen Bell), she astonishingly reveals that she never dated Kenneth. As if that wasn't enough, Belinda further discloses that it was actually Kenneth who had crashed his car into her living room, fortunately without causing any injuries. At this point, Darius loses all faith in Kenneth's claims of being a genuine time traveler and decides to confront him.

When Darius reveals to Kenneth that Belinda is alive, he appears visibly bewildered. However, he simply acknowledges Darius' claim and attributes it to the success of his time-travel mission. The situation worsens when Kenneth discovers Darius' profession as a journalist, which compromises their relationship. Despite this setback, Kenneth remains determined to prove Darius' declaration and arranges a meeting with him in the woods.

To tie up loose ends, the team of journalists accompanies Darius to the woods, where they stumble upon Kenneth's own creation of a time machine. Kenneth questions if Darius had been mocking him all along, but Darius reassures him that their relationship was sincere, with her only dishonesty being her career as a journalist. Overwhelmed with emotion, Kenneth forgives Darius and extends his hand, inviting her to join him aboard the time machine. In a poignant moment, Kenneth expresses to Darius:

The mission has been revised, and I’m currently returning to retrieve you.

This verifies that Kenneth has altered his course from going back in time for Belinda, and is now focused on addressing Darius' remorse regarding her mother's demise. Despite the deep emotions portrayed in this scene, uncertainties still surround Kenneth's character, yet Darius expresses her explicit trust in him. Darius proceeds to initiate the machine, and to the astonishment of everyone present, the pair truly disappears.

The movie transitions to a scene where Kenneth and Darius are seen running through the woods. Darius' recording of Kenneth's voice can be heard overlapping the scene. In the recording, Kenneth ponders, "When I'm filled with self-doubt, insecurities, and my heart is failing me, do I require someone by my side? Do I need someone to support me when things get tough?"

Darius queries, "So, do you?" Kenneth affirms, "I do." The movie suddenly concludes, and the credits start rolling, leaving viewers perplexed.

However, after dismissing the likelihood of Kenneth being a time traveler, Colin Trevorrow draws audiences back in by confirming that the enigmatic character had been truthful all along. This unusual ending has been labeled by some as a cop-out, as it remains undisclosed whether Kenneth and Darius triumphed in their mission. On the other hand, some admire the film for leaving this open to interpretation, which ultimately challenges viewers' expectations.

In 2020, eight years after the release of Safety Not Guaranteed, Colin Trevorrow disclosed that he made a last-minute alteration to the movie's ending. While participating in Collider's Directors on Directing panel for Comic-Con@Home, Trevorrow shared that initially, Kenneth's time machine was intended to not work, but he admitted that this ending didn't feel satisfactory. Trusting his intuition, Trevorrow ultimately rewrote the conclusion of the film, resulting in a significant shift in its overall meaning. Trevorrow speculates that this change may have had an impact on the trajectory of his career.

Apart from Darius, Kenneth ultimately proved everyone wrong. The revelation that Kenneth is, in fact, a time traveler serves as a captivating finale, inspiring viewers to believe in the unexpected and the peculiar. It also encourages audiences to place their trust in others rather than dismiss them. Kenneth's final line of "I do" embodies the positivity of having faith in others.

The movie's ambiguous ending prompts viewers to contemplate its connection to the overarching theme of regret. Each character in Safety Not Guaranteed carries their own regrets: Jeff, regretful about a past romantic relationship; Arnau, regretful for not fully experiencing life; Darius and Kenneth, both burdened by the loss of loved ones. By choosing to travel back in time for Darius instead of himself, Kenneth illustrates the film's message that regret is inevitable but embracing new adventures is a more fulfilling path than dwelling in the past. This thought-provoking conclusion ensures that the story lingers in the minds of the audience, a clear indicator of its quality.