‘The One’ on Netflix, Ending Explained

If you ever wondered what it would be like if finding your soulmate was as easy as making a Tinder profile, Netflix has an answer for you. The One revolves around a new tech company that’s taken the world by storm, promising to match users with their perfect soulmates. But this seemingly sweet proposition comes with unintended consequences.

Created by Howard Overman, the Netflix original is loosely based on the novel of the same name by John Marrs. Yet these two stories couldn’t be more different. Wondering how The One ends and how that ending differs from the book? Here’s what you need to know.

How Did The One End for Rebecca?

With a whole lot of heartbreak. At long last Rebecca (Hannah Ware), the founder and CEO of The One, told her match Matheus (Albano Jeronimo) what happened to her murdered former friend. If you need a refresher, the formula that would turn into the mega-successful company The One was developed by James’ (Dimitri Leonidas) research with ants and Rebecca’s belief that research could translate into soulmates for people. All that they needed was a sample to prove that their theory worked.

They found that sample through James and Rebecca’s friend Ben (Amir El-Masry). Rebecca copied the database from Ben’s job and used it to meet Matheus, her own match and the very first test subject that proved her theory was right. But you can’t just steal something from a super powerful lab and not expect some blowback. Ben’s bosses found that he was responsible for the leak and fired him. Ben’s incriminating “You lied to me” text was his way of confronting Rebecca for ruining his career.

On the night of his death, Rebecca and James met with Ben. Things turned physical rather quickly, and in a moment of fury Rebecca pushed Ben over the side of a bridge. That’s how Ben died, not by suicide, but because of Rebecca. Which, yeah. From Episode 1 it was clear this super successful businesswomen was guilty as sin.

Rebecca finally admitted the truth to Matheus to gain his trust. She also admitted that she gave Matheus’ brother money, the same money he used to buy the heroin that led to his overdose. Matheus seemed ready to leave his soulmate for good when David Cooper (Paul Brennen) appeared.

“Who’s David?” you may be asking yourself. Remember that guy who seems to spend all of his free time protesting outside of the headquarters for The One? That’s David. After his wife left him and their two children to meet her soulmate, Connor was left heartbroken. Instead of blaming her, he blamed Rebecca. And he got his revenge in a big way. While Rebecca and Matheus were in the middle of their fight, he tried to kill Rebecca. Matheus jumped in front of her at the last second, and David’s blade killed him instead.

By the end of The One Season 1, Rebecca is still acting as the company’s CEO and is planning to take it public. The last time we see her, she’s talking to James. That’s when this series drops the biggest bomb of all.

Can Someone Have More Than One Match?

Yep. The entire premise of The One, both the company and the show, revolves around the theory that every person on Earth has a single perfect romantic match. That was a big lie. Apparently certain people can have multiple matches, a secret Rebecca has been hiding from users, her employees, and her board. That’s certainly going to have consequences for this universe if there is another season.

How Did Season 1 End for Kate and Sophia?

Speaking of, that possibility has been haunting Kate (Zoe Tapper), the police officer who has been investigating Ben’s death as well as Rebecca’s many crimes. Shortly after Kate was matched with Sophia (Jana Pérez) using The One, Sophia agreed to go to London to meet her. That’s when Sophia got into an accident that landed her in the hospital and Kate learned the truth. Sophia wasn’t single like she originally claimed but married. Not only that, but she was also lying about not having a family.

Kate ends the season frustrated. She’s been unable to prove that Rebecca has done anything illegal, she has a partner who won’t stop lying, and slowly she’s becoming convinced that she’s not even Sophia’s only match. This relationship seems doomed, and if there’s a second season we’re likely going to see it crumble.

How Did it End for Mark and Hannah?

Thanks to Hannah (Lois Chimimba), The One actually explored one of the most interesting questions of this sci-fi concept: How could you go on living with your spouse knowing that you may not be their perfect match? Hannah used The One to discover that she wasn’t her husband Mark’s (Eric Kofi-Abrefa) perfect partner. That title belonged to Megan (Pallavi Sharda).

After sending in Mark’s hair and discovering his perfect match, Hannah tracked Megan down to learn more about her. But she couldn’t stop herself. As she learned more and more about this other woman, Megan came closer and closer to meeting Mark. The two finally met at Hannah’s birthday party, and it was clear that a connection was there. Mark toyed with the idea of being with Megan briefly, but he ultimately decided to stay with his wife.

Season 1 ended with Hannah and Mark learning they were pregnant while Megan launched her own nefarious scheme. Still furious at Hannah for tricking her and ruining her love life, Megan stole some of Hannah’s hair. In the final episode she sent the DNA into the The One, hoping to find out who Hannah’s perfect match is. You better believe Megan is hoping he or she is going to wreck all sorts of havoc for this too-happy couple.

How Did The One Novel End? Is The One‘s Ending Different from the Book?

The One by John Marrs and Netflix’s thriller start with the same idea, but veer off from there. The basic premise of each is the same. Both revolve around a tech company founded by a brilliant woman who claims she’s able to match people with their soulmates. But that’s about where the similarities end.

The One novel follows a completely different set of characters. There’s Mandy, a woman who’s matched with a man she believes to be dead; Christopher, a serial killer who wants to murder 30 women; Jade, a woman who travels across the world only to realize that there’s no spark between her and her match; Nick, a man who has always identified as straight who matches with another man; and Ellie, the Rebecca-like founder whose creation inspires someone to take revenge. Basically if you liked The One the show, check out the book. There’s a whole new plot for you to enjoy that’s similar enough to the series to make you feel like you’re diving into a new season.

Watch The One on Netflix