‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ Wild Ending, Explained

It’s been a long journey full of LSD and yoga, but it’s all come to an end. This week marked the final episode of Nine Perfect Strangers, David E. Kelley and Jonathan Levine’s miniseries about what it really means to be well. And you better believe its finale was as shocking as anything else in this twisted show.

Based on the novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty, Nine Perfect Strangers follows a group of people who go to a mysterious wellness retreat to heal from their personal demons. But once they learn they’ve been drugged as part of an experimental treatment plan, this retreat goes from heaven to hell. Wondering how Nine Perfect Strangers ends? Here’s what’s going on with Carmel and how that ending differs from the book.

How Did Nine Perfect Strangers End?

With a whole lot of drug use. But you were expecting that, weren’t you?

At the end of Episode 7, Carmel (Regina Hall) removed a contact and revealed her foggy eye. That revelation cemented everything. Carmel was the one who shot Masha (Nicole Kidman) all those years ago, an attack that led to Masha creating Tranquillum House. Carmel learned that Masha was sleeping with her husband and went full postal before coming to this resort to see what Masha’s been doing. So yeah, all the psychotic vibes you got from Carmel are right on the money. But rather than kick her out, Masha forgave Carmel and put her in a sensory deprivation chamber. One stranger down, eight to go.

After literally confronting her enemy, Masha went to the Marconi family. Remember how Masha took some LSD to ensure Napoleon (Michael Shannon), Heather (Asher Keddie), and Zoe (Grace Van Patten) that it was safe to see their deceased son via drug trip? Yeah, she left out some big details. The biggest omission was revealed by Lars (Luke Evans), who explained that the last time Masha drugged someone as intensely as the Marconis, they died. Even though they knew the risks, the Marconis went ahead with the drug trip. And it worked! They saw the late Zach (Hal Cumpston) one last time and get some closure. But they weren’t the only ones.

Another big reveal from Lars? Apparently the only reason why Masha was interested in reconnecting with deceased people via drugs was because she lost her own daughter. As the Marconis chase Zach, the high Masha chased glimpses of her own daughter.

That accounts for five of the strangers. What about the other four? Independently, Frances (Melissa McCarthy) and Tony (Bobby Cannavale) and Jessica (Samara Weaving) and Ben (Melvin Gregg) decided to leave Tranquillum House. There was just one problem. None of them could find their cars. While looking for a way out, they found Carmel locked in the sensory deprivation room. Masha and Yao (Manny Jacinto) opened the room to them, but once they were all inside, Masha and Yao locked it again. What made it worse was this time they could hear the crackling of fire and smell smoke.

Eventually, Frances realized that the door was actually unlocked at come point so they can escape. By the way, that fake fire? It was all a life-threatening therapy tactic from Ms. Crazypants herself, Masha. Towards the end of the finale, the police arrived thanks to a tip from Delilah (Tiffany Boone). Masha is arrested as she cradles the little girl she lost.

Where Is Everyone at the End of Nine Perfect Strangers?

Just like the book it’s based on, Nine Perfect Strangers‘ final episode offers an afterward of sorts. Since it starts once Frances starts writing, we can’t be entirely sure if this is what really happens or if Frances is making this all up. But regardless it’s a nice thought.

In the afterward, France and Tony are still dating, and Tony has reconnected with his daughters. The Marconis are closer to becoming a happy family once more. Lars returns to his boyfriend, ready to have a kid. Carmel has started her own therapy group, something she desperately needs since, you know, she shot someone. And in the biggest twist of all, Jessica and Ben have used part of their lottery winnings to take over Tranquillum House. It’s a nice, happy ending that leaves little to no room for a sequel.

How Did Nine Perfect Strangers the Book End?

Hulu’s adaptation basically followed the actual ending of the book. The fire in the midst of a drug trip was a big part of the novel, and just like in the series, Masha does get arrested. But there were also some pretty big changes.

The biggest one has to do with Carmel. In the book, Carmel is just an angry, wealthy woman struggling through a divorce. She’s not the shooter who nearly killed Masha. Instead, that shooter was a random person. Likewise, Masha is never threatened by ominous calls or texts in the book.

Then there is the afterward. In the novel, Frances and Tony end up married, something that’s implied but not explicitly stated in the series. Jessica and Ben split up rather than stay together to take care of this retreat. It’s even implied that Ben and Zoe start some sort of relationship. But other than those relatively small cracks, Nine Perfect Strangers the book and the show are about the same.

Watch Nine Perfect Strangers on Hulu