Ozark’s ending was just as shocking as the rest of the series. Betrayals, twists, and death filled the last few episodes of the midwestern show starring acting stalwarts Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Julia Garner, and more. Undoubtedly, Ruth was one of the fan-favorite characters, and her death wasn’t something fans expected. Chris Mundy the showrunner tried to shed some light on the ending of Ozark and Ruth’s character. 

Keeping Ruth alive would undermine the series

Just like the rest of the characters, Ruth isn’t an angel. Coming from a family of crime and joining hands with the Byrdes, she has done some questionable things. And considering none of the Langmore are still alive, it’s only right if Ruth is killed off as well. 

“It felt too clean to have everybody get a damaged but happy ending—it felt like a fairy-tale ending to something that we were trying to make, not a fairy-tale.”

Although he did admit that the writers debated her fate. But ultimately, Ruth’s death is more akin to what would have happened in real life. 

Ruth actor, Julia Garner lamented the death of her character, but she was content with the ending of Ozark.

“I can’t speak on behalf of Ruth, because she was dead by then. But as a viewer, it reflects real life in a way. The middle class, the poor, the dreamers almost always pay for it in a sense. The super-powerful people with all the money, at the end, they do okay,” she said. 

How were Ruth’s final moments filmed at the ending of Ozark?

Jason Bateman directed Ruth’s last moments. He revealed that Chris wanted every character to have a choice. And when Ruth chose to go after Javi, she knew she was digging her own grave. 

“Ruth ends her life “metaphorically standing her ground and going out on her terms. I talked to Julia about how to navigate what Chris had given us [in the script], which was that the character has a moment of fear and realization of what was coming, then a moment to transition to acceptance and almost turning it into a good thing” he said.