The Notebook's Ending Is Different on Netflix, and People Are Freaking Out
The Notebook is arguably one of the most iconic romance movies of all time. In fact, the Nicholas Sparks book-turned-film is so beloved, I wouldn’t be surprised if fans could recite it by heart.
That’s why what’s happening in England right now is so fascinating: Fans who have tried watching The Notebook on Netflix U.K. are noticing it includes a major change to the ending we all know and love.
There are spoilers ahead, so quit reading now if you haven’t watched the movie. Digital Spy reports fans aren’t happy with the Notebook ending Netflix U.K. has on its platform. The original ending, if you forget, takes place in a nursing home: The two main characters, Allie (Rachel McAdams) and Noah (Ryan Gosling), are now much older and die in a loving embrace. I’m tearing up just thinking about it.
But this isn’t what happens in Netflix U.K.’s version. Instead, the couple lies in bed together, but what happens next is unclear. According to Digital Spy, the scene pans to flying birds (???) before we see Allie and Noah pass away. One fan explained what happens on Twitter: “The alternate one just cuts off when Noah and Allie are holding hands in the bed and fades to black. I really can’t understand why. It’s weird.”
Several viewers are upset with this change. “I’m not big into romantic movies, but I have seen #TheNotebook and @Netflix, what you did wasn’t OK. That ending was beautiful. It’s all I can ever hope for in my marriage, so when I finally eat dirt I can go with the one I love. Don’t you dare take that away,” one person tweeted. Another fan agreed, writing “Its shocking. Give us back our gut-wrenching tears.”
Meanwhile, others are defending the switch. “They just cut out the bit where the nurse finds them. They still died in each other’s arms. It’s still implied,” one fan tweeted. Another viewer noted this version is actually true to the book, writing, “The alternate ending of The Notebook is more similar to that of the actual book, and there’s a sequel, so it’s definitely prepping us for the sequel.”
Netflix U.K. addressed the alternate ending on Twitter, writing, “Things you should know: We did not edit The Notebook. An alternate version exists and was supplied to us. We are getting to the bottom of it ASAP. Apparently some films have more than one ending?!”
It’s unclear which ending Netflix U.S. users will get when The Notebook becomes available March 1, but buy some extra tissues, just in case.