La La Land ending explained: What does the dream sequence mean?

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for Damien Chazelle's La La Land. Reader discretion is advised.

La La Land is a Hollywood musical, unlike the ones made in its Golden Age. Instead of opting for a happy ending, it ends on a bittersweet note. Regardless, it offers one of the most memorable final scenes. It doesn't seem surprising, considering the film's writer-director, Damien Chazelle, whose sophomore feature, Whiplash, ends on a passionate note.

Set in LA, La La Land follows two lovers, Mia (Emma Stone) and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), who are deeply passionate about their art. Mia is an actress while Seb is a jazz musician. While trying to make it big, they cross paths and fall for each other. However, the reality soon catches up with them.

At the end of La La Land, Mia and Seb reunite at Seb's Jazz bar. They envision what their lives could have been like as a couple. After this dreamy sequence, they return to their separate lives.

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What is the story behind La La Land?

Damien Chazelle's third film revolves around two artists who try to fulfill their dreams but to no avail. Mia struggles to pass her acting auditions, while Seb remains stuck in his monotonous gigs as a jazz pianist.

One night, Mia passes by a restaurant where Seb performs for thankless guests. He suddenly plays a tune that the owner doesn't approve of, but it catches Mia's attention. She compliments him, but he walks past her.

Later, they cross paths at a party and spend a lovely night. It's enough for them to realize there's a spark between them. They meet again and pour their hearts out. Seb reveals his love for jazz and Mia, for acting.

Over a few more dates, they fall insatiably in love and motivate each other to pursue their dreams. She writes a one-woman play and he joins a jazz fusion band.

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What makes Mia and Seb drift apart?

Mia knows that Seb's new gig does not align with his goals since it's not the type of jazz he once hoped to play. She tries to give him a nudge in the right direction.

Seb gets upset, thinking she liked him only as a failed musician. He claims it made her feel better about herself. What starts as an honest conversation quickly turns into a heated argument.

Soon, Seb leaves for his band's tour. He becomes careless and misses Mia's play, which doesn't work out as per her expectations. She gets even more hurt by Seb's absence and moves back to her hometown.

Mia starts thinking that acting is only her pipe dream. Seb motivates her to give it another shot. So, she returns to attend an audition she cracked from her play. It leads her on a path to stardom.

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What is the meaning behind La La Land's epilogue?

Mia returns to LA to find her first major acting gig. Although still in love, she and Seb decide to part ways to pursue their careers. Five years down the line, Mia becomes a successful actress, gets married, and has a daughter.

Seb also fulfills his dream to start his jazz bar. He names it Seb's, as Mia once told him to. One night, Mia stumbles upon it and realizes it immediately. She walks in to find Seb on the other side of the room and recognizes the tune.

Suddenly, they imagine themselves in a scenario where they are together, thriving in love and profession. Moments later, they lock eyes and silently smile before parting ways, once again.

The ending might be too heartbreaking for the romantics. However, it shows the bitter truth of life, where things do not always end up as one hopes them to. As a result, La La Land ends up feeling less like Hollywood musicals and more like Jacques Demy's The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, which also shows its two lovers drifting apart.