Ending Explained: Hard Candy

💡 What does the ending really mean?

Hayley, after subjecting Jeff to psychological and physical torture (including a fake castration to force a confession), gives him a final choice: commit suicide by hanging himself on the roof or let her deliver all evidence of his crimes to the police and the families of the young girls he abused and murdered. Jeff, believing Hayley might save him if he jumps, decides to hang himself. In the final shot, Hayley Stark, unmoved, puts on her iconic red hoodie and leaves the house, having executed a relentless revenge on behalf of all Jeff's silent victims.