The ITV political thriller The Party concluded on Monday evening, delivering a twist-filled finale that left many viewers frustrated with what they called an "abrupt" and "incomplete" ending.
The five-part series, adapted from Elizabeth Day's bestselling novel and written for screen by Sarah Solemani, who also stars, follows Martin Gilmour (Luke Evans), a working-class scholarship boy who forms a lifelong bond with the wealthy, charismatic Ben Fitzmaurice (Tom Cullen). Years later, at Ben's lavish birthday party, as he weighs a run for the Conservative leadership, the fear of exposure threatens to unravel secrets from their past, with tragic consequences.
A Shocking Final Twist
The story weaves between the party itself, a police investigation, and flashbacks revealing that the pair were involved in a teenage car crash that killed Ben's twin sister. Ben was driving three times over the limit, but Martin took the fall after being coerced by Ben's father, Lord George Fitzmaurice (Douglas Hodge), in exchange for a yearly payoff. Decades later, a journalist discovered the truth and was about to expose Ben just as he announced his leadership bid, setting the stage for the finale's dramatic confrontation.
In the closing episode, Martin pulled a gun on Ben, accusing him of ruining his childhood and leaving him broken as an adult. Ben talked his friend down and took the gun, but after admitting he had always loved Martin, he shot himself in the head.
Fallout and Arrest
Ben's wife, Serena (Lydia Leonard), heard the gunshot and saw Martin holding the weapon, which he had taken from Ben when he fell. Believing Martin had shot her husband, she told the police. Ben survived, and Martin was arrested but later released. However, a detective insisted on investigating the historical car crash further, prompting Martin to walk away from the Fitzmaurice family. After visiting Ben in hospital, he left with a sense of fresh purpose, smiling at a male couple with a newborn baby in the park, as if glimpsing a possible future happiness.
Viewers React to the Ending
Despite the gripping twists, many viewers took to X to express their disappointment. One fumed: "Is that it? What a waste of my time... #TheParty", while another agreed: "What a waste of 5 nights #theparty." A third asked: "#theparty is that it?", and another added: "What a **** ending. So many unanswered questions and loose ends #TheParty." One viewer joked: "#TheParty the night went on for weeks and now it's getting wrapped up quicker than Poirot says no no mon ami !"
The Party is available to stream on ITVX.
