When her waters break the same day that London is flooded and millions of people are forced to flee the city, Woman, her son Zeb and her husband R initially seek refuge at the middle-class home of the latter's parents.
But when another disastrous turn of events forces them out, the couple are forced to travel by road and a nightmarish battle for survival begins.
It's a slow and contemplative survival drama rather than a more high-octane disaster thriller, but it eventually builds towards a rewarding climax.
Wondering what happens to Woman and whether the baby survives? Read on for everything you need to know about how The End We Start From ends – bearing in mind that there are obviously major spoilers below.
The End We Start From ending explained: Does the baby survive?
When the disaster begins, Woman and her family drive to R's family home, where they hope to hole up for the foreseeable future. But things soon go drastically wrong after R's mother is killed in an accident while desperately searching for supplies, and his father dies by suicide shortly afterwards, forcing them to seek shelter elsewhere.
Eventually, they find a shelter, but R – who is understandably very shaken up by the death of his parents – is not allowed access. Woman and Zeb take up residence, and she finds a friend in another young mother named O (Katherine Waterston) with whom she soon becomes close.
Unfortunately, it's not long before they must be on the move again, and after a long journey – which includes a night spent talking with a mysterious man played by Benedict Cumberbatch – Woman and O eventually arrive at a commune overseen by a woman who encourages them to adopt a new, sustainable way of life and forget their past.
By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
But Woman has a tough time putting her previous life behind her: we see various flashbacks that explain the origins of her romance with R, and she is scolded by the commune's leader for listening to a radio that provides updates about living conditions across the UK – which seem to be improving as the worst effects of the disaster subside.
After much consideration and an emotional goodbye to O, Woman decides to leave the commune and sets off to find her way back to London, which she manages to achieve by stealing a car that had been left unattended by a bickering couple.
Back in London – which is still severely flooded but no longer completely inhospitable – she makes her way back to her house. Although it is showing major signs of damage, it is clear that she and Zeb will be able to live there again – especially so when R arrives through the door and the family is reunited once again.
So yes, the family survives and is reunited in a hopeful ending.
Why does Woman leave the commune in The End We Start From?
Woman's decision to leave the commune behind and reconnect with R is the key to the film, and was earlier teased in her conversation with Cumberbatch's character, who explained to her that he doesn't want to be cut off from reality and forget the past, which living in the commune would dictate.
It is important for them to remember their old lives and rebuild them, rather than simply cutting themselves off and starting from scratch.
This insight, which encapsulates the film's title, coupled with her fond memories of the love she shared with R is what convinces Woman to leave the commune and return to London.
The End We Start From is now available to watch on Netflix.
Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
