Netflix’s Pieces of Her is a great thriller series, but the ending is a bit confusing. Here’s the Pieces of Her ending explained — plus the show versus the book ending.
Pieces of Her. (L to R) Toni Collette as Laura Oliver, Bella Heathcote as Andy Oliver in episode 106 of Pieces of Her. Cr. Mark Rogers/Netflix © 2022
Pieces of Her is a thriller-mystery show on Netflix that is based off of a bestselling book. The show consists of 8 episodes that are easy to binge, and the twists and turns are slowly revealed the longer it goes on. While many of the twists come a bit later in the book, it makes sense to stagger them in the show to keep viewers engaged. However, because of this, the ending does feel a bit anticlimactic and also confusing.
In this article we will give you the Pieces of Her ending explained for both the Netflix show, and the popular book.
Warning: Spoilers for Pieces of Her Ahead
Pieces of Her. Toni Collette as Laura Oliver in episode 105 of Pieces of Her. Cr. Mark Rogers/Netflix © 2022
Pieces Of Her Book Ending Explained
Andy’s mom, Laura, was in Witness Protection all along. She was a part of the cult in the 80’s that is led by Nick. It was her brother, who was dying of AIDS, that convinced her to turn them all in to the FBI in exchange for Witness Protection. She was pregnant with the leader’s baby, Andy, at the time that she went to the feds.
She was recognized when the story of the mall shooting went viral and Laura was worried about Andy’s safety. After being captured herself, Andy is rescued by her mother. Her mother then visits her father, Nick, in prison while wearing a wire and guarantees that he will never be released from prison.
Pieces of Her. (L to R) Joe Dempsie as Nick, Jessica Barden as Jane in episode 107 of Pieces of Her. Cr. Mark Rogers/Netflix © 2022
Nick is very guarded in his conversation until he makes Laura play a piano in the visiting room to cover what he’s saying to her. He admits he sent Paula to the farm and he makes threats to Andy if Laura won’t cooperate with him. Laura is wired through fake hearing aids in her ears, so Nick is heard when he speaks directly in her ear.
On her way out Laura speaks the words that Laura Juneau said to her and she said to Andy. Turns out that having the piano in the visiting room was Laura’s idea, knowing Nick would talk to her only when he thought the sound was covering his words.
The book ends in the same way it began: Laura’s internal monologue, now annotated with details, but ending with “the only way to change the world was to destroy it.”
Pieces of Her. (L to R) Jacob Scipio as Jack/Michael Vargas, Bella Heathcote as Andy Oliver in episode 108 of Pieces of Her. Cr. Mark Rogers/Netflix © 2022
Pieces Of Her Show Ending Explained
As for the Netflix Pieces of Her show ending, things go a bit differently. There wasn’t a mall shooting, but rather a shooting at a restaurant where Laura stepped up to protect Andy by killing the shooter. This story also goes viral and because of it she is exposed. It is learned fairly early on in the show that she is in the Witness Protection Program, and she tells Andy to get as far away as possible. She also tells her where to find some things — a car, suitcase full of money (and a recording of her brother who is running for Vice President admitting to some crimes).
Andy takes these things (not knowing about the tape) and runs off, however her curiosity gets the better of her and she starts to investigate for herself, eventually uncovering the truth. In doing so, she gets herself captured by her father, Nick, who wants the tape, but also to turn her against Laura (previously known as Jane). Laura doesn’t fall for any of this and pulls a gun on Nick, almost killing him before Andy stops her.
The FBI comes and arrests Nick, and Laura/Jane gives her version of the story. She is visibly afraid of Nick, and that is because she doesn’t want him to tell the truth. Nick was never the one who set up Jane’s father to be murdered — it was Jane herself. She was living under immense pressure from him and when he discovered she was pregnant, he tried to kill Andy by putting pills in her drink.
Jane knew that he would not stop until he succeeded so she used the woman whose family died because of the drugs her father pushes legally, and had him shot. Jane was afraid that Nick would tell this to the FBI and she would be in trouble. Andy figures it all out and goes to confront her mother and let her know that she knows. The two talk on the beach, looking out over the water, and the show ends.
It is unknown if Jane ends up in prison, or if Nick was ever released.
NEXT: Pieces of Her Review: A Twisted Mystery Thriller
About Pieces of Her
In a sleepy Georgia town, a random act of violence sets off an unexpected chain of events for 30-year-old Andy Oliver and her mother Laura (Collette). Desperate for answers, Andy embarks on a dangerous journey across America, drawing her towards the dark, hidden heart of her family.
Pieces of Her is based on the New York Times bestselling thriller from internationally renowned crime author Karin Slaughter and published by William Morrow. Her books have been published in 37 languages and sold over 35 million copies around the world. She has written over 18 novels including New York Times bestsellers Pretty Girls and The Good Daughter.
Pieces of Her is streaming on Netflix now.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.