Why does Max Rockatansky walk away at the end of Mad Max: Fury Road? Portrayed by Tom Hardy, the road warrior begins the 2015 action classic by telling the audience that he runs from both the living and the dead. By the climax, though, he has bonded with a group of revolutionaries led by the strong-willed Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron). Max plays a major role in overthrowing The Citadel leader Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne) and could theoretically live like a King, if he so pleased. Instead, Max quickly sets off a new journey, leaving some viewers to question his decision.

In Mad Mad: Fury Road, Hardy's reluctantly teams up with Imperator Furiosa's crew. Far beyond the mountains from The Citadel, Max tells Furiosa "Hope Is a mistake," the result of her discovering the sad truth about her decimated homeland. Skeptical as Max may be, reminders of personal failures make him stick with Furiosa.