Julia Garner as Ruth was one of the highlights of Ozark. But not many could detect the subtext in her story.

Ozark’s Ruth Langmore (Julia Garner) Reflects the American Dream’s Reality and Why Fans Hated Her Fate

Ozark was the type of show that came along once in decades. It was our
generation’s Sopranos. The show may have had crazy plot twists or over the top
narrative. But one thing that the show definitely got right was the themes of
Modern America. The recurring themes of imposing corruption, rampant violence,
and selfish gains are all things American society has seen for years. And
characters beautifully portray the themes. But the character that was the
quintessential American dream was Ruth Langmore, played by the immensely
talented Julia Garner.


RUTH LANGMORE BY JULIA GARNER IS THE AMERICAN DREAM

Julia Garner [https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/julia-garner/] as Ruth Langmore, the
local girl who becomes Marty’s right hand and the de facto heroine of a show, is
unquestionably Ozark’s breakout star. With Ruth, we didn’t get the conclusion
that nearly everyone expected. But it’s one that’s painfully true to the reality
of current America.

Ruth endured terrible agony as the Langmores were drawn into the Byrdes’ circle
throughout the seasons. Over the span of four seasons, Ruth lost five of her
closest people.
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-how-is-julia-garners-ruth-langmore-connected-to-the-bobcats-she-hallucinates-in-ozark-season-4-part-2/]

[data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==]

But Ruth remained unflustered, looking to triumph as the show’s last season came
to a close. She bought the riverboat casino from Marty
[https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/marty-byrde], operated her own successful
money-laundering enterprise, and had her criminal record wiped. She even began
construction on a luxurious villa on the site of her family’s trailers.

Ruth looked to have achieved the so-called American dream—pulling oneself up by
the bootstraps of dogged creativity, being drenched in riches, and settling down
in a huge mansion to enjoy it—for a brief period.

ALSO READ: Was Killing Ruth (Julia Garner) Inevitable? Disappointed Fans
Theorize Alternate Endings for ‘Ozark’
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-originals-was-killing-ruth-julia-garner-inevitable-disappointed-fans-theorize-alternate-endings-for-ozark/]


BUT RUTH’S DEATH WAS NECESSARY

However, Ruth was not forgotten by Ozark, [https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/ozark/]
which is known for its grim tone. She was murdered by new cartel boss Camila in
retaliation for murdering of her son Javi whom Ruth killed to avenge Wyatt’s
death in the series finale.

It seemed incredible that Ozark would end with the death of its most beloved and
iconic character, who, after so many tortuous seasons of anguish, was finally
receiving her due. But, when you think about it, her death makes sense.
[https://netflixjunkie.com/chris-mundy-explains-why-ruth-langmores-julia-garner-death-in-ozark-was-necessary-for-the-shows-ending-we-were-trying-to-make-not-a-fairy-tale/]

[data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==]https://netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ozark-season-4-part-2-ending-Camila-Elizondro-Ruth-Langmore-Javi-revenge-death.webp

The upward progress that Ruth [https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/ruth-langmore]
sought is just not available to the vast majority of Americans.

The American dream is primarily a fantasy to keep people in their place, working
too hard and daydreaming of a day when everything would suddenly change. The
Martys and Wendy [https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/wendy-byrde]s, or, to quote Mel
Sattem
[https://netflixjunkie.com/its-not-supposed-to-be-ambiguous-chris-mundy-extinguishes-all-ozark-finale-ending-theories-about-who-got-the-shot/],
the Kochs and Kennedys, will always come out on top.

It was certainly heartbreaking to see Ruth not get her escape. But in the real
world, who does?

Did you guys agree with Ruth dying in Ozark’s finale?
[https://www.netflix.com/watch/81357175?trackId=255824129&tctx=0%2C0%2CNAPA%40%40%7Cd1b354f2-90d4-4cb3-b47a-5f52458f012a-131448616_titles%2F1%2F%2Fozark%2F0%2F0%2CNAPA%40%40%7Cd1b354f2-90d4-4cb3-b47a-5f52458f012a-131448616_titles%2F1%2F%2Fozark%2F0%2F0%2Cunknown%2C%2Cd1b354f2-90d4-4cb3-b47a-5f52458f012a-131448616%7C1%2CtitlesResults%2C80117552]
Let us know what you think in the comments.

Baheen Qadri

Comment

Ozark’s Ruth Langmore (Julia Garner) Reflects the American Dream’s Reality and Why Fans Hated Her Fate - Netflix Junkie

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Baheen Qadri is an entertainment writer at Netflix Junkie. Currently, he is pursuing BA in Mass comm Hons from SCMC Pune. He loves binge-watching films and TV series on Netflix. He is passionate about making films and watches movies from different corners of the world to better understand the field of cinema in his free time. He also loves animes and is currently hooked on the new Demon Slayer season. One of his favorite thrillers on Netflix is Shutter Island. The film always gives him goosebumps. Apart from thrillers, he also loves sitcoms like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and The Office. Being a huge movie buff, he is a tough competition on movie trivia nights.

https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-ozarks-ruth-langmore-julia-garner-reflects-the-american-dreams-reality-and-why-fans-hated-her-fate

Ozark’s Ruth Langmore (Julia Garner) Reflects the American Dream’s Reality and Why Fans Hated Her Fate - netflix-junkie

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Ozark was the type of show that came along once in decades. It was our generation&#8217;s Sopranos. The show may have had crazy plot twists or over the top narrative. But one thing that the show definitely got right was the themes of Modern America. The recurring themes of imposing corruption, rampant violence, and selfish gains are all things American society has seen for years. And characters beautifully portray the themes. But the character that was the quintessential American dream was Ruth Langmore, played by the immensely talented Julia Garner.
<h2>Ruth Langmore by Julia Garner is the American dream</h2>
<a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/julia-garner/">Julia Garner</a> as Ruth Langmore, the local girl who becomes Marty&#8217;s right hand and the de facto heroine of a show, is unquestionably Ozark&#8217;s breakout star. With Ruth, we didn&#8217;t get the conclusion that nearly everyone expected. But it&#8217;s one that&#8217;s painfully true to the reality of current America.
Ruth endured terrible agony as the Langmores were drawn into the Byrdes&#8217; circle throughout the seasons. Over the span of four seasons, <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-how-is-julia-garners-ruth-langmore-connected-to-the-bobcats-she-hallucinates-in-ozark-season-4-part-2/">Ruth lost five of her closest people.</a>
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-30376 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Miller-Lite-Beer-Enjoyed-by-Jason-Bateman-as-Martin-Marty-Byrde-Julia-Garner-as-Ruth-Langmore-in-Ozark-S04E04-Ace-Deuce-3.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Miller-Lite-Beer-Enjoyed-by-Jason-Bateman-as-Martin-Marty-Byrde-Julia-Garner-as-Ruth-Langmore-in-Ozark-S04E04-Ace-Deuce-3.jpg 1920w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Miller-Lite-Beer-Enjoyed-by-Jason-Bateman-as-Martin-Marty-Byrde-Julia-Garner-as-Ruth-Langmore-in-Ozark-S04E04-Ace-Deuce-3-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Miller-Lite-Beer-Enjoyed-by-Jason-Bateman-as-Martin-Marty-Byrde-Julia-Garner-as-Ruth-Langmore-in-Ozark-S04E04-Ace-Deuce-3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Miller-Lite-Beer-Enjoyed-by-Jason-Bateman-as-Martin-Marty-Byrde-Julia-Garner-as-Ruth-Langmore-in-Ozark-S04E04-Ace-Deuce-3-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Miller-Lite-Beer-Enjoyed-by-Jason-Bateman-as-Martin-Marty-Byrde-Julia-Garner-as-Ruth-Langmore-in-Ozark-S04E04-Ace-Deuce-3-1536x864.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" />
But Ruth remained unflustered, looking to triumph as the show&#8217;s last season came to a close. She bought the riverboat casino from <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/marty-byrde">Marty</a>, operated her own successful money-laundering enterprise, and had her criminal record wiped. She even began construction on a luxurious villa on the site of her family&#8217;s trailers.
Ruth looked to have achieved the so-called American dream—pulling oneself up by the bootstraps of dogged creativity, being drenched in riches, and settling down in a huge mansion to enjoy it—for a brief period.
ALSO READ: <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-originals-was-killing-ruth-julia-garner-inevitable-disappointed-fans-theorize-alternate-endings-for-ozark/">Was Killing Ruth (Julia Garner) Inevitable? Disappointed Fans Theorize Alternate Endings for ‘Ozark’</a>
<h2>But Ruth&#8217;s death was necessary</h2>
However, Ruth was not forgotten by <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/ozark/">Ozark,</a> which is known for its grim tone. She was murdered by new cartel boss Camila in retaliation for murdering of her son Javi whom Ruth killed to avenge Wyatt&#8217;s death in the series finale.
It seemed incredible that Ozark would end with the death of its most beloved and iconic character, who, after so many tortuous seasons of anguish, was finally receiving her due. But, when you think about it, <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/chris-mundy-explains-why-ruth-langmores-julia-garner-death-in-ozark-was-necessary-for-the-shows-ending-we-were-trying-to-make-not-a-fairy-tale/">her death makes sense.</a>
<a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ozark-season-4-part-2-ending-Camila-Elizondro-Ruth-Langmore-Javi-revenge-death.webp"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-32064 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ozark-season-4-part-2-ending-Camila-Elizondro-Ruth-Langmore-Javi-revenge-death.webp" alt="" width="963" height="481" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ozark-season-4-part-2-ending-Camila-Elizondro-Ruth-Langmore-Javi-revenge-death.webp 963w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ozark-season-4-part-2-ending-Camila-Elizondro-Ruth-Langmore-Javi-revenge-death-300x150.webp 300w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ozark-season-4-part-2-ending-Camila-Elizondro-Ruth-Langmore-Javi-revenge-death-768x384.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 963px) 100vw, 963px" /></a>
The upward progress that <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/ruth-langmore">Ruth</a> sought is just not available to the vast majority of Americans.
The American dream is primarily a fantasy to keep people in their place, working too hard and daydreaming of a day when everything would suddenly change. The Martys and <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/wendy-byrde">Wendy</a>s, or, to quote <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/its-not-supposed-to-be-ambiguous-chris-mundy-extinguishes-all-ozark-finale-ending-theories-about-who-got-the-shot/">Mel Sattem</a>, the Kochs and Kennedys, will always come out on top.
It was certainly heartbreaking to see Ruth not get her escape. But in the real world, who does?
Did you guys agree with Ruth dying in Ozark&#8217;s <a href="https://www.netflix.com/watch/81357175?trackId=255824129&amp;tctx=0%2C0%2CNAPA%40%40%7Cd1b354f2-90d4-4cb3-b47a-5f52458f012a-131448616_titles%2F1%2F%2Fozark%2F0%2F0%2CNAPA%40%40%7Cd1b354f2-90d4-4cb3-b47a-5f52458f012a-131448616_titles%2F1%2F%2Fozark%2F0%2F0%2Cunknown%2C%2Cd1b354f2-90d4-4cb3-b47a-5f52458f012a-131448616%7C1%2CtitlesResults%2C80117552" target="_blank" rel="noopener">finale?</a> Let us know what you think in the comments.

Was Killing Ruth (Julia Garner) Inevitable? Disappointed Fans Theorize Alternate
Endings for ‘Ozark’

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Ozark’s Ruth Langmore (Julia Garner) Reflects the American Dream’s Reality and Why Fans Hated Her Fate

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