In the Heights Ending Explained & Why It's More Amazing Than You Think

Usnavi is our narrator, but Graffiti Pete was secretly framing the entire film all along, changing what the story means in a profound way.
0:00 Premise
1:22 Street Light Metaphor
3:26 Mantras & Mnemonics
4:53 Murals of Latina Icons
6:00 Who is Graffiti Pete?
8:52 Noah Catala
9:34 Graffiti Pete Changes
11:12 Vanessa's Eye
12:12 Mural Reality
14:45 Children Will Listen
15:54 Firework Pete
16:59 Iris
17:18 Finishing the Hat
Additional research by Annika Hoseth
Produced by Monica M. Lee
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SOURCES:
In the Heights
In the Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams (PBS)
Medium D Speaks - In the Heights: Hamilton Before Hamilton
• In The Heights: Hamilt...
Highland Players - In the Heights (Full Proshot by JD Hopper)
• In the Heights: A High...
PBS Great Performances - In the Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams
• Video
Remolacha - Impresionantes Murales de Santo Domingo
• Impresionantes Murales...
Es Temprano Todavia Con Jochy - Interview with Angurria
• Video
The Chalk Girl - Abuela Claudia Airbrush Time-lapse
• Abuela Claudia Airbrus...
HBO Max - Welcome to Washington Heights
• In The Heights | Welco...
Usnavi (Lin-Manuel Miranda) - 7 Years
• 7 Years In The Heights
Olivier Awards - Performance of 96,000
• In the Heights perform...
Key and Peele - World's Worst Liar (Usual Suspects Parody)
• The World’s Worst Liar...
BBC - Meet the LiteFeet dancers performing on the New York subway
watch/?v=869...
NY Times - On Subway, Flying Feet Can Lead to Handcuffs
www.nytimes.com/2014/07/29/ny...
Saturday Night Life - Black Jeopardy
• Black Jeopardy: Velvet...
Images from Pixabay and Pexels
Copyrighted music used in compliance with fair use
This video is a labor of love, so I'd love to hear from you. Please like, follow, and comment at me!
WEB: howardhomusic.com/
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#Musical #InTheHeights #HowardHo

[@HowardHoMusic]

Okay, you didn't imagine it. There is a glitch from 8:42 to 8:56. The video plays fine on my end, but somehow in the upload process, KZbin gave it a glitch. I'm trying to get this fixed. Thank you for bearing with me. In the meantime, here's the transcript of the missing section: "and in the film, the bad influence that Usnavi wants to save Sonny from turns into Sonny’s dad and the idea of art being important to community is shared with vanessa who is now an artist herself in the world of fashion...more on that later. Sidenote: the actor who plays Graffiti Pete in the film is Noah Catala, who is known for his lifefeet dancing."

[@Luna-dn3hh]

Thank you! Can you pin this to the top? BTW Love your videos!

[@petershimamoto9128]

Maybe it's because that's where they put the ads in?

[@HowardHoMusic]

@@petershimamoto9128 Yeah, I think it may have something to do with that. But the glitch happens whether the ad plays or not. I really hope KZbin fixes it completely since it happened on their end.

[@HowardHoMusic]

@@Luna-dn3hh Funny, I thought I had pinned it. But then I saw it wasn't. So I appreciate that!

[@MariadeJesusGutierrez]

Ha. Answered my only criticism of any of your videos. Thanks!

[@missybarbour6885]

The fact that Iris gets the hat and IMMEDIATELY inherits her dad's fourth wall break powers... HOW DID I NOT NOTICE THAT?!?!

[@alexandertristano2640]

She look so much like her father it's crazy.

[@pollardk.1116]

Indeed.

[@korinnaiaccarino745]

it’s like she’s now gonna tell his story

[@OmniphonProductions]

SAME!!! In _this_ video, the moment I realized it was _about_ to happen (because the analysis up to that point primed me for it), I literally got tears in my eyes. BEAUTIFUL!

[@morganleanderblake678]

Also can we talk about how Pete was TRYING TO PAINT HIS FATHER'S BEACH ON THE GRATE IN THE FIRST FEW SECONDS YOU MEET HIM?! LOOK AT THAT!

[@morganleanderblake678]

I have SO MANY FEELINGS.

[@HowardHoMusic]

That's beautiful. There's actually another mural next to the grate that's super emotional too.

[@kevinfrost8190]

Yoooooooooo wtf. You serious?

[@morganleanderblake678]

@@kevinfrost8190 deadass serious if you pause it right you can see the same swirly stylized pattern of his dad’s beach from the end.

[@pollardk.1116]

Indeed.

[@gpaderx6105]

The world needs this video. There's a lot of people (like a lot) underestimating Graffiti Pete and treating him as the least secondary character that is useless, and here I am defending him always how we was crucial to Usnavi's change of path. I'm so ready for this.. Thank you. I really love this series about ITH..

[@HowardHoMusic]

Right? So pivotal but in a way never truly acknowledged...UNTIL NOW!

[@jesusperal3618]

specially on the school/college musicals 🥴

[@pollardk.1116]

Man fr. Indeed.

[@Arcadio_Castellanoz]

If I could point out one more thing…. Iris is also the Greek goddess of the Rainbow. Rainbows show the whole spectrum of colors (how Vanessa sees the world with her fabrics), and rainbows are made by water and…light (Usnavi).

[@HowardHoMusic]

Beautiful!

[@rhiannonchiacchiaro6352]

Also, "arco iris" is Spanish for "rainbow."

[@broadwaybrook2319]

@@rhiannonchiacchiaro6352 Huh. I hadn't thought of that. That's cool, cause Vanessa sees the world in a rainbow

[@jadeyu7197]

I'M CRYING

[@RobinYasmine]

And the rainbows on Nina’s shirt, her younger self and then eventually when she is at the protest with Sonny and she “finds herself” again with a new goal 🙌

[@Kevin_it_be]

Incredible work. You never disappoint. Re: Usnavi’s hat. I remember seeing Anthony Ramos put on that hat and feeling like it was the passing of the torch from Lin to a new generation. In fact Lin often states in interviews about the film that while he PLAYED Usnavi Anthony IS Usnavi. Seeing It then being passed to Iris was the perfect ending to this incredible movie.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Exactly! The film is doing exactly what the story is about.

[@m.urphy.s]

As a huge in the heights fan, it’s amazing to see someone analyzing both the musical and the film in such an articulate and creative way.

[@azurzelle]

It always bothered me that Iris looked at the audience at the end but I never sat down to think about it and wondered why AND NOW I GET IT, THANK YOU! An amazing video as always that shows that the movie is a gem. I wish it did better at the box office...

[@HowardHoMusic]

Yeah, should be a bigger hit. It's still in theaters though so if us fans keep going, it'll keep growing.

[@runefaustblack]

There's another very important thing that must be said about that hat: in this movie It's associated with Usnavi's father, but to anyone familiar with the stage show, it will be a symbol of Usnavi himself: it's the hat that he wore throughout the whole play. I believe that by saying the hat is his father's, the film is paying homage to the stage show as its original medium. As an addendum: the best-known Usnavi actor is by far the original one, Lin-Manuel Miranda himself. The passing of the hat from "stage Usnavi" to "movie Usnavi" is also one of the many, many "full-circle moments", as Lin calls them, of himself passing Usnavi's character on to the movie's Usnavi, Anthony Ramos. So cute :3

[@HowardHoMusic]

Yes, absolutely! Nicely put.

[@googleitlol6590]

But that’s just a theory… *A MUSICAL THEORY!!!* And scene!

[@HowardHoMusic]

Yes, I totally wanted to say that...

[@pollardk.1116]

Indeed.

[@LittleCubSpirit]

Can we look at the changes in Daniela's character from stage to screen, particularly in light of Camila's absence? And the importance of her casting? Daphne Rubin Vega is perhaps best known as Mimi, a latina stripper who wants to run away from her own identity in RENT. Daniela is a mirror of sorts for Mimi, carrying the flame of cultural pride instead, and acting as a matriarch... I'd love to see so much of that get broken down.

[@alejandrom0725]

Howard this was brilliant. I really love the way you intertwine all the ITH materials. A lot of the discourse I read about the film had to do with stage production fans not being too happy about the changes made for the film adaptation. But I think the way you present your points by using stage material, written material, and film material allows ITH to breathe as an entire unit made up of different parts rather than separate sectors about the original piece. Really great work! Can’t wait for the video on Kevin Rosario! ❤️

[@HowardHoMusic]

I appreciate that. You know, I think there are valid points on both sides, but I think there's still so much to celebrate in how they made this so cinematic. Thanks for watching!

[@disneian]

16:40 it give me tears to hear how Pete is the light to the neighbourhood, just as Usnavi is

[@jackbot43]

In the movie during the Blackout song Sunny even says, “We gotta be at Usnavi’s. Street light’s out of service.”

[@idreamofdiamonds]

Howard, I found you through Lin Manuel-Miranda’s Twitter post sharing your video. And I just want to say I am so glad I took the time to watch this because you have a real knack for film/musical theory. This is such a well explained and thought-out video, I was really blown away by all the little details you picked up from the movie as well as your background research into both the stage production and film. I am now a loyal subscriber of yours and I’m looking forward to your video on Kevin Rosario next.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Welcome to the channel and thanks for the sub!

[@ianpaulogonzaga4308]

Breaking free from stereotypes has always been a trademark, from my standpoint, of Mr. Lin Manuel Miranda. It's truly inspiring how he deconstructs for us these preconceived notions and offers us a breath of fresh air by telling us the real stories of peoples, and even communities and of a country as well. I'm not referring only to In the heights, but also to the entire corpus of his work. Let's just hope that people nowadays, especially the young, will eagerly pick-up on this and "save us all."

[@renejsotomayor]

I sometimes wonder if the brilliance and depth of this film/story will remain invisible and unintelligible to most people. I feel that both, the stage musical plot and the film plot, both with all their specific arches and differences, can be exalted and appreciated from their individual perspectives. As a latino in diáspora and a longtime fervent fan of good storytelling and filmmaking (of which there seems to be less and less nowadays), I would do anything to have people understand the story, feel the heart in it and appreciate it. I think your deconstruction of it in this video (and others that I've seen) help. It just pains me that most people won't stand in awe of the culmination of more than 20 years of work. Thanks for this video. New subscriber.

[@claddagh1826]

it is a huge bummer that the movie is doing so terribly. i mean it is not even in the top ten anymore. :( :(

[@pollardk.1116]

Indeed.

[@hestiaseptember5249]

In The Heights, film and stage, will be analyzed in theatre and film classes for generations to come. I couldn't agree with you more!

[@KoriDawn]

Mind blown. Trying not to cry. Such fabulous insight. Your videos are a treasure. Thank you.

[@mathildastenback9824]

I didn’t think it would be possible to make me love this movie more than I already do. But you managed it! I love the way you shed light on things that aren’t obvious to me. Great video!

[@katherinelynch4193]

anyone else find it super clever that the story he photoshopped into Usnavi's hands is Snow White? As in, a story that literally makes whiteness a pre-requisite for moral worth in the hands of a man of color, celebrating his community? (And on top of that, Disney just announced a Latina Snow for their live action remake, which is another bit of fun).

[@HowardHoMusic]

This might sound weird coming from me, but you're reading too much into it. LOL

[@hestiaseptember5249]

A LATINA SNOW!?!??!? YEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@tapwater8357]

@@HowardHoMusic this hits different coming from you 💀

[@allisonbergh4429]

That’s a very clever play on the two meanings of “illuminate”, as in illuminated manuscripts. Your analyses are fantastic, please keep them coming 🥰

[@pollardk.1116]

Indeed.

[@uptownmurda]

I’m just glad my hood got a fuckin movie. Good looks Lin. Thank you for reppin us! Proud to be from The Heights!

[@skylerhedblom]

18:05 So... if movie Usnavi is the one playing the 3-2 clave rhythm..... by some logic.... I played Usnavi when I played that clave part for my high school.....?!?!? GUYS I PLAYED USNAVI Also really looking forward to the Kevin video! Hope some of the materials I sent you were helpful!

[@HowardHoMusic]

Yes! Will hit you up later with more questions!

[@AlvaroCTV]

Jeez, I knew going in that this video would make me emotional, but gottdang did it go beyond. Please keep them coming! I for sure can't wait for more In the Heights content from you.

[@deecilla5087]

This was a masterpiece. Amazingly done with such clarity in narration that it's a joy to rewatch. Howard, you've outdone yourself with this video. What some theater fans who disliked some changes in the movie don't understand is that film is a different medium entirely. It plays out so differently than theater because you see things up close and personal. For the team behind In The Heights to somehow produce this film in a way that gives its audience so much to unpack and yet still stay true to its original source material is downright brilliant. I'm very excited to see more of your ITH series.

[@pollardk.1116]

Indeed.

[@gpaderx6105]

That explanation of that 'hat' at the end, mygod. I cried.. so beautiful!! I didn't noticed that. thank you so much

[@corneliastreet2491]

That tribute to Doreen at the end with the “para siempre” made me burst out crying when I first saw it.

[@fidellerosa]

i love how the movie made Vanessa as artist more apparent and significant. made me want to see the world through her eyes, too

[@MrsRen]

Um, it cuts straight from "The bad influence he wants to save Sonny from" to in the middle of talking about the actor who played Pete.......

[@HowardHoMusic]

Yikes! I'll see what I can do...

[@elenafriese891]

The audio also cut out for a few seconds for me.

[@hihi-lu4mh]

@@elenafriese891 same

[@_p1ckle]

omg im ready this is going to be insane

[@HowardHoMusic]

Yes, it is!

[@lorisschirar6680]

Thank you for the video ! You noted a lot of details that I hadn’t caught on my first watching I like how they changed the narrative and the character arcs, and the way they treated Pete and Vanessa was very skillful. I was a bit sad about Abuela though... She was my favorite character in the original but so much stuff has been removed from her story

[@HowardHoMusic]

Many of my favorite songs were cut as well! But I still celebrate how they kept the core and made it super cinematic.

[@AngelofGrace96]

This was brilliant. I watched the film with no experience with the musical, and talking to the fandom afterwards I've heard a lot of people saying that the film wasn't as good as the original, so this was really nice to see!

[@AkivaPotok]

This was fantastic. Speaks to the brilliance of Miranda, John Chu the director, and Hudes the screenwriter.

[@sdancer22]

This is such great perspective on both pieces of work. This iteration of graffiti pete creates a parallel to Lin as a writer as well. As you said, since Pete creates art, his murals, and those speak of the culture of Washington Heights and Latinx culture to the outer world just like Lin creates art, In The Heights. I found this point very striking! Awesome video.

[@danielc.0417]

I just like how the pixar was changed with Usnavi at 2:47

[@bruisesandmuffins]

in the mantra section, i wonder if anyone notices that a lot of the encanto names are said? "dolores, isabelle...." and it sounds like they say mirabel at the end of it too! I wonder if this inspired the names in encanto since we know he helped guide the name Oscar to Bruno. idk, love the video and gives me a deeper appreciation for something i enjoy!!

[@HowardHoMusic]

Interesting connection!

[@ginelleebnett4563]

Why did I cry????? 😭😭 It's so beautiful!

[@Arosukir6]

I absolutely love the magical realism in the film version. Vanessa's imagining, the drawings in the air, Nina and Benny's sideways dance. It feels like a real callback to older musicals, and an expansion of the stage play's themes about dreams and their vibrancy. Just so good!!

[@trvelnfool]

This is an awesome video. I saw the stage musical 4 times and I’ve seen the film 3 times in the theater (and counting). Each time I see the film my appreciation of Lin’s work deepens. This video has shed a new light that will help me further appreciate the work on future viewings. Thank you

[@tombirkland]

I love this, especially your explanation of the passing of the hat on to Iris and her turn to the camera. I loved how confident she looks, and this made a big impression on me in the movie.

[@plumprook6296]

I’m loving these In The Heights videos

[@sharmainetablada1484]

I cried while watching the movie and I still cry everytime you post a video dissecting it. I'll be ready with a bottle of water for the next one!

[@MagicLights555]

This was a beautiful explanation. I even teared up when you explained the significance of Usnavi putting his dad's hat on Iris. #MyHeart. Thank you! #ParaSiempre

[@katelensworld]

Pretty sure one of the security guards at my school is actually friends with Graffiti Pete! I would talk to him about music and singing and one day I brought up that I was seeing In The Heights and he told me that his friend was in the film as a character whose name starts with "G".

[@robynp5917]

I love the way you clearly and articulately break down all the clever things LMM puts into his shows. They're often fairly subtle (or at least, not super obvious at first glance) and the way you're like "hey look at this thing he did" is just mind blowing. I love the ways LMM that makes his audience think, makes them go beyond the surface and challenges set ideas. This is amazing and I just appreciate and love all of your videos. Thank you!

[@krissyveebaby]

I never thought I would cry over a film theory. This was beautiful and I am so happy

[@joanna4655]

Loved this. I enjoyed the Finishing the Hat Sunday in the Park With George reference too! 💙

[@HowardHoMusic]

Gotta pay my respects!

[@faithgrier681]

Graffiti Pete is the main character i’ve been saying this for years

[@HowardHoMusic]

LOL...the world is finally catching up with you!

[@faithgrier681]

@@HowardHoMusic YAYYYY

[@lucianbole8765]

I played Graffiti Pete in high school and was one of my best experiences so far - glad to see him getting recognition! :D

[@faithgrier681]

@@lucianbole8765 😮 that sounds so funnnnn

[@tanajsiaaa]

I’M SO EMOTIONAL. 🥺 So glad I follow this page. I couldn’t WAIT to carve out some time and watch/focus. Completely exceeded my expectations, per usual. Can’t wait to see what’s next! Bravo!

[@saifsufian4286]

This made me like the film way more then I already did

[@bahbahgee3998]

Wow! What a great video! Very well edited too. I loved seeing this perspective on how Graffiti Pete had so much more to do with the story of In the Heights! These extra details you mentioned were super trippy but once said, made perfect sense. This is a great film and great story that stands as a testament of Lin Manuel Miranda's god-given talent. Yes, I can tell that this video is indeed a "labour of love" and for that, I appreciate it much more. Alabanza!

[@jesusperal3618]

when I thought the movie/musical couldn’t get more meaningful…. really considering buying the book.Thank you for this series 🙌🙏

[@TheSouprGrrl]

Dude, that was beautiful. I have no words.

[@user-rl8ur2zc5z]

you honestly are my favorite channel. no one makes videos like you do!

[@ingao1898]

I love your videos, how you explain everything in so much detail and with a deep understanding and astounding overview - not to speak of the impressive realization of the video and your calm voice!

[@TheHotNerdGirl]

Amazing! So many details I didn't catch or never even thought about! Well done, Howard :)

[@solelysium]

Outstanding analysis! Your dedication makes me love the movie even more cuz of the thoughtful decisions that the creators made for this art. Thanks ☺️

[@caura1860]

I feel home when i watch these videos. It's like going to a music school from a dope point of view, in the comfort of my own home🔥🥺♥️

[@camilaalvarado4106]

Such an amazing and intelligent video and interpretation of this piece of art. Thank you so much for this 🙏🏻

[@TheRedDivaTv]

Such a great analysis, great video!!

[@Samanthasspace]

This video was remarkable. Every single point was articulated so clearly and strongly. Absolutely loved it

[@ohrinners]

Your videos are always so well done and thoughtful. Thank you!

[@jaymichelle8357]

This was a beautifully done breakdown of the movie ending. I hope you continue to do more!! as somebody who is obsessed with in the Heights, fantastic job and keep it going

[@lauradewit]

you made me appriciate lin manuel miranda's work so much more everytime! I cry (way too) often when you explain it cause these little things behind those visuals make it compleet. Thank you!

[@RebeccaCadile]

👏👏👏 Well done! This adds more dimension to already beautiful ending.

[@callmeodd1527]

I have chills, this was amazing and it’s wonderful to see how much though they put down

[@annalouise3]

Your videos bring tears to my eyes. You wrap all the symbolism up in such a neat package. Thank you. 😊

[@jamiej5425]

Absolutely brilliant work explaining the nuances between the stage and film version.

[@kyleblack3168]

This is a really tremendous interpretation of the film! Excellent work.

[@tinydino6062]

This video articulates all the thoughts I had on In the Heights and then some! It's crazy how much work was put into this musical and I can't imagine how much research it would take to uncover all these details. Thanks for this video man! Wonderful stuff.

[@jaydenli8089]

on point editing and analysis as always. great video

[@karendemars6001]

Fantastic, Howard! Another insightful deep dive - beautifully laid out to help us see and understand what we may have experienced on some level as we watched the movie, but would not have fully appreciated without this excellent video … love it! 😊👏🏼🔥

[@emidesantos]

You are something else!! Excellent video ❤️

[@AlanNJUSA]

Thanks for enlightening us about these subtle messages in the movie. In The Heights is a masterpiece!

[@alexise0226]

Fun fact: my mother in laws friend is the mother of the actor who plays graffiti Pete I’m the movie… literally just a kid from the Bronx ❤️❤️

[@dianajanna7228]

Brilliant!!! These videos are so so good keep them Coming!!

[@gilfeliciano5758]

Your entire In the Heights series is amazing. Great stuff. I'm going to pass this along!

[@SteveFeatherstone]

This is so well researched and presented, a few points I had picked up on but now there are so many more I have to see the movie again. I was disappointed that Abuela didn't get her mural in the movie, but your explanation makes much more sense. Thnakyou for sharing this.

[@miguelinform123]

Such a great video, I really loved it.

[@nicoleolivia9897]

Woah the hat/protagonist part is really cool, super smart

[@alltheleaveswerebrown]

This is amazing and just makes me love the film even more. Thanks for making this!!!

[@Calverin]

You've got to stop taunting us with the Kevin video, but jokes aside, great video!

[@HowardHoMusic]

It won't be long now...

[@maiagonzalez4900]

i like the way your mind works.

[@MelHyde]

Love this analysis and extension of story. Everyone should see this

[@georgeraymond3955]

Great synopsis! I didn't realize how intricate this story was. I now appreciate this move/play even more.

[@DougSousa]

I freaking love your videos, man!

[@nyricansoul]

Brilliant, Brilliant, BRILLIANT ANALYSIS!!! You rock!!!

[@corryntomlinson8420]

The movie made me cry and every one of your videos on it makes me cry again. this earned my subscribe, thank you for your content!

[@audreymeloche2054]

Can't wait for the next video, so good!

[@jaydearly7367]

When I was watching the musical what stuck out to me is how graffiti Pete is treated in the story similarly to the mad beggar woman in Sweeney Todd. Repeatedly hurried out of the narrative only to have their full importance revealed later

[@HowardHoMusic]

Oh, good analogy!

[@docb9299]

I love that Loki/Nexus event clip. You're the best man.

[@marisap09]

THIS IS AMAZING AND EVERYTHING I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE! Go Howard!!

[@erins6533]

omg all ur videos are insane i love themmm

[@lillybet1]

Your analysis is incredible.

[@ignaciofiallos3584]

Don't know how I haven't seen your work before Howard- this is AMAZING. I couldn't subscribe fast enough. Can't wait to watch your Hamilton stuff. 🙏

[@HowardHoMusic]

Thanks for the sub! Can't wait for you to see my Hamilton series!

[@wormish_squirmish_III]

Top 10 reasons why In the heights is my favorite musical-

[@afmilret]

Wow. That’s intense stuff. Thanks for opening up these plots.

[@TCubillas]

I LOVE your analysis, Howard! Kudos on a great pair of In The Heights videos. Super-impressive!

[@HowardHoMusic]

I've actually got three videos on In the Heights!

[@TCubillas]

@@HowardHoMusic Cool! I'll checkout the 3rd! 👍

[@brownro48]

I see why Lin teared up watching this! It was so good!!!!

[@odd-ysseusdoesstuff6347]

I love the stage play, and the movie was fire! I love your breakdown of the film!