The Mule is a 2018 film directed by Clint Eastwood, loosely based on the true story of Leo Sharp, a World War II veteran who became a drug courier for a Mexican cartel in his 80s. Despite being released five years ago, the movie has quickly caught the attention of Netflix viewers since it dropped on the streaming platform this June.
In the movie, Eastwood portrays Earl Stone, a horticulturist and Korean War veteran who becomes a drug mule transporting cocaine for a Mexican cartel after a series of unexpected events. Earl eventually draws the attention of a determined DEA agent named Colin Bates, played by Bradley Cooper, who is eager to bring the operation down.
Because of the cat-and-mouse elements of the film, there seems to be a growing curiosity among fans as to whether Clint Eastwood’s character survives the events of the film — which is understandable given his character’s age and the circumstances he finds himself caught up in.
Warning: Spoilers to come
Does Clint Eastwood’s character die in The Mule?
No, Clint Eastwood’s character does not die in The Mule. As the film comes to an end, Earl is brought to justice and sentenced to prison for his crimes. After his sentencing, we see Earl tending to the gardens in prison and it’s alluded to that he’ll spend the rest of his life behind bars for his part in the drug operation.
The movie is based on the true story of Leo Sharp, who like Earl was captured and convicted for his crimes. However, Leo was released from prison early due to his terminal illness and he died roughly the year after his release from jail. While this is not depicted in The Mule, it seems likely that had the film continued beyond Earl’s conviction audiences would have seen the character’s journey end in a similar manner. Instead, it’s left to the audience’s imagination as to what happens to Earl.
Is Clint Eastwood still alive?
The Mule‘s release on Netflix has left audiences with a lot of questions, including whether Cline Eastwood, the star of the film, is still alive. If you found yourself concerned about Eastwood after watching the movie in which he plays a more frail character than fans are accustomed to seeing him take on, we can confirm that Eastwood just celebrated his 93rd birthday on May 31.
Understandably, Eastwood has taken a step back from acting in recent years with The Mule being one of the actor’s most recent projects. Since starring in The Mule, Eastwood has only appeared in one other film, 2021’s Cry Macho.
The Mule is streaming now on Netflix.
