What does the ambiguous ending mean; is the final shot cyclical or an escape?

[Patrick_M]

I just watched that new sci-fi thriller everyone's talking about, and I have to admit, I'm completely lost by the ambiguous ending. The final scene with the protagonist walking into the light while the cityscape flickers left me with more questions than answers about what was real and what was a simulation. For viewers who feel they grasped it, could you explain the movie's ending and the director's apparent commentary on memory and identity? I'm particularly confused about the significance of the recurring symbol of the broken watch and whether the final shot implies a cyclical narrative or a definitive escape. What clues did I miss throughout the film that point to one interpretation over another, and are there any interviews with the director or analyses that shed light on the intended meaning?