Finn McNamara is a mess. Honestly, that’s probably why we’re still talking about him years after the credits rolled on Episode 3: Wastelands. When you first meet the scruffy, dreadlocked drifter at the redwood camp, he feels like the personification of freedom. He’s the guy who escaped the "system" to live under the stars, smoking weed and trimming "mota" for a paycheck. But if you've played Life is Strange 2, you know that Finn is way more complicated than a simple crust punk archetype. He’s a catalyst. He is the person who forces Sean Diaz—and by extension, the player—to decide exactly what kind of person they are willing to become to protect their brother.
Some people love him. Others think he’s a manipulative parasite who nearly got Daniel killed.
There isn't much middle ground here. Finn Life is Strange 2 discussions usually devolve into heated debates about his morality, his influence on Daniel’s powers, and whether his romance path is actually healthy for Sean. He’s the ultimate "love him or hate him" figure in a franchise built on difficult choices.
The Heist That Ruined Everything (Or Did It?)
The core of the Finn hate-train usually stems from the heist. You know the one. Finn gets the bright idea to use Daniel’s telekinetic powers to rob Big Joe and Merrill. It’s a classic "ends justify the means" scenario. In Finn’s head, he’s helping the Diaz brothers get to Mexico. He sees the money as a ticket to safety. But in reality, he’s putting a ten-year-old in the line of fire of an armed drug dealer.
It’s reckless. It’s arguably selfish.
If you agree to the heist, Finn is overjoyed. If you refuse, he might go behind your back and convince Daniel to do it anyway. This is the part that really stings for many players. It feels like a betrayal of the brotherhood Sean has worked so hard to maintain. You spend episodes teaching Daniel about responsibility, only for this charming nomad to swoop in and say, "Hey kid, want to use your god-like powers for a crime?"
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But here’s the thing: Finn isn't a villain. He’s a product of his own trauma. If you dig into his backstory—which you should, because it adds so much flavor to his motivations—you find out he comes from a deeply broken family. He was "garbage" in their eyes. This drifter lifestyle isn't just a choice; it's a sanctuary. He genuinely thinks he’s doing Sean a favor by giving them a shortcut to Puerto Lobos. He's a kid who never grew up, trying to help other kids who were forced to grow up too fast.
Romance and Representation
Finn is a milestone for the series. He is the first major male-male romance option for a protagonist in the Life is Strange universe. This matters. For a long time, the series was heavily centered on the "wlw" (women loving women) experience with Max and Chloe. Seeing Sean, a young Mexican-American man, have the option to explore his sexuality with a guy like Finn was a huge step for inclusivity in gaming.
The romance is sweet, albeit messy.
It starts with a haircut and ends with a kiss by the fire—or a gunshot wound in a dark room. It’s grounded in the reality of their situation. They are outcasts. They are tired. They are looking for a connection in a world that wants to deport or imprison them.
Critics of the romance often point out the power imbalance. Finn is older. He has more experience with this lifestyle. He uses his charm to sway Sean's decisions. Is it "grooming"? Some fans argue yes. Others argue that Sean is an adult (17/18) making his own choices in an extreme survival situation. The nuance is what makes it feel human. It’s not a sanitized, perfect AAA romance. It’s a sweaty, desperate, "we might die tomorrow" kind of love.
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Why His Influence on Daniel Matters So Much
The most overlooked part of Finn’s role is how he affects Daniel’s "Morality" and "Brotherhood" scores. These are the hidden stats that determine the game’s ending.
- High Morality / High Brotherhood: Daniel listens to Sean and uses his powers for good.
- Low Morality / High Brotherhood: Daniel is a bit of a loose cannon but stays loyal to Sean.
- The "Finn" Variable: If Sean follows Finn’s lead, Daniel learns that rules don't apply to people like them. He sees that "cool" adults think his powers are a tool for gain, not a burden.
Finn is essentially the "cool uncle" who buys you beer when your parents said no. He undermines Sean’s authority. This creates a fascinating tension for the player. Do you keep Daniel on the straight and narrow, or do you let him explore the "wild" side that Finn represents?
The Fate of Finn McNamara
Depending on your choices, Finn’s story can end very differently.
- He can end up in the hospital, badly injured but alive.
- He can end up in prison.
- He can actually die.
If Finn dies, the impact on Sean is devastating, especially if they were romantically involved. It adds another layer of grief to a story that is already a relentless tragedy. If he survives and you’ve romanced him, you get a glimpse of their potential future in the "Parting Ways" ending. You see a photo of them together on a beach in Mexico.
It’s one of the few moments of pure happiness in the entire game. For many, that one photo justifies all the mistakes Finn made in Episode 3. It shows that despite the heist, despite the danger, he actually cared. He wasn't just using Sean; he wanted a life with him.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Finn
The biggest misconception is that Finn is a "bad influence" by design. He’s not a plot device meant to ruin your game. He is a reflection of the "Lost Generation" of kids who fell through the cracks of the American Dream. He’s what happens when you have no safety net and no guidance.
He’s also incredibly observant. He’s one of the first people to notice that Sean is struggling with the weight of being a father figure. He offers Sean a chance to just be a teenager for five minutes. That’s why the "haircut scene" is so iconic. It’s quiet. It’s intimate. It has nothing to do with powers or politics. It’s just two boys talking about their hair and their feelings.
Final Perspective on the Drifter
Finn is a mirror. If you value security and traditional morality, you’ll probably find him repulsive. If you value freedom and find the "system" oppressive, you might see him as a hero.
He represents the moral gray area that Life is Strange 2 thrives in. No one is purely good or purely evil in this game. Everyone is just trying to survive the next ten miles. Finn just happens to be the one who thinks the best way to survive is to kick the door down and take what you need.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Next Playthrough
If you’re planning on jumping back into the Diaz brothers' journey, here is how to handle the Finn situation based on the outcome you want:
- To get the "Parting Ways" ending with Finn: You must romance him in Episode 3, agree to the heist, and then choose to stay in the U.S. while Daniel goes to Mexico (or vice-versa depending on morality). Check the photo in the epilogue to see them together.
- To protect Daniel’s Morality: Refuse the heist. It might make Finn grumpy, and he might try to go behind your back, but your "Higher Morality" influence on Daniel will stay intact.
- To see Finn’s full backstory: Spend time in the camp looking at his drawings and talking to the other drifters like Hannah and Cassidy. They provide context for his behavior that you won't get from him directly.
- The "Middle Path": You can kiss Finn and still refuse the heist. This is often cited as the "best" way to experience his character—you get the emotional connection without the catastrophic moral fallout of the robbery.
Ultimately, Finn isn't there to be your friend or your enemy. He's there to test you. He asks the question: "How much of your soul are you willing to trade for a bit of cash and a sense of belonging?" Your answer to that question defines your entire Life is Strange 2 experience.