Spoiler - ending comment

After all of the buildup with the basement and Nick's curiosity / destiny, it felt like a scene or scenes were absent with him ultimately entering to explore, and having some sort of interaction with his father.

Of course we find out he lost, but it would have been nice to see his character in that final confrontation.

Instead it just seemed like the story abandoned his narrative.

I wonder if those scenes were cut for pacing?