Incantation (2022) Ending Explained
tl;dr: The ending of Incantation (2022) is a terrifying and ambiguous conclusion where the protagonist Li Ronan seemingly breaks the curse by transferring it to the audience, but the film's found-footage style and psychological horror elements leave it unclear whether the curse is real or a product of her unraveling mental state. The movie blurs the line between reality and delusion, making the viewer complicit in the supernatural events. Unresolved questions linger about the true nature of the curse, the fate of Ronan's daughter Dodo, and whether the film's rituals were effective or merely fueled by desperation.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The ending of Incentive is a masterclass in psychological horror, leaving viewers unsettled and questioning what they just witnessed. After spending the film documenting her efforts to save her daughter Dodo from a vengeful curse, Li Ronan reaches a breaking point. She performs a final ritual, invoking the name of the deity "Buddha-Mother" and instructing the audience to repeat a chant with her-effectively transferring the curse onto the viewers. This fourth-wall-breaking moment is chilling because it implicates the audience in the horror, suggesting that the curse is now our burden. The screen distorts, the curse's sigil appears, and the film cuts to black, leaving us to wonder: Did Ronan succeed, or has she doomed us all?
The ambiguity of the ending is intentional. Throughout the film, the line between reality and Ronan's deteriorating mental state is blurred. The found-footage style amplifies this uncertainty-are we watching a documentary of supernatural events or the unraveling of a traumatized woman? The final scene, where Ronan stares directly into the camera with a haunting smile, suggests she may have succumbed to the curse entirely, becoming a vessel for the malevolent force. Alternatively, her smile could indicate relief, as if she has finally freed Dodo by passing the curse elsewhere. The lack of a clear resolution forces the audience to sit with their own fear, making the horror linger long after the credits roll.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
Is the curse real, or is Ronan mentally ill?
- Possible Answer 1: The curse is real, evidenced by the supernatural events (Dodo's possession, the deaths of those involved).
- Possible Answer 2: Ronan is suffering from psychosis, exacerbated by guilt over her past actions (filming the forbidden ritual).
What happened to Dodo?
- Possible Answer 1: She was saved when Ronan transferred the curse to the audience.
- Possible Answer 2: She was never truly cursed - Ronan's actions were based on delusion.
Did the audience truly become cursed?
- Possible Answer 1: Yes, the film's interactive element (making us repeat the chant) implies we are now part of the curse.
- Possible Answer 2: No, it's a meta-narrative trick to unsettle viewers.
What was the true purpose of the rituals?
- Possible Answer 1: They were legitimate attempts to appease the deity.
- Possible Answer 2: They were meaningless, feeding into Ronan's desperation.
Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film
Incantation is one of the most effective horror films in recent years precisely because of its ambiguous, unsettling ending. The decision to break the fourth wall and involve the audience is brilliant-it turns passive viewers into active participants in the horror. Unlike many films that overexplain their mythology, Incantation embraces uncertainty, making the fear feel more personal. The found-footage style enhances the realism, but it's Ronan's emotional journey (her love for Dodo warring with her guilt and fear) that grounds the supernatural elements. The ending doesn't provide easy answers, which may frustrate some, but it's the perfect conclusion for a film that thrives on psychological dread.
Final Thoughts
The genius of Incantation lies in its ability to make the audience question their own reality. By the end, we're left wondering: Did we just watch a cursed film? Are we now part of its horror? The lack of closure is deliberate, forcing us to sit with our discomfort. This isn't a movie that ties everything up neatly-it's a nightmare that lingers, playing on primal fears of the unknown and the consequences of forbidden knowledge. Whether you believe the curse is real or a metaphor for trauma, the ending ensures that Incantation stays with you long after it's over.
Would I watch it again? Absolutely-but maybe with the lights on this time.