There's Something Wrong with the Children (2023) Ending Explained
tl;dr: There's Something Wrong with the Children is a horror-thriller about two families whose weekend getaway takes a dark turn when the children begin exhibiting sinister behavior. The ending reveals that the children are possessed by an ancient, malevolent force that thrives on fear and manipulation. The parents are ultimately unable to save themselves or their kids, leaving the fate of the families ambiguous but heavily implied to be tragic. The film ends with the children ominously hinting at their next victims, suggesting the cycle of horror will continue.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The climax of There's Something Wrong with the Children unfolds as the parents, Margaret and Ben, finally realize that their children, Lucy and Spencer, are no longer their own. The eerie behavior-blank stares, unnatural strength, and cryptic dialogue-escalates into outright violence. The film's final act reveals that the children have been taken over by an ancient entity that preys on fear, using their innocence as a disguise to manipulate and torment the adults. The parents' attempts to reason with or restrain the children fail, as the entity controlling them is far more powerful than they anticipated.
The ending is deliberately ambiguous, leaving the fates of the parents unresolved. One interpretation is that they are killed, while another suggests they are absorbed into the same malevolent force that possesses their children. The final scene shows Lucy and Spencer walking away from the cabin, unharmed and eerily calm, hinting that they are now vessels for the entity and will continue its cycle of terror. Their last words-directed at an unseen presence-imply that they are already seeking new victims, reinforcing the film's theme of inescapable horror.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
- What is the true nature of the entity possessing the children?
- It could be a demonic force that thrives on fear and suffering.
- Alternatively, it might be an ancient, Lovecraftian being that sees humans as mere playthings.
- Why were these specific children targeted?
- Their vulnerability (being away from home, in an isolated setting) made them easy prey.
- The entity may have sensed latent trauma or fear in the family dynamic.
- Could the parents have done anything differently to save their kids?
- Perhaps if they had left earlier or sought outside help, things might have changed.
- However, the film suggests the entity was always one step ahead, making escape impossible.
Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film
The ending of There's Something Wrong with the Children is effective in its bleakness, refusing to offer a clean resolution or hopeful outcome. This aligns well with the horror genre's tendency to favor dread over catharsis. The ambiguity works in the film's favor, leaving the audience unsettled and questioning whether the entity was ever truly defeatable. That said, the film could have delved deeper into the mythology of the evil force-knowing more about its origins might have added weight to the horror. Still, the performances, particularly from the child actors, sell the terror, and the final scene lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.
Final Thoughts
There's Something Wrong with the Children succeeds as a slow-burn horror film that builds tension effectively before delivering a chilling, open-ended conclusion. The lack of a clear resolution may frustrate some viewers, but it enhances the film's nightmarish quality. The idea that evil can wear the face of innocence is a timeless horror trope, and this movie executes it well. The ending ensures that the fear doesn't dissipate when the screen goes dark-instead, it leaves the audience wondering where Lucy and Spencer will go next, and who they'll hurt. A solid, unsettling entry in the psychological horror genre.