He's Watching (2022) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
"He's Watching" (2015) is a found-footage horror film about a couple, David and Lexi, who move into a haunted house where a malevolent spirit torments them through increasingly violent supernatural events. The ending reveals that David has been dead all along, killed by the entity before the events of the film, and Lexi is trapped in a nightmarish loop where she repeatedly relives his death. The film concludes with the spirit fully possessing Lexi, leaving her fate ambiguous while emphasizing the inescapable nature of the haunting.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The climax of "He's Watching" unfolds as Lexi discovers the truth about David's death. Throughout the film, David exhibits increasingly erratic behavior, which initially seems like stress or paranoia. However, the final act reveals that David was murdered by the entity before the couple even moved into the house. The "David" Lexi has been interacting with is a ghost or a manifestation of the spirit, manipulating her into reliving his death. This twist recontextualizes the entire film, turning it into a psychological nightmare where Lexi is trapped in a cycle of horror.
The entity's goal becomes clear: it seeks to break Lexi mentally and spiritually, ensuring she remains in the house forever. The final scenes show Lexi attempting to escape, only to find herself back in the house, suggesting she is caught in a supernatural loop. The film ends with Lexi screaming as the entity fully possesses her, leaving her ultimate fate ambiguous. This conclusion reinforces the theme of inescapable horror, where the house and its spirit consume anyone who enters.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
Is David really dead the entire time?
- Yes: The film heavily implies that David died before the events of the movie, and his presence is a trick by the entity.
- No: Some interpretations suggest David was alive but possessed, and his death occurs during the film.
What is the entity's origin?
- A vengeful spirit: The house may have been built on cursed land or was the site of a past atrocity.
- A demonic force: The entity behaves like a demon, feeding on fear and tormenting its victims endlessly.
Does Lexi ever escape?
- No: The looping ending suggests she is trapped forever.
- Possibly: Some horror films leave endings open for sequels or alternate interpretations.
Why does the entity torment them?
- For its own amusement: Some spirits haunt for no reason other than cruelty.
- It needs a new host: Lexi may have been chosen as a replacement for a previous victim.
Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film
The ending of "He's Watching" is effective in its bleakness, reinforcing the idea that some horrors cannot be escaped. The twist about David's death is well-executed, though not entirely original, echoing similar reveals in films like "The Others." The found-footage style enhances the claustrophobic terror, but it also limits the storytelling, making some scenes feel repetitive.
Overall, the film succeeds in delivering dread but falls short in fully exploring its mythology. The lack of backstory for the entity weakens the narrative, leaving too many questions unanswered. However, the final scene - Lexi's scream cutting to black-is chilling and leaves a lasting impression. It's a solid entry in the haunted house subgenre, though not groundbreaking.
Would I recommend it? Yes, for fans of slow-burn psychological horror, but don't expect a neatly wrapped conclusion. The ambiguity is part of the terror.