Monolith (2022) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
Monolith is a psychological sci-fi thriller that follows a journalist investigating a mysterious black monolith linked to strange phenomena. The ending reveals the monolith as an alien artifact manipulating human perception to propagate itself, with the protagonist becoming its unwitting vessel. The film concludes ambiguously, leaving the monolith's ultimate purpose and the protagonist's fate open to interpretation. Unresolved questions include the monolith's origin, its true intent, and whether the protagonist retains any humanity. The ending is thought-provoking but divisive, blending existential dread with cosmic horror.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The climax of Monolith sees the protagonist, a journalist named Lisa, finally confronting the enigmatic black monolith after a series of eerie encounters. Throughout the film, the monolith exerts a subtle influence over those who interact with it, distorting their memories and perceptions. In the final act, Lisa discovers that the monolith is not just an inert object but a sentient entity-or perhaps a tool of an advanced alien intelligence-designed to manipulate human consciousness. The monolith's purpose appears to be self-replication, using humans as conduits to spread its influence. Lisa's investigation leads her to a horrifying realization: she has been unknowingly assimilated by the monolith, her mind rewritten to serve its inscrutable agenda.
The film's ambiguous ending leaves Lisa's fate uncertain. In the final scene, she stands before the monolith, her expression blank yet eerily serene, suggesting she has either succumbed to its control or achieved a twisted transcendence. The monolith, now pulsating with an otherworldly energy, implies that its influence is spreading beyond her. The lack of a definitive resolution reinforces the film's themes of existential dread and the fragility of human identity. The audience is left questioning whether Lisa is still herself or merely a vessel for something far older and more incomprehensible.
Unresolved Questions
- What is the monolith's true origin?
- It could be an alien artifact, a piece of ancient technology, or even a cosmic entity.
- Some interpretations suggest it's a tool for a higher intelligence to study or manipulate humanity.
- What is its ultimate goal?
- Is it benign (seeking to evolve humanity) or malevolent (erasing individuality for assimilation)?
- Alternatively, it may not have a "goal" at all, operating on principles beyond human understanding.
- Does Lisa retain any free will by the end?
- Her vacant expression hints at complete assimilation, but subtle flickers of emotion could imply resistance.
- The monolith may have rewritten her mind so thoroughly that she no longer perceives her loss of self.
Themes and Symbolism
The monolith serves as a metaphor for the unknowable and the inevitability of change-whether evolutionary, technological, or existential. Its inscrutable nature mirrors humanity's fear of the incomprehensible, a theme common in cosmic horror. The film also explores the fragility of memory and identity, as Lisa's investigation forces her to question her own past, blurring the line between reality and illusion. The ending's ambiguity underscores the idea that some mysteries defy explanation, leaving the audience to grapple with their own interpretations.
Personal Opinion
Monolith delivers a chilling, cerebral finale that lingers long after the credits roll. The slow burn of psychological unraveling is masterfully executed, though some may find the lack of concrete answers frustrating. The film's strength lies in its atmospheric tension and the unsettling realization that Lisa's fate could be anyone's. However, the abstract nature of the ending may alienate viewers seeking a more traditional resolution. Despite this, Monolith succeeds as a thought-provoking meditation on the limits of human understanding-an experience more unsettling for the questions it raises than the answers it provides.
Would you prefer a more concrete ending, or does the ambiguity enhance the film's impact for you?