The Eternal Daughter (2022) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The Eternal Daughter is a haunting gothic drama directed by Joanna Hogg, starring Tilda Swinton in dual roles as a middle-aged filmmaker, Julie, and her elderly mother, Rosalind. The film follows their stay at a mysterious hotel that seems frozen in time, where Julie attempts to document her mother's life while grappling with unresolved grief and guilt. The ending reveals that Rosalind is a ghost - Julie has been staying at the hotel alone, processing her mother's death. The film concludes with Julie leaving the hotel, symbolizing her tentative acceptance of loss, though the line between reality and memory remains blurred.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
The final act of The Eternal Daughter unravels as a poignant revelation about the nature of Julie and Rosalind's relationship. Throughout the film, subtle clues hint at the supernatural: the hotel staff's eerie behavior, the absence of other guests, and Rosalind's ethereal presence. In the climax, Julie confronts the truth-her mother is not physically present but is a manifestation of her grief. The hotel serves as a liminal space where Julie wrestles with her memories, guilt, and the unfinished business of their relationship. The moment Julie acknowledges Rosalind's ghostly nature, the film shifts from a literal narrative to a psychological exploration of mourning.
The ambiguity of the ending is deliberate. As Julie prepares to leave the hotel, she glances back one last time, suggesting a reluctant but necessary farewell to her mother's memory. The final shot of the empty hotel corridor, now devoid of Rosalind's presence, underscores Julie's emotional departure from the past. The film doesn't offer a tidy resolution but instead lingers on the complexity of grief-how it distorts time, memory, and perception. The haunting score and muted cinematography amplify the sense of melancholy, leaving viewers to ponder whether Julie has truly moved on or if she's trapped in an endless loop of remembrance.
Unresolved Questions and Possible Answers:
1. Is the hotel real or a metaphor for Julie's mind?
- The hotel could be a physical place where Julie confronts her grief, or it might represent her subconscious, a prison of her own making.
- The staff's odd behavior suggests the hotel exists outside reality, possibly as a purgatory for unresolved emotions.
When did Rosalind die?
- The film implies Rosalind passed away before the events of the story, and Julie's stay is a post-death reckoning.
- Alternatively, Rosalind might have died during their stay, and Julie's denial extends the illusion of her presence.
What is the significance of the dog?
- The dog, often seen with Rosalind, could symbolize loyalty or a bridge between the living and the dead.
- Its sporadic appearances might mirror Julie's fluctuating awareness of her mother's absence.
Personal Opinion:
The Eternal Daughter is a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling, with Tilda Swinton's dual performances adding layers of emotional depth. The ending is both heartbreaking and cathartic, refusing to offer easy answers. I admire how Hogg uses the gothic setting to externalize internal turmoil, making grief feel like a tangible, lingering presence. However, the film's slow pace and deliberate ambiguity might frustrate viewers seeking closure. For me, the power lies in its restraint-the unsaid words and unresolved tension feel truer to the experience of loss than any dramatic confrontation could. It's a meditation on memory that lingers long after the credits roll.
Final Thoughts:
The film's conclusion isn't about solving a mystery but about sitting with the discomfort of absence. Julie's journey mirrors the universal struggle to let go, and the hotel becomes a metaphor for the spaces we inhabit mentally after losing someone. By leaving the ending open, Hogg invites viewers to project their own experiences of grief onto the story, making it a deeply personal and resonant work. Whether you see it as a ghost story or a psychological drama, The Eternal Daughter leaves an indelible mark, challenging us to confront what we carry from the past into the present.