We Need to Do Something (2021) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The ending of We Need to Do Something leaves the family trapped in their bathroom, seemingly doomed by supernatural forces. After days of psychological and physical torment, the father dies, the mother succumbs to despair, and the daughter, Melissa, is left alone. The film's climax suggests the entity outside-possibly a demon or vengeful spirit-has won, with Melissa's final moments implying she's either hallucinating or being consumed by the darkness. The ambiguous ending raises questions about the nature of the threat, the family's guilt, and whether any of them could have escaped their fate.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
The film's finale is a harrowing culmination of the family's psychological and supernatural ordeal. After being trapped in their bathroom during a storm, the family - Melissa, her parents, and her brother-face increasing horrors, including the father's violent breakdown and eventual death. The mother, Diane, spirals into madness, blaming Melissa for their predicament before seemingly dying or becoming catatonic. Melissa, the last survivor, hears her brother's voice outside the door, but it's unclear whether it's truly him or the entity mimicking him. The film ends with Melissa screaming as the door shakes violently, leaving her fate unresolved.
The ending leans heavily into ambiguity, refusing to confirm whether the threat is purely supernatural or a manifestation of the family's dysfunction. The entity outside-implied to be connected to Melissa's earlier ritual with her friend-may represent punishment for their sins or a malevolent force exploiting their weaknesses. The father's aggression, the mother's denial, and Melissa's guilt all contribute to their downfall, suggesting the horror is as much internal as external. The final shot of Melissa's terrified face as the door rattles implies she's either about to be killed or absorbed into the darkness, leaving the audience to ponder her ultimate fate.
Unresolved Questions and Possible Answers:
1. What is the entity outside?
- A demon summoned by Melissa's occult dabbling.
- A vengeful spirit tied to the house or the storm.
- A psychological manifestation of the family's guilt and trauma.
Is Melissa's brother really alive at the end?
- No, it's the entity luring her out.
- Yes, he escaped and is trying to save her.
- It's a hallucination from Melissa's fractured mind.
Could the family have escaped their fate?
- Yes, if they'd confronted their issues sooner.
- No, the entity was always going to claim them.
- Maybe, but their dysfunction sealed their doom.
Personal Opinion on the Ending and Film:
The ending of We Need to Do Something is effective in its bleakness, but it may frustrate viewers seeking closure. The ambiguity works thematically-highlighting how trauma and guilt can trap people as surely as physical barriers-but it risks feeling unsatisfying. The film's strength lies in its claustrophobic tension and the family's unraveling, though the lack of clear answers about the entity dilutes the horror. Personally, I appreciated the psychological depth but wished for more lore about the supernatural element. The ending's abruptness is jarring, but it lingers, leaving you to question whether Melissa's fate was inevitable or a result of her choices.
Final Thoughts:
We Need to Do Something is a chilling exploration of isolation and familial collapse, with an ending that prioritizes mood over resolution. While it won't please everyone, its unrelenting tension and symbolic horror make it a memorable, if divisive, experience. The film's true terror lies in its suggestion that the real monster might have been inside the bathroom all along.