1922 (2017) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The ending of 1922 (based on Stephen King's novella) reveals the psychological and supernatural consequences of Wilfred James's murder of his wife, Arlette. After manipulating his son, Henry, into helping kill her to prevent her from selling their farm, Wilfred descends into guilt-ridden madness, haunted by rats (symbolizing his guilt) and visions of Arlette. Henry eventually runs away and dies by suicide, and Wilfred, now a broken man, confesses his crimes in writing before dying in a hotel room overrun by rats. The film suggests that Wilfred's guilt manifests as supernatural retribution, leaving his fate ambiguous but undeniably grim.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
The finale of 1922 is a harrowing culmination of Wilfred James's self-destruction following the murder of his wife, Arlette. After burying her body in a well, Wilfred believes he has secured his future on the farm, but his plan unravels as guilt and paranoia consume him. The rats-both literal and symbolic-become relentless harbingers of his moral decay, infesting his home and gnawing at his sanity. The supernatural elements blur the line between Wilfred's psychological breakdown and genuine otherworldly vengeance, leaving viewers to question whether Arlette's ghost is real or a manifestation of his remorse.
Wilfred's relationship with his son, Henry, deteriorates as the weight of their crime drives Henry to flee with his pregnant girlfriend, Shannon. Henry's eventual suicide-revealed through a newspaper clipping-serves as another blow to Wilfred, who realizes his actions have destroyed his family. The film's bleakness peaks when Wilfred, now a disheveled drifter, checks into a hotel and writes his confession. As he bleeds from a rat bite (or perhaps self-inflicted wounds), the room fills with rats, implying either his final descent into madness or Arlette's ghostly revenge. The ambiguity reinforces the theme that guilt is its own inescapable punishment.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers:
1. Are the rats and visions of Arlette real or figments of Wilfred's guilt?
- Supernatural interpretation: Arlette's spirit uses the rats to torment Wilfred as karmic justice.
- Psychological interpretation: The rats represent Wilfred's crumbling mental state, with his guilt manifesting as hallucinations.
2. Did Wilfred truly love his son, or was Henry just a tool for his plans?
- Manipulative reading: Wilfred exploited Henry's loyalty to serve his own greed.
- Tragic reading: Wilfred's love was genuine but twisted by his selfishness, making Henry's death his ultimate regret.
3. What does the ending's ambiguity suggest about justice?
- Moral lesson: Whether supernatural or not, guilt destroys the guilty.
- Fatalism: Wilfred was doomed the moment he chose murder over compromise.
Personal Opinion:
1922 is a masterclass in slow-burning horror, relying on psychological tension rather than jump scares. Thomas Jane's portrayal of Wilfred's unraveling is haunting, and the ending's ambiguity elevates the story beyond a simple crime narrative. The rats and ghostly imagery create a chilling atmosphere, but the true horror lies in Wilfred's inability to escape his own mind. While some may find the pacing deliberate to a fault, the film's emphasis on consequence over action makes it a standout in Stephen King adaptations. The ending doesn't offer catharsis-just a grim reminder that some sins can't be buried.
Final Thoughts:
The power of 1922 lies in its exploration of guilt as a living, consuming force. Whether the supernatural elements are "real" is almost irrelevant; Wilfred's fate was sealed the moment he chose violence. The film's bleakness may not be for everyone, but its unflinching look at moral decay makes it a memorable, if unsettling, experience. The rats, the ghost, and the confession all serve as pieces of Wilfred's self-made hell, leaving viewers to ponder whether justice was served-or if some crimes damn you regardless.