Annabelle: Creation (2017) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
Annabelle: Creation (2017) ends with the demonic doll Annabelle being trapped by Sister Charlotte, but not before it claims the soul of Janice, one of the orphan girls. Janice, now possessed, is adopted by the Higgins family, setting up the events of the first Annabelle film. The movie ties into the broader Conjuring universe, explaining the origins of the haunted doll. The ending leaves questions about the demon's ultimate goals and the fate of the other characters, while reinforcing the theme of evil's persistence.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
The climax of Annabelle: Creation sees the demonic entity masquerading as the deceased daughter of dollmaker Samuel Mullins finally revealing its true form. After terrorizing the orphan girls and the nun, Sister Charlotte, the demon targets Janice, the disabled orphan, who is the most vulnerable. In a tragic twist, Janice is dragged into the dollhouse and possessed by the demon, her soul effectively replaced by the evil spirit. The Mullinses, realizing their mistake in trying to contact their dead daughter through occult means, attempt to contain the demon by locking Janice (now Annabelle) in a closet with a Bible, but their efforts are only temporarily successful.
Sister Charlotte, who has been a stabilizing force throughout the film, manages to seal Annabelle in the closet, but the damage is already done. The possessed Janice is later adopted by the Higgins family, setting the stage for the events of the first Annihilation movie, where the Higgins family is murdered by Janice (now an adult) before she commits suicide, allowing the demon to fully inhabit the doll. This cyclical nature of the horror underscores the film's theme that evil is relentless and cannot be easily destroyed. The ending also serves as a bridge to the wider Conjuring universe, linking the doll's origin to its later appearances in other films.
Unresolved Questions and Possible Answers:
1. What is the demon's ultimate goal?
- It may seek to claim more souls or simply spread chaos.
- It could be a servant of a larger evil, like Valak from The Nun.
2. Why did the demon target Janice specifically?
- Her physical vulnerability made her an easy victim.
- The demon may have sensed her emotional pain and isolation.
3. What happened to the other orphans and Sister Charlotte?
- They likely survived but were traumatized, with no further mention in the series.
- Sister Charlotte might have continued her fight against evil, possibly appearing in other Conjuring films.
4. Why didn't the Mullinses destroy the doll sooner?
- Grief clouded their judgment, and they believed they could control the demon.
- The doll may have had a supernatural hold over them.
Personal Opinion on the Ending and the Film:
Annabelle: Creation is a effective prequel that expands the lore of the Conjuring universe while delivering genuine scares. The ending is particularly strong because it doesn't offer a clean resolution-evil isn't defeated, just delayed. This ambiguity makes the horror feel more real and unsettling. The possession of Janice is heartbreaking, and the transition to the Higgins family adds a layer of inevitability to the tragedy. However, the film occasionally relies on jump scares over deeper psychological terror, which can feel repetitive. Overall, it's a solid entry in the franchise, with an ending that successfully ties into the larger narrative while standing on its own as a chilling tale of supernatural horror.
Final Thoughts:
The ending of Annabelle: Creation is a masterclass in connecting prequels to their successors without feeling forced. It leaves enough unanswered questions to keep audiences theorizing while providing a satisfying explanation for the doll's evil nature. The film's strength lies in its atmosphere and pacing, though it could have delved deeper into the demon's mythology. Still, for fans of the Conjuring universe, it's a must-watch, offering both answers and new mysteries to ponder.