Antlers Ending Explained
TL;DR:
Antlers (2021) is a supernatural horror film directed by Scott Cooper, based on the short story The Quiet Boy by Nick Antosca. The ending reveals that Lucas Weaver, a young boy harboring a wendigo (a malevolent, cannibalistic spirit from Algonquian folklore), has fully transformed into the creature after being infected by his father. His teacher, Julia Meadows, and her brother, Sheriff Paul Meadows, attempt to save him but ultimately fail. The film concludes with Julia seemingly killing Lucas to end his suffering, only for her to become infected herself, suggesting the cycle of horror will continue. The ambiguous final shots imply Julia may now carry the wendigo curse.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
The climax of Antlers is a harrowing culmination of the film's themes of trauma, abuse, and the cyclical nature of violence. Lucas, the abused child, has been hiding his father, Frank, who was infected by a wendigo after committing unspeakable acts in a mine. By the finale, Lucas himself transforms into the creature, having been forced to consume human flesh to survive. Julia, his caring but troubled teacher, and her brother Paul confront Lucas in the abandoned mine where the wendigo's curse originated. Despite Julia's attempts to save Lucas, she realizes he is beyond help and shoots him, seemingly ending his torment. However, the film's final moments reveal Julia coughing up black bile-a sign of wendigo infection-hinting that she has inherited the curse.
Unresolved Questions and Possible Answers:
1. How did Julia become infected?
- She may have ingested contaminated blood or flesh during the struggle.
- The wendigo's curse could spread through proximity or emotional connection, as Julia's trauma mirrors Lucas's.
2. What happens to Paul?
- The film doesn't show his fate, but he likely dies in the mine or becomes another victim of the curse.
3. Is the wendigo truly defeated?
- No, the curse appears to be cyclical, as Julia's infection suggests it will continue to spread.
4. What was the significance of the mine?
- It may be a sacred or cursed site where the wendigo's power is strongest, acting as a conduit for the entity.
Themes and Symbolism:
The ending reinforces the film's exploration of inherited trauma and the inescapability of violence. Lucas's transformation mirrors the abuse he endured, while Julia's infection suggests that trauma is contagious-a theme echoed in her own struggles with her past. The wendigo serves as a metaphor for the destructive cycles of addiction, abuse, and mental illness, with the mine representing the buried horrors people carry. The bleak conclusion underscores the idea that some evils cannot be eradicated, only passed on.
Personal Opinion:
Antlers delivers a chilling, atmospheric horror experience, but its ending is divisive. While the ambiguity adds to the dread, it may frustrate viewers seeking closure. The wendigo mythology is underutilized, and the film's pacing sometimes drags, but the final act is undeniably powerful. Keri Russell's performance as Julia is poignant, and the cinematography masterfully conveys the story's oppressive tone. The ending's bleakness fits the narrative but feels slightly rushed, leaving some threads unresolved. Despite its flaws, Antlers succeeds as a haunting allegory for the monsters we create and inherit.
Final Thoughts:
The ending of Antlers leaves audiences with more questions than answers, a deliberate choice that amplifies its horror. By refusing to provide a tidy resolution, the film lingers in the mind, much like the wendigo's curse. Whether Julia's infection leads to another cycle of violence or her resistance breaks the curse is left open, making the finale as unsettling as it is thought-provoking. For fans of folk horror and psychological terror, Antlers offers a grim, memorable conclusion that resonates long after the credits roll.