Apparition (2009) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The ending of Apparition (2012) reveals that the supernatural events plaguing the protagonists are tied to a Vatican-sanctioned exorcism gone wrong. The film culminates in a climactic confrontation where the demonic entity, having manipulated the characters throughout, claims another victim despite their efforts to banish it. The final scenes suggest the evil persists, leaving the audience with a sense of unresolved dread. The movie blends religious horror with psychological tension, but its ambiguous conclusion has divided viewers-some praise its chilling open-endedness, while others find it frustratingly vague.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
The finale of Apparition unfolds as Michael, the protagonist, uncovers the truth behind the malevolent force haunting him and his friends. The entity is revealed to be a demon that escaped during a failed exorcism conducted by the Vatican decades earlier. The demon's goal is to claim souls by exploiting the characters' fears and guilt, particularly Michael's unresolved trauma over his sister's death. In the climactic sequence, Michael and his girlfriend Kelly attempt to perform a ritual to banish the demon, but their efforts are undermined by the entity's cunning manipulations. The demon separates them, and Kelly is seemingly possessed, leaving Michael alone and desperate. The film ends with Michael fleeing the abandoned mission where the exorcism took place, only to hear Kelly's voice calling him back-a haunting implication that the demon has either taken her or is luring him into a trap.
Unresolved Questions and Possible Answers:
1. Is Kelly truly possessed, or is the demon tricking Michael?
- The demon has shown the ability to mimic voices, so Kelly's call could be a ruse.
- Alternatively, Kelly may have been fully possessed, and the demon is using her as bait.
2. What happened to the other characters who disappeared earlier?
- They may have been killed or absorbed by the demon, their souls lost.
- Some theories suggest they're trapped in a purgatorial state within the mission.
3. Why did the Vatican cover up the failed exorcism?
- To avoid scandal or fear of the demon's power becoming widely known.
- The Church may have believed the demon was contained and didn't anticipate its return.
4. Could Michael have saved Kelly, or was her fate inevitable?
- His hesitation and guilt may have doomed her, as the demon preyed on his weaknesses.
- The ritual might have worked if performed correctly, but the demon's interference was too strong.
Personal Opinion on the Ending and the Film:
Apparition is a mixed bag of effective horror tropes and missed opportunities. The ending's ambiguity works in its favor, leaving viewers unsettled, but the buildup feels uneven. The demon's backstory is intriguing, yet the film doesn't fully explore its potential, relying too heavily on jump scares. The final scene-with Kelly's disembodied voice-is genuinely chilling, but the lack of closure might frustrate those craving a definitive resolution. Overall, it's a decent entry in the religious horror genre, though it doesn't reach the heights of classics like The Exorcist. The performances, particularly by the lead actors, elevate the material, but the script could have delved deeper into the psychological and theological themes it hints at.
Final Thoughts on the Themes:
The film's central theme-the consequences of unchecked guilt and faith-is compelling but underdeveloped. Michael's guilt over his sister's death mirrors the demon's origin as a product of human failure (the botched exorcism). This parallel could have been explored more richly to add emotional weight. The ending's bleakness underscores the idea that some evils are inescapable, a common motif in horror. However, Apparition doesn't quite stick the landing, leaving too many threads dangling. It's a movie that lingers in the mind more for its atmosphere than its storytelling, making it a flawed but occasionally memorable watch for horror fans.