Blame (2017) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The ending of Blame! (2017), based on Tsutomu Nihei's manga, is a bleak yet hopeful conclusion to Killy's journey through the dystopian megastructure known as "The City." After battling the Silicon Creatures and aiding the remnants of humanity, Killy finally locates the Net Terminal Gene-a key to restoring control over the rogue AI systems. However, the film leaves his ultimate fate ambiguous, emphasizing the cyclical nature of survival in this unforgiving world. The ending underscores themes of perseverance, the cost of technological advancement, and humanity's fragile existence in a post-apocalyptic nightmare.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
The climax of Blame! sees Killy, the enigmatic protagonist, finally achieving his mission: locating a human with the Net Terminal Gene, a genetic marker that can communicate with and potentially control the City's rogue AI systems. This discovery occurs after a brutal battle against the Silicon Creatures, which have been exterminating humans to prevent the spread of the Net Terminal Gene. Killy's journey is one of relentless determination, and the ending reflects both the cost of his quest and the faint glimmer of hope it brings. The final scenes show the surviving humans, led by Zuru and her group, using the gene to temporarily halt the City's hostile systems, allowing them a brief respite. However, the film doesn't provide a neat resolution-instead, it leaves Killy's fate uncertain, hinting that his journey may continue indefinitely.
Themes and Symbolism:
The ending of Blame! is deeply rooted in its themes of isolation, technological decay, and the struggle for survival. The City itself is a character-an endless, self-replicating megastructure that has grown beyond human control, symbolizing the dangers of unchecked technological growth. Killy's ambiguous fate mirrors the cyclical nature of the world: even as one battle ends, the larger war against the City's chaos continues. The discovery of the Net Terminal Gene offers a sliver of hope, but it's clear that humanity's survival is precarious at best. The film's bleak tone suggests that true victory is impossible in this world, only momentary reprieves.
Unresolved Questions and Possible Answers:
1. What happens to Killy after the ending?
- He continues his journey, searching for more humans with the Net Terminal Gene.
- He sacrifices himself to ensure the gene's survival, dying off-screen.
- He becomes a permanent guardian of the remaining humans, though his stoic nature makes this unlikely.
Can humanity truly reclaim the City?
- No, the City is too vast and too far gone for any meaningful reclamation.
- Yes, but it would require generations of effort and cooperation with the AI.
- The Net Terminal Gene is only a temporary solution, and the City will eventually adapt.
What is the ultimate fate of the Silicon Creatures?
- They are indefinitely suppressed but not eradicated.
- They evolve beyond their original programming, becoming an even greater threat.
- They are eventually repurposed by humans with the Net Terminal Gene.
Personal Opinion on the Ending and the Film:
The ending of Blame! is a fitting conclusion to its grim, atmospheric narrative. While some viewers might crave a more definitive resolution, the ambiguity reinforces the film's themes of endless struggle and the insignificance of individual lives in the face of an uncaring universe. Killy's character-silent, relentless, and seemingly unkillable-embodies the harsh reality of this world, where hope is scarce but not entirely extinguished. Visually, the film is stunning, with its oppressive architecture and eerie silence creating a sense of scale and desolation. However, the pacing can feel slow, and the sparse dialogue might not appeal to everyone. Overall, Blame! is a thought-provoking piece of cyberpunk fiction, and its ending lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.
Final Thoughts:
Blame! doesn't offer easy answers or a triumphant finale. Instead, it presents a world where survival is the only victory, and even that is fleeting. The ending is a reflection of the film's core philosophy: in a universe where humanity has been reduced to scattered remnants, the fight to endure is both heroic and futile. Killy's journey is emblematic of this struggle, and while his story may never truly end, the film's conclusion leaves viewers with a haunting, unforgettable impression of a civilization teetering on the edge of oblivion.