Cold Skin (2017) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
Cold Skin (2017) is a dark fantasy horror film set in 1914 about a weather observer named Friend who arrives on a remote island only to discover it's inhabited by amphibious humanoid creatures. The ending reveals that the creatures, led by their queen, are more intelligent and organized than initially thought. After a climactic battle, Friend chooses to stay on the island with Aneris, a female creature he has formed a bond with, while his nemesis, Gruner, is killed. The film ends ambiguously, suggesting a cyclical nature of violence and the possibility of coexistence between humans and the creatures.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The ending of Cold Skin is a culmination of the film's themes of isolation, survival, and the blurred line between humanity and monstrosity. After months of nightly battles against the amphibious creatures, Friend (David Oakes) and Gruner (Ray Stevenson) are forced to confront the creatures' queen during a final assault. Gruner, who has spent years killing the creatures out of hatred and fear, is brutally killed by them, symbolizing the consequences of relentless violence. Friend, however, survives because of his bond with Aneris, a female creature he has sheltered and protected. This relationship challenges the film's initial portrayal of the creatures as mindless monsters, revealing them as sentient beings capable of emotion and loyalty.
The film's climax is a stark commentary on the cyclical nature of conflict. The creatures' attack is not random but a coordinated retaliation against Gruner's years of slaughter. Friend's decision to spare Aneris and later protect her from Gruner's wrath redefines the dynamics of the story. By the end, the lighthouse-once a symbol of human dominance-becomes a tomb for Gruner, while Friend chooses to remain on the island with Aneris, accepting his place in this strange, violent ecosystem. The final shot of Friend sitting beside Aneris, watching the sunrise, implies a fragile truce between man and monster, though the future remains uncertain.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
- What is the true nature of the creatures?
- They may be an ancient species displaced by human expansion.
- They could be supernatural beings tied to the island's isolation.
- Why did Aneris bond with Friend?
- She recognized his capacity for empathy, unlike Gruner.
- She may have been a captive seeking survival, similar to Friend.
- What happens after the ending?
- Friend and Aneris establish a peaceful coexistence.
- The creatures may eventually overrun the island, leaving Friend's fate ambiguous.
Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film
Cold Skin is a visually stunning and thematically rich film that subverts traditional monster-movie tropes. The ending is hauntingly ambiguous, refusing to provide easy answers about whether Friend's choice is noble or foolish. His decision to stay with Aneris suggests a rejection of humanity's destructive tendencies, but the film doesn't romanticize this-instead, it lingers on the cost of such a choice. Gruner's death serves as a warning against dehumanizing the "other," while Friend's survival hints at the possibility of understanding across species. The film's bleak tone and moral complexity make it a standout in the genre, though its slow pacing may not appeal to everyone. Ultimately, Cold Skin leaves viewers with unsettling questions about violence, loneliness, and what it truly means to be a monster.
Final Thoughts
The ending of Cold Skin is a powerful meditation on isolation and the thin veneer of civilization. By abandoning the lighthouse-and by extension, human society - Friend embraces a new identity, one that exists outside traditional moral frameworks. The film suggests that monstrosity is not inherent but shaped by circumstance, and its ambiguous conclusion ensures that the story lingers in the mind long after the credits roll. Whether interpreted as a tragic fable or a darkly hopeful tale, Cold Skin delivers a thought-provoking finale that challenges viewers to reconsider who the real monsters are.