It Comes at Night (2017) Ending Explained

tl;dr: The ending of It Comes at Night is a bleak, ambiguous conclusion to a psychological horror film about paranoia and survival during an apocalyptic pandemic. After a series of escalating tensions between two families sharing a secluded home, the protagonist, Paul, accidentally kills a young boy, Travis, in a moment of panic. The film ends with the remaining family members grieving, their trust shattered, and the unseen threat of the disease lingering. The finale leaves the true nature of the titular "it" open to interpretation, suggesting that the real horror is human nature itself.

Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
The final act of It Comes at Night culminates in a devastating breakdown of trust between the two families. After Will's son, Andrew, is discovered infected with the mysterious disease, Paul and his family believe Will and his wife, Kim, have betrayed them by hiding the illness. In a chaotic nighttime confrontation, Paul shoots and kills Travis, his own son, mistaking him for an intruder. This moment is the tragic climax of the film's themes of fear and distrust. The remaining family members - Paul, his wife Sarah, and their dog, Stanley-are left to grapple with the horror of what they've done, as the film fades to black with Sarah's agonized screams.

The ending deliberately avoids providing clear answers about the nature of the titular "it." While the film's marketing suggested a supernatural or monstrous threat, the real antagonist is the characters' own paranoia and the brutal choices they make to survive. The disease is almost secondary to the psychological terror of isolation and suspicion. The final shot of the red door, now left open, symbolizes the irreversible breach of safety and the inevitability of death-whether from the disease or from human violence.

Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers:
1. What is "it" that comes at night?
- The disease itself, spreading unseen.
- The fear and paranoia that drive the characters to violence.
- A metaphorical representation of death.
2. Did Will and Kim know Andrew was infected?
- Yes, they hid it to protect themselves.
- No, they were unaware until it was too late.
3. What happens to Paul and Sarah after the ending?
- They succumb to grief or the disease.
- They continue surviving, but broken.

Personal Opinion:
It Comes at Night is a masterclass in slow-burning horror, relying on atmosphere and human frailty rather than jump scares. The ending is devastating because it underscores how easily survival instincts can destroy the very things we aim to protect. The ambiguity of "it" is frustrating for some viewers, but it's also the film's greatest strength-forcing us to confront the idea that the real monster is us. While not a conventionally satisfying conclusion, it's one that lingers, making the film a standout in psychological horror. The tragic irony of Travis's death-killed by his own father's fear-is haunting and thematically resonant.

Final Thoughts:
The film's ending leaves audiences with a sense of hopelessness, emphasizing that in a world without trust, survival may not be worth the cost. The sparse storytelling and eerie cinematography amplify the dread, making It Comes at Night a deeply unsettling experience. Whether the "it" is the disease, human nature, or death itself, the message is clear: in the face of existential terror, our worst enemy is often ourselves. The film's refusal to provide closure makes it a polarizing but unforgettable piece of horror cinema.