Major Arcana (2018) Ending Explained
TL;DR: Major Arcana (2019) is a psychological drama about Dink, a grieving carpenter who returns to his rural hometown after his father's death. The film explores themes of grief, addiction, and isolation through Dink's strained relationship with Sierra, a struggling single mother. The ambiguous ending sees Dink possibly hallucinating or spiritually connecting with his father while working on a cabin in the woods, leaving his fate uncertain. The film suggests that closure is elusive, and healing is a nonlinear process.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The ending of Major Arcana is deliberately ambiguous, leaving viewers to interpret whether Dink has found peace or succumbed to his inner turmoil. After a series of tense interactions with Sierra-who represents both a chance at redemption and a reminder of his failures - Dink retreats into the woods to build a cabin, a project tied to his late father. In the final moments, he appears to see his father's ghost (or hallucination), suggesting either a spiritual connection or a mental breakdown. The film doesn't provide clear answers, instead emphasizing the cyclical nature of grief and the difficulty of escaping one's past.
Symbolism & Themes
The title Major Arcana references tarot cards, hinting at fate, transformation, and unseen forces shaping Dink's journey. The unfinished cabin symbolizes his fractured psyche-something he keeps trying to rebuild but never completes. His father's ghost (or vision) could represent unresolved guilt, a longing for paternal approval, or an omen of death. The snowy, desolate landscape mirrors Dink's emotional isolation, while Sierra and her son serve as potential lifelines he struggles to grasp. The film's slow, meditative pacing reinforces the idea that healing isn't a quick fix but a painful, ongoing process.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Interpretations
- Does Dink die at the end?
- Yes: His vision of his father could be a death hallucination, implying he freezes or gives up.
- No: It might be a moment of acceptance, where he finally connects with his father's memory.
- What is the significance of the cabin?
- It represents Dink's attempt to reclaim his father's legacy.
- Its incompleteness mirrors his inability to move on.
- Is Sierra's presence redemptive or destructive?
- She could be a chance for Dink to break his cycle of self-destruction.
- Or, her instability might drag him deeper into despair.
Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film
Major Arcana is a haunting, understated film that lingers long after the credits roll. The ending's ambiguity is its strength-it refuses easy answers, much like grief itself. While some may find the lack of resolution frustrating, I appreciated its honesty about how trauma isn't neatly resolved. The performances, particularly by Ujon Tokarski (Dink), are raw and compelling. However, the film's slow pace might not appeal to everyone. Ultimately, it's a melancholic but beautiful meditation on loss, and the ending leaves just enough room for hope-or devastation-depending on how you view Dink's final moments.
Final Thoughts
Whether Dink finds closure or collapses under the weight of his sorrow is left to the viewer. The film suggests that some wounds never fully heal, and the ghosts of our pasts-literal or metaphorical-are always nearby. Major Arcana doesn't offer a triumphant climax but instead a quiet, contemplative ending that feels true to its characters' struggles. It's a film about the spaces between life and death, connection and isolation, and whether redemption is ever truly within reach.