Mom and Dad (2017) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The ending of Mom and Dad (2017) is a chaotic and darkly comedic climax where parents, under the influence of a mysterious mass hysteria, violently turn against their own children. The film concludes with protagonist Carly (Anne Winters) and her younger brother Josh (Zackary Arthur) barely surviving their parents' murderous rampage, only to realize the hysteria is spreading globally. The final scenes leave their fate ambiguous, hinting at a world where parental instincts have been horrifically inverted. The movie blends horror, satire, and social commentary, leaving unanswered questions about the cause of the phenomenon and whether humanity can recover.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The finale of Mom and Dad escalates into a frenzied battle for survival as Carly and Josh fend off their once-loving parents, Brent (Nicolas Cage) and Kendall (Selma Blair), who have succumbed to a bizarre, unexplained compulsion to kill their offspring. The climax occurs in their home, where Carly outsmarts her parents by trapping Brent in the basement and locking Kendall in a closet. The siblings barely escape, but the film's closing moments reveal that the phenomenon isn't isolated-news reports show similar outbreaks worldwide, suggesting a global collapse of parental bonds. The last shot lingers on Carly and Josh driving away, their future uncertain, as society crumbles around them.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Explanations
What caused the parental hysteria?
- Supernatural force: The film hints at an otherworldly influence, possibly a curse or viral meme that rewires parental instincts.
- Satirical metaphor: It could symbolize societal breakdown, where generational resentment erupts into violence.
- Biological weapon: A government or corporate experiment gone wrong, though this is never confirmed.
Will Carly and Josh survive long-term?
- No: The global scale of the outbreak implies resources will vanish, leading to their eventual demise.
- Yes: Their resilience suggests they might adapt, forming alliances with other surviving children.
Is there a cure or end to the hysteria?
- The film offers no solution, leaving it open-ended-either the madness burns out, or humanity is doomed.
Themes & Social Commentary
Mom and Dad uses its absurd premise to critique modern parenthood, societal pressures, and the latent violence beneath suburban facades. The ending underscores the fragility of familial bonds when primal instincts override rationality. By leaving the cause ambiguous, the film forces viewers to reflect on real-world anxieties: generational conflict, parental resentment, and the fear of losing control. The dark humor (e.g., Nicolas Cage's unhinged performance) contrasts with the horror, making the ending both shocking and darkly funny.
Personal Opinion
The ending of Mom and Dad is brilliantly unsettling because it refuses tidy resolution. The abrupt cut to global chaos amplifies the horror, suggesting no one is safe. Nicolas Cage's manic energy and Selma Blair's chilling calm make their characters' descent into madness compelling. However, the lack of backstory for the hysteria might frustrate some viewers. I appreciate the ambiguity-it transforms the film from a simple horror flick into a provocative satire about societal collapse. The final scene, with Carly and Josh fleeing into an uncertain future, lingers in the mind, leaving you to ponder whether hope exists in such a world.
Final Thoughts
Mom and Dad's ending is a masterclass in balancing horror and dark comedy. It doesn't provide easy answers, instead opting for a bleak, open-ended conclusion that mirrors the unpredictability of its premise. The film's strength lies in its willingness to embrace chaos, both narratively and tonally. While some might crave more closure, the ambiguity reinforces its themes-sometimes, the scariest thing is not knowing why or how things fell apart. The final image of two kids alone in a world that's turned against them is haunting, a stark reminder of how thin the veneer of civilization really is.