Nocturne (2020) Ending Explained
TL;DR: The ending of Nocturne (2020) sees Juliet, a talented but overshadowed pianist, achieving her dark ambition of replacing her sister Vivian as the star musician, only to succumb to the supernatural forces she bargained with. After murdering Vivian and performing her sister's concerto flawlessly, Juliet is consumed by guilt and hallucinations, ultimately leaping to her death from a balcony. The film's finale suggests that the demonic pact she made was never truly about talent but about self-destruction, leaving audiences to ponder whether Juliet's fate was inevitable or a tragic consequence of her envy and desperation.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
The climax of Nocturne revolves around Juliet's final performance at her music academy, where she plays Vivian's concerto with eerie perfection. This moment is the culmination of her obsession with surpassing her sister, fueled by the supernatural notebook she discovered earlier in the film. The notebook, implied to belong to a deceased classmate who made a demonic pact for talent, grants Juliet extraordinary skill but at a horrific cost. As she plays, the camera lingers on her ecstatic yet haunted expression, highlighting the duality of her achievement-she's finally the best, but only through violence and supernatural intervention. The performance ends with thunderous applause, but Juliet's triumph is hollow. She retreats to a balcony, where Vivian's ghost appears, taunting her with the truth: Juliet's talent was never hers to claim. Overwhelmed by guilt and the weight of her actions, Juliet jumps to her death, mirroring the notebook's original owner's fate. The final shot lingers on the notebook, now waiting for its next victim, underscoring the cyclical nature of destructive ambition.
Unresolved Questions and Possible Answers:
1. What was the true nature of the notebook?
- It could be a demonic artifact that preys on artists' insecurities, offering talent in exchange for their souls.
- Alternatively, it might be a psychological manifestation of Juliet's self-destructive envy, with no supernatural elements at all.
2. Did Juliet ever have real talent, or was it all the notebook's influence?
- Her early struggles suggest she lacked innate genius, but her dedication hints at potential the notebook merely unlocked.
- The film leaves open whether her final performance was her own skill or entirely supernatural.
3. Why did Vivian's ghost appear?
- It could be a hallucination stemming from Juliet's guilt, or a real specter ensuring the pact's completion.
- Another interpretation is that Vivian's presence symbolizes Juliet's internalized self-loathing.
Themes and Symbolism:
Nocturne explores themes of envy, self-worth, and the corrupting nature of ambition. Juliet's journey mirrors the Faustian bargain-selling one's soul for greatness-but with a twist: her desire isn't just for talent, but for recognition. The notebook symbolizes the toxic allure of shortcuts to success, while the music academy's competitive environment amplifies Juliet's insecurities. The recurring motif of mirrors and reflections underscores her fractured identity; she doesn't want to be great, she wants to be Vivian. The ending's ambiguity-whether the supernatural was real or a projection of her psyche-invites debate about the source of her downfall. Was it the demonic pact, or was she always destined to self-destruct under the pressure of comparison?
Personal Opinion:
Nocturne's ending is a haunting, if somewhat predictable, conclusion to a visually striking psychological horror. While the Faustian trope isn't new, the film's focus on sibling rivalry and artistic insecurity gives it a fresh edge. Sydney Sweeney's performance as Juliet is compelling, capturing the character's descent into madness with chilling precision. However, the pacing falters in the second act, and the supernatural elements could have been more fleshed out. The finale's abruptness works in its favor, leaving a lingering sense of unease, but it might frustrate viewers seeking clearer answers. Ultimately, Nocturne succeeds as a cautionary tale about the dangers of measuring self-worth through others' achievements, even if it doesn't fully transcend its genre conventions.
Final Thoughts:
The film's strength lies in its atmosphere and central performance, though its narrative could have delved deeper into the mythology of the notebook. The ending's bleakness is effective, but it raises more questions than it answers-a double-edged sword for horror fans. Whether interpreted as a supernatural thriller or a psychological character study, Nocturne leaves a lasting impression about the price of ambition and the emptiness of success won through darkness. The notebook's final appearance suggests the cycle will continue, a grim reminder that Juliet's story is just one of many in a world where artistry and obsession collide.