Paranormal Activity 4 (2012) Ending Explained
tl;dr:
Paranormal Activity 4 concludes with the demonic entity Toby fully possessing the young neighbor Wyatt (later revealed to be Hunter, the kidnapped child from Paranormal Activity 2). After a series of escalating supernatural events, the protagonist Alex is killed by her now-possessed boyfriend Ben, and Wyatt/Hunter is taken away by Katie (the demon-possessed antagonist from earlier films). The ending implies the continuation of Toby's reign of terror and sets up future installments, leaving many questions unanswered about the coven's involvement and the true nature of the demonic pact.*
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The finale of Paranormal Activity 4 is a chaotic and bleak culmination of the film's slow-burning horror. Throughout the movie, Alex and her family notice strange occurrences linked to their creepy neighbor boy, Wyatt. The final act reveals that Wyatt is actually Hunter, the child kidnapped by Katie in Paranormal Activity 2, now under Toby's control. The demon's influence spreads to Alex's boyfriend, Ben, who becomes violently possessed. In the climactic scene, Alex is dragged screaming into the shadows by Ben, while Wyatt calmly watches-confirming his role as Toby's vessel. The film ends with Katie arriving to take Wyatt/Hunter away, reinforcing the cyclical nature of the franchise's demonic curse.
Unresolved Questions and Possible Answers
- Who are the mysterious neighbors, and what is their connection to the coven?
- They might be cult members tasked with protecting Toby's vessel (Wyatt/Hunter).
- Alternatively, they could be unaware pawns in Toby's larger plan.
- Why does Toby need Hunter/Wyatt specifically?
- Hunter could be a genetically significant child (hinted at in PA2 as part of a bloodline pact).
- Toby may require a young, malleable host to fully manifest in the physical world.
- What happened to Alex's family after her death?
- They were likely killed or disappeared, as the franchise often leaves secondary characters' fates ambiguous.
- The police may have covered it up, given the series' theme of mundane authorities ignoring supernatural events.
Thematic Significance of the Ending
The ending reinforces the franchise's core themes: inevitability and the futility of resisting demonic forces. Alex's attempts to protect Wyatt/Hunter are futile because Toby's influence was already entrenched. The cyclical nature of the curse - Katie reclaiming Hunter-mirrors the repetitive, inescapable horror of the series. The use of found footage amplifies the helplessness, as the audience witnesses events through the lens of doomed characters. The ending also serves as a bridge to Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones, which expands on the coven's mythology.
Personal Opinion on the Ending and Film
Paranormal Activity 4 is one of the weaker entries in the franchise, relying too heavily on jump scares and failing to innovate beyond its predecessors. However, the ending is effectively chilling, particularly the reveal of Wyatt's true identity and Ben's sudden possession. The lack of closure is frustrating but fitting for a series built on lingering dread. Katie's return is a nice callback, but the film's middle section drags, diluting the impact of the finale. It's a serviceable horror movie but pales in comparison to the original's minimalist terror.
Legacy and Franchise Connections
The ending's tie to PA2 and The Marked Ones highlights the series' attempt to build a cohesive mythology, albeit convoluted. Toby's obsession with Hunter suggests a larger plan, possibly explored in later films (PA: The Ghost Dimension hints at this). The coven's role remains nebulous, leaving room for speculation. While PA4 doesn't resolve much, it reinforces the idea that Toby's evil is an unstoppable force, a theme that resonates across the franchise. The ending's ambiguity is both its strength and weakness-terrifying for some, unsatisfying for others.
Final Thought: Paranormal Activity 4's ending is a grim reminder that Toby always wins, and the audience is left to ponder the unanswered horrors lurking just offscreen.