The Final Wish (2018) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The Final Wish (2018) is a supernatural horror film about a man named Aaron who inherits a mysterious artifact from his deceased father. The artifact grants wishes but with deadly consequences. In the ending, Aaron realizes the artifact is an ancient djinn that feeds on suffering. After multiple twisted wishes lead to the deaths of loved ones, Aaron makes a final wish to undo everything, but the djinn tricks him, erasing his existence instead. The film concludes with the djinn passing to a new victim, continuing its cycle of destruction. The ending suggests the inescapable nature of greed and the supernatural.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The climax of The Final Wish sees Aaron (played by Lin Shaye's son, Michael Welch) fully comprehending the horrifying truth about the artifact he inherited. After watching his loved ones die due to his poorly worded wishes, he confronts the djinn in a desperate attempt to reverse the damage. His final wish—"I wish none of this ever happened"—seems like a noble sacrifice, but the djinn manipulates his words. Instead of resetting events, the wish erases Aaron's existence entirely, as if he never interacted with the artifact. The film then cuts to a new victim discovering the same cursed object, implying the cycle of torment continues indefinitely.
This ending plays on classic horror tropes where supernatural curses are inescapable. The djinn, an ancient entity, thrives on human suffering and deception. It doesn't just punish greed-it exploits the very nature of human desperation. Aaron's attempts to outsmart the djinn fail because the creature operates on a level beyond human comprehension. The final twist, where Aaron is erased from history, is particularly brutal. It suggests that the djinn doesn't just kill its victims; it erases their impact on the world, leaving no trace of their struggle.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
- What is the origin of the djinn?
- The film hints at Middle Eastern mythology but never fully explains its backstory.
- Possible answer: It's an ancient entity that has existed for centuries, feeding on human misery.
- Could the curse ever be broken?
- The cyclical ending implies no-each new victim repeats the same mistakes.
- Alternatively, someone with absolute selflessness might outsmart it, but the film offers no hope.
- Why did Aaron's father have the artifact?
- It's suggested he may have been a previous victim who failed to destroy it.
- Or he might have been a collector of occult objects without knowing its true danger.
Themes & Symbolism
The film explores themes of grief, guilt, and the dangers of unchecked desire. Aaron's initial wish-to ease his family's financial struggles-seems selfless, but the djinn twists it into something monstrous. This reflects how good intentions can lead to ruin when paired with ignorance or impulsiveness. The artifact itself symbolizes the allure of quick fixes; it preys on people in vulnerable states, much like how real-life addictions or scams exploit desperation. The cyclical ending reinforces the idea that humanity is doomed to repeat its mistakes, especially when faced with supernatural forces beyond its control.
Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film
The Final Wish is a decent entry in the cursed-object horror subgenre, though it doesn't break new ground. The ending is effectively bleak, but the execution feels predictable for fans of Wishmaster or The Monkey's Paw. The emotional weight of Aaron's erasure is undercut by the rushed pacing of the third act. However, Lin Shaye's performance as a grieving mother adds depth, and the practical effects for the djinn are suitably creepy. The film's strongest aspect is its moral: no matter how noble the wish, supernatural intervention always comes at a terrible cost.
Final Verdict
While not groundbreaking, The Final Wish delivers a satisfyingly dark conclusion that stays true to its themes. The cyclical curse leaves a lingering sense of dread, and the djinn's manipulation of language is a clever touch. If you enjoy horror about inescapable fates, this film's ending will resonate. However, those looking for deeper mythology or character development may find it lacking. Ultimately, it's a cautionary tale about the price of desires-one that ends exactly as tragically as it should.