The Lighthouse (2019) Ending Explained

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By Max Framewell
July 13, 2025

tl;dr: The Lighthouse (2019) concludes with Ephraim Winslow (Robert Pattinson) being dragged into the titular lighthouse by Thomas Wake (Willem Dafoe) before being consumed by seagulls. The ambiguous ending suggests Winslow's descent into madness, his punishment for killing Wake, or a supernatural transformation tied to the lighthouse's mystical power. The film leaves key questions about reality, identity, and mythology unresolved, cementing its status as a surreal psychological horror masterpiece.


The Final Moments: A Descent into Madness or Myth?

The ending of The Lighthouse is a chaotic, nightmarish crescendo that blurs the lines between reality and hallucination. After Ephraim (or "Thomas," if his stolen identity is believed) murders Wake in a fit of rage, he finally ascends the lighthouse stairs-a forbidden act he has been obsessing over. Inside, he discovers a glowing, otherworldly light that either drives him insane, kills him, or transforms him into a new keeper of the lighthouse. The final shot shows his naked body being pecked apart by seagulls, echoing Wake's earlier warning that harming a seabird brings a sailor's curse.

This conclusion suggests multiple interpretations:
1. Psychological Breakdown: Everything after Wake's death could be Winslow's final hallucinations as he succumbs to isolation, alcoholism, and guilt. The light may symbolize his fractured psyche.
2. Supernatural Punishment: The lighthouse might be a cursed or divine entity, punishing Winslow for his sins (murder, lying about his past, killing the seagull). The light could be a portal to another realm.
3. Mythological Rebirth: Winslow becomes the next "keeper," trapped in an endless cycle like Prometheus or a Greek tragedy figure. The seagulls' attack mirrors the fate of the mythical sailor who wronged the gods.


Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers

  1. Is Winslow really Thomas Howard, or was he lying?

    • Answer 1: He's a fugitive assuming a dead man's identity (supported by the "bad luck to kill a seabird" parallel).
    • Answer 2: He's delusional, and "Ephraim" is a fabricated persona.
  2. What is the light in the lighthouse?

    • Answer 1: A divine or Lovecraftian entity (the lens's eye-like design hints at a cosmic horror).
    • Answer 2: A metaphor for enlightenment or madness-like staring into the sun.
  3. Did Wake know Winslow's secret?

    • Answer 1: Yes-his taunts ("Why'd ya spill yer beans?") imply he's aware.
    • Answer 2: No-he's just a drunk old man projecting his own guilt.
  4. Are the mermaids, tentacles, and visions real?

    • Answer 1: Supernatural forces are at work (the lighthouse is cursed).
    • Answer 2: All hallucinations from kerosene, alcohol, and isolation.

Themes & Symbolism: A Greek Tragedy on the Rocks

The ending reinforces the film's themes of obsession, power, and mythological doom. The lighthouse itself is a phallic symbol of dominance (Wake's control over it mirrors his psychological grip on Winslow). The seagulls represent guilt - Winslow's murder of one (a stand-in for his past crimes) ensures his horrific fate. The circular structure (the film begins and ends with a keeper's demise) suggests an inescapable cycle, much like Sisyphus or the Furies of Greek myth.

Director Robert Eggers layers references to Proteus, Prometheus, and sailor folklore, implying Winslow is both a modern man and an ancient archetype. The black-and-white cinematography and 4:3 aspect ratio trap the viewer in the same claustrophobic nightmare as the characters.


Personal Opinion: A Masterpiece of Ambiguity

The Lighthouse is one of the most unsettling and brilliant films of the 2010s. The ending refuses easy answers, which will frustrate some but feels perfect for the story. Pattinson and Dafoe deliver career-best performances, and the film's oppressive atmosphere-sea shanties, foghorns, and grotesque imagery-lingers long after. I lean toward the supernatural interpretation: the lighthouse is a cursed place that drives men mad, and Winslow's fate was sealed the moment he arrived. However, the psychological reading is equally valid, making it a rare film that rewards multiple viewings.


Final Verdict: Why the Ambiguity Works

The lack of a clear resolution isn't a flaw but the point-madness and myth resist logic. Eggers crafts a film that feels like a forgotten folktale, where the moral is murky and the horror is existential. Whether you see it as a descent into insanity, a supernatural reckoning, or a grim fable about toxic masculinity, The Lighthouse's ending is unforgettable. It's a film that demands dissection, debate, and maybe a stiff drink afterward.

Rating: 5/5 – A nightmarish, poetic, and visually stunning work of art.