The Seventh Day (2020) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The Seventh Day (2021) is a horror film about a rookie exorcist, Father Daniel Garcia, who teams up with veteran exorcist Father Peter Costello to investigate a demonic possession case. The movie culminates in a brutal exorcism where Father Peter is revealed to be a former priest who lost his faith after failing to save a possessed boy years earlier. In the finale, Father Daniel successfully performs the exorcism, but Father Peter, consumed by guilt and darkness, commits suicide. The ending suggests that evil persists, and Father Daniel, though victorious, is left scarred by the experience. The film explores themes of faith, redemption, and the cyclical nature of evil.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
The climax of The Seventh Day centers on the exorcism of a young boy named Lucas, who is possessed by a powerful demon. Father Daniel, initially inexperienced, must confront the demon while grappling with his own faith. Meanwhile, Father Peter, a hardened exorcist, reveals his tragic backstory: years earlier, he failed to save another boy from possession, leading to the boy's death and Peter's loss of faith. This failure haunts him, and his cynicism and despair become a liability during the exorcism. As the ritual intensifies, the demon taunts Peter, exploiting his guilt and driving him to the brink of madness.
In the final confrontation, Father Daniel, relying on his renewed faith, manages to expel the demon from Lucas. However, Father Peter, unable to overcome his inner demons, shoots himself in despair. His death is a stark reminder of the psychological toll of battling evil. The film ends with Father Daniel leaving the church, visibly shaken but resolute. The closing scenes imply that while he succeeded in this battle, the war against evil is far from over. A lingering shot of another possessed individual hints at the cyclical nature of demonic forces, suggesting that Father Daniel's journey is just beginning.
Unresolved Questions:
1. What happened to Lucas after the exorcism?
- The film doesn't show his recovery, leaving his fate ambiguous.
- It's possible he was traumatized but physically unharmed.
2. Why did Father Peter's guilt overwhelm him?
- His past failure was too heavy a burden, and the demon preyed on his weakness.
- His lack of faith made him vulnerable to despair.
3. Will Father Daniel continue as an exorcist?
- His resolve at the end suggests he will, but the emotional cost is unclear.
- The final scene implies he's destined for more battles.
4. Is the demon truly gone, or will it return?
- The ending hints that evil is persistent and may resurface.
- The possessed woman in the final shot suggests the demonic force is still active.
Personal Opinion:
The Seventh Day delivers a bleak but thought-provoking ending that emphasizes the psychological and spiritual costs of confronting evil. While the exorcism itself is somewhat conventional, the film's focus on Father Peter's tragic arc adds depth. His suicide is a powerful commentary on how unresolved guilt can destroy even the strongest individuals. Father Daniel's victory feels hollow because the film underscores that evil is never truly defeated-it merely shifts form. The ambiguous ending leaves room for interpretation, but it also feels unsatisfying in terms of closure. Overall, the movie is a decent addition to the exorcism genre, though it lacks the originality of classics like The Exorcist.
Final Thoughts:
The ending of The Seventh Day is a mix of triumph and tragedy. Father Daniel's success comes at a high price, and the film's somber tone lingers long after the credits roll. The exploration of faith and despair is compelling, but the execution could have been more nuanced. The unresolved questions and cyclical nature of evil make the ending feel incomplete, yet thematically consistent. For fans of religious horror, it's worth a watch, but it doesn't break new ground. The real horror lies not in the demon, but in the human capacity for self-destruction when faced with unimaginable darkness.