The Turning (2019) Ending Explained
TL;DR
The Turning (2020) is a psychological horror film that follows Kate Mandell, a young governess hired to care for two orphaned children, Flora and Miles, in a secluded mansion. The ending is deliberately ambiguous, leaving viewers questioning whether the supernatural events are real or figments of Kate's unraveling mental state. In the final scenes, Kate attacks Flora, believing her to be possessed by the ghost of the former governess, Miss Jessel. The film cuts to black, and the final shot reveals Kate institutionalized, rocking in a chair like the ghostly figures she feared, suggesting she may have succumbed to madness or been trapped in a cycle of trauma.*
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The climax of The Turning builds to a chaotic and unsettling conclusion. Kate, increasingly paranoid about the supernatural presence of Miss Jessel and the malevolent spirit of Peter Quint, becomes convinced that Flora is possessed. In a frenzied moment, she drags Flora to the lake, mirroring the tragic fate of Miss Jessel, and attempts to "cleanse" her by submerging her in the water. This act of violence is interrupted by the arrival of Miles, who attacks Kate to protect his sister. The scene is chaotic, with Flora appearing to transform into Miss Jessel, further blurring the line between reality and hallucination. The film then abruptly cuts to black, leaving the audience in suspense about Flora's fate and Kate's sanity.
The final scene jumps forward in time, revealing Kate institutionalized in a mental hospital. She sits in a chair, rocking back and forth in the same eerie manner as the ghostly figures she once feared. This chilling visual parallel suggests that Kate has either been consumed by madness or has become another victim of the mansion's curse. The ambiguity is intentional, forcing viewers to decide whether the supernatural events were real or manifestations of Kate's psychological breakdown, possibly triggered by her own unresolved trauma from her mother's death.
Unresolved Questions and Possible Answers
Was the supernatural real or all in Kate's mind?
- Supernatural interpretation: The ghosts of Miss Jessel and Peter Quint were real, and Kate was another victim of their malevolent influence.
- Psychological interpretation: Kate's guilt and trauma over her mother's death caused her to hallucinate the ghosts and project her fears onto Flora and Miles.
What happened to Flora and Miles after the lake incident?
- They survived: Miles rescued Flora, and they escaped the mansion, leaving Kate behind as the sole casualty.
- They died: The children drowned, and Kate's institutionalization is a result of her guilt over killing them.
Why does Kate rock like the ghosts at the end?
- She's possessed: The spirits have taken over her mind, trapping her in their cycle of torment.
- She's broken: The trauma of her experiences shattered her psyche, leaving her in a catatonic state.
Personal Opinion on the Ending and the Film
The Turning is a divisive film, largely due to its abrupt and ambiguous ending. While some viewers appreciate the psychological complexity and open-ended nature of the conclusion, others find it frustratingly unresolved. Personally, I think the ambiguity works in the film's favor, as it aligns with the Gothic horror tradition of leaving audiences unsettled and questioning what was real. The performances, particularly Mackenzie Davis as Kate, are strong, and the eerie atmosphere of the mansion is effectively chilling. However, the film struggles to fully commit to either a supernatural or psychological explanation, which weakens its impact. The ending, while bold, feels rushed and could have benefited from more clarity or a stronger thematic payoff.
Final Thoughts
The Turning is a modern take on Henry James's The Turn of the Screw, and like its source material, it thrives on ambiguity. The ending refuses to provide easy answers, forcing viewers to grapple with their own interpretations of Kate's fate and the nature of the horrors she faced. While this approach won't satisfy everyone, it makes the film a compelling topic for discussion. Whether you see it as a ghost story or a descent into madness, The Turning leaves a lasting impression, even if it doesn't tie up all its loose ends neatly.