The Water Man Ending Explained
TL;DR
The Water Man (2020) is a heartfelt fantasy-drama about a young boy named Gunner Boone who embarks on a dangerous quest to find a mythical figure called "The Water Man," hoping to save his terminally ill mother. In the climax, Gunner and a runaway girl named Jo venture into the woods, facing perilous challenges. Ultimately, Gunner learns that The Water Man is not a magical savior but a grieving father who lost his family. The film concludes with Gunner accepting his mother's impending death while finding solace in the time he has left with her. The ending emphasizes themes of love, grief, and the power of storytelling.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The ending of The Water Man brings Gunner's emotional journey full circle. After believing in the legend of The Water Man-a ghostly figure who supposedly holds the secret to immortality - Gunner risks everything to find him. Accompanied by Jo, a rebellious girl with her own troubled past, Gunner navigates treacherous woods, facing wildfires and near-death experiences. When they finally encounter The Water Man, they discover he is not a supernatural being but a broken man named Harold, who drowned his family in grief after losing them. This revelation shatters Gunner's hope for a miracle cure for his mother, Mary, who is suffering from leukemia.
In the final act, Gunner returns home, realizing that no legend can change reality. His father, Amos, who had been emotionally distant due to his own fears, finally opens up to his son. The Boone family reconciles, choosing to cherish the remaining time they have together rather than chase impossible solutions. The film closes with Gunner reading a story to his mother, symbolizing how storytelling helps him process grief and keep her memory alive. The bittersweet ending underscores that while death is inevitable, love and memories endure.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
What was the true nature of The Water Man?
- The Water Man was never supernatural-he was a grieving man whose tragic past became a local legend.
- His presence in the woods may have been a metaphor for how grief traps people in cycles of despair.
Did Jo ever reunite with her family?
- The film implies Jo returns home, but her future is left ambiguous.
- Given her resilience, she likely mended her relationship with her parents or found a better path.
Could Gunner's mother have been saved if he found The Water Man sooner?
- No - The Water Man had no real power over life and death.
- The journey was more about Gunner's emotional growth than a literal cure.
What was the significance of the wildfire?
- The fire represented the destructive nature of denial and desperation.
- It also forced Gunner to confront mortality rather than escape it.
Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film
The Water Man delivers a poignant, emotionally resonant conclusion that avoids clichés. While it flirts with fantasy, the story remains grounded in human emotion, making its themes of loss and acceptance deeply affecting. The reveal that The Water Man is just a man, not a miracle-worker, is a powerful lesson-sometimes, healing comes not from defying death but from embracing life's impermanence. The performances, particularly Lonnie Chavis as Gunner and David Oyelowo (who also directed) as Amos, add layers of authenticity.
My only critique is that the pacing drags in places, and some side characters (like Jo) could have been developed further. However, the film's sincerity and emotional depth make up for these flaws. The ending is neither overly tragic nor unrealistically hopeful-it strikes a delicate balance, leaving viewers with a sense of catharsis rather than despair.
Final Thoughts
The Water Man is a beautifully crafted coming-of-age tale that blends fantasy with harsh reality. Its ending doesn't offer easy answers but instead teaches that facing grief with love is the only way to truly heal. The film's strength lies in its honesty, making it a touching meditation on family, hope, and the stories we tell to make sense of life's hardest moments.