Tusk (2014) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The ending of Tusk (2014), directed by Kevin Smith, is a disturbing culmination of body horror and psychological torment. The protagonist, Wallace Bryton, is surgically transformed into a walrus by the deranged Howard Howe, who believes Wallace is his reincarnated walrus companion from his past. After a brutal fight, Wallace is left permanently disfigured, mentally broken, and confined to a zoo enclosure, where his friend Teddy and ex-girlfriend Ally reluctantly accept his new existence. The film concludes with a surreal and unsettling tone, leaving audiences questioning the limits of humanity, identity, and revenge.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The final act of Tusk is a harrowing descent into madness and irreversible transformation. After Wallace Bryton, a podcaster, is lured to Howard Howe's secluded mansion under false pretenses, Howe drugs him and begins a grotesque surgical process to turn him into a walrus. The climax occurs when Wallace, now fully transformed into a monstrous human-walrus hybrid, is forced to fight Howe in a brutal, animalistic brawl. Howe, who believes he is reuniting with his long-lost walrus companion, dies in the struggle, but Wallace is left mutilated, mentally shattered, and unable to return to his human life.
The ending scene shifts to a zoo, where Wallace is displayed in an enclosure as a tragic spectacle. His friend Teddy and ex-girlfriend Ally visit him, horrified yet resigned to his fate. In a heartbreaking moment, Wallace-now fully identifying as the walrus "Mr. Tusk"—reaches out to them, but they recoil in terror. The final shot lingers on Wallace's inhuman eyes, suggesting that his humanity has been erased not just physically but psychologically. The film closes with a haunting ambiguity, forcing viewers to grapple with the horror of lost identity and the cruelty of Howe's experiment.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
Did Wallace truly lose his humanity, or is some part of him still aware?
- The film suggests that Wallace's mind has been broken, as he now responds only to walrus-like stimuli (e.g., fish being thrown to him).
- Alternatively, his reaching out to Ally may imply a flicker of recognition, but his transformation is too far gone to reverse.
What was the deeper meaning behind Howe's obsession with walruses?
- Howe's backstory about being saved by a walrus at sea hints at a warped sense of gratitude mixed with madness.
- Some interpretations suggest Howe's actions were a metaphor for how trauma can twist love into something monstrous.
Why did Teddy and Ally ultimately abandon Wallace?
- They may have realized that Wallace could never be "saved" in his current state.
- The horror of his appearance and behavior might have been too much for them to process emotionally.
Was there a supernatural element to Howe's transformation process?
- The film leans into body horror, but the cursed walrus tusk and Howe's delusions hint at possible supernatural influence.
- Alternatively, it could all be the result of Howe's insanity and surgical skill.
Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film
Tusk is a polarizing film, and its ending is deliberately unsettling. While some viewers may find the conclusion too bleak or absurd, I think it effectively drives home the themes of dehumanization and irreversible change. The body horror is extreme, but it serves a purpose - Wallace's fate is a nightmarish metaphor for how trauma and manipulation can strip away a person's identity. Kevin Smith's departure from comedy into horror is jarring, but the film's commitment to its grotesque premise makes it unforgettable. That said, the ending's lack of catharsis may frustrate some, as there's no real resolution-just a lingering sense of dread.
Final Thoughts
Tusk is not a film for the faint of heart, and its ending ensures that its disturbing imagery lingers long after the credits roll. By refusing to give Wallace a redemption arc or a heroic escape, the film forces the audience to sit with the horror of his transformation. Whether interpreted as a cautionary tale about obsession or a surreal nightmare about lost humanity, Tusk leaves a lasting, uncomfortable impression-one that sparks debate and discomfort in equal measure.