Wounds (2019) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
Wounds (2019) is a psychological horror film that follows bartender Will (Armie Hammer) as he descends into madness after finding a mysterious phone left behind by a group of college students. The ending reveals that Will has been manipulated by a supernatural entity linked to the phone, which shows grotesque, otherworldly images. In the final scenes, Will is seemingly consumed by the entity, transforming into a monstrous figure. The film leaves many questions unanswered, emphasizing the corrupting power of the unknown and the fragility of human perception.
Detailed Ending Explanation
The climax of Wounds sees Will increasingly tormented by disturbing images on the abandoned phone, which appear to depict a ritualistic, possibly demonic, cult. His girlfriend Carrie (Dakota Johnson) leaves him after witnessing his erratic behavior, and his friend Jeffrey (Zazie Beetz) becomes another victim of the phone's influence. The final act implies that the phone is a conduit for an ancient, malevolent force that preys on human vulnerability. Will's mental state deteriorates completely, culminating in a surreal sequence where his face distorts grotesquely, suggesting his physical and spiritual absorption into the entity's realm. The film's ambiguous ending leaves it unclear whether Will is dead, possessed, or trapped in another dimension.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
What is the true nature of the entity/phone?
- Possibility 1: A demonic force using technology to spread corruption.
- Possibility 2: A Lovecraftian elder god manipulating human perception.
- Possibility 3: A psychological breakdown exacerbated by paranoia.
What happened to Carrie and Jeffrey?
- Possibility 1: They escaped but remain under the entity's influence.
- Possibility 2: They were consumed like Will, off-screen.
- Possibility 3: They were never real, just figments of Will's unraveling mind.
Did Will die or transcend?
- Possibility 1: He became a vessel for the entity.
- Possibility 2: He's trapped in a hellish limbo.
- Possibility 3: His transformation was a hallucination before death.
What was the cult's purpose?
- Possibility 1: They were trying to summon the entity.
- Possibility 2: They were previous victims.
- Possibility 3: They were never human to begin with.
Is the phone's curse contained or spreading?
- Possibility 1: It's an endless cycle of corruption.
- Possibility 2: Will's fate was the final stage.
- Possibility 3: The phone will find another victim.
Themes & Symbolism
The film explores themes of existential dread, the fragility of identity, and the invasive nature of technology. The phone symbolizes modern alienation-its glow lures Will into a digital abyss where reality dissolves. The grotesque imagery reflects a loss of humanity, suggesting that curiosity (or addiction) can lead to self-destruction. The lack of clear answers mirrors horror classics like The Thing or Videodrome, where ambiguity heightens terror. Director Babak Anvari crafts an unsettling atmosphere where the unseen is more terrifying than explicit monsters.
Personal Opinion
Wounds is a divisive film-its slow burn and deliberate ambiguity won't satisfy everyone. However, I appreciate its commitment to psychological horror over cheap jump scares. The ending's surreal body horror is haunting, though the plot's loose threads may frustrate viewers wanting closure. Armie Hammer's descent into madness is compelling, but the supporting characters feel underdeveloped. Ultimately, Wounds succeeds as a mood piece about the dangers of delving too deep into the unknown, but it falters in narrative cohesion. Fans of cosmic horror will find merit in its eerie atmosphere, while others may find it unsatisfying.
Final Thoughts
Wounds leaves a lingering unease rather than a neatly tied conclusion. Its strength lies in what it doesn't show, playing on primal fears of the incomprehensible. Whether the entity is supernatural or psychological is left deliberately vague, making the horror more intimate. While not a flawless film, it's a fascinating addition to the “technology as a gateway to hell” subgenre. If you enjoy open-ended, cerebral horror, Wounds is worth dissecting-just don't expect all the answers.