This evening on Iris airs one of the most iconic horror experiences of the last few decades: The Others, the gothic-horror masterpiece of 2001 directed by Alejandro Amenábar and featuring a masterful Nicole Kidman. The film, set in a disturbing isolated mansion on Jersey Island, tells the story of Grace Stewart, a mother desperately trying to protect her two children from mysterious supernatural presences. But what makes The Others an incredible work is its shocking and unexpected ending, which completely overturns the viewer’s perception.
The film hits the mark so well also thanks to an excellent performance by Nicole Kidman, a versatile actress who spoke about herself in this interview. Let’s explore together the deep meaning of the ending of this extraordinary film. A film that remains an impeccable example of cinematic storytelling, capable of merging fear and emotion into a single, unforgettable experience.
The Others: the explanation of the ending
The final twist of The Others is as shocking as it is perfectly orchestrated. Throughout the film, the viewer is led to believe that Grace Stewart and her children, Nicholas and Anne, are haunted by spectral entities that infest their home. However, the truth emerges in a crescendo of emotional tension. Grace, her children, and the servants are nothing but ghosts. The true “others” are the new living family that has moved into the house.
The decisive moment comes during a séance, in which a medium, through automatic writing, communicates with the world of the dead. It is at this moment that Grace discovers she is dead and that her children are also ghosts. This revelation is handled with sublime artistry. Instead of a banal narrative trick, the séance is a touch of class, perfectly integrated into the film’s gothic atmosphere. The medium reveals that Grace, in despair over the loss of her husband during World War II, smothered her children with a pillow before taking her own life.
The ending of The Others is not just a well-crafted twist. It also provides an exploration of themes of grief, remorse, and the difficulty of facing reality. The film speaks to how war and loss can leave indelible scars, not only on the living but also on the dead. Grace is a woman trapped in her pain, unable to let go not only of the memory of her husband but also of the life she has lost. Her inability to accept the death of her children and her own condemnation keeps her bound to an existence filled with shadows and regrets.
The Others remains a fundamental work in the landscape of horror cinema, not only for its ability to scare but for its emotional depth. This evening, watching The Others will be an experience that leaves the viewer pondering the meaning of life, death, and the pain that often ties them together. If you are indeed a lover of horror cinema, here’s a film coming soon to the big screen!