MovieChat Forums > Rabid (1977) Discussion > Ending (Spoiler)

Ending (Spoiler)

posted 14 years ago by jmatrixrenegade
9 replies | jump to latest

I just saw this via Netflix and think Marilyn Chambers did a very good job.

The ending shot is great. As noted by the director on the commentary, it is pretty brutal, but powerful all the same.

It is a bit confusing, though I don't mind that it isn't spoon-fed to us (see also, what happened to the baby) how she got there. We see her about to be attacked / realizing she is a carrier and then jump to her apparently dead in an alley. Well, she looked dead, as the dog was rummaging thru the trash. Note that the dog itself (unlike Santa Claus!) was not collateral damage!

She also doesn't look mauled in any way -- that is, as if the guy didn't attack her or if he did, he didn't maul her as others did to their victims. I wonder how she got there. Did she realize what she was and set herself up to be shot? Interesting little mystery. The director commentary explained why she needed blood (it isn't really made clear in the film), but didn't explain this.

[–] Crazylalle 13 years ago

I wanted to write something here(Rabid message board) but you beat me to it! You wrote excactly what i wanted to write :)

I found myself a bit dissapointed with the ending though. I liked the movie, but... well i guess i just wanted Rosie to survive and live happily ever after with Hart :
I know movies doesnt always end happily, but the ending had a few loose ends, as you also noticed?

Suck me sideways!

[–] ibbi 13 years ago

I really like the ending, but I agree that it comes out of nowhere, and doesn't look particularly authentic given the situation we last saw her in. I'd guess time and budgetary constraints kept them from making it perfect.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIMBC7PA_uo

[–] XtroTerrestial 13 years ago

I think David Cronenberg chose to end it like that one purpose, to show that Rose is dead, but the virus is still at it's peak.

XTRO Theme: http://youtu.be/pcEeakcNB0k

[–] thecultofhorror 12 years ago

There is a point with certain films that you are so on board with the director's vision that the ending resonates with the viewer. It wasn't a WTF ending it was a "oh that's what happens"

www.thecultofhorror.blogspot.com

[–] Bree_33 10 years ago

The ending is particularly mesmerizing and disturbing.

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----_`\<,_
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»nec spe,nec metu •´¯`»
And yet, the only exciting life is the imaginary one. »

[–] AlanBryan2112 10 years ago

I just watched the New 2015 Arrow UK Blu-ray
At the end Rose is being nibbled on by the doberman.

From the close up shot he appears to be at her legs....from the far shot it was hard to tell what he was doing

THIS is why I am posting: Her neck has been torn open.
At the 1:29:15 mark on the Blu-ray you can see a neck wound. There is visible tearing and blood.

This is what killed her. Why / How her body was dumped in the alley is hard to say.

a-

[–] hawkychico-1 8 years ago

I always thought she just stumbled out bleeding to death from the neck wound. It was the easiest explanation. She slowly bled to death. Also it shows that the carrier is being disposed of so they won't know how it began. Side note, I always figured all hell broke loose post end credits. This is something that could have been contained but wasn't because it was caught to late. People travelled to other cities, got on a plane, train, etc.. by the time Montreal got quarantined it was too late. The incubation period was up to 8 hours. That's a long time.

[–] PreachCaleb 8 years ago

Also it shows that the carrier is being disposed of so they won't know how it began.

Interesting catch. But what about Hart? Didn't he know she was the carrier?

Seize the moment, 'cause tomorrow you might be dead.

[–] ModernDayWarrior (114) 6 years ago

I liked the ending; found it very ironic really. She spends the entire time attacking people left and right being the victim and playing that mentality up then push comes to shove she is the legit victim and no one gives a damn or can help her proper. It was genius and it made me kinda laugh really. I can pick up David's sense of humor here.

I loved the boy friend's reaction though he made the scene genuinely heartbreaking. He's the subtle mvp of the movie for me, he experiences all the madness.