MovieChat Forums > Curtains (1983) Discussion > Theory about Patti

Theory about Patti

posted 17 years ago by openinquiry2001
7 replies | jump to latest

I just saw Curtains and I was wondering: after seeing the ending, did anyone else think that maybe Patti was Stryker's illegitimate kid that he didn't know about? I know it wasn't explained in the movie but given Stryker's bed-hopping behavior and what was said at the end about Patti saying something the way Stryker would, it occurred to me that this wouldn't be too far-fetched and it would fit the movie. (That, and the fact that she was the only woman in the film that Stryker didn't hit on, sleep with, or ask to do kinky lesbian-type stuff.)

Here's the way I see it: at one time, Stryker had a lover named Audra (or someone like Audra) and she eventually went nuts--probably because of something Stryker did. (Given the context of the movie, I'm guessing that he's put someone in a mental institution before Samantha, probably the "real" Audra.) Patti is the daughter of the real Audra and Stryker, which would explain why she went nuts over Stryker exploiting her mother's memory for his personal gain. It would also explain the doll, which Patti could see as a link to her childhood with her crazy mom.

What do you think?

[–] pain933 16 years ago

WOW.
That's deep. Good job.

But I don't think so. I mean it just wouldn't fit the film for me IMO

Oh, take my love, take it down
Climb a mountain and turn around

[–] openinquiry2001 16 years ago

pain933,

Thanks for your input. I was just trying to put Patti's behavior into a context/explanation that would fit the rest of the film--particularly the doll that kept showing up, Stryker's willingness to put a sane actress in a mental home, and how often people asked Stryker about the "real" Audra. Also, in the scene where Patti talks to Stryker alone and makes the joking reference about her mother locking her up in the closet, I began to wonder after seeing the end of the movie if Patti wasn't joking when she made that comment after all.

Without any solid explanation given by the film, it's hard to say who/what Patti really was but it was fun to come up with an idea to tie everything together. Maybe I've been watching too many giallo films . . . :)

[–] Thunderspawn 16 years ago

Hey Openinquiry2001,
That was a very good interpretation, and since I grew up with this movie, what you wrote seems very plausible. Stryker was a male whore, so he could have had a child who takes revenge for exploiting his mothers past. Good one. I still have a VHS copy I bought on ebay a few years ago, love this movie, really needs a region 1 release!

"There's a broken up girl for every broken down boy"- Chicago

[–] laslowhite 16 years ago

This theory makes the film even more interesting.

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] forecastfortoday 15 years ago

Wow, that's actually really well thought out. Since I'm sure this movie will get a remake some time soon, that would make a really good motive

Why are you reading my signature?

[–] chrichtonsworld 14 years ago

While I like your idea I think you are making too much of the plot.

The fact that the so called auditions are held in his house in the middle of nowhere should be an indication that these auditions maybe are fake. Also the fact that some of these women aren't even actresses is very dubious. I don't think it was a coincidence that most of the women were the same type.

Stryker was a horny fellow who somehow charmed and persuaded these women into bed. Audra is just a character in a screenplay who easily could have been named Laura or something else.The name Audra is just a tool in his manipulation game. It has no meaning whatsoever only he makes the women think it is. The whole asylum scene is one big misdirection to make us think that Samantha is the killer. And also show us how far these women are prepared to go for this particular role.

The doll is a hint for the viewer as we can see Patti playing with several dolls and puppets throughout the movie.

Patti went nuts when Stryker wasn't satisfied with her input in the session not because of Audra being her mother but simply cause she didn't receive the same attention as the other women had received. She probably did see him as a father figure and respected him and that could be the reason she didn't sleep with him. In the same scene however she actually asks him who this Audra person is and what he is looking for indicating that she has no idea.