MovieChat Forums > Deadly Friend (1986) Discussion > In regards to the insane ending....

In regards to the insane ending....

posted 16 years ago by Cyborg1989
11 replies | jump to latest

I've read some of the other posts in here, and i don't know about you guys but i never took the ending that literally as it appeared. Afterall, how the hell could 1 tiny chip implanted in the brain, somehow "Grow" and turn her body 60%+ mechanical? It was just a CPU processor, not alien or supernatural technology.

I thought of it more as another weird dream sequence, and since they ended the movie on that note, kinda running away from having to explain it. I think the ending is open to individual interpretation.

In which case i figure it was just another crazy dream sequence, since it was totally Impossible, improbable, and just pointless for that to have even happened. After all both Sam & BB were friends of the main character and were sadly separated from him, so it makes no sense that their sudden, "magical", combined Sentience would see fit to kill him like that.

Well either way, Loved the movie & the DVD release, it is an underrated gem from the 80s and unique enough from your average horror flick. Not to mention the infamous basketball scene made for a truly unique character-death. (Wow Kristy swanson sure was gorgeous in this one too!)

[–] Ribelin2000 16 years ago

Actually, it looks to me like the ending was supposed to be the set-up for a sequel that, possibly due to its poor reception in its initial release, never happened.

[–] lenlarga 16 years ago

I agree, the ending is absurd if taken literally. It doesn't fit in with the whole concept of the movie. So I do take it as a dream.

[–] Gprime1318 16 years ago

The ending isn't supposed to make sense. It was changed from the novels brilliant (and appropriate)finale strictly for shock value. I imagine some writer or exec came up with this in a brainstorming session and Craven either didn't have the clout or the good sense to nix the idea.

If you're going to change a novels ending, at least make sure the new one makes sense, or at least gells with SOME of what's happened in the previous 90 minutes.

This film really needs an update. Instead of remaking classic films, why won't Hollywood rework some films that could actualy use it? This film could have been a real gem with a talented writer and director going after the emotional side of the story, instead of Craven going for cheap 80's thrills and WTF ending.

I'm sellin my soul to the Devil in you

[–] lenlarga 16 years ago

If you don't mind me asking, how did the story end in the novel?

[–] Gprime1318 16 years ago

*Spoilers* I don't mind at all. Glad to share how the story REALLY ended.

After Sam kills Slime, Paul (nicknamed Piggy in the book), decides he must destroy her. He takes her to a bridge over an Icy river when she suddenly grabs him. Convinced she is trying to kill him, Piggy kicks her over the bridge.

In the water, Sam keeps reaching for Piggy and moaning for him. Piggy realises Sam wasn't trying to kill him, she was trying to hold onto him because she still felt love for him and didn't want to be alone.

"So this is what love comes to," Piggy thinks, and jumps in after her.

Heart wrenching and emotional. What do u think?

I'm sellin my soul to the Devil in you

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] lenlarga 16 years ago

Yes, this ending definitely made more sense in the context of the feelings explored in the story. Thanks!

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] scatcc 15 years ago

I read it too. Yes, thats the ending of the book.

I saw the movie again yesterday, with some people, who didn't saw it till now. And they also mentioned that the ending makes no sense (still, they liked it).

It would be interesting to see a remake of this, but in the other way: I really like that movie and i don't wanna see it destroyed by a another horrible remake.

What i really would like to see is a Directors Cut or at least a well DVD-Release with a couple of extras. Interviews or a commentary with the cast would be soo damn nice.

[–] ZombieJesus92 15 years ago

The ending in the novel sounds much better! I wish they used that.

Sadly, I doubt a re-release with bonus features will ever happen. I think Craven regards Deadly Friend as his ginger stepchild, along with The Hills Have Eyes part 2.

[–] slave2moonlight 15 years ago

I love this film except for the last few minutes. Just got the DVD (for 3 bucks at Big Lots!) and watched it again. So sad. The only thing that I don't like is the very ending, which should have just ended with Paul showing up to steal her body again. OR, with Paul being strangled. The big flub was having the skin come off and a robot underneath. Oh well. They even could have fixed that with it being a dream of Paul's, especially if he woke up in an insane asylum! What a shame. Still love the movie though, and Kristy Swanson is an angel in it. Actually, I've only ever really crushed on her in this one and in her small role in Ferris Bueller.