The ending explained (There is only one concrete interpretation)
SPOILERS BELOW!!!!!!!!!!!
There are three main camps in regards to what the ending means:
Theory 1: The ending is another one of Curtis's hallucinations/nightmares.
Theory 2: The scene is a metaphor for Sam completely accepting her Husband’s condition. And her saying "Okay" means she also empathizes with how he must feel when he sees these hallucinations/nightmares.
Theory 3: He wasn't having hallucinations/nightmares and they were all premonitions of a future world changing disaster.
Honestly, all three of these theories would have merit if it wasn't for the interview below. The writer literally gives away which of these 3 views are correct when he answered the question. Based on what he said, #3 can be the only explanation that makes sense. Many have given excellent reasoning behind why #3 is correct. I will give very simplified yet obvious reasons why that can be the only explanation.
First here is what the author had to say:
Q:Without spoiling it for readers, the ending of the
film is somewhat ambiguous. Do you have a preferred way that
you want viewers to read it?
It’s specifically designed to be ambiguous. That really riles
some people and some people really love it. What’s funny and
interesting to me — and not to sound too cocky about it, but
I really do think it worked — is everybody talks about the
specifics of what’s happening in that scene. And to me, the
specifics don’t matter that much. And I’ll explain.
What is happening, what is going to happen, all that is just
fun to talk about. But what’s important to me is that these
two people are on the same page and are seeing the same thing.
There’s several interpretations of where they’re at. And
that’s great. But as long as they’re seeing the same thing I
think there is a resolution and the possibility of hope in
the film.
The writer tried to be "ambiguous" in his answer but slipped up with the bolded parts. Basically the only thing he gave away was the "they were both seeing the same thing." And he follows up with saying that "because they are seeing the same thing there is a resolution." These two lines are extremely telling as to the writers true ending and leaves no room for interpretation of alternate explanations. Here is why:
Theory 1: The theory regarding the last scene being another of Curtis's delusion's is impossible under what the writer stated. If he was just "dreaming" his wife, child and the disaster then it's impossible for them to be "on the same page." The only way they can be on the same page is if the last scene is real. Obviously Sam can't simultaneously have the same nightmare that Curtis has. Thats the only way they can be "on the same page." Based on the entirety of the movie; this would be a ridiculous explanation. In my opinion this is the weakest theory because based on the writers answer it's clear its not a hallucination.
Theory 2: The metaphor theory is also practically impossible based on the style and direction of the movie. The movie followed a strict set of rules. The director made very clear distinctions between what Curtis was hallucinating and what was reality. Many movies are meant to be seen as if the audience is "part of the movie." Artsy movies often do this where even the audience is intentionally confused by the writer as to what’s real, what’s going on and who the main character is.
In this film the author made it very clear what was going on. The only thing the audience wasn't sure of is if Curtis was delusional or seeing premonitions. There were no "made up" or "metaphoric" scenes in the ENTIRE movie besides the hallucinations Curtis has. So it would make no sense that the writer added in a random fake scene that is not "real" or "Curtis’s delusion" that is supposed to represent a metaphor for Sam's complete understanding of what Curtis goes through. It doesn't fit in with the style of the movie.
Plus a tsunami, multiple tornados and polluted rain seem like an extremely weak metaphor for Sam's understating/complete acceptance of Curtis's condition. Finally, how can they "be on the same page" if this is a completely made up scene?
Theory 3: That brings us to the end scene being 100% real. This is the only explanation that fits in with the style, theme and flow of the movie if you take into account what the writer said above. The first thing we notice at the end is that there are very clear separations between what Curtis imagines and what is reality. Through the whole movies we know exactly which is which.
The second clue to the ending being real is the hallucinations/nightmares he has. They all follow one simple rule that makes it clear that they are not reality. Anytime he sees/hears birds, thunder, tornados, polluted having temporary hallucinations (like when he hears thunder at work with Dwight) or when he is having a nightmare.
Watch the first nightmare he has when his dog bites him. Pay extra close attention. Notice that his daughter doesn't react/see at all to the thunder, lightning or tornados forming. In fact, there is a scene before his dog bites him (10:58) where you can clearly see that his daughter see's nothing from the fact that he is staring up at the storm with grave concern while she is acting like it's just another day. This same scenario repeats in all his dreams where he is the only one that can see the signs.
So we know that the movie has clear separations between the "fake scenes" and reality. We also know that in EVERY single "fake scene" Curtis is the only one that sees the signs of disaster. Furthermore, the author states that at the end its a fact that Curtis and Sam are on the same page. Based on all these facts, there is no explanation besides the last scene being real. Another clue to this scene being real is the fact that this is the ONLY scene in the ENTIRE movie where someone else (Hannah) see's the storm besides Curtis. To make it even more clear, the scene is shot to show that Hannah actually see's the storm in this scene BEFORE Curtis. When you add all this together the only theory that makes perfect sense is #3.
On a side note, based on the size of the Tsunami, how Tsunami's work in real life and the families proximity to the beach; I believe they all died. The reason Curtis and Sam are so clam at the end is because they understand and accept their death. They want to spend their last moments together in peace as a family without going into hysteria and distressing Hannah.
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