MovieChat Forums > Krampus (2015) Discussion > I thought the ending was pretty obvious....

I thought the ending was pretty obvious... (Spoiler)

posted 9 years ago by tobymeyer
26 replies | jump to latest

So I just got back from viewing Krampus a second time (I really liked it). This time, watching the movie and knowing what will happen, the ending seemed pretty straight forward.

So Max wakes up, thinking the whole thing was a dream. He looks out the window and sees his neighborhood, normal and at a reasonable snow level. He runs downstairs, the house is restored, and everybody's getting along but don't seem to remember last night.

Then he takes out the bell and everybody exchanges glances because they all had thought it was a dream and realize what had happened. We then exit the house and see that it's in a snowglobe amongst many in Krampus' workshop.

Based on everything in the movie, I'd say they were definitely given a second chance and not really in a snow globe. First off, there was a huge theme of self-sacrifice for the greater good that all of the family eventually learn, that wouldn't make any sense given a dark end.

More importantly the way the scene is done just makes it seem obvious they're not in a snow globe. Max sees the neighbors' houses. When we back away from the house, the neighborhood is in the reflection of the window. The reflection goes away once outside of the snowglobe and the house becomes a very obvious toy. It's also important to note that none of the lights are on in the interior of the snow globe house emphasizing how NOBODY IS HOME. I'd say the snow globe is a little trophy for Krampus. Plain and simple.

[–] Jack-o-lantern_2623 9 years ago

The ending could go either way really but I favor the second chance theory. I don't see how making Max live a happy Christmas over and over again is a punishment. Sure it would get old eventually but wouldn't a better punishment be to make Max relive what made him hate Christmas in the first place over and over again? Just my thoughts.

[–] svalinanikola 9 years ago

Well, he did say he wanted Christmas the way it used to be. It's ironic punishment, he got literally what he wanted..over and over and over again.

[–] Arvin-G-Borkar 9 years ago

I think it was reset, but with a catch. He gets a second chance; however, from that point on, he will be watched by Krampus. This means ANY OTHER SCREW UPS and he is gone for good. ;)

Better watch out, better start crying. Better hurry up, run and hide. Krampus is coming to town! >:)

[–] cgrill8 9 years ago

No where or when is it implied they are going to spend Groundhog Daytona like stuck all happy on Christmas Day. They are just being watched. I would imagine the snowglobes are like portals their house but they're not really stuck in a snowglobe. IF they make a sequel... they should expand on the snowglobe idea though. Like maybe running from globe to globe though different dimensions... or having to retrieve their own snowglobe from Krampus for some reason.

[–] marah-ivy 9 years ago

I agree, I think he got a second chance but the bell he receives is supposed to warn him not to screw up anymore.

[–] Sartannis 9 years ago

I agree with you! The only thing that made me wonder, just a little, was Krampus's mocking laugh at Max's pleas... But overall I don't understand why people think they are literally stuck in a snowglobe?? Snow globes are crystal balls, they have always been used to "view" something, never to entrap it. At least as far as the mythology is concerned, and mythology is certainly at play in this movie. There is no evidence in this movie to alluded to the fact that is even a possibility in this story. I blame theism for planting the idea of eternal punishment so thoroughly in peoples heads for making up their own ending.

[–] terrencepatrix 9 years ago

There's a filter in the ending sequence that isn't used anywhere else in the film giving it an ethereal feeling. Typically that signifies that it's not "reality" in a movie meaning it wasn't a second chance but that they were trapped in the underworld, in a snowglobe, in Krampus's realm. It's hardly subtle, the family is doomed just like the grandma explained.

I mean they literally stopped the movie to show an animation detailing exactly what Krampus is and what he does and then, surprise, he does exactly that. They didn't just add that part as a red herring, it's the explanation for the entire movie. They spoon fed it to people and yet people still somehow don't understand it. There's nothing deep about this movie, it plays out exactly the way it's shown and explained. It's not an ambiguous ending, they freaking told you what it was.

[–] cgrill8 9 years ago

All right smarty pants,, then riddle me this... the bell is given to the survivor... Max was given the bell. Yet, when he wakes up and opens his first gift... it is the bell. Now the whole 'FAMILY' has it... so if they are all in possession of the bell (as a Christmas gift), does that mean they are all survivors?

That camera effect was used earlier in the movie too, not just the ending.

3rd generation American from a long line of Gottscheers... it was Drandul, dude!

[–] terrencepatrix 9 years ago

The whole family isn't in possession of the bell, it was Max's "gift" and it was given to him at the end to essentially taunt him and rub his face in the fact that now he's stuck for all eternity just like his family was. The bell doesn't signify that they survived, it's a reminder of what Krampus has taken from them, because just like the movie states...Krampus takes, he doesn't give. He's the polar opposite of everything Santa stands for, the idea that he's benevolent and gives people a second chance is completely counter to the mythos surrounding the character. Krampus is an evil demon from the underworld, why would anyone think he'd give them a happy ending? Did the grandma's family get a happy ending? Did she get a do-over? No, Krampus took them, just like he took Max and his family. Just like the movie plainly explained.

And where exactly was the effect used earlier in the film because I sure don't remember it being used elsewhere. You can have any opinion you want but it runs directly counter to what was specifically said within the movie.

[–] marah-ivy 9 years ago

Grandma didn't get a happy ending, but she also didn't confront the krampus like Max did.

[–] marauteatime 9 years ago

Sorry, the movie ends like A Christmas Carol.

[–] pammyb 9 years ago

Why do people keep bringing up A Christmas Carol? Sure there was some inspiration but this is a completely different movie and there is no happy ending.

[–] marauteatime 9 years ago

Gee, I wonder why.

Krampus commentary

"Ah, A Christmas Carol."

"I think it was important for us to start on this too, sorta setting up what happens later in the story. Ya'know, it's famously a story of someone who goes on a pretend journey or you know, a real journey with ghosts."

"Yeah, there's deffinitly some not so subtle forshadowing by starting with A Christmas Carol. Because...I'm assuming anyone who is actually listening to our commentary has seen the film. But...I was like, 'was I going to spoil the ending?' This is very much like a modern day retelling of A Christmas Carol."

[–] TheBeardedWonder 9 years ago

Yeah the old 'main character waking up from a nightmare where they learned a lesson and change their lives' is an ending to like half of all christmas movies. Most notable christmas carol. I also thought it was pretty obvious...

'Get yourself a real dog. Any dog under 50 lbs is a cat and cats are pointless' - Ron Swanson

[–] pammyb 9 years ago

@Terrence, I think we are the only two who understand there was no happy ending. I looked up the mythology of Krampus after my first viewing and there was absolutely NOTHING to suggest that he was forgiving. I most definitely believe they are in the snow globe and furthermore, I believe they were put in the snow globe as soon as Max threw his letter out the window. See my post on this board "When Exactly Did Krampus Put Them In The Snow Globe"

[–] useydude 9 years ago

Which is fair..you can believe that. However, the filmmaker's commentary does pretty much confirm the film is a cautionary tale with redemption. It is surprisingly a sentimental film.. (Though...if they had used the alternate ending, I would say they probably are trapped in the snow globe.)

[–] cgrill8 9 years ago

No, the alternate ending would have solidified the 'good' ending. Everyone would not have had any recollection what happened, only Max and Omi. No one else in the family was for worse or wear. Everything was as it was supposed to be. Max yelled at Krampus, that he KNEW Krampus could 'set things right'... once Max's faith was restored. He had finally atoned for his lost faith earlier in the movie, which brought the entire wrath upon his entire family, since he yelled at everyone "I hate you all!" After thinking his faith/belief was gone, he ripped up his letter of wishes, and Krampus took it instead. (not Santa Claus... or St Nicklaus)... and fulfilling Max's initial wish, until Max fulfilled nearly 3 things... 1-apologize 2-tears of regret and 3-his new wish... So Krampus DID give everything back unbeknownst to the family... he THOUGHT it was a dream at first until he unwrapped the bell. He DID take them initially, but he gave them back too. If he took them, they'd all be turned into more evil toys or something... Max and Omi only knowing... would have solidified it as a Good ending actually. Instead they decided to let entire family have atonement for their ways...considering how much closer they were becoming throughout the movie and all the creepy events. Everyone keeps forgetting what Omi was telling the girls... that what matters is what you BELIEVE. "Glauben" Ich kenne ein Deutsche wenig, but I heard her say 'Glauben' plain as day while Max was translating for them. And Omi had the idea Krampus would only take and not give, because SHE failed to sacrifice...anything at all, to get her parents back. She just stayed in bed as Krampus winked at her. So of course she'd have that impression, which explained why she was depressed/regretful every Christmas. Krampus's coming was due to Max this time, NOT Omi, so Max learned from Omi's mistakes... and everything was reversed. When Omi gave her little smile to Max on Christmas day after she said "Merry Christmas, Max"... it was more a look of relief (in my opinion) not of "oh sheist, we're stuck". I would have rather her say, "Froliche Weinnachten, Max" myself at that point, but on well,.... English! I knew it!

3rd generation American from a long line of Gottscheers... it was Drandul, dude!

[–] rabbyt1 9 years ago

I'm curious if they were in the snowglobe the whole time- remember in the very beginning when the house was shaking but nobody but Max seemed to notice- what was that about?!

[–] cgrill8 9 years ago

Lucinda was driving into the driveway with the in laws and cousins... it was a gross over exaggeration, and the parents and sister felt it too... it wasn't just Max. That's how they knew the Aunt & Uncle were there.

3rd generation American from a long line of Gottscheers... it was Drandul, dude!

[–] Jack-o-lantern_2623 9 years ago

yeah, not even those who made the film understand that "there was no happy ending" O_o

[–] useydude 9 years ago

Eh. They wrote it. And like I said previously..it's a sentimental movie. I didn't need this to be like the end of The Mist. ( LOVED that ending..and rather the polar opposite of Krampus. Hope vs despair...)

[–] Jack-o-lantern_2623 9 years ago

I'm just goofing around. I also loved the ending of "The Mist", that was some crazy haunting stuff 

[–] KingCobra686 9 years ago

Well we know that it definitely wasnt just a dream. His extended family has never gotten along together, so it makes no sense for him to come downstairs and see them acting friendly if nothing had happened to force that change.

[–] Tyler-A-Arse 9 years ago

Geez, you saw it twice and still got it wrong.

[–] marauteatime 9 years ago

How? Everything points to a happy ending. EVERYTHING. Well then again, you can't convince those who have already made up their mind.

[–] cgrill8 8 years ago

Yes, I'm bumping a 5 month + old thread to the top. It is a good thread with us talking about the ending of the movie and the view points. The director in the commentary explained it as a movie about 'redemption' yet, I'm beginning to think the ending could very well be up to the viewer's view of a glass half empty or a glass half full sort of attitude. And how you perceive the ending might also mirror the kind of attitude you have... just an idea.

3rd generation American from a long line of Gottscheers... it was Drandul, dude!