Hugh Glass, having endured unimaginable suffering and traversing hundreds of miles of unforgiving wilderness, confronts John Fitzgerald, his nemesis, near the banks of the Missouri River. The final moments of The Revenant leave the question of closure ambiguous, as Glass ultimately relinquishes his personal vengeance to a higher power, setting the stage for a morally complex and visually stunning conclusion.
A Confrontation Long Foretold
The climax of The Revenant is a brutal, visceral showdown between Glass and Fitzgerald. Their animosity, born from betrayal and fueled by loss, culminates in a desperate struggle for survival. This final encounter is less about heroism and more about the raw, primal forces driving both men. The landscape itself becomes a character, witnessing and shaping their confrontation.
The River’s Judgment
After a fierce and prolonged fight, Glass manages to subdue Fitzgerald. Instead of enacting his own revenge, he pushes Fitzgerald towards the Missouri River, into Sioux territory. He knows that killing Fitzgerald himself would violate Native American law and could incite further violence against his Pawnee son, Hawk, whom Fitzgerald murdered.
The act of sending Fitzgerald into the river is crucial. It’s not forgiveness, but a calculated decision. Glass understands that true justice might lie outside the realm of personal vengeance. He relinquishes control, allowing the river, and perhaps the Sioux, to administer their own form of retribution.
The Unsettling Stare
The final shot of The Revenant is arguably its most powerful. Glass, exhausted and scarred, stares directly at the camera, his expression hauntingly ambiguous. It’s a gaze that speaks of profound loss, lingering trauma, and the unsettling realization that vengeance, even when achieved, offers little solace.
This stare transcends the immediate narrative. It asks the audience to confront the uncomfortable truths about the cycle of violence, the limitations of revenge, and the enduring power of nature to both heal and destroy. His expression is neither triumphant nor defeated, but rather a reflection of the profound emptiness that remains even after fulfilling his initial goal.
Understanding the Ambiguity
The ambiguity of the ending is intentional. The Revenant is not a straightforward revenge story; it’s a meditation on survival, resilience, and the complexities of human nature in the face of unimaginable adversity. By leaving the audience with unanswered questions, the film forces them to grapple with the moral gray areas that often accompany extreme circumstances.
The film’s ending resists the typical Hollywood closure, opting instead for a more nuanced and realistic portrayal of grief and the lasting impact of trauma. It highlights the devastating toll that violence takes on both the perpetrator and the victim, even when perceived justice is served.
FAQs: Decoding The Revenant‘s Conclusion
Here are some frequently asked questions to further unravel the complexities of The Revenant‘s ending and its underlying themes:
FAQ 1: Why doesn’t Glass kill Fitzgerald himself?
Glass’s decision not to kill Fitzgerald is multifaceted. Firstly, he understands the potential consequences of violating Sioux territory and law. Killing Fitzgerald within their lands could escalate tensions and endanger his son’s memory. Secondly, it highlights the film’s theme of yielding to a higher power. He seems to believe that Fitzgerald’s fate should be determined by something greater than himself – whether it be divine intervention, the unforgiving forces of nature, or the justice of the Native American tribes. This can be interpreted as a final act of redemption, where he tries to prevent further bloodshed.
FAQ 2: What is the significance of the river?
The Missouri River serves as a powerful symbol in The Revenant. It represents both death and rebirth, passage and transition. In this instance, it’s a vehicle for Fitzgerald’s demise but also a means of releasing Glass from his obsession with revenge. The river also acts as a border, separating the world of the white trappers from the world of the Native Americans, underscoring the conflict and tensions between these two groups. Finally, the river represents a force of nature, indifferent to the human drama unfolding within its waters.
FAQ 3: What does Glass’s final stare mean?
Glass’s final stare is open to interpretation, but it likely represents a combination of exhaustion, trauma, and a lingering sense of emptiness. Despite achieving his immediate goal of confronting Fitzgerald, the loss of his son and the horrific experiences he endured have left an indelible mark. It’s a stare that acknowledges the futility of revenge in the face of such profound suffering. He sees the audience, as if to say, “You wouldn’t understand.”
FAQ 4: Is there a religious undertone to the ending?
Many viewers perceive a religious element in The Revenant‘s conclusion. Glass’s relinquishment of revenge can be seen as an act of surrender to a higher power, perhaps a form of faith. The film also draws parallels between Glass’s near-death experiences and biblical narratives of resurrection and redemption. The harsh landscape and the characters’ struggles are metaphors for human endurance and spiritual survival.
FAQ 5: Did the Sioux kill Fitzgerald?
The film doesn’t explicitly show Fitzgerald’s fate after he enters Sioux territory. However, the implication is clear: he likely met his end at their hands. This further reinforces the idea that Glass handed Fitzgerald over to a different kind of justice system, one based on the laws and customs of the land.
FAQ 6: Is The Revenant a true story?
The Revenant is loosely based on the real-life experiences of Hugh Glass, a frontiersman who was mauled by a bear and left for dead by his companions. While the film takes creative liberties with the details of the story, it captures the essence of Glass’s incredible survival and his quest for revenge. The movie embellishes the details considerably for dramatic effect.
FAQ 7: How does the ending differ from the historical account?
The historical account of Hugh Glass differs significantly from the film’s ending. In reality, Glass did seek out those who abandoned him, but he did not kill them. In the film, the focus is narrowed to his pursuit of Fitzgerald, while in reality, he was after two men. The ending in the film is ultimately more dramatic and morally complex than the historical truth.
FAQ 8: What is the significance of Hawk’s ghost?
Hawk, Glass’s Pawnee son, appears as a recurring vision throughout the film, representing Glass’s motivation for survival and revenge. Hawk’s presence serves as a constant reminder of Fitzgerald’s betrayal and fuels Glass’s determination to seek justice. He’s a symbol of innocence lost and a testament to the enduring power of paternal love.
FAQ 9: What is the overarching theme of The Revenant?
The overarching themes of The Revenant include survival, resilience, revenge, the destructive nature of violence, and the complex relationship between humanity and nature. The film explores the depths of human endurance and the lengths to which individuals will go to survive and avenge those they love.
FAQ 10: Why is the film so visually striking?
The film’s stunning visuals are a crucial element in conveying its themes. The use of natural light, expansive landscapes, and visceral depictions of violence immerses the viewer in the harsh and unforgiving world that Glass inhabits. The beauty of the landscape stands in stark contrast to the brutality of the events unfolding within it, further emphasizing the film’s central conflicts.
FAQ 11: What makes The Revenant a modern classic?
The Revenant is considered a modern classic due to its powerful performances, breathtaking cinematography, and exploration of complex themes. It’s a film that stays with the viewer long after the credits roll, prompting reflection on the nature of revenge, the resilience of the human spirit, and the enduring power of nature.
FAQ 12: What should viewers take away from the ending?
Viewers should take away a sense of the ambiguity of justice, the limitations of revenge, and the enduring scars of trauma. The ending challenges viewers to question the simplistic narratives of good versus evil and to consider the profound consequences of violence. It’s a film that encourages contemplation and discussion about the complexities of human nature and the challenges of survival in a brutal world. The final scene forces viewers to question what they believe constitutes a satisfactory ending. The silence and Glass’s unwavering gaze provide no easy answers.