Rings culminates in a desperate attempt to stop the spread of Samara’s curse, ultimately revealing her true, fractured origins and ending with her spirit being seemingly trapped within a digital image of herself. The finale sees the protagonists, Holt and Julia, using Samara’s final, suppressed, and benevolent memory to overwrite her corrupted video, seemingly extinguishing her vengeful spirit – at least, until a final, chilling revelation suggests the curse may have simply evolved.
The Climax Explained: Burning the Tape and Unearthing the Truth
The driving force behind Rings‘ climax is the realization that Samara Morgan wasn’t simply an evil entity from the outset. Instead, she was a victim of unimaginable abuse and a fractured identity split between two individuals. The film builds upon the established lore of the original Ring by introducing the concept of Samara’s benevolent side, a lost memory suppressed and hidden within an uncorrupted image.
Holt and Julia, desperate to break the cycle of death surrounding the infamous videotape, discover this hidden truth through a complex series of events. They unearth a second videotape containing a memory of Samara as a child, before the trauma and abuse twisted her into the vengeful spirit known to audiences. This memory, a photograph of a happy little girl, serves as the key to rewriting Samara’s story.
The climactic scene unfolds as Julia, having absorbed Samara’s curse through Holt’s actions, confronts the corrupted image of Samara in her digital form. Instead of succumbing to the fear and despair that fuels the curse, Julia focuses on the image of the innocent Samara. This act of compassion and the power of the suppressed memory effectively overwrite the original, corrupted video.
The burning of this “corrected” video, along with the revelation of Samara’s true, fragmented origins, is presented as the solution to the curse. It’s portrayed as a means to finally bring peace to Samara’s tormented spirit and halt the deadly chain reaction.
However, the film doesn’t offer a completely clean resolution.
A Lingering Threat: The Evolution of the Curse
The seeming victory is quickly undermined by the discovery that Gabriel, the professor who had been experimenting with the videotape, has created multiple digital copies of the “corrected” video. This revelation suggests that, even with Samara’s vengeful spirit seemingly contained, the curse has evolved and adapted. It has moved beyond the physical tape and into the digital realm, making it far more difficult to eradicate.
The final scene shows Gabriel watching the newly copied video, hinting that the cycle of death and despair is about to begin anew, but in a far more insidious and widespread manner. The film concludes on a note of unsettling ambiguity, leaving the audience questioning whether humanity can truly escape Samara’s grasp.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Ending of Rings
Here are some commonly asked questions about the ending of Rings, offering deeper insights into the film’s themes, plot points, and lingering uncertainties.
What exactly was the “benevolent” Samara memory?
The “benevolent” Samara memory was a hidden image on the original videotape, suppressed and concealed from the destructive force of her corrupted spirit. This memory depicted a young, innocent Samara before the events that led to her tragic demise. It was a photograph revealing a flicker of hope and humanity, offering a glimpse into the person she could have been. The presence of this memory challenged the perception of Samara as purely evil and emphasized her status as a victim.
How did Julia absorb the curse from Holt?
Julia absorbs the curse when Holt, under the influence of the Samara’s cursed video, sends her a video message before his 7-day deadline. Julia, trying to protect him from the looming consequences, views his message and subsequently becomes infected by the curse, trading places with him to save his life. This act of self-sacrifice is crucial to the events that follow.
Why did the professor, Gabriel, create copies of the video?
Gabriel’s motives are driven by scientific curiosity and a desire to understand the nature of the curse. He sees the video not as a deadly threat, but as an opportunity to study and explore the intersection of technology and the supernatural. His reckless ambition, however, disregards the inherent danger, perpetuating the cycle of death and suffering. This demonstrates a classic horror trope: the scientist playing God with disastrous results.
Did burning the “corrected” video actually stop the curse?
The burning of the “corrected” video appears to neutralize the original curse, at least temporarily. However, Gabriel’s digital copies negate any potential finality. The ending strongly suggests that the curse has simply evolved and found a new, more pervasive medium to spread through. This leaves the door open for potential sequels or further explorations of the curse’s resilience.
What was the significance of the “two Samaras” idea?
The “two Samaras” concept highlights the duality of Samara’s existence. One is the vengeful spirit born from trauma and abuse, while the other is the innocent child whose potential was tragically destroyed. This duality humanizes Samara to some extent, presenting her not as a monster, but as a victim of circumstance. It adds a layer of complexity to her character and makes her motives slightly more understandable, if not excusable.
How is Rings different from the original Ring movie?
While Rings shares the core premise of a cursed videotape and the vengeful spirit of Samara Morgan, it diverges in several key aspects. Rings delves deeper into Samara’s origins and explores the idea of a “benevolent” side to her personality. It also shifts the focus from a physical tape to a digital virus, reflecting the evolving nature of technology and its role in contemporary horror. Furthermore, the characters and their motivations differ, leading to a distinct narrative and a different overall tone.
What are the possible interpretations of the ending?
The ending can be interpreted in several ways. One is that the curse is unstoppable and will always find a way to manifest, adapting to new technologies and mediums. Another is that the only way to truly break the cycle is to understand and empathize with Samara’s suffering. The ambiguous nature of the ending allows viewers to draw their own conclusions about the nature of evil and the power of compassion.
Why did Julia become blind at the end?
Julia doesn’t necessarily become fully blind. In the scene where she absorbs the curse, she begins to see and experience the original Samara’s memories and abilities. These visions are too powerful for her human mind to handle, and it is assumed that the intense strain on her brain and vision causes damage, leading to a degree of impaired sight, not total blindness.
How does the movie explain Samara’s powers?
Rings does not provide a definitive explanation for Samara’s powers. It hints at a connection to her birth circumstances, suggesting that she was conceived through supernatural means and possessed inherent psychic abilities. The film also implies that the trauma and abuse she endured amplified these abilities, twisting them into a destructive force. The precise nature and origin of her powers, however, remain largely unexplained, contributing to the mystique and horror surrounding her character.
Is the curse transmitted through technology in the same way as the original?
While the original Ring focuses on the physical transmission of the curse through the videotape, Rings explores the idea of digital contagion. The curse can be transmitted through various digital platforms, including computer files, video messages, and even network servers. This reflects the modern world’s reliance on technology and the vulnerability of digital information to manipulation and corruption.
What is the symbolism of the rings throughout the movie?
The rings in the film symbolize the cyclical nature of the curse and the endless repetition of Samara’s suffering. They represent the inescapable cycle of death and despair that ensnares those who come into contact with the cursed video. The rings can also be interpreted as a visual representation of the ripple effect caused by Samara’s actions, spreading outward and affecting countless lives.
Will there be a sequel to Rings?
As of the current date, there are no confirmed plans for a sequel to Rings. While the ambiguous ending leaves the door open for future installments, the film’s mixed critical reception and box office performance have likely diminished the chances of a follow-up. However, the enduring popularity of The Ring franchise suggests that the possibility of a reboot or continuation remains a possibility in the future.