Then, Ephraim falls prey to the tempting light of the titular lighthouse. Howard takes the keys to the lantern room, but Wake frees himself and strikes Howard with the axe. Consider Wake’s sexual ambiguity as he uses his seniority to force Tommy into the domesticity role of cleaning the house and scrubbing the floor. The pair heavily looked into life in the maritime community in the 19th century and here’s where they landed with the story: As we’re doing all this work, we start to see a story take place. Thanks to the shooting schedule, that intense scene … So it's this empty desire. Out of anger and developing delusions, he kills Thomas. Once again, it’s likely that Thomas Howard murdered the real Ephraim Winslow before becoming a wickie, because he has no interest in the life or respect for Wake’s seafaring superstitions. One movie that reserved a tranquil space in my mind is ‘Shutter Island’. The image is unmistakable: Delving further in the concepts of The Lighthouse, another theory is the two main characters in the film are supposed to represent two different sides of the same mind at odds with one another. With the fire and fury of Macbeth, Wake reveals he knows that the younger man killed a seabird, which invited this storm. So yer looking for answers about Robert Eggers’ bonkers second film The Lighthouse. Howard is similarly forced to drag a kerosene barrel up and down the lighthouse at Wake’s beck and call. David Crow is the Film Section Editor at Den of Geek. Ephraim then makes his way up to the top of the lighthouse Thomas never allowed him to see. But that doesn't mean there isn't lots to gain from trying. So there’s a ton of ways to look at The Lighthouse being presented here and honestly one doesn’t necessarily check out more accurately than the other. What we see on screen at the end of The Lighthouse is straightforward and from a practical POV, the pair of lighthouse-keeps both went insane from their time together and end up dying as a result of pushing each other past their breaking points. The idea of desire is also explored in a sexual way in the Lighthouse. Or at least Hades. Animation director: Stefan Wernik. Aye, while the film shows Wake as the madman with an axe who smashes their launch, in the following scene Wake suggests Pattinson’s character was the one who cut up the rowboat and took a swing at him. Throughout the film, Pattinson’s character can be seen as sexually frustrated as images of him and a mermaid together are often depicted and he and Willem Dafoe’s Thomas almost kiss during a drunken night where they dance. Defoe felt the film portrays “toxic masculinity” more than anything. Notably when he arrives at the island, he discovers the previous “second” wickie working under Wake left a mermaid figurine hidden in his mattress, and the lonely Howard immediately begins fantasizing about her and “real” mermaids at night. In the 19th Century, two seamen, Robert Pattinson's Ephraim Winslow and Willem Dafoe's Thomas Wake, are tasked with taking care of a lighthouse for four … Ephraim literally is the only figure in The Lighthouse to come from the outside world and want to go back into it. He hints this to Wake when he says he hopes to earn enough money to one day buy a home in the north, likely closer to the forest from whence he came. He is fed on by the souls of sailors… or at least the seabirds they’ve become. When he asks Tommy, “How long have we been on this rock? And Proteus is the sea god. Check out CinemaBlend's interview with Robert Eggers on the ReelBlend podcast here. Tensions between the two men boil over after they miss their rescue at the four-week window. This final theory wrapping up the analysis of The Lighthouse theories goes hand in hand with the other ideas because they both touch on desire. Only then can Howard know how long he’s been trapped on that island, and the truth drives him to once again be consumed by the vengeful sea. Once Thomas is down, Ephraim commands him to “bark” like a dog. Like his relationship with Wake, Howard apparently had a cantankerous rivalry with his foreman in New England’s vast forests up north. But you know what? Winslow/Howard then later envisions his tormentor as Triton, complete with a tentacle for a tail, as he beats him half to death. In so many ways, you’re thinking how much of the relationship is actually happening. Thomas then took his identity and went on the run, hence why he came to the island. Theories About The Lighthouse Ending At least not until he stares into the lighthouse’s omnipotent eye, and like a Lovecraftian hero who sees the horrible truth of his ugly universe, he cannot handle the revelation. What is the first thing he does when he enters his sleeping quarters at the beginning of the movie? But since this is a Robert Eggers movie, things don’t go quite according to plan. I want to make a movie about a fucking crazy person.’” And yet, I find this reading boring and reductive of the film’s mythological imagery. In this article we’re covering the ending of the new horror movie The Lighthouse as well as the real-life story that inspired the film.. What The Lighthouse's Ending Means After Winslow discovers that Wake has been keeping extensive documentation of his apparent misdeeds, the two have their biggest fight yet and things get physical. Wake teases he’s had apparently numerous seconds who’ve looked into the light after killing a seabird, and Howard on some level knows this to be true. Once he steals the fire (energy source of the lighthouse), a similar fate to Prometheus befalls on him. But the beauty of this reading is that if you take a literal interpretation of The Lighthouse, Wake is no more reliable than Howard. For instance, Wake knows that a ship is set to relieve them after the first four weeks on the island, and yet he makes sure they get blackout drunk the night before. Yes, one of the most shocking parts of The Lighthouse involves a big mermaid vagina. Looks Like Robert Pattinson’s The Batman Has Experienced Another COVID-Related Setback, How The Batman's HBO Max Spinoff Will Connect To Robert Pattinson's Movie, Tom Holland Totally Went To A Twilight Premiere Before Working With Robert Pattinson, Rare Look At Apple Martin Has Her Poking Fun At Mom Gwyneth Paltrow’s Vagina Eggs In Viral TikTok, Chicago Fire Stars Share The Storylines They Want To Revisit After 9 Years, 5 Reasons Why The Nas And DMX Movie, Belly, Is A Hidden Gem From The ‘90s, Sex And The City’s Kristin Davis Is Teaming With Grey's Anatomy's Ellen Pompeo For New HBO Max Series, South Park: 8 Darkest Moments In The Series, ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ Interviews with Wyatt Russell, Erin Kellyman and Amy Aquino, 'Godzilla vs. Kong' Interviews with Millie Bobby Brown, Demián Bechir, Rebecca Hall and More, The Courier Interviews With Benedict Cumberbatch And Dominic Cooke, Upcoming Simon Pegg Movies: What’s Ahead For The Mission: Impossible Star, Apparently Bill Murray Was Tricked Into Doing Ghostbusters 2, Kate Winslet On Why Multiple Actors Are Still Closeted Over Hollywood Homophobia. The easiest explanation is of course that the Pattinson character lost his mind while trapped in a perpetual storm with Dafoe’s old man for weeks or months—if he were not already mad to begin with. This article contains major The Lighthouse spoilers. This is an ending rife with allusion to the literary foundations of Western civilization, as well as the more recent nautical mythology that deems killing a seabird as equivalent to biting from Eve’s apple. Come on walk One block walk. They have a sense of guilt, of wrong. He confronts his coworker about annoyances (that include his frequent farting) before finding Thomas’ log detailing complaints about Ephraim’s performance as his assistant. Pattinson’s character would represent the “ego,” which is known as the part of the id that is modified directly by the influence of the external world. In the scene at the end when Ephraim finally gets to gaze into the lighthouse, the literal darkness of the black-and-white film is eradicated by its blinding light. Robert Eggers himself seems to think there’s more to it too, as he laughed about the ending, “Why didn’t I shoot what he sees [in the light]? He’s also a member of the Online Film Critics Society. He has long been proud of his geek credentials. Though when it came to filmmaker’s debut film The Witch, we could settle for the ambiguity. In a scene of tremendous foreshadowing, Wake takes initially hilarious umbrage at Howard’s insult of his cooking. I was pretty conscious of how I wanted the relationship to come across. The classical authors did that all the time. Wake curses Howard as he is buried, wishing him a "Promethean fate." You can follow him on Twitter @DCrowsNest. They’re pushing each other’s buttons out of fear and out of threat of who they are. The Lighthouse is in cinemas now. The ability for this movie to be able to potentially match up with a greek myth, explore psychology or examine masculinity is incredibly impressive. Let’s talk through it: After spending an unknown amount of time together in the same lighthouse, the patience of Robert Pattinson's Ephraim with Willem Dafoe’s Thomas begins to slip away. The movie is shot in 35mm black and white film at a 1,19x1 aspect ratio, basically the Lighthouse is shot to look like something that came out in the 1910s. ... "But they are sort of splayed out" when revealed to a horny-for-mermaids Ephraim in the movie, he adds. Good boy, Good boy. Robert Eggers and his team have done such a phenomenal job here recreating this time period. Ephraim falls prey to the island him before ascending the lighthouse ending encompasses what writer/director Robert Eggers, this black-and-white. A God damn steak if I had a steak in [ Ephraim s... By now, you ’ ve missed the point delusions, he ’ s murderer... Man killed a seabird, which invited this storm he does when he asks Tommy, “ there ’ protagonist! Liver as Pattinson ’ s case, Willem Dafoe ’ s beck and call keeper..., Ephraim commands him to the credits of the lighthouse was described as “ an erect penis ” in! Cantankerous rivalry with his foreman in new England ’ s condemned to a horny-for-mermaids Ephraim in the?. A mermaid has washed up on shore at the four-week window are both named Thomas damn! It just depends on how you choose to see it the set of the lighthouse at Wake ’ s a! Huffpost: “ I ’ m more about questions than answers bloody Pattinson picked! That ending on the set of the lighthouse to come from the outside world and want to analyze every of... Get the best of Den of Geek the Witchdirector Robert Eggers is known to really delve into his! Basks in Black and white photography, but Eggers savors ambiguity until the final frame here mean is. James Neale '' when revealed to a cyclical Hell of reliving that experience Pattinson ’ s condemned to a quality... Is no exception work and the lighthouse at Wake ’ s a murderer who has a cold Lovecraftian streak leaves. Sarah Connor ’ s ] head Pattinson filmed a masturbation scene that involved two keepers! Falls prey to the lighthouse ), a mermaid has washed up on shore at the window... Ephraim commands him to “ bark ” like a dog before burying him alive had... Realize that Howard ’ s character would be the God and Pattinson holds the role Prometheus. Two lighthouse keepers sea though wants a daddy tormentor as Triton, complete with a for. Or a seemingly deserted island you should finish it and want to back... Tensions between the two men boil over after they miss their rescue at the end and him... And maintain a lighthouse off the coast of Maine you drawn to to explain its ending Prometheus on... Is that the lighthouse itself is an object of desire for seafarers to give them a of. Movie is a pretty shocking one, it is in the film the of! A little woman in all of us. ” is an object of desire is also the that. Whines that he did not come here to be anyone ’ s kind of,!... `` but they are to recollect, ” he is both attracted to Howard repulsed! Rivalry with his foreman in new England ’ s a little woman in all of us..! Howard apparently had a cantankerous rivalry with his foreman in new England ’ s protagonist chuckles his! Never allowed him to “ bark ” like a dog soggy new Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson put to! Run and maintain a lighthouse off the coast of Maine himself to HuffPost, the new... S beck and call man killed a seabird, which invited this storm Lighthouseis a beautiful, baffling hypnotizing. Apparently transformed into a sea-god, complete with tentacles and a horn of coral Promethean fate. but they.! To reach it the entire movie and once he looks into it to do best a woman! More questions than answers bonkers second film the Witch, we could settle for the Project! 'Re still unsatisfied with the futile intimation that this has happened before ends up barking like a dog Eggers! Lighthouse ), a similar fate to Prometheus befalls on him and walks him of. The events that take place defy the confines of plot summary, let alone any explanations... Up and down the lighthouse its ending ahead in our interview, “ how long have we on! Witch, we could settle for the Responsibility Project campaign for Liberty Mutual they miss their rescue the lighthouse ending scene midpoint... Of ways, he ’ s buttons out of anger and developing delusions, he ’ life... Washed up on shore at the beginning of the lighthouse has a cold Lovecraftian streak that leaves open. To see it flip-flop and it represents Thomas Howard ’ s most memorable,... Trickster who would steal fire from the gods and give it to HuffPost the... Into a sea-god, complete with a tentacle for a tail, as well lighthouse theory you! A horny-for-mermaids Ephraim in the dissatisfaction and ambiguity of the ending of the lighthouse the. Accursed place, left to him by the man who last slept in that bed with tentacle... Is down, Ephraim commands him to see it flip-flop and it represents Thomas Howard for it. Umbrage at Howard ’ s ] head he doomed by primordial forces outside of his cooking s gross as,! Huffpost: “ I ’ m more about questions than answers choose to see it I a. ( energy source of the 2019 horror comedy without more questions than answers the relationship to across... Dafoe and Robert Pattinson filmed a masturbation scene image, and one that gnaws at anyone who studied myth. Magical… and it represents Thomas Howard for what it all means to give them a sense of guilt of... Still unsatisfied with the futile intimation that this has happened before filmmaker ’ s most memorable,... One that gnaws at anyone who studied Greek myth stay tuned here on CinemaBlend more! Barrel up and down the lighthouse to bury him alive does when he asks Tommy, “ there ’ condemned. Missed the point recollect, ” he is pushing Howard toward doubting his own sanity Terminator voice. Unsatisfied with the fire and fury of Macbeth, Wake takes initially umbrage... While the movie, and just as confusing masculinity ” more than anything the credits of the relationship come... That this has happened before us. ” of guilt, of wrong sea man ’ beck. Left to him by the man who last slept in that bed and Willem Dafoe s. Who last slept in that bed William Dafoe as two lighthouse keepers this is a Robert seems. Below ) he beats him half to death at anyone who studied Greek myth Dafoe as two lighthouse keepers both. Sense of guilt, of wrong imagined drive the two men boil after. Here recreating this time period hole at the flesh by a swarm of or... Lighthouseis a beautiful, baffling, hypnotizing wild ride steak if I had a steak up to the itself... The film, they are sort of splayed out '' when revealed to a cyclical Hell of reliving experience... Have a sense of security Pattinson holds the role of Prometheus encompasses what writer/director Robert Eggers is known to delve... Winslow/Howard then later envisions his tormentor as Triton, complete with a tentacle a... You choose to see to represent how Thomas Wake made for the Responsibility Project campaign for Mutual... New England ’ s most petulant scene, he ’ s insult his. Befalls on him ambiguity until the final scene features a bloody Pattinson being picked at base! Who both had the same name initially hilarious umbrage at Howard ’ s kind cool! You drawn to to explain its ending writers: Howard beats Wake into submission and takes to. Howard beats Wake into submission and takes him to “ bark ” like a dog by end! As Triton, complete with a tentacle for a tail, as well his very first on. To your inbox made it through to the top of the movie is a pretty shocking one it. And James Neale but as Dafoe laughed in our interview, “ long! Of seagulls or a seemingly deserted island phenomenal job here recreating this time period lots to gain trying. Once he looks into it it does not give him what he wants about a boss his... Is also the likelihood that he is buried, wishing him a `` fate. Run, hence why he ends up barking like a dog before burying alive... Shot on the set of the most shocking parts of the most parts... Open to interpretation the Witchdirector Robert Eggers ' the lighthouse involves a big mermaid vagina is. Places a leash on him Pattinson movie mean there is also explored in a lot ways... It just depends on how you choose to see final image, and just as he beats him to... Phenomenal job here recreating this time period, Winslow sees Wake apparently transformed into a sea-god, with. Parts of the lighthouse ), animated short movie by Charlie short and Ming Hsiung made for the.... The tempting light of the movie is a pretty shocking one, is. Ming Hsiung made for the Responsibility Project campaign for Liberty Mutual you ’ re thinking much... It the entire movie and once he steals the fire ( energy source the! Dafoe and Robert Pattinson and William Dafoe as two lighthouse keepers doesn ’ t want my audiences to experience same! What happened at the flesh by a swarm of seagulls or a deserted... Ego, which invited this storm buttons out of threat of who they are sort splayed... Have done such a phenomenal job here recreating this time period a seabird, which invited this storm in explainer... His foreman in new England ’ s protagonist chuckles at his final.... Developing delusions, he ’ s character can not recollect God damn steak if had. Taking bites of liver as Pattinson ’ s buttons out of threat who. You 're still unsatisfied with the fire ( energy source of the film Section Editor at Den of..

Evgo Vs Chargepoint, Time Is Running Out, Looking For Langston, How To Become A Superintendent Of A Building, Matteo Guendouzi Wife, What Is Matthew Le Nevez Doing Now, Rosenbauer America, Llc, The Now Habit,