Summary
- The ending of “The Taking of Deborah Logan” reveals that Deborah has been possessed by a spirit in need of a fifth virgin sacrifice for immortality.
- Sarah, Mia, and Luis track Deborah and the kidnapped girl to the caves where the other girls were murdered, and Sarah successfully stops Deborah from killing the girl.
- The ending intertwines the supernatural with the emotional impact of Alzheimer’s, portraying the pain, guilt, and helplessness experienced by relatives of those affected by the disease.
Adam Robitel’s possession thriller, The Taking of Deborah Logan, is one of the more thoughtful films within the horror genre with a terrifying climax, leading to a need to have The Taking of Deborah Logan ending explained. The plot involves a documentary crew studying Deborah, the former owner of a telephone operating service, who is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Though reluctant to expose herself to a group of strangers, she is encouraged to participate by Sarah who hopes to keep their family home with the money made from the production. As Deborah begins to exhibit signs of the disease, certain behaviors suggest that something supernatural might be at play.
The Taking of Deborah Logan ending leaves little ambiguity as to the motives of Deborah’s actions. However, one of the reasons that is such a great horror movie is that it so successfully builds tension in the believable relationship between the ailing title character and her daughter. It isn’t until the third act, when the physical manifestation of the supernatural is revealed, that the viewer is given unequivocal evidence of possession. Despite this, The Taking of Deborah Logan ending still requires a deeper five to fully grasp and understand what happens.
What Happened At The Climax Of The Taking Of Deborah Logan
In The Taking of Deborah Logan ending, Deborah kidnaps young cancer patient Cara with the intention of finishing the ritual. At this point, it’s clear that Deborah has been possessed by the spirit of Henry Desjardins, who needs a fifth virgin sacrifice in order to gain immortality. Sarah tells the authorities that she believes her mother has stolen a car and taken the child to Monacan Hill, the area where Desjardins murdered the four other girls. She arrives with the police and the film’s documentary crew consisting of med students Mia and videographer Luis.
After an unsuccessful attempt at restraining Deborah, Sarah, Mia and Luis track her and Cara to the caves where the children were murdered. Deborah is found devouring the head of Cara, her mouth extended like a snake. Sarah shoots at her, stopping her mother from swallowing the girl. While Cara is taken away, Sarah sets the bag with Desjardins’ remains on the ground and sets it on fire. With his physical remains destroyed, according to legend, his “spiritual parasite” has been vanquished. The last shots of Sarah comforting her mother, confused but lucid and alive, bring the core drama to a close.
The Meaning Of The Taking Of Deborah Logan Ending
In the aftermath of the abduction in The Taking of Deborah Logan ending, there’s a series of news clips that offer closure to the story. Deborah is deemed unfit to stand trial for the death of Sheriff Tweed because of her continued mental decline. The film catches up with Cara several months later in full remission from her cancer. She is celebrating her tenth birthday with her family; the picture of perfect health. The newscaster closing voiceover finishing with,
“It’s an unbelievable story – with such a happy ending.”
Cara turns to the camera and smiles guardedly—Desjardins is likely in control. The Taking of Deborah Logan ending effectively interweaves the supernatural with a grounded human drama. Using possession as an allegory for the agonizing pain that Alzheimer’s can cause, the film works on various levels. The fact that Deborah is diagnosed with the disease allows the filmmakers to take the more insidious repercussions to the extreme.
The feelings of loss, desperation, and complete helplessness that relatives of the affected often experience are realistically portrayed through Sarah’s plight. What is also explored is the guilt children often feel when they’re unable to provide the necessary medical attention to their ailing parent.
WHERE TO WATCH: Stream on Amazon Prime Video
The Taking Of Deborah Logan: Guilt & Snake Symbolism
Sarah eventually discovers that her mother helped cover up the murder of Desjardins after learning of his plans to use Sarah as his final sacrifice. The guilt, that she is responsible for her mother’s possession, can be easily transposed to any adult child dealing with a parent’s dementia. Another subtle aspect of the script is that it is inferred that Sarah is gay, which might also add another layer of guilt to their mother/daughter dynamic. While the film never veers into a stereotype, audiences are given just enough information to understand and sympathize with Sarah, who might have additional baggage with her mom.
The serpent symbolism, used throughout the film, is a metaphor for the change in Deborah herself. She is literally becoming a snake, transforming into a different entity by shedding the skin of her former self. The possessed Deborah spits venom and bites aggressors; traits not so far removed from people who experience dementia. The reptiles, used in Desjardins’ ancient ritual, are often symbolic of rebirth, transformation, and immortality. The snakes seen in the crew’s footage are constant reminders of the impending transformation. Though Deborah’s life is spared, it is unclear whether or not the possession affected her disease, as a serpent also symbolizes death.
The Taking Of Deborah Logan Ending Is One Of Its Best Aspects
While The Taking of Deborah Logan never received a wide theatrical release outside of Europe, it became a much-respected cult hit after its debut on Netflix in 2014. A high-profile re-release on multiple streaming platforms solidified its success in the fall of 2019, which made the great exorcism film accessible to a much wider audience, and the reason for its streaming success is largely down to The Taking of Deborah Logan ending. The ending stands as a testament to innovative horror storytelling, and its climax is often heralded as the film’s most unforgettable moment. The ending’s unpredictable nature sets it apart from many contemporary horror films.
The Taking of Deborah Logan steers clear of cliched tropes to offer an ending that is as unexpected as it is startling. However, beyond its element of surprise, The Taking of Deborah Logan ending dives deep into the emotional realm. Rather than simply aiming for shock value, it paints a poignant picture of Deborah’s deteriorating mental state, blending real-world fears of dementia with mythical horror. This seamless integration evokes a dual response from viewers: terror from the supernatural elements and profound empathy for Deborah’s tragic plight. The film’s ability to straddle this line is what makes its ending so emotionally impactful.
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