The Return of the Living Dead Ending Explained
The Return of the Living Dead is a classic horror film that has captivated audiences since its release in 1985. Directed by Dan O’Bannon, the movie is known for its unique blend of humor and horror, as well as its iconic ending that left many viewers scratching their heads. In this article, we will delve into the ending of The Return of the Living Dead and attempt to unravel its mysteries.
The film follows a group of employees at a medical supply warehouse who accidentally release a gas that reanimates the dead. Chaos ensues as the zombies begin to overrun the town, leaving our protagonists fighting for their lives. However, it is the final moments of the movie that leave audiences perplexed.
In the climactic scene, our surviving characters find themselves trapped inside a crematorium with no way out. As they desperately search for an escape route, they discover that burning the zombies only releases more toxic gas into the atmosphere, causing rain to fall and reanimate all corpses in nearby cemeteries. This revelation leads them to make a fateful decision.
Realizing that there is no way to stop the spread of the gas or eliminate the zombies, our protagonists decide to call in an airstrike on their location. As they wait for impending doom, one character tearfully asks another if there is a heaven. The response is chilling: “All I know is that there’s no God and our fate is sealed.”
This bleak and nihilistic ending leaves viewers with more questions than answers. What does it mean? Is there truly no hope? Let’s explore some possible interpretations.
One interpretation suggests that The Return of the Living Dead is a commentary on humanity’s destructive nature and its inability to escape its own demise. The characters’ decision to call in an airstrike can be seen as an act of resignation, accepting that their fate is sealed and there is no way to save themselves or the world from the zombie apocalypse. This interpretation highlights the film’s underlying theme of hopelessness and the inevitability of death.
Another interpretation suggests that the ending is a critique of organized religion and its promises of an afterlife. The character’s statement that there is no God and their fate is sealed can be seen as a rejection of traditional beliefs and a recognition that there is no divine intervention to save them from their impending doom. This interpretation adds a layer of existentialism to the film, questioning the existence of higher powers and the purpose of human life.
It is important to note that director Dan O’Bannon intended for The Return of the Living Dead to be a dark comedy, blending horror with humor. The ending, while bleak, can also be seen as a tongue-in-cheek twist on traditional zombie movie conclusions. Rather than finding a way to defeat the zombies or survive against all odds, our protagonists succumb to their fate in an unconventional manner.
In conclusion, The Return of the Living Dead offers an ending that is open to interpretation and leaves audiences pondering its deeper meaning. Whether it is a commentary on humanity’s destructive nature, a critique of organized religion, or simply a darkly comedic twist on traditional horror movie endings, one thing is certain – it has left an indelible mark on the genre.
