The Mind-Blowing Twist Unveiled: The Ultimate Explanation of 'Cabinet Of Curiosities' Ending

Summary

"The Viewing" is a cautionary tale that explores the consequences of attempting to control the unknown and the repercussions faced by the rich and powerful who overreach.

Lionel meticulously chose his guests, considering their expertise and public influence, with the aim of gaining insights into the enigmatic artifact. He recognized that both art and science held the potential to foster communication.

The presence of characters who engage in drug consumption serves to heighten tension, increase vulnerability, and symbolize Lionel's endeavors to establish a connection with the extraterrestrial being. However, it also introduces an element of uncertainty and unreliability.

Guillermo del Toro's "The Viewing" from the Cabinet of Curiosities is an intriguing and suspenseful horror story that kept viewers on edge, leaving them surprised and perplexed by its unexpected ending. The second-to-last episode of del Toro's anthology series delves into the lives of four experts, each specializing in different fields, who receive an invitation to Lionel Lassiter's enigmatic mansion. These characters, namely Charlotte, Targ, Randall, and Guy, focus on subjects such as space, spirituality, music, and literature, respectively.

In essence, "The Viewing" serves as a cautionary tale, exploring the arrogance of those who believe they can possess and control the unknown. It also sheds light on the consequences faced by society when the wealthy and influential exceed their limits. These themes are intensified by the tension, unsettling visuals, and ominous score that add to the sense of impending doom. Throughout the narrative, each character gradually loses control, ultimately paying the price for their misguided actions.

How Lionel Chose His Guests

In "The Viewing," Lionel's four guests, despite their different backgrounds, are revealed to have all appeared on late-night talk shows, discussing their respective expertise. This implies that Lionel specifically sought out experts with a public presence. Moreover, Lionel was particularly interested in individuals whom he perceived as open-minded and visionary, as evident in his praise of Guy as the greatest novelist of the time and Randall's transcendent work in music.

Ultimately, Lionel, of the Cabinet of Curiosities, believed that those whom he considered enlightened had the greatest chance of comprehending the hidden artifact in his house. He believed that Guy and Randall, through the universal language of art, or Targ and Charlotte, through science, would possess the necessary understanding. Since Lionel suspected the object to be of extraterrestrial origin and wished to establish communication with it, he specifically sought the expertise of Targ and Charlotte.

Why Everyone Took A Lot of Drugs In The Viewing

To maximize the potential of his guests in Cabinet of Curiosities, Lionel's unusual decision to encourage immediate consumption of potent substances upon arrival may appear perplexing. This act, known as "The Viewing," can be interpreted in various ways. Firstly, Lionel intended to showcase his affluence and authority by flaunting his opulent residence, luxurious possessions, and intimate knowledge of his guests, all contributing to the ultimate climax of the Cabinet of Curiosities. Consequently, each of these elements served as a strategic move to exert greater influence over them.

Furthermore, Lionel believed that introducing intoxication would enhance their ability to transcend and gain a deeper understanding or connection with the enigmatic extraterrestrial entity he harbored. On a metaphorical level, ensuring that all characters were heavily under the influence introduced an additional layer of tension to their environment. This resulted in their perceptions becoming unreliable and their vulnerability heightened as they encountered the creature towards the culmination of the episode.

Why Targ & Guy Die In The Viewing's Ending

Why Lionel Gets Absorbed By The Monster

When the group accidentally awakens the creature trapped inside the mystical stone in "The Viewing" ending of Cabinet of Curiosities, a horrifying, piercing sound instantly affects everyone present. However, it is only Targ and Guy who succumb to its devastating effects. This can be attributed to their respective character traits: Targ, being the spiritual psychic among the cast, is presumably more receptive to the creature's influence on its surroundings, which ultimately leads to his demise once the entity is unleashed. In contrast, Guy, who embodies unyielding inflexibility, meets a different fate as he abruptly explodes while Targ's flesh gruesomely dissolves into itself. This dramatic contrast showcases Guy's resistance to adapting to the creature's presence, resulting in his ultimate destruction.

The deaths of Targ and Guy are juxtaposed with those of Lionel and his physician, Dr. Zhara (Sofia Boutella). While Targ and Guy meet their end without ever making physical contact with the creature, Dr. Zhara deliberately places her hand in it, and Lionel's body is fully absorbed to give the entity a new form. Lionel's demise is particularly poetic and serves as the expected conclusion of the story, as the ending of this Cabinet of Curiosities was foreshadowed right from the beginning of the episode, when del Toro poses the question of what occurs when the collector becomes the collected.

The True Meaning Of The Viewing's Ending

Lionel prides himself on the exclusivity of what he can possess, whether it's personal music or people like Dr. Zhara, as depicted in "The Viewing". However, his downfall comes when he realizes that he is ultimately possessed by the alien creature. This showcases Lionel's fatal flaw - his greed. His hubris leads him to believe that he can have and control anything and anyone, including his guests and the incomprehensible entity in his home. Consequently, Lionel's excessive pride and desire for possession cause him to lose everything in the episode's finale.

"The Viewing," an episode of the unsettling Cabinet of Curiosities, deviates from a traditional plot structure. However, it captivates viewers as a compelling exploration of characters. Specifically, it delves into the persona of Lionel, the individual who motivates the other Cabinet of Curiosities' members to assemble and confront the enigmatic. Ultimately, the group succumbs to the unknown, leaving only Charlotte and Randall to survive. These two protagonists demonstrate a genuine willingness to confront the unfamiliar within their respective domains.

Charlotte's exploration of the uncertainty principle in her work and Randal's belief in the existence of a void within every individual highlight the inherent meaninglessness of human existence. Unlike Lionel, who arrogantly believes in his ability to control and possess knowledge, Charlotte and Randal are willing to face the unknown, allowing them to escape the consequences of their arrogance. In typical del Toro fashion, the entity in the story represents more than just a terrifying creature. Lionel's transformation into the monster serves as a reminder that human pride, especially when coupled with power and resources, is the true monster.

The appearance of the Lionel-alien hybrid in the city suggests that it would undoubtedly cause chaos and destruction if it possesses even a fraction of Lionel's pride and the creature's destructive capabilities. This conclusion leaves the episode on a disquieting and uncertain note, refusing to fully resolve the tension established from the beginning of Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities "The Viewing." The audience, along with the characters, is forced to confront something beyond their comprehension.