Understanding the Conclusion of Night Swim

Night Swim, written and directed by Bryce McGuire, follows the Waller family as they attempt to battle the supernatural force haunting their backyard swimming pool. The film's conclusion is packed with terrifying moments and satisfying resolutions, so here's a summary of everything that happens.

Night Swim ending explained

Night Swim ends with Ray Waller (Wyatt Russell) sacrificing his life to save his son, Elliot (Gavin Warren).

Ironically, this happens after Ray has spent most of Night Swim's climactic set piece assisting the malevolent Deep Waters entity in killing Elliot. Under the control of the Deep Waters, Ray stops Izzy (Amélie Hoeferle), Elliott's already injured sister, from seeking help after Elliott is lured into the pool.

Luckily, Elliott's mother, Eve (Kerry Condon), is able to wrap a hose around herself and jump in after Elliott. Once underwater, she encounters a horde of ghouls who try to drown her. Eve manages to break free, but struggles to find her way back.

Jessica, a former victim of the Deep Waters who has not been corrupted like the other apparitions, appears and shows Eve a smiley face-inscribed coin that Ray had given Elliot earlier in Night Swim, using it to guide Eve in the right direction. Eve makes it back to dry land, but Elliot is not breathing. She attempts CPR, only to be attacked by Ray, who lifts her off the ground with one hand. Just as Ray is about to kill Eve, Izzy arrives and strikes Ray with one of his old Major League Baseball bats.

A sudden strike breaks Ray free from the grip of the Deep Waters, and Elliot begins to regain consciousness. But then, the pool starts to fill with a dark, ominous substance. As Ray sees the murky goop, he understands that the Deeper Waters will not stop until it takes a life. Without hesitation, he enters the pool and disappears into the spreading murky cloud, likely becoming another one of the Deep Waters' wraiths.

What happens to the pool in Night Swim?

After settling the Wallers’ debt to the Deep Waters, the pool returns to its original state, releasing Eve, Izzy, and Elliot from its malevolent influence. As Night Swim draws to a close, they take the initiative to fill in the pool.

By doing this, they ensure the safety of themselves and future occupants of the house from potential Deep Waters attacks. They also decide to stay in the house to keep a watchful eye, just to be certain.

But there is also a more personal reason for Eve, Izzy, and Elliot to stay - it keeps them close to Ray. Since it seems that Ray's spirit is trapped within the natural spring that used to fill the pool, he will always be connected to the property - as well as those who care for him.

There you have it: Night Swim’s ending explained. For all the latest TV and movie news and updates, check out Dexerto’s full coverage here.

Editor's P/S

As a passionate fan of horror movies, I found the conclusion of Night Swim to be a satisfying blend of scares and emotional resonance. The film's ability to balance intense supernatural elements with the personal struggles of the Waller family created a truly immersive and impactful experience. The final confrontation between Ray and Eve, followed by Izzy's heroic intervention, was particularly gripping and showcased the strength of the film's characters.

The ending also left me with a sense of melancholy and reflection. Ray's ultimate sacrifice to save his son highlighted the lengths that parents are willing to go to protect their children, even in the face of unimaginable horrors. The film's exploration of grief and loss added a layer of emotional depth to the supernatural narrative, making it more than just a typical haunted house story. Overall, Night Swim's conclusion effectively tied together the various plot threads and left a lasting impact on me as a viewer.