Unraveling The Revenant's Conclusion

Alejandro González Iñárritu's 2015 film The Revenant is highly praised and well-known. It is considered one of the director's best works. The movie is famous for finally earning Leonardo DiCaprio his first Best Actor award at the Oscars. The Revenant is a critically-acclaimed and memorable film from the 2010s, known for its powerful storytelling and stunning visuals. It has solidified its place as an iconic modern Western and revenge story. The movie's deep themes offer plenty of material for analysis and discussion. Let's dive into the ending of The Revenant and break it down.

In the ending of The Revenant, Hugh Glass finally confronts John Fitzgerald, the man who betrayed him and left him for dead. Despite being severely injured, Glass manages to overpower Fitzgerald and exact his revenge. The intense and brutal final showdown between the two men is a climactic moment in the film, showcasing Glass's determination and will to survive.

The Meaning Behind The Revenant's Ending

After seeking vengeance and achieving his goal, Glass is faced with a choice: to let go of his anger and hatred or to continue down a path of violence and revenge. The ending of The Revenant ultimately highlights the power of forgiveness and redemption, as Glass chooses to spare Fitzgerald's life, symbolizing his own inner peace and closure. It serves as a powerful message about the importance of letting go of past grievances and finding peace within oneself.

The Revenant ambush - What Happens In The Revenant's Ending

In Alejandro González Iñárritu's film The Revenant, we see Hugh Glass facing a heartbreaking situation. He is abandoned by his own party after a brutal bear attack, with his son Hawk choosing to stay behind with him. Despite this, Tom S. Fitzgerald tries to kill Glass, resulting in a tragic confrontation where Hawk is killed. Left for dead, Glass must now muster his strength to survive in the wild and seek vengeance against Fitzgerald.

At the end of the film, a search party discovers Hugh Glass, barely alive, and he reveals that Fitzgerald was responsible for Hawk's death. The group sets out to find Fitzgerald and eventually encounters him. In a showdown between Glass and Fitzgerald, instead of killing him, Glass pushes Fitzgerald into the river where he is met by Arikara Native Americans who ultimately kill him. Glass then departs, and in a final moment, he speaks with the spirit of his deceased wife.

Does Hugh Glass Die At The End Of The Revenant?

Leonardo DiCaprio as Hugh Glass gets mauled by a bear in The Revenant. - Does Hugh Glass Die At The End Of The Revenant?

In the final scene of The Revenant, we see Hugh Glass conversing with the spirit of his wife. Throughout the movie, his wife is mentioned, but this ghostly encounter raises some interesting questions. It could be interpreted that Glass may have passed away, considering his constant struggle for survival and thirst for vengeance. The ending of The Revenant might suggest that Glass has finally found peace and is reunited with his wife and son in the afterlife.

Hugh Glass Doesn't Get His Revenge At The End Of The Revenant

However, this isn't the case. The Revenant is based on the true story of Hugh Glass, and the real figure didn't die after the events that The Revenant covers. The Revenant takes place in 1823, and Glass didn't die until a decade later in 1833. After the events of the film, Glass returned home and continued going on expeditions. The appearance of the spirit of Glass's wife does not represent his death, with it instead being a symptom of the true familial desires that drive his revenge.

Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) covered in injuries looks out a window in The Revenant. - Hugh Glass Doesn't Get His Revenge At The End Of The Revenant

Hugh Glass is fueled by revenge throughout The Revenant, but the movie's ending takes an unexpected turn. Despite his relentless pursuit of Fitzgerald, Glass doesn't actually achieve his goal of vengeance. In most films, this would be the climactic moment where the hero finally gets his revenge by killing the villain. But The Revenant doesn't follow this predictable Hollywood formula.

The Revenant Subverts Racist Tropes in Western Films

Glass makes a pivotal decision to let the Arikara tribe take care of Fitzgerald, showing his realization that seeking revenge does not lead to true happiness. This choice mirrors Fitzgerald's earlier betrayal, highlighting the contrast between their paths and serving as a crucial development in Glass' character arc.

The Arikara tribe attack the trappers in The Revenant. - The Revenant Is A Western That Goes Against The Genre's Racist Tropes

The Revenant stands out for its unique portrayal of Native Americans, challenging the stereotypical and racist representations often seen in Western films. Traditionally, Western movies have depicted Indigenous people as aggressive and villainous characters. However, The Revenant takes a different approach by highlighting the character of Hugh Glass' son, who is half-Pawnee. His tragic death sets the stage for Glass' quest for revenge. Despite facing racist comments and attitudes towards his son, the film ultimately discredits these prejudices through its storytelling.

The Real Meaning Of The Revenant's Ending

On a deeper level, The Revenant transforms into a story of revenge for Native Americans. Hugh Glass ultimately lets the Arikara seek their revenge, setting aside his own quest for vengeance. The film portrays the Arikara as victims who are unfairly targeted and killed, with Fitzgerald using them as an excuse to betray Glass. Despite moments of hostility, The Revenant presents the Arikara in a sympathetic manner, breaking away from traditional Western stereotypes. The accurate portrayal of the Arikara in the film adds to their positive depiction.

The Revenant waterfall scene - The Real Meaning Of The Revenant's Ending

The Revenant, at its core, explores the theme of revenge. Director Iñárritu raises questions about the value of seeking revenge and challenges the idea of who truly deserves it. The film emphasizes that the pursuit of vengeance ultimately leads to destruction and disappointment. Unlike traditional revenge stories that portray vengeance as heroic, The Revenant uses the character of Hugh Glass to highlight the negative consequences of seeking retribution. Despite fitting into the Western genre, it is this unique thematic approach that sets The Revenant apart and makes it a standout film.

Editor's P/S:

The exploration of Hugh Glass's choice to spare John Fitzgerald's life, despite the latter's betrayal, effectively highlights the film's central theme of redemption and forgiveness. The article also delves into the significance of the Arikara tribe's role in Glass's revenge, challenging traditional Western stereotypes and adding depth to the narrative.

Overall, the article offers a comprehensive examination of "The Revenant's" ending, exploring its deeper meanings and the ways in which it challenges conventional revenge narratives. It effectively captures the film's exploration of forgiveness, redemption, and the consequences of seeking vengeance.