Analysis of The Endless (2017) – A Highly Recommended Film
This movie captivated me. The way it portrays a being that escapes our understanding is truly intriguing. It’s an entity that, although never fully revealed in physical form, has an overwhelming presence. Well, it does partially appear after the lake scene, but never in a tangible way. That ambiguity is precisely what drives me to write this analysis.
What is this creature?
The movie suggests that this being has a peculiar relationship with visual recording media: photographs, videos, cassette tapes, digital devices, and even hard drives. It seems to have the ability to capture and project fragments of the past and the future. We could imagine it as a sort of Doctor Manhattan from the comics, but much more abstract and far less human.
Here is a small drawing of my explanation
It’s as if the creature stores stories, images, and memories, sharing them with selected individuals for reasons that remain unclear. Perhaps it manipulates people, or maybe it seeks something else, like conveying a message or fulfilling a greater purpose.
The cult and the time loops
The community living near the mountain appears to revere it, though not explicitly. Some even willingly allow themselves to be killed by it, which could be interpreted as a form of worship. However, the movie suggests that this being does not act randomly: it has a certain criteria for creating the time loops that trap people.
These loops vary in duration. Some last only a few seconds, while others are longer, and they seem to be personalized punishments. Those trapped in these cycles eventually end up being consumed by the creature. But what’s fascinating is that, after being “consumed,” the people seem to return to the same point in their loop. It’s as if this being doesn’t feed on their bodies but rather on their stories or experiences.
What is this creature made of?
This is where things get even more fascinating. It seems to be an entity from a higher dimension, possibly made of an ethereal or crystalline material that we cannot comprehend. It’s nearly invulnerable to human attempts to harm it. Additionally, it appears to react differently to sunlight and moonlight, which could be a key to understanding its nature.
An interesting detail is that this creature can fragment itself, separating parts of its body that operate independently. These parts can return to it, share information, or remain separate indefinitely.
Final thoughts
In the end, I believe this creature uses time loops as prisons, trapping people and feeding on their experiences in ways we don’t fully understand. The movie leaves many questions unanswered, which is part of what makes it so captivating. If you enjoy stories with Lovecraftian undertones, this movie will definitely intrigue you.
I hope my analysis was interesting to you. What do you think about this creature and its purpose?