Cobweb

At the end of Cobweb, Peter manages to escape the terror of his haunted house with the help of Miss Devine, who locks Sarah back in the basement, seemingly putting an end to her menace. Yet, the final scenes leave a lasting impression of psychological trauma. A flash-forward shows Peter now living in a new home, visibly still haunted by his past. He is depicted as a troubled young boy, fearful of the dark and haunted by Sarah’s voice and presence, which seems to linger in his mind more than in reality. The eerie ending, with Sarah’s voice telling him, “We’re family, Peter. I will always be with you,” hints that her influence has become a permanent part of his psyche.

Since the movie doesn’t explicitly state whether Sarah is a supernatural monster or simply a grotesque manifestation of trauma, viewers are left to interpret her presence. The fact that Sarah is shown safely locked away earlier suggests the filmmakers intend her as a literal creature—an impossible monster physically present in the story. However, her whispers and the pervasive fear she instills in Peter also symbolize the lasting scars of childhood abuse and mental affliction. Ultimately, the ending implies that while Peter has technically survived his ordeal, he will carry the mental and emotional damage from his experiences for the rest of his life. The haunting scene highlights how childhood trauma can transform perceived reality into a never-ending nightmare, making Sarah, whether real or a figment of Peter’s traumatized mind, a monster that will stay with him forever. So, while Miss Devine’s intervention might have saved him momentarily, the film underscores that Peter’s psychological wounds are indelible, and the monster—whether real or imagined—remains a part of his ongoing struggle.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 09:02