Earwig

In the final act, Erica—still calling herself Earwig— decides she’s had enough of being treated like a servant. She secretly learns a spell from the talking cat and uses it on Bella Yaga, forcing the witch to sprout a second pair of hands that mirror the chant Bella has been repeating. The chaotic magic flusters the house, and in the confusion Erica slips into Mandrake’s private quarters. There, she uncovers a dusty secret: Mandrake and Bella once played in a three‑person band, and the missing third member is none other than Erica’s own mother, though the adults fail to recognize her.

Erica’s relentless curiosity and her genuine love for the music melt Mandrake’s hardened exterior, awakening a nostalgic longing for his old life. Seizing the moment, Erica wields the new spell she’s been mastering to command the household, turning the chaotic energy into a playful order. She declares herself the one in charge, turning the once‑oppressive home into a lively haven where she can finally be herself.

Just as she invites her childhood friend Custard over for a festive Christmas Eve, the doorbell rings. Standing on the threshold is her mother, returned from the dangerous mission that had driven her away at the beginning of the film. Her arrival signals not only the end of the peril that forced her to leave, but also the reunion of the fragmented family, giving Erica the chance to finally reconcile her orphaned past with the magical future she has forged.

Last Updated: September 17, 2025 at 06:53