Never Let Go

At the end of Never Let Go, the ambiguity surrounding the evil in the story leaves it open to interpretation whether it’s a real supernatural force or a manifestation of trauma and mental illness. Throughout the film, only Momma sees the shapeshifting entity, which takes on disturbing forms of her past loved ones, suggesting she might be hallucinating due to her trauma and starvation. When her sons encounter the entity, the film provides some clues that it could be real—such as Nolan seeing evidence of the hiker’s existence and discovering real food in Cole’s bag—yet the final scenes leave us questioning everything. Nolan’s confrontation with the monster, which appears as a snake-like creature, is presented with still more doubt, especially when he is shown holding onto his belief that his mother loved him, even as he seems to still be possessed. The closing shot depicts Nolan injured and seemingly possessed, with a hint that the evil may have taken over him as well. The film intentionally complicates the narrative by blending hallucinations, religious symbolism, and possible supernatural phenomena, making it unclear whether the evil is genuine or a product of the characters’ minds and fears. Ultimately, Never Let Go explores themes of fear, grief, and the cycle of trauma, with the ending emphasizing that sometimes the truth is uncertain, leaving viewers to decide whether the evil is real or simply a terrifying projection of a broken mind. The tragic death of Momma, who succumbs to her fears and takes her own life, underscores how her past pain and mental illness have shaped her tragic downfall—her suicide represented as an act of final escape from the evil that haunted her and the world she believed was dangerous. The film’s religious symbolism, especially the snake imagery, ties into the biblical metaphor of temptation and evil, reinforcing the idea that the evil may be rooted in the characters’ deepest fears and subconscious. All of this contributes to a haunting ending that challenges viewers to reflect on the murky line between reality and perception, making Never Let Go a story about the destructive power of fear, grief, and the unresolved traumas we carry.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44