Outside

The ending of “Outside” reveals the devastating consequences of Francis’ descent into madness and his obsession with control. As the family faces increasing threats from zombies and their own haunted memories, Francis becomes more paranoid, believing that staying inside the house is their only safety. His earlier trauma, rooted in childhood abuse, has twisted him into a figure of authoritarian control, mirroring his abusive father. Despite Iris and the children’s desire to reach the camp and find help, Francis’s fear and possessiveness push him to reject the outside world entirely, even going as far as killing the infected stranger who arrives at their home, believing him to be a threat. His paranoia spirals out of control when he kills Diego’s reanimated body and feeds his family dog to a zombie, revealing a complete breakdown of his mind.

As chaos erupts, Iris, Lucas, and the zombie Diego become the tragic witnesses to Francis’s collapse. Iris’s resourcefulness shines through as she saves Lucas from the infection with a brutal but life-saving amputation and convinces him to seek medical help. Meanwhile, Francis, overwhelmed by guilt and regret, finally confronts his own demons when he encounters Josh at the bridge. In a heartbreaking decision, Francis shoots his own son, believing it’s the only way to prevent the family from being doomed to stay trapped and haunted by their past. His final words, addressing Josh as his son, acknowledge that beneath his cruelty and fear was a man haunted by his childhood trauma and the house’s dark memories.

With Francis dying and his family devastated, the film closes on a faint hope — Iris, Lucas, and Josh, exhausted yet resilient, see the lights of help approaching. Although their future remains uncertain, they have managed to escape the horrors of their past and the house’s curse. The film ends on a haunting note, emphasizing that even amid the most horrifying circumstances, survival depends on confronting one’s fears, seeking help, and finding the strength to move forward, no matter the scars left behind.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 09:03