Ruben Brandt, Collector

The ending of “Ruben Brandt, Collector” reveals that the entire story takes place within a dream inside Ruben Brandt’s mind. Throughout the film, Ruben struggles with his obsession with famous artworks and his childhood trauma, which have fractured his mental state. The surreal characters and scenes symbolize his internal chaos—many of them are not human and resemble paintings or abstract figures. The detective character, Mike Kowalski, is actually a reflection of Ruben himself, embodying his subconscious and inner conflict. The visual motifs, like the snail representing a spiral maze and the recurring imagery of two ties and shoes of different colors, highlight his splitting personality.

At the beginning, Ruben seems trapped in a psychological labyrinth, unable to sleep or escape his obsession. By the end, he finally awakens from his dream, symbolized by him reading a book about enjoying art, as if having conquered his internal struggles. The final scene showing Ruben at peace signifies that he has managed to confront and integrate his repressed memories and fears. The mirror reflection with Mike merging into Ruben confirms that his internal conflict has been resolved. The film uses art and psychological symbolism to illustrate that Ruben’s obsessive mind is a maze he must navigate to find peace, and through this journey, he ultimately overcomes his past mental wounds. In essence, the story concludes with Ruben emerging victorious from his mental labyrinth, symbolizing his recovery and newfound tranquility.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:58