Second Coming

Jacqueline learns she is eight weeks pregnant, setting the central mystery and emotional arc of the story in motion. The origins and implications of the pregnancy linger, creating a sense of uncertainty that threads through the early life of the couple. This discovery drives Jackie’s behavior and the emotional distance she experiences from her husband and others.

JJ, Jackie’s son, distracts himself at school by drawing wing symbols on misty windows, hinting at the bird motif that recurs throughout the film. Other bird symbols appear in subtle ways, foreshadowing themes of life, death, and renewal. The symbol set becomes a quiet thread linking JJ’s inner world to events around him.

In class, the German teacher asks JJ a question in German about color, prompting Lauryn to belittle the language as not being proper. Lauryn’s comment underscores subtle racism and insecurity in the environment surrounding JJ. The moment adds social tension to JJ’s school life while the pregnancy unfolds in parallel.

JJ feeds a friendly magpie and later demonstrates to Lauryn how to coax another wild bird into his hands. The second bird is injured when Lauryn handles it too roughly. JJ attempts to rehabilitate the bird, but it dies, and he solemnly buries it in the backyard.

Jackie discusses the pregnancy with Bernie, her coworker, and JJ’s godmother, contemplating whether to continue with the pregnancy. The conversation reflects doubts and uncertainties about the origins and implications of the pregnancy, foreshadowing the emotional turmoil ahead. The topic stirs tension as others weigh in on her choices.

In the bathroom, water falls from nowhere, a recurring symbol that intensifies across several scenes. This motif mirrors Jackie's mounting distress and the idea of a cleansing, cleansing, or impending upheaval. The bathroom imagery recurs three times, culminating in a dramatic monsoon-like moment.

Mark discovers the pregnancy through JJ, who claims to see the baby. He reacts with fear and anger, referencing past miscarriages and questioning why intimacy has faded. The confrontation is tense and overheard by JJ and Lauryn, widening the rift in the family.

In a moment of deep despair, Jackie tries to harm herself with a sharp instrument. Mark rushes them to the hospital where both Jackie and the baby survive the ordeal. The crisis deepens the emotional distance between Jackie and Mark and marks a turning point in their marriage.

Following the news of the pregnancy, JJ gets into a fight with a schoolmate after Lauryn tells others about the situation. The incident underscores the social consequences and isolation surrounding the family’s crisis. It adds tension to an already fragile domestic environment.

Jackie undergoes compulsory counseling where she is questioned about her visions and belief that she is giving birth to the Second Coming. The process intensifies scrutiny and personal doubt, culminating in the separation of Mark and Jackie. The couple’s bond weakens as they face an uncertain future.

One year later, Mark and Jackie attempt to revive their relationship during their baby’s first birthday party. They watch the child learn to walk, signaling tentative healing and a new chapter for the family. The atmosphere hints at possibility and renewed hope despite the past turmoil.

Without words, JJ carries the baby to the bird’s grave. The baby places a hand on the grave, and the healed bird rises from the earth, returning to the sky. The revival suggests a miraculous renewal and links the child’s birth and the bird’s life in a symbolic closure.