The Eyes of My Mother

*The ending of “The Eyes of My Mother” is intentionally ambiguous and chilling, leaving viewers pondering the fate of its tragic characters. As the film builds to a tense climax, Francisca, who has been deeply traumatized and isolated from society, finds herself in a harrowing standoff with the police. She is seen holding a knife to Antonio, the orphan she raised as her own after kidnapping him, and the tension is palpable. Just as it seems she might commit a violent act, a gunshot echoes off-screen, leaving the outcome uncertain. This sudden noise sparks confusion—did the police shoot her, Antonio, or someone else? The film chooses not to reveal what exactly happens, emphasizing the cyclical nature of trauma and violence that defines Francisca’s life.

Throughout the story, Francisca’s actions—kidnapping, mutilating her victims, and keeping organs—are manifestations of her fractured psyche and her desperate attempt to control and fill the void created by her traumatic past. Her decision to bring Charlie, the man responsible for her mother’s murder, back into her home as her “son” reflects her distorted yearning for family and connection, even when these desires are expressed through horrifying means. Her keeping and mutilating of organs symbolize her twisted way of understanding life and death, further underscoring her psychological instability.

The ending’s ambiguity reflects the complex morality of Francisca’s character, torn between being a victim of her circumstances and an active agent of violence. It leaves the audience with unsettling questions about whether violence has been perpetuated by external forces or if Francisca’s inner demons have finally claimed her. The final gunshot, unresolved and silent, reinforces the themes of unresolved trauma and moral ambiguity, making the conclusion as haunting and devastating as the story itself. In the end, we are left to interpret whether she survives or succumbs to her own darkness, with the film’s silence symbolizing the elusive nature of justice and mercy in a world scarred by trauma.*

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:59