The Grudge

The ending of “The Grudge” reveals the devastating consequences of a cycle of revenge and injustice. Harun, who initially tries to hide his crime after killing Ceyhun Arik in self-defense, becomes entangled in a web of lies and vengeance. As the truth unfolds, we learn that Gul Cankir, the woman calling herself “The Crane Killer,” was driven by a desire for revenge against those who falsely accused her father, Ramazan Turel, and caused his brutal death in prison. She killed police officers and hired the taxi driver to eliminate Harun, but after Harun’s self-defense kill of the driver, she manipulated the situation to blackmail him into murdering his superior, Cevat, with the damning evidence she possessed. Gul’s motives are rooted in her childhood trauma and her thirst for justice for her father.

Eventually, Harun uncovers the devastating truth behind his own past. The case he was investigating—linked to the murders and the drug trade—was rooted in the wrongful conviction and death of Ramazan Turel. Turel’s children, Gülendam and Emre, sought revenge for their father by killing police officers involved in his framing. The police officer Tuncay, originally Emre, reveals that he poisoned people at work as revenge for his father’s wrongful death. The film suggests that Harun, aware of his moral lapses and failures, chooses to make a redemptive act in the end. He refuses to kill Tuncay, who had begged to be shot, and instead lays down his weapon, symbolizing his recognition of his own flawed decisions and the cycle of hatred he helped perpetuate.

The story ends with Harun being arrested, his career ruined, and his moral integrity questioned. The final flashback shows Harun’s first meeting with Tuncay, reminding us that even those within the system are damaged by the cycle of grudges and injustice. Ultimately, the film underscores how unresolved revenge and moral compromises can destroy lives and how true justice might only be achieved through mercy and acceptance of one’s imperfections. Harun’s choice to walk away from revenge signifies hope—an acknowledgment that breaking free from cycles of hatred may be the only way to truly find peace. The film ends on a somber, reflective note, illustrating that the cycle of grudges can continue unless someone dares to end it.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 09:00