The Innocents

Year: 2016

Runtime: 115 min

Language: French

Director: Anne Fontaine

Drama

In the aftermath of World War II, a French doctor arrives in Warsaw and discovers a convent where Catholic nuns are secretly defying their vows and becoming pregnant. As she investigates, the doctor, Mathilde, uncovers deeply buried secrets within the cloistered community. Her presence sparks a crisis of faith and challenges the beliefs of those around her, all while the Communist government intensifies its opposition to the Catholic church.

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The Innocents (2016) – Ending Explained & Final Scene Breakdown

Still thinking about how The Innocents (2016) ended? Here’s a full breakdown of the ending, key final moments, major twists, and the deeper meaning behind the film’s conclusion.

In the final moments of “The Innocents,” Ida, after a series of frightening encounters and witnessing her sister Anna’s supernatural powers, faces Ben once again at the playground. As Ben tries to harm Anna, the two girls unite their powers, summoning a mysterious energy that seems to overwhelm him. In the chaos, Ben collapses, seemingly defeated or possibly killed by their combined supernatural force. The film then shows Ida returning home with her mother, reflecting a sense of relief mixed with unease. Later, when Anna joins her at the drawing board, and the screen goes dark, it is ambiguous whether Ben truly died or if his fate is more symbolic of the evil being contained or vanquished for now. The movie leaves open the possibility that what viewers saw might be a fantastical representation of the children’s inner struggles with morality and fear, or perhaps a literal supernatural reckoning. Overall, the ending suggests that the children’s powers, whether real or imagined, serve as a metaphor for their supernatural innocence and the blurred line between good and evil, making the conclusion both haunting and thought-provoking.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44

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Movies about institutional secrecy like The Innocents

Stories that explore deeply buried truths within rigid, closed-off communities.If you appreciated the unsettling discovery of secrets within a convent in 'The Innocents,' this section features similar movies like it. These dramas focus on closed societies, hidden traumas, and the individuals who uncover them, often with a heavy emotional weight and a sobering tone.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow an outsider or an insider awakening to a systemic lie or hidden trauma within a tightly controlled environment. The plot revolves around the investigation or gradual revelation of this secret, leading to a crisis of faith, authority, and personal morality for the characters involved.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by their shared setting of a closed institution, a central mystery or secret, and a thematic focus on the conflict between institutional power and individual suffering. The mood is consistently tense, claustrophobic, and morally complex.

Sobering post-war dramas like The Innocents

Quiet, heavy dramas exploring the profound human cost in the aftermath of conflict.For viewers who liked the grim, reflective atmosphere of 'The Innocents,' this list collects similar movies set after major conflicts. These films share a heavy emotional weight, a focus on trauma and survival, and a bittersweet or bleak tone, exploring stories like those found in 'The Innocents'.

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Narrative Summary

The stories in this thread are character-driven, often following individuals or small communities grappling with loss, guilt, and the challenge of finding humanity amidst devastation. The plot is less about action and more about internal conflict, moral choices, and the slow, painful process of facing traumatic truths.

Why These Movies?

They are united by their post-war setting and a shared focus on the heavy, lingering effects of trauma. The tone is predominantly dark and reflective, with a steady pacing that allows the emotional weight to build, resulting in a sobering and thought-provoking experience.

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The Innocents Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Innocents

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