The New Boy

The ending of The New Boy leaves viewers with a sense of ambiguity and reflection on the complex intersection of Indigenous spirituality and Christianity. Throughout the film, the young Aboriginal boy demonstrates extraordinary powers—he can light fires with his fingers, heal wounds, and even carry a sacred glow within himself that seems connected to his roots and heritage. These mystical gifts set him apart from the other children and challenge the strict religious environment of the orphanage, especially Sister Eileen, who is torn between her religious duties and the awe-inspiring reality of the boy’s supernatural abilities.

As the story progresses, Sister Eileen seeks to convert the boy through baptism, attempting to erase his spiritual essence in the name of Christianity. During the baptism, as the boy’s hair is washed with holy water, he begins to lose his light—his power diminishes, and he appears to become just another child within the colonized system. Despite this, the boy secretly keeps a snake in his pocket, hinting that part of his true identity and connection to his heritage still remains beneath the surface. He looks on at the figurine of Mother Mary, which has fallen still, symbolizing how his own spirit has been subdued and silenced in the effort to assimilate him. The film suggests that the boy’s story has been somewhat rewritten to fit into the colonizer’s narrative—his original power has been suppressed, but a trace of his inner strength lingers.

Ultimately, the ending leaves it open whether the boy’s true essence has been fully eradicated or if remnants of his ancestral spirit will survive beyond the imposed colonization. The visual of him hiding the snake in his pocket signifies that his connection to nature and his identity isn’t entirely lost, and perhaps, in some quiet way, these native aspects might endure. Meanwhile, Sister Mums’ own story of loss hints at the wider toll of colonization on indigenous lives and families. Warwick Thornton’s film captures this tension beautifully, illustrating that despite attempts to enforce cultural dominance, Indigenous spirits and histories persist beneath the surface, waiting to be acknowledged or awakened again. The open-ended conclusion invites viewers to consider whether true acceptance and understanding might someday bridge the divide between these worlds or if history will continue to shape the ongoing struggle for recognition.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 09:04