The Origin of Evil (2023) Plot Summary & Ending Explained

The ending of The Origin of Evil reveals a complex web of deception and betrayal. Throughout the film, we learn that the woman claiming to be Stephane is actually Nathalie Cordier, a serial fraudster who devised an elaborate plan to impersonate the real Stephane, the illegitimate daughter of Serge Dumontet, in order to claim her inheritance. Serge, initially portrayed as a victim of his family's greed, is eventually exposed as a deeply flawed and violent man, revealing his true nature—his misogyny, anti-Semitism, and abusive tendencies. Nathalie, after uncovering Serge’s true character and his manipulations, turns against him, even killing him in a fit of rage when she discovers he had been using her all along.

When Serge confesses his manipulations at the hospital, Nathalie’s anger boils over, leading her to murder him to prevent any further danger. George, Serge’s daughter and a keen observer of the situation, witnesses the crime and realizes Nathalie’s sincerity—her rejection of greed and her genuine connection to the family. Feeling betrayed by her father and inspired by the bond she has formed with Nathalie, George supports her, choosing to keep Serge’s death a secret rather than turn her in. This act of loyalty ties into the overarching theme of moral ambiguity, as Nathalie’s actions shift from deception to a form of justified retribution against Serge’s tyranny.