The Starling

The ending of “The Starling” emphasizes the importance of healing and facing grief rather than avoiding it. Throughout the film, Jack and Lilly struggle with their profound loss of their daughter, Katie, and their depression pushes them apart. Jack, overwhelmed by guilt, attempts to deny his pain and refuses to fully engage in his recovery, even tricking his therapist. Lilly, meanwhile, seeks ways to cope, including tending to her garden and becoming obsessed with removing the starling that attacks her—a symbolic creature representing her struggle with her grief.

The turning point comes when Lilly admits she has gotten rid of Katie’s belongings, which devastates Jack, exposing how much he’s still hurting and unable to move on. Jack’s realization of his depression and his decision to openly confront his feelings mark a significant shift. He finally starts accepting his pain and begins to open up, acknowledging that he has been fighting himself and his emotions. Lilly also begins to understand that healing involves not pushing away her feelings but confronting them directly.

The symbolic presence of the starling highlights this process. Lilly’s attempt to kill or remove the bird represents her desire to erase her pain, but instead, she ends up caring for it, realizing that her grief is a part of her, much like the bird. When Jack and Lilly finally clear the emotional barriers between them, they rediscover their love and hope for the future. Their shared experience and newfound understanding allow them to walk forward together, ready to face whatever comes next.

The film concludes with the couple bringing a second starling into their garden, symbolizing renewal, hope, and the acceptance that grief is a part of life’s natural cycle. The birds’ presence signifies that healing is ongoing, and that embracing their pain can ultimately lead to growth and new beginnings. In embracing the starling, they accept that healing doesn’t mean forgetting, but learning to live with and integrate their grief into their lives.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:58