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Ending Explained

The Witch (2016) Ending Explained – Final Scene & Meaning

Release, runtime and language
2016 · 92 min · English
JustWatch #132 20
Directed by
Robert Eggers
Starring
Ralph Ineson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Julian Richings, Kate Dickie, Harvey Scrimshaw
Budget
$4M

In 17th-century New England, a family seeking refuge from religious persecution establishes a farm near a dense, ominous forest. As unsettling events unfold – livestock die mysteriously, crops fail, and their infant son vanishes – paranoia and dread grip the family. Fingers point towards Thomasin, a young woman, who vehemently denies any involvement in the escalating misfortunes. The family's faith and unity are tested as they confront a growing sense of evil.

Mystery Horror Cast, crew & box office
On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens at the end
  3. 3 Final events in order
  4. 4 Ending questions answered
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Movies like The Witch
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Witch (2016)

Where can you watch The Witch? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Fandango at Home Free and Plex: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Ending explained · contains spoilers

What Happens at the End of The Witch?

How The Witch (2016) ends, what the final scene means, which earlier moments set it up and how to read the ending if the film leaves it open. The full ending explained, with every spoiler.

The ending of "The Witch: Revenge" is both intense and symbolic. After the brutal execution of the soldiers—who meet horrifying, gruesome fates that include blood, worms, and violent mutilation—Olena’s revenge is complete. However, her actions come with a heavy price. The movie reveals that Olena is pregnant, which serves as a beacon of hope amidst the chaos and violence. This pregnancy signifies that Olena is holding onto a part of her lost loved one, Andril, and her desire for a future beyond revenge. Instead of killing the ruthless Russian commander, Olena chooses mercy, letting him go after learning that she is pregnant and she has Ozzy safe at her side. This act of mercy suggests a hope for redemption and healing, even in the face of overwhelming darkness. The film concludes with Olena cuddling her newborn son, whom she names Andril, symbolizing her survival, resilience, and the possibility of new beginnings. The ending feels conclusive, emphasizing that despite her vengeance and the horrors she endured, Olena is embodying the hope for a future she can still shape, free from the cycle of violence. The movie hints that this new life, borne out of tragedy, might be the beginning of something better—something worth fighting for, even after the depths of chaos.

Last updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44

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The last 4 events

How The Witch Ends: The Final Events in Order

The last events of The Witch (2016) in chronological order, the run-up to the ending explained above. The complete timeline has all 15 events, scene by scene.

Open the full timeline

  1. Confrontation and Tragedy

    Confusion escalates and leads to a chaotic confrontation between Thomasin and William. In a tragic outcome, Thomasin kills Katherine during a fit of rage, forever changing her fate.

    Where
    Home

  2. Deal with Black Phillip

    In her despair, Thomasin seeks solace and makes a dark pact with the black goat, Black Phillip. This moment symbolizes her ultimate surrender to her dark fate and the crumbling family.

    Where
    Woods

  3. Coven Encounter

    Thomasin finds herself in the woods after her pact, where she stumbles upon a coven of witches engaged in a frenetic dance around a fire. This encounter cements her acceptance of darkness.

    Where
    Woods

  4. Ascension

    In a climactic moment, Thomasin embraces the chaos and ascends, floating above the trees. This transformation marks her complete acceptance of her fate and the culmination of her horrific journey.

    Where
    Woods

Ending questions answered

The Witch Ending: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about the ending of The Witch (2016): what the final scene means, how the twist works, what happens to each character and how to read the ending. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why does Olena choose to spare the Russian commander instead of killing him?

Olena spares the Russian commander after discovering she is pregnant and having Ozky safe at her side. The pregnancy represents hope for a future beyond revenge, and her act of mercy signals her desire to break the cycle of violence rather than continue seeking vengeance.

  • olena
  • pregnancy
  • mercy
  • commander
  • revenge cycle
Q2

What does Olena's pregnancy represent in the ending?

Olena's pregnancy serves as a beacon of hope amidst the chaos. It signifies that she is holding onto a part of her lost loved one Andril and her desire for a future beyond revenge. The pregnancy represents resilience and the possibility of new beginnings despite the horrors she endured.

  • pregnancy
  • olena
  • hopeness
  • andril
  • new beginning
Q3

Why does Olena name her newborn son Andril?

Olena names her newborn son Andril in honor of her lost loved one. This act symbolizes her survival, resilience, and the connection to her past while embracing the possibility of a future. The name represents continuity and healing after tragedy.

  • andril
  • newborn son
  • name
  • olena
  • memorial
Q4

What happens to Ozky in the final scene?

Ozky is safe at Olena's side by the end of the movie. After the brutal execution of the soldiers and the completion of Olena's revenge, Ozky survives alongside Olena as she cradles her newborn son, suggesting they will face the future together.

  • ozky
  • survival
  • safety
  • olena
Q5

What is the significance of Olena showing mercy to the commander?

By showing mercy, Olena chooses redemption over retaliation. This act suggests she is breaking free from the cycle of violence and revenge that consumed her. It emphasizes the film's message that hope and healing are possible even after overwhelming darkness.

  • mercy
  • commander
  • redemption
  • cycle of violence
Q6

How does the ending conclude Olena's revenge arc?

Olena's revenge is technically complete after the soldiers meet gruesome fates, but the ending shows her choosing a different path. Rather than killing the commander, she embraces mercy and new life, suggesting her journey has led her beyond pure vengeance toward hope for the future.

  • revenge
  • arc
  • conclusion
  • soldiers
Q7

What does the final scene with the newborn symbolize?

The final scene with Olena cuddling her newborn son symbolizes survival, resilience, and the possibility of new beginnings. It represents that despite the vengeance and horrors endured, hope for a better future still exists. The child represents a fresh start free from the cycle of violence.

  • newborn
  • symbolism
  • hope
  • new beginning
  • survival
Q8

Does Olena find redemption in the ending?

The ending suggests Olena moves toward redemption through her act of mercy and her choice to embrace new life. By letting go of revenge and choosing hope over darkness, she begins to heal from her trauma. The film implies this new life might be the beginning of something better worth fighting for.

  • redemption
  • mercy
  • healing
  • new life

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Witch, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Witch tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Atmospheric folk horror movies like The Witch

Stories where ancient folklore and superstition manifest terrifying realities. If you liked the primal dread and folklore-based terror of The Witch, explore these movies where ancient superstitions and rural isolation breed supernatural horror. Discover similar stories of folk mythology turning into terrifying reality.

  • folk horror
  • atmospheric
  • supernatural
  • isolating
  • dreadful
  • primordial
  • Tone: dark, dreadful
  • Pacing: slow, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically follow individuals or families confronting supernatural forces rooted in local legend or pagan belief systems. The horror is often slow to reveal itself, intertwined with the landscape and the characters' own growing belief in the folklore, leading to a confrontation with an ancient, often inescapable, evil.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a foundation in folk mythology and a setting removed from modern society, which amplifies the fear of the unknown. They prioritize atmosphere and a specific, earthy brand of supernatural horror over jump scares, creating a cohesive experience for viewers seeking this niche.

Dark Waters movie poster

Dark Waters

1993
Lovely, Dark, and Deep movie poster

Lovely, Dark, and Deep

2024
The Witch movie poster

The Witch

2016
Nightborn movie poster

Nightborn

2026
The Feast movie poster

The Feast

2021
Dark Waters movie poster

Dark Waters

1994
Necromancy movie poster

Necromancy

1972
Fertile Ground movie poster

Fertile Ground

2011

Slow burn paranoid siege movies like The Witch

Narratives where isolation breeds paranoia and fractures family bonds from within. For viewers who appreciated the slow-building paranoia and family breakdown in The Witch, this list features movies where isolation turns characters against each other. Find similar stories of psychological siege and self-destruction.

  • slow burn
  • paranoid
  • psychological
  • claustrophobic
  • family breakdown
  • isolation
  • Tone: dark, tense, paranoid
  • Pacing: slow burn
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The story arc focuses on a closed system—like a remote farm or an isolated location—where an external pressure (real or perceived) causes the group's internal dynamics to unravel. The plot is driven by escalating accusations, secrets, and a loss of faith in one another, often making the internal collapse more terrifying than the external menace.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared focus on psychological horror born from confinement and mistrust. They utilize a slow pacing to meticulously build tension from interpersonal drama and paranoia, creating a deeply unsettling experience that resonates with viewers who enjoy watching characters psychologically unravel.

Burnt Offerings movie poster

Burnt Offerings

1976
The Big House movie poster

The Big House

1930
Burning movie poster

Burning

2021
Bad Things movie poster

Bad Things

2023
The Lodge movie poster

The Lodge

2020
Lovely, Dark, and Deep movie poster

Lovely, Dark, and Deep

2024
Terribly Happy movie poster

Terribly Happy

2008
The Seeding movie poster

The Seeding

2024

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Every angle

The Witch (2016) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Witch in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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