When the Bough Breaks

In the climactic final moments of When the Bough Breaks, Laura and John finally confront the disturbed Anna at their lake house. Throughout the film, Anna’s obsession with John and her growing instability lead to escalating violence. After Anna’s water breaks and she gives birth to their son, she becomes increasingly unpredictable and hostile. When she finds out that Laura and John have been deceiving her about their intentions—particularly about her not being able to leave with the baby—her rage erupts. In a last act of desperation and fury, she damages their home, harms their cat, and physically attacks Laura in a violent confrontation. The tension reaches a boiling point when Laura, in a bid to protect herself and her child, runs Anna over with her car, ending her life. The movie closes with Laura and John cradling their newborn, finally free from Anna’s destructive grasp, as the police arrive at the scene. This ending underscores the tragic consequences of obsession and betrayal, and leaves a haunting image of a family struggling to recover from the chaos inflicted by Anna’s madness.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44