Wounds

Wounds

Year: 2019

Runtime: 95 min

Language: English

Director: Babak Anvari

Echo Score: 48
DramaMysteryThrillerHorror

A New Orleans bartender's routine is shattered when he finds a discarded phone, triggering a series of unsettling and inexplicable events. Haunted by disturbing images and voices, he becomes increasingly desperate to understand the device’s origins and the unsettling connection it has to a brutal attack. As the strange occurrences escalate, he must confront the dark secrets hidden within the city and the terrifying consequences of his discovery.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Wounds yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Wounds (2019) – Ending Explained & Final Scene Breakdown

Still thinking about how Wounds (2019) ended? Here’s a full breakdown of the ending, key final moments, major twists, and the deeper meaning behind the film’s conclusion.

At the end of Wounds, Will finds himself in Eric’s filthy apartment, where he encounters the remnants of a dark ritual and the creature that has been summoned through the cursed phone. The creature, which remains shrouded in mystery for much of the film, essentially merges with Will in a disturbing climax. As Will asks the entity to enter him, the film visually blurs the line between physical reality and supernatural horror, showing cockroaches landing on the camera and obscuring the creature’s true form—symbolizing how it consumes and corrupts him.

The movie’s use of cockroaches as a metaphor reflects degradation, toxicity, and moral decay. Throughout the film, these insects appear whenever Will’s internal and external worlds are tainted by filth and evil, emphasizing his descent into darkness. Will’s life was already unraveling—his relationships were broken, and he was entirely hollow—making him the ideal vessel for the malevolent force summoned through the Wounds, ancient Gnostic rituals involving pain and darkness.

Ultimately, the ending suggests that Will doesn’t just encounter a supernatural monster but becomes intertwined with it. The creature, representing chaos, toxicity, and inner demons, seems to take over him completely, leaving the audience with a sense of ambiguity about what is real. The final shot, with cockroaches flocking around him and into his mouth, signifies that he has been fully consumed by the evil force, absorbing its darkness and his own corruptible nature. The film ends on this unsettling note, implying that Will’s morals and humanity have been irreparably lost, serving as a grim reflection on how destructive human flaws and dark urges can ultimately dominate someone’s soul. The ending remains deliberately vague, emphasizing the film’s themes of chaos, moral decay, and the unknowable horror lurking beneath the surface.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:59

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Movies about descent into supernatural paranoia like Wounds

Everyday lives unravel under the influence of inexplicable and malevolent forces.If you liked the unsettling descent and psychological unraveling in Wounds, explore these other movies where ordinary characters are consumed by inexplicable supernatural forces. This collection features similar psychological horror stories, stories of cosmic horror, and films with a bleak, paranoid tone like Wounds.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives typically begin with a mundane discovery that serves as a gateway to a hidden, malevolent world. The protagonist becomes an investigator of their own deteriorating sanity, as supernatural events escalate in a linear, often steady, progression. The journey is one of mounting dread and loss of control, culminating in a confrontation that reveals the insignificance of humanity against ancient or cosmic horrors.

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Movies with urban decay and occult undercurrents like Wounds

The gritty underbelly of a city hides ancient rituals and unseen horrors.For viewers who appreciated the gritty New Orleans setting and the hidden occult elements in Wounds, this list features similar movies that explore supernatural horror within decaying urban environments. Discover more thrillers and horror films where the city itself feels alive with dark secrets, much like in Wounds.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern often follows a cynical or worn-down protagonist embedded in a decaying city. They stumble upon a hidden, often ancient, evil that has been festering just beneath the surface of urban life. The investigation into this mystery forces a confrontation with the city's dark heart, revealing that the rot is not just physical but spiritual, leading to a visceral and terrifying conclusion.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their atmospheric use of a decaying urban setting as a crucible for horror. They share a dark, gritty tone, a steady pace that allows the atmosphere to suffocate the viewer, and a focus on the intersection of the mundane and the occult. The experience is defined by an oppressive mood and a sense of inescapable dread rooted in a specific, believable location.

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Wounds Summary

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Wounds Summary

Wounds Timeline

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Wounds Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Wounds

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Wounds

Wounds Spoiler-Free Summary

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More About Wounds

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