The Empty Man Ending Explained: Breaking Down the Climax
by Harini
Updated Jun 13, 2023
The Empty Man Ending Explained
The ending of The Empty Man can be perplexing to viewers, but once it is explained, the events fall into place. In the final scene, James finally locates Amanda in a hospital, only to discover that she had staged her disappearance as part of the Pontifex Institute's elaborate scheme. Amanda reveals that the Empty Man has infiltrated James' mind, describing his presence as an unsettling "itch on the brain," and instructs him to embrace his destiny. She discloses that James is a tulpa, a construct of the collective imagination of the cult.
Throughout the movie, audiences have witnessed James interacting with various individuals and seen him reminiscing about his tragic life while alone at home. The question arises: were all those experiences also imaginary? The answer is both yes and no. When Amanda reveals the truth to James, he contacts Nora, the woman who had hired him. Although Nora is a real person, she has no knowledge of James. James is then transported to his own house, which, while physically real, is empty and uninhabited. At this point, it becomes evident that some of James' interactions were "real," while others were part of the fictional backstory created for him.
This revelation proves too much for James to bear. He willingly accepts the enigmatic figure of the Empty Man into his body once he learns his true purpose. In the closing shots, James fatally shoots Paul, who is ailing, thus taking his place as the vessel for the eponymous creature. The hospital staff around him bow, indicating that the influence of the cult extends beyond what was previously seen in the Pontifex Institute. This is how The Empty Man concludes, with the protagonist realizing that his existence is intertwined solely with his connection to the titular monster and willingly becoming its human host.
One of the reasons why The Empty Man may be confusing and leave a bleak impression is that it is intentionally designed that way. Director David Prior aimed to create a movie that lingers in the minds of audiences. One of the most effective ways to achieve this in the horror genre is through a dark and chilling ending that raises questions, leaving viewers with a sense that they might not necessarily desire the answers. He aimed for The Empty Man to function on different levels, providing an enjoyable movie experience while also inviting scrutiny and exploration. Prior had envisioned the ending of The Empty Man from the beginning of the filmmaking process. He described the overall feeling he wanted to convey, which involved James finding himself back in the hospital, shooting Paul, recreating the logo of the Pontifex Institute on the wall, and witnessing the hospital staff bowing down to him.
The Empty Man
"The Empty Man" is a supernatural horror film released in 2020, marking the feature directorial debut of David Prior. It is based on the graphic novel of the same name by Cullen Bunn and Vanesa R. Del Rey, published by Boom! Studios. The movie features an ensemble cast including James Badge Dale, Marin Ireland, Stephen Root, Ron Canada, Robert Aramayo, Joel Courtney, and Sasha Frolova. The story revolves around an ex-cop who becomes entangled in a mysterious cult while investigating the disappearance of a young girl.
Filming for "The Empty Man" took place in August 2017, with the production being an international collaboration between the United States, South Africa, and France. However, initial test screenings received negative feedback, leading distributor 20th Century Fox to lose confidence in the film's commercial potential. Despite this, a rough edit of the movie was released in theaters in the United States on October 23, 2020. The timing coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a significant impact on its box office performance. With a budget of $16 million, the film grossed $4 million worldwide.
Upon its release, "The Empty Man" garnered predominantly negative reviews from both critics and audiences. However, over time, its reception improved as it became available on home media and streaming platforms. This led to a growing fan base and the film gained a cult following. The unique blend of supernatural elements and horror themes found in "The Empty Man" has resonated with viewers, contributing to its increasing popularity beyond its initial theatrical run.
Where to Watch: The Empty Man?
"The Empty Man" is currently available for streaming on Hotstar, providing audiences with convenient access to watch the film. Additionally, for those who prefer to own or rent the movie, it can be purchased or rented on various digital platforms such as Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. These platforms offer the option to download the film for purchase or rent it for online streaming, allowing viewers to enjoy "The Empty Man" in the comfort of their own homes. With the availability of "The Empty Man" on multiple streaming and digital platforms, viewers have the flexibility to choose the method that suits their preferences and convenience.
The Empty Man Plot
In "The Empty Man," James, a former detective who left the force under unclear circumstances, assists his former friend and romantic interest in locating her missing daughter. The daughter vanished after participating in a ritual to summon the Empty Man with her group of friends. This ritual involves finding an empty bottle on a bridge, blowing into it, and concentrating on the Empty Man. Subsequently, the members of the group begin to disappear one by one.
James eventually uncovers the bodies of the group members hanging beneath the bridge, in what appears to be a mass suicide with no signs of struggle. He follows the trail of the ritual back to a secretive cult and makes a startling discovery—the daughter of his friend is not only alive but also the leader of the cult.
One intriguing aspect of "The Empty Man" is the concept of extraterrestrial or paranormal forces that the cult seeks to connect with. In this universe, the Empty Man serves as a conduit through which these forces transmit commands to the cult. The identity of the transmitters and the nature of the alternate realm they inhabit are subjects of various theories. One possibility is that they are aliens from a distant universe, using the Empty Man as a radio tuned into their frequency. Another theory suggests the existence of beings in different dimensions, such as creatures residing in one or two dimensions while coexisting with our three-dimensional world. This idea parallels the exploration of multi-dimensional beings in Netflix's adaptation of "The Three-Body Problem" trilogy.
The notion of a receiver or intermediary between higher powers and human beings is not unfamiliar in our own world. Prophets throughout history have claimed to be messengers, delivering messages from a higher power. Similarly, mediums often assert that they are merely vessels through which spirits communicate. These parallels add depth to the intricate mythology and metaphysical themes present in "The Empty Man."
The Empty Man Cast
James Badge Dale
James Lasombra
Marin Ireland
Nora Quail
Sasha Frolova
Amanda Quail
Samantha Logan
Davara Walsh
Evan Jonigkeit
Greg
Virginia Kull
Ruthie
Robert Aramayo
Garrett
Ron Canada
Detective Villiers
Jessica Matten
Fiona
Aaron Poole
Paul
Stephen Root
Arthur Parsons
Jamie-Lee Money
Lisa Schwartz
Owen Teague
Duncan West
Joel Courtney
Brandon Maibaum
Phoebe Nicholls
Nurse Allerton
Robert Coutts
The Entity (as Rob Coutts)
Brian Steele
The Entity
Marijke Bezuidenhout
Julianne Chaffin
Actor/Actress
Character
The Empty Man Ending Explained FAQ
"The Empty Man" is a supernatural horror film centered around a former detective named James who becomes involved in an urban legend. After a group of teenagers summons an entity called the Empty Man, they start disappearing one by one. James teams up with his friend to unravel the mystery surrounding the Empty Man and the cult that worships it.
The urban legend in "The Empty Man" involves summoning the Empty Man by finding an empty bottle on a bridge, blowing into it, and thinking of the Empty Man. This ritual leads to a series of mysterious and disturbing events, with the group of friends who performed the ritual being targeted by the Empty Man.
In the film, there are various theories about the Empty Man and the paranormal forces it represents. One theory suggests that the Empty Man acts as a receiver, channeling signals from distant universes or even extraterrestrial sources. Another theory explores the existence of beings in different dimensions, with the Empty Man serving as a link between our world and these alternate dimensions.
"The Empty Man" delves into themes of belief, manipulation, and the blurring of reality and the supernatural. It raises questions about the nature of higher powers, the concept of messengers and receivers, and the influence of cults and urban legends on individuals and society.
The ending of "The Empty Man" reveals that James, the former detective, has become a vessel for the Empty Man entity. After discovering that he is a tulpa, a being created by the cult to serve as a new vessel for the deity, James succumbs to the entity's control. In the hospital, he executes Paul, who was previously possessed by the Empty Man. James is surrounded by members of the hospital staff who bow to him, indicating that he has fully embraced his role as the Empty Man.