How the Resurrection Ends: Are Ben and David Alive or Dead?
Andrew Semans wrote and directed the psychological thriller Resurrection. It tells the story of Margaret, a high-level executive employed by a biotech company, whose seemingly ideal life takes a turn for the worse when a dark figure from her past reappears. While desperately trying to get away from the suspect, Margaret tries to protect her daughter Abbie.
The suspenseful, dark thriller comes to a thought-provoking conclusion that leaves plenty of room for the viewer’s imagination. So viewers have to look for an explanation for the unexpected ending of the film. If so, below is the information you need to know about completing Resurrection. Spoilers follow!
Summary of the Resurrection Story
Resurrection begins with a glimpse into the life of Margaret (Rebecca Hall), an executive working at a biotech company. Margaret is a person who is always alert and finds solace in her work. There is evidence that she has a troubled past and experienced terrible trauma. Abbie (Grace Kaufman), Margaret’s daughter, who is 17 and about to go to college. But because Margaret is overprotective of her daughter, Abbie feels trapped in their relationship and seeks ways to escape.
One day Margaret goes to a conference for work. She catches a glimpse of a man who immediately frightens her. She gets scared and leaves the conference. Margaret worries for her and her daughter’s safety as the man’s presence in the area is rapidly increasing. It is later revealed that the man’s name is David (Tim Roth) and when Margaret was younger he and Margaret had a tumultuous relationship. As the story progresses, viewers will learn how David made his way into the lives of Margaret and her family. As they got to know each other better, David began grooming Margaret.
When the two finally met, Margaret longed for David’s approval. While Margaret felt stuck in their twisted relationship, David abused and traumatized her with his actions. Margaret soon became pregnant and eventually gave birth to Ben. However, David was jealous of Ben and wanted Margaret’s undivided attention. Ben was then “eaten” by David, causing Margaret to run away from her insane boyfriend. However, Margaret is forced to face the terrifying events from her past that she thought she had put behind her when David returns.
Is Ben alive or dead at the end of the resurrection?
For most of its run, the film presents a story of abuse and trauma that is rooted in reality. The setting of Upstate New York draws viewers into Margaret’s seemingly ideal life while emphasizing her tumultuous history. The densely populated metropolis reinforces Margaret’s lingering fear, which she tries to cover up. Still, the film’s final act treads in strange territory. Viewers understand Margaret’s desire to protect her child after learning about her connection to David and the wounds she left on her.
In fact, Margaret had already suffered the loss of a child due to David’s psychotic tendencies. But Baby Ben’s fate takes a stunning turn in the film’s final act. When Margaret finally works up the determination to face her past over coffee chat with David, David claims that Ben still lives inside him. Margaret loses it after hearing the news. At the decisive moment, Margaret encourages David and cuts open his stomach. She discovers that her son Ben is still in good health. Margaret can feel the weight of her breathing child in her arms as she makes her way home.
Given Margaret’s deteriorating mental state throughout the film, the conclusion is a complex affair. Given the realistic tone of the narration, it is very likely that Margaret is hallucinating and the child is not actually alive. Also, a child cannot survive in a man for almost 22 years. Because of this, Margaret’s struggle with her abuser and her desire to restore the life she desired are highlighted in the conclusion.
The conclusion that Ben is dead is the clearest and most likely interpretation. Margaret’s mind has wandered from reality as she imagines the whole scene. Margaret probably regrets that she didn’t fight back when David gobbled up Ben. If she had shown some bravery all those years ago, maybe she could have saved her child. In order to close her past, Margaret takes control that David currently has over her.
Viewers see Margaret holding her baby in the final scene, but she makes a startling face at the camera. The situation may be a sign that Margaret is finally waking up to the fact that her child has long since died. The finale ultimately empowers Margaret, but it also allows her to come to terms with the sadness and sorrow at the death of her son that, even after all these years, she has yet to fully comprehend.
Is David alive or dead?
The film’s antagonist is David, who also threatens Margaret’s existence. He has well-known methods of torturing Margaret, and it is clear that he is adept at fomenting her paranoia. Viewers are made aware of just how far David will go to mistreat Margaret as the story claims. Possibly David’s most horrific crime – and the act that best captures his monstrosity – was eating baby Ben. So it’s fitting that Margaret seeks revenge on her abuser in the film’s chilling finale.
The conclusion shows that Margaret kills David, therefore it is certain that he died. However, viewers are given a hint that David might still be alive in the final scene. Abbie tells Margaret that she now feels safe again as she rocks her child in the scenario. Margaret experiences a brief sense of relief and inspiration when she finally has the chance to protect her children from the monster that has plagued her all her life. However, Margaret faces the camera as the sequence rolls into the credits. As she looks over, she is startled to see anything or anyone.
David is therefore probably still alive, silently watching Margaret from afar. According to the perspective, Margaret’s surprise at the climate scene makes sense. If David were still alive, it would be clear why Margaret seemed to have got away with murder in broad daylight. It is likely that Margaret’s delusion included the scene in which she slaughters David. In the climax scene, Margaret finally realizes that David is still alive and that she is still tied to her past.
However, this reading undermines Margaret’s character development and her quest to restore the authority she lost to her abuser. As a result, we believe David is really gone. However, the last scene might show that Margaret understands that she is not entirely free of her past. Maybe she’s seeing David in her head right now, or maybe she’s just worried about her kids. It’s safe to assume David is dead at this point, but Margaret is still concerned about the damage he’s done. The conclusion thus emphasizes the devilish nature of the relationship between an abuser and the abuse victim.