As a film enthusiast who has spent countless hours analyzing the intricacies of various genres, I must admit that “Fear” is one of those movies that leaves a lasting impression. The story is gripping, the performances are intense, and the ending is both satisfying and thought-provoking.
1996 audiences encountered a novel kind of dread personified by Mark Wahlberg, then a model and musician transitioning into acting. In this gripping psychological thriller helmed by James Foley (“Fifty Shades Freed”), the film “Fear” introduces us to David McCall, portrayed by Wahlberg. He’s an appealing yet unstable young man whose fixation on Nicole Walker, a beautiful high school student played later by Academy Award winner Reese Witherspoon, puts not only her at risk, but also her whole family.
Titled “Fear”, this ’90s psychological thriller has been labeled as both suspenseful and riveting by film critic Roger Ebert. Over time, it has evolved into a cult classic and more recently gained a new following after its release on Netflix. This chilling teenage shocker is packed with unexpected twists, hidden secrets, and a male lead who is far from what he seems to be. Due to these intricate plot points, some aspects might require additional clarification. If you’re intrigued by an early film featuring two Hollywood A-listers (with Witherspoon taking on a rare thriller role), or fear that you may have missed something during the intense and startling climax while covering your eyes, here is a breakdown of the ending of “Fear”.
What you need to remember about the plot of Fear
In this scenario, the term “Fear” serves as an introduction to the Walker family: Architect Steven, portrayed by William Petersen, his teenage daughter Nicole (Reese Witherspoon), his second spouse Laura (Amy Brenneman), and her young son Toby (Christopher Gray). Nicole grapples with the challenges of her newly formed blended family and bristles under Steven’s overbearing parenting. Yearning for autonomy, she truants school alongside her daring friend Margo (Alyssa Milano) and encounters an attractive stranger– David McCall (Mark Wahlberg).
In another instance, Nicole reconnects with David at a warehouse party, and upon the police’s arrival, he assists her in getting away. A passionate romance swiftly ensues, marked by defied curfews, a romantic moment on a roller coaster, and Nicole providing David with the keycode to access the Walkers’ heavily fortified residence. At first, David appears to be an ideal partner, but his behavior gradually becomes alarmingly possessive. He inflicts a black eye on Nicole during a confrontation and deceives her about Steven supposedly attacking him. Distraught, Nicole decides to part ways with him.
Regrettably, David refuses to let her go. He intimidates Margo (a woman he had previously assaulted) and kills Gary, a friend of Nicole who was always supportive. Later, David warns Nicole that nothing will prevent them from being together. In response, Steven forces his way into David’s home, vandalizing his disturbing alter dedicated to Nicole. Enraged by the destruction, David decides he must win Nicole back at any cost.
Should you or someone close to you be experiencing domestic abuse, reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. Additionally, their website offers further information, resources, and assistance.
What happens at the end of Fear?
In simpler terms, David gathers his criminal associates to attack the Walker family’s home. Tragically, their initial target is Kaiser, Toby’s cherished German Shepherd, whose head is pushed through the dog door after being killed. The family is left shocked and distraught by this act of violence. As panic sets in, Nicole recognizes that David knows the entry code; the Walkers lock down their house while Nicole reaches out to their security guard Larry for help. Steven departs to support him, but during the ensuing conflict, they kill Larry and take Steven captive. Laura allows David inside with Steven, while Nicole, Margo, and Toby hide upstairs.
Currently sporting a personal “NICOLE 4 EVA” tattoo on his torso, David has become convinced that Nicole harbors feelings for him, with her family being the sole obstacle in their supposed love story. In an attempt to seek help, Toby clandestinely escapes through a window using Laura’s phone, accidentally striking down one of the attackers. Remarkably, another assailant met his end at the hands of David, when he tried to harm Nicole.
Returning home, I burst in to rescue my bound-up parents. In an instant, Steven charges towards David, preventing him from snatching Nicole away; their scuffle intensifies, and in a twist of irony, Nicole plunges a carnival peace pipe into David – a token he had won for her. Enraged, David swings back at her, but Steve hurls him out through Nicole’s window, meeting an abrupt, fatal end. The Walkers finally unite under one roof, secure at last, yet haunted by the real terror they now understand.
What the end of Fear means
In the finale of “Fear,” the defeat of the external danger (David) allows the Walkers to recover and rebuild their normal lives. With David deceased, the walkers can start their healing process. The movie consistently portrays damaged homes, both literally and metaphorically – Nicole’s parents are divorced, David’s reminiscences about a joyful childhood are falsehoods, and both Steven and David intrude upon and violate each other’s dwellings. Despite their strained personal connections, the Walkers unite to fend off David. The family unit comes together in a fitting conclusion as one of the last images in “Fear” is Nicole, Steven, Laura, Toby, and Margo sharing an embrace.
In the end of the movie, David’s destructive masculinity is challenged and overcome by Steven’s nurturing influence. Initially, Steven grapples with Nicole maturing into a young woman in the film “Fear.” David’s entrance complicates his role as the significant man in Nicole’s life, leading to a growing competition between them. However, while David seeks to dominate and own Nicole, Steven fights out of love for her and a desire to protect her.
A drawback of this finale is that it shifts Nicole, the main female character, into a more background role in the storyline. Although Nicole manages to stab David, Steven is the one who propels him out the window, effectively ending the threat. Consequently, instead of being a movie centering around a woman reclaiming her power from an abusive former partner, “Fear” transforms into a tale primarily focusing on two men competing for a female character’s affections.
What the end of Fear could mean for the franchise
Initially, let’s clarify that when we say “Fear” is a standalone film, it means that for now, there isn’t another movie following the same storyline as the 1996 release. Similar in style to films like “Jagged Edge” and “Fatal Attraction,” “Fear” concludes with the villain’s dramatic end, providing a sense of resolution for both the characters on screen and viewers. Since then, no sequel has been made. However, recent attempts at rebooting the franchise hint that we might see more of “Fear” on our screens in the future.
In 2019, Deadline announced plans for a reboot of the film “Fear,” with Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment leading the project. Amandla Stenberg was set to star as the main character, potentially replacing Reese Witherspoon in the role of Nicole. However, as of 2024, no additional updates have been shared about this project, suggesting that it might not be progressing any further.
A fresh take on “Fear” is being planned for a new TV series starting in 2022. As reported to Variety, the upcoming show will be a thrilling game of cat-and-mouse, with a complex web of suspense surrounding destructive relationships. At this point, specifics about the series are under wraps, leaving its fate uncertain. For now, it appears that David McCall’s fate remains sealed – he is deceased and buried.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-12-15 20:30