MovieChat Forums > Z for Zachariah (2015) Discussion > Yeah, the Ending...

Yeah, the Ending...

posted 6 years ago by MavKilledGoose (778)
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A few thoughts...

First, John almost certainly murdered Caleb. This is evidenced by his phoney story that Caleb just up and left after toiling to bring electricity and banging Ann. We saw Caleb concede that the shining city was in all likelihood a myth. We also know Caleb openly showed affection to Ann the morning after making love, and he not only saw through John's lie about supposedly masterminding a seduction plot, but called the guy out on it.

As for John's actions, they're defensible in the sense that he has every reason to believe Caleb can kill. His life is in jeopardy because he's relatively less useful after electrification. In a state of nature, we're driven by fear. Even if Caleb has no intention of killing John, John believes he's a threat (and vice-versa). Forget about genetic oblivion, you're never going to be safe with a rival male near by. The waterwheel is a mark of civilization, but the cooperation it demands is temporary.

[–] mineofilms (37) 5 years ago

I just saw this last week. I liked it. I am with you though. I thought something was supper "off" about John... We have the moment we meet him. I get that crazy little behavior when he can breath and all that. Then you have him getting drunk and being really mentally off. Maybe he had a drinking problem back before the "Event" but we see a personality change with the drinking. We see it with Caleb showing up. We see it right away with him jumping to conclusions and thinking he might have left Ann's brother to die. It isn't that big a stretch that murder is something he could and has done. Just because he is an engineer doesn't mean he isn't these things also. The guy witnessed the end of the world. I do like how they leave it as maybe he did or didn't but I think he did it.

What was it that was said in ROCKETMAN. You have to kill the person you are to be the person you want to be. Maybe that applies here in this universe as well. I'd love to see a legit remake of "The Quiet Earth" just to see how they approach humanity when there is only a handful of people left and women are scarce...