The better explanation for the ending IMO (SPOILERS)

I found this review for the movie and I totally agree with it, those were my exact thoughts for the plot. A dark and intense film, no doubt. 😯

"My take on this film...
8/10
Author: shreeree from United States
15 August 2015

*** This review may contain spoilers ***
I think Niamh was telekinetic and also an empath and both abilities manifested by her own childhood of abuse. She could have even been considered a messenger of God. I think she had the ability to sense the true intent in people regardless of the face they showed the rest of the world.

Most abusers are able to hide it well and live normal lives with it only being a dark secret in the families. I think when she buried the children in the building, it was because she knew which children would grow up to become abusive adults and that was her way of preventing the vicious cycle that also usually occurs in families of abuse. Example: the other girls destroying the baby dolls - she sensed their bad souls or feelings.

I think her parents were abusive. No much doubt here, she was deeply traumatized. You could tell their true nature by their initial actions. When her father woke up and seen her with the baby on the stairs, he didn't ask her in a gentle manner why she was up or if she had a nightmare or did the baby wake her up crying as most caring parents would have. his first instinct was to yell at her and moved towards her aggressively before the furniture stopped him.

The same for her foster family they appeared to be good caring parents but if you notice their behavior over minor offenses was one of abuse and not understanding that come from truly good nature parents. Such as when she refuse to bathe she physically forced her to and when she didn't want to be touched they both would do it any way even holding her by her wrist tightly until she submit. The foster mother slapping her just because she wouldn't go to bed quietly is not the normal behavior of a good parent. The same for the foster father when she wasn't behaving the way he though a child should he would grab her roughly by the shoulders and shake her.

I think in her way she was trying to give the foster parents the opportunity to become better parents, with warnings such as the loud ringing in the ears as means to getting them to calm down and think before they act. - Not so sure of this point...

I think when she and the twins gave her foster family the bath she was reenacting their hurtful words and action that they had taken against Mary and their children in the past. I think their daughter that had cancer tired them out and they abused her when they got angry and it was all blamed on the side effects of her cancer. However Niamh knowing what is inside people knew what they took their frustration out on Mary anxious for her to go ahead and die because she was an unwanted stress on them and their marriage. Also, like some other post said, I think that even the doctor/father had abused also Mary, since the tendence to violence and the deep friendship between the 2 couples...

I think the point of the story and the plot is Niamh wasn't just a child with unrealistic gifts or curse. She was more of a reincarnated version of the archangel "Michael" sent to exact God's vengeance on seemingly mean spirited people, adults and children with no saving grace. She knew good when she sensed it. Look how she was very gentle and demonstrative with the pregnant teacher and again with the teachers boyfriend and baby's father. She knew they were good inside and out and they would be good parents. She basically gives them her blessings with her touch." Also, the movie basically shows how deeply the abuse/violence affects the children... so sad.

Hope these few ideas will help. Kudos. :)