Prisoners Plot Synopsis
In recent times, one of America’s most beloved detective thrillers, Prisoners, directed by Dennis Villeneuve, has become renowned, propelling Villeneuve into mainstream Hollywood. The film features a star-studded cast including Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Melissa Leo, and Paul Dano. Its gripping plot revolves around the investigation of two missing girls, Anna and Joy, led by Detective Loki.
However, Loki’s job is far from straightforward as Anna’s father, Keller, takes matters into his own hands and conducts his own investigation into her disappearance. A mentally challenged man named Alex becomes the prime suspect, but throughout the film, his innocence remains uncertain. Eventually, Loki’s relentless pursuit uncovers a significant breakthrough, exposing decades of unsolved crimes and a religious conspiracy to “wage war against God.” This explainer delves into the various aspects of the film’s ending, shedding light on previously ambiguous plot points.
Whose body did Loki find in the priest’s house?
During the initial stages of the investigation, Loki meets Holly, who reveals that her husband died many years ago. Later, when Loki is called to the priest’s house, he is shown a decomposed body in the basement. The priest confesses to committing a shocking act—it turns out he murdered approximately sixteen children—before leaving the man to die in the basement.
The body, although severely decomposed, still possesses a distinct feature—a maze necklace. This necklace, which serves as a motif throughout the film, is a significant element in the plot. In the FBI agent’s book, a detailed account is given of how the “Invisible Man” used mazes to kidnap children. Alex and Joy also reference a book containing mazes. Therefore, it can be deduced that the body found in the basement belonged to Holly’s late husband. The reason for his presence there remains a mystery that is best contemplated in the solitude of one’s living room.
What did the drawings on the wall in Taylor’s house mean?
We now know that Holly and her husband had an obsession with mazes, which they used to captivate the children they abducted. This obsession had a profound impact on both Alex and Taylor. The drawings on Taylor’s walls, although unrelated to the plot, hold significant thematic value within the film. They serve as a red herring, casting doubt just as Alex diverted attention away from Taylor.
For Taylor, the drawings are a means of communication. Despite living far away from the house where he grew up, he cannot let go of the trauma he experienced. He turns his pain into a game, using mazes to keep negative thoughts at bay. The drawings in his house are manifestations of his obsession, acquired during his captivity. However, the significance of these drawings extends beyond Taylor as an individual. They reinforce the central idea of imprisonment, both external and internal, affecting the characters and viewers alike. The upcoming segment will explore the significance of the film’s title in greater depth.
Why did Taylor burgle the Birch and Keller residences?
One aspect of Prisoners that still lacks a clear explanation is Taylor’s motive for burgling the Birch and Keller residences. After multiple viewings, a faint idea emerges. Prior to the burglary, the police discovered one of Anna’s socks outside the window. Grace, Keller’s wife, states that Anna was not wearing that specific sock on the day of the abduction.
It can be assumed that Taylor burgled the residences in search of clothing items to create the impression that the girls were dead. He rummaged through the girls’ bedrooms, looking for evidence to support his narrative. The police discovered bloody clothes, but the blood belonged to slaughtered pigs rather than the missing girls. Perhaps Taylor also sought to replicate the methods and expertise of his own abductors, adding another layer of complexity to the already convoluted investigation.
How does Keller realize Holly is the abductor?
Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Keller is characterized by his precision, blurring the lines between protagonist and antagonist until the film’s final moments. Credit must be given to Dennis Villeneuve and his team for their courage in including the hospital scene in the film. A grieving father would go to great lengths to find his daughter, even if it means risking arrest or subjecting a young girl, who has just escaped a terrifying ordeal, to relive her trauma.
The hospital scene raises the question of why Keller suddenly runs and why Joy states, “you were there.” The answer lies in the combination of these words. Removing the pause and flashbacks Joy experiences from when she and Anna were held captive, we get, “You were there. They put tapes on our mouths!” Keller had visited Holly’s house twice, once at the end of the film and once at the beginning when he inquired about Alex. The girls were in the adjacent room and recognized Keller’s voice but were unable to call for help due to the tape covering their mouths.
It takes a moment for Keller to piece the puzzle together, but once he does, he becomes unstoppable in his pursuit of the truth.
The significance of the title
By now, it is evident that the film’s central theme revolves around the concept of imprisonment, both physical and emotional. Each character in Prisoners represents a form of imprisonment, forcing them to confront their own personal demons. Keller, Alex, Loki, Holly, Anna, and Joy all fall into one or more of these categories. The movie explores the tremendous effort required for individuals to overcome their inner turmoil, leaving them uncertain about whether they can ever truly break free.
The labyrinthine narrative, intentionally withholding key clues, serves as a metaphorical prison that viewers must navigate and decipher. The film intentionally shrouds the full truth, leaving audiences guessing and trapped within their own mental mazes.
Prisoners Ending Explained: Is Anna telling the truth about the whistle?
Holly and her husband began abducting children as a way of waging “war against God” following the death of their own son. Remarkably, it is revealed that Alex was their first victim, having remained with them ever since. Taylor, initially considered another prime suspect, was their subsequent target.
Both Holly and her husband shared a special bond with these children and perhaps even loved them as their own. During the climactic ending, Loki’s instinctive reaction to a photograph of Holly’s late husband reveals a necklace matching the drawings found in Bob Taylor’s house. In the ensuing confrontation, Holly attempts to shoot Loki, but he manages to injure her first. Fueled by adrenaline, Loki rushes Anna to the hospital while Keller remains trapped underground.
An ironic twist lies in