MovieChat Forums > Mysterious Skin (2005) Discussion > What happens next?

What happens next?

posted 12 years ago by Bens_Basement
11 replies | jump to latest

The ending to this film is perfect because it's so real, there are no sudden happy endings here and that's how it should be.

However, the ending got me thinking. (Hell, the whole film had me thinking!) What next for Neil and Brian? Does anything actually change? Will Neil stop hustling? Does he move back home? Do Brian's nightmares go away, or do they get even worse now he knows the shocking truth?

These answers may be given in the book but really, I just wanted some discussion because this film really touched me and I care what happens to these characters! So where do you think Neil and Brian are now?

http://benendsbasement.blogspot.co.uk

[–] z_imdb-492-389923 12 years ago

My guess is that Brian finally can process what happened to him and starts to heal and find peace.

I think Neil was hustling to fill the void left by the coach after the summer he left. He seemed to romanticize the abuse.
Now that he sees the damage that the 'relationship' really did to him (and Brian and other boys), his thoughts about the abuse change and he will start working through his past in a healthier way.

[–] Princess_Ashmi 12 years ago

Yeah i think they would eventually start to change but slowly, you cant just suddently give up a part of who you've been for such a long time, you have to grow out of it slowly.

i think little by little Neil would stop hustling and Brian would start throwing away all his stuff relating to UFOs and focus on other things in his life such as college.

Ashmi any question

[–] gregorik 12 years ago

Well, first they should bring an action against the coach (even if it's been a decade), who is probably still hopping around the States, coaching and molesting children, and moving to another town when things start to get hot. That would bring both of them a true closure, and probably plenty of money. Then they just move on.

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"Don't just DO something, STAND there!"
Pastor Charlie Bing

[–] Web_Head91 11 years ago

Oh yes, you're absolutely right. They can only have "true" closure if they take him to court, and then after that very easy and quick step is done, they just simply move on. Wow! It's just that easy!

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I find it a little odd that your scripture stick has dried blood on it.

[–] bigscren 10 years ago

I'm just wondering if they got out of the house before the people who lived there came back.

[–] danielle81587 10 years ago

bigscren,

The book actually ends with the homeowners entering to find them.

Are you hinting my apples aren't what they ought to be?
-The Wizard of Oz (1939)

[–] theunopeneddoor-697-442391 10 years ago

Scott Heim (book's writer) has said the coach is never brought to justice. Plus I believe he was past that statute of limitations anyway (can anyone confirm this?)

Joseph Chastainme
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marks-the-series/806493646056177

[–] Ssilve 9 years ago

They're never gonna get closure. And going trough the commotion of a court case is extremely difficult. If they'll ever be able to tell it to their family or future lovers, that would be already a huge accomplishment.

[–] csajourney 10 years ago

I would like to see a continuation of the movie such as a sequel from another five, ten or more years future for Neil and Brian to confront the coach and maybe bring justice and have a form of closure. I know that I wish I were strong enough to speak up to my abuser. I would be curious to know whatever happened to the characters and their journeys towards acceptance and healing. The true ending of the story is completely up to our imaginations but I wonder what direction the writers would have taken it.

[–] theunopeneddoor-697-442391 10 years ago

Hell no! The ending is perfect.

They NEVER confront the coach according to both Heim and Araki. The film is more real that way.

Joseph Chastainme
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marks-the-series/806493646056177

[–] theunopeneddoor-697-442391 10 years ago

In the book they were discovered by the home owners, likely arrested for tresspassing.

After that it didn't matter. I do know that Scott Heim has said the coach never comes to justice. And whoever said there should be a sequel, GOD NO!!!

Joseph Chastainme
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marks-the-series/806493646056177