In Steven Spielberg’s 2005 adaptation of War of the Worlds, the story unfolds through the eyes of Ray Ferrier, a single father striving to protect his two children amidst an alien invasion. As the chaos of an extraterrestrial assault disrupts their city, what are initially mistaken for lightning strikes reveal themselves to be deadly energy ray attacks. These catastrophic events lead to massive destruction and the deployment of capsules into the Earth’s surface, facilitating the arrival of Martians.
Portrayed by Tom Cruise, Ray successfully escapes the city with his daughter Rachel (Dakota Fanning), although their son Robbie (Justin Chatwin) gets separated from them. During their perilous retreat from the Tripods, they encounter Harlan Ogilvy (Tim Robbins), a stranger who offers them refuge. However, panic soon grips Harlan, forcing Ray to take drastic action to protect their hiding place. After struggling to reach Boston, Ray discovers that the Tripods inexplicably begin to falter, revealing that their shields are down.
What Happens To The Aliens In War Of The Worlds?
How Do They All Die Off?
The abrupt defeat of the Tripods presents a perplexing element in the narrative. Despite the relentless military efforts to breach their impenetrable shields, their downfall occurs mysteriously as Ray and Rachel reach Boston. A significant moment arises when a flock of crows begins attacking a Tripod, indicating that its defenses have been compromised. Ray then alerts the military, leading to a barrage of missiles that takes down the enormous alien machine. Shortly before this, a soldier had noted the erratic behavior of the Tripods.
As the Boston Tripod succumbs, a disturbing spectacle unfolds as its processing engine ejects a grotesque mixture of blood and remains onto the ground below, revealing a nearly lifeless Martian within. The downfall of this alien menace stems from Earth’s various microorganisms. While harvesting human tissue and blood to sustain their Red Weed, the Martians inadvertently exposed themselves to a plethora of bacteria, to which they had no immunity. This exposure ultimately led to the decline of the Tripods and the demise of their operators.
Why Does War Of The Worlds End So Abruptly?
Even Steven Spielberg Doesn’t Like The Ending
Steven Spielberg has openly expressed his dissatisfaction with the film’s conclusion, citing in James Cameron’s Story of Science Fiction that he “never could figure out how to end that darn thing.”Less than three minutes of the film are devoted to explaining the aliens’ sudden defeat, which is only elaborated upon in a postscript narration by Morgan Freeman, echoing the iconic introduction of H.G. Wells’ original story.
This abrupt and somewhat unsatisfactory ending isn’t entirely misplaced, as it mirrors the conclusion found in Wells’ 1898 novel, where the Martians likewise perish from exposure to “putrefactive bacteria.”The original text accounts for this unforeseen vulnerability by attributing it to their unfamiliarity with disease, a consequence of a world untouched by death and decay.
Does Ray Reunite With His Kids At The End Of War Of The Worlds?
Do Rachel and Robbie Make It Out Alive?
Robbie’s storyline sees him seizing independence from his father just before Ray and Rachel find refuge in Harlan’s basement. The tension between Robbie and Ray highlights the teenager’s desire to fight back against the alien assault, ultimately forcing Ray into a heart-wrenching choice about which child to protect. Despite the surrounding chaos, Ray is compelled to leave Robbie behind to ensure Rachel’s safety.
In the film’s climax, following the chaos and destruction, Robbie ultimately reunites with his family at their grandparents’ home in Boston—their intended destination during their escape. Astonishingly, the entire family has survived unscathed. Although Robbie battled against the invasion, the film leaves his fights off-screen, raising questions about his survival against the flames. The denouement offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that the traumatic experience has reconciled the Ferrier family, emphasizing the importance of familial ties over past grievances.
What Happens To The Red Weed After The Movie?
Why Did The Red Weed Turn To Dust?
The Red Weed represents a fast-growing flora introduced to Earth by the Martians, requiring fertilization from human blood and tissue to thrive. In the film, captured humans are processed through the Tripods to provide necessary nourishment for this invasive organism. While its initial introduction appears to be part of the Martians’ strategy, the deeper implications of the Red Weed’s presence remain ambiguous in both the movie and H.G. Wells’ original work.
Curiously, as the Tripods succumb to defeat, the Red Weed displays peculiar white spots before deteriorating into dust. This suggests the possibility that like its Martian cultivators, the Red Weed might have also fallen prey to a bacterial infection, or that its death is linked to the absence of its human-derived fertilizer. Although the film does not clarify the Red Weed’s ultimate nature, its rapid proliferation hints at its potential role as an invasive infection rather than merely a food source.
How Other War Of The Worlds Adaptations Handled The Ending
What Defeats The Martians In Each Version Of The War Of The Worlds?
H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds has stood the test of time as a pivotal work in the science fiction genre, inspiring numerous adaptations across various formats. Over the years, the story has been made into seven films, multiple television series, countless radio broadcasts, stage adaptations, and even a musical featuring Liam Neeson. Each retelling has explored diverse settings and characters, leading to a multitude of interpretations, particularly concerning the story’s conclusion.
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War of the Worlds (2005) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Box Office Gross – Opening | Box Office Gross – Domestic | Box Office Gross – International | Box Office Gross – Worldwide | Rotten Tomatoes “Tomatometer” Score | IMDb Score |
| $132,000,000 | $64,878,725 | $234,280,354 | $369,592,765 | $603,873,119 | 76% Tomatometer | 6.5/10 |
(via Box Office Mojo)
Different adaptations of War of the Worlds have depicted the Martian demise in various ways. Some iterations attribute their downfall to common cold viruses, while others cite microbial infections, rabies vaccines, or even unorthodox solutions like music. However, each rendition maintains a distinctive and sudden conclusion that reflects the unpredictable nature of survival amidst chaos.
Source: Box Office Mojo
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