The Sister as “the most challenging job” of his acting career when it premiered in 2020, and the binge-worthy four-episode series certainly sparked huge discussion. The series concludes with an ambiguous ending, which leaves much to the audience’s interpretation.
Amrita Acharia, one of the lead actors in the drama, shared that multiple versions of the ending were created, but she finally described the final version as “really creepy.” She expressed her fondness for the ambiguity, stating, “I think an ambitious end is a really great way to go.”
The Sister keeps audiences guessing with its eerie conclusion (Photo: The Sister/Euston Films)So, what truly transpired? Was the ghost story genuine? Let’s analyze The Sister’s cliffhanger ending.
Bob’s Sinister Plan Revealed
In the second-to-last episode, Bob reveals a shocking truth to Nathan: Elise’s death was no mere accident; he orchestrated the entire event. Tovey’s character was horrified to learn that Bob viewed the young woman merely as a “chance” to create a ghost. According to folklore, if she died in that specific location and manner, a haunting would follow.
The drugs administered to Elise contained cyanide, which Bob had carried for years, prepared for his own use if needed. Believing it to be cocaine, Elise ingested the drug, leading to her demise, with Bob manipulating Nathan into believing he bore responsibility.
However, Bob’s scheme did not come to light as intended. He repeatedly ventured into the woods to witness the outcome of his actions, yet he found nothing. Instead, Elise’s spirit would not depart from him; she lingered at the foot of his bed, increasingly enraged by the situation.
Bob explained that for peace, they needed to confess their actions and return Elise to her family for a proper burial and farewell. He warned Nathan that if he refused to do so, Elise would harbor resentment and remain present in their lives indefinitely.
Nathan, however, was unwilling to divulge the truth to Holly and her parents about that tragic night.
A Chilling Final Moment
Following his talk with Bob, Nathan visited the police station and expressed his suspicions about Bob to Jacki, the police detective and Holly’s best friend. He altered his police statement, claiming he had seen Bob driving back to the party instead of leaving it the night Elise vanished. Nathan recounted that during a recent meeting over drinks, all Bob wanted to discuss was the missing girl.
“There’s something wrong with him,” Nathan said. “I swear to God, he’s not right. He gives me the creeps.”
With this, Nathan set his own plan into motion: he aimed to ensure the police focused solely on Bob as the prime suspect, absolving himself from any blame.
The next phase of his scheme involved killing Bob and making it appear as though he had taken his own life, allowing Nathan to escape scrutiny.
Nathan mixed his sleeping pills into Bob’s whisky, then force-fed him the remaining pills after Bob collapsed. When that failed to have the desired effect, Nathan pressed a pillow over Bob’s face, but the paramedics arrived just in time to intervene.
Later, it was revealed that Bob was not dead, but rather in a coma. Nathan managed to retrieve Elise’s dress from Bob’s freezer, removing any evidence linking him to her death. He also directed Jacki to the safe, where she discovered Elise’s skull inside a wooden box.
Jacki later visited Nathan, indicating her awareness of his involvement in Bob’s demise. However, she made it clear she would keep this information to herself. Regarding Elise, Jacki did not suspect Nathan of any involvement in her death.
Fast forward approximately nine months, and Holly and Nathan have not only reconciled after a brief separation but also welcomed a daughter into their lives. Just when it seems their lives are settling, a final moment hints that the story is far from over.
While driving, Nathan glances in his rearview mirror and briefly turns around, sensing a presence behind him, though he sees nothing. Moments later, Elise appears in the backseat of his car, her eyes wide and her body still.
Was Bob correct? Do ghosts exist? Is Elise haunting Nathan, and will this specter linger until his final moments? Or is it simply the weight of his guilt pressing down on him? Will his secret eventually become unbearable?
The story leaves these questions unanswered, placing the burden of interpretation on the viewer. One thing is clear: many may find themselves sleeping with the bedside lamp on tonight.
