Understanding the Ending of The Mummy 2017 Film

The Mummy concludes with Tom Cruise’s character, Nick Morton, acquiring the formidable powers of Set, the Egyptian god of death. This twist positions him as a pivotal figure in a universe that was intended to culminate in an ambitious shared cinematic experience, akin to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).Universal Pictures aspired to cultivate their own Dark Universe, featuring classic monsters such as The Invisible Man, originally slated for portrayal by Johnny Depp, and Frankenstein’s Monster, intended to be brought to life by Javier Bardem. Unfortunately, the film’s disappointing box office performance and scathing reviews effectively thwarted this vision before it could ever take flight, leaving the sequel potential latent and unrealized.

Initially, Nick Morton and his colleague Chris Vail, played by Jake Johnson, are depicted as members of an elite Army reconnaissance unit stationed in Iraq. Contrary to their assignment, they venture off-script to harvest ancient artifacts for the black market. This reckless pursuit leads them to the fabled tomb of the cursed Egyptian princess Ahmanet, who selects Nick as the ideal vessel to embody Set’s power. Although Ahmanet is ultimately apprehended with the assistance of Henry Jekyll (played by Russell Crowe) and the organization Prodigium, Nick becomes burdened by the curse of Set and must embark on a quest to find redemption.

Why Did Nick Stab Himself With the Dagger of Set?

Wasn’t Ahmanet Going to Conquer Him Regardless?

In the initial stages of The Mummy, Ahmanet forges a pact with Set, the Egyptian god associated with chaos and violence, intending to resurrect him in a mortal form. Armed with the dagger of Set, Ahmanet’s powers are formidable; however, her life is cut short before she can perform the necessary human sacrifice. Revived in contemporary times, Ahmanet resorts to Nick as her new host to channel Set’s essence.

Initially hesitant about Ahmanet’s intentions, Nick ultimately seizes the dagger and inflicts it upon himself. This act raises a pivotal question: if Ahmanet’s goal was to eliminate Nick to realize her plan, wouldn’t Nick’s self-inflicted injury facilitate her purpose?

The nuance lies in Ahmanet’s enticement for Nick to “give in.” His initial reluctance to submit plays a crucial role; upon stabbing himself, Nick discovers he can resist Set’s dominion. Remarkably, he transcends Ahmanet’s control, absorbing her life force to revive Jenny, a feat that wouldn’t have occurred had he willingly succumbed to Ahmanet.

What Transformation Did Nick Undergo?

Is He Considered a God Now?

After this harrowing metamorphosis, Nick confesses to Jenny, “I don’t know what I am.” A monologue by Dr. Henry Jekyll elucidates Ahmanet’s aspiration to tether Set’s malevolence to a mortal vessel, yet the film leaves much to the imagination regarding Nick’s newfound powers and the influence of Set on a human host.

Henry labels Nick as a cursed “monster”destined to wander the earth in search of a cure. Ahmanet’s abilities include reanimating the dead, showcasing superhuman strength, controlling sand, and drawing life from others, some of which seemingly transfer to Nick. While Jenny insists that Nick retains his inherent goodness, Henry expresses skepticism regarding his moral choices as he navigates this newfound power.

Beyond being a vessel of power, Nick physically appears unchanged, although during a moment of emotional intensity when he commands Jenny to “wake up, ”his eyes splinter into multiple irises and pupils, and demonic markings etch their way across his face. Moreover, he possesses sharp teeth and a voice tinged with malevolence. This climactic shift serves as an origin narrative for Nick, hinting at expansive powers yet to be fully explored.

Assessing Henry and Prodigium: Heroes or Villains?

Deciphering Henry Jekyll’s Controversial Organization

The film provides little clarity regarding Henry Jekyll and Prodigium, presenting them as a shadowy entity guided by dubious ethics in their pursuit to protect humanity from supernatural threats. Traditionally, Jekyll represents the virtuous side of his personality, juxtaposed with the malevolent Edward Hyde.

In this iteration, Dr. Jekyll uses serum injections to suppress Hyde’s darker impulses, yet when Hyde surfaces, he becomes more robust and formidable. The blurred morality of the Prodigium parallels the duality present within Jekyll. The organization’s name, derived from the Latin term “monstrum vel prodigium, ”translates to “a warning of monsters, ” further complicating their role.

Evidence found in Prodigium’s headquarters suggests their long-standing commitment to combating dark entities. The brief appearance of the Black Book of the Dead from the 1999 adaptation indicates that the two narratives operate within the same universe. Though their methods may be harsh—evidenced by Henry’s cold-hearted plan to eliminate Nick—it’s evident that they feel the weight of their responsibility in containing the malevolent powers of Set and Ahmanet.

Decoding The Mummy (2017) Ending and Future Possibilities

The Dark Universe’s Ambitious Plans that Never Came to Fruition

As The Mummy culminates, Ahmanet’s defeat sees her imprisoned deep within a Prodigium vault. Meanwhile, Nick departs on a quest to liberate himself from Set’s curse. Despite Henry and Prodigium backing off their lethal intentions concerning Nick, their gaze remains vigilant, prepared for a potential embrace of his darker impulses.

Henry and the Prodigium seemingly mirror the ambiguous ethics of Nick Fury and SHIELD from the MCU. This encapsulation in the Dark Universe saw Henry and Prodigium envisioned as gatekeepers against supernatural threats—very much akin to how Fury navigated the complexities of moral conduct within a universe of superheroes. Nick’s acquisition of power through Set serves as foundational to his character arc, with aspirations for future crossovers featuring other famed monsters like The Invisible Man and Frankenstein’s Monster, representing an ambitious expansion that ultimately fizzled out.

The film’s ending lingers in narrative ambiguity, particularly with regards to Nick’s powers and Prodigium’s motives, strategically crafted to enable potential growth for the Dark Universe, yet with its untimely demise, these intriguing prospects remain unrealized.

Audience Reception of The Mummy’s Conclusion

Critical Response: A Mixed Bag

Russell Crowe as Dr. Jekyll in The Mummy.

Both critics and viewers responded unfavorably to The Mummy, reflected in a mere 15% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, coupled with a disappointing audience score of 35%.One prevalent critique emphasized the film’s forced setup for subsequent narratives. Many audience members felt that Russell Crowe’s portrayal of Dr. Jekyll came across as incongruous, with one review stating:

“Russell Crowe feels completely in the wrong movie; his character feels like an unnecessary cameo. It feels exactly like a pitch for the next film in the franchise.”

Similarly, critic Kim Newman from Sight and Sound remarked:

“All it has to offer is silly ideas (the mummy is buried in mercury), impressive-in-the-trailer / meaningless-in-the-movie images (the snarling giant sandstorm face is lifted from the 1999 Mummy) and loose ends to be picked up later (including whatever the hell Russell Crowe’s deeply unimpressive Jekyll-and-Hyde is doing).Honestly, the franchise was better served by Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955).”

A Reddit conversation further echoed discontent with the film’s conclusion, drawing comparisons to how the narrative arc of Raiders of the Lost Ark would have remained unaffected by Indiana Jones’s presence. The discourse reflects a collective sentiment questioning the film’s logic and coherence.

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