DANIEL ISN'T REAL (2019) Ending Explained 

If I ever become a psychologist, I've seen enough horror movies to know I'm never going to tell people to pursue their imagination.

I believe the ending is just Dan diving back into the real world to find a new friend. He was in the house because Luke killed himself and Dan, but then the guy who shot up the coffee shop died as well. So Dan would have had to have been at the house then as well. Then it's just a quick jump down into the real world and find a new friend. I think the movie's ending is terribly sad in that way. The cycle is never broken. Dan will always just find a new host, have his fun for as long as he can and move on.

I remember an old short story about this where a guy goes around the world to research and gain knowledge, there is this house of light that could give him everything he seeks but is to scared to enter, but his shadow isn’t. His shadow disappears for years and then comes back rich and worldly, offers to pay him to become his shadow and proceeds to enslave him, the shadow taking the primary seat while the original fades and becomes the shadow.

I love John's design, how the spikes on his head are bullets from how he died.

I mean I figured it was clear he was real when Dan was reading over the girl's shoulder so he'd know what was written. An imaginary friend isn't going to give you actual powers or anything, so the only way he'd actually be able to recite the book accurately would be if Dan was real and actually reading.

I wished the movie had explored the therapist character more. The therapist stated that he didn't only believe in conventional medicine. If I'm not mistaken he was the one who brought the ancient artifact dagger to the house (not sure)? It's like the therapist knew about the history of this ancient evil being. Maybe this being is well known in other cultures? Great movie and great review.

Also, for those who are wondering, there is a BONUS ending, which you can find on RU-vid! In my interpretation, the bonus ending takes place right after the final shot of Daniel descending into the abyss. I will summarize it here! Cassie stands nearby as a dead Luke is carted away in the ambulance. She sobs, clearly broken by this encounter. Just as she looks up, Luke (Most likely Daniel) is standing there, saying “Cassie…. I’m here…” over and over and over again. She walks away, broken, as he remains, giving one last “I’m here…” before we cut to black. To me, this means Cassie is next to be picked to have Daniel as a “friend”, however, he’s using Luke’s face… 😱

You know what pisses me off. As soon as I saw the therapist, I knew he was going to "go alone" to a crazy person's house and gets killed.

25:40 I'm actually pretty sure he re-enters the world as an imaginary friend, onto the next possible vessel.

That movie SCARRED ME. especially as a huge Dylan from The Quarry fan going into that. Just finished it 10 minutes ago. I will never see dylan the same again

I believe that the end of the movie is a bit more straightforward than your hypothesis, FoundFlix. My guess is that Daniel diving into the abyss is most likely precisely how he enters the real world in the first place. He calls himself the abyss, so I do not imagine he would have ever been afraid of leaping into it. In my opinion, the dollhouse/castle is Daniel's lair and he bricked off the exits so his victims couldn't access the actual exit like he can. The abyss would be like an extension of Daniel himself, like a permeable membrane that houses his inner world, keeping him safe until he ventures out to try and find a host in the physical world. Just my thoughts, though. Goodness knows what's really going on!

Did anyone else get major Jacob’s Ladder vibes from the party scene with the flashing lights and creatures? I think it’s pretty deliberate considering Jacob from that movie is Miles Robbins’s dad :)

This might be a bit of a stretch, but I think the monsters Luke would see in the flashing lights were the darkness inside of other people. His connection with Daniel as a kid allowed him to kinda see it in the flashing lights. Their horns weren't as big as Daniels, so those other people don't have issues. I think Daniel has just been leaping from person to person and getting stronger. The reason I think of this is because of what Daniel says when Luke visits his mom. "That's because you weren't doing it right" in response to how she felt in the past. I think that meant a bit more than that. Like the darkness should be allowed to take the lead so you can feel freer and once you allow it to take the lead it gains more power. That is my view on that whole part. I don't know if that's what the movie was going for.

I think the ending is just the Entity diving back into our world to find a new host. It is evident that it cannot die--something cosmic in origin, judging by the appearance of the abyss. So when Luke threw himself off the roof he essentially destroyed a perfectly good vessel for the Entity, which includes his physical presence in our world. It explains his pissed look at the end that is Luke's face for a moment before switching back to his true face. He wastes no time jumping back into the abyss (crossing into our world) because he'll never stop until he gets to do his terrors. This implies that Cassie, being so close to Luke when he died, is his next potential victim--just like what happened when young Luke was at the crime scene where Josh (previous host) died.

This movie is a direct adaptation of a book called In This Way I Was Saved (later changed to Daniel Isn’t Real from the popularity of the movie) by Brian DeLeeuw. It’s told from the narrative of Daniel. Definitely a sad, horrible & at times depressing story. It made me cry but if you are a reader it’s worth it. The movie is good but the book is way better (most of the time they are lol).

I interpreted the ending differently than you did. My interpretation was that he was just starting the process over again and looking for another victim.

The small edit to the Hieronymus Bosch painting is a nice touch~

I love this movie. Part psychological thriller, part supernatural possession story, part Bosch hellscape. I keep trying to get people to watch it and they're like, "But I don't want Shudder!"

I’m so glad someone’s finally giving this movie attention. It’s truly one of my all-time favorites and I’m so disappointed at the lack of attention it got.

I just noticed that John’s monster face is because of the shoot out with the cops. There not thorns, there bullets from where the cops shot him. That’s nuts

To any one who ever dealt with personality issues, subconscious battels and the likes, this shit rings deep! What a visceral, subtle and novel take on the old "Jiminy Cricket" concept! Loved it!

I always liked to evil imaginary friend dynamic because it's kinda like creator vs creation. Someone manifest a life into existence because they need help and use that life for help, but once they don't need help they cast it away for years until boom it comes back.

I think the ending is an ironic twist. Since Dan is the one seeking lonely people, and "inspiring" them. Maybe in the end, Dan was the lonely one, and he was too afraid to make the leap into the abyss. So Luke ended up inspiring Dan to make the leap he didn't think was possible.

Damn Daniel

This one actually reminded me quite a lot of the dynamic between Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. Harris had contempt for creation itself, but he couldn't exert that wrath on his own. Yet, instead of finding someone who felt like he did, he found someone who was weakened by his contempt for _himself._ Harris then used Klebold's feeling that *_his_** life* was meaningless to show everyone else that *life* is meaningless.* Even more appropriate still that the barrier between worlds, the place Luke fell through, was an abyss. _“For when you gaze long into the abyss. The abyss gazes also into you.”_ Harris in particular was enamored by Nietzsche, though I think it’s obvious he didn’t understand him. _* Klebold was obviously guilty for his part, and I’m not attempting to take that culpability away. The catalyst, however, was Harris (Harris was homicidal, Klebold was suicidal). Since that’s the dynamic I see mapped on in the movie, I think that's the relevant point of focus._

When Luke jumped into the abyss he didn't actually enter the real world, there was only one body on the ground when they fell. I think him jumping into the abyss at the end it's just him projecting back into the world until he can find another host to cling to.

I had a difficult childhood and due to loneliness I created a voice to guide me. It's interesting how we seem to ignore questioning how we think and what potential our imagination has. It seems we can have different variations in the way we think as some people don't even experience inner monologue, whereas I feel disconnected from these inner voices and believe them to be more akin to independent simulations created by my brain.

Requested this one a long long time ago! So glad to see it getting some love :)

Jumping into the "abyss" is probably how it gets out there to latch onto a weak-willed and lonely kid or mentally disturbed person. Like fishing.

I absolutely loved this film!! It can be interpreted as a metaphor for schizophrenia/DID and how it can be hereditary, but also an interdimensional/cosmic horror thriller. It deserves more recognition!! Also loved the use of practical effects. Have you watched The Novice? I found it pretty interesting. Also, just finished the first season of Yellowjackets. I think these are both a movie and series that you'd appreciate. I'd love your take on them!! Love your videos, as alwaysss

I think it's possible the writer thought that the door needed to be unlocked to let Daniel out of the castle

When Luke jumps into the abyss, he still has to fight for his body. Then Daniel jumps to look for another body, right?

I believe the ending is how he enters into our world in the first place to find his victims its a bleak ending for sure just started the process all over again i believe

This reminds me of the Tulpa creepypasta where a guy participates in a study where he has to practice creating an imaginary person, day by day the Tulpa gets more fleshed out and real until it takes over the guy and starts living his life aka killing his family or something, been like 10 years since I read the creepypasta.

Definitely bully McGuire vibes for sure with the dancing

16:00 Lawl! This is basically how I woke up after being under to have my wisdom teeth removed. My very first emotion was anger and I ripped off the ice the nice assistant was trying to wrap around my face, said something about leaving me the hell alone, and angerly stalked out the back door as my mom threw apologies left and right. I have no idea why I reacted that way, I just woke up irrationally angry.

Damn Daniel back it again with .... Wait who's Daniel?

So basically it's fight club without the fighting part, college kids, and being self aware

It’s interesting that he takes a fall into the abyss to return, only to fall from a building. I think there is a fair argument that it was all in his head after all, and that final plunge into that cosmic abyss was him falling from the building, the rest being the last of his brain’s fantasy from DMT

The "I think you should leave" reference had me dying,bro. Love your vids!

I'm autistic and this plot kind of communicates some of my experience Most of us are unemployed and isolated, and have serious financial, health, social and other issues, often because of how people react to us So you go to a therapist or doctor, which is the only route to support, because nothing else is available, and they coerce you to take antidepressants, and if you don't, even if you've tried all of them, you're just noncompliant. They say you have to receive treatment, you have to go to therapy Antidepressants and therapy don't provide food, shelter and community for autistic people. You can give me any drug you want and it won't get rid of Daniel

22:25 this painting is originally by Hironymous Bosch. The bird demon has been switched out for the "Daniel demon". 23:45 his deformation is due to the way in which he died in the film. Those aren't horns. Those are bullets.

So Adam Egypt Mortimer said "What if Drop Dead Fred was actually an evil demon instead of a helpful being?"

Or maybe jumping into the Abyss is how he restarts looking for a new “friend.”

Nothing dissociates you more than waking up, opening RU-vid, and seeing a video title that says you aren't real.

Dude that part where he forces himself into him and cut him open that sounds so cool. And oh my god I love that style is so cute little suit

The actor who plays Luke is Miles Robbins who is going to be in a game called The Quarry which is made by the same people who made. Until Dawn

I feel like him jumping off at the end was him starting over with someone else appearing imaginary Cause when Luke did it he appeared but I think that only Daniel could see him

No, Daniel at the end was just going back to earth to find another friend. Think ur wrong this ONE time but have to call it out brother!

If Dan can just come into the real world in his true form but didn’t show it until the very end, it could be that Dan knew that such a thing would be far too easy and being as evil as he is, decided to have some sadistic fun in the process.

I think maybe the ending is more like this is how Daniel is immortal and now he’s going to invite himself into someone else’s life. Since A. John said it happened to him when he died and B. Luke used to abyss as the connection to the real world

It could be that Daniel was also trapped in the Castle with the others and needed someone to take down the bricks behind the door to escape. John was trapped for a long time and never tried to get out, so Daniel had to move on to Luke. Once Luke opened the way to the outside Daniel was free to escape as well using the same path

your videos have opened a whole new world of movies for me!!! I dont have the attention span to sit through all of the movies I want to see and your reviews & explanations make me feel like ive seen them 🥹❤️. Thank you!

I would love to see you explain The House (2022) because I think you would figure what the hell happened in that movie.

Dude you got to do “The deep house.” That’s on Hulu. It’s story has a lot of holes but they way it’s filmed is absolutely amazing

Damn Daniel. Back at it again with the white vans!

great review . would be cool if you did a yellowjackets breakdown of the season/series so far. feel I missed some things thanks for the good content

Maybe Dan didn't go to the real world, maybe he simply ended his life because he was mad and tired of having to make fake friends to the loners just for slow ass chance to take control when they sleep.

Lmao the I think you should leave reference is spot on 😂

Apparently you forgot, that there was a closed door, until Luke created a key. Daniel could not take a stroll to the abyss, now he can.

I think that when Daniel jumps into the abbess like Luke did, was Daniel jumping back to our realm into a new person, cycle starts again

Would love to see an Ending Explained on The Mortuary Collection!!

FINALLY! watched this in 2020 & was so upset it was underrated! thank you so so much

I wonder how the Spirit-otherwise-known-as-Daniel got into our world to begin with. I think the abyss is just a kind of gateway for the spirit to get into our world. He won't have a body when he gets here but we've seen how he crosses that bridge when he comes to it; inhabiting ppl's minds with the goal of eventually taking over the body.

"Luke has social anxiety" Also luke: Goes to parties, gets black out drunk, has sex with mutliple strangers. Writers have no idea what anxiety is

Is it just me? Or does this movie look like a more darker version of Drop dead Fred?

Did he just say “that slicks back real nice “ like Tim Robinson in I Think You Should Leave

Rolling out my thoughts here, the monster Luke meets in the castle is Daniel's previous victim, his "monster" appearance being a reflection of how he looked in his final moment, being pierced by bullets. I'm thinking the monsters Luke could see in the flash of lights were a premonition of how those people would look when they will die. If they didn't die a violent death, there wouldn't be much blood and there for not as much "horns" would show. This would mean Luke was mystically gifted, which would explain why he could see those "visions" and fight Daniel on somewhat of an equal footing at the end. The monster returning to the real world at the end seems to be Luke's death state, as the previous victim stated that even in death he was trapped in the castle.

It seems to me that the trauma of Luke seeing a dead body when he was a kid, allowed for Daniel to enter his mind.

i really love this youtube channel it’s the only channel i watch every video for. i talk about it to my friends too

"That slicks back reeeaaal nice!" Clean reference 😎

Who would win? ancient demon guy that posses people and takes control of their physical bodies or dollhouse

I think Luke found a way to break a hole in the house (barrier representation) and go back by jumping off giving Dan a different way out. I wonder with that other guy trapped and changing if dan was human at one point (or at least something other than he is now), got stuck or trapped there, and being there slowly twists you into something else.

As soon as Dan applauded their destructiveness, encouraged him to sin and didn't like the idea of the Apocalypse (he knows what happens to his kind) I knew what he was. It was kind of obvious really, especially knowing what they feed off and them having to be trapped within something, symbolically and physically. And I SWEAR that this movie is based on an old Tales From the Crypt episode. It was damn good. And both Miles Robbins and Patrick Schwarzenegger were great in it.

Never heard of this but the title tells me it will be ✨weird✨

That title poster looks so very much like a VHS box graphic for an 80s horror film you'd have seen on the shelf in a video rental place.

Random trivia: The guy who plays Luke, Miles Robbins, is Susan Sarandon’s son. He’s a cool guy.

Star Trek TNG did a good rendition of this theme with Dr Crusher. Stephen King's 'The Dark Half' was pretty good

This 'Drop Dead Fred' remake is _DARK_ ...

Daniel does have some fire fits tho

Younger i didn't have imaginary friends, but simply imagination to play in my room I needed this to cope with my mom's bipolar disorder and depressing episodes....

Love your channel makes long drives so much better keep it up man

He looks like cole spouse

I think the ending where Daniel is jumping off the roof into the abyss represents the tormented ending of jumping off the roof, over and over again. Just like with the last victim, who had a blown up face, Daniel is now subject to the same tormenting cycle that he put all his victims through. In that way, seems like a less bleak ending. Plus, I have not seen the ending but I did not see the main character there at the ending with Daniel. If that's the case, maybe it means that the main character has finally moved on to a better place while Daniel is there trapped in his world again, but this time as somebody who will jump over and over again for eternity.

Idky I thought you did this movie already and that this was a reupload or something, I remember watching this early pandemic times and really liking it.

There was an episode of Fairly Odd Parents that was EXACTLY like this.

The Daniel creature is like the creature from Session 9, who also resided in the weak and lonely. I enjoyed both movies.

This looks good thanks man 😊

If Luke and Daniel would have gotten along better, they would have been great soap salesmen.

Can you please review "take shelter" Staring Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain

The "horn face" guy is just like what happened when daniel first tried to take lukes body over and thier faces meshed together causing what looks like horns.

"And where do you live, Simon?" "I live in the weak and the wounded, Doc." -Session 9

This one honestly felt more like a jekyll-and-hyde story

Thank you so much for the "I Think You Should Leave" reference.

This movie is so damn good . Was very surprised !

The dollhouse seemed to represent Luke’s mind.

Finally watched this movie after its been on my freaking list on prime video for a long time lol..pretty good film. I kinda felt like I was watching Jacob's Ladder which of course it starred his Dad.

As a Schwarzenegger, Patrick looks really natural in that leather jacket.

So It's Fight Club where we already know the twist.

I like to think that the Daniel-Monster resides in a dimension different than ours and can't enter w/ his physical body, only his 'soul' can enter, for lack of a better term. Once his soul gets into our world he can enter into ppl weak enough to not withstand or even notice it. Chaos ensues until the body eventually dies, then he gets sent back to his dimension, rinse & repeat.