The Cuckoo ending explained: What happened to Sian?

The Cuckoo ending explained: What happened to Sian?

As a binge-watcher with a knack for unraveling complex plots, I must say The Cuckoo has left me both captivated and bewildered. The series masterfully kept me guessing until the very end, and the finale did not disappoint.


*Warning: This article contains full spoilers for the final episode of The Cuckoo.*

The Cuckoo, which was previously aired on Channel 5 earlier this year, is now available for streaming on Netflix, thus presenting a fresh viewer base to the captivating thriller featuring Jill Halfpenny in the intriguing role of an elusive boarder.

The storyline unfolds around Sian (Halfpenny), who settles in the residence of Jessica (Claire Goose) and Nick (Lee Ingleby). As time passes, she develops a strong bond with their daughter Alice (Freya Hannan-Mills). Later on, it’s unveiled that Sian is none other than Alice’s biological mother.

In the concluding episode, we find events continuing where Sian has assaulted Jessica and imprisoned her in a cabinet, fleeing with Alice simultaneously.

However, let’s delve into how the concluding episode of The Cuckoo on Netflix unfolds, revealing the fate of characters Sian, Nick, Jessica, and Alice. Keep reading for all the insights concerning the series finale.

The Cuckoo ending explained: What happened to Sian?

As a film enthusiast, I found myself on the edge of my seat in the closing episode, where the narrative unfolds with me, Jessica, trapped in a cupboard that Sian had confined me in during the previous chapter. Upon being freed by the police station in the early hours, Nick rushes home to find an anxious and determined Jessica – she had somehow broken free of her restraints. However, before they could delve into the events with the authorities, Jessica shared a harrowing revelation: Sian had kidnapped Alice, and it was now our mission to locate her.

On their journey, Sian begins to grow apprehensive about their actions and proposes going back to check on Jessica to ensure she’s okay. As they travel, Sian starts to feel unwell and they pull over at a gas station. While Alice steps out to use the restroom and listen to her mother’s voicemail, Sian locates her. Sian tries to reassure Alice that neither Jessica nor Nick care about her. Meanwhile, Nick and Jessica are tracking Alice’s phone location and when they arrive at the gas station, they find her phone and see she was preparing to message Jessica.

After reporting to the police, they later revisit information Sian had given when moving in – specifically, a reference that led them to Fay’s address. Upon visiting Fay, they uncover the truth behind Sian’s past and discover Sian believes Alice is her biological child.

The Cuckoo ending explained: What happened to Sian?

In the meantime, Sian escorts Alice to an old caravan site that holds dear memories for her. This very location is depicted in a photo of young Sian, which Fay shares with Jessica and Nick, causing them to inquire about its precise whereabouts.

Upon reaching the park, the duo find themselves without a phone signal, prompting them to part ways and search independently for Alice. As Sian shares details about her daughter, Alice’s anxiety escalates, questioning the truthfulness of the description and feeling increasingly terrified. In a panic, Alice strikes Sian and demands the car keys, shouting as she flees the scene, unintentionally revealing her location to her parents.

After Sian rises again, she grabs a knife from the kitchen and searches for him. Nick shouts for Alice, unaware that Sian is using this moment to trace his location. Eventually, Sian locates Nick in his caravan and attacks him with the knife. Nick falls to the floor, injured, and Jessica moves towards the caravan, noticing Sian holding a bloodied weapon. Alarmed, Sian flees when she hears Alice calling for her mother. Jessica checks on Nick but he brushes her off, urging her to find Alice instead.

Alice stands at the edge of a cliff, gazing out at the sea, when Sian abruptly tugs her back. Sian seems puzzled as Jessica rushes up to explain that Alice isn’t Sian’s child. In a bid to distract them, Jessica attempts to grab the knife lying nearby, but Sian lunges on her, leading to a scuffle. To end the altercation, Alice falsely claims that she recognizes Sian as her mother.

Sian feels both joyful and apprehensive as she moves cautiously towards the cliff’s edge. Comparing herself to birds, she remarks, “They depart and then return.” She confesses that her sole desire is to be with her baby, and these are her last words before tragically slipping over the edge, plummeting into the crashing waves below.

Did Sian die in The Cuckoo?

The Cuckoo ending explained: What happened to Sian?

Despite Sian appearing to tumble, no body was ever found. The series concludes with a striking image of a house reminiscent of Nick and Jessica’s old country home. A knock on the door reveals a teenage girl opening, only to find a woman standing there, who appears to be Sian, although the shot is intentionally blurry.

Is it possible that Sian, who appears to still be alive, might be planning another attack based on her aunt Fay’s observations of her behavioral pattern?

Was Sian actually Alice’s biological mother?

The Cuckoo ending explained: What happened to Sian?

Aunt Fay shared with Nick and Jessica a heartbreaking story: A church couple had expressed interest in adopting Sian’s newborn baby, but Sian refused to consider it because she wouldn’t listen. Regrettably, Sian’s baby passed away on the day of birth, 7th September – coincidentally, Alice’s birthday.

In simpler terms, Aunt Fay clarifies that Sian discovered an unusual method to locate babies born on the same day and given the same name, which is why Sian believes Alice could be her daughter. However, it’s worth noting that Sian has yet to confront the possibility that her baby might have passed away.

As Sian shares her labor tale with Alice, she begins to feel detached and explains that she left because people nearby intended to remove her newborn from her care. She sought refuge at the caravan park to deliver her baby instead of going to the hospital, due to concerns about potentially losing custody.

Later, Sian emotionally confesses to Alice on the cliff that she “kept her overly protective” as a baby, which might hint at the reason behind the death.

What happened to Nick, Jessica and Alice?

Following Sian’s fall from the cliff, we skip ahead to Nick and Jessica’s residence, where a police officer informs them that they cannot confirm Sian’s death because her body hasn’t been found yet. This implies that Nick managed to survive the stabbing by Sian.

The couple, having their belongings boxed up for a move, are weighing potential destinations rather than definitively returning to London. All appears well within their family circle, with Jessica assisting Alice in organizing her artwork for packing.

You can stream “The Cuckoo” right now on Netflix! New subscribers can join for as low as £4.99 per month. Additionally, Netflix can be accessed on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream platforms too.

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2024-10-14 17:34