London After Midnight Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for London After Midnight.
London After Midnight Ending Explained: The abandoned Balfour House, the owner of which was found dead five years earlier, comes back to life with the arrival of two suspicious sinister-looking tenants. Directed by Tod Browning, this 1927 horror film stars Lon Chaney (Professor Edward C. Burke/The Man in the Beaver Hat), alongside Marceline Day as Lucille Balfour, Henry B. Walthall as Sir James Hamlin, Percy Williams as Williams, Balfour's Butler. With a 6.6/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of London After Midnight?
The abandoned Balfour House, the owner of which was found dead five years earlier, comes back to life with the arrival of two suspicious sinister-looking tenants. This film was lost in the 1965 MGM vault fire; only a few stills exist.
Tod Browning's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Lon Chaney (Professor Edward C. Burke/The Man in the Beaver Hat)'s journey. This film was lost in the 1965 MGM vault fire; only a few stills exist.
How Does Lon Chaney (Professor Edward C. Burke/The Man in the Beaver Hat)'s Story End?
- Lon Chaney: Lon Chaney's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Marceline Day (Lucille Balfour): Marceline Day's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Henry B. Walthall (Sir James Hamlin): Henry B. Walthall's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of London After Midnight Mean?
London After Midnight's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Lon Chaney may feel rushed. Tod Browning's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.