Hank, a former soldier from the Iraq War, spends his days battling the scars left by PTSD and a debilitating painkiller addiction. His daughter, Mickey, almost 18, has taken on the role of caring for him, flipping their typical parent-child dynamic. The relationship between them has become entangled, shaped by her self-sufficiency and his spiraling despair.
Mickey and the Bear Ending Explained
“Mickey and the Bear” is a sensitive and assured coming-of-age drama, helmed by first-time director and writer Annabelle Attanasio. At its core, the film deals with the complexities of trying to escape from an environment that keeps pulling you back. Despite its familiar themes, Attanasio’s storytelling and nuanced performances give the film a distinct edge. Supporting characters are crafted with depth, avoiding the pitfall of one-dimensional roles.
Despite the bleakness of their lives, the film carries a sense of hope through Mickey’s self-created strength. She strives to build a future for herself, even as she is caught in the destructive orbit of her father’s addiction and emotional neediness. Yet, the film also shines a light on the way society neglects people like Hank, offering little support for those left broken in the wake of trauma.
The story unfolds in a dilapidated trailer on the outskirts of Anaconda, Montana. Mickey’s mother, Vanessa, has passed away, and for much of the film, we don’t learn much about her. When we do, it’s through the words of a stranger. Hank resists talking about her, which only deepens the mystery and confusion surrounding their past.
Searching for a Connection to the Past
Mickey, in an effort to find something tangible of her mother, wears Vanessa’s floral dress on her birthday, a stark contrast to her usual loose, oversized clothing. Later, during a desperate attempt to help Hank, Mickey finds her mother’s perfume in an office drawer, a potent reminder of what she has lost.
Mickey works a part-time job at a taxidermy shop to save money, while also managing her father’s medication and their household. Hank’s moods shift from anger to listlessness to fleeting moments of friendliness. He’s caught in a cycle of trying to manipulate Mickey into staying, masking his own failures with humor, which no longer resonates with others. His attempts to command attention have lost their power.
Mickey’s Two Paths to the Future
As Mickey approaches adulthood, she faces two potential routes out of her current life. One path is a future with her boyfriend, Aron, another young person trying to escape, who dreams of settling down and starting a family in Anaconda. The other path lies in escaping to college, an opportunity to redefine herself away from her father’s shadow.
Mickey’s friends try to influence her decisions, with one already pregnant and eager to embrace the life she has chosen, despite the fear of her Christian parents’ judgment. Then a new boy, Wyatt, enters Mickey’s life. He’s a talented musician with plans to attend the Conservatory in San Francisco. He represents a glimpse of a bigger world, offering Mickey a potential escape from her stifling environment.
Connection and Disconnection
Mickey and Wyatt’s connection grows, but the deeper they get, the more it seems rooted in Mickey’s desire to use him as a means of escape, rather than an authentic bond. Their similarities spark hope in Mickey, but her need for an escape may cloud her judgment. As their friendship evolves, Wyatt becomes a potential threat to Hank, who has spent years controlling Mickey’s life.
Hank, feeling increasingly desperate to keep Mickey from leaving, organizes a bear hunt with her and Wyatt. The trip becomes his final, futile attempt to reassert control over Mickey and his own deteriorating life. Tension builds, and small incidents that once would have been inconsequential begin to take on greater meaning. Hank’s fear of losing Mickey grows more palpable.
A Lack of Maternal Figures
Director Annabelle Attanasio avoids the clichéd trope of introducing a maternal figure to provide guidance for Mickey. Instead, Mickey’s relationship with her psychiatrist, Leslee Watkins, offers the closest thing to meaningful support. Dr. Watkins, who works in a difficult and underfunded mental health system, is direct and unsentimental. Her bond with Mickey remains professional, yet it hints at the possibility of change.
The performances of Camila Morrone (Mickey) and James Badge Dale (Hank) are the heart of the film. Their father-daughter relationship is both suffocating and distant, and their acting perfectly captures the complexity of their emotional connection. Mickey’s face is expressive, revealing hints of her internal struggles beneath her seemingly open demeanor. Dale’s portrayal of Hank is equally powerful, evoking a mixture of anger, pity, and guilt.
Anaconda: A Town and its Characters
Anaconda, Montana, serves as more than just a backdrop to the drama; it’s a reflection of the character’s internal struggles. The town, surrounded by mountains, feels enclosed, its isolation mirrored in the lives of its residents. As night falls, the town takes on a retro aesthetic, with garish neon lights spilling onto the pavement as Hank stumbles home from the bars. The surrounding countryside, however, offers an eerie contrast with its serene beauty, filled with lakes and trees.
The film uses nature to heighten the tension in Mickey’s story. The vast landscapes, from the grasses in the fields to the still-eyed animals in the taxidermy shop, seem to observe Mickey’s every move. Nature, in this sense, represents both a passive observer and a silent witness to the choices Mickey is about to make.
The Ambiguous Ending: What Happens Next?
The final act of the film is marked by escalating conflict. On the hunting trip, Hank becomes violent and punches Wyatt, who leaves, cutting ties with both him and Mickey. In an attempt to escape, Mickey tries to withdraw the money from a savings account set up with her late mother’s Social Security checks. However, she discovers that Hank has emptied the account.
Mickey confronts Dr. Watkins, who acknowledges the grim truth that Hank will never recover. Mickey reveals that the money, combined with her college scholarship, could have secured her future. Despite Dr. Watkins encouraging her to leave, Mickey decides that she cannot abandon Hank.
The Final Breakdown
That evening, after another night of drinking, Hank mistakes Mickey for his late wife and tries to kiss her. Stunned and horrified, Mickey pushes him away, filled with anger and fear. The film’s final moments are left open to interpretation. Mickey is seen running away from the house, the sound of her footsteps growing faster as she disappears into the night. The film cuts to black, leaving viewers to wonder if Mickey is leaving for good or if there’s another path ahead for her.
The ending remains ambiguous, leaving the audience with lingering questions about Mickey’s future and the deep emotional turmoil she’s endured. The unresolved conclusion mirrors the complexity of her life, trapped between duty, love, and the desperate need for freedom.
