Good idea, mpal.........new thread started here. My husband says I tend to over-analyze things, so this movie is no exception. Good connection with Hurt's character and the use of "evil" as not the animal kind, but man himself. I actually liked the ending, but instead of saying "ahhhhh" as I did with the endings of "The Sixth Sense" and "Signs", what I thought was "awwwww". The arrogance of this man, using his wealth not to further medical research, etc., but to "imprison" a town of people using ignorance and fear to promote his own agenda. My anger at his character in turn tainted my initial response to the film. Both my hubby and son loved it, so it has caused me to rethink it a bit. I was totally impressed with young Howard, and of course Phoenix (has he ever made a bad film?) 42