Do Bree & Jonna Survive?
Christopher Ramos 12 Feet Deep tells the story of sisters Jonna and Bree trapped under the cover of a public pool. Here's what happens in the film's ending.
Warning! Major spoilers for 12 Feet Deep below
12 Feet Deep is an indie horror film that largely flew under the radar when it was released in 2017, being overshadowed by movies such as Wonder Woman. The film tells the harrowing story of two sisters who manage to get trapped under the cover of a public pool, and are seemingly stuck for the long weekend. The girls fight to survive the elements and each other, leaving audiences on edge until the film's end.
Sisters Jonna and Bree appear to have a bit of a taut relationship above the surface, and tensions come out once they are trapped in the pool. They thought they had a rescuer in the building's janitor who discovered their dilemma, but she decides to torment them instead. To make matters worse, Bree reveals she was diagnosed with diabetes while Jonna was at rehab. If Bree doesn't get her insulin shot in a timely manner, she risks slipping into a diabetic coma.
12 Feet Deep's ending reveals the fate of both girls and what the experience means for their lives going forward. Here's a breakdown of what happens in the final act of this indie horror film.
Do Bree And Jonna Survive In 12 Feet Deep?
When inspecting the fiberglass cover for weak spots, Bree and Jonna find a small hole. After Bree's engagement ring gets stuck in the pool grate, she realizes it is loose enough to pick up and ram through the hole, hopefully widening it so they can escape. When Bree's health begins to rapidly decline, Jonna musters up the courage to dive down to the bottom of the pool and retrieve the grate. She's able to ram it through the cover's existing hole so that she can widen it and pull Bree and herself to safety.
How Does Bree's Diabetes Affect Her?
After a little badgering from her sister, Bree reveals she was diagnosed with diabetes a few years back. Her blood sugar is rapidly declining. Without regularly taking her insulin shot, she'll fall into a diabetic coma. In 12 Feet Deep's final act, Bree periodically begins to lose consciousness, but Jonna manages to shake her out of it. When it seems Bree has fallen into a coma, Jonna retrieves the pool grate in the knick of time. Bree receives medical attention when they're free.
What Happens To The Janitor In 12 Feet Deep?
At the beginning of 12 Feet Deep, Clara the janitor is fired for attempting to steal from one of the swimmer's purses. She sticks around after hours and discovers Bree and Jonna trapped under the pool's cover. Instead of immediately freeing them, she decides to mess with them. She turns the sisters against each other, then steals money and an engagement ring from Bree. Although it's not shown on screen, it's heavily implied that once the sisters are free, Jonna kills Clara in self-defense and retrieves Bree's engagement ring.
The Real Meaning Of 12 Feet Deep's Ending
12 Feet Deep is an unorthodox take on the monster movie, as it is all about overcoming personal demons. The girls had an abusive father, which deeply affected their lives and relationship moving forward. The conversations they have while trapped help them to understand how much that truly impacted them. One of those conversations revealed that Bree indirectly caused their father's death by saying "she killed the monster." In the final minutes of the film, a shocked Bree asks Jonna how she got her engagement ring back. She replied, "I killed the monster." This adds weight to the theory that she killed the janitor as well. By killing the metaphorical monsters in their lives, the sisters are able to begin their healing process. It's a very definitive ending, so audiences likely won't be expecting a sequel from 12 Feet Deep anytime soon.
