### **Analyzing the Disturbing Conclusion of *Starve Acre***
Numerous horror films leave a profound impression, yet few feature endings as disquieting as *Starve Acre*.
Daniel Kokotajlo’s interpretation of Andrew Michael Hurley’s novel escalates tension throughout, culminating in a startling conclusion that may have viewers pondering what they’ve just seen. To clarify the sinister occurrences in this 1970s Yorkshire-based horror, we’ve dissected the essential components—from the tale of Dandelion Jack to the heartbreaking demise of a young boy.
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### **What is the plot of *Starve Acre*?**
After the tragic passing of their young son Owen (Arthur Shaw) due to an asthma attack, Richard (Matt Smith) and Juliette (Morfydd Clark) find it difficult to deal with their sorrow. While Richard takes a break from his university teaching position, he becomes fixated on uncovering the origins of a legendary tree mentioned in his father’s abusive journals.
During his digging, Richard uncovers the skeleton of a hare. He brings it home, only to find that the remains seem to regenerate when he watches them alone.
Simultaneously, Juliette is engulfed by depression, guilt, and visions of Owen. Her hopelessness drives her to invite a local medium, Mrs. Forde (Melanie Kilburn), hoping to seek clarity.
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### **What happens at the end of *Starve Acre*?**
The hare’s remains fully regenerate, and when Richard and Juliette try to set it free in the wild, it mysteriously returns to their house. Juliette becomes obsessed with the creature, convinced it houses a Pagan spirit known as Dandelion Jack.
Meanwhile, Richard unearths the impeccably preserved remains of the “Whistling Tree,” an enigmatic entity his father was infatuated with. When his colleague Steven (Robert Emms) comes to help with the excavation, Juliette has a chilling vision that Steven plans to take the hare away. Acting on this fear, she kills him.
Juliette convinces Richard that Dandelion Jack is providing them with a second chance after Owen’s demise. In the film’s final scenes, Richard murders Juliette’s visiting sister, Harrie (Erin Richards), completing the three sacrifices needed to fulfill the legend and enable Dandelion Jack to enter the physical realm.
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### **Who is Dandelion Jack?**
Dandelion Jack is a spirit from local mythology, cited in Richard’s father’s writings. Richard explains to his colleague that the Whistling Tree is regarded as “the womb of nature” and “the Pagan’s gateway to the spiritual realm.”
According to lore, three human sacrifices—a child, a woman, and a man—are required to open the portal and unleash Dandelion Jack. In this scenario, Owen is the first sacrifice, followed by Steven, and lastly, Harrie.
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### **What truly happened to Owen?**
Prior to his passing, Owen speaks of Dandelion Jack, calling him by another name, Jack Grey. He mentions that Jack Grey has been “whistling” to him. This implies that Dandelion Jack was influencing Owen, possibly inciting him to act out.
More alarmingly, it seems that Dandelion Jack also held sway over Juliette. In a haunting confession, she reveals to Richard:
*”When Owen had the asthma attack, I didn’t freeze up. I had a moment of clarity that we’d be better off without him. And that was thanks to Jack.”*
This confession suggests that Dandelion Jack orchestrated Owen’s death as the initial offering in his ritual.
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### **What is the significance of the hare?**
The hare seems to represent a tangible embodiment of Dandelion Jack. Richard finds its remains buried near the Whistling Tree—the alleged passage to the spirit realm. The hare begins to regenerate only after Owen’s death, reinforcing the notion that it is linked to the sacrificial ritual.
Whether the hare is Dandelion Jack’s ultimate form is uncertain. The film concludes right after all three sacrifices are completed, with Juliette starting to “nurture” the hare as if it were her offspring.
Perhaps it’s for the best that we never discover what transpires next.
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### **Where to Stream *Starve Acre***
*Starve Acre* is currently available for streaming on Shudder.
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### **UPDATE: Mar. 5, 2025, 3:29 p.m. EST**
*This article was initially published on Sept. 6, 2024, and has been revised to reflect current streaming availability.*