The Light Between Oceans

Main Plot

"The Light Between Oceans," directed by Derek Cianfrance, is a poignant drama set in the aftermath of World War I. The story follows Tom Sherbourne, a war veteran who becomes a lighthouse keeper on a remote island off the coast of Australia. He is joined by his wife, Isabel, who longs for a child after suffering multiple miscarriages. One day, a rowboat washes ashore carrying a dead man and a living baby. Isabel convinces Tom to keep the child and raise her as their own, believing it to be a gift from fate. Their decision leads to profound moral and emotional consequences as they become entangled with the child's biological family. The film explores themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human choices, set against the backdrop of the rugged, isolated landscape.

Characters

• Michael Fassbender plays Tom Sherbourne, a lighthouse keeper who, with his wife, discovers a baby adrift and faces moral dilemmas about their actions.
• Alicia Vikander plays Isabel Graysmark, a grieving wife who convinces her husband to keep a found baby, leading to moral dilemmas and emotional turmoil.
• Rachel Weisz plays Hannah Roennfeldt, a grieving mother whose daughter was lost at sea, central to the emotional conflict and moral dilemmas faced by the main characters.

Ending Explained

In the conclusion of "The Light Between Oceans," directed by Derek Cianfrance, the complex moral dilemmas faced by the characters reach a poignant resolution. Tom Sherbourne, a lighthouse keeper, and his wife Isabel discover a baby girl, Lucy, adrift in a rowboat and decide to raise her as their own after suffering multiple miscarriages. Years later, they learn that Lucy's biological mother, Hannah, is alive and has been searching for her lost child. The truth eventually comes to light, leading to Tom's arrest for his role in concealing Lucy's true identity. In the end, Tom takes full responsibility to protect Isabel, who is emotionally devastated by the separation from Lucy. Isabel ultimately confesses her part in the deception, leading to Tom's release. Lucy is returned to Hannah, and the couple's relationship is deeply strained. Years later, an adult Lucy, now named Grace, visits Tom, who is living alone after Isabel's death. She expresses gratitude for the love he gave her, providing a bittersweet closure to the story. The film concludes with themes of forgiveness, sacrifice, and the enduring impact of love and loss.