Netflix’s The Survivors: An Explanation of the Australian Thriller’s Conclusion
Spoiler alert: The following contains details about The Survivors.
Based on Jane Harper’s novel, The Survivors, a new Australian series on Netflix, centers on Kieran Elliott (Charlie Vickers) as he goes back to his hometown of Evelyn Bay in Tasmania. Years prior, a tragedy occurred, resulting in three deaths, for which Kieran is partly blamed. Upon his return with his own family, a murder disrupts the town, threatening to bring buried secrets to light.
The series opens with Evelyn Bay in turmoil due to the murder of Bronte (Shannon Berry), a tourist and true crime enthusiast who had been living there to investigate the disappearance of Gabby, the third person missing from the past tragedy. While the bodies of Toby and Finn, Kieran’s brother, were recovered, Gabby’s body was never found.
Several individuals become suspects in Bronte’s murder, including Kieran’s father, Brian (Damien Garvey), who suffers from dementia. Brian’s DNA found on Bronte’s clothing and in her mouth makes him a primary suspect. However, his condition makes it difficult to believe he is capable of murder. The finale of The Survivors reveals the truth behind Gabby’s disappearance and Bronte’s murder.
The mystery surrounding Gabby’s disappearance appears to be solved when Kieran’s girlfriend, Mia (Yerin Ha), discovers a photo of her on a boat shortly before she vanished. The photo depicts Gabby, who was only 14, with Toby and Finn, who were adults, raising questions about what happened to her and whether Toby and Finn were heroes or hiding a secret.
In the finale, Mia finds another photograph at George’s (Don Hany) house, in whose darkroom Bronte had been developing photos. The photo shows a rock carving of Gabby’s name and a date, though the date is unclear. Carving one’s name into the rocks is a tradition for those who reach the nearby caves. If Mia and the others can confirm the date, they could prove Finn and Toby’s innocence.
Kieran enlists his friend Sean (Thom Green), Toby’s brother, for help. They find the rock, but the inscription has been scratched out. Someone else knew about Gabby’s carving and was trying to cover it up. Meanwhile, Kieran’s mother, Verity (Robyn Malcolm), visits Julian (Martin Sacks), Sean and Toby’s father. Verity is upset by the revelation that Gabby was on Toby and Finn’s boat, worrying that they made mistakes raising their sons. Julian insists that Gabby was not on the boat. Verity, surprised by his certainty, questions how he can be so sure.
Sean is revealed to be the one who scratched out Gabby’s name. He had taken Gabby to the caves on the boat, meaning she was never with Toby and Finn. Gabby was looking for Kieran, whom she had a crush on, and Sean offered to take her to him. In the caves, Sean tried to kiss her, but she rejected him. He became hostile and left her there. Gabby couldn’t find her way out and drowned. Sean confessed to his father, Julian, who encouraged him to cover it up. Julian couldn’t bear the thought of losing another son after losing one in the previous cave incident, explaining why he was so sure Gabby wasn’t with Finn and Toby.
Kieran is shocked by Sean’s confession. He insists that Sean tell Trish (Catherine McClements) the truth about her daughter Gabby’s disappearance, but Sean refuses. Kieran realizes that the flashlight Sean is carrying is the same one that Bronte had borrowed from Sean on the night of her death. Bronte had asked Sean to accompany her to the beach to see the bioluminescence, as she felt stalked. The finale reveals that George was the one spying on her, due to past relationship issues.
Sean joined Bronte, and she shared her theory about Gabby being in the caves. Sean panicked and yelled at her. The Survivors implies that Sean had incel tendencies, feeling worthless because of how Bronte looked at him. He felt that nobody cared about him. This is left underdeveloped, but it explains his treatment of Gabby and Bronte. When Bronte tried to escape and screamed for help, Sean attacked her, punching her and hitting her in the head with the flashlight, killing her. He dragged her body into the sea, and Brian found it on his walk, attempting CPR unsuccessfully, which initially made him a suspect.
Afraid that the truth about Gabby and Bronte will be revealed, Sean fights Kieran in the caves. The police, having been tipped off, arrive. Kieran gains the upper hand and begins to strangle Sean but stops, realizing he isn’t a killer. Sean punches Kieran, and The Survivors cuts to black. Later, the police intervene, arresting Sean and saving Kieran.
The series concludes with a memorial for Bronte and Gabby. After 15 years, Trish finally finds closure. Both Trish and Bronte’s parents can begin to heal, and the people of Evelyn Bay might have a chance to move forward.
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