In the climax of the film, Edward Malus (played by Nicolas Cage), a police officer investigating the disappearance of a young girl on a remote island, discovers the sinister truth behind the island’s inhabitants and their pagan rituals.
Throughout the movie, Edward encounters a series of bizarre and unsettling events as he delves deeper into the mystery of the missing girl. He becomes increasingly suspicious of the island’s residents, who seem to be hiding dark secrets beneath their idyllic facade.
As Edward uncovers the truth about the island’s pagan cult and their plans for the young girl, he races against time to rescue her before it’s too late. However, he soon finds himself ensnared in the cult’s twisted rituals and becomes a pawn in their deadly game.
In the final act, Edward confronts the cult’s leader, Sister Summersisle (played by Ellen Burstyn), and discovers the horrifying truth about their intentions. He learns that the cult believes in sacrificing the girl to ensure a bountiful harvest and appease their gods.
Despite Edward’s efforts to save the girl, he is ultimately overpowered by the cult and becomes their final sacrifice. The film ends with Edward being burned alive inside a giant wicker man effigy as the cult celebrates their ritualistic victory.
The ending of “The Wicker Man” is a chilling and shocking conclusion to the film’s exploration of religious fanaticism, isolation, and the nature of evil. It leaves viewers with a sense of dread and unease as they witness Edward’s descent into madness and the terrifying power of the cult’s beliefs.