At the conclusion of the film Monster, Steve Harmon is found not guilty of all charges related to the robbery and murder. However, despite his legal acquittal, Steve faces a significant internal struggle, grappling with overwhelming guilt and an identity crisis.
Legal Outcome: Acquittal
The trial ends with a verdict that frees Steve Harmon from the legal ramifications of the crime. The jury determines that there is insufficient evidence to prove his direct involvement or intent in the felony murder. This outcome marks a pivotal moment, as Steve's fate, which hung precariously in the balance, is resolved in his favor, allowing him to walk free from the courtroom.
Internal Conflict and Lingering Guilt
While legally exonerated, Steve is profoundly affected by the events and his role, or lack thereof, in preventing the crime. He is haunted by the feeling that he could have intervened or spoken up, and this inaction leaves him with a deep sense of personal responsibility. This internal conflict highlights a central theme of the narrative: the distinction between legal guilt and moral culpability.
Steve's inner turmoil is poignantly captured as he reflects on his identity and the societal labels that could be applied to him. He wrestles with the fundamental question of his own nature, articulating his confusion with the profound query: "Boy, man, human, monster? That feels gray." This statement underscores his lingering uncertainty about who he is and whether his association with the crime, even without direct participation, transforms him into something monstrous in his own eyes. The verdict might clear his name in court, but it does not absolve him of the immense psychological burden.
Thematic Implications
Steve's ending explores several critical themes:
- The Nature of Justice: It questions whether the legal system always delivers true justice, especially when personal morality and perceived guilt remain unresolved.
- Identity and Perception: Steve's struggle highlights how easily individuals can be labeled and judged, and the complex process of self-identification, particularly after traumatic experiences.
- Moral Ambiguity: The "gray" area Steve describes encapsulates the film's exploration of human behavior, suggesting that the lines between good and evil, innocence and guilt, are often blurred and subjective.
Ultimately, Steve's ending in Monster is not one of simple triumph but of complex psychological aftermath, leaving him free in the eyes of the law but imprisoned by his own conscience and existential doubts.
