At the conclusion of the film Solaris, Kelvin experiences a profound and surreal transformation, realizing he never truly left the sentient planet Solaris and can remain with his recreated wife, Rheya.
The Initial Illusion of Return
The ending of Solaris initially presents Kelvin as having returned to his home on Earth, where he is seen reflecting on his memories and experiences with Rheya. This scene leads the audience, and Kelvin himself, to believe he has successfully escaped the enigmatic influence of the planet.
The Unsettling Revelation
However, this perceived return is quickly and dramatically revealed to be an illusion or a continuation of Solaris's powerful, reality-bending influence. A crucial moment occurs when Kelvin cuts his finger. Instead of a normal injury, the wound instantly and completely heals itself, vanishing without a trace. This miraculous regeneration is a key indicator, mirroring the abilities observed in the "visitors" or manifestations created by the planet Solaris.
Key Discoveries
This instantaneous healing serves as a shocking and definitive revelation for Kelvin, confirming his true location and fate:
- He is still in space: The self-healing ability signifies that Kelvin has not, in fact, returned to Earth. He remains within the sphere of Solaris's influence, forever bound to its unique properties.
- The shuttle was destroyed: His means of escape, the shuttle, was apparently destroyed, indicating that a physical departure from Solaris is impossible. He is stranded, or rather, integrated.
- A new existence: This profound realization means Kelvin is now permanently intertwined with Solaris. More significantly, it implies he can now exist indefinitely with the manifestation of his late wife, Rheya, created by the planet itself. This suggests a form of eternal reunion, transcending conventional life and death through Solaris's enigmatic power.
A Permanent, Surreal Existence
| Event | Significance |
|---|---|
| Appears to be home | Initial illusion or deeply desired reality by Kelvin |
| Self-inflicted injury | Catalyst for the ultimate truth revelation |
| Instantaneous healing | Confirms continued presence within Solaris's realm |
| Shuttle destroyed | Physical return to Earth is prevented |
| Reunion with Rheya (form) | Suggests a continuous, if surreal, connection |
Ultimately, Kelvin's fate is to become a permanent inhabitant of Solaris, forever connected to its unique abilities and potentially reunited with the form of his lost love, Rheya, in a state that transcends ordinary human existence.
