WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Antlers, now in theaters.

One of the most intriguing things about Scott Cooper's Antlers is that while it prides itself as a horror with a bloodthirsty Wendigo stalking a small Oregon town, it's a psychological thriller as well. This allows the film to create certain imaginary spaces for the viewers to fill in as the creature goes on its rampage, targeting a young boy, Lucas. But as this happens, there are a few unanswered questions and plot holes that arise.

Why Didn't Lucas Get Infected in Antlers?

Antlers ends with Julia and Lucas safe, however, Paul is infected to turn into a Wendigo too

The Wendigo is actually Lucas' dad, Frank, who got infected by the evil spirit as he cooked meth in a cave. It's revealed that Frank then went home with Lucas, thinking he could stave off the spread, but his youngest, Aiden, got infected too. Lucas locked both of them away in a room, hoping the transformations would stop, but it's never clarified how Aiden got infected and why Lucas didn't, which is odd as Lucas was with the dad more.

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Where Are The Cops in Antlers?

The film has just two cops -- Paul and Dan -- investigating the town as mutilated bodies keep popping up once a transformed Frank escapes. Sure, it's a little town, but two officers on the job alone is ridiculous. Paul, the sheriff, doesn't even call in the cavalry when it becomes clear the creature is going after his sister, Julia, to get to Lucas. They know the Wendigo then takes Lucas to the cave, but again, Paul doesn't radio in, which is weird as background shots show other officers.

Why Didn't The Wendigo Attack Julia and Paul?

Antlers should have used Sheriff Stokes more as sidelining Graham Greene creates a cultural representation problem

When Dan investigates Julia's shed, finding Aiden as bait, the Wendigo gores him from the back. Paul comes up later and is in the same situation, yet it doesn't gore him. It butts him away before then goring through his shoulder from the other wall. It's plot convenience, but still, so weird as it had him dead to rights. Weirdly, when it faces Julia in the cave, it doesn't rush and gore her either, even before she picks up a weapon, when that is its M.O. in battle.

What Happened With Paul's Dad in Antlers?

Antlers

Antlers confirms the father physically abused Julia as a teen after the mother died, with Julia then fleeing for the big city where she became a teacher. She returned home after the man's death to be with Paul, but still resentful as her brother didn't get abused like her. Paul, however, confesses that Julia doesn't know what he endured, which does hint that the father might have sexually abused him. It would have been an interesting point to clarify as Paul still has signs of bitterness about being abandoned by the one person he trusted -- Julia.

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Why Didn't Paul Investigate Frank's Home in Antlers?

Paul and Dan merely visit early on at night, admitting there's a stench of death, which is because Frank has killed Aiden's principal, Ellen, inside. They just leave, though, opting to get a warrant. The thing is, if Paul smelt death, he should have broken in as that may mean the absent sons might be dead. On top of that, Paul shows no urgency to keep an eye on the home the next morning. It's a place of interest, with Julia being the one who arrives, finds Ellen's car and confirms the Wendigo is loose. It's odd to see her doing more detective work when Paul has a lot of evidence in hand.

What Was The Wendigo's Mission in Antlers?

Antlers' opening has an Indigenous woman saying that the Wendigo's meant to purge the world of evil men, which seems like the plan when it comes to the surface due to drug-dealing, over-mining and pollution. However, the Wendigo drops that plan and just seems cool with feasting and holing up in the cave with the boys. Admittedly, the film's mythology doesn't have to be spot on, but the Wendigo's endgame never comes to light. Seeing as Lucas isn't infected, it seems the Wendigo was just going to live there with him and a transformed Aiden, hunting to bring them food.

See how these plot holes and unanswered questions arise in Antlers, now in theaters.

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