We all know the story, right? Seymour Krelborn, the meek Skid Row florist, stumbles upon a peculiar plant. This isn't just any Venus flytrap; this is Audrey II, a bloodthirsty, talking botanical marvel with an insatiable appetite. The 1986 musical film, a vibrant, darkly comedic adaptation of the off-Broadway hit, culminates in a rather explosive, albeit satisfying, finale where Audrey II is ultimately destroyed. But what if things had gone differently? What if the story didn't end with the plant's demise, or even with Seymour and Audrey's happily-ever-after?
Thinking about alternate endings for 'Little Shop of Horrors' is a fun exercise, especially when you consider the sheer audacity of Audrey II. The original 1960 Roger Corman film, a black-and-white B-movie gem shot in a whirlwind two days, actually had a much bleaker, more cynical conclusion. In Corman's version, Seymour and Audrey are both devoured by the plant, and the final shot shows miniature Audrey IIs sprouting all over New York City, ready to take over. It’s a chilling reminder of the plant's relentless nature.
The 1986 movie, however, opted for a more Hollywood-esque, albeit still dark, resolution. After Audrey II grows into a colossal monster, terrorizing the city and consuming several unfortunate souls (including the sadistic dentist Orin Scrivello), Seymour, with the help of Audrey and Mr. Mushnik, manages to defeat it. The film ends with Seymour and Audrey opening their own successful flower shop, surrounded by happy, normal-looking plants, implying a fresh start.
But let's play 'what if' for a moment. What if Audrey II, despite its apparent destruction, managed to survive in some form? Perhaps a single seed, or a microscopic spore, was carried away on the wind, destined to find a new, unsuspecting host. Imagine a sequel where Seymour and Audrey are living their idyllic life, only to notice a strange new sprout in their garden, or a peculiar plant at a rival shop. The dread would slowly creep back in, a constant, gnawing fear that the nightmare isn't truly over.
Another possibility could involve a more morally ambiguous ending for Seymour. What if, in his desperation to save Audrey and himself, he made a deal with a different entity, or perhaps even a more powerful, older version of Audrey II that was lurking in the shadows? This could lead to Seymour becoming a reluctant, but more powerful, servant to a larger, intergalactic plant empire, forever bound to its will, but perhaps with a twisted sense of purpose.
Or consider an ending where Audrey II's influence isn't purely destructive. What if its ability to grow and thrive, albeit through questionable means, inspired Seymour to find a more sustainable, less homicidal way to cultivate his plants? Perhaps he discovers a way to harness Audrey II's unique biological properties for good, creating super-plants that can solve environmental problems, but always with the underlying tension of the plant's inherent danger. This would be a more nuanced exploration of nature versus nurture, and the potential for even the most monstrous things to have a beneficial side.
Ultimately, the enduring appeal of 'Little Shop of Horrors' lies in its blend of the grotesque and the charming, the terrifying and the hilarious. While the film gives us a satisfying conclusion, the thought of Audrey II's potential to return, or to evolve into something even more complex, keeps the dark magic of this story alive in our imaginations.
