The Ending Of Elektra Explained

In the movie's climax, Abby Miller is killed by the Hand in much the same way as Elektra's mother, who was a casualty of the Hand's search for Elektra. In the Marvel Universe, being a martial arts wunderkind doesn't necessarily make you any safer; it often just puts your loved ones in danger. However, this shared sense of loss connects Elektra and Abby, pulling them closer as they both search for peace and safety.

While Elektra can protect Abby in a way that neither of their mothers were able to do for them, it's her relationship with Abby that helps Elektra to move on from her tragic past. By caring for a young girl, guiding her through the trials of being the "treasure," and encouraging her to live a normal life, Elektra softens, letting go of her guilt and rage.

At several points throughout the film, Abby rushes to defend Elektra, jumping into fights well beyond her skill level. It's easy to see how anxious Abby is over her concern for Elektra, clearly unwilling to allow another mother figure to die for her sake. It's interesting, though, that despite obviously caring for Abby, Elektra chooses to leave at the end of the film, knowing she has more work to do. This is at odds with many other motherhood narratives that push female characters towards the idea of sacrifice at the cost of the self — Elektra is allowed the space she needs to progress and fully heal from the trauma of her mother's death ... and, let's face it, her own.