Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Piano Lesson!
There are a lot of questions left open at the end ofThe Piano Lesson, with one of the most important ones having to do with whether Boy Willie Charles killed Sutter. Sutter’s death is one of the first things that is learned about inThe Piano Lesson, with it being at the core of the movie and the play’s supernatural storyline. However, the truth behind Sutter’s death is never fully resolved, with it being a major mystery by the timecredits roll onThe Piano Lesson.
Netflix’sThe Piano Lessonis the latest film adaptation of one of August Wilson’s plays, with the 2024 movie coming from director Malcolm Washington. Thecast ofThe Piano Lessonpacks some major talent, with it featuring actors like John David Washington, Danielle Deadwyler, Samuel L. Jackson, and more. AlthoughJohn David Washington’s Boy Willie is one of the main characters in the film, one of the biggest questions about him is never resolved.
Why Berniece Thinks Boy Willie Killed Sutter In The Piano Lesson
He Has A Motive
Despite Boy Willie saying that it wasn’t him, Berniece thinks that he was behind Sutter’s murder. Bernice knows that Sutter fell down a well, with her believing that Boy Willie pushed him despite him blaming it onthe Ghosts of the Yellow Dog. Berniece knows that Boy Willie has motive due to his belief that Sutter killed their father after he stole Sutter’s piano.
Who Is Crawley & What Happened To Him In The Piano Lesson
Crawley is a significant character to Berniece and Boy Willie in The Piano Lesson who drives a wedge between their brother and sister relationship.
On top of that,Berniece knows that Boy Willie isn’t afraid to break the law. Boy Willie’s act of stealing wood is what led to the death of Berniece’s husband, and he has gotten in legal trouble several other times throughout his life. So, him murdering Sutter in an attempt to get revenge isn’t a stretch.
Boy Willie Was Likely Telling The Truth About Not Killing Sutter
Since The Supernatural Is Real
Boy Willie blames Sutter’s death on the supernatural, and why this may sound implausible, it is actually pretty likely. Sutter is only one of several former slave owners who have fallen down wells and died, with this being blamed on the spirits of their former slaves. Although it is possible that Boy Willie could have killed Sutter in an attempt to align his death with the curse’s modus operandi, that would only clear one death of a supernatural cause.
Netflix’s The Piano Lesson Is The Perfect Reminder To Watch Denzel Washington’s 92% RT Drama From 8 Years Ago
The Denzel Washington-produced drama The Piano Lesson is now on Netflix, which provides a good reminder to watch his 2016 film with similar themes.
On top of that, the presence of Sutter’s ghost throughoutThe Piano Lessonconfirms that the supernatural is real in the world of the movie. Since ghosts do exist, it is entirely possible that ghosts are behind Sutter’s death, although thisThe Piano Lessonmystery will never fully be explained.
The Piano Lesson
Cast
In The Piano Lesson, a brother and sister clash over selling a family heirloom piano—he sees it as a path to wealth, while she views it as a vital link to their heritage. Their uncle tries to mediate, but the conflict reveals deep truths about identity, legacy, and the past.
