Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Piano Lesson!
There are many open questions at the end of the The piano lessonwith one of the most important relating to the fact that Boy Willie Charles killed Sutter. Sutter’s death is one of the first things you learn in The piano lessonbeing at the center of the film and the play’s supernatural plot. However, the truth behind Sutter’s death is never fully resolved, remaining largely a mystery by the time the credits roll. The piano lesson.
Netflix The piano lesson is the latest film adaptation of one of August Wilson’s plays, with the 2024 film coming from director Malcolm Washington. The cast of The piano lesson brings together great talent, with actors such as John David Washington, Danielle Deadwyler, Samuel L. Jackson and more. Although Boy Willie, by John David Washington, is one of the main characters in the filmone of the biggest questions about him is never resolved.
Why Berniece Thinks Willie Boy Killed Sutter in Piano Lesson
He has a reason
Despite Boy Willie saying it wasn’t him, Berniece thinks he was behind Sutter’s murder. Bernice knows that Sutter fell into a well, and she believes that Boy Willie pushed him, despite him blaming the Yellow Dog Ghosts. Berniece knows that Boy Willie has a motive for believing that Sutter killed his father after he stole Sutter’s piano.
Furthermore, Berniece knows Boy Willie isn’t afraid to break the law. Boy Willie’s act of stealing wood is what led to Berniece’s husband’s death, and he got into legal trouble several other times throughout his life. So him murdering Sutter in an attempt to get revenge is not far-fetched.
Boy Willie was probably telling the truth about not killing Sutter
Since the supernatural is real
Boy Willie attributes Sutter’s death to the supernatural, and because this may seem implausible, it is actually quite likely. Sutter is just one of several former slave owners who fell into wells and died, with the blame being blamed on the spirits of their former slaves. While it is possible that Boy Willie killed Sutter in an attempt to align his death with the curse’s modus operandi, this would only eliminate one death from a supernatural cause.
Additionally, the presence of Sutter’s ghost throughout The piano lesson confirms that the supernatural is real in the world of the film. Since ghosts exist, it is entirely possible that ghosts are behind Sutter’s death, although this The piano lesson the mystery will never be fully explained.