How Phil Conners Really Escaped Groundhog Day

Does Phil sell his soul for his freedom?

[@joshrobbinsditto3055]

You forgot to mention that when Phil ran out of the place he was staying on the 3rd day he came across Ned even though Phil was quicker this time.. Ned knows when to cross the road..

[@omalone1169]

03:40

[@ZOB4]

As someone who used to sell life insurance as a job, I can tell you that if anybody in the story is the devil, it's definitely the Life Insurance salesman.

[@pts5217]

z.browning hahahaha

[@cashflodigitalsportsnetwork]

z.browning wow!

[@tvcluelessvibez790]

Lmao

[@mayphoenix4725]

😈

[@nicholasjanke3476]

Bill Murray:"The studios want me to do a sequel. I told them that the film is itself a sequel."

[@sedlyholmes3722]

Yup they seriously need to stop getting a sequel with all this classic movies

[@BurtSampson]

Wouldn't Ned actually be God. Once he accepts the life insurance policy he's released from hell or purgatory or whatever it is. All it takes is for him to be a considerate person and he's eventually freed from the prison he finds himself him. I don't see why the Devil would need to get him to sign his soul over considering he already has Phil exactly where he wants him. Seems more like Phil's signature on the life insurance policy grants him his life back as a reward for finally being a good person.

[@Gamamus]

It's possible, but since the guy's an insurance salesman, I have a much easier time thinking he's the devil.

[@sergiooliva56]

Mike G isn't heaven the ultimate insurance policy?

[@blood285a]

How about Ned was both god and devil depending on however Phil interacted with him. A projection of his on conscience, as were every other person he interacted with and how as he got to know them better, he began to understand himself better until he had a transformation into Buddah himself.

[@666hellviewlane]

No

[@JessiD618]

God sees Phill contently on the highway to hell. He descends on the poor bastard and offers him an easy way first, knowing Phill will turn it down. When he does turn it down, God puts Phill through hell, gives Phill a woman to make him realize what a piece of crap he is, takes Phil’s frustration literally on the cheek, makes Phill wish he was dead, and finally, transforms him not only into a decent human being, but a wonderful human being worthy at last of the life God had been waiting to give him all along. Add on the fact that Ned is initially unappealing, seemingly insignificant, seems to know Phill a lot better than Phill would like, and keeps showing up with every new day to offer Phill salvation, Ned sounds more and more like my idea of God.

[@1Cocknose1]

He is clearing his karma.

[@omalone1169]

It's a wonderful life

[@user-zn8xo1mf9z]

Actually, i’m pretty sure he was cursed by an ex. This was a scene that was cut out of the script and was suppossed to take place at the beginning of the film. Only being truly in love or having someone truly love him would end the curse. you can even find this info on groundhog’s day’s wikipedia. His ex’s name was Stephanie

[@TeaquestSagas]

But if it was cut, that means they didn't want to go with this implication, so they thought of something else in the end.

[@jamesfowler5100]

That would actually be cool! They should have kept that in.

[@MrThatguyo]

@@TeaquestSagas more likely it lost to the evil editing requirements.. they're the real devil

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

Possibly, but it may have just been cut for time or story pacing.

[@burbanpoison2494]

Actually, I'm pretty sure they cut that. Like, specifically decided, not that.

[@HowardTheDork]

Phil is trapped in his own sense of repetitiveness. Only after learning to see the world differently, more pleasantly and an opportinity for growth and experience etc, was he able to leave not only the day and the town, but the obvious boredom he was experiencing at the beginning. The beginning actually gives it away. Hes stuck going to the same small town for the same stupid (as he sees it) ceremony that doesn't even mean anything. He tricks women and finds lovelessness hollow. He steals money and finds no lasting happiness (like being trapped in a bank vault). Everything he's come to value he realizes has no value at all. How does he get out? Finds love in the producer, makes friends with the annoying camera man. He gets out by finding the value in serving something beyond his own needs. Its a well done and entertaining of a teaching tought by many religions... Selfishness begats a personal hell and selflessness begats paradise, enlightenment... Its an escape through perceptual change. Nothing is inherently good or bad or boring or annoying. Its our own personal experience that decides heaven or hell.

[@omalone1169]

“We’re an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you’re studying that reality - judiciously, as you will - we’ll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that’s how things will sort out. We’re history’s actors . . . and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.” (Ron Suskind, NYTimes Magazine, Oct. 17, 2004).

[@SavedRickAstley]

God is real.

[@Ernestjdjjdbsnanmk]

I don’t think Ned is the devil because why would the devil what Phil to learn love and be self less? That kinda sounds like god.

[@haljordan777]

The Ned as the Devil theory exists because some people are surprisingly stupid and they have access to the internet. Some of them may even be KZbin presenters.

[@hogwartsrpg9397]

Let's go for a lighter interpretation: his life has become a videogame, so he cannot move to the next level/day until he has cleared properly the first one. He has unlocked infinite continues, that's why he spawns constantly in the same place/day.

[@RobinObinray]

Hogwarts RPG transhumanism agenda...

[@dayminder7414]

My life is like a video game trying hard to beat the stage all while I am still collecting coins.

[@thejaysusnetwork6102]

And by getting into the pearly gates of heaven, I'm assuming you mean Andie MacDowell's pants...

[@elfascisto6549]

I see no difference

[@senecaknowledge2274]

@@elfascisto6549 That’s because there isn’t one

[@misterhappy5462]

i mean...he already got into the pants of the brunette & blonde airheads. in my opinion farrr more heavenly than andie's. 🤷🏽‍♂

[@timothyliow943]

I once heard a theory that Ned’s a Time Lord. Explains a lot.

[@francismausley7239]

Fallen into a mystical cycle, a man karma teaches him to evolve from a self-centered existence to one of service to mankind. "This is worship, to serve mankind and to minister to the needs of the people.” ~ Baha'i Faith

[@snoopyfod1807]

Great video, Ash! You and Jules are AWESOME!

[@tvrgriffithfan8682]

Also, Phil uses the same sort of "trick" on Nancy Taylor. That he knew her in high school. However, we still don't if Ned was tricking him or not. And of course yeah Phil only gets out of the time loop when he buys Ned's life insurance. Though, the true purpose of this in the actual film is probably to show that Phil truly did learn his lesson and was even nice to the most annoying of people. Also, yeah it's always the person you'd least expect to be the Devil who's the Devil. Ned seems overly friendly and persuasive so yeah he's definitely The Devil if this theory is correct.

[@kensvideos1]

Ned is very human. Husseling on Groundhog Day to make ends meet, overkeen and desperate. He is just another soul who Phil must help.

[@JenniferMcMahonhawaii78]

So what if Punxsutawney Phil is technically an old world GOD!?!?

[@TehBurek]

+

[@baeldarkwind217]

Throw that into the mix as still Needle nose as well.

[@burbanpoison2494]

He is immortal... When he dies, he just assumes the body of a different groundhog.

[@herbalgerbil]

It was a dark and stormy night when the Gopher witnessed the lightning that killed the old man. Yes, Phil was almost killed himself and just assumed it was the weather. But even a simple groundskeeper knew he would see this Gopher again someday.

[@kickinrocks6055]

Think of how many years (YEARS) he would have spent learning piano. Now imagine everyday, for years, fixing a flat tire for strangers, saving a man from choking, catching a kid falling from a tree, saving a young couple's marriage. He became a Saint in a way. He only got the woman's love after years of practicing being a good person.

[@roderick8167]

I remember reading a theory about how Phil cheated on his long time ex-girlfriend who turned out to be a witch or gypsy and in a act of vengeance cursed Phil to repeat the same day over and over again

[@kimberleymorris8052]

I read that and he had to try and find true love

[@buddhamack1491]

Yeah that was a scene cut from the movie if you read another comment on here that someone posted "This was a scene that was cut out of the script and was suppossed to take place at the beginning of the film. Only being truly in love or having someone truly love him would end the curse. you can even find this info on groundhog’s day’s wikipedia. His ex’s name was Stephanie" - Sykotronic

[@kimberleymorris8052]

Buddha Mack yeah I didn’t read the comments trying not to laugh at the stupid theory

[@levi1929]

This video asks a lot of questions, gives very few answers, and sites even fewer facts. It falls well short of a genuine theory and is more in the realm of a pothead glancing at a movie and saying “what if, like, we’re ALL the devil, man.....whoah....”.

[@dawb86]

Thing is, what IF we are all, in fact, the devil.....

[@bornjusticerule5764]

i love this movie. thanks for the added insight.

[@saudinho1436]

The time trap is a God's present for Phill, so he could finally manage to have a spiritual awakening.

[@TheInfamousJosh]

I have an answer for this theory. No

[@mattbenz99]

Ya, it doesn't make sense. If he was the devil then Murray would have had to agree to something before hand before the loop started.

[@bezzaderbane9890]

Er no, not if its purgatory, Phil is in neutral ground, the Devil has come along to take his soul so he cant get to heaven why would the devil be doing this before Phil goes to purgatory the theory makes perfect sense.

[@TheTeufelhunden68]

This was actually filmed in Woodstock Illinois. During one of the street scenes, you can see a sign on a building that I believe says Woodstock Hardware. My family lives in Pa, and while visiting there soon after the film was released, the missus and I decided to visit Punxatawney. We asked why the film wasn't filmed there. A shopkeeper told us that it was because there wasn't enough hotel space for the cast and crew. Possibly, that that could have been A reason, but I believe the real reason is that it is one of many ugly little towns Eastern Pa is dotted with. We did get to see Punxatawney Phil. He is pretty cute.

[@stilth60050]

That is Woodstock Illinois I'm from that area, went to high school there. I remember when they were filming it.

[@graysun9321]

Groundhog Day is one of my favorite movies ... I think this theory is very interesting but at the same time a bit unfounded, because if Ned is the devil why is he too absorbed in the time loop?

[@Prosch23]

this movie is all about BREAKING OUT OF YOUR MINDLESS ROUTINES and learning the secret to a blessed life by trying NEW things

[@1000000man1]

Actually, the studio did force them to write a reason for why he was in the Loop. Phil's ex girlfriend puts a Voodoo curse on him and he can only break the curse if he can get another person to truly love him. But Harold Ramis really Didn't like the idea and cleverly scheduled those scenes for the very end of production and then went over schedule, so those scenes were Never shot.. But, there is one tiny little hint to this concept when Phil and Rita kiss at the end. We hear a little sound effect, as if from a fairytale and Phil looks up as if to say: "What's that?"

[@chrism3784]

thought he looked up because suddenly started snowing harder. Didn't look at it that way, the voodoo curse was lifted

[@1000000man1]

@@chrism3784 Yeah, if you listen at that moment, you can hear it. It's like the "spell is broken" sound, like tiny bells. It's so easy to Just interpret as a romantic gesture in the soundtrack but I believe it was originally linked to that voodoo storyline. And it can still work in that context without it, because you can still interpret it as the reason the time warp stops, as a spell being broken, without the explicit voodoo connection. So I think that's why they left it in.

[@PatrickRyan147]

It's not about selling your soul. It's about compassion. Ned is the devil alright. When Phil showed love and compassion for Ned at the end he finally left hell and found his heaven. So the moral of the story is if you want to know heaven then you must have compassion for everybody including the devil. The devil is only playing a role after all. But don't let him babysit your kids haha.

[@paulteti]

He's in the multiverse.

[@bruisedhelmet8819]

Love this take on Groundhog's Day

[@thenew4559]

Or maybe he was just trapped in a time-loop, exactly how the movie presented his situation. Saying he was in Purgatory or even Hell is just speculating off of a few very vague similarities. The movie makes it pretty clear what is happening: he is stuck in a simple time loop for no apparent cause, his salvation only occurring when he becomes a better person. In short this experience occurred simply to teach him a moral lesson, not to swindle him of his soul. In this sense it is much more similar to an archetypical “act of god” than it is an act of the devil. That is a much more simpler explanation for why the timeloop occurs, although I simply don’t think that trying to come up with reasons for why all this happened was the intention of the movie. The whole experience was a moral lesson, it’s really that simple.

[@CanderisOrdo]

Always fun to see my home town on vids!

[@Nuschler22]

Yes, the devil always wants people to be better and treat people with selflessness. Makes perfect sense.

[@TolkienStudy]

You know what’s interesting is that Groundhog Day i think falls on one of the Pagan holy days. And Puxamany (have no idea how to spell that) Phil is a demon. And I guess that woman could be Beatrice if we’re taking Dante as our imagery. Very very interesting. That’s funny about Ned. Very cool channel, love it

[@valiroime]

Brandon Young: Do you know what's even more interesting? Pretty much EVERY major Christian holiday was, at one time, a Pagan celebration. Yes, including Christmas. Sorry, but December 25 is not Jesus' actual birthday.

[@Joe-hi1zw]

@TheBobBrom hey go look up what a pagan is then come back

[@ZebbeCali]

Groundhog Day happens as a result of crossing the streams in ghostbusters.

[@TeaquestSagas]

Would be cool if you'd linked the reddit that originally came up with it. Just for reference and all.

[@wlessfanable]

Is anyone remembering that the original script called for Phil's, dead, ex-girlfriend to be sentencing Phil do relive the same day in order to realize his shortcomings? Those scenes were cut early on with no other explanations to be given.

[@mishmashmedley]

Watch Happy Death Day. Fun and worth a watch if you like Groundhog day....

[@t.r.blackthorne]

Yeah, but skip the similar themed Before I Fall.

[@mishmashmedley]

Fukyuimclassy o.O.... she's supposed to be. that's the whole point in why she's being murdered....

[@Scabby2236]

@@mishmashmedley I spose I just think they could of made her a bitch but still semi likable instead of completely cunty all the time... Pepper a few redeemable qualities in there ya know instead she seemed like the type of person who'd spit in a kittens face

[@PantherU]

You seem classy.

[@honeyburn688]

I watched happy death day and it was so good so I decided to watch this movie I'm so glad I did

[@4amyoutube432]

THE BEST decode!

[@randygoodall6229]

I like to think the universe works on fate and phil hadn't forfilled his destiny for thats day and has to keep reliving it until he does

[@taylorbarker616]

Ash... your hair is magnificent.

[@danwinstanley2810]

I left a like... and watched till the end, do I get a light saber?

[@jerethkhan]

There was no reason originally written for the time loop. The studio wouldn't greenlight the film until a scene with one was written. The reason decided on was a Gypsy Curse. That scene was then cut from the script to leave it a mystery. So, according to the drafts it was a Gypsy Curse, not The (or a) Devil.

[@themasteryourdaddy.6307]

Interesting point of view. Welll done

[@lucifers.morningstar3805]

The problem with that theory is the fact that the last encounter that Phil and Ned have is when Phil gives Ned a very intimate hug creeping him out and Ned runs away, no signing of an insurance policy, therefore that theory falls apart completely.

[@mbottambotta]

don't Phil and Rita meet Ned later that day, when Ned tells Rita Phil bought all his insurance products?

[@deezynar]

The point of the story is that life is better if you behave like a decent human being. Phil is freaked out by the time loop at first, but quickly realizes that he can have all the food, sex, booze, and money a person could ask for in one day. After enjoying the good life for the equivalent of several years, he slowly starts to realize that he can help people, not just use them. He discovers that he enjoys helping people. His transition from a guy who habitually uses other people, to someone who serves other people, takes many years of repeated days. The story provides no evidence that there is a supernatural agent at work. Many would claim it is obvious by the fact that Phil repeats the same day, and eventually it stops repeating apparently in synch with his arrival at maturity as a human. But correlation is not causation. Morality and religion are often linked together by people, and it makes them feel good to believe this story has a supernatural element to it, but it's just not there. BTW, I'm a fundamentalist Christian and it would support my beliefs if there was a supernatural agent was at work in this story. Because of that, I would say so, but no supernatural element exists in this film other than the appearance of a very non-natural, reoccurring phenomenon. The writer was just telling a morality tale similar to one of Aesop's fables. So, even without a religious, or theistic, bent, the movie shows how humans are happier when they stop trying to be happy, and they embrace the idea that helping others brings joy. I think most people understand that from personal experience. At this point I would like to take a different direction and point out from my personal experience, and the experience of many other people, that joy is also found in being grateful for the many, many, blessings that we have. The concept of gratitude for having loads of great things, including decent health, clean water to drink, a bed to sleep on and not the sidewalk, etc., requires looking outside of yourself. You have to believe that you did not earn everything you have even though you worked for many of them. It really does make a person happier to thank a higher power even if it sounds daft. I am not saying that the joy brought by being grateful to a higher power is proof that a higher power exists, I'm merely pointing out that many people are much happier when they believe that a moral, benevolent, and intelligent, power invisibly effects the visible world.

[@57thorns]

I agree, but most people would consider the time loop itself magic or supernatural, but I suppose you make the difference between a supernatural entity that acts on its own volition, and magical forces commanded by people.

[@HereForTheComments]

Groundhog Day was the first topic WhatCulture every covered on KZbin.

[@Otto1kun]

Ground hogs day is actually about what it would take to get the girl of your dreams.

[@jackdaniels2905]

There's an excellent analysis explaining how groundhog Day is actually based on tarot cards.

[@brianhoward7981]

Love it

[@ap0ught]

Nope don't believe it at all.

[@Doomzdeh]

This makes more sense when you realize that, after Phil pinched Ned that one time, he absolutely flunked with Reida that same night. Things only got better for Phil when he started being nicer to everyone, which included Ned

[@gptandmee]

Yes! I thought the same thing! I checked the director script and he was stuck 10 thousands years because of a curse from his ex but idk the way need says good to see you again everyday and he seems to ignore need for the most part until the end he says he signed his papers and he's free. Idk how I'm just seeing this movie after all these years but damn I missed out on a sleeper! Def one of my favorites now!

[@sedlyholmes3722]

I mean the loop started when phill didn't buy all those insurance lol

[@stilth60050]

Watch the movie again he never accepts the insurance, he scares him away by hitting on him.

[@yoosufsamir]

Just watched it. He in fact does buy the insurance. Every form of insurance.

[@thegreypath1777]

Phil is stuck in a time loop.

[@inlandindieP35]

Phil Connors eventually learning to abandon everything that made him famous and instead learning to love everything the he previously hated is not Hell, it is Transcendent.

[@trikkerman1]

I'm sure I can find ways to keep me busy if that ever happen to me.

[@eenayeah]

I like how empty the video's description is!

[@MrBazBake]

TIL Michael Shannon is the guy who gets the Wrestlemania Tickets in Groundhog Day... 2:10

[@retluoc]

Holy crap, you're right. Shannon is my age, so I wouldn't have thought that. He must only have been 18 back then.

[@batmansdragon8820]

I like it!

[@johnnyklebitz8465]

If you have seen the show Lucifer, Spoiler Alert. There is an episode where Linda's husband Reese tries to kill Lucifer, but he fails in doing so, short story. Lucifer does the exact thing to Reese, Reese's punishment is Groundhog Day. So maybe Phil Conners was in Hell the whole time and the only thing that he needed to do was to become a good person and do the right thing to escape it.

[@kendallchaos]

Johnny Klebitz well technically, as Lucifer himself said, in hell you relive your sins so it’s not so much Reese living in a groundhogs day like state as him reliving the year of obsession that led up to him getting an innocent girl killed

[@MrThomasCWest]

It sounds like you described marriage.

[@Alienwin1]

I wouldn’t mind stuck in Groundhog Day with the hostess here ;)

[@neallong2480]

I like this theory

[@bezzaderbane9890]

I'm not usually that interested in fan theories about films but this one actually isn't bad and could work within the logic of the film and actually give a proper reason for exactly what is happening to Phil, Life on Mars takes this approach too where the lead character is stuck in a purgatory that is the 1970's after being hit by a car and stuck in a coma.

[@dannybenhur6123]

I think it's passed on to one and another, like from Ned to Phil, Phil to someone else.

[@colinswartz6022]

That's a dark take, but I think the purgatory theory is closer to the truth. Part of the beauty of the story is its endless interpretations. Re Ned, he tells Phil that the first step is a doozy. That is the first step toward self-realization (i.e. a doozy of a step).

[@Anthony-wb6ih]

Great theory

[@carmelosgro6413]

Groundhog Day reimaged as a horror movie could work, with this theory & the tag line would be "There are worst things than death".

[@roo407]

She is stunning

[@shlomoyosefshekelbergzucke5064]

*she's fat!*

[@roo407]

@@shlomoyosefshekelbergzucke5064 mate she is fine as she is

[@bubu1066]

Shlomo Yosef Shekelbergzuckerowiczgoldmannsteinberg you’re fat

[@eduardoendaracorrea196]

Shlomo Yosef Shekelbergzuckerowiczgoldmannsteinberg that’s why you are gay !!

[@jackj9816]

piss of you wouldn't turn her down

[@selvahechicera4292]

Once again I have made the mistake of confusing "Film Theory" with "That Film Theory." Oopsie. I have seen less of "That Film Theory" but it generally seems to be more of the "Here's an interesting idea" with little to back it up than "Let me show you some serious evidence of why this theory would actually be the case."

[@chakrapanic4188]

Those eyes...

[@violetdusk9192]

I always thought of it as purgatory

[@If_you_hvae_noticed]

So hellish..🤣 i need a feel Good explanation🤗

[@Gravitraxer_AangCZ]

This is Bob: 🙂 /#\ || Copy this comment and put Bob on another video to make Bob's way around the world

[@mjc8281]

Well the original ending had Rita waking up stuck it her own Groundhog day following Phil's release so perhaps you are correct Phil has signed his life away and now it's Rita's turn

[@Gothguitarist]

He ends up with the girl in the end thats a happy ending! He has to do good to get the good ending in the end he wins the girl

[@sayyoryusupov5495]

So the theory is that it is “The Good Place”.

[@THEKlNG]

No. "The Good Place" is "Groundhog Day"

[@vmmd8229]

Just finished this great movie but I was spoiled by this video years ago haha

[@jimmcclements5229]

It actually does make sense. What reason is Phil reliving Ground Hog day over and over in the first place? That part is never explained.

[@TuneStunnaMusic]

crazy nutty theory but not a bad one

[@monabailey3093]

Never put much thought in to the movie I've always just enjoyed it. But I like the theory about the devil and purgatory. It puts a interesting spin on the story.

[@zipgow]

There's a deleted scene of a bitter ex placing a curse on him. I'm not sure if it was removed just because its an unnecessary bit of exposition that elongates the first act, or because the movie's better with a hint of mystery.

[@zediahtimmons9704]

I think the bar tender knew what was going on

[@chubbatheBOSS]

The whole world is Phil’s own dream. It reflects his own mind and he can only become free by service and loving all including his enemies. Hell/this world/time/purgatory/devil’s domain is all the same, it is a place of correction of the mind/soul to purify itself to go back to God

[@starwarsroo2448]

I sure as heckfire don't remember Ned being the devil

[@xtlsvideopodthelaststate1843]

This video wins twice.

[@mjstory1976]

Awesome theory

[@shawn-raymulder9049]

Sounds more like a Room of Renunciation from Unknown Armies.

[@mr7oclock346]

I kind of want a sequel. Not just some movie with a same day over and over theme, but one that's actually the same genre as groundhog day

[@emsleywyatt3400]

Have you ever seen 12:01?

[@mr7oclock346]

@@emsleywyatt3400 I have never heard if it, but it's in my que

[@steampunkster2023]

That's my favorite film.......damn you That Film Theory! (Good theory by the way.)

[@jordanfrerichs7629]

Ned is Dr. Strange.

[@vilislacis3337]

Hmm, way to turn an inspiring movie into a bummer!

[@Powertothesheeple]

I haven’t read the comments so I don’t know if anyone else has mentioned this. “Ned” is an old euphemism for the devil. If you’ve heard the exclamation “golly Ned” that’s a transformation of the old idiom “god and the devil”. While I don’t like this interpretation, that information adds to the theory in the video.

[@bryanlahog7948]

Well Ned IS a an insurance salesman, so…

[@Nora-mg7cc]

I loved this theory. :)

[@sumide8761]

1:06 "limbo" Wow inception

[@nevreiha]

I mean, if he is a businessman who isn't into the big, it's very likely he saw him on TV and saw it as a sales opportunity

[@submarineinthesky8946]

Alright, never trust anyone named Ned. Got it.

[@Lumiverse.]

Every time it cuts back to the women the background is the alarm clock going from 5:59 to 6 o'clock. Appropriate for a video on Groundhogs Day.