Sharp Objects Ending Explained

7. What's With The Dollhouse?

Though it's been a constant presence throughout the entire show, the significance of Amma's cherished dollhouse was only revealed in the closing moments of the finale. It turned out that it was actually hiding a sinister secret the entire time: namely, that the ivory floor of the real Preaker house had been recreated using human teeth from Amma's victims.

It's a detail Camille notices once she finally gets a close look at Amma's prized possession, after her sister had been so adamant about keeping her away from it in previous episodes.

However, the obsession with getting the dollhouse "perfect" is also important in understanding Amma's murderous M.O. It's no coincidence that the second body was found propped up "like a doll" in the alleyway, or that great lengths were gone to to groom the victims, by painting their nails and, in the book, shaving their legs, before killing them. It all fits with the killer's obsession with exerting control to perfect her childish fantasy.