Further, the film hints at but doesn't explore the idea of a life-cycle of violence. To save his son, Graham uses the same abusive tactics experienced by Dollarhyde. It works, but what is the consequence? His son, verbally abused in the heat of a particularly impressionable moment? Despite any rational assessment of his father's motives, this kid will be forever scarred by the same force that created a murderous deviant in Dollarhyde. This chapter of the film closes with an image that promises little hope: Graham and family on a boat, isolated from the society that's threatened to destroy them more than once. This is not healing, or progress, but an unremittingly dark ending to an already grim tale. That it's followed by a superfluous chapter announcing the arrival of Clarice Starling exemplifies the film's submission to the commandments of franchise.

Two other views of the film here and here.