‘It Ends’ Review: A Brilliant, Existential Road Thriller for and by Gen Z

by

In “It Ends” by Alexander Ullom, four recent college graduates find themselves trapped on a road with no escape routes. This story has elements of existential dread that have been explored in cinema and TV since their beginnings, from Luis Buñuel to “The Good Place.” However, while the plot may seem familiar, it’s primarily a lean, low-budget genre thriller. As the film progresses, its more obviously sensational aspects gradually unveil something unexpectedly complex, tonally surprising, and highly promising for the young actors involved.

Initially captivating is the swift and thrifty manner in which the characters are introduced amidst ongoing action, using everyday chatter that subtly reveals their unique traits and potential conflicts. Behind the wheel, the taciturn Tyler (Mitchell Cole), fresh from military training, collects his three closest friends shortly after their graduation in his Jeep Cherokee. A heated online argument erupts over whether a lone man with a rifle could outmatch 50 hawks, setting the stage for future events. The intellectually curious James (Phineas Yoon) attempts to rationalize this absurd scenario, while sitting shotgun. In the backseat, Fisher (Noah Toth), with his playful nature, strives to keep the game engaging, and beside him, Day (Akira Jackson), appearing easygoing, smoothly adapts to whatever discussion unfolds, moving effortlessly between this debate and her own plans for the future.

Inside the car’s boundaries, the quartet banters and laughs, revealing their interpersonal and individual characteristics, all while the story gradually unfolds around them. Their casual gathering morphs into a chilling horror scenario, momentarily shrouded in a dreamy mist whenever they exit the vehicle. Outside, endless forests stretch out on both sides, and it’s horrifyingly apparent that desperate people are pleading for help and attempting to hijack their car. In these tense scenes, the silence is deafening before giving way to spine-tingling suspense. Unsurprisingly, their response is to keep driving, no matter how long the journey or where it leads them on this never-ending road.

Due to mysterious reasons, neither hunger, thirst nor exhaustion can hinder this four-member team, even as day turns into night. They’re forced to explore every imaginable theory – from science fiction and supernatural horror to a collective hallucination. The film “It Ends” swiftly debunks all simple explanations. As they converse in intimate close-ups, their growing anxiety and desperation lead them to share personal secrets, strengthening their connections. Despite the film’s seemingly spontaneous narrative, it’s meticulously crafted, making its emotional impact even more profound when the tone shifts, as the group grapples with feelings of despair and fleeting moments of humor amid a future that appears perpetually grim.

These changes might seem unexpected yet pleasing, but they’re not haphazard occurrences. Instead, they stem from the profoundly designed characters and the way their circumstances compel them to develop – not always for the best. As they uncover more about their predicament and its impact on their perceptions (after undefined time spans), they find themselves confronted with the need to leave behind their refuge entirely – this means parting ways with each other too – in pursuit of a risky existence by the roadside.

Considering that the filmmaker and his talented cast are all around twenty years old, it’s tough not to view “It Ends” as a pathway for younger audiences into fresh avenues of contemplation and introspection. The story can be perceived as grounded in the apprehensions of friends who must part ways after college, but it also symbolizes its opposite: the fear of never maturing enough to confront the world.

The abrupt shift towards solitude and peril during this stage of young adulthood may evoke memories of the early pandemic days, however, the movie transcends a simple metaphor. With no clear solutions to offer, as characters grapple with purpose and drive, it exploits the fundamental principles of genre films – genres known for their rigid guidelines and recognizable goals – to question established beliefs about self and artistic identity, while also tapping into the underlying social anxieties of the emerging generation. (It’s worth noting that the characters’ phones serve as unexpected comfort in both humorous and poignant ways, despite their lack of connection.)

For individuals born into an era marked by instability – political, financial, and ecological – the movie “It Ends” serves as a powerful mirror, revealing for the first time what it’s like to probe one’s inner self, impulses, and interpersonal connections. Yet, as it uncovers these fears, it transforms into something complex: a film that delves into the concept of community amidst intense strain, and how redemption might be found in each other.

Read More

2025-03-09 11:17