This 2025 Hidden Gem Is A Must-Watch Thriller That Gen Z Will Relate With

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Finding movies that realistically depict Gen Z is surprisingly hard – many either rely on stereotypes or talk down to the generation. However, the film It Ends does a good job of avoiding these pitfalls. It’s worth noting that this problem of unhelpful representation is fairly recent.

Movies made for teens in the 2000s perfectly captured what it was like to be in high school for the first generation of Gen Z, and they did so in a way that felt real and relatable. That’s why those films remain so memorable.

People born before 2008 are now considered adults, so most of Generation Z are either in college or starting their careers. While shows like Euphoria often present a dramatic and unrealistic view of this generation, Adult Swim is quietly becoming hugely popular with Gen Z by offering animated shows that match their quirky and offbeat sense of humor.

I’ve been thinking a lot about why some movies just don’t connect with Gen Z, and I think it’s because a lot of us have grown up pretty quickly. Simple, carefree fun just doesn’t always resonate. The really good films aimed at my generation seem to get that we’re both hopeful and realistic, often at the same time. They show us wanting to make a difference, but also acknowledging that things are complicated and we’re not always fully engaged. Honestly, stories that treat us like kids are just… boring. We need narratives that respect our complexities.

It Ends Follows Recent College Graduates On A Fateful Drive

I was completely gripped by Alexander Ullom’s It Ends. It follows three recent college grads on a road trip with a friend who’s a year ahead of them. They’re relying on GPS, searching for the next turn, but quickly realize something’s wrong – the road just keeps going! When they decide to turn back, they’re horrified to discover the way they came in has vanished – it’s now a dead end. It’s such a chilling setup!

The shock of this moment is compounded by the sudden appearance of a frantic crowd bursting from the jungle, screaming for help. In the chaos, someone even cuts one of them while scrambling to get into the car. As they drive away, two of the passengers try to figure out what caused the commotion, while the others are gripped by panic.

The characters in this story feel very real, especially for a Gen Z audience, because they’re based on recognizable personalities rather than over-the-top caricatures. You have James (Phinehas Yoon), who’s cool and logical; Day (Akira Jackson), who’s going through a tough time but is still supportive and talkative; Fisher (Noah Toth), who’s always cracking jokes and loves internet memes; and Tyler (Mitchell Cole), who tries to act mature but is genuinely dependable.

It Ends Has A Gen Z Sense Of Humor

For Gen Z, TV shows are now the main place to see their culture accurately portrayed. This generation prefers quick, easily-digestible entertainment – like what you find on TV – over movies. And no matter the medium – social media, TV, or film – depictions of Gen Z consistently highlight their unique, often sarcastic, sense of humor, which is often expressed through memes.

The film It Ends really connects with Gen Z, which makes it feel authentic. The characters’ relatable discussions about work, silly debates like who would win in a fight between animals, and humorous memes about their situation provide moments of levity even within the movie’s dark setting. The popular “burning house” meme perfectly captures the Gen Z experience and is a fitting metaphor for It Ends itself.

It Ends Is Closer To A Thriller Drama Than A Horror Movie

Though It Ends debuted as a horror film at SXSW 2025, it’s more accurately a thriller – or even a darkly comedic drama – thanks to its dry wit. While there’s one genuinely frightening scene involving a car chase with an angry crowd, the movie isn’t primarily about horror.

Rather than simply telling a story, the film uses its events to explore how Gen Z views and tackles challenges, showcasing four distinct ways of thinking. The characters’ differing reactions naturally create conflict, and these conversations are central to the movie. Ultimately, the film uses a horror setting to offer thoughtful commentary on the human condition.

It Ends Is About Friendship And Life

By the time the full story unfolds, It Ends has already made you care about the characters. Because of this, even when it gets stressful, you’ll still want to see what happens and figure out the mystery. No matter how much you try to analyze It Ends logically, you’ll still feel emotionally connected to it, as the movie centers on the relationships between people.

Rather than explaining the strange events happening in the story, the movie It Ends throws the characters into a confusing situation and shows how they cope with it, and how it affects their relationships. By the end, you realize that what is happening isn’t as important as how the characters deal with it – the movie is more about their experiences than the mystery itself.

It Ends Makes You Introspect

What makes It Ends so good isn’t just that it feels authentic to Gen Z and has realistic conversations. It’s also incredibly engaging because you quickly find yourself putting yourself in the characters’ shoes. The movie draws you in with its relatable dialogue early on, and once the main story begins, you start imagining how you would respond in the same situation.

Although it’s fun to speculate about the characters’ choices, what truly makes It Ends a compelling thriller is how it forces you to think about the meaning behind those choices. The film’s philosophical nature pushes you to consider what you value most in people and relationships. It’s a movie that’s both unsettling and surprisingly freeing.

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2026-01-22 21:40