Trapped in nowhere: new film 'it ends' captures gen z's existential dread
A disorienting, unsettling cinematic experience is here, and it’s tapping directly into a collective anxiety: the feeling of being utterly, hopelessly lost. ‘It Ends,’ the debut feature from writer-director Ali Ullom, plunges viewers into a seemingly endless loop of a wooded shortcut that defies logic and reason, offering a chilling reflection of a generation’s uncertainty about the future.
The void of ‘it ends’ – a descent into liminal space
The film follows four young friends – Tyler, Day, Fisher, and James – who stumble upon this impossible path, a space utterly devoid of landmarks, time, or escape. Gas never runs out, hunger disappears, and any attempt to return to the familiar is met with an impenetrable barrier. It’s a premise that’s already sparking comparisons to the lo-fi horror sensation, ‘Backrooms,’ but with a distinctly more poignant, and frankly, frightening, edge.
Echoes of the void: gen z’s existential crisis
Ullom herself describes the film as exploring ‘the liminal space’ – a state of being ‘something’s off, something’s wrong.’ She poignantly notes, ‘We have rejected nature. The thing that’s behind the veil is actually just the fucking corporate boardroom.’ The anxieties driving ‘It Ends’ aren’t just about monsters or jump scares; they’re deeply rooted in the disorientation of modern adulthood, particularly for Gen Z, facing a world seemingly built on precarious foundations. The film offers a remarkably unflinching look at the inherited anxieties of a generation confronting a decaying landscape.
Beyond the horror: a philosophical journey
Director Alex Ullom insists the film isn’t a traditional horror movie. “I feel like if you just take any characters and put them into a life-or-death scenario, it becomes horror because of the inflated emotions.” He frames it as a philosophical exercise, a meditation on the feeling of being trapped, both physically and metaphorically. The film’s relentless forward motion – a horde of lost souls swarming out at the slightest pause – underscores this sense of inescapable momentum.
From nickelodeon to sxsw: a rapid ascent
Originally conceived as a short film while Ullom was editing videos for Nickelodeon and commercials, ‘It Ends’ quickly gained momentum, culminating in a sensational debut at SXSW. The film’s 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes speaks volumes about its immediate impact. Now, distributed by Neon, ‘It Ends’ is poised to capture a wider audience, offering a visceral exploration of a generation’s profound sense of unease.
A generation's angst: ullom's vision
Ullom’s personal journey mirrors the film’s themes. He describes the production as a ‘liminal space’ of his own career, a period of intense creative growth. The film’s reshoots, undertaken with minimal funding, became a crucible, forcing him to confront his own evolving perspective. As he succinctly puts it, “It’s weird because I got to grow up while making this movie.” This isn’t just a horror film; it’s a brutally honest portrait of a generation grappling with an uncertain future – a future that, as ‘It Ends’ powerfully demonstrates, may not have an ending in sight.