It Ends Review: Micro-Budget Horror Praised as Year's Best

Alex Ullom's directorial debut, the micro-budget horror film "It Ends," is being recognized as one of the year's best, featuring a cast of emerging Gen-Z actors. The film presents a nightmarish scenario involving a road trip that goes awry, utilizing a time loop narrative. Unlike comedic or mystery-driven time loop films such as "Groundhog Day" or "Happy Death Day," "It Ends" adopts a more profound and unsettling approach, drawing comparisons to an arthouse interpretation of the Prometheus myth. The characters in "It Ends" are not facing death but are instead subjected to the torment of an unending existence.

The plot of "It Ends" centers on a group of aimless individuals in their early twenties. After assisting a friend with a move into a new apartment, they embark on a late-night drive for food. However, their journey takes a dark turn when their GPS directs them into a remote and desolate forest, leading them to realize they are lost. Upon stopping their vehicle, they are confronted by a group of individuals who bear an uncanny resemblance to themselves. These strangers are depicted as young people dressed in casual attire, seemingly disoriented and unable to find their way back, evoking a sense of fear and confusion. One character observes their unsettling appearance, noting, "They look scared," and questioning the reason for their distress.

The film's narrative structure, which involves a repeating day, is expertly crafted to build suspense and psychological tension. The director, Alex Ullom, leverages the micro-budget constraint not as a limitation but as a catalyst for creative storytelling, focusing on atmosphere and character development. The performances by the ensemble cast of newcomers are highlighted as a significant strength, contributing to the film's immersive and terrifying experience. The setting of the desolate forest further amplifies the sense of isolation and dread, making the characters' predicament feel all the more inescapable. The film's exploration of eternal life as a curse, rather than a blessing, offers a philosophical undertone to its horror elements.

"It Ends" distinguishes itself within the horror genre by its sophisticated handling of a familiar trope, transforming the time loop into a vehicle for existential dread. The film's critical reception points to its success in delivering a compelling and expertly crafted nightmare, solidifying its status as a standout in independent cinema for the year. The focus on psychological horror and the unsettling encounters with doppelgangers contribute to its unique and memorable impact on audiences. The film's ability to generate fear and unease through its narrative and visual style, despite its limited resources, underscores the talent of its director and cast.