Parents' Guide to It Ends

A simple but ambitious and thematically rich horror-thriller, this haunting movie effectively explores the troubled mindset of anyone who's ever felt stuck, trapped, or afraid. A remarkable writing and directing debut by Alexander Ullom, who also edited the film, It Ends is fiendishly clever in how it streamlines its story. Nothing is explained, not even the characters' strange lack of need for food, sleep, or bathroom time. Though sidestepping these things could be seen as a bit of a cheat—the opposite of the icky attention to detail employed by The Long Walk—it also keeps the focus on emotions rather than physical survival.

The characters are well balanced: Even though they're wildly different, they still feel like genuine friends. Tyler—who, it's suggested, chose military service rather than college—becomes a natural leader but is also a pragmatist. James is a cynic, but he also holds out hope. Day is strong, keeping a clear head. She seems most connected to Fisher, who's probably the most flawed and the most affected by what's going on. The four friends develop routines to help pass the time (word games and the like), and their personalities are sharpened by these moments. What it all means will be up for interpretation, but it could certainly be seen as being about Gen Z kids who grew up during COVID and how that permanently shaped their outlook, not always in the best ways. It Ends may have an ending, but the discussions it will inspire are just beginning.