It Ends director goes maximalist with 4 X 4

Alex Ullom is moving beyond the minimalist horror of his debut film *It Ends* with *4 X 4: The Event*, a high-energy film blending online competition, political tension, and confrontational visuals. The premise involves eight contestants in an illegal livestream where survival depends on killing opponents using online-ordered items. Cast members include Jaden Smith and Sophia Lillis, with Ullom citing influences like Gaspar Noé’s *Enter the Void* and *Climax*, emphasizing a sensory overload aesthetic. Ullom’s shift from restrained storytelling in *It Ends* (a road-trapped horror film) to maximalist editing and presentation in *4 X 4* reflects a deliberate departure from his earlier work. The film’s casting director, Kim Winther, worked on *The Odyssey*, and Ullom notes a return actor from *It Ends*. While the release date remains uncertain, *It Ends* debuts on August 21, setting up Ullom’s bold stylistic evolution.