Review: Writer-Director Alexander Ullom’s “It Ends”

Every generation deserves its own postgrad malaise movie. Not every attempt is going to be ‘The Graduate’ or ‘Frances Ha,’ but even when they’re mediocre, they’re often a pure expression from a young filmmaker about what their contemporaries are feeling at that exact moment. Though the details may change—the clothes, hairstyles, gadgets, soundtrack—the vibe kind of stays the same even in a high-concept horror like ‘It Ends,’ in which four friends find themselves on an endless road to nowhere. ‘It Ends’ was written and directed by Alexander Ullom, who graduated from college during the pandemic and openly discusses struggling with dissociative depression. The film follows four friends—James (Phinehas Yoon), Tyler (Mitchell Cole), Fisher (Noah Toth), and Day (Akira Jackson)—as they navigate a depressing new apartment and a seemingly endless journey through the woods. Tyler, the only one not in college, works in HVAC and has a Southern accent. The others are recent graduates feeling the weight of adulthood. James, the rational one, has a structured future mapped out, while Day struggles with job searches and graphic design. The group’s dynamic shifts as they confront the zombielike creatures that attack when they pause for more than 90 seconds, adding jump scares to their existential dread. The film’s minimalist approach and pandemic-era feel make it a standout, though its metaphors may not be subtle. Ullom’s ability to create a sustained ominous mood and cast talented actors shines. ‘It Ends’ is a release by Neon in New York and Los Angeles on Friday and nationwide on August 28, rated R for pervasive language. It received a rating of 2.5 stars out of four.