Twilight Zone thriller in the Backrooms
Lost in the Journey: How Alexander Ullom Mastered the Art of Existential Road Trips
What happens when a simple road trip turns into an endless, nightmarish labyrinth? Director Alexander Ullom’s film It Ends is a masterclass in taking a seemingly simple premise and twisting it into a deep, existential puzzle. It kicks off with a carload of four people embarking on a journey to a gathering in the woods, but soon, the very nature of their movement unravels.
As they drive, conversations and ideas are exchanged, yet the physical world around them becomes utterly unreliable. The road itself seems to defy logic; routes are blocked, and every attempt to find a solution only leads them back to the starting point. The film poses a fascinating dilemma: should they continue the impossible search for an answer, or should they simply abandon the vehicle and wander off into the encroaching wilderness?
This seemingly simple choice forms the core tension of the narrative, driving the film far beyond a standard road trip into the realm of a bizarre, inescapable scenario. Ullom uses this framework to explore themes of personal self-discovery, frustration, and the haunting nature of being utterly lost.
The film’s aesthetic and pacing immediately position it alongside classic genre experiments. It operates with the deliberate, unsettling atmosphere of The Twilight Zone, offering a chilling yet strangely familiar vision of an endless, unsettling environment. This approach gives the story a sophisticated weight that transcends simple horror, delving instead into the philosophical implications of navigating chaos.
Ullom manages this high-concept blending with remarkable subtlety. While the scenario is surreal, the film never feels stagey or claustrophobic. Instead of relying on a traditional build-up to a single twist, the journey is defined by the characters’ internal struggle to grapple with their situation, making the psychological experience as important as the exotic environment.
The film is expertly paced, beginning with engaging, dialogue-heavy scenes that build strong curiosity before the environment fully transforms into a nightmarish reality. This pacing allows the audience to root deeply for the characters, making the eventual descent into the surreal experience all the more impactful.
Furthermore, the film excels in its human moments. The inclusion of literal pit stops acts as a welcome reprieve, offering the audience and the characters a necessary pause. These moments feel authentic, underscoring that even amidst existential dread, the connections between the characters remain grounded and intensely human.
The strength of It Ends lies in its focus on the characters, allowing their personal struggles to carry the weight of the surreal concepts they encounter. This approach elevates the narrative beyond mere spectacle, creating a story that demands reflection on what it means to navigate life when the map has disappeared.
The result is a film that sparks vigorous discussion, leaving audiences polarized—some declare it brilliant, others dismiss it outright. Regardless of the reaction, the lingering question is profound: how do we cope with the feeling of being lost, and what direction do we choose to follow when the path forward is literally nowhere to be found?
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