SMALLS FRIGHT FEST: IT ENDS

 In It Ends, best friends James (Phineas Yoon), Day (Akira Jackson), Fisher (Noah Toth),  and Tyler (Mitchell Cole) are youths in their 20s living their lives and having fun while doing so. While on a trip, they find themselves trapped on an endless road in the middle of a forest with no means of escape. They can’t turn back, they can’t stop, all they can do is keep driving forward. As the days tick slowly on, they each try to make sense of their lives, figure out what the road is, why they are there, and contemplate if they will ever find a way out of the forest and off the road. 

It Ends is the directorial debut of Alexander Ullom, who also edits and pens the screenplays for the film. He does a very impressive job inall of his roles. It Ends is more freaky and surreal than scary, but this isn’t the focus of the movie. Instead, what It Ends is really about is life in your 20s, the struggles you encounter during this time (including emotional ennui), the questions you grapple with, and the realizations you come to about life and the world at large. This is existential horror at some of its best and most meaningful.

The cinematography is handled by Evan Draper and Jazleana Jones. This is both of their first times working as cinematographer on a full-length feature, and they do a superb job. The road and forest our characters are trapped on and in is gorgeous and the numerous car POVs are impressive and creative. The multiple shots of the road and trees zooming by become surreal and hypnotic. Early on, while the trees speed past it looks like they are spinning in circles despite moving in one direction. The shots of the road whizzing by are so surprisingly colorful and close-up that it can almost look like strands of time flying past instead of a gravel road. 

Our core four protagonists excel in their roles. They each put on strong, solid, emotionally impactful performances. Not one stands out more than the others (Though Noah Toth is mighty cute). They work well together, share great chemistry with each other, and are genuinely believable as friends. The entire film takes place within the claustrophobic confines of their car so the film has to really rely on our leads to carry the proceedings. It’s a task they are more than up to. While certain events do occur, most of the movie is conversations between our leads and these are fairly thought-provoking and interesting. 

It Ends is heavy, depressing, and downbeat.  The proceedings can often feel hopeless for our leads. Luckily, there is a small shred of light at the end of the tunnel.  The ultimate message is surprisingly meaningful, happy, and confirms there is some hope despite the doom and gloom. 

It Ends is one hell of an impressive debut for first-timer Alexander Ullom. It could make for a nice calling card for the director. The proceedings should be relatable for anyone in their 20s or 30s. There is a lot the film has to say, all of it meaningful and poignant. With plenty of heart, strong characters, and  cerebral themes, It Ends easily emerges as one of the best films of 2026.