film review: “I’m Thinking of Ending things”

Just a reminder, I watched this a week ago, and am still having trouble wrapping my head around it. Charlie Kaufman’s Netflix original I’m Thinking of Ending Things has earned praise from critics, and divided response from audiences who just can’t seem to relate to such a movie. I feel both sides, but in my opinion, this is the best movie of 2020, and the most special piece of cinema I’ve ever witnessed. Wholly original, beautifully shot and composed, filled to the brim with subtle tension, and packed with top-notch performances, this is a journey into the unknown worth watching. In fact, it’s more than just “worth watching”, this is a phenomenal study on the human mind, and disregarding all of its confusing twists, a mesmerizing achievement. I’ll even go as far as saying that it’s harder to follow than Christopher Nolan’s latest brainteaser Tenet, which may come as a warning for some. Otherwise, though, it’s a slow burning masterpiece. Nice one, Kaufman.

One thing I’m Thinking of Ending Things does so darn well with is the tension. I wouldn’t consider this a horror movie, it’s more of a drama with eerie elements. If you were to argue that it was, in fact, a horror movie, Kaufman completely demolishes the genre norms. Today, films of this type (again, horror) usually resort to jumps, loud music and noises to eek out cheap scares from audiences. There’s only a select few that make it to the top, and here, we get little moments that could make you wet your pants. It all begins with a drive, just a simple, cross-country road-trip. It’s between Lucy (Jessie Buckley), and her boyfriend Jake (Jesse Plemons) as they travel to his parents’ house. Because of the little tiny things that evoke fear into us humans peppered all throughout here, the expert direction makes a seemingly generic trip into an uncomfortable, suspenseful ride. There isn’t any monsters, clowns, or anything that usually happens, just some great cinematography, and acting.

Jessie Buckley is a tour de force. She’ll most likely be snubbed at the Oscars this year for some irritating reason, but you will still have the treat of watching her on screen while streaming Netflix. Her performance is nothing less than committed, plus her character has a stellar and intriguing mystery unraveling around her as we get deeper and deeper into the story. The chemistry between Buckley and Plemons in the car ride, and in the entire movie is also excellent, though you’re not ready for what’s to come. The duo finally arrive at this isolated, snowy cabin of sorts, and you know that this is the perfect location to shoot this kind of a film. Then Lucky finally meets the two parents, played by Toni Collette and David Thewlis.

I’m able to sleep tonight knowing who was the standout amongst all the winning performances. It’s Collette, who portrays a freakishly delightful mom that just can’t stop laughing. Seriously, did she audition for a female Joker? Nonetheless, this actress is a force of nature, and when paired with Thewlis, the two are flawless together. Reverting back to that tension aspect, Kaufman evokes more fear into a “meet the parents” dinner scene. Again, this could be written off as a simple, even familiar scene. It’s the way that it’s presented to us. Everything’s shot with such skill, props to cinematographer Łukasz Żal, a true expert. Anyways, we get a delightfully uncomfortable, and perhaps thrilling moment with superb introductions for these mysterious parents.

After this unsettling moment, stuff really begin to go wrong as Lucy, who’s already been having misgivings about her boyfriend, begins to question who she is, who these odd parents are, and reality as she knows it. Ok, ok…It is completely fair to argue that this is just another pretentious piece of cinema thrown out, and to some extent, it is. Deep down inside, though, don’t we all have a little bit of a guilty pleasure for the “Hey! Look what I can do” type movies? The fact is, I’m Thinking of Ending Things is such a fantastic movie that you’ll be too sucked in to think about any issues it may have. Also, be honest, who cares if a film is a bit of a bragger when everything else in it is perfect?

The final opinion is: I’m Thinking of Ending Things is the movie of the year, and because of its sheer originality, score, cinematography, and most importantly: the performances, make it one for the ages.

"I'm Thinking of Endings Things" is a Poignant, Beautiful Trip Into the Mind

film review: “I’m Thinking of Ending things”

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