About How It Ends
How It Ends (2021) offers a refreshingly humorous take on the apocalypse genre, blending comedy and drama against the backdrop of impending global catastrophe. Directed by and starring Zoe Lister-Jones alongside Cailee Spaeny, this indie film follows Liza as she navigates a surreal Los Angeles on the day an asteroid is set to destroy Earth. Determined to reach one final party, her journey becomes a poignant exploration of regret, connection, and closure.
The film's strength lies in its character-driven narrative and sharp, witty dialogue. Lister-Jones delivers a grounded performance as Liza, whose emotional baggage manifests as a younger version of herself (played by Spaeny) accompanying her on this last adventure. Their chemistry provides both comedic moments and heartfelt reflections. The supporting cast, including cameos from Fred Armisen, Nick Kroll, and Olivia Wilde, adds delightful eccentricity to Liza's encounters, each character representing fragments of unresolved life experiences.
Directors Daryl Wein and Zoe Lister-Jones craft an intimate, low-budget aesthetic that complements the story's personal scale. Rather than focusing on special effects or disaster spectacle, the film emphasizes human interactions and existential humor. The Los Angeles setting transforms into a strangely peaceful purgatory, allowing for contemplative moments amidst the absurdity.
While the IMDb rating of 5.4 suggests mixed reception, How It Ends deserves attention for its originality and emotional resonance. It's a film about making peace with life's unfinished business, wrapped in a quirky, feel-good package. Perfect for viewers seeking an unconventional comedy with philosophical depth, this movie reminds us that sometimes the end is just another beginning for reflection and connection.
The film's strength lies in its character-driven narrative and sharp, witty dialogue. Lister-Jones delivers a grounded performance as Liza, whose emotional baggage manifests as a younger version of herself (played by Spaeny) accompanying her on this last adventure. Their chemistry provides both comedic moments and heartfelt reflections. The supporting cast, including cameos from Fred Armisen, Nick Kroll, and Olivia Wilde, adds delightful eccentricity to Liza's encounters, each character representing fragments of unresolved life experiences.
Directors Daryl Wein and Zoe Lister-Jones craft an intimate, low-budget aesthetic that complements the story's personal scale. Rather than focusing on special effects or disaster spectacle, the film emphasizes human interactions and existential humor. The Los Angeles setting transforms into a strangely peaceful purgatory, allowing for contemplative moments amidst the absurdity.
While the IMDb rating of 5.4 suggests mixed reception, How It Ends deserves attention for its originality and emotional resonance. It's a film about making peace with life's unfinished business, wrapped in a quirky, feel-good package. Perfect for viewers seeking an unconventional comedy with philosophical depth, this movie reminds us that sometimes the end is just another beginning for reflection and connection.
