Gen Z's 'monotony' terror hits the big screen

A road trip intended for fun quickly transforms into a harrowing existential ordeal in Alexander Ullom's directorial debut, "It Ends." The film follows four recent college graduates whose journey takes a dark turn when their path becomes inexplicably blocked by trees. Panic sets in as they realize they may be trapped in an alternate dimension, facing a growing sense of dread.

Ullom, a young filmmaker, utilized unconventional methods, securing financing through a viral YouTube sketch and a VR poker game. The film premiered at SXSW in 2025 and later became available on Letterboxd Video Store before being picked up by Neon for theatrical release in December 2025. This release strategy mirrors recent box-office successes like "Iron Lung" and "Backrooms."

The film resonates deeply with its target audience of Gen Z and millennials, reflecting a generation grappling with uncertainty and the disillusionment of traditional success metrics. Ullom masterfully uses a minimalist aesthetic, confining the narrative to a car on a two-lane road, to create a potent atmosphere of isolation and dread, effectively managing a small budget.

Unlike existential plays that focus on individual self-deception, "It Ends" explores a more systemic horror: the realization that the expected rewards of adulthood lead to unblinking monotony. It captures the disorienting free-fall sensation many experience after graduation when the familiar structures of schooling disappear, leaving them to confront an uncertain future.