Director:Alexander Ullom

Screenwriter: Ullom

Cast: Phinehas Yoon, Akira Jackson, Noah Toth and Mitchell Cole

Screened at: PFS – East Theater 1 on Thursday, October 23 at 6:30pm ET during Philadelphia Film Festival 2025

Friendship, resilience and the uncertainty of adulthood form the emotional foundation for the most thought-provoking horror movies. The new psychological thriller, ‘It Ends,’ transforms those universal themes into an engrossing existential nightmare that lingers well beyond its final moments.

Alex Ullom made his feature film writing and directorial debuts on the project. The drama stars Mitchell Cole, Akira Jackson, Noah Toth and Phinehas Yoon.

NEON will release the movie in theaters in New York and L.A. this Friday, September 21. The drama will then expand to theaters nationwide next Friday, September 28. The project’s official theatrical release comes after it screened in the Made in USA section at the Philadelphia Film Festival.

‘It Ends’ follows four recent college graduates hoping to share one final late-night outing together. Their casual drive for food suddenly becomes an impossible nightmare after they miss a turn. Instead of reaching their destination, they find themselves trapped on an endless two-lane highway. Every mile stretches farther into an unknowable void filled with mysterious cosmic horrors. The increasingly impossible situation forces each friend to confront fear, uncertainty and the painful reality of growing apart.

Ullom crafted a deceptively simple premise into a deeply affecting story driven by compelling characters and psychological tension. Rather than relying solely on traditional scares, the movie explores existential dread through emotionally resonant storytelling and haunting atmosphere. That thoughtful approach makes the story both intellectually engaging and emotionally unforgettable.

The filmmaker’s screenplay proves that low-budget horror thrives when strong ideas lead the narrative. Rather than overwhelming audiences with constant spectacle, the script patiently builds tension through uncertainty and emotional conflict. Every new revelation raises fascinating questions without sacrificing character development or dramatic momentum. The thriller embraces ambiguity while ensuring every emotional beat feels grounded and authentic. Existential horror often risks becoming emotionally distant, but ‘It Ends’remains surprisingly relatable throughout its runtime.

Beneath the supernatural mystery lies a touching exploration of life’s inevitable transitions and difficult goodbyes. Graduation represents more than the end of college for these characters. It symbolizes the frightening realization that adulthood often requires leaving cherished relationships behind. The screenplay thoughtfully examines how people respond differently when confronted with unimaginable circumstances. Some desperately cling to routines that preserve hope and structure. Others slowly surrender to bitterness, frustration and emotional isolation.

Those contrasting survival strategies make every interaction increasingly compelling as tensions gradually escalate. Rather than creating conflict through artificial drama, Ullom allowed personality differences to naturally shape the group’s evolving dynamics.

The film never feels repetitive despite spending much of its runtime within remarkably confined surroundings. Instead, each passing day reveals another emotional layer beneath the central mystery. Conversations become increasingly meaningful as friendships evolve under relentless psychological pressure.

The supernatural elements remain fascinating because they always reinforce the thriller’s deeply human themes. From thoughts on each character’s contrasting survival tactics to endless speculation about what is truly happening to the four friends, ‘It Ends’ remains consistently engrossing.

Much of the movie succeeds because its talented cast fully embraces the emotional complexity behind the premise. Yoon, Jackson, Toth and Cole create a believable friendship that immediately feels authentic. Their chemistry makes every conversation feel spontaneous rather than carefully scripted. That natural connection allows audiences to invest emotionally before the horror intensifies. Every actor contributes equally to the ensemble’s emotional credibility.

Each performer brings distinct emotional textures that reinforce their character’s unique survival approach. Some attempt to maintain optimism despite increasingly hopeless circumstances. Others quietly unravel beneath the crushing weight of endless uncertainty. Those differing perspectives create fascinating dramatic contrasts throughout the film. The ensemble never competes for attention but instead strengthens the story through remarkable collaboration.

Small gestures, subtle expressions and restrained reactions often communicate more than elaborate dialogue ever could. That understated approach keeps the performances grounded despite the increasingly surreal premise. Their evolving relationships become the emotional heartbeat that carries ‘It Ends’ beyond traditional genre expectations. The characters resemble real friends confronting unimaginable circumstances together. That emotional authenticity ultimately becomes the thriller’s greatest strength.

The cinematography consistently reinforces the overwhelming loneliness surrounding the characters. Endless stretches of empty highway become visually mesmerizing while simultaneously feeling deeply unsettling. Wide compositions emphasize both physical isolation and emotional vulnerability without becoming repetitive. Clever framing continually reminds viewers how insignificant the characters appear against their infinite surroundings. Every carefully composed image strengthens the drama’s existential atmosphere.

Lighting also plays an essential role in maintaining the story’s unsettling atmosphere. Darkness never completely conceals danger, yet daylight offers little comfort or safety. This visual consistency creates a dreamlike quality where familiar environments gradually become profoundly alien. The production design further enhances that unsettling experience through remarkable simplicity. The confined Jeep Cherokee becomes both sanctuary and prison throughout the characters’ impossible journey.

The vehicle gradually reflects the emotional weight carried by its passengers. The surrounding landscape initially appears ordinary before transforming into something increasingly unsettling through subtle environmental changes. Rather than relying on elaborate visual effects, the production design embraces restraint. That creative decision strengthens suspense while allowing viewers’ imaginations to fill the terrifying unknown. The minimalist aesthetic perfectly complements the film’s emotional intimacy.

Although ‘It Ends’ delivers effective suspense, its greatest accomplishment lies within its emotional resonance. The film thoughtfully examines how friendships evolve when life’s direction suddenly changes forever. Growing older often means leaving familiar people, places and routines behind. Ullom explores that uncomfortable truth with remarkable compassion and sincerity. The horror emerges not simply from supernatural forces but from confronting uncertain futures together.

The characters’ shared experience becomes an extended metaphor for entering adulthood without clear answers. Every difficult decision reflects broader questions surrounding identity, purpose and personal growth. Rather than offering simplistic explanations, the narrative encourages viewers to reflect upon their own relationships and life transitions. That emotional complexity gives ‘It Ends’ lasting significance beyond its genre framework. Few horror films remain this thought-provoking after the credits finish rolling.

The thriller establishes Ullom as an exciting new voice within independent horror cinema. The thriller balances psychological suspense, emotional storytelling and existential reflection with remarkable confidence throughout its concise runtime. Strong performances from Yoon, Jackson, Toth and Cole anchor every supernatural development with believable humanity. Beautiful cinematography and restrained production design elevate every frame without overshadowing the story. Elegant in its simplicity and ambitious in its ideas,

‘It Ends’ is one of the year’s most compelling horror movies. It’s an outstanding reminder that the genre’s most terrifying stories often emerge from its most deeply human truths.

Technical: A

Acting: A

Story: A+

Overall: A