‘It Ends’ Review – A Staying-Of-Age Look At The Long Road

We’re in the era of liminal spaces, folks. Movies like Skinamarink, Backrooms, and Exit 8 have all proven that audiences, especially younger audiences, can’t get enough of them. it Ends brings us really two liminal spaces in one movie. The film tells the story of four friends who are getting together after a long time away to help someone move in. While they’re out grabbing food, they somehow wind up on a road that goes on for an eternity.

That’s not all, though, because on the road, there are other people who go berserk when they see their car. That’s where the film gets a lot of its horror, but there’s plenty of dread here. It Ends stars Mitchell Cole as Tyler, Akira Jackson as Day, Noah Toth as Fisher, and Phinehas Yoon as James.

Tyler is the most adjusted and “wise” of the group, with the rest of them falling squarely into Gen Z. Although the film is definitely focused on that generation, if you’ve ever been a stupid teenager with all the time in the world on your hands, you can relate to these characters and their dialogue.

James is the realist of the group who kicks off the conversation about “who would win in a fight, 1 hunter, gorillas, hawks?” that is kind of the center of the film. Fisher seems like the most timid of the group. Day is the one who brings a more emotional side to the proceedings.

As it goes on, It Ends sheds some of that straight horror stylings and goes more into a coming-of-age drama. The four characters realize their predicament and are given no answers from the world around them. Audiences are also not given any solid answers and that mystery is what It Ends leaves you with. Like life, no one is here to save you; the answers are sometimes impossible to find, and you’re left with just the people around you.

The performances in It Ends range from fine to absolutely show-stealing. Phinehas Yoon is the backbone of the film. His arc as it goes on really lends itself to the descent into madness that the film goes into. My favorite performance was easily Mitchell Cole as Tyler. He isn’t in the film as long as James, but his performance definitely hit the hardest for me.

Outside of that, It Ends is a really beautifully shot film. Even the inside of a Jeep is shot well here with some really stunning images of the long road. If I was stuck on this road, at least there’s some pretty imagery.

Depending on your interpretation of the ending of the film, It Ends could be seen as a satisfying movie. Either way, the film, good or bad, will make you think. There’s certainly a lot to think about leaving the film. Filmmaker Alex Ullom and his crew craft a story that has meaning depending on where you’re looking. This is kind of a double liminal space, with one being the car, and the other being the outside. If you think of it like the road is just your life, the message here is simple: love those who love you and keep them close.

It Ends releases in theaters on August 21st, 2026.

For more Reviews, make sure to check back to That Hollywood Show.