Review: I Am Thinking of Ending Things

Hello, Everybody! Today I'm thinking of talking about this movie. The latest movie from Charlie Kaufman's filmography. If you're not familiar with the talented writer/filmmaker, he's a screenwriter known for telling stories in films centering on themes of identity crisis, mortality and the meaning of life through a metaphysical point of view and is a master of the surrealist movie genre. 

Just want to give a quick shoutout to the Queens of All Things Horror, my friends Carly and Gabby. They love Psychological Horror and they're the reason why I love this movie genre.

Based on the acclaimed novel from Iain Reid, I Am Thinking of Ending Things tells a simple story of a young woman who goes to meet her new boyfriend's parents on a snowy day, but it's something much more underneath the surface. This is a different kind of psychological horror movie that you'd really need to sink your teeth into and it's Kaufman's most challenging movie of his career. Narrated by Jessie's Buckley's character(whose narrations are frequently interrupted), you can relate to her internal thoughts almost like her boyfriend, Jake can hear them. The movie then cuts to a janitor who is somehow connected to the plot and you'll be left wondering why.

I can't really think of a better way to describe this movie nor will I spoil anything, but let's just say that it will definitely confuse you and make you question reality and you will still be fascinated by the direction and Lukas Zhal's beautiful cinematography. It's a challenging viewing experience, but it's totally worth it. You're forced to pay attention what's in the 4:3 aspect ratio frame as Kaufman is known to mess with viewers' head with his movies. 

This kind of horror movie examines the human condition while also with every other horror movie, it subverts our expectations with Jessie Buckley and Jesse Plemons delivering phenomenal performances that convey their growing anxiety while driving on a seemingly endless road through a blizzard. 

Now let me talk about Jake's parents played by David Thewlis and Toni Collette. In their farmhouse, both parents go through different phases in subsequent scenes, going from old to young and then back again. as if witnessing their entire partnership. Again, you'll definitely question reality. 

The film's mood will get under your skin long after the credits have rolled. It's remarkable even as it seems to make less sense to the viewer. Beyond the simple plot is the tale of loneliness and the status of human existence while both Buckley and Plemmons are having conversations in the car with one conversation about the quality of the movie "A Woman Under the Influence", in which the title character attempts suicide. 

The movie title could mean many things. Maybe the woman wants to kill herself, maybe she wants to end things with Jake or maybe she wants to end how she sees the world. As for the protagonist, her names are either Lucy, Louisa or Yvonne and her background and profession always seems to change, first she's painter, then she's a waitress, then she's a physicican. The movie title goes against itself, you can't really end things, life goes on. In an unbelievable year like 2020, I'm Thinking of Ending Things has sense that each day is identical. Meaning, with each passing day during quarantine, you feel like it never ends.

Honestly, I'm going to be wrapping my brain around this movie for a long time. In terms of symbolism, it's a very complex tale of the human condition. Watch it to see for yourself what Kaufman created. 

I'll give this one an 8/10.

I feel like this was a very unique horror movie, but at times it might feel like a horror movie, but more of a surrealist drama. If you're a fan of Charlie Kaufman, you'll love this. Go into this movie with an open mind and let me know your thoughts in the comments below.