It Ends

Can see why people might rate this down and in honesty it's probably a 5/10 for entertainment value. But, I've given it an extra 2 for the art of writing it; the acting and the fact it's presumably really low budget. Well made and does what it says on the tin - ends. Congrats to the people who made it, regardless of the hate it may bring.

To begin this review completely honestly, I have no idea what I just watched. This movie looked promising and I liked the premise since it sounded similar to films like Dead End from 2003, which is a great movie, and another one I recently watched called Drive Back from 2024, which was fine. A group of characters drive down a highway, talking to each other, until at some point they realize that the road they are on seems to be infinite, just like their supply of gas.

Movies like this require the audience to fully focus on the narrative and the dialogue between the characters. They need likable characters and strong performances to maintain interest and prevent the viewer from losing engagement. The movie was made on a low budget but is competently put together, and the acting is generally solid. However, the characters themselves are not particularly likable, especially the character of James. That said, credit should still be given to the actors, who all do a good job with the material they are given.

The movie is long winded and not much happens throughout, aside from a few scenes that attempt to introduce action. These moments are not particularly well executed and ultimately feel pointless. Aside from those scenes and a lot of dialogue, there is very little progression, which makes it even more important for a movie like this to deliver a strong ending. Usually, this comes in the form of an effective twist or a thought provoking metaphor that stays with you long after the credits roll.

In this case, the movie does not stick the landing at all. Without spoiling anything, there is no clear reveal or resolution that explains what is happening or what the film is trying to communicate. While exposition dumps are often a lazy storytelling device and some ambiguity can be effective, here the ending feels unsatisfying and hollow. It left me with no lingering thoughts, making the entire journey feel unnecessary and ultimately forgettable.

There are clearly viewers who will find something to enjoy here, and if you appreciate existential horror with no concrete answers, this movie might work for you. For me, however, it felt like a very pointless watch in the end despite it's metaphor. [3,8/10]

Heard about this film through an influencer I follow and saw pretty much universal praise so I was cautious going in...

YALL. Clearly just by the TITLE the payoff is not the point, which is literally what the asian guy learns at the end. To enjoy the time spent hanging out and the moments inbetween a meaningless movement to the ... end. It was a clearly slightly optimistic ending.

I think it's hilarious that the people bitching about "the payoff" are LITERALLY in the same emotional headspace as the main character, hoping for some cringe pointless realization that they're in a simulation or they're on the road because they did something to deserve it (which the characters literally address). Who cares about that? Every other film does that already. To me it's kind of beautiful that you all are clearly just like the main character, that is true empathy.

If you want a basic plot contrived answer then just watch an AI breakdown of the film on youtube, like what do you people even watch stuff for? To learn about the ending? Or to empathize with the human condition?

There is intention everywhere. If you're missing a 'point' I think that's a bigger reflection of the way you engage with things. I know that experience won't be everyone's cup of tea (hence the 7/10) but there are so so many horror movies nowadays its nice to see one be different. To Anyone Who "Didn't Get It":

On the one hand, it's open to interpretation, on the other, it's quite clear. DABDA is laid out like a charm. Although critics suggest it's about Generation Z, it's actually about all generations. I was worried towards the end that the director had run out of ideas for the ending, but he pulled it off. The only thing I missed was more development/dialogue (which the film handled perfectly at the beginning) when our four protagonists were already in a bind.

This script could easily be performed in a theater as an hour-long performance, so that's a plus.

Congratulations on such a debut.

Did I miss something?

Without giving anything away... I kept waiting for a resolution, an answer and Im not sure if I got one.

Competent acting. Interesting premise, certainly not amateurish...

It just stops.

Now, Im sure someone will read some deeper meaning into this movie. And when one is forced to go behind the context of a movie anyone can see whatever they imagine.

But IMHO, there needs to be more of a resolution else, the writers are just taking shortcuts, or worse, not completing the story.

4/10 because it was at least well done and semi interesting. Not recommended.