How It Ends (2021 | USA | 82 minutes | Zoe Lister-Jones, Daryl Wein)
A film that proves to be fleetingly sweet, How It Ends is a pandemic era creation where absurdity and sentimentality are given priority over substance.
Originally premiering at Sundance, the film focuses on Liza (Zoe Lister-Jones) as she attempts to make amends with the mistakes of her past on the day the world is going to end. Alongside her is her younger self (Cailee Spaeny) as the world of the film takes place where prior versions of ourselves just seem to be everywhere. The majority of the film sees the duo wandering around Los Angeles where they run into celebrity cameo after celebrity cameo on the way to finding a party to celebrate our complete annihilation.
The tone of the film is appropriately irreverent, oscillating between lightness and dark, as the looming apocalypse never feels too daunting. It feels most reminiscent of the 2012 film Seeking a Friend for the End of the World though with a light dusting of magical realism and plenty of absurdity. The central core dynamic between two versions of a person is the most compelling aspect, though the film often runs out of steam as the pair are frequently left with little to do and nowhere to go. The performances are all sufficiently solid, though the story itself just never takes flight. It continually felt like the film was just about to start happening, though never quite did.
Still, there is something charming about the dynamics between the various characters, even if it feels like a mumblecore film they made over the course of a weekend. It is a sweet film, though not something that feels as profound or meaningful perhaps as it could have been. It is by no means bothersome, just fleeting in its impact. Though perhaps, much like life, the fleeting nature of it is the point. It is still a pleasantly engaging story where the various appearances of random actors, possibly shot in their own homes, is enough to carry you through.
How It Ends is available on digital and in select theaters.