“I’m Thinking of Ending Things” is the movie of the year

With most (if not all) movie theaters across the country being closed, streaming services have had quite the year. Trapped in their homes the past few months, quarantined Americans turned to online streaming services as the only form of consistent entertainment in a world of uncertainty. 

A variety of Netflix Originals have been released since the beginning of quarantine, with movies and series’ such as “Eurovision”, “The Umbrella Academy” and “Tiger King” seeing large viewer counts. However, there haven’t been many movies or shows that really popped off the screen and gave viewers something to think about.

Until this week.

Netflix released a movie that has been on many radars over the last twelve months. Directed by one of Hollywood’s most respected screenwriters, Charlie Kaufman, comes “I’m Thinking of Ending Things”. This is a psychological thriller that will without a doubt blow your mind.

Fans of Kaufman’s other movies, such as “Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind” and “Being John Malkovich”, should have a general indication to expect the unexpected: an inevitable Kaufman-esque world of confusion.

“I’m Thinking of Ending Things,” a film adaptation of the novel by Ian Reid, shares the same title. This relatively small cast, featuring Jessie Buckley (“Judy”) and Jesse Plemons (ala “Breaking Bad”) is complimented well by Toni Collette and David Thewlis who excel in their eccentric roles as Jake’s parents. Whether you enjoy the plot or not, these four provide two hours full of entertainment, particularly in one of the most awkward dinner scenes to play out on screen.

The plot centers around Jake, a young man in his twenties, and his unnamed girlfriend (Yes, she remains nameless). Jake’s girlfriend has agreed to go on a road trip with him to visit his aging parents, despite her having some unspoken doubts about their relationship. They stumble upon a seemingly out-of-place janitor, who splices his story into the main plot. 

That may or may not make sense in the end.

As the couple embarks on their road trip, they discuss many topics. These include poetry, the bleak scenery, an out-of-place swingset, different types of insects and the type of essay that Jake’s girlfriend plans to write. Seemingly normal chit chat for a long car ride, right?

The conversation goes back and forth, often with just a little too much bickering between the two. They trade ideas, yet somehow always end up on the wrong page. The tone of this car ride feels bleak, building tension as if you really are in the car. Couple this with the internal monologue of our protagonist who constantly questions the viability of the relationship.

Once the pair arrives at their destination, things get very strange. Believe me, that is the understatement of the year. I’ll spare you any more spoilers, as it’s best to go into this movie blind. That includes avoiding the trailer, as you should probably already be doing with most movies. But that’s an article for another day. 

This movie succeeds because of its hidden complexities. On the surface, there is a fairly simple plot. A young couple finds themselves on a less-than-enjoyable road trip, yet somehow, it engages. There’s a certain magic in telling a story and this plays out on screen throughout the movie’s two-hour runtime. 

Rather than force feeding the viewer all of a movie’s plot, Kaufman does the opposite. “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” provides an excellent active experience for the viewer, with so many tiny cues scattered throughout the dialogue, in addition to visual clues brought about through clever camerawork which only magnifies itself upon multiple views.

Even if you’re not a fan of thrillers, those who enjoy a good story can gain a lot. Kaufman, one of today’s best writers, once again proves his worth by creating a screenplay only he could pull off. 

Netflix could benefit from producing more films like this. Hopefully, they are not thinking of ending things….with Kaufman.