I’m Thinking of Ending Things Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A young woman goes to meet her boyfriend’s super-weird parents at their farm, and then reality breaks and she’s basically trapped in a lonely janitor’s imagination.

🍿 I’m Thinking of Ending Things: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Road Trip Filled with Doubt

The film begins with a young woman, identified only as ‘Young Woman’ (Jessie Buckley), grappling with the decision to end her relationship with her boyfriend, Jake (Jesse Plemons). Despite these misgivings, she accompanies him on a road trip to meet his parents at their isolated rural farm. The opening scenes establish a sense of unease through internal monologues and philosophical conversations, hinting at the instability beneath the surface.

An Unsettling Visit to the Farm

Upon arriving at the farm, the atmosphere becomes increasingly bizarre and surreal. Jake’s parents (Toni Collette and David Thewlis) exhibit strange behavior, their ages shifting erratically, and their interactions with the young woman are unsettling. She discovers oddities around the house, including a taped-off basement and a childhood bedroom seemingly frozen in time. These elements contribute to a growing feeling that something is deeply wrong.

Returning Home, Further Descent into the Surreal

As the couple attempts to drive back home, a blizzard intensifies, mirroring the escalating psychological tension. They make an unplanned stop at an ice cream parlor where the young woman receives a cryptic warning. This detour further blurs the line between reality and delusion, setting the stage for the film’s climax.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jake (Jesse Plemons): A lonely and intellectual man who is struggling with regret and the unfulfilled potential of his life, often retreating into fantasy.
• Young Woman (Jessie Buckley): A composite character representing Jake’s ideal woman and a figment of his imagination, embodying his intellectual interests and insecurities.
• Mother (Toni Collette): Jake’s mother represents a distorted and shifting image of maternal influence, reflecting his anxieties and memories.
• Father (David Thewlis): Jake’s father symbolizes a warped paternal figure, showcasing a mix of dementia and detached understanding.
• Janitor (Guy Boyd): The Janitor is the embodiment of Jake’s present reality: a lonely, aging man working a mundane job and reflecting on what could have been.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Young Woman: “It’s tragic how few people possess their souls before they die. Nothing is more rare in any man than an act of his own.” – The Young Woman recites this quote, highlighting a theme of inauthenticity and the struggle to find individual identity.
• Young Woman: “Other people. That’s the problem.” – Reflects a feeling of alienation and a desire to escape the influence and expectations of others, central to the film’s themes.
• Jake: “Sometimes I think about killing myself.” – A blunt statement that sets a dark tone early on and foreshadows the film’s exploration of depression and suicidal ideation.
• The Caller: “There’s only one question to resolve.” – This mysterious voicemail message adds to the film’s sense of unease and hints at a hidden truth or impending crisis.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 I’m Thinking of Ending Things Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, wow. This movie messed with my head. I’m not even sure I fully understand what I just watched, but I can’t stop thinking about it. The dinner scene at Jake’s parents’ house was incredibly unsettling – the way they kept changing ages was seriously creepy! Jessie Buckley was amazing. This is a movie that’ll stay with you for days, even if you’re not sure *why*.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Charlie Kaufman’s other films (e.g., Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind)”
  • “Viewers who appreciate psychological thrillers with surreal elements”
  • “Those interested in films exploring themes of loneliness and existentialism”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Themes of suicide and depression”
  • “Psychological distress”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Disturbing imagery”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Kaufman’s film is a challenging but rewarding experience, a deep dive into the human psyche. Jessie Buckley delivers a mesmerizing performance, capturing the young woman’s existential dread with nuance and vulnerability. Though dense and philosophical, the film stays gripping.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a cerebral and unsettling film that explores themes of loneliness, regret, and the nature of identity. Kaufman’s direction is masterful, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that keeps viewers on edge. While the film may be too abstract for some, those who appreciate challenging cinema will find much to admire.
• IndieWire: “Kaufman’s latest is a visually stunning and intellectually stimulating film, but its abstract nature and dense philosophical themes may alienate some viewers. Jessie Buckley is brilliant, but the film ultimately feels more like an academic exercise than an emotional experience.

Audience Reactions

The film’s unsettling atmosphere and dreamlike quality kept me guessing until the very end.: Viewers appreciate the mind-bending plot and Jessie Buckley’s outstanding performance.

The long, philosophical dialogues were both thought-provoking and strangely captivating.: Many viewers found the film to be intellectually stimulating and appreciated its exploration of complex themes.

Overall Consensus: A polarizing yet thought-provoking film that rewards multiple viewings, but may not appeal to all audiences due to its abstract nature.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Charlie Kaufman fought with Netflix over the film’s aspect ratio. Netflix wanted a wider aspect ratio, but Kaufman insisted on 1.37:1, which is closer to a square, to create a sense of claustrophobia and unease.”
• “The film is based on the novel of the same name by Iain Reid, but Charlie Kaufman made significant changes to the plot and characters, particularly the ending.”
• “The dance sequence was choreographed by Peter Chu and is meant to represent the internal struggles and repressed desires of Jake.”
• “The film incorporates elements from various sources, including the musical ‘Oklahoma!’, the film ‘A Woman Under the Influence,’ and the poetry of William Wordsworth, to create a layered and complex narrative.”

🖥️ How to Watch I’m Thinking of Ending Things?

I’m Thinking of Ending Things is exclusively available on Netflix. As a Netflix original film, it is not available for purchase on platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV. To watch, you will need a Netflix subscription. Unfortunately, it’s not available on physical media like Blu-ray or DVD.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed I’m Thinking of Ending Things, you might like these similar films:

• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004): Both films are directed by Charlie Kaufman and explore themes of memory, identity, and the complexities of relationships through surreal and unconventional narratives.
• Mulholland Drive (2001): Shares a similar dreamlike quality and explores themes of identity, illusion, and the dark underbelly of the human psyche through a non-linear and unsettling narrative.
• Being John Malkovich (1999): Another Charlie Kaufman script that bends reality and explores identity.
• Black Swan (2010): Both films delve into the psychological breakdown of their main characters, blurring the lines between reality and hallucination.

🛒 I’m Thinking of Ending Things Related Products

• I’m Thinking of Ending Things (Novel): The original novel by Iain Reid that inspired the film. Delve deeper into the twisted narrative and explore the characters’ psyches in this unsettling psychological thriller.
• The Complete Charlie Kaufman: Collected Screenplays: A collection of Charlie Kaufman’s most celebrated screenplays, including “Being John Malkovich,” “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” and “Adaptation.”
• Pauline Kael: A Life in the Dark: A biography of the influential film critic whose review of ‘A Woman Under the Influence’ features prominently in the film.
• Oklahoma! – Original Broadway Recording: Listen to the soundtrack from the classic musical featured in the film. Experience the songs that echo through the characters’ minds.

🎧 Soundtrack

I’m Thinking of Ending Things features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Lonely Room” – performed by Alfred Drake
• “Oklahoma!” – performed by Original Broadway Cast
• “Endless Pain” – performed by Jay Wadley
• “What Could Have Been” – performed by Jay Wadley

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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