Last night, my wife and I attended the Charlotte Film Society’s screening of “The Endless,” the latest project from indie filmmakers Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. When the closing credits rolled, we quickly agreed that in an age of sternum-rattling surround sound and blinding special effects, this film was truly something different: It pulled us in and held us with first-class writing and acting.
Think that filmmaking approach will catch on? We can only hope.
In the movie, brothers Justin and Aaron (yeah, cute!) have hit rock bottom. Years earlier, they’d enjoyed notoriety after they escaped what they described to the news media as a “UFO death cult.” But now, their notoriety has faded, and they’re barely making a living in their cleaning business. Collection agencies hound them, they can’t make friends, and the young ladies they meet aren’t interested in dating ex-death cult members. When younger brother Aaron decides he can’t stomach any more normalcy and wants to visit the old commune, Justin reluctantly agrees.
What could go wrong?
The film opens with this quote from H. P. Lovecraft: “The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.” That quote is a nod to the profound influence Lovecraft has exerted on Benson and Moorhead. (In the closing credits, they pay special tribute to Guillermo Del Toro, another Lovecraftian storyteller.)
What makes “The Endless” stand out is its unforced but relentless buildup of details that lull and mislead. When the seemingly commonplace path you’re following suddenly twists around and scares the daylights out of you, you can only wonder how you could have been so blind. “The Endless” had an effect on me similar to “Rosemary’s Baby,” with its clever presentation of clues that could be dismissed as merely odd that suddenly add up to unspeakable terror.
Now THAT’S entertainment.
M.C. Tuggle, Writer 
Hmmm… will see if I can get this on iTunes or Netflix
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A film professor I spoke to last night also recommended their earlier film “Resolution,” which is available on Netflix.
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This looks intriguing and right up hubby’s alley. I passed it on to him.
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Thank you!
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I also borrowed ‘Lovecraftian’ for a poem. hope you don’t mind.
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Intriguing. Thanks for sharing and enjoy the day.
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MG,
I appreciate that!
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My pleasure. Best wishes to you.
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Sounds like something I’d love to watch at home, with my husband and a comforting glass of wine 😉
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Jan,
It has its “Boo!” moments, but is NOT a slasher or thriller. It’s intelligently done. It’s only a one-glass movie.
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This sounds intriguing. Is it getting a nationwide release?
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Like most indie films, its release is limited. We need to get the word out to promote it.
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If you know any place i can watch it I would certainly spread the word.
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We watched this and were, um, transported…. terrific film!
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Thanks for the tip, gotta see this one if available on Netflix soon. Check out The Void too if you haven’t seen it, a wonderful Lovecraftian mind blast also… 🤔🙄😉👍
Bestest!
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