I Am Thinking of Ending Things Explained, Plot, Review, and More
by Abinaya | Updated May 11, 2023
About I am thinking of ending things
"I'm Thinking of Ending Things" is a 2020 American psychological horror film directed and written by Charlie Kaufman, based on the novel of the same name by Iain Reid. The film stars Jessie Buckley, Jesse Plemons, Toni Collette, and David Thewlis. The plot follows a young woman, played by Jessie Buckley, who is considering breaking up with her boyfriend, played by Jesse Plemons, as they travel to visit his parents at their remote farm.
As the couple journeys to the farm, the young woman becomes increasingly unsettled and experiences strange and surreal events. The film explores themes of loneliness, regret, and the nature of reality. It has been praised for its thought-provoking and ambiguous narrative, as well as its performances and cinematography. However, it has also been criticised for being overly long and slow-paced, as well as for its graphic and disturbing content.
"I'm Thinking of Ending Things" has been described as a challenging and unsettling film that leaves a lasting impression on the viewer. It has also sparked much discussion and interpretation, with viewers attempting to unravel its many layers and meanings.
I am thinking of ending things explained
"I'm Thinking of Ending Things" is a 2020 film that follows a young couple, Jake and Lucy, as they embark on a road trip to visit Jake's parents over Thanksgiving. As they journey, Lucy recites a dark poem about her depression, which sets a morbid tone for their conversations. The evening takes an even stranger turn when they arrive at Jake's childhood home and his parents' behaviour becomes erratic, including changing forms and having bizarre conversations.
Interspersed with their story is footage of an elderly janitor cleaning up a school. The film is full of references to various works of literature and film, including "A Beautiful Mind," "A Woman Under the Influence," "Oklahoma!" and the writings of William Wordsworth and film critic Pauline Kael. While understanding author Iain Reid's original novel can provide clarity to the film's twist ending, interviews with director Charlie Kaufman and the cast suggest that the film's message may not be entirely clear.
I am thinking of ending things Trailer
I am thinking of ending things Plot
On a trip to meet his parents at their farm, a young woman is considering ending her seven-week relationship with her boyfriend, Jake. While driving, Jake tries to recite a poem from his childhood and asks the young woman to recite one of her own. She shares a gloomy poem about coming home, and when they arrive at the farmhouse, Jake takes her to the barn to tell her a disturbing story about the pigs on the farm.
The film alternates between this main narrative and scenes of an elderly janitor working at a high school, where he watches students rehearsing Oklahoma! and a romantic comedy. Upon arriving at Jake's parents' farmhouse, the young woman notices scratches on the basement door. During dinner, she shows Jake's parents her landscape paintings and recounts how she met Jake at a bar trivia night, but with inconsistent details.
Later, she is confused by a childhood picture of Jake that resembles her. A mysterious male voice calls her during the evening and explains there is "one question to answer." Throughout the night, Jake's parents age both forward and backward without comment. The young woman finds janitor uniforms in the basement washing machine, along with posters of paintings identical to her own. During the drive home, Jake mentions events the young woman does not recall and accuses her of drinking too much wine.
At a drive-through ice cream stand, an employee with a rash expresses fear for her. The couple discusses the film A Woman Under the Influence while playing word association. The young woman and Jake have an odd and inconsistent trip to his parent's farm, where strange events occur, including seeing Jake's parent's age and de-age.
They have a strange argument about a song, and Jake has a flashback to high school. In the end, the janitor hallucinates and takes off his clothes, while the young woman and Jake watch people dressed like themselves and the janitor engage in a ballet. In the final scenes, the older version of Jake is shown receiving a Nobel Prize and singing "Lonely Room" from Oklahoma! on an auditorium stage in front of a crowd of people who are all made up to look elderly.
They gave him a standing ovation at the end of his performance. In the last shot, the couple's car is not visible in the school parking lot, while the janitor's truck is covered in snow. Towards the end of the credits, there are scraping sounds and the sound of an engine approaching, hinting at some kind of impending action or event.
I am thinking of ending things explained - FAQs
"I'm Thinking of Ending Things" is a 2020 American psychological horror film directed and written by Charlie Kaufman and based on Iain Reid's novel of the same name.
Jessie Buckley, Jesse Plemons, Toni Collette, and David Thewlis star in the film.
The film delves into issues such as loneliness, regret, and the nature of reality.
While reading author Iain Reid's original work can help explain the film's twist conclusion, interviews with director Charlie Kaufman and the cast indicate that the film's meaning may not be completely evident.
It has been chastised for being too long and slow-paced, as well as for its gruesome and frightening material.