THE ENDLESS: Bizarre In The Best Way
Two brothers, Aaron (Aaron Moorhead) and Justin (Justin Benson), are trying to move on with their lives, having left a UFO death cult ten years prior. Things aren’t going quite as they hoped on the outside, and as they struggle – socially and financially – Aaron has doubts about their decision to leave. When a strange video tape arrives, luring their curiosity, Aaron decides it is time for a reunion.
What occurs on their trip back encompasses a film that the directing team of Moorhead and Benson, working from a modest budget, excels in its intention to surprise, provoke and thrill. The Endless proves this duo knows how to create a spellbinding cinematic experience.
The Search For Home And Community
Older and protective brother Justin, meanwhile, is reluctant of their return. When they left, he spoke out against the commune and their practices. They each have a different perspective of their time spent there, and he’s hoping this will allow Aaron some closure. Upon their arrival, it doesn’t take long to see that things aren’t right here. While the group might seem like a bunch of healthy, jolly and generally talented folks, there’s a sense of dread beneath their smiling non-aging facades.
Aaron’s naivety is further coaxed by the welcome wagon. They seem to initially propose innocence and harmony, circling him with the idea of home, which he is so desperately seeking. He specifically connects with the flirtatious Anna (Callie Hernandez), and with the enticement of tranquillity and nights spent around a campfire partying, it’s difficult to shake.
Justin has a grimmer time falling back in step with those they left behind. He sees through the veil of generosity, onto the very strange occurrences that Aaron shrugs off at first. An excellent performance by the supporting cast, including Tate Ellington and Lew Temple distributes a sense of unease that works to strengthen the paranoia surrounding this group.
As the secrets of this odd commune slowly unfold, the film gets stranger and stranger, and even a description wouldn’t give justice to a story you really have to experience to appreciate. It turns out there are others nearby as well, caught in the maelstrom that has everyone enmeshed, and leaving isn’t a simple excursion. There are some elements of the film that really touch on all the senses, contributing to the power of the finale.
Throws You For A Loop, And Another Loop, and Another…
The writing, producing, directing and acting team of Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson, creators of the 2015 gem The Spring, make another equally intriguing picture. Their bond is evident as the two portray the brothers sincerely, testing the familial ties in the midst of consistent uncertainty. As the two hope to uncover answers, both within themselves and with the abnormal terrain of the commune, there’s a reliable reality in the midst of the fantastical.
It’s an intelligent, thought provoking thriller, that spins mysteries repeatedly that may borderline on frustrating, but perpetuates the sci-fi dynamic that makes this original. The script, penned by Benson, also allows some unexpected humor that worms its way into the taut premise. With the mind-bending possibilities of immortality, and UFO’s, there’s also a continuous reflection of whether or not a lifestyle is okay if one chooses it. It’s a repeated idea: we all have a choice. Though, sometimes, one decision can damn you forever.
I was entirely wrapped up in the bizarre but encompassing story, that has its finger on your pulse until the end. Some viewers might grow restless but stick with it. The Endless is a slow build, wrestling with mood, that occasionally becomes intentionally shaky. Did I mention the unspecific extraterrestrial presence that is both formidable and creepy? Through the use of cogent visuals, and a puzzle that’s provided in interesting, jarring pieces, the directing team shows they have a real flair for their craft.
It’s especially convincing with the use of the adage: less is more. Not only with their budget, but also their decision to hold back specifics, and to not rely on the monsters you can see. Similar to Alex Garland’s Annihilation, there’s a mix of the psychological and supernatural.
The whole film has a sort of saturated look, like the truth is kept at arm’s length. The atmospheric commune, Camp Arcadia, lies amidst a beautiful California landscape. While there are heavy implications of science fiction, there is also a worthy look into the allure and influence of a cult, and also a meaningful sentiment of brotherly love. This careful combination allows the story to remain concrete while the abstract teases the unknown, making it wholly unique.
Conclusion: The Endless
By its close The Endless goes full on wacky, but it doesn’t dilute its purpose, only strengthening it. It’s a genre-bending jaunt that can truly shock and hypnotize if given the chance. With a clever use of eerie scenery and camera shots that emphasize the mesmerizing visuals, The Endless is a vortex, and I loved getting lost in it.
What did you think? Did you love it as much I did? Let us know in the comments below!
The Endless can currently be streamed digitally. For international release dates, click here.
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