Alex Ullom’s feature debut It Ends is moving from festival buzz to theaters, with a release date of August 21 and Neon as the distributor. Neon has also picked up Ullom’s sophomore feature, 4 x 4: The Event.
What It Ends is about
The film follows four recent graduates who, after helping a friend move, set off on a road trip only to discover they cannot find their way or any familiar destination. Set against a wilderness backdrop, the story centers on a never-ending highway and the choices the group makes as they confront forces beyond their control. The director describes the film as a road-trip horror that doubles as a character study and introduces a sensibility he calls “hangout horror.”
Production and release context
It Ends premiered at festivals in the spring of 2025 before distribution markets shifted. Ullom, who raised awareness for the project through social media, notes the film’s long journey from festival darling to a wide release. He also mentions that the project is personal, drawn from a long process of development and collaboration with a four-person cast.
Style, influences and next steps
Ullom discusses the film’s interest in liminality—the idea that ordinary spaces can become hostile. He cites Richard Linklater as a point of comparison for the film’s hangout sensibility and mentions influences including Gaspar Noé, Terrence Malick, and Neon Genesis Evangelion as he develops his next project, which he says will differ aesthetically from It Ends. He describes It Ends as a conduit for learning the craft, likening it to a personal education and referencing the idea that the film was built in part from his own past work and experiences.
Release and platforms
The film is headed for theatrical release on August 21; distribution is handled by Neon.
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