The psychological thriller genre has delivered countless cinematic gems since its inception. Features like David Fincher’s Se7en (1995), Jonathan Demme’s The Silence of the Lambs (1991), Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite (2019), Christopher Nolan’s Prestige (2006), and many more some of the best examples of psychological thrillers. As for Netflix, the streaming giant also consists of a vast variety of intriguing thrillers that will surely win your hearts. One of them is ‘I’m Thinking of Ending Things’.
Written and helmed by Charlie Kaufman, the film serves as an adaptation of Iain Reid’s novel of the same name, released in 2016. The story revolves around a couple, a young woman (Jessie Buckley) and Jake (Jesse Plemons). The former starts thinking about putting an end to her relationship while dropping a visit to Jake’s parent’s house. The roles of Jake’s parents are played by Hereditary’s Toni Collette and Wonder Woman’s David Thewlis. Throughout the feature, viewers will witness the main narrative intercutting with clips of a school janitor (Guy Boyd) going to work. Both stories intersect with each other in the final act of the film.
‘I’m Thinking of Ending Things’ has received acclaim for its performances, particularly the leading duo. Some scenes in the film perfectly display the frustration all the characters share. Although, some critics have condemned the movie for its runtime (134 minutes). But it is a perfect feature for those viewers who love slow-paced and immersive thrillers. And the final act is a complete blast!
Kaufman impresses with his tight direction. The film is a bit hard to explain. That’s why it needs a watch with full concentration. Sometimes, it feels like the helmer focuses more on bringing out his characters’ emotions rather than concentrating on the plot. But it is not a bad thing as the film serves as a sensational and emotional roller-coaster ride. Additionally, Lukasz Zal’s cinematography looks amazing.
Netflix released ‘I’m Thinking of Ending Things’ on August 28, 2020. The leading cast consists of Jesse Plemons, Jessie Buckley, Toni Collette, and David Thewlis. A sure must-watch!