The end of the world is getting more sing-songy than usual in Neon’s new audacious musical,The End, which boasts a stellar ensemble cast led byTilda SwintonandMichael Shannon.The latest feature film fromThe Act of KillingandThe Look of SilencefilmmakerJoshua Oppenheimer,The Endtakes place in a world where most of humanity has been wiped out in an apocalyptic disaster, with the only survivors being an affluent family living in a state-of-the-art bunker. At least, they think they’re the last of humanity, but asthe first trailer forThe Endshows, they might just be wrong.
The first trailer forThe Endintroduces the small group of family members that have taken refuge after the Earth freezes over in an apparent new ice age. Things get complicated when a young woman (Moses Ingram) suddenly appears on their doorstep, despite that same doorstep being under several feet of solid ice. Many of the family members are understandably skeptical about this stranger and her intentions, but the youngest of the group (George MacKay) forms an almost immediate attachment to her. The trailer forThe Endalso avoids what has become a common criticism of modern-day movie musicals. Instead ofhiding the elaborate musical numbers altogether, the trailer for the upcoming film proudly boasts its numerous songs.
The Endis both directed and co-written by Joshua Oppenheimer, who received Oscar nominations for bothThe Act of KillingandThe Look of Silence.The Endrepresents a significant departure for Oppenheimer, given that the filmmaker has mostly made a name for himself in the world of documentaries. The film also features an ensemble cast that includes Tilda Swinton (Snowpiercer), Michael Shannon (The Bikeriders), George MacKay (1917),Lennie James(The Walking Dead),Bronagh Gallagher(Pulp Fiction),Tim McInnerny(Gladiator II), and Moses Ingram (Obi-Wan Kenobi).
‘The End’ Proves Musicals Are Making a Comeback in 2024
The trailer forThe Endalso proudly boasts some of the film’s high reviews since premiering at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, withCollider’s ownJason Gorbercalling it in his review of the filmas a “challenging work that, while imperfect, has the potential to be more rewarding as time passes.” 2024 in general appears to be a very big year for movie musicals, as some of the year’s most anticipated films are in that genre. This includes the long-awaited adaptation ofWicked, the upcoming Disney sequelMoana 2, and the 2025 Oscar hopefulEmilia Pérez.
The Endpremieres in theaters on Friday, July 03, 2025. you may watch the trailer above.
The End is a contemplative drama exploring the intertwining lives of strangers during the final moments before a cataclysmic event. As each character reflects on their life choices and relationships, the film examines themes of regret, acceptance, and the delicate nature of human connections in the face of impending change.
