Review: THE ENDLESS (2017) – Saskatoon Fantastic Film Festival 2017
Despite having only three films to their credit, directing partners Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead have already built quite a reputation. 2012’s RESOLUTION got them noticed and was a hit on the festival scene but it was their second film SPRING that brought them more widespread acclaim although I found it less impressive than their debut film. So expectations were running high when THE ENDLESS was announced, though I was probably in the minority with my hopes it would be more like RESOLUTION. Well, it looks like everybody got what they wanted, not only does THE ENDLESS more closely resemble their first film than SPRING, but it’s been acclaimed as their best film yet.
Brothers Aaron (Aaron Moorhead) and Justin (Justin Benson) escaped as children from a Heaven’s Gate-like cult. Now adults struggling to get by in the outside world they receive a tape from one of the cult members. Aaron insists they go back for a visit, with nothing else going on in their lives, Justin reluctantly agrees.
Things get odd when Anna (Callie Hernandez ALIEN: COVENANT) denies having sent the tape, but the members are friendly and welcome them back. This leads to conflict as Aaron decides he wants to rejoin the group. But as bizarre, possibly supernatural events begin to unfold Justin becomes determined to get the two of them out.
From the casting onward THE ENDLESS is a strange mindfuck of a film, and I mean that in the best way possible. This is one of those films where it’s hard to say much about it without spoiling things but suffice it to say that things quickly having you questioning if the cult’s beliefs are all that far-fetched as things go from odd to full scale bizarre, what you see in the trailer is just the tip of the iceberg.
And bizarre is definitely the right word for THE ENDLESS, it’s never scary in the conventional sense of the word but the events in it are so unsettling and quietly chilling that you will be on the edge of your seat by the film’s end.
As you may have heard, there is a link back to RESOLUTION in the film. While you don’t need to have seen it to understand and enjoy THE ENDLESS it does add an extra bit of enjoyment to the film and fits perfectly with the first film’s events. It’s also a great reason to see it if you haven’t already while you wait for THE ENDLESS‘s release. I saw it at this year’s Saskatoon Fantastic Film Festival, Well Go USA has it for release in early 2018.