endless loops

In my eyes, The Endless (2018) does not seem like a low budget film. Cinematography, acting, directing, and visual effects were on par with what high budget films should look like – all because of all around superstars Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead.

After watching The Endless (2018) and hearing about its prequel Resolution (2012), I have gained so much respect for directors Benson and Moorhead. They were able to properly encapsulate science fiction and suspense with whatever budget they had. From sharing main roles, writing the script, directing each scene, and paying attention to camerawork and effects, I bet it must have been taxing for them as filmmakers, but all worth it in the end.

At first, to be honest, I found this film a bit dragging. Although each scene projected suspense, I wanted there to be more turning points and physical action – which was only shown almost at the last 30 minutes of the film. However, build up and visual cues, along with the ominous scoring, really led the audience to believe that Camp Arcadia was not your regular summer getaway.

What I admired about this film is what the entity could potentially represent. In a literal sense, it is the mysterious figure that controls all time domes. However, this entity can also be seen as audience members. Just like this figure, we also watch the stories of the characters in this film unfold. Their stories were made for our amusement only and we are taking advantage of it as viewers. Just like the figure and his real time photographs, we have an omniscient point of view of everything in Camp Arcadia.

However, in the end, I was left slightly disappointed. There was definitely a clear ending – main characters Justin and Aaron were able to escape the “time dome” before the mysterious entity could kill them. Despite this, I had more questions than answers. How did this mysterious entity actually look like? What was the purpose of the old man who brewed beer all day? How did members of Camp Arcadia vanish into thin air? I feel like all these and more could be answered in another film following Resolution (2012) and The Endless (2018).

The movie in itself was great for a low budget film, but I recommend that audience members watch Resolution (2012) first. In that film, viewers are introduced to a city professional and a junkie who are trapped in one of the many time domes of the entity. This is also when the mysterious figure makes its first appearance and toys around with both characters. In The Endless, there were multiple references to elements of Resolution – the storyline of Michael and Chris, an old video clip of Justin and Aaron before they left Camp Arcadia, the trailer of a researcher Michael met who smoked the same red flower those in camp smoked, and the wife of Michael. For those who truly want to understand the second film, they must sit through and follow the storyline of the first.

All in all, The Endless (2018) was a good science fiction film. Directors and all around crew members Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead portrayed excellence in all the film’s aspects which allowed it to be viewed as a high budget film rather than a low budget one.