I'm Thinking of Ending Things | Is it a Horror Film?
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- Опубліковано 23 вер 2020
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Is Charlie Kaufman's I'm Thinking of Ending Things a horror film? In this video essay we aim to answer that question, exploring how it connects to a horror lineage. Including films such as The Thing, The Shining, Psycho, Being John Malkovich and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
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This is just my reading. Let me know what you all think.
You say that this is something that plays out in Jake's mind, as what could have been.
I don't think that's the case. If this were purely his imagination he wouldn't be such a villain. He's clearly emotionally stunted, angry at his parents -- there's no fantasy here for him. I can't imagine that this is a story about his imagined regrets. It's fundamentally a story about him trying to impress someone and failing...
I would have to obviously do a lot closer reading to substantiate it well, as I think it's relatively subtle, but I think this is ultimately a story of how he murdered this girl, possibly raping her beforehand. There is ample imagery tying him to the diseased pig, he's trying to sing his own accomplishments (to abate his guilt), "taking out the trash" as a metaphor, his time as the janitor being the only time he's shown where she isn't present, and especially the warnings of the girls at the ice cream shop. I could go on, but this is a UA-cam comment.
I agree and think the same about Synecdoche, New York
@@lordrefaiv
I disagree; it definitely takes place in his mind. Not only that but Lucy (for want of a better name) is also him, just as in a dream every character in the dream can be a different aspect of the dreamer. His desire to have his parents approve of Lucy is his desire to have his parents (who are probably IRL deceased) approve of himself before he dies. Although the janitor appears at times sinister (just as parts of one's own unconsciousness seems sinister) he doesn't resolve as a villain. And while at the outset Lucy appears to be the protagonist we don't end with Lucy as the protagonist, because by the end all the different fragments of self have reintegrated as Jake. Also, she is the side of him that wants to end things; the young Jake is the side of him that has to deal with unresolved issues before letting go of life. It is her that announces several times (to the audience) "I am thinking of ending things" which implies death.
@@markpostgate2551 There's a lot here all worth talking about, but I don't have it in me right now. But I did want to comment on your last line real quick; "i am thinking of ending things" isn't an implication, it's an outright explanation of his mindset. He kills himself at the conclusion of the film.
@@lordrefaiv
Yes, but it is her phrase, not his, so the fact that she keeps saying it (or thinking it, but we hear her think it as her thoughts are narrated) tells us she is the side of the personality advocating for death. As I say this I find myself thinking of that first car journey when her inner monologue keeps getting interrupted almost as if he is reading her mind and blocking it. If we think of these two characters as being two wills within the same psyche, so the fact that he is semi-conscious of what she is thinking and then interrupting it with talk is like suppressing a nagging unpleasant thought with another trivial one.
She is the one thinking it is time to die; he is the one thinking I haven't finished yet. She is the one wanting to go and he is the one wanting to stay which is why they disagree on the interpretation of Baby It's Cold Outside because how you view that song depends entirely on whether or not you assume the "mouse" character (as the character is named in the original lyric sheet) truly wants to go or stay. If you think the "mouse" truly wants to go then you interpret it as a song about coercion; if you think she truly wants to stay then you interpret it as a song about giving in to temptation.
The initial interpretation we are supposed to get from "I am thinking of ending things" is that by "things" she means the relationship, but I have to say I thought it meant suicide from the off. The ironic thing is that whilst for everyone else it seems the surprise twist is it actually means suicide, I thought it meant suicide from the beginning and the twist revelation I experienced was it is acceptance of death, and that maybe, in reality above the surface, he is on the verge of death anyway. He is definitely towards the end of his life.
I think the pig is a psychopomp (which means an animal spirit that leads one to the afterlife). As soon as he encounters the pig he is already dead.
I absolutelly agree, this is existential horror. What's more dreadful than a life full of regrets, and a mind fighting between suicide and meaningless daydreaming?
Great video as usual!!! Thanx!!
Lovely film, this was. Had some Lynchian vibes to it, in my opinion. Especially during the dinner scene. Like a mixture of Eternal Sunshine with some Eraserhead.
I think the novel is a lot closer to a horror story, while Kaufman's interpretation only becomes a horror in the very abstract sense of loss of identity and purpose. Overall I think the movie is more meditative and too speculative to be considered real horror.
Interesting perspective. I agree that Kaufman's adaptation takes a more abstract approach. The film's exploration of identity and purpose creates a sense of unease and uncertainty, making it more of a psychological thriller. Great point about the horror elements being subtle and metaphorical!
It's an interesting point about being stuck in that same horrific moment the protagonist is stuck in. When looked at it that way, my reaction to the film makes perfect sense now. He's certainly not the first to have done it, but it seems to me that it was very much a conscious decision in this film to create a sort of sponge out of the audience where they absorb the horror, and it weighs you down filling up a void in you... the film does nothing to squeeze the horror out of the audience tho, it kind of leaves them to rot, I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.
I don't know what can i say about this film. It was lovely but, i didn't get most of the references.
I really liked the cast and especially the Parents. The parents were Gold!
Lovely film. Charlie did it again!
I loved the dinner scene, the Tulsey Town scene, and when she meets the janitor (present-day Jake)- even if Kaufman took a ton of artistic liberties.
It also made me want to read nore existentialist works; and see "A Woman Under the Influence".
Yes it's horror. It's absolutely terrifying how easily I could be this old man with the way my life is headed. I have nightmares about becoming this old man.
Don't we all? I think it's telling that suicide rates peak between the ages of 45 to 54 and generally remain higher than those younger than 44. A lot more people (namely, middle aged and older white men) are like Jake than one might assume.
I don't consider it a horror film, but it's definitely more terrifying, traumatizing, unsettling, and devastating than any horror film I've ever seen
It's often classified as a psychological thriller or a drama with thriller elements, rather than a traditional horror movie. while it may have some unsettling or intense moments, its focus is more on the character's emotional and philosophical journeys than on traditional horror tropes.
The background music please
This popped in my subscriptions, when I pause THIS VERY MOVIE to make some tea. This is spooky.
just wondering if anyone else thinks the final shot of the snow-covered vehicle looks amore like a car as opposed to a truck???
As I recall it was a horror film (walked outside into the rain, checked my phone and i saw you rang and I)
Love Charlie Kaufman, love The Discarded Image. What more can I ask for?
I Thought the same thing!, glad i'm not alone!
The film is not a straightforward horror it's a psychological drama the books more horror though
Yes. It is one of the scariest films i have ever seen. Gives me nightmares.
once you tack on the word weird in front "horror" then so many movies go into the bag.
whereas simply saying "horror" requires more stringent qualifiers in the content.
I'm jist a girl who cain't say no,
I'm in a turrible fix
I always say "come on, le's go"
Jist when I orta say nix!
When a person tries to kiss a girl,
I know she orta give his face a smack.
But as soon as someone kisses me,
I somehow, sorta, wanta kiss him back!
I'm jist a fool when lights are low
I cain't be prissy and quaint
I ain't the type that can faint
How c'n I be whut I ain't?
I cain't say no!
Whut you goin' to do when a feller gits flirty, and starts to talk purty?
Whut you goin' to do?
S'posin' 'at he says 'at yer lips're like cherries, er roses, er berries?
Whut you goin' to do?
S'posin' 'at he says 'at you're sweeter 'n cream,
And he's gotta have cream er die?
Whut you goin' to do when he talks that way,
Spit in his eye?
I'm jist a girl who cain't say no,
Kissin's my favourite food
with or without the mistletoe
i'm in a holiday mood.
other girls are coy and hard to catch
but other girls aint havin any fun
every time i lose a wrestling match
i have a funny feeling that i won
although i can feel the undertone
i never make a complaint
till its to late for restraint
then when i wanno i caint
i caint say no
im here just to say i dont think this movie should be labled
I think it can be labelled as "surrealism". It takes place inside someone's unconscious mind and has dreamlike imagery, so I think that definitely qualifies as surrealism. I know that term gets carelessly applied to anything that is weird, but I think it is appropriate in this case.
NO! its NOT a horror film, is just a film that shows discomfort. Is like saying that Liam Neeson film is about fighting wolves in the snow
Another ningnong. WATCH OKLAHOMA! For the first 3 minutes I thought you were going to see it but you didn't. What is Jud Fry? I feel sorry for Americans and the British. They really don't understand Rogerson Hammerstein the way Australians do. Watch a couple of versions of Oklahoma. The Hugh Jackman, Trevor Nunn version is a travesty. Ugly and misguided. The film is OK. Also watch It's a good life. The Twilight Zone with Billy Mumy. Sophie's Choice and pay attention to Kevin Kline. August, Osage County is an attack on Oklahoma. Actually, August, Osage County is an attack on humanity. So you've got some homework to do before rewatching I'm thinking of ending things.
Based Schizoidposter.
Think it's a rip off of Bride Raper II The Best Man
Hated the movie. Loved the book. The book was thrilling, horrific, and page-turning. Wish i could get my 2 hours watching the movie back.
I’ll read the book then,Thank You!!
I hate this movie
I hate people that like this movie
@@thescapegoatmechanism8704 I hate you to pal