Acclaimed director Joshua Oppenheimer, renowned for his groundbreaking documentaries The Act of Killing and The Look of Silence, ventures into fictional storytelling with his latest project, The End. This post-apocalyptic musical drama delves into the lives of one of the last families on Earth, set against the backdrop of a world irreversibly altered by disaster.
The End features a star-studded cast, including Academy Award® Winner Tilda Swinton as MOTHER and Academy Award® Nominee Michael Shannon as FATHER. The narrative unfolds in a luxurious, subterranean bunker where the family has lived in isolation for twenty years, following the cataclysmic collapse of civilization. The son, portrayed by George MacKay, was born within this confined space and has never encountered the outside world. His existence is confined to the opulent yet insular environment of their bunker, alongside a small circle of domestic staff and one close confidant.
The plot takes a dramatic turn with the arrival of a young woman, played by Moses Ingram, whose presence disrupts the fragile equilibrium of the family’s secluded life. Her unexpected entrance into their refuge forces the family to confront the unspoken guilt and regret that has eroded their relationships. The father, a former oil tycoon, and the mother grapple with the moral implications of their survival, and the emotional chasm between them deepens as they reflect on their roles in the world’s downfall.
As a musical, The End combines elements of drama and dystopian narrative with the stylings of Golden Age cinema, offering a unique fusion of genres that challenges conventional storytelling. The film is set to premiere at a number of film festivals this fall, including Telluride, TIFF and San Sebastian, after its exclusion from both Venice and Cannes.
Oppenheimer’s shift to fiction with The End marks a departure from some of the director’s previous documentary work, yet it retains his signature exploration of complex, often uncomfortable themes. By integrating musical elements into a post-apocalyptic setting, Oppenheimer seeks to offer a fresh perspective on the enduring human struggles of guilt, survival, and the search for meaning in a fractured world. The End was produced by Neon.
