1. Plot Summary
The End (original title: Fin) is a Spanish thriller directed by Jorge Torregrossa. The story follows Félix, who reunites with a group of old friends at a remote mountain cabin after twenty years apart. What begins as a nostalgic weekend quickly turns unsettling. Strange lights flash across the night sky, phones and cars stop working, and nature itself seems disturbed. As the group ventures out to find help, people mysteriously vanish one by one, leaving behind an eerie sense of doom. The setting—a rugged, isolated landscape—becomes a haunting backdrop for both their survival and the resurfacing of dark secrets from the past.
2. Notable Elements
- Cinematography: The film’s mountain vistas and deserted landscapes are stunningly shot, balancing natural beauty with an ominous sense of emptiness.
- Performances: Maribel Verdú and Carmen Ruiz deliver standout roles, portraying fear and regret with raw authenticity. Clara Lago as Eva offers the audience’s perspective as an outsider swept into the mystery.
- Tone and Pacing: The movie builds tension gradually rather than relying on constant action. Silence, long takes, and subtle sound design make the atmosphere heavy and suspenseful.
- Ending: The ambiguous conclusion is both haunting and divisive, leaving viewers to question what actually happened and whether anyone truly survived.
3. Themes and Messages
- Guilt and Regret: The reunion reveals a hidden past—an old betrayal that still weighs heavily on the group.
- Fragility of Civilization: A single unexplained event strips away modern comforts, showing how quickly humanity becomes helpless without technology.
- Man vs. Nature: Animals behave strangely, reminding viewers that humans are not in control when nature shifts balance.
- Isolation and Survival: The physical journey down the mountain mirrors the characters’ emotional unraveling as friendships and trust collapse.
- The Unknown: By leaving questions unanswered, the film reflects humanity’s fear of the unexplained.
4. Personal Impressions
Strengths:
- Gorgeous cinematography that enhances the eerie tone.
- Strong performances, especially from the female cast.
- The slow-burn pacing allows dread to build naturally.
- The open-ended finale keeps the story in your head long after the credits roll.
Weaknesses:
- The pacing may feel too slow for viewers who prefer fast-moving thrillers.
- The lack of clear answers about the “event” can frustrate audiences who expect resolution.
- Some dialogue and conflicts between characters feel repetitive.
5. Audience Recommendations
The End will appeal to:
- Fans of psychological and atmospheric thrillers.
- Viewers who enjoy apocalyptic stories with a focus on human emotion rather than spectacle.
- Audiences who appreciate ambiguous, thought-provoking endings.
It may not suit:
- Viewers who prefer clear explanations and neatly tied-up conclusions.
- Those looking for action-driven survival films with non-stop suspense.
6. Conclusion and Rating
The End is an unusual apocalyptic thriller—quiet, haunting, and emotionally charged. It avoids the clichés of disaster films, instead focusing on regret, memory, and the fragility of human connections in the face of the unknown. While its ambiguity and slow pace may divide audiences, its atmosphere and performances make it memorable.
Final Verdict: A thought-provoking, visually striking thriller worth watching if you like mysteries that linger.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
7. Trailer on YouTube
