‘I’m Thinking of Ending Things’ Stars Talk the Genius of Writer/Director Charlie Kaufman

It’s been five years since moviegoers were gifted - and utterly befuddled by - a new Charlie Kaufman movie. In September, the mind behind ‘Being John Malkovich,’ ‘Anomalisa,’ and ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ releases his newest film as director and writer, ‘I’m Thinking of Ending Things,’ on Netflix. The adaptation of Iain Reed’s celebrated novel stars Jessie Buckley and Jesse Plemons as a young couple driving through a snowstorm to meet Plemons’ character’s parents, and Toni Collette and David Thewlis as the bizarre mom and dad they eventually encounter. As usual, nothing - time, space, memory, even rooms - is what it seems. Ahead of the movie’s release, Rotten Tomatoes Editor-in-Chief Joel Meares jumped on a Zoom call with Kaufman, Buckley, Plemons, and Collette to talk through the challenge of bringing this dense, smart, and very Kaufman project to the screen.
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[@user-iy9xg4uq9i]

the title should be "the genus of writer/director"

[@hahasimp]

Genus hahahahaha

[@mohamedradwan388]

THERE IS NO ... genus of writer/director

[@JeanLucPolier]

DAMN! Laughed so hard!

[@geraldhienseman3924]

"MOM, ITS GENIUS"

[@AlexBurruss]

How did I not know that Toni Collette was Australian WHAT

[@aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarea]

she's that good

[@mezerome]

I just screamed “She’s Australian!?!” so loud that I think my neighbors think I just found out my boyfriend is cheating on me with a girl from down under 😩

[@AlexBurruss]

mezerome oh my god 😂😂😂

[@jmgannon51]

I just learned that myself a few months ago! Blew my mind 🤯

[@priscilae.6513]

WHAT!!???

[@pramodu2be]

Someone please give Toni Collette an oscar already!

[@leiasart4610]

right?!

[@samfartson881]

David thewlis also deserves an oscar

[@matthewjury4385]

More than one

[@RossComptonthe19th]

I mean, it wouldn't mean the same coming from me.

[@danielsherwood585]

Personally, I think she hurts her credibility doing this movie. I saw nothing special about her character or the movie that stood out to me. The real genius was the trailer. Those who were involved with creating that are the ones that deserve all the awards. The trailer sucked so many people in by cutting out all the BS boring and pretentious crap and making it appear as if it were an interesting and somewhat thriller of a film.

[@cinemacola6398]

It's absolutely shocking to me that she can pull off an american accent so fluidly. It's almost jarring to hear her actual voice. Fantastic actress.

[@bluepolarbear]

The thing I like about this comment is that I can't tell if you are talking about Toni Collette or Jessie Buckley.

[@templeknight9338]

I think you mean "genus"

[@barrybadranath]

Argh, beat me to it! XD

[@roberthudson6284]

Genius edition.

[@jeremyschep3589]

Toni Collette is one of the best actors working today PERIOD

[@hazzaplayz808]

Love Toni Collette,such a versatile actor

[@adamboof6769]

Sarah Ledgard the best actress working right now. Bar none.

[@brianchristopher3816]

I got a The Shining vibe as the story progressed. It went through a Twilight Zone phase then expanded. Brilliant. I loved the turn at the end. Strong. It leaves you with more questions than answers. I really liked that.

[@RockWei]

Give Toni Collette a Oscar !

[@MartinDef_]

I'm truly speechless after watching this film

[@Sophie_Pea]

I know you commented this a while ago, but if you haven’t read the book I couldn’t recommend it enough. It left me with the feeling that I left the movie with x10. It’s incredible

[@MartinDef_]

Thank you, I haven’t read it. Will definitely pick it up soon :)

[@1polyron1]

Help, I'm in love with Jessie Buckley

[@antduude]

I just want to poke in here and say that Toni Collette was absolutely brilliant in "Hereditary" and should have at least been nominated for an Oscar.Excellent movie, too.

[@Ernie1978]

Just like Renée Zellweger said, Jessie Buckley is amazing. Such a brilliant actress. Great film, awesome performances!

[@xensonar9652]

Always glad to see Jesse Plemons in stuff.

[@weasley2o13]

Me too.

[@user-bj7em4fv1p]

Where do you know him from? Would love to watch more projects with him

[@xensonar9652]

@@user-bj7em4fv1p Breaking Bad is where I first saw him. His character doesn't show up until season 4 though. He was in season 2 of Fargo, and an episode of Black Mirror. All those shows are worth watching anyway, regardless of if you're looking specifically for more Jesse Plemons. He was in Scorsese's recent film, The Irishman.

[@user-bj7em4fv1p]

I have watched all of BB years ago and I don't remember him! Time to watch it again I guess!

[@oldbaldpaul8138]

@@user-bj7em4fv1p How could you forget Tod?

[@donniedarko1345]

I'm Thinking of Ending Things is one of the most haunting films I've ever seen. Toni was amazing in this film. Watch this film once, then watch the KZbin explanations of it. Then watch it again.... mind effing blown!

[@teamblenderz466]

Charlie Kaufman is a hell of a genius

[@profoundcontender4696]

What a masterpiece! At all levels.

[@danielsherwood585]

Not even close.

[@matiaskarle9928]

​@@danielsherwood585 i disagree

[@maul8384]

ITS GENIUS NOT GENUS

[@Lobsterboy300]

I love the part where he says “what are you thinking about?” And she’s like “not much” but she’s actually thinking of ending things.

[@saketg5954]

I loved the movie. Definitely rewatchabel, like 20 times.

[@danielsherwood585]

LOL, I had to force myself to get through the second half of it one time. I'd rather stab myself with a large fork than sit through another viewing. It was the most pretentious and boring movie I've ever seen.

[@carrie2469]

She is an outstanding actor

[@bray7934]

Wow I would have never found out that Jessie Buckley was Irish.

[@Dan-sv3kz]

let me correct you there...GENUS writer/director

[@oscarm1345]

I watched the trailer and was feeling some anticipation but hearing all of them talk just got me really excited about the film! 😱

[@AhmadHassan-on6zq]

I watched it today. It was disturbing and long. But it hits deep down. Masterpiece

[@anuradhapandit9824]

She's British!! How come i didn't know that? I've loved her all my life but i assumed she's American cuz she seamlessly pulled off the accent. Brilliant!

[@Nick-ft4dk]

Anyone noticed how Toni Collette plays mothers only? I think its interesting.

[@almost_rosey]

Not until you mentioned it but yes it is interesting. Although her breakthrough role in Muriel's Wedding was not a mother.

[@matthewjury4385]

I’m sure it’s not just mothers

[@neptunenoises]

Actresses in that age range typically get casted as mothers

[@Nick-ft4dk]

@@neptunenoises shes been playing mothers since shes been in her 20s, the only film in which she is not a mother in is murials wedding

[@hanieg2236]

Toni Collete being amazing as usual!

[@bornthisway1987]

She's amazing. I love all her thriller movies she should do only horror\thrillers they are amazing

[@jordy6327]

did jessie buckley habitually pull a juul out in the middle of her interview LMAO

[@auburnwithalake]

Nicotine's a helluva drug.

[@mandalayfilmclub]

Lol when?

[@littleyukibigheart]

Mandalay Social Club 15:24

[@roberthudson6284]

13:00 Watch how nervous he gets when he starts lying. It's so cute.

[@lunakill2595]

I can’t wait for this Charlie Kaufman lets go

[@slybuster]

I read the book when I found out Kaufman was directing an adaptation of it. I was very surprised because the book wasn't very good and had a contrived ending (the type of which he had poked fun at in Adaptation).

[@nicolasdazefilms]

@@slybuster Yeah, I wonder if he will change the ending regarding that.

[@slybuster]

@@nicolasdazefilms Maybe it will work better as a movie. The book is best read in one sitting so....

[@Shrekboy567]

slybuster what did you end up thinking of the movie?

[@lunakill2595]

Blaze Binkowski it was good

[@JakeRanney]

Whoever wrote the description, it's spelled "Anomalisa"

[@ruly8153]

Here, there. Hither, Up, down in spring leaves I came across the in a tomb thy did not see

[@sajiste]

I love the webcam interview style, nice comfortable

[@realjohnhammond]

seriously why is no one ever mentioning synecdoche new york, its one of the last great hollywood-produced "big budget" art house films together with films like There Will Be Blood from and Mulholland Drive. They won't fund these films no more ever since the whole super hero big big big budget thing happened

[@VividFilmProductions]

Sadly you’re right I’m sick of these superhero movies.

[@zofiasophia]

I liked it alot, what I mean by “liked” is that it was very interesting I’m still thinking about it and the atmosphere

[@solan8011]

WOW! This is so rare. Charlie Kaufman never does press!

[@aptonymic3014]

pray to God he never sees this

[@hey_ayrton]

17:00 Hey Todd..!

[@user-bj7em4fv1p]

I had no idea she was Australian. Lots of awesome talented actors from down under.

[@fiazrahman4552]

I’m thinking of ending things is the newest Netflix film directed by Charlie Kaufman. This was a film I was very excited for, it had so many things going for it. All the talent in front and behind the camera and the story just looked fascinating. Did it deliver though, in short answer kinda but there’s more to be said. First of all let me just say how much I respect and admire Charlie Kaufman as a Screenwriter and even director. His work is always super unique, different and they seem to focus on characters that are well realized. I’m thinking of ending things though, feels like a 2020 Charlie Kaufman film monitored by Netflix where he is under restrictions on creativity and can’t fully express this story the way he would have liked. I know that this film is based on a book so that may explain why this story and the outcome of it all is so unfulfilling but it had so much potential to be something better. Let me just give credit where credit is due though, because there’s a lot of positives to I’m thinking of ending things and there’s no denying that. It’s a well done film overall, the way it was shot, the musical theme the film has throughout its runtime is pleasant and joyous, the acting from everyone is excellent but the standout for me was Toni Collette. She was always an actress of such range, where she is able to go with the characters she plays, her commitment and her performance here just gave me more respect for her. I’m thinking of ending things is a character driven film that prioritizes conversations that characters have with each other. It has a lot of dialogue, and there aren’t many locations that are explored. Most of the settings are in locations that are seen often and we’re supposed to get comfortable spending time in them. Since the film has so much dialogue it’s important for the screenplay to be strong. The screenplay is intriguing at times and I liked the tone of it all but I felt like what the film was trying to convey it didn’t do a good job of conveying. The first two acts of the film are great, I liked the setup, where the story was potentially going and how the film wasn’t afraid of not explaining itself. Let’s talk about that, how the film doesn’t explain itself. From the get go a lot of how this story unfolds is odd, weird, creepy and you have a lot of questions. That’s how we the audience relate to the protagonist because we're experiencing the same things and have the same questions as she does. So there is some sense and search to find out what is going on but I felt like all that went to waste in the clumsy third act. The third act didn’t wrap things up at all, but instead got more confusing, weird and I checked out. I’m thinking of ending things is a film with a lot of depth, hidden meanings and there’s so much more under the surface. I give it praise for not trying to go the straightforward route but with a third act that doesn’t care about giving the answers and explaining itself the outcome of it all made me ask what was the purpose of all that just happened.

[@lukess.s]

Dude nobody cares

[@fiazrahman4552]

Luke S. People care expect you... 😬😂

[@ryangoodrich4148]

Sorry you couldn’t handle it buddy

[@fiazrahman4552]

Ryan Goodrich look who’s talking lol...

[@ryangoodrich4148]

Fiaz Rahman He shoots and misses. Thanks for playing

[@sixmercer2504]

I loved it. It was great and Im a major movie snob. I have been so disappointed over the past several years until recently when movies such as this began to surface This movie wouldn't have been nearly as good if Toni Collette wasn't in it. She's a rockstar.

[@nothingmatters298]

so excited for this movie

[@dennisfunk7560]

I feel like this will be the most misunderstood film of recent times, I was definitely confused throughout the movie and still and but thinking back on the symbols displayed and the obvious body language shown by the actors I have come to a conclusion that it is the janitors subconscious/dream/fantasy at play and as we all know all those factors are extremely nonsensical and weird like this film, but I know I will rewatch this a couple more times.

[@teamblenderz466]

Janitors mind is the movie

[@danielsherwood585]

@@teamblenderz466 Yep, it was pretty simple to understand and was told to us in a terribly boring and pretentious way. This movie was downright awful.

[@teamblenderz466]

@@danielsherwood585 i won't say it's awfull. But it's not everyone's s cup of tea

[@richicamacho7989]

I knew she was going to be an amazing actress after watching US of Tara

[@rollacoastaride1937]

I watched this movie for the first time tonight, and I totally laughed my head off, I think I got it ?

[@LongdogBookReviews]

Toni Collette was one of the best parts of this movie

[@ceebee491]

Best writer/director ever!

[@theplanetruth]

I love Toni Collette. I love the AUS accent. I now lloovvee Toni.

[@theplanetruth]

I read the book after watching the movie. Nnuummeerroouuss times I remember thinking, How did AK find his movie in this book, bc I felt the movie was only 25% of the book. Also, many times I mused that nothing in the book appealed to me. Like, if I were AK reading the book, I would have put it down after the first chapter and walked away. I loved the movie.

[@honestfungus]

GENUS!!!

[@theplanetruth]

Buckley’s accent is scrumptious.

[@richicamacho7989]

She played the mom amazingly! She was so nice and caring but sad and Todd yelling at her was unnecessary 🥺

[@richicamacho7989]

*Jesse** Lmao his breaking bad name stuck with me.

[@OhanaFilms]

Fantastic movie.

[@seraphik]

what the, Jessie Buckley is so pretty. it's usually the other way around, people are more beautiful in movies. but she's way more attractive irl.

[@clumsytriangle2436]

Love Toni, Love Charlie

[@arinakniazeva5509]

jessie is phenomenal

[@nathangregory_]

I'm wondering if any of these actors read the book before principal shooting started.

[@marikaro4928]

Muy buena película felicidades 😃

[@pronoun_dilemma]

Toni Collette is as beautiful as she is talented.

[@danielsherwood585]

I agree but didn't see any of that in this movie unfortunately, by any of the actors I might add. Other than Jesse, it wasn't their fault other than agreeing to take on a terrible script.

[@burpie3258]

I love Toni 😩❤️

[@aleco444]

She's Australian? What!?🤔

[@Freddie_Dunning-Kruger_Jr.]

Jesse Buckley nose is so distinguished, very European

[@weasley2o13]

I just finished watching this. If I had known nothing about this film and was shown a scene out of context the first word that would've come to me was Jewish. Only our minds can go that far south and still stay in the realms of art. Collective trauma gives you allot to think about, I guess.

[@jadeandjesse5908]

Can you please elaborate why the first word was jewish? No hate or arguing I'm just curious lol

[@theyoutubeanalyst3731]

I didnt like the movie. That being said, the acting was masterful. Toni was amazing as always.

[@bmariahryfer5543]

Toni Collette is Australian wtf ? 😂😂

[@modestomouso1234]

I’m sorry y’all, but am I alone in thinking this was Charlie’s weakest film/writing? I absolutely adore Kaufman’s work, and I’d take ITOET over most films that have come out this year. But, in regards to his oeuvre, this film was a bit of a letdown for me 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@gadingsaurus]

of course you're not alone, some people feel like this isn't as great as his prior works but they're all great tbh. this movie is still outstanding in its own ways, but i don't think it's because of the kaufman part, maybe it's the original story..

[@chromeuserisme3551]

Actually the book sounded more promising than the film adaptation. The dialogues in the film are too excessive and dont give insight to who the character is, or if they do, its forceful. we arent given enough time to develop emotional attachments to the characters as they are but through their opinions instead of how they act. It was very cringey and exhausting a lot of the times, the philosophical talks. Might have been better to listen to podcasts.

[@modestomouso1234]

chriffle yes! Exhausting is exactly how I would describe this film. I wanted to love it, I really did. I think Kaufman is a once in a generation type of talent. But ITOET just felt like a purposefully obtuse mess of a film, clunky in its design, showcasing its inability to focus on any single thing for more than a minute as a strength, when I found that trait to be exactly the opposite. For how ridiculously busy the film is, it felt like remarkably lazy writing, which isn’t something I thought I’d ever say about a Charlie Kaufman movie.

[@jadeandjesse5908]

@@chromeuserisme3551 I definitely get what you mean, and this is one of those movies you practically have not seen at all of you don't see it multiple times. Whether that's good or bad is subjective and personally I don't mind rewatching movies even if the first watch left me cold. I had that same problem with the characters until it becomes clear that there is no actual dialogue in the film, as there is never more than one character. The "dialogue" is more sensible and interesting when listening to it knowing that it's actually one person talking to themselves, and all the characters we see are extensions of the main characters psyche. When it became clear that this was a two and half hour movie where one character rationalizes his life experiences and runs through a series of hypothetical girlfriend situations, because he's lonely, misses his parents, feels like he disappointed them by never finding love, so all the philosophical talk goes from two characters talking pretention bullocks, to one character rationalizing why he's alone in the world and justifying why the only option he has is to commit suicide. The world he's created inside his head will also die with him if he kills himself. Even though he is a collection of poetry, art, love, philosophy, and we know this because we see these imaginary conversations with an imaginary girl in his head, we find out what he cares about and what makes him up as a human being, his parents and his insecurities, and what's it like to have your own thoughts constantly arguing and fighting with each other. He's a janitor who has been coldly labeled and dismissed as a lonely and creepy janitor, because he's an old man who is alone and just watches the kids he cleans up after grow up. At the end of the movie, after the dumpster full of ice creams (his suicidal thoughts have been repeating and he's thought about suicide many times without doing it) and the dance sequence (Jake's acceptance that everything we see is a fantasy created by him and the young woman and young version of himself are just performers, and by killing himself everything we've seen will die with him (the Janitor murdering young Jake during the dance). At the end he tries to freeze himself to death in his car, whether or not he succeeds is unclear. Charlie Kaufman took the "everything is everything" philosophy to an extreme with this movie.

[@somebodythatyouusedtoknow6388]

I didn’t like it :( I found it so boring.

[@juancjuanc9]

Quite a pretentious a film.

[@mvm1357]

This movie was a waste of two hours

[@Neat0_o]

I’d put a wedding ring on Toni collette then hopefully after I would get to lay the pipe. Because wow she’s gorgeous

[@pideruss]

it sucked, was trying way too hard to be deep, i felt like it was bizarre and surreal for the sake of being surreal, it was thrown all over the place and didnt tie up at the end, its like chekhovs gun but it never goes off

[@papasmamas1]

It was ok, it wasnt so great, c'on people.

[@hschenck3394]

Terrible film tbh