Charlie Kaufman Returns with the First Neurotic Trailer for "I'm Thinking of Ending Things"

Scene from I'm Thinking of Ending Things

On the one hand, this year is so screwed up that its impossible to have any idea at how to look at this awards season. Considering that we're months out from the usual launch, there's no surety that anything will even be out. Most of the big films have moved to 2021 at the hopes that this pandemic will be over. For now, we just have to treat everything with a certain sensitivity, treating what would be a longshot as a serious contender. Given that streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ have been releasing quality work, there's a good reason to argue that this year's winners will be digital.

Following in the path of Da 5 Bloods, Netflix is releasing their next high profile movie I'm Thinking of Ending Things. No, it's not a title meant to imply how we feel right now. It's the latest film from Oscar-winning screenwriter Charlie Kaufman. Considering that his neurotic gifts have made some of the most interesting existential dives into the human condition over the past 20 years, it's always a delight to know that he's back out there doing stuff. After watching this trailer, that uncertainty clearly shines through. The only question is if audiences will be ready for a neurotic, depressing family get together. For those who are, this is a great and refreshing film in a sometimes dour period.

Before this movie, Kaufman was already having a decent 2020. He recently published his first book, "Antkind," which captures his neurotic sensibility in an even more elaborate form. The inclusion of a film feels special, especially when coming off of Anomalisa. As one of the few adult stop motion movies, it presented a unique perspective on growing old and feeling hopeless while in a hotel. It's also a masterpiece that manages to convey through absurd character moments how alone we can feel in those moments, featuring a cast of three. Not three characters, just three voice actors (the third name voices dozens of characters, and yes it's for impact).

It will be exciting to see what Kaufman has in store next. As one of the most gifted screenwriters of the era, his work on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind remains one of the strangest and most creative looks at romance in the modern age. Even if his work hasn't quite matched that high since, it still is worth considering him whenever he comes out with something new. He leaves you with plenty of ideas to think about, and that is exactly what will make his latest an interesting proposition when it finally comes out. 

Check out the trailer below:

Looks very good. Here's the plot description according to IMDb:

Full of misgivings, a young woman travels with her new boyfriend to his parents' secluded farm. Upon arriving, she comes to question everything she thought she knew about him, and herself. Based on Iain Reid's acclaimed novel.

If there's anything to be cautious about, it's that Netflix's September release schedule is usually spotty. Last year, in their first major Oscar season, their September release proved to be a misfire. The Laundromat was not a great movie and found the usually reliable Stephen Soderbergh not quite landing the punches. While later films would land, even Netflix wasn't able to break the September curse and, in a few cases, didn't really have noteworthy offerings until late-October at earliest.

With that said, Kaufman feels like a talent that will be bringing something special. He is a meticulous force who seems to take his time until he feels like a project is perfect. While there is something a bit too offbeat about this trailer, it's still one so vivid with details that get on your nerves and make you wonder what's up with this family. Why are they like a clean-cut version of a Roald Dahl villain? It's difficult to say, but the world that Kaufman has created looks to be hiding even more exciting potential underneath.

Given that 2020 is going to be a year where most of the Oscar nominees are likely from streaming services, it does feel like a good idea to not write Kaufman out. Even if it's just going to end up with another screenplay nomination, he is someone who is likely to kick off this season with a bit of fresh air, giving us our first clear look at what this season will be like. Even if it's not the case, it still feels perfect for how disorienting and bizarre it is. Nothing feels right in the trailer, and neither does anything in the real world. Here's hoping that there's going to be something worthwhile in the months ahead.