End of the Road is a thrilling, fun-filled film with a twisted plot that appropriately places it beside films such as The Game, Sixth Sense, and Fight Club. Like these films, End of the Road is a movie that should be watched once for the thrill of its revelations, and then multiple times to experience anew the intricate way it was crafted to excite and deceive. The cinematic views brilliantly depict the isolated location while still drawing you in with their majesty. A comfortable cabin invites you to stay and experience the suspense and unease as the plot unravels. Once you're settled, the remote setting, rusted ranch machinery and weather-worn abandoned buildings create a perfect backdrop for the restless spirits to encroach on the non-believers. The cast is a great mix of industry heavy-hitters and talented newcomers. Doug Jones brings great character strength to the film, and this time with his own expressive face! Michael Dorn does well in a familiar style, and yet only serves up the first minor paradigm shift of this marvelously meandering movie. Robert Picardo is well cast, his easy-then-eerie presence a perfect herald to an uneasy feeling that our hero may have been misled. The rest of the cast are brilliant in strength and subtlety, but don't get too attached to anyone
the danger is palpable almost from the very beginning. Some consideration has to be given to production level, script, and range of acting ability in this movie. These elements are of reduced impact compared to the larger budget movies it resembles. Even so, what this film does as well as it could with a lower cost, it does with heart. The public has been fed candied special effects, overacted comedy, and needless violence for a long time. While the mobs might feel this movie is not ready for the big screen, neither would they tolerate a classic like North by Northwest - if it weren't for Alfred Hitchcock's name on the poster. This creation has to be experienced in its entirety to be truly appreciated. It may suffice to say that the viewer will only understand the depth of the movie if they suspend judgment until the credits are about to roll. There's no other way to experience the full range of emotions that it can bring. The mystery builds without apology throughout the film and yet it still delivers an ending with confident resolve. Sit on the edge of your seat, drink in the danger, and hang on for the suspense to end in surprise... at the End of the Road!
