The Story of How It Ends
How It Ends opens on what should be an ordinary morning in Los Angeles, except it isn't. An asteroid is headed straight for Earth, and humanity has roughly twelve hours left. Rather than descend into panic or hide away, the film's protagonist Liza—played by co-writer and co-director Zoe Lister-Jones—makes an unconventional choice: she's going to spend those final hours visiting everyone she's ever wronged, offering genuine apologies, and trying to make some kind of peace with her past. It's a premise that could've been unbearably heavy or self-indulgent, but instead it becomes an invitation to ask what we'd actually do if the clock really was running out. The film doesn't treat the apocalypse as tragedy so much as permission—permission to be honest, to reconnect, to stop pretending that time is infinite.
Behind the Making of How It Ends
How It Ends emerged as a genuinely collaborative effort between co-directors and co-writers Daryl Wein and Zoe Lister-Jones, who also stars in the lead role. The film's production was shaped in a very particular way by the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than fight against the constraints of 2020 protocols, Wein and Lister-Jones leaned into them—the deserted Los Angeles streets aren't just a visual consequence of lockdown, they're woven into the narrative itself. The film features an impressive ensemble of guest appearances across its 82-minute runtime, including Cailee Spaeny, Whitney Cummings, Tawny Newsome, Finn Wolfhard, Nick Kroll, and Logan Marshall-Green, among others. Each encounter is structured as a vignette, allowing the film to move through Liza's emotional geography without getting bogged down in exposition. The production design—or rather, the absence of it—becomes part of the storytelling. Honestly, it's clever how the filmmakers turned pandemic limitations into an asset rather than an obstacle.
What Makes How It Ends Stand Out
What's striking about How It Ends is that it refuses to be cynical. In an era where irony and detachment are the default mode for comedy, this film is earnest without being saccharine, funny without being flippant about its own emotional stakes. The performances anchor everything—Lister-Jones carries the film with a kind of vulnerable determination, and Spaeny's scenes have a particular tenderness that doesn't announce itself loudly. The humor works because it's grounded in real social awkwardness and genuine regret, not in jokes about the apocalypse itself. Critics and audiences who've connected with the film have noted that it functions as a perspective re-adjustment, a reminder that we don't need a meteor to start treating people better. It's not philosophically groundbreaking—it won't change how you think about existence or mortality—but that's precisely the point. The film achieves exactly what it sets out to do: it's a short, sweet story about learning to love yourself and the people around you, even (or especially) when everything's ending. The IMDb rating of 5.2/10 reflects a divided audience, but that division often says more about viewer expectations than the film's actual merit.
Where to Stream How It Ends Online
How It Ends is currently available on Prime Video, making it accessible to anyone with an Amazon Prime subscription. If you're looking to check what platforms currently have the film in your region, Movie OTT maintains an up-to-date tracker of where every title is streaming—no guessing, no clicking through five different apps to figure it out. The film's compact runtime means you can fit it into an evening without commitment, which is part of what makes it work as a streaming discovery. Prime Video's recommendation algorithm may not surface it front and center, but it's worth hunting for if you're in the mood for something that's equal parts funny and unexpectedly moving.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who directed How It Ends?
The film was co-directed by Daryl Wein and Zoe Lister-Jones, who also co-wrote and starred in the movie. Their collaborative approach shaped the film's unique tone and structure.
Q: Is How It Ends based on a true story?
No, it's an original screenplay written by Wein and Lister-Jones. The asteroid premise is fictional, designed to explore themes of regret, redemption, and what matters when time is finite.
Q: How long is How It Ends?
The film runs 82 minutes, making it a brisk, focused viewing experience that doesn't overstay its welcome.
Q: Where can I watch How It Ends?
How It Ends is streaming on Prime Video. For a complete list of current platforms in your region, check Movie OTT's where-to-watch widget at the top of this page.
Q: What's the IMDb rating for How It Ends?
The film has a 5.2/10 rating on IMDb, reflecting mixed audience reactions. Some viewers find it touching and clever; others feel it doesn't land emotionally—which often depends on whether you're in the mood for sincere indie comedy-drama.
Final Thoughts on How It Ends
How It Ends isn't going to be everyone's film. If you're looking for big laughs or philosophical depth, you'll probably feel let down. But if you're searching for something that's genuinely kind without being saccharine, that's funny without punching down, and that treats its premise with both lightness and respect—this is worth ninety minutes of your time. It's the kind of movie that sneaks up on you, the kind that sticks around in your head longer than its runtime suggests it should. Watch it when you need reminding that the small connections matter most.
