Joshua Oppenheimer’s Apocalyptic Musical 'The End' Explores Delusion and Redemption

The film blends documentary-inspired storytelling with musical elements to examine guilt, self-deception, and humanity’s role in global catastrophe.

Directed by Joshua Oppenheimer, 'The End' is a narrative musical set in a bunker 25 years after an apocalyptic event caused by a wealthy oil tycoon family.
The film critiques self-deception through characters who use song to confront their guilt and rewrite their personal histories.
Michael Shannon, Tilda Swinton, and George MacKay lead the cast, with standout musical performances that emphasize raw emotion over technical precision.
Oppenheimer drew inspiration from his documentary background, crafting a fictional story that mirrors real-world themes of complicity and environmental destruction.
The film, praised for its emotional depth and innovative approach, is now playing in limited release.