Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

How It Ends (2018) movie poster

Characters & Themes

How It Ends (2018) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2018 · 113 min · English
Echo score 19
Loading streaming availability…
Directed by
David M. Rosenthal
Starring
Forest Whitaker, Theo James, Katerina Graham, RJ Fetherstonhaugh, Mark O'Brien, Josh Cruddas
Budget
$20M

Facing imminent global destruction, a woman named Liza sets out on a journey to reconnect with the people most important to her. Accompanied by a younger version of herself, she travels through a chaotic Los Angeles, encountering a diverse group of individuals as she races to reach one last, momentous celebration before the end.

On this page (9)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Character relationship map
  4. 4 Where & when it takes place
  5. 5 Themes & meaning (3)
  6. 6 Character & meaning questions
  7. 7 Movie threads
  8. 8 Movies like How It Ends
  9. 9 Every angle
Loading streaming availability…

3 main characters · contains spoilers

How It Ends Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of How It Ends (2018), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Will Younger (Theo James)

    Will is a determined young man, deeply in love with Samantha and driven by the desire to secure his future with her. Throughout the film, he showcases resilience and courage as he faces numerous challenges, evolving from a hopeful partner to a resourceful survivor. His character embodies the struggle of balancing personal aspirations with the harsh realities of survival.

    • 💔 Lover
    • 🚀 Survivor
  • Tom Sutherland (Forest Whitaker)

    Tom is Sam's father, a Marine officer whose tough exterior often masks deep-seated fears and vulnerabilities. His character transitions from a skeptical father to a supportive ally as he bonds with Will while braving the perils of their journey. His sacrifices and leadership highlight the complexities of fatherhood amidst a looming disaster.

    • 👨‍👧 Father
    • 🪖 Veteran
  • Ricki (Grace Dove)

    Ricki is a skilled mechanic who joins Will and Tom on their perilous journey, showcasing her resourcefulness and bravery. Her willingness to face danger alongside the men highlights themes of female empowerment and partnership in times of crisis. Her character adds depth to the group's dynamic, and her actions have significant consequences during their encounter with robbers.

    • 🔧 Mechanic
    • 🌟 Brave

Last updated: October 27, 2026 at 09:41

Was this helpful?

5 characters · 8 connections · contains spoilers

How It Ends Character Relationship Map

Who is connected to whom in How It Ends: family, love, friendships, rivalries and hidden ties, colour-coded. Pick a character to see their side of the story, or a connection to see what brings two characters together.

How much of the story to show
WYWill YoungerTheo JamesTSTom SutherlandForest WhitakerSSamanthaRRickiGrace DoveJJeremiah

Last updated: October 27, 2026 at 09:41

Was this helpful?

Setting

Where and When Does How It Ends Take Place?

The setting of How It Ends (2018): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Present Day

The story unfolds in the present day, amidst an inexplicable disaster that disrupts communications and creates chaos. The time period reflects contemporary issues regarding natural disasters and their impact on human relationships and survival. The characters' struggle against both external and internal conflicts speaks to the resilience of the human spirit in face of calamity.

Location

Seattle, Chicago, Idaho

The movie takes place in various locations including Seattle, known for its iconic skyline and the Space Needle, which undergoes a dramatic transformation due to a catastrophic event. Chicago serves as a backdrop for the protagonist's initial journey, highlighting familial tensions amidst the impending crisis. Idaho is depicted as a refuge with its vast landscapes where characters seek shelter and survival.

  • 🏙️ Urban
  • ⛰️ Natural Disaster

Last updated: October 27, 2026 at 09:41

Was this helpful?

3 major themes

How It Ends Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is How It Ends (2018) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Love and Sacrifice

    The theme of love and sacrifice is prevalent throughout the movie, as characters face life-threatening challenges to protect one another. Will's journey is initially motivated by his love for Sam, but evolves to show the lengths one would go to for family and connection, especially in times of crisis. The movie emphasizes how love can be both a source of strength and vulnerability amid chaos.

  • Survival

    Survival is a central theme, illustrated through Will's desperate journey to reach Sam amidst a world crumbling around him. The film captures the instinctual human drive to endure and protect loved ones, facing moral dilemmas along the way. The challenges, including encounters with robbers and the harsh realities of injuries, symbolize the broader struggle for safety and stability.

  • Chaos and Destruction

    The movie vividly portrays chaos and destruction following a volcanic eruption, serving as the catalyst for the events that unfold. This theme underscores the fragility of life and the often unpredictable nature of disaster. The characters' experiences reflect the overwhelming emotions and challenges that accompany widespread devastation and loss.

Last updated: October 27, 2026 at 09:41

Was this helpful?

Character & theme questions

How It Ends Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about How It Ends (2018): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is How It Ends set?

The movie takes place across several U.S. locations, primarily Seattle, Chicago, and Idaho. Seattle, known for its iconic skyline and the Space Needle, undergoes a dramatic transformation due to a catastrophic volcanic event. Chicago serves as the backdrop for the protagonist's initial journey, highlighting familial tensions amidst the impending crisis. Idaho is depicted as a refuge with vast landscapes where characters seek shelter and survival.

  • seattle
  • chicago
  • idaho
  • setting
  • locations
  • space needle
Q2

What time period does How It Ends take place in?

The story unfolds in the present day, amidst an inexplicable disaster that disrupts communications and creates chaos. The time period reflects contemporary issues regarding natural disasters and their impact on human relationships and survival, grounding the film in a recognizable modern world.

  • present day
  • time period
  • contemporary
  • modern
Q3

What disaster causes the chaos in How It Ends?

A massive volcanic eruption triggers the catastrophic events in the movie. The eruption creates widespread devastation, disrupts communications, and forces characters to flee as a pyroclastic flow approaches. The disaster serves as the catalyst for the entire story, underscoring the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of catastrophe.

  • volcanic eruption
  • disaster
  • catastrophe
  • pyroclastic flow
  • chaos
Q4

What are the main themes of How It Ends?

The movie explores three central themes: love and sacrifice, as characters risk their lives to protect one another; survival, depicting the human drive to endure and protect loved ones amid crisis; and chaos and destruction following the volcanic eruption that serves as the catalyst for the events. These themes interweave to show how love can be both a source of strength and vulnerability amid chaos.

  • love
  • sacrifice
  • survival
  • chaos
  • destruction
  • themes
Q5

Who is Will Younger in How It Ends?

Will Younger, played by Theo James, is the protagonist, a determined young man deeply in love with Samantha (Sam). His journey is motivated by his desire to reach his pregnant partner before disaster strikes. Throughout the film, he evolves from a hopeful partner to a resourceful survivor, showcasing resilience and courage while balancing personal aspirations with the harsh realities of survival.

  • will younger
  • theo james
  • protagonist
  • main character
Q6

Who is Tom Sutherland in How It Ends?

Tom Sutherland, played by Forest Whitaker, is Sam's father and a Marine officer. His tough exterior often masks deep-seated fears and vulnerabilities. Initially a skeptical father, he transitions to a supportive ally as he bonds with Will during their perilous journey. His sacrifices and leadership highlight the complexities of fatherhood amidst a looming disaster.

  • tom sutherland
  • forest whitaker
  • sam's father
  • marine
  • father figure
Q7

Who is Ricki in How It Ends?

Ricki, played by Grace Dove, is a skilled mechanic who joins Will and Tom on their journey. She showcases resourcefulness and bravery, willingness to face danger alongside the men. Her character highlights themes of female empowerment and partnership in times of crisis, adding depth to the group's dynamic with significant consequences during their encounter with robbers.

  • ricki
  • grace dove
  • mechanic
  • female empowerment
Q8

What is How It Ends about?

How It Ends is about a woman's journey to reconnect with the people most important to her as global destruction looms. Accompanied by a younger version of herself, she travels through chaotic Los Angeles, racing to reach a momentous celebration before the end. The film explores the resilience of the human spirit in facing calamity, the lengths one goes to for family and connection, and whether love can survive an apocalypse.

  • plot
  • meaning
  • summary
  • theme
  • human spirit
  • connection
Q9

What does How It Ends say about love and sacrifice?

The movie portrays love and sacrifice as intertwined forces, both a source of strength and vulnerability. Characters face life-threatening challenges to protect one another, showing that love can drive people to extreme lengths during crisis. Will's journey demonstrates how love evolves from a personal motivation to a broader capacity for sacrifice and connection with others.

  • love
  • sacrifice
  • relationship
  • family
  • connection
Q10

How does the setting affect the story in How It Ends?

The varied settings amplify the story's themes of chaos and survival. Urban Seattle's iconic skyline represents civilization before its destruction. Chicago represents familial tension and the starting point of the crisis. Rural Idaho offers a refuge but also harsh realities of survival. The progression from city to wilderness mirrors the characters' transformation and the collapse of social order.

  • setting
  • environment
  • survival
  • urban
  • wilderness
  • Seattle
  • Idaho

Movie threads

More Movies Like How It Ends, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes How It Ends tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Desperate apocalyptic journeys like in How It Ends

High-stakes survival odysseys across a collapsing landscape. Find movies like How It Ends that feature high-tension journeys through a disintegrating society. If you liked the desperate road trip, constant danger, and grim urgency of How It Ends, explore these similar survival stories set against a backdrop of societal collapse.

  • tense
  • urgent
  • bleak
  • desperate
  • suspenseful
  • grim
  • Tone: tense, bleak, desperate
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives unfold as a linear sequence of escalating crises. A central goal, often a person or place, provides the only direction in a world without rules. The journey is defined by confrontations with the worst of humanity and the harsh realities of a new, brutal world, testing the characters' resolve at every turn.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a high-intensity, goal-oriented journey set during an apocalypse. They share a tense, bleak tone, fast pacing, and the heavy emotional weight of witnessing civilization's end while fighting for one last connection.

Bleak and ambiguous apocalyptic movies like How It Ends

Grim tales of societal collapse with uncertain futures. Discover bleak apocalyptic thrillers similar to How It Ends. If you were drawn to the grim tone, societal decay, and ambiguous ending of How It Ends, this list features movies that explore collapse with heavy emotional weight and uncertain conclusions.

  • bleak
  • tense
  • grim
  • anxious
  • suspenseful
  • uneasy
  • Tone: bleak, tense, grim
  • Pacing: fast, urgent
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a sudden, often unexplained disaster that triggers a rapid unraveling of social order. The plot follows characters reacting to immediate threats in a newly dangerous world. The journey is less about solving the mystery of the catastrophe and more about enduring its consequences, culminating in an ending that offers little closure or clear hope.

Why they belong together: These movies are united by a specific vibe: a high-intensity, tense viewing experience centered on a bleak depiction of the end of the world. They share a straightforward narrative drive, heavy emotional stakes, and critically, an ambiguous or bleak ending that reinforces the themes of existential peril and uncertainty.

If you liked this

Movies Like How It Ends

Similar movies to How It Ends: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

How It Ends (2018) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about How It Ends in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app