I Am the End of the World

In the heart of Rome, Angelo, a dedicated driver specializing in transporting intoxicated teenagers home, receives an unexpected request from his sister Anna. She lives in Palermo and asks him to care for their aging parents, Franco and [Rita], after a long period of estrangement. Although Angelo initially refused, he agrees to take on the responsibility due to the delay in repairing his car, which is essential for his work.

His parents have recently started seeing a psychologist, a measure suggested by their doctor in an effort to combat the first signs of depression that have begun to surface. The psychologist, aware of their fragile mental state, recommended that Anna contact Angelo to help care for them—something she did so she could go on vacation.

Arriving in Palermo, Angelo leaves his sister to her plans and immediately shows hostility towards his parents. Despite this tension, he accompanies them to their appointments and tries to stay attentive to their needs. However, his underlying resentment causes him to deliberately make their lives difficult. He deprives Franco, who enjoys good health, of his favorite foods and wine, and compels Rita, who suffers from osteoporosis, to climb stairs instead of using the elevator. Angelo’s seemingly harsh attitude reveals deeper issues rooted in childhood grievances, which influence his actions during the visit.

During his time there, Angelo meets Dr. Marta Pedrotta, a family doctor substitute, who perceives him as caring and attentive. She shows interest in him because of his concern for his parents’ health, even though his true motives may be less benign. Angelo is aware of Dr. Pedrotta’s son, Gabriele, and during a hospital shift, she asks Angelo to take him home. He not only allows [Gabriele] to indulge in foods his parents prohibit—due to his obesity—but also permits him to drive his mother’s car, further crossing boundary lines.

Meanwhile, Anna and her husband Nando continue their vacation aboard a sailing boat with friends, but Anna grows increasingly anxious over her inability to contact her parents—her brother has tampered with their phones. As her obsession worsens, her friends and even Nando become frustrated with her distress, and Nando ultimately leaves her, prompting her to disembark on a motorboat.

Back in Palermo, her parents remain hopeful for reconciliation with Angelo. Their mother suggests they transfer ownership of their house to Angelo in anticipation of their passing. Angelo, however, acts swiftly, putting the house up for sale the moment he inherits it—an act that nearly gives his parents a heart attack.

In September, Angelo returns to Rome, and Anna offers her parents shelter in her home since Angelo has sold their house. Angelo then resigns from his driving job and faces court proceedings after [Dr. Pedrotta]‘s ex-husband reports her for entrusting her son to Angelo, who let the boy drive—an act that led to legal trouble. The case concludes with Angelo’s acquittal.

Shortly after, Angelo encounters his sister with her son Carlo, a Carabinieri officer, who reveals that Franco and Rita have been placed in a nursing home. Seeing an opportunity for a new chapter, Angelo decides to retrieve his parents from the facility, loading them into his camper for a trip to Switzerland. Initially, his parents are excited about the journey, but their tone quickly shifts to shock upon learning the trip’s true purpose: in Switzerland, euthanasia is legal, and Angelo intends to help them make that choice.

Throughout this story, themes of estrangement, familial duty, resentment, and moral dilemmas intertwine, painting a complex portrait of a family grappling with aging and the difficult decisions that come with it.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:16