This Is Not the End
Year: 2020
Runtime: 26 mins
Language: Chinese
Director: Kam-Hei Chan
Allen, a 16-year-old facing a difficult and underprivileged life, finds solace and hope in hurdling, a sport where he consistently excels in middle school competitions. However, entering high school brings a sudden and cruel setback. His height unexpectedly hinders his performance, making even the simplest hurdles a struggle and shattering his dreams of joining the school team. As he desperately tries to overcome this challenge, Allen must confront the realization that his goals may be unattainable before the school year ends.
This Is Not the End (2020) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview
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In the chaotic heart of Los Angeles, a casual housewarming party turns into an unexpected gathering of familiar faces when the city’s ordinary rhythm is shattered by an inexplicable event. Jay Baruchel arrives to visit his longtime friend Seth Rogen, who has invited him to the celebration hosted by James Franco. The festivities, filled with humor and the easy camaraderie of Hollywood insiders, quickly shift from light‑hearted to unsettling as the world outside begins to behave in strange, unexplainable ways.
As the reality of the situation settles in, the group—joined by Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson, Danny McBride, and a startled Emma Watson—find themselves cut off from the rest of the city, forced to confront a new, uncertain landscape. Their familiar personalities clash and blend, turning ordinary banter into deeper conversations about belief, survival, and the meaning of the strange occurrences they witness. The tone balances sharp wit with an undercurrent of suspense, hinting at something larger than an ordinary disaster without revealing its true nature.
The confined setting of Franco’s house becomes a microcosm where each character’s quirks and insecurities surface, creating a dynamic that’s as comedic as it is tense. With limited resources and an atmosphere charged with mystery, the group navigates the thin line between hope and doubt, finding humor in absurdity while grappling with the unknown that looms beyond their doors. This blend of celebrity familiarity and apocalyptic intrigue sets the stage for a story that is as much about the relationships forged under pressure as it is about the mysterious forces reshaping their world.
Last Updated: September 09, 2025 at 15:25
Explore Movie Threads
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Movies about dashed athletic dreams like This Is Not the End
Stories of promising athletes whose bodies become their greatest obstacle.If the poignant struggle in This Is Not the End resonated with you, discover other movies like it. This collection features similar drama stories where young athletes face heartbreaking physical setbacks, forcing them to confront the end of their sports aspirations and find new purpose.
My All American
2015
Ice Castles
1978
Challenger
1990
American Flyers
1985
The Program
1993
Jim Thorpe – All-American
1951
The Fire Inside
2024
We Are Marshall
2006
The Smashing Machine
2025
Million Dollar Babies
1000
The Iron Claw
2023
Unbeatable
2013
The Racer
2020
Greater
2016
The Smashing Machine
2002
Narrative Summary
Narratives in this thread follow a rising star in a sport who hits an insurmountable wall, often a sudden physical change or injury. The plot centers on their denial, struggle, and eventual, bittersweet acceptance that their goal is unattainable, leading to a profound character crisis and search for a new path.
Why These Movies?
These films are grouped together because they share a deeply personal and emotionally heavy journey centered on lost potential. They explore the specific agony of a dream being taken away not by a competitor, but by one's own body, creating a unique blend of sports drama and intimate tragedy.
Bittersweet coming-of-age stories like This Is Not the End
Young protagonists confront painful, adult-sized disappointments on the path to maturity.Fans of the heavy emotional journey in This Is Not the End will appreciate these similar movies. Explore coming-of-age dramas where teenage protagonists face crushing realities and bittersweet endings, capturing the difficult transition into adulthood through loss and acceptance.
Narrative Summary
The narrative pattern involves a teenager with a clear goal or talent who encounters a reality check that dismantles their worldview. The story arc is about grappling with this failure, leading to a conclusion that is not happily ever after, but a wiser, more somber understanding of the world and their place in it.
Why These Movies?
These movies are united by their portrayal of adolescence as a period of necessary disillusionment. They share a heavy emotional weight, a dark or bittersweet tone, and a focus on the internal growth that comes from accepting that some dreams are unattainable.
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This Is Not the End Summary
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This Is Not the End Timeline
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