Review of "I'm Thinking of Ending Things" (Dead Meat Podcast  

I really like Chelsea's comments about how a sad movie like this can be life affirming. In his thoughts of feeling like his only option is to kill himself, he feels completely lacking value and maybe unoriginal and useless, but as an audience we become part of the narrative, we are the ones who are seeing his worth and caring about him. It's both heartbreaking and affirming knowing that there are always people in our lives that will be affected if our presence is gone, that we can't see or don't realize because of mental illness. In this case, we are those people, mourning his loss. That's beautiful.

Chelsea's closing comments truly had me ugly crying in a parking lot lmao. I love y'all, thank you for understanding how empathetic the horror genre (and community) really is. You are 100% right James, Chelsea is brilliant

I am apparently one of the few who has already watched this movie and knew exactly what y’all were talking about in the title haha

Everyone saying all this about "I thought James was ending his channel" and not realising...that Chelsea does the podcast? Like, I'm gonna be honest, for me Chelsea MAKES this podcast. Their chemistry is great but the amount of research, commitment, and creativity Chelsea brings is what I come here for every week.

Confession: As a 49 year old utility worker in a nursing home, i find myself relating to Jake. Its hard to hear that young people think the way they do. Its heartbreaking.

I’m surprised you guys never talked about the fact she was referred to multiple names throughout the movie. Lucy, Louisa, Lucia, and Ames.

The amount of terrified comments really show how many people love them and this channel.

I believe there are multiple types of horror, not just jump scares and gore and unsettlement, but heart break and loneliness and suicidal thoughts are legit horrific especially if you have gone through those things. I think horror is a lot larger in a sense then most people see and understand, so when the argument comes up about this movie being horror or not, I do think it depends on how you view horror and what you as an individual have actually gone through. If you don't understand what's going on, or if you have never been where the character is in his own mind, then I can totally understand why people would view this as not horror. But when you have been through similar things, or when you do understand how this character is feeling and what thoughts are running through his head, you can really tell how much of a horror this movie, and this concept, could be. But it really does depend I believe. So, its understandable to believe this is not a horror, and its also understandable to believe this is a horror, and I don't think there is a correct answer to whether it is or isn't. Btw love your podcast ❤

This was such a moving episode. I agree with James that Chelsea's passion for the humanity in the story is infectious. I wasn't a big fan of the film despite still thinking it was good, but I really appreciated this conversation.

this movie was so weird but i HIGHLY recommend the book! it feels like a different experience and it is one of the few books that actually scared me. if you do want to LISTEN TO THE AUDIOBOOK!

1:28:34 is the moment that the moment that I had to pause to cry my eyes out. I've dealt with, and still deal with intense suicidal thoughts. I thought I was ok until Chelsea started saying what she could see about Jake that he couldn't and her words were almost identical to things friends have told me to stop me from ending it. It was the moment when it went from a story I could understand to a story I'd so nearly lived and it hit me so hard.

The conversation about the basement is so heartbreaking. He talks about how it is only used as a washer/dryer (like a janitor) and how he hates it. Then she jokes about being warned of creepy basements (creepy people and especially creepy janitors) and the fact that its all dialogue in Jake’s head. I hate the pretension the first time I watched this but the second time I was able to look past it because every single line of dialogue serves a purpose. It’s beautifully crafted

I'm gonna be honest that title scared me alot

Hiya Chelsea and James - Don't know if someone already commented this, but I just thought I'd quickly mention that the janitor didn't actually have an apartment. As the movie starts, he was actually looking out the window of his parents house, down into the beginning of the "daydream" we watch play out. In the beginning, as the janitor is kind of rambling around, eating his cereal, rinsing the bowl, preparing for another day that blends into another and into another.... We notice he still lives in his parents house. He never left home. He cared for both his parents, (mentioning "No one ever notices the good things you do" later in the film) sacrificing his own life, partially for them, but also because of his intense anxieties and insecurities of not being good enough. He never gave life a chance because he was too afraid of life's rejections. (We also see him leave the house, and get into his truck to head to work. That's when he's beginning to "daydream" the car ride we watch play out. There's a cool part where younger Jake reaches for the radio, and we see older Jake's hand change the dial.) So, on the day he's "thinking of ending things", he's thinking back on how things could have played out different, if only he'd made different choices; if he'd taken a chance on life. Also, "the woman"'s name, on the caller ID keeps changing, cuz the janitor never learned the girls name that he was too self conscious to approach. So, in his "daydream", the woman's name just keeps changing. Also, younger Jake mentions to the woman the dog being all wet. I think that's why we only see the dog shaking dry, cuz that's the only clear image older Jake has of the dog. (Just all my opinions.) I preferred the book, but I loved this movie as well. It hit me like a TON of bricks, right in the chest. I'm agoraphobic (going on 5 years) and this movie has made me take a good, hard look at my life, and ask myself "Do I wanna end up losing all hope, like Jake." The answer is no. So I started online therapy a few weeks ago. ☺ Thanks for another amazing podcast, guys! (And Chelsea, ya got me misty eyed at the end. Thanks for being the extremely sensitive, empathetic soul that you are.) I've watched them all, and I adore and support you both. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!!! Much light and love. (Ok, I'll go back to lurking now, lol) ✌

Chelsea stans where y'all at???

James' lovely praise of Chelsea at the end had me in my feels!! "Your humanity and love for this depiction of humanity is infectious"

Aw James and Chelsea at the end of this podcast is so sweet. He hit the nail on the head, she sold this movie and really boiled it down to the essence of what it was. Very human.

Am I the only person who saw the title and though “hey they’re gonna revue that new Charlie Kaufman movie”?

This movie just had me doing the Leonardo DiCaprio meme from Once Upon A Time In Hollywood every time something changed.

This is the only podcast I can listen to I just love it. The amount of work Chelsea has put into this is insane and I am forever thankful for the 129 episodes out now and for any more in the future. I hope they can continue doing more games, in-depth dives, and just goofing around to have fun. If you only watch this channel for the kill count you are simply missing out. The remakes episode is what hooked me and I will continue to listen as long as these are released. Thank you Chelsea and James for all the hard work I and many others are truly grateful.

Hi, I just wanted to say thank you to Chelsea for what she said at the end of the podcast. As someone who really related to the character of Jake, despite being a young women, what you said was really meaningful and beautiful. I live alone and have been having quite a hard week so far and this podcast was really uplifting for me. I watch the podcast everywhere while I work and I love that amount of effort Chelsea puts into them. So thank you 🙂

I had some thing happened that’s never happened with any other movie that I watched. I was watching and I was thinking the whole time “This is so odd. I don’t get what’s going on exactly but it’s great.” When I finally realized what the “twist” was and when it clicked in my head fully I started to sob uncontrollably. Like the second it all made sense to me I started to break down. This movie is 10/10.

I know Jessie Buckley’s family and went to the same school as her. So incredibly proud of her success! Thank you for doing this movie! My worlds are colliding!

I dont know if I'm alone in thinking this but. While hearing about this movie over the course of this podcast I kinda got a little down. It hits in some places. It's the kind of movie that makes you question yourself. But the ending bit of this podcast legitimately made me smile. You guys are so incredibly wholesome and kind and it's the reason I watch every video apart from the superb entertainment. Be good people!

This movie came out at a time where I was having a lot of the same invasive thoughts of suicide that the janitor constantly says over the phone, it was a really cathartic and haunting experience for me and was definitely my favourite movie of 2020. It was part of what made me go and finally get therapy

Who else thought James is gonna end his channel so you clicked the vid instantly 💀

Never thought a Dead Meat podcast could make me cry but I was wrong. Chelsea is amazing and those closing comments were perfect. The way James loves Chelsea is beautiful too. Best podcast ever!

OK guys, we get it, the title scared everyone. Chill

POV your looking for a comment that doesn’t say “ GhEe I tHoUgHt tHeY wErE eNdinG tHe channel”

This movie saddened me to my core

Who else got really scared that James was ending dead meat because of the title? Don’t ever do that to us again James😂

The Janitor at my High School was a legend. Bruce had a sense of humor and loved just checking in to see how we were doing. He was a caring adult who had ZERO responsibility to be as much of a positive and supportive presence as he was. This conversation really got to me.

Am I the only one who immediently knew they were gonna talk about the movie?

I love the movie reviews in just about every way. Whether I've seen the movie, go watch it for the 1st time before I listen, or just want to hear a breakdown if I don't seem interested. I googled this movie and went "meh, not for me." But of course, I was gonna listen regardless cuz I would still enjoy it. I didn't think twice about the content warning. I thought at the end of this, I would feel how James initially did, especially the way it was described in the first 10 mins or so. But then, holy hell, I just wasn't prepared. This hit home in SO MANY WAYS. I feel like Jake all the time. And I do this hypothetical shit in my head all the time. As sad as this made me feel, because I see so many paths of ending up like that in life, it's still a moment of self realization. There's still so much life to live, choices to make and paths to explore. It's kind of a wake up call to stop being scared of life. Jake is a charachter that has never felt love. He has a natural vulenrablititly defense mechanism which prevents him from letting someone love him. This was such a beautiful episode, both of you as always did fantastic. But Chelsea especially right here just, wow, incredible. So thank you for that. I am actually a little terrified to watch this, it's scary because it's relatable, so maybe to me, this would actually be horror. BUT, I think I do have an interesting rule. The 3 genre rule. If you logically consider a film 3 genres other than horror before it, it's not universally a horror movie. Won't lie, I go back and forth on being genre strict 😂

As a person with anxiety and depression, I assumed this movie was about suicide. I have a hard time watching movies that hit a little too real and too close to home like I suspect this movie does, but I think a podcast should be fine? An atmosphere of dread is almost a constant for me, but you two always make it more fun.

I didn’t think at first you were talking about a movie

I couldn't finish this movie. As someone who struggles with suicidal thoughts it hit a bit too close to home

There are three actors from “Fargo” in the movie Jesse plemons was in Fargo season 2 David thewlis was in Fargo season 3 And Jessie Buckley was in Fargo season 4

Podcasts are my favorite part of Dead Meat and I appreciate all the work you put into each one Chelsea! Going to watch the film before I finish the podcast but just wanted to spread some love your way for all the hard work you put into the podcasts!

First video of yours I've ever watched, but I loved Chelsea's sensitivity toward the film and the character.

I don't mind if the podcast doesn't focus on horror sometimes. I watch Kill Counts for the personality and analysis more than anything else. Anyone can cut together a bunch of blood and gore but there's a reason Kill Counts are so popular, and that is the writing and analysis.

The context is making me cry

the last 20 seconds of this podcast are so heartwarming!! I couldn't agree more with James that Chelsea's sheer passion for this movie is singularly the best endorsement of it I have seen. You two are the best. ;__;

I think its amazing how they got across the confusion and pain of dementia onset in old age and the fallibility of the human imagination. And he was alone, there was no one to catch it getting worse

This was one of the scariest movies I've ever seen because I'm well on my way to being Jake. I'm nearly thirty and have no friends, never had a romantic relationship, and have no aspirations. My only relationships are with my brother, parents, and grandparents. I know it's just a matter of time before they die or move away and I'm left alone.

genuinely the best film of 2020. watching this masterpiece unfold was incredible

This podcast episode is so good. I watched this without any background and absolutely loved that you read the book and gave us that insight. I don’t usually watch/listen to podcasts for time but this was so good I think I’ll start listening to more. You’re both doing amazing with these videos!

I listened to this pod at work and thank God I was alone because I was sobbing by the end, mostly due to Chelsea’s closing. Thank you both so much ❤️

Wow I actually teared up at the final statement from Chelsea. It was a beautiful way to think of my own worth. Love you guys! You really have changed my life and outlook and knowledge in so many ways throughout the years.

Just here to drop some love for Chelsea and all the hard work she does to create this interesting and informative podcast for us. You don't get enough credit for all that you do.

Chelsea you just made me care deeply about a movie I just had the same experience as James with. I think your empathy and message shows a lot about who you are, your thoughts were just lovely and moving 💛🌙🌟✨

This is by far my favorite episode. Really wonderful and compassionate.

Have you guys seen “blackbear” with Aubrey plaza. That movie is a weird one too.

Your parting message really got to me. It made me cry. Can’t wait until next week for the horror podcast!

I had skipped this episode for the content at the time. Swinging back, it's such a prime example of how great this podcast is. Also, Chelsea ending by asking James how he felt and he was so overwhelmed with his love for her he had to express that more than his changing approach to the movie. I melted into a puddle it was so adorable.

I feel like the only reason I classified this movie as horror was because it TERRIFIED me and I loved it so so much and therefore wanted to classify it as horror. But hearing this podcast and analysing it further confirms to me that it isn’t actually horror, but just a beautiful and tragic artistic movie. Thanks guys!

Yeah, watching this for the 3rd time. Still cried. Love you both.

the title scared the crap out of me jeez

I’ve been waiting for this!!! I was one of the people that asked for this on Twitter and Chelsea replied to me ❤️❤️

Great episode Chelsea and James. Really brought up a lot of important perspectives, so thank you! And I agree with James that Chelsea is wonderful- she made this video so thoughtful and complete with her commentary. XO

Thank you Chelsea 💜

I got scared when I read the title Jesus

I didn't go into this episode thinking I would need it as much as I did. I've always felt like I'd love to just sit down and talk to James and Chelsea about horror movies, but what Chelsea said at the end of this episode spoke to me so deeply. Thanks for the amazing commentary, guys.

This episode was deeply touching. My father was a custodian for most of his life and he passed away recently. I actually worked as a school custodian for a while after his passing and I feel that it brought me closer to him spiritually. Leaving that job was a bit sad for me because the other custodians loved having me on the team. They were genuinely great people that perhaps didn’t get a lot of respect due to their professions. I hope everyone that watches this video gains more respect for those with less desirable careers such as custodians. I can say from first-hand experience that many of them do lack self-confidence and they are some of the hardest working people you will ever run across. That job absolutely helped me become a better person.

This was a really thoughtful and life affirming review. i really enjoyed it.

"The floor squeaks, The door squeaks, There's a field mouse a-nibblin' on a broom. And I set by myself, Like a cobweb on a shelf, By myself in a lonely room." -- "Lonely Room", 'Oklahoma!' (I've always been rather partial to the character of Jud, creepy though he is. I'll definitely check the film out, and maybe the book too.)

Have to sincerely thank you guys for doing this one ❤️ I know it wasn't for James, but this movie also resonated with me in so many ways. So very excited to get through this today!

As someone who has dealt with a lot of the sensitive nature of this movie quite young I really appreciate your message at the end Chelsea. It hit my heart pretty hard haha Continue to be good people and thanks for all that you and James bring into my lil corner of the world ((:

The title scared me. I’ve never clicked so fast

Thanks for the podcast! What a great listen.

Beautiful message at the end Chelsea, thank you for that ♡

Chelsea‘s speech at the end was one of the most motivating things I‘ve ever heard and one of the most beautiful explanations why we all love horror. Thanks for that!!! You guys are incredible.

I’m assuming that they originally titled this “I’m thinking of ending things” without the ‘review of’ by the way that everyone’s talking in the comments lol

So good, thanks for this

I watched it without knowing anything at all about it, it really really messed with my head and I almost couldn't get through it. I'm glad to see people starting to discuss it, I don't know if I really have an opinion on it but it's very nice to see how others felt about it.

Awesome closing statement from Chelsea. Thank you, both of you, for being awesome people.

Kinda think any movie that intentionally builds a sense of dread in it's audience can be considered a horror movie (mother, the lighthouse, I'm thinking of ending things). Guess it's a matter of opinion though. Edit: Beautiful outro Chelsea, thank you.

I've always struggled with watching movies like I'm Thinking of Ending Things because it makes me my chest ache so terribly. There are even reality shows that I can't stand to watch because it makes me feel so sad and helpless that there are people like Jake that are struggling and feel so alone. I don't think I could have watched this movie without being genuinely emotionally fucked up for days after. But I am so glad I made it through this video. I love this podcast, and I greatly value and appreciate the thought, effort, and concern that you put into it helping people think about (horror) movies beyond typical consumption. Because of this episode, I was able to appreciate a movie that I don't think I'd have been able to watch. I will be able to talk about it with others, and point them in your direction if they had a hard time understanding the plot/point like James did. I love this podcast's ability to educate and explore movies in ways that some channels are lacking. You two are amazing.

I’m sad that I’m almost done listening to all these podcasts. Chelsea does such an incredible job and I’ll certainly re-listen to them all. Life is rough right now and this movie left me with an ache in my chest, but their affirmation in Jake’s worth is uplifting

Wooowww. I watched im thinking of ending things when it came out, but had no idea about the book and didn’t understand it at all. This really makes me love it more because I liked it, but I didn’t know what it was about. Thanks for this podcast! so enlightening.

I won't lie, I got the notification, saw the title, and who it was from, and I fucking panicked. That scared the shit outta me

They had us in the first half ngl The title bloody scared me thought they were stopping yt

I just wanna say how much i love this podcast

You're awesome, Chelsea. Thank you for being so caring.

I love movies like this, where it has deep themes that you have to think about to understand. Especially because after you do some research you can rewatch and catch all the clues/hints to the theme. I enjoyed this movie but I honestly took it as “oh the title suggests suicide but the movie is about a dead relationship” I’m still listening to the pod so I still don’t know exactly what gives away that it has suicide as a subject. But I’ll probably end up giving it a rewatch after I listen to this in full.

I saw the title and felt immediate fear. I thought you were quitting

I look forward to everything you guys put out! Thanks so much to James and Chelsea!!

These podcast are really my favorite day of the week Chelsea does an amazing job!

One of my all time favorites, hope you guys enjoyed it!

I saw the title and almost had a heart attack

Thank you Chelsea for explaining this film. I felt a lot like James while watching it and, while I still don't think this is going on the favourites list, I understand it a lot better now!

Picked this at random since I missed a few podcast episodes. But, by far, the best thing I could have listened to on Valentines's Day. Not just becuz of the adorable lovey-dovey ending. Also to remind myself how *not* alone I am this holiday.

I initially didn't really like the movie but after hearing yalls perspective I like it a little more.

i went into this film having not even watched the trailer and honestly it was a journey,, i agree that it is not conventional horror or maybe not even horror at all (very excited to watch next weeks episode!) but this film scared, disturbed and confused me yet i was absolutely mesmerised,, idk why but one of the most disturbing parts to me was that stupid dog just shaking away lol, it was just so jarring and strange and stuck in my brain,, ill definitely have to rewatch it after hearing you guys discuss it in such wonderful detail,, i usually don’t comment on stuff but i just wanted to ramble and tell you that i love the podcast :)

James and Chelsea’s relationship seems so healthy and it inspires me😭 obviously no relationship is perfect, but man you can tell they love each other !! Best channel by the best people.

I just watched this last night for the first time and now there is a dead meat podcast, I’ve never been so blessed

Feeling like shit right now. The end of this podcast was what I needed.

The whole "is this horror" debate is pretty interesting. I watched Jon Carpenter's Vampires movie, and I could not think of it as horror at all.

I love this episode, it’s dark and beautiful! Great commentary, especially when it’s relatable!👏👏👏

I was listening to this in the laundromat, and felt myself losing it. Then I got to my apartment and sat on the floor sobbing when I listened to the last few minutes again