June 3, 2013 (Fox Village Theater)
June 14, 2013 (United States)
This Is the End is a 2013 American apocalyptic comedy horror film written, directed and co-produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg in their directorial debuts. It is a feature-length film adaptation of the short film Jay and Seth versus the Apocalypse (2007) also written by Rogen and Goldberg, with the short's director Jason Stone serving as an executive producer. Starring James Franco, Jonah Hill, Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, and Craig Robinson, the film centers on fictionalized versions of its cast in the wake of a global biblical apocalypse.
Produced by Mandate Pictures and Rogen and Goldberg's Point Grey Pictures, This Is the End premiered at the Fox Village Theater on June 3, 2013 and was released theatrically in the United States on June 14, 2013 by Columbia Pictures. The film was both a critical and commercial success, having grossed $126 million worldwide against a $32 million production budget.
Storyline
Jay Baruchel arrives in Los Angeles to visit his old friend Seth Rogen, who invites him to a housewarming party hosted by James Franco. There, Baruchel is uncomfortable at the crowded party, so Rogen takes him to a convenience store for cigarettes. When a rapture occurs, Rogen and Baruchel flee back to Franco's house and find the party unharmed. An earthquake strikes and the crowd rushes outside, witnessing a sinkhole opening up in Franco's yard. Several celebrities and partygoers are killed as Rogen, Baruchel, Franco, Jonah Hill and Craig Robinson run back inside and discover on the news that the earthquake has destroyed most of Los Angeles. The remaining partygoers take inventory of their supplies, set up a ration system, board up the house and await help.
Danny McBride, who crashed the party and fell asleep, wakes up first the next morning and wastes much of the group's food and water due to his ignorance of the crisis. He disbelieves what the others tell him of the previous night's events until a man outside gets decapitated by an unseen creature. Tensions rise due to various conflicts, including Baruchel and Rogen's growing estrangement and the others' skepticism of Baruchel's belief that the disaster might be the Apocalypse predicted in the Book of Revelation. Emma Watson makes her way back to Franco's house, only to flee with the group's remaining drinks after misinterpreting an overheard conversation, believing they intend to rape her.
Robinson tries to obtain water from Franco's cellar, only to find the doors locked. Outside he encounters an unknown being, causing him to believe Baruchel's theory. Baruchel and Rogen dig through the floor and find the water, but McBride wastes most of it out of spite and the others kick him out of the house. Before leaving, McBride reveals that Baruchel was in town two months prior, but stayed at a hotel instead of with Rogen due to their strained friendship. That night, Hill prays for Baruchel to die and is possessed by a demon. While Robinson and Baruchel head to a neighbor's house to scavenge for supplies, Rogen and Franco get attacked by the possessed Hill. Baruchel and Robinson return and help subdue Hill, tying him to a bed. During an exorcism attempt, Baruchel and Rogen fight and knock over a candle, starting a fire that engulfs Hill and the house and forces the others outside.
Franco suggests driving to his home in Malibu, but finds his car guarded by a demon. Robinson volunteers to sacrifice himself to help the others get into the car and is raptured into Heaven; the others realize they can save themselves by performing a selfless act. On the way to Malibu, the three encounter cannibals led by McBride and his sex slave, Channing Tatum. Franco offers to sacrifice himself and a blue beam that begins to pull him to Heaven appears. However, Franco taunts and insults McBride, causing the beam to vanish and for McBride and the other cannibals to eat him alive while Rogen and Baruchel escape and encounter Satan, who attempts to eat them. After Baruchel apologizes to Rogen for his wrongdoings, a blue beam strikes and causes him to ascend to Heaven without Rogen. Baruchel grabs Rogen's hand as he heads up, but his presence prevents them from ascending into Heaven; Rogen forces Baruchel to leave him behind, after which another beam appears around Rogen and inadvertently castrates Satan. On the way to Heaven, Rogen and Baruchel reconcile with each other.
In Heaven, Rogen and Baruchel are reunited with Robinson, who tells them that any wish comes true there. After Baruchel wishes for the Backstreet Boys, the band performs "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" as everyone dances.
Sound Effects Used
- Hollywoodedge, Sm Dirt Rock Spill CRT052401
- SKYWALKER, CRACK - HOLLOW, THUMPING CRUNCH
- SKYWALKER, CRACK - ROCK OR EARTH CRACKING