The End We Start From is a 2023 British survival film directed by Mahalia Belo and starring Jodie Comer, with Benedict Cumberbatch, Katherine Waterston, and Mark Strong. It is adapted by Alice Birch from the novel of the same name by Megan Hunter. The film premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2023.
The film tells the story of a young woman named Z (Comer) who gives birth to her first child on the same day that a catastrophic flood engulfs London. Forced to flee their home with her newborn baby, Z embarks on a perilous journey to find safety. Along the way, she encounters other survivors, including her estranged mother (Waterston) and a mysterious man named Eden (Cumberbatch).
The End We Start From is a haunting but hopeful vision of a world in crisis. The film explores themes of motherhood, survival, and the power of love in the face of adversity. It is also a timely and urgent meditation on the climate crisis and the impact it is having on our planet.
A New Mother in a New World
The film opens with Z giving birth to her son, Alfred, in a hospital room that is slowly being flooded. The scene is both tender and terrifying, as Z welcomes her new child into a world that is literally falling apart around her.
After escaping the hospital with Alfred, Z sets out to find her husband, Chris (Joel Fry). However, Chris is nowhere to be found, and Z is forced to fend for herself and her baby in a world that is quickly becoming unrecognizable.
Along the way, Z meets other survivors who are struggling to survive in the aftermath of the flood. She also encounters her estranged mother, Alice, with whom she has a difficult relationship.
The Power of Love
Despite the challenges she faces, Z remains determined to protect her son and give him a better future. Her strength and resilience are inspiring, and her love for Alfred is the driving force behind everything she does.
The End We Start From is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. It is a film that celebrates the power of love, the resilience of the human spirit, and the beauty of life itself.
The Climate Crisis and the Future of Humanity
The End We Start From is also a timely and urgent meditation on the climate crisis. The film’s depiction of a world ravaged by flood is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that climate change could have if we do not take action.
The film also raises important questions about the ethics of having children in a world that is facing such existential threats. Is it fair to bring new life into a world that is becoming increasingly unstable?
The End We Start From does not offer easy answers to these questions. However, it does suggest that even in the face of the greatest challenges, there is always hope. The film’s message is ultimately one of resilience and the power of love.
A Haunting and Hopeful Vision
The End We Start From is a haunting but hopeful vision of a world in crisis. It is a film that will stay with you long after you have seen it.
The End We Start From as a Feminist Text
The End We Start From can also be read as a feminist text. The film’s protagonist, Z, is a strong and resourceful woman who is determined to survive and protect her child, despite the many challenges she faces.
The film also explores the complex relationship between Z and her estranged mother, Alice. The two women have a difficult past, but they are ultimately able to bond over their shared love for Alfred.
The End We Start From is a film that celebrates the resilience and strength of women. It is a film that shows that women are capable of great things, even in the most difficult of circumstances.
Conclusion
The End We Start From is a powerful and moving film that is sure to stay with you long after you have seen it. It is a film that is both haunting and hopeful, and it is a film that has something to say about the most important issues of our time.
