Directed and written by Nathan Blackwell, this film finds Marshall (Adam Rini) at the end of the world, deciding that he should bring together a group of friends and strangers — and his ex-wife Audrey (Megan Rini — to make the movie he never finished in high school.

How does everyone discover that the world will end? A voice in their head, giving them thirty days, as the simulation that is our reality is ending. That’s what makes Marshall look up his old friends Lance (Ryan Gaumont) and Arthur (Craig Curtis) to finally complete their science fiction movie in the face of a very science fiction reality.

This could be a dark film, yet it has so much heart — and joy in the power of movies — that I couldn’t help but love it. It seems like the making of this movie was the same labor of love as the film that Marshall puts together. A movie that finally gets him past his issues and has him grow up. Sure, it’s in time for the world to end, but I’d like to think everyone escapes because the movie ends before the world does.

The Last Movie Ever Made was watched at the Popcorn Frights Film Festival. You can get a virtual pass to watch the festival from August 10 to 20. To learn more, visit the official site. To keep track of what movies I’ve watched from this Popcorn Frights, check out this Letterboxd list.