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Writer's pictureKyle Bain

Endling (2024)

Updated: Nov 18

-Written by Kyle Bain.


Do you know the story behind how goldfish came to be? I didn’t, but in a brilliantly comedic mockumentary, Endling, Writer-Director Kelly Yu expresses to the world the literal and mythological way in which they came to life. And, as we enter the world of a unique animal care facility, we get to meet Richard Chen (Dennis Dun), the man responsible for taking care of the last surviving goldfish. 


Mockumentaries have, since first watching The Office (not all that long ago), become one of my favorite subgenres, as they are often capable of teaching us something, while adding a comedic spin to a topic that may not necessarily be of interest to a wider audience. Endling is a perfect example of this. I don’t think that I’d otherwise be interested in a film about a goldfish, one that tells the story of how they came about–but this spin creates something enjoyable and immersive. 


That enjoyability begins with Richard, a charming, charismatic, genuine individual who manages to develop comedy out of thin air. Dun does a wonderful job of entertaining viewers, of relating to them, of allowing them to see that in this absurd situation, as we’re invited into Richard’s world, we fall in love with him and the story present in Endling. I felt a genuine connection to Endling’s protagonist, and his simplicity is incredibly endearing. It allows him to remain grounded and relatable; an honest embodiment of what we often hope the people around us can be. And while Dun is very much the reason that this character comes to life in the way that he does, the writing of Yu is what gets the character started, and her understanding of mankind is fantastic. 


Richard is one part of a much bigger picture, one that is both simplistic and larger than life. We are introduced to something so large, about the creation of a being, about how a species of fish managed to separate from something dark and dingy and become something better and altogether more beautiful. Then we are grounded, brought back to earth so quickly that we almost forget the opening, animated sequence. But as we are slowly reminded of something bigger, pulled through this narrative by Richard–we begin to understand that there’s far more to Endling than just the last living goldfish, or a center devoted to saving endangered animals. This film is a metaphor for the world we live in, and it forces viewers to think about themselves and their lives as a whole. 


There’s something very touching about presenting us the entire world through the story of one of the smallest beings in the world. Again, it grounds us, it reminds us of who we are, it shows us how small we are–but it also shows us what we are doing to ourselves. The humanity present in Endling is exactly what was needed in order for it to find success, exactly what allows this film to resonate with viewers. Endling is a mockumentary that expands far beyond what I thought possible. 


Written & Directed by Kelly Yu. 


Starring Dennis Dun, Ava Capri, Pao Pao, Elaine Rivkin, Kiff Vandenheuvel, Andrea Lee Davis, & Mike Bash. 


8.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING


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