What Is This Is Not the End About?
The premise of This Is Not the End in 258 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the chaotic heart of Los Angeles, a casual housewarming party turns into an unexpected gathering of familiar faces when the city’s ordinary rhythm is shattered by an inexplicable event. Jay Baruchel arrives to visit his longtime friend Seth Rogen, who has invited him to the celebration hosted by James Franco. The festivities, filled with humor and the easy camaraderie of Hollywood insiders, quickly shift from light‑hearted to unsettling as the world outside begins to behave in strange, unexplainable ways.
As the reality of the situation settles in, the group—joined by Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson, Danny McBride, and a startled Emma Watson—find themselves cut off from the rest of the city, forced to confront a new, uncertain landscape. Their familiar personalities clash and blend, turning ordinary banter into deeper conversations about belief, survival, and the meaning of the strange occurrences they witness. The tone balances sharp wit with an undercurrent of suspense, hinting at something larger than an ordinary disaster without revealing its true nature.
The confined setting of Franco’s house becomes a microcosm where each character’s quirks and insecurities surface, creating a dynamic that’s as comedic as it is tense. With limited resources and an atmosphere charged with mystery, the group navigates the thin line between hope and doubt, finding humor in absurdity while grappling with the unknown that looms beyond their doors. This blend of celebrity familiarity and apocalyptic intrigue sets the stage for a story that is as much about the relationships forged under pressure as it is about the mysterious forces reshaping their world.
What Happens in This Is Not the End?
The complete story of This Is Not the End, from the first scene to the last, in 650 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
Jay Baruchel travels to Los Angeles to visit his old friend, the Canadian actor Seth Rogen, who soon invites him to a housewarming party hosted by James Franco. At first, Jay feels out of place amid the crowded, loud gathering, so Seth steps outside to take a breather and they end up wandering to a nearby 7-Eleven for cigarettes. In that ordinary moment, the world changes: a sudden rapture sweeps through the area, and Seth and Jay rush back to Franco’s house, only to discover the party appears untouched by the phenomenon.
What follows is a jagged sequence of shocks. An earthquake rattles the city, and the crowd spills into the yard to witness a dramatic sinkhole opening in Franco’s front lawn. The spectacle turns deadly as several celebrities and partygoers die in the chaos. The survivors—led by Franco, Seth, Jay, Jonah Hill, and Craig Robinson—bar doors, hoard supplies, and fortify the house, trying to ride out the catastrophe as news broadcasts confirm that Los Angeles has been largely wrecked.
As dawn approaches, tension rises. Danny McBride, who had crashed the party and fallen asleep during the night, wakes to find the situation far more dire than anyone anticipated. His stubborn disbelief clashes with the others’ warning, even as a man outside is decapitated by an unseen terror. The group’s dynamics fray: Jay and Seth drift toward estrangement, while others question whether the disaster marks an apocalyptic omen. Emma Watson briefly reappears, only to bolt with what remains of their drinks after misinterpreting overheard conversations, fearing the group intends harm toward her.
Robinson makes a perilous attempt to fetch water from Franco’s cellar, only to encounter a strange being outside. This encounter lends credence to Jay’s increasingly persistent apocalyptic theory. Jay and Seth manage to pry open a hidden water source after digging through the floor, but McBride, still playing by his own rules, drains most of what they find and is ultimately expelled from the house. In a tense exchange, McBride reveals that Jay was in town two months earlier but chose a hotel stay over bunking with Seth, highlighting the fractures in their friendship.
The darkness deepens when Hill, filled with fear and hostility, is briefly possessed and prays for Jay’s death. An exorcism attempt escalates the danger: a candle is knocked over, a fierce blaze erupts, and the fire consumes Hill and, soon after, the house. The group contemplates a move to Franco’s Malibu home, but their path is blocked by a demon guarding Franco’s car. In a devastating twist, Robinson volunteers to sacrifice himself to enable the others to escape, and his selflessness earns him a place in Heaven.
On their way toward Malibu, the trio encounters a band of cannibals led by McBride, who has abducted a companion, Channing Tatum. Franco makes a final, reckless bid to reach safety, offering himself up in a calculated act of sacrifice. A blue beam appears, seemingly pulling him toward Heaven, but Franco’s taunts provoke McBride to cruelly reject his offer, and Franco is eaten alive while Rogen and Baruchel narrowly escape. The situation worsens as they come face-to-face with Satan, who attempts to devour them.
In a moment of hard-won reconciliation, Baruchel apologizes to Seth for their earlier conflicts, and a celestial beam finally strikes. Baruchel ascends toward Heaven, but his very presence on the ascent path disrupts the moment, forcing Seth to stay behind. A second beam then targets Satan, inadvertently castrating him as Rogen and Baruchel cling to each other in a final, poignant moment of camaraderie.
The surviving pair reach Heaven, where they are reunited with Robinson. There, they learn that any wish may come true. Baruchel’s wish lands on a playful note—he asks for the Backstreet Boys—and the fantasy world delivers: the group bursts into their hit “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back),” and everyone dances in celebration as a sense of peace settles over the afterlife.
This Is Not the End Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Arrive in LA and the housewarming invite” to “In Heaven: wishes come true and Backstreet Boys”. 15 events name a place, across 11 locations.
- 1
Arrive in LA and the housewarming invite
Jay Baruchel travels to Los Angeles to see his old friend Seth Rogen. Rogen invites him to a housewarming party at James Franco's house. Baruchel feels out of place amid the Hollywood celebrities and the party loudness.
When:Evening Where:Los Angeles, James Franco's house
- 2
Cigarette run and growing unease
Rogen and Baruchel leave the party to pick up cigarettes at a nearby convenience store, seeking a moment away from the crowd. The conversation underscores the social clash between Baruchel's Canadian sensibilities and Hollywood excess. The uneasy mood foreshadows the night's chaos.
When:Evening Where:James Franco's house; nearby convenience store
- 3
The rapture hits and the party survives
A rapture-like event sweeps the area and the two friends rush back to Franco's house. They find the partygoers unharmed and confused by the sudden disappearances. The bizarre occurrence sets the tone for the wider disaster to come.
When:Night Where:James Franco's house
- 4
Earthquake and sinkhole devastate LA
An earthquake shakes the neighborhood and a sinkhole opens in Franco's yard, killing several celebrities and partygoers. The skyline grimly reveals that Los Angeles has been largely destroyed. The group begins to realize the scale of the catastrophe.
When:Night Where:Franco's yard, Los Angeles
- 5
Rationing and barricading the house
With dwindling supplies, the survivors establish a rationing system and board up the house to weather the crisis. They assign roles and plan contingencies for the long wait ahead. Tensions rise as fear and suspicion begin to take hold.
When:Night Where:Franco's house
- 6
McBride awakens and questions reality
Danny McBride wakes up early and consumes more resources than the others can spare. He doubts the others' warnings about the apocalypse, fueling friction within the group. A decapitation witnessed outside confirms that danger is real.
When:Morning Where:Franco's house
- 7
Emma Watson returns and misreads danger
Emma Watson makes her way back to Franco's house but misinterprets overheard conversations. She grabs remaining drinks and flees, fearing that the men intend to rape her. Her fear heightens the group's isolation and paranoia.
When:Morning Where:Franco's house
- 8
Water search and secrets revealed
Robinson attempts to obtain water from the cellar but finds the doors locked. An unknown being outside confirms the danger in the outside world. Baruchel and Rogen manage to dig through the floor to reach water, while McBride wastes it and is kicked out. He also reveals that Baruchel stayed in town two months earlier.
When:Morning Where:Franco's house (cellar) / yard
- 9
Hill's possession and the exorcism begins
That night, Hill prays for Baruchel to die and becomes possessed by a demon. The others attempt an exorcism, but the ritual spirals into chaos. A candle is knocked over, starting a fire that engulfs Hill and the house.
When:Night Where:Franco's house
- 10
The exodus and the candle-fire
Robinson and Baruchel head to a neighbor's house to scavenge, while Rogen and Franco are attacked by the possessed Hill. They subdue Hill and tether him to a bed for the exorcism, but a candle disaster triggers a fire that engulfs the house. The survivors escape to the outside.
When:Night Where:Franco's house
Show the other 5 events of This Is Not the End Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Drive to Malibu and self-sacrifice
Franco proposes driving to his Malibu home for safety, but the car is guarded by a demon. Robinson volunteers to sacrifice himself to allow the others to escape into the car, and he is raptured into Heaven. The group is forced to find another way.
When:Late night / early morning Where:Franco's car route to Malibu
- 12
Cannibals attack and Franco's death
On the road toward Malibu, cannibals led by McBride and his slave Channing Tatum pursue them. Franco offers to sacrifice himself; a blue beam appears to pull him toward Heaven, but he taunts the cannibals and the beam vanishes. The cannibals kill Franco, while Rogen and Baruchel escape.
When:Dawn Where:Road to Malibu
- 13
Satan encounter and Baruchel's ascent
Rogen and Baruchel encounter Satan, who tries to eat them. Baruchel apologizes to Rogen for his past mistakes. A blue beam strikes and lifts Baruchel toward Heaven, leaving Rogen behind.
When:Dusk to dawn Where:Road to Heaven
- 14
Rogen and Baruchel reconcile before Heaven
On the way toward Heaven, Rogen and Baruchel reconcile with each other, putting their quarrels behind them. They reaffirm their friendship and resolve to face what comes next together.
When:Approaching Heaven Where:On the way to Heaven
- 15
In Heaven: wishes come true and Backstreet Boys
In Heaven, Rogen and Baruchel are reunited with Robinson, who reveals that any wish can come true there. Baruchel wishes for the Backstreet Boys, and they appear, performing 'Everybody (Backstreet's Back)' as everyone dances.
When:Heaven Where:Heaven
Who Are the Main Characters in This Is Not the End?
9 characters, among them Jay Baruchel, Seth Rogen and James Franco: who each one is and the part they play in the story.
- JB
Jay Baruchel
A skeptical, anxious visitor who questions whether the disaster signals the Apocalypse. His arc moves from tension with Rogen to a deeper bond and a willingness to risk himself for others, revealing a stubborn but protective nature.
- 🎭
- 🧠
- 🤝
- SR
Seth Rogen
The pragmatic, loyal friend who helps shepherd the group through the crisis. He prioritizes survival and protects Baruchel, eventually sharing a bittersweet reconciliation that endures beyond the chaos.
- 🛡️
- 🤝
- 🧭
- JF
James Franco
The brash host whose bravado masks insecurity as danger closes in. He taunts threats, ultimately meets a brutal fate at the hands of cannibals, illustrating hubris under apocalyptic pressure.
- 🕶️
- 🎬
- ⚡
- DM
Danny McBride
The chaotic antagonist who crashes the party and leads the cannibal faction. His opportunism escalates danger and complicates any plan for escape or survival.
- 👿
- 🗡️
- 🥩
- EW
Emma Watson
A cautious survivor who misreads overheard conversations and flees with limited supplies. She remains wary of others while trying to safeguard herself in a perilous landscape.
- 🎭
- 🧭
- 🔎
- CT
Channing Tatum
Part of the cannibal ensemble, his presence contributes to the threat and chaos that the protagonists must navigate to escape.
- 🔪
- 🥀
- 🧩
- CR
Craig Robinson
A practical member of the group who volunteers to sacrifice himself to help others reach safety, and is later taken to Heaven, embodying selflessness amid catastrophe.
- 🤝
- 🕊️
- 🛡️
- JH
Jonah Hill
A character who prays for Baruchel to die and becomes possessed by a demon, illustrating how fear can corrupt even familiar figures in a crisis.
- 🙏
- 😈
- 🎭
- S
Satan
The cosmic force encountered during the escape attempt, testing the characters' choices and amplifying the existential stakes of the ordeal.
- 👹
- 🔥
- 🌌
Where and When Is This Is Not the End Set?
This Is Not the End is set in Los Angeles, California, Malibu and California (Early 2010s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Early 2010s
The events take place in present-day Los Angeles, reflecting a modern celebrity-driven culture. The crisis unfolds with contemporary technologies and media coverage shaping how characters react and communicate. The timeframe grounds the surreal events in a relatable, real-world era, emphasizing immediacy and urgency.
Where
Los Angeles, California, Malibu, California
Most of the story unfolds inside James Franco's Los Angeles home during a high-profile party, a setting saturated with wealth, fame, and posturing. When the rapture hits, the house becomes a fragile bunker as guests scramble for safety and supplies. After the quake and sinkhole, the group plans an escape toward Malibu while the surrounding city collapses into chaos.
- 🗺️ Urban setting
- 🎬 Celebrity culture
- 🏙️ Los Angeles area
What Are the Themes of This Is Not the End?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Survival, Faith vs Skepticism and Friendship and Sacrifice.
-
01
Survival
After the disaster, the group must ration food and water, improvise shelter, and navigate dangers both seen and unseen. Small, practical decisions often determine who lives and who doesn't. The theme centers on resilience, cooperation, and the willingness to sacrifice for others when resources are scarce.
-
02
Faith vs Skepticism
Baruchel challenges the others with a belief that the catastrophe could be apocalyptic, clashing with skepticism and humor. Supernatural elements and exorcism-like moments test whether belief can guide action under extreme fear. The film uses this tension to explore how people find meaning when explanations fail.
-
03
Friendship and Sacrifice
The crisis strains long-standing relationships, pushing characters to act selflessly or selfishly. Robinson's willingness to sacrifice himself and the eventual heavenly reunion highlight the power of loyalty. The ending suggests that true friendship can outlast mortal peril, even in a fantastical afterlife.
What Kind of Film Is This Is Not the End?
Dark in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A rapid-fire, chaotic, and darkly humorous apocalyptic nightmare where a group of celebrities faces increasingly absurd and violent horrors, testing friendships and culminating in a bittersweet, surreal afterlife.
- anxious
- apocalyptic
- chaotic
- absurd
- tense
- carnivalesque
- apocalypse
- friendship
- survival
- sacrifice
Content notes: graphic death, decapitation, cannibalism, possession, fire death, apocalyptic violence.
Quiz
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