The End of Oak Street (2026)
Directed by David Robert Mitchell
[Rated PG-13] 1hr 39min
Sci-fi, Thriller, Mystery
★★★½
“God’s not gonna let us die here.” …
“What about the people who are out there getting eaten?”
While Greg and Denise try to navigate their struggling marriage and keep their family together, strange objects begin to appear in their neighborhood overnight which are accompanied by sudden bright flashes of light. However, things take a massive turn when their entire street and the surrounding area gets inexplicably transported to somewhere unknown, so the family tries to figure out how to get back while surviving numerous attacks from the native inhabitants.
This is a fun and light movie that’s perfect for a trip to the theater in the summer. It’s not an amazing film by any means, but the experience of watching it in a packed theater is an absolute blast. From the laughter and cheering to the audible gasps and outbursts, the audience interactions are what gives this kind of movie an incredible experience. In terms of the film itself, its completely ridiculous premise is effectively paired with a basic family narrative that still retains a lot of heart, so it’s fairly easy to get invested in the characters while also enjoying the silliness of their entire situation. This is a movie that knows exactly what it is, and it takes advantage of this by balancing its sincerity with humor really well. The cinematography is also a notable standout as it dynamically frames certain shots and scenes to emphasize significant elements of the narrative and its themes. However, the overall story just isn’t strong enough to leave a lasting impression, and it’s pretty run-of-the-mill in terms of the messages it’s trying to convey. But on the plus side, it’s also very reminiscent of classic Spielberg films, so it does feel somewhat like a modern pastiche of that particular movie style.
I recommend The End of Oak Street to anyone who wants a simple yet easily enjoyable movie experience that has a similar feel to some of Spielberg’s films from the late 70s to early 90s. While it doesn’t reach the same level of those classics, this film definitely fits in with that era more than much of Spielberg’s recent work. Overall, this movie offers a sufficiently entertaining experience at the theater that’s great for spending time with others.
The End of Oak Street is now playing in theaters. Click here to watch the Official Trailer.
– Review by Will Hopper