Charlie Kaufman | I'm Thinking of Ending Things

Charlie Kaufman | I'm Thinking of Ending Things

From Talks at Google by Talks at Google

July 25, 2025 · 41 min · Episode 569

About this episode

Charlie Kaufman discusses his film 'I'm Thinking of Ending Things' and its exploration of human emotions.

Charlie Kaufman is one of the most celebrated screenwriters and directors, known for movies like "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "Anomalisa." Three of his scripts appear in the Writers Guild of America's list of the 101 greatest movie screenplays ever written. He's received an Academy Award, an Emmy, three BAFTA awards, two Independent Spirit Awards, and a Writer's Guild of America Award. He joins Google to discuss his film, "I'm Thinking of Ending Things," a psychological thriller exploring regret, longing, and the fragility of the human spirit. The film tells the story of a young woman, played by Jessie Buckley, who makes a road trip with her boyfriend to his family's farm. After being trapped at the farm during a snowstorm, she questions the nature of everything she knew or understood about her boyfriend, herself, and the world. Originally published in September 2020. Watch this episode at youtube.com/TalksAtGoogle .

People in this episode

Host: Talks at Google

Guest: Charlie Kaufman

Topics covered

  • regret
  • film
  • psychological thriller
  • screenwriting
  • human experience
  • longing

Keywords

  • Charlie Kaufman
  • I'm Thinking of Ending Things
  • psychological thriller
  • screenwriter
  • film discussion

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Writers Guild of America, Google

Books & works: I'm Thinking of Ending Things, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Anomalisa

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