Moviegoers looking for a deeper dive into the creative process now have a unique opportunity to hear from the filmmakers while watching the movie in a theater. TheaterEars and NEON have announced that It Ends, the debut feature from writer-director Alexander Ullom, will be the latest film to feature the Director’s Experience. Starting Friday, August 28, audiences at participating locations can listen to a synchronized commentary track featuring Ullom and producers Carrie Carusone and Evan Barber in real time.
The Director’s Experience allows viewers to access supplemental audio directly through their smartphones. By downloading the free TheaterEars app, users can select the film and their specific showtime. Once the movie begins, the app synchronizes the commentary track to the projected film. The service is designed to work across all theatrical formats, including RealD and 4DX, and does not require an additional ticket upcharge for the audio feature.
A New Way to Experience Cinema
Traditional commentary tracks have historically been relegated to home media releases, often arriving months after a film has left the big screen. This new initiative aims to bridge that gap by bringing the filmmakers’ insights directly into the auditorium. Dan Mangru, founder and CEO of TheaterEars, noted that the platform was built to put the director’s voice in the room while the film is still actively playing for audiences.
For a film like It Ends, which relies heavily on conversation and performance within a confined space, this commentary offers a rare look at the technical and creative decisions made during production. Ullom, who also edited the film, described the project as hangout horror, emphasizing that the commentary provides context for the choices made during the twenty-day shoot. Knowing what the director was solving in a specific shot can fundamentally change how an audience perceives the unfolding tension on screen.
The Journey of It Ends
The path to the screen for It Ends is as notable as its distribution strategy. After a viral YouTube sketch led to initial funding, Ullom cast his leads through Instagram and completed the production in a remarkably short timeframe. The film premiered in competition at SXSW 2025 before being acquired by NEON. Ullom, who was recognized as one of Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film in 2024, has seen his work transition from online success to a full theatrical release.
TheaterEars continues to expand its platform, which originally launched to provide Spanish-language dubbing and audio description services. The addition of the Director’s Experience marks a shift toward providing premium, supplemental content for cinephiles. The service is now available for a variety of titles, ranging from independent horror to major franchise event films. For more information on the app and participating locations, visit the official TheaterEars website or check the official NEON site for updates on the film’s theatrical run.
Source: NEON
