Interview: Zoe Lister-Jones and Daryl Wein Discuss ‘How It Ends’ with Joey

For years, filmmakers Zoe Lister-Jones and Daryl Wein have been making (separately, as well as together), keenly observed movies about the human condition. Whether it’s Breaking Upwards or Lola Versus as a team, or Lister Jones’ own Band-Aid, they’re incredibly perceptive storytellers. That’s true once again in the aptly titled end of the world comedy/dramedy How It Ends. They’re films tell stories that almost always feature intelligent characters figuring life out, so they’re always deeply relatable, no matter the scenarios. Having enjoyed the flick back at the beginning of the year, I was eager to speak to them as a general release came about. Well, that discussion with Lister-Jones and Wein happened a few weeks ago over Zoom, and today, you get to see it.

In my Sundance Film Festival review, I had this to say about the movie:

How It Ends was filmed during the pandemic, and that impacts a bit of the filmmaking, but the premise is evergreen. Zoe Lister-Jones and Daryl Wein are wholly unconcerned with any of the traditional end of the world tropes. This is just about how people are spending their last day, and specifically how one woman opts to do so.

Along with her partner Daryl Wein, Zoe Lister-Jones writers and directs (as well as stars in) this comedy with an eye towards the slightly absurd. The characters who pop up are all ridiculous, though many do end up making cogent points about life.

Below, you can see my chat with Lister-Jones and Wein. We began with a mildly humorous anecdote about my experience with their early film Breaking Upwards. Then, we spend a lot of time focused on How It Ends, as you might imagine. Both are easy-going, as well as incredibly sharp, which isn’t surprising, considering their flicks, but it made for an excellent conversation. I enjoyed the film back at Sundance, while others got a chance to see it recently at both South by Southwest and the Tribeca Film Festival. Now, the movie makes its way to you, so be sure to check it out…

Here now is my interview with How It Ends masterminds Zoe Lister-Jones and Daryl Wein. Enjoy:

How It Ends hits theaters this weekend!