Director Alex Ullom, known for his upcoming Gen Z horror film "It Ends," is preparing to release his next project, a maximalist thriller titled "4 X 4: The Event." The film has completed principal photography and features a cast including Jaden Smith and Sophia Lillis. While plot details are scarce, "4 X 4: The Event" is described as a high-stakes competition where eight contestants must kill or be killed, relying solely on items they can order online.
Ullom explained that the film draws inspiration from a variety of sources, combining the viral challenge format popularized by YouTuber MrBeast with the deadly premise of "Battle Royale" and the intense, sensory-overload style of French director Gaspar Noé. Ullom contrasts "4 X 4: The Event" with his previous work, "It Ends," calling his new film "straight maximalism" and aiming to "overload the fucking theater." He likens the editing style to the opening sequence of Noé's "Enter the Void," noting that the film will feature an anxiety-inducing title card similar to one in "It Ends."
The film's setting is ambiguous, with Ullom hinting that it takes place in a near-future that reflects the current state of online chaos. "Do you feel like we live in modern times?" Ullom asked rhetorically. "I think that if you turn on the internet and look at the absolute shit that's going on… Honestly, it's an illegal livestream. That's what gets the job done there."
The casting process for "4 X 4: The Event" was extensive, a significant undertaking that Ullom credits to casting director Kim Winther, whose recent work includes Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer." Ullom expressed gratitude for the cast's willingness to participate in a smaller production. "4 X 4: The Event" does not yet have a release date. Ullom's directorial debut, "It Ends," is scheduled for theatrical release on August 21.