6.6/10
82% Critics / 71% Audience
This Is the End is a 2013 American apocalyptic comedy directed and written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg in their feature directorial debut. Based on their 2007 short Jay and Seth Versus the Apocalypse, the movie features an all-star ensemble of actors playing exaggerated versions of themselves as they face the literal biblical end of the world while trapped in James Franco’s mansion in Los Angeles.
Starring James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, and Emma Watson, the film mixes outrageous self-parody, raunchy humor, and disaster spectacle. Premiering on June 3, 2013, and released by Sony Pictures, it became both a critical and commercial success, earning over $127 million worldwide and earning praise for its humor, creativity, and chemistry between its cast.
This is the End (2013 Film) – Official Trailer
What Is This Is the End About?
The film opens with Jay Baruchel visiting Seth Rogen in Los Angeles for a reunion. When they attend James Franco’s celebrity party, a sudden biblical apocalypse erupts — earthquakes, sinkholes, and beams of blue light taking the righteous to Heaven. The survivors (all playing themselves) take shelter in Franco’s mansion, trying to survive demonic attacks, dwindling supplies, and each other.
As paranoia, hunger, and egos clash, their friendship breaks down in hysterical ways — from failed exorcisms and Emma Watson’s accidental robbery of their supplies to Danny McBride’s rise as a deranged cannibal leader. It’s a self-aware satire of Hollywood excess and humanity’s flaws, wrapped in absurdist humor and apocalyptic chaos.
By the end, some characters achieve redemption through selflessness, proving that even in satire, Rogen and Goldberg never lose sight of a moral punchline.
Is It Worth Watching?
Absolutely — This Is the End remains one of the most original and outrageous comedies of the 2010s. It balances meta-celebrity humor, wild improvisation, and shock-value spectacle better than most Hollywood comedies ever have. The movie feels both spontaneous and self-aware, making fun of its cast while celebrating their ability to laugh at themselves.
If you enjoy comedies like Pineapple Express, Superbad, or Tropic Thunder, this is essential viewing. Its absurd premise only works because of the cast’s chemistry and their willingness to completely humiliate themselves for the sake of the joke.
Why Should I Watch This Is the End?
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Unique Concept: Famous actors play versions of themselves facing the end of the world — it’s one of the boldest comedic ideas of the decade.
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Perfect Ensemble: Franco, Rogen, Hill, Baruchel, McBride, and Robinson all deliver unforgettable moments of chaos and sincerity.
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Balance of Comedy and Horror: Despite being a comedy, it features surprisingly tense apocalypse scenes, including demonic encounters and survival setups.
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Endearing Friendship Core: Beneath the wild jokes, it’s really a story about two friends (Jay and Seth) repairing their bond amidst disaster.
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Unfiltered Creativity: From Backstreet Boys in Heaven to exorcisms gone wrong — every scene is unpredictable and hilarious.
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Cult Classic Status: Ten years later, it remains a touchstone for millennial comedy and meta-Hollywood storytelling.
Cast and Characters
Most of the actors play fictionalized, over-the-top versions of themselves:
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James Franco as himself, hosting the doomed Hollywood party.
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Seth Rogen as himself, trying to keep everyone alive.
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Jay Baruchel as himself, the skeptical outsider and voice of reason.
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Jonah Hill as himself, overly spiritual and hilariously self-serious.
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Danny McBride as himself, the unhinged survivor turned cannibal leader.
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Craig Robinson as himself, the moral heart of the group.
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Emma Watson as herself, briefly surviving before wisely escaping.
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Cameos include Michael Cera, Channing Tatum, Rihanna, Paul Rudd, Mindy Kaling, Aziz Ansari, and even the Backstreet Boys in the film’s Heaven-set finale.
Production and Filming
The film originated from Jay and Seth Versus the Apocalypse (2007), a short where Rogen and Baruchel played exaggerated versions of themselves facing a similar scenario. The feature expanded on that idea with a full ensemble of real-life actor friends.
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Filming Locations: Though set in Los Angeles, shooting took place in New Orleans, taking advantage of production incentives.
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Budget: $32–42 million.
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Duration: February to July 2012.
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Visual Effects: Modus FX handled over 240 VFX shots including demons, earthquakes, and Rapture sequences.
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Music: Score by Henry Jackman, with the Backstreet Boys’ “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” closing the film.
Emma Watson reportedly left the set after feeling uncomfortable with one improvised scene involving McBride and Tatum, a situation that both Watson and Rogen later publicly acknowledged and resolved respectfully.
Reception and Box Office
This Is the End opened on June 12, 2013, to strong box office results and glowing reviews. It earned over $127 million globally against a modest budget, making it one of the highest-grossing original comedies of its year.
Critic Highlights:
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Rotten Tomatoes: 82% approval
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Metacritic: 67/100
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CinemaScore: “B+”
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Entertainment Weekly: “The wildest, smartest, and funniest comedy in a long time.”
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Maclean’s: “A profanely funny showbiz parody with perfect timing.”
Though not everyone embraced its crude humor, many critics hailed it as a genre-bending, self-referential masterpiece, and it continues to enjoy cult popularity.
Watch Order (Apocalypse Comedies You’ll Like)
If you enjoy This Is the End, here’s a fun mini “apocalypse comedy” viewing path:
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It’s a Disaster (2012) – Indie brunch apocalypse satire.
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This Is the End (2013) – Celebrity meta-apocalypse comedy.
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Rapture-Palooza (2013) – Another Craig Robinson-led biblical end-times comedy.
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The World’s End (2013) – Edgar Wright’s pub-crawl apocalypse from the same year.
This is the End (2013 Film) FAQ
1. Is This Is the End based on a true story?
No — it’s a satirical comedy where actors parody themselves during a fictional apocalypse.
2. Who directed the film?
Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, in their directorial debut.
3. What is the rating and runtime?
Rated R for strong language, sexual content, and violence. Runtime: 107 minutes.
4. Is there a sequel planned?
Rogen and Goldberg discussed ideas but ultimately decided against it.
5. Where was it filmed?
Primarily in New Orleans, Louisiana.
6. How does the movie end?
Without spoilers — let’s just say friendship triumphs, and the apocalypse ends on an unexpectedly joyful note.
Conclusion
This Is the End stands out as one of the boldest comedies of its era, transforming celebrity culture, religious imagery, and apocalyptic mayhem into an unforgettable satire. Its charm lies in its willingness to mock itself — every actor exposes their flaws, insecurities, and fame-driven eccentricities in the most chaotic way possible.
Ten years later, it’s still a reminder that even in the end of days, friendship, absurdity, and laughter can coexist. Whether you’re a fan of Seth Rogen’s stoner comedies or just want something truly unpredictable, This Is the End remains one of the funniest ways to watch the world end.
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