Alex Ullom Wraps High-Concept Thriller '4 X 4: The Event' for NEON
The 'It Ends' director blends livestreaming culture with 'Battle Royale' brutality in a new feature starring Sophia Lillis and Jaden Smith.
Director Alex Ullom has wrapped principal photography on his second feature film, '4 X 4: The Event'. Produced and distributed by NEON, the high-concept thriller marks a significant step forward for the filmmaker following the critical attention garnered by his debut.
The film centers on a lethal, illegal livestream where eight contestants are forced into a survival game. In a twist on the death-game subgenre, participants must kill or be killed using only items they can order online. NEON describes the project as a blend of 'Battle Royale', 'Saw', and 'Climax'. The production features a high-profile ensemble of young talent, including Sophia Lillis, Dylan Minnette, Jaden Smith, Jacob Tremblay, and Quintessa Swindell.
A New Voice in Gen Z Horror
Ullom first gained industry prominence with his debut feature, 'It Ends', which premiered at SXSW before being acquired by NEON. That film was noted for its exploration of adolescent depression and existential themes, establishing Ullom as a director capable of weaving contemporary youth anxieties into traditional genre tropes. By partnering with him again for '4 X 4: The Event', NEON continues to bet on Ullom's ability to translate the specific pressures and aesthetics of the digital age into cinematic tension.
The Digital Death Game
This project reflects a broader industry trend where studios invest in digitally-native directors who can authentically interpret internet culture. By centering the plot on livestreaming and the 'challenge' content prevalent on social media, Ullom targets a specific Gen Z demographic. The use of an established young cast further suggests a strategic effort to capture a wide, youth-oriented audience while utilizing a premise that mirrors the gamification of modern online interaction.
What to Watch
While principal photography is complete, NEON has yet to announce a formal release date or share a trailer. Industry observers will be watching to see if Ullom can maintain the thematic depth of 'It Ends' while operating within the more aggressive, high-concept framework of a survival thriller. It remains to be seen how the film's unique 'online ordering' mechanic will be executed on screen, and whether the visceral nature of the plot will overshadow the psychological nuance Ullom established in his previous work.