Tales For The End of Time

Bruce Von Stiers

What would you do if the world was ending? Something horrific was happening, but you couldn't stop it? Not exactly a Zombie Apocalypse, but something like that? How would you spend your final hours?

Those questions kind of form the basis for a horror/thriller anthology film. The film is titled Final Days: Tales From The End Times. It takes a set of five individual stories with a common goal of survival of an upcoming apocalypse.

The film opens with a reporter in a sit-down interview with LaRoche. He is the leader of a supposed faith group. But there have been accusations of guns trafficking, polygamy, child abuse and sexual misconduct leveled at him and his group. During the interview, something horrific happens with members of LaRoche's flock. This seems to be the catalyst for what happens next in the film.

The first story, The Apocalypse Smells Like Cookies, is somewhat comical. Benny is going to try to summon a demon with his buddy Ian's help. Snickerdoodle scented candles, a dagger that is supposed to demonic, but isn't, and improper incantations are but a few of the mishaps that occur in the story. And there is a fun bit when the demon does finally appear.

The stories are connected by way of segments featuring a television reporter, Corrine Arnold. Almost pushing 40, Corrine wants to become a major reporter, not a has been on local television. But off the cuff comments made while she thought her live television feed was finished lands her in trouble. Plus, she has a video message from her terrified sister that also lends itself into the story lines.

The second story is Bugout. Hunter is a guy known as the Prairieland Prepper. He has a video channel where he provides tips on how to survive the end of the world. He is telling people that it's happening now, everything he's been warning them about. And he starts giving instructions on what people should take with them and where to hide out at. He is supposed to connect with his friend Nick, and they'll hide out together. The story finds Hunter trying to meet up with Nick, confronting some dangerous people and getting a frightened young woman on her way to safety.

The third story is Apocalypse Eve. This is a story of Theo and Alice. They have escaped the city and are trying to hide out in the country. Trying to make sense of it all, and to make themselves safe from whatever's out there is the main thrust of the story.

Gramma is about a young woman who is taking care of her grandmother. She is freaking out a bit as the power is out and gramma is a bit off her rocker. Just how far would you go to help and protect the ones you love, even at your own peril, seems to be the theme of this story.

The final story is Contingency. It ties all the other stories together with Corrine and her cameraman Tim at the LaRoche compound. In trying to rescue her sister, Corrine encounters people killing themselves, using a flamethrower to set fire to people and some flesh-eating activities. Many of these scenes are gross, but tie into the final sequence of the film.

Seth Boyer played Benny in the snickerdoodle candle demon story. He starred in the horror short film, In the Middle of the Night, and appeared in an episode of Chicago Fire. Dylan Heck played Ian in the story. He appeared in Paranormal Pals and The Heart of Daphne. Rick Jensen played the demon the guys were summoning.

Kayla Kelly was Corrine Arnold. She starred in Trial By Faith, The Dream Ledger and co-starred in a film I reviewed, The Devil's Left Hand. Rodney B. Snyder was the cameraman, Tim. He co-starred in the horror film Untitled Footage. Chloe Loren played Melody, Corrine's sister.

Samantha Hupp is one the demons in the film. She starred in The Red Huntress and co-starred in a film I recently reviewed, Night of the Dead Sorority Babes.

Robert LaSardo played LaRouche. He has starred in films such as Arena Wars. And he has appeared as a soft spoken, yet menacing gang banger in numerous films and television programs.

Hunter Nino played Hunter. Along with acting in multiple films, he has also directed and produced several films. Abigail Knight plays the distraught young woman that Hunter encounters.

Elliot Kreim played Theo in the Apocalypse Eve story. He starred in the western horror adventure film The Curse of Bryerstone. Emily Yasinksi played Alex in the story.

Olivia Pearl Hansen as granddaughter in the Gramma story. She starred in the short drama film Various Failures. Darcy Lenardson was gramma in that same story.

Michael Rock did the voice of the police officer trying to find out what's going on in one of the stories. He has co-starred in a bunch of horror and drama films.

Other actors appearing in the film were Sean Edmondson, Carl Lesones, Krystal Rian, Makalynn Adams, Susan Danenberger, Rachel Ramsey, Ademola Fagemi, Anne Latshaw, Chase Todd, Connor Tripp, Eric M. Woods and Ryan D Tebrugge.

The film was directed by Dillon Brown, Joshua Brucker, Ash Hamilton and Ben Harl. Each of them has directed and produced many horror films, some of them together as a team effort.

Scott Murphy was the director of photography.

The screenplay was written by Dillon Brown, Joshua Brucker and John Elder.

Songs used in the film were Southern Survival by Prairie Prep Boyz, Beacon by EMG, Legionnaire by Scott Buckley, Toast To The Ole Splitfoot by The Mcnapalms, Brim To Da Stone by Yungmal Flowsocrazy and Green Eggs and Ham by NL8.

Final Days: Tales From The End Times has humorous moments, but overall is a very intense, scary film. It shows what could happen to people when the apocalypse finally arrives. And it just might get you to think what you would do if that does happen.

The production companies involved in making the film were Horror Fix Feature Films and Moon Makers Media. The film's distribution company is Terror Film Releasing.

Final Days: Tales From The End Times is available on Prime. It will be available on other streaming platforms at a later date.

If you want to learn more, the film does have a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/p/Final-Days-Tales-from-the-End-Times-61555188723577/

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© 2025 Bruce E Von Stiers