Here’s a new trailer for David Robert Mitchell’s “The End of Oak Street,” and I’m kind of sold on the dinosaur designs and visual effects. Then again, too much of the film’s central mystery seems to be revealed here, particularly the extensive dinosaur footage. If you want to be surprised come release day, avoid this trailer.
The film, which clocks in at 100 minutes, stars Ewan McGregor, Anne Hathaway, Christian Convery, and Maisy Stella. Set in a calm suburban neighborhood during the 1980s, the story centers on a family going through a difficult period. Without warning, their entire community — Flowervale’s Oak Street — is mysteriously transported back to prehistoric times by an unknown supernatural phenomenon.
The film blends suburban imagery, cosmic sci-fi, and prehistoric creatures, and it looks like a fun ride. Pitting dinosaurs in a suburban neighborhood is certainly something that has rarely been done before.
A few people I spoke to who have seen the film tell me it delivers suspense and feels like an old-school Spielberg movie — no surprise, given that the film is set in the ’80s. Oh, and forget all those Cloverfield fan theories. The cut that’s been test-screened has no connection whatsoever to that franchise, despite producer J.J. Abrams’ involvement. This is a welcome example of a big-budget original movie that isn’t tied to an existing franchise or cinematic universe.
Now, I’ll once again criticize this trailer for relying on two modern trailer staples: a slowed-down pop song and an excessive number of dramatic cuts to black. It’s a creative approach that has become increasingly commonplace over the last decade. This time around, Billy Joel’s “My Life” is stretched and slowed to the nth degree in an effort to match the trailer’s mood.
Mitchell, best known for the decade-defining horror film “It Follows,” and whose last feature was released eight years ago (“Under the Silver Lake”), is set to have a busy year, as he is also slated to shoot “They Follow” in early summer, with Maika Monroe returning in the lead role.
“The End of Oak Street” is set to hit theaters on August 14, 2026, via Warner Bros.
