It’s Over is a unique chapter in the Dollars & Donuts story, though not one Daryl Della recalls with much fondness. Written by Michael Martin, the film marked a shift in tone and focus that reflected Michael’s creative interests (romantic comedies and human dramas) more than Daryl’s preference for bold spectacle and hard-edged characters. The project revealed some of the underlying tensions in their partnership, which had long been framed in Daryl’s mind as akin to Walt and Roy Disney. Daryl envisioned himself as the “Walt,” the creative force, with Michael supporting as the pragmatic “Roy,” handling administrative and production duties while leaving most creative decisions in Daryl’s hands. But projects like It’s Over underscored the push-and-pull of their collaboration.

Michael wanted to try something more personal, and to entice Daryl into directing, he cleverly set the opening scene at Disneyland, knowing Daryl’s affinity for the park. (Michael notoriously hated Disneyland.) He also proposed using visual effects, like floating computer screens, to spice up the narrative, appealing to Dollars & Donuts’ hallmark of playful experimentation.

The story follows John (played by Michael), a man consumed by his job search after being laid off, to the detriment of his relationship with his girlfriend Emily (Efrosini Constant). As John becomes increasingly distracted by his unemployment, Emily grows distant, culminating in a twist ending: just as John prepares to propose, she leaves him. Cairo jokingly referred to it as "the Katie movie," alluding to Michael’s real-life ex, though Michael never confirmed the connection.

While Daryl went along with the project to be supportive, he found the subject matter uninspired. Romance wasn’t off the table for Daryl, he just wanted it done with the humor, edge, or creativity that defined Dollars & Donuts. The final product felt out of sync with the team’s usual tone, though the special effects sequences, such as floating job listings, stood out as the film’s most Dollars & Donuts-like moments.

Filming took place primarily in Daryl and Kirsten’s Lake Forest, CA, apartment, as well as Downtown Disney, capturing parts of the walking paths that have since been significantly altered. The opening sequence was shot on the now-defunct route from the Mickey & Friends parking structure, adding a nostalgic layer to the film.

In hindsight, It’s Over holds an interesting place in the Dollars & Donuts catalog. It highlighted the growing creative differences between Daryl and Michael, with Daryl’s focus on pushing boundaries clashing against Michael’s desire for more grounded, character-driven stories. While the film doesn’t rank among Daryl’s prouder accomplishments, it remains a snapshot of their evolving partnership and a foray into a genre Dollars & Donuts rarely explored.