1990
Vietnam veteran Jacob Singer is tormented by horrific hallucinations and disorienting visions, struggling to differentiate reality from his traumatic past. He and his former army buddies, experiencing similar phenomena, uncover a government conspiracy involving hallucinogenic drug experimentation during the war, leading to a confrontation with a former army chemist. Jacob is rescued from a nightmarish hospital by his chiropractor, Louis, who helps him confront his inner demons and find peace. The film concludes with Jacob's death in a Vietnam field hospital, revealing his entire post-war experience was a dying hallucination.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Haunted Vietnam veteran Jacob experiences surreal, demonic visions in modern New York as he grapples with grief over his deceased son and a mysterious military conspiracy.
Open full beat sheetJacob Singer is listed as Protagonist. A Vietnam veteran working as a mailman, suffering from hallucinations and trauma. In the parsed data, Jacob Singer is connected to 51 scenes, 37 dialogue lines, 37 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
51 scenes / 37 dialogue linesJezebel Pipkin is listed as Jacob's girlfriend. A sensual, sometimes volatile woman who lives with Jacob. In the parsed data, Jezebel Pipkin is connected to 13 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 36.
13 scenes / 13 dialogue linesLouis Schwartz is listed as Chiropractor. A large, supportive man who treats Jacob's back and offers philosophical advice. In the parsed data, Louis Schwartz is connected to 6 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
6 scenes / 5 dialogue linesMichael Newman is listed as Chemist. A former army chemist who claims to have created the drug 'The Ladder'. In the parsed data, Michael Newman is connected to 5 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 39.
5 scenes / 7 dialogue linesPaul Gruneger is listed as Army buddy. A veteran who believes he is being hunted by demons. In the parsed data, Paul Gruneger is connected to 3 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 13.
3 scenes / 1 dialogue linesGabe Singer is listed as Jacob's deceased son. Jacob's young son who died in a car accident. In the parsed data, Gabe Singer is connected to 2 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 50.
2 scenes / 4 dialogue linesDonald Geary is listed as Lawyer. A cynical attorney who initially agrees to take the veterans' case. In the parsed data, Donald Geary is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 20.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesSarah Singer is listed as Jacob's ex-wife. Jacob's former spouse with whom he had three children. In the parsed data, Sarah Singer is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 12.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesA platoon of soldiers in Vietnam experiences a sudden, violent, and hallucinatory breakdown during a combat operation.
Jacob Singer, Paul GrunegerJacob wakes up on a subway train, feeling disoriented and encountering strange, unsettling phenomena.
Jacob SingerJacob struggles to exit a locked subway station and encounters disturbing figures in a restroom.
Jacob SingerJacob returns home to Jezzie and they share an intimate moment.
Jacob Singer, Jezebel PipkinJacob looks through old family photos and becomes emotional over his deceased son, Gabe.
Jacob Singer, Jezebel PipkinJacob visits Louis for a back adjustment and discusses his life and ex-wife.
Jacob Singer, Louis SchwartzJacob attempts to find his doctor at Bellevue but encounters a demonic receptionist.
Jacob SingerJacob enters a group therapy room looking for Dr. Carlson, only to learn he died in a car accident.
Jacob SingerJacob attends a party where he experiences disturbing hallucinations and has his palm read by Elsa.
Jacob Singer, Jezebel PipkinJacob experiences a flashback to a battlefield where he is severely wounded.
Jacob SingerJezzie and neighbors force Jacob into an ice bath to lower his dangerously high fever.
Jacob Singer, Jezebel PipkinJacob dreams he is back with his ex-wife Sarah and their children.
Jacob Singer, Sarah Singer, Gabe SingerJacob meets Paul, who confesses he is being hunted by demons.
Jacob Singer, Paul GrunegerPaul's car explodes, killing him, while Jacob narrowly survives.
Jacob Singer, Paul GrunegerA funeral procession travels down Ocean Parkway.
Jacob and Jezzie drive to the funeral in silence.
Jacob Singer, Jezebel PipkinThe funeral procession arrives at the cemetery.
Jacob SingerJacob and his army buddies discuss Paul's death and their shared trauma.
Jacob Singer, Jezebel PipkinThe veterans discuss their shared hallucinations and the possibility of a conspiracy.
Jacob SingerThe veterans meet with Donald Geary to discuss their case.
Jacob Singer, Donald GearyThe veterans leave the office feeling hopeful, unaware they are being followed.
Jacob SingerJacob and Jezzie share an intimate moment.
Jacob Singer, Jezebel PipkinJezzie tells Jacob that the lawyer dropped the case.
Jacob Singer, Jezebel PipkinJacob calls Frank to ask why the group backed down.
Jacob SingerJacob finds a letter from his son Gabe and experiences a terrifying hallucination.
Jacob SingerJacob confronts Geary about dropping the case.
Jacob Singer, Donald GearyJacob is abducted by soldiers in the elevator.
Jacob SingerJacob is interrogated and escapes the car.
Jacob SingerJacob is injured and robbed by a Santa Claus.
Jacob SingerJacob is brought to the hospital and experiences nightmarish visions.
Jacob SingerJacob's family visits him in the hospital.
Jacob Singer, Sarah SingerJacob wakes up and is told he had no visitors.
Jacob SingerLouis arrives to rescue Jacob.
Jacob Singer, Louis SchwartzLouis treats Jacob and offers philosophical comfort.
Jacob Singer, Louis SchwartzJacob attempts to expose the army's secrets.
Jacob SingerJacob showers, packs a suitcase, and is confronted by Jezzie. He receives a mysterious phone call from a chemist.
Jacob Singer, Jezebel PipkinJacob leaves the apartment, ignoring Jezzie's pleas.
Jacob Singer, Jezebel PipkinJacob meets Michael Newman.
Jacob Singer, Michael NewmanMichael explains the 'Ladder' drug experiments in Vietnam.
Jacob Singer, Michael NewmanMichael gives Jacob an antidote to block the demons.
Jacob Singer, Michael NewmanJacob and Jezzie reunite.
Jacob Singer, Jezebel PipkinJacob attempts to buy a ticket to Chicago.
Jacob SingerJacob is harassed in a restroom stall.
Jacob SingerJacob finds Michael's severed head.
Jacob SingerJacob confronts the demonic Jezzie.
Jacob Singer, Jezebel PipkinProfessor Stern concludes a lecture on Divine Reality and the soul, then reunites with his former student Jacob.
Jacob Singer, Louis SchwartzJacob and Stern walk through the campus discussing Jacob's life and his post-Vietnam state of mind.
Jacob Singer, Louis SchwartzJacob confesses to Stern that he is seeing demons and asks for his insight.
Jacob Singer, Louis SchwartzJacob explores his home and encounters a demonic Jezebel who reveals the truth of his state.
Jacob Singer, Jezebel PipkinJacob battles the demon, which shifts through various forms including his son Eli and himself.
Jacob Singer, Gabe SingerJacob is consumed by fire, then resurrected in a garden of light by Michael.
Jacob Singer, Michael NewmanJacob is pronounced dead on the operating table.
Jacob SingerI don't believe in demons, not in the empirical sense. I don't believe in devils fighting for our souls. I don't believe in enternal damnation. I don't believe in otherworldly creatures tormenting us. We don't need them. We do a good enough job on ourselves.
I loved your chemist, Jake. The height of fantasy. And your vision of paradise. A most romantic creation. You're quite a dreamer, Jake. Only it's time to wake up.
You don't forget a battle where 500 men were killed. They did something to us. I want to know the truth, the goddamn truth. We have a right to know.
It's all right now. It's over. You've won. You're here. Trust me.
I'm going to Hell! That's as straight as I can put it.
How many times have you asked me that? How many times?
My oh my. Doctor Singer. Isn't this a happy surprise?
I'm looking for Dr. Carlson. Isn't this his office?
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