Cold Souls

Cold Souls

Year: 2009

Runtime: 101 min

Language: English

Director: Sophie Barthes

DramaComedy

A struggling actor facing a career slump discovers a unique service that offers to freeze and store souls. Seeking an escape from his troubles, he opts to have his own soul preserved. However, his plan goes awry when a rival actor steals his soul, sending him on a bizarre quest from New York to Russia to reclaim it, blurring the lines between what’s real and imagined.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Cold Souls (2009)

Trace every key event in Cold Souls (2009) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Paul's Struggle with Depression

Paul Giamatti, playing an actor, grapples with severe depression while working on the play 'Uncle Vanya'. Set against the bustling backdrop of New York City, he faces both personal and professional demons that take a toll on his well-being.

New York City
2

Discovery of Soul Storage

After receiving a suggestion from his agent and reading an intriguing article in the New Yorker, Paul discovers a unique establishment specializing in soul storage. This piques his interest as he considers the potential for alleviating his emotional burden.

New York City
3

Meeting Dr. Flintstein

At the soul storage establishment, Paul meets Dr. Flintstein, who explains the ins and outs of soul extraction. Dr. Flintstein showcases containers holding the essences of various celebrities, presented as ordinary objects, which adds to the bizarre nature of the experience.

Soul Storage Establishment, New York City
4

Undergoing Soul Extraction

Intrigued by the process, Paul decides to undergo soul extraction. He endures a bizarre procedure reminiscent of Michael Jackson's hyperbaric chamber, emerging with a container that contains only 95 percent of his soul, resembling a chickpea.

Soul Storage Establishment, New York City
5

Nina's Arrival from St. Petersburg

Nina arrives in New York from St. Petersburg, using the alias Olga. Her journey begins with a series of awkward moments at the airport, where she has her photo taken and fingerprints recorded, marking the start of a secretive new life.

New York City Airport
6

Nina Reveals Her True Identity

Once in her hotel room, Nina reveals her natural blonde hair, coming clean about her secretive persona by removing her black wig and fake fingerprints. This moment highlights her dual life and the complexities of her character.

Hotel, New York City
7

Dimitri's Operations in Russia

In Russia, Nina’s employer, Dimitri, operates a similar soul storage business, extracting and selling Russian souls to Americans. Nina acts as a discreet 'mule,' frequently traveling back to New York with souls in tow.

Russia
8

The Desperate Russian Client

A woman in Russia desperately seeks to reclaim her soul from Dimitri’s operation. However, she is informed that her contract prevents her from retrieving it, illustrating the harsh realities of the soul storage business.

Russia
9

Sveta's Despair and Hope

Sveta, Dimitri's stunning wife who once starred in soap operas, falls into despair and rumors circulate that she might acquire a soul from the U.S., specifically one from Al Pacino. This rumor adds to the tension surrounding soul extraction.

Unknown
10

Paul's Attempt to Enhance Performance

In hopes of improving his acting skills, Paul decides to implant the soul of a Russian poet. This decision temporarily boosts his performance, but he feels no lasting sense of fulfillment or happiness.

New York City
11

Nina's Bold Heist

During one of her visits, Nina cleverly distracts the receptionist, Stephanie, to steal Paul's soul—the only one the business has in possession. This theft sets off a series of unexpected and chaotic events.

Soul Storage Establishment, New York City
12

Paul's Quest for His Soul

Upon discovering that his soul is missing, Paul urgently tracks down Nina to retrieve it. This quest takes them both on an unexpected journey from New York to Russia, challenging both their motives and resolve.

New York City to Russia
13

Sveta's Party and the Extraction

At a party, Sveta is drugged, leading to the extraction of Paul's essence, which is then reduced to a dried chickpea-like semblance. This event marks a low point in Paul's chaotic journey, intertwining his fate with Sveta's.

Party location, Unknown
14

Visit to Olga's Home

Paul and Nina visit the home of the late poet Olga, who had tragically taken her own life. This visit serves as a moment of reflection for both characters and reveals the depths of the soul's impact on one's life.

Olga's Home, Russia
15

Paul's Recovery and Nina's Heartache

Upon returning to New York City, Paul finds himself confronted by Homeland Security aiming to dismantle the soul storage operation. In a heartening twist, Paul recovers his soul and feels joy again, while Nina comes to terms with her own heartache over her inability to reclaim her essence.

New York City

Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 00:05

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Cold Souls Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Cold Souls

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Cold Souls

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