Falling Down

On a scorching summer day in Los Angeles, a deeply troubled man, known as D-Fens, finds himself caught in chaotic traffic. Frustrated by the overwhelming gridlock, he decides to abandon his car, marking the beginning of a desperate journey westward.

As D-Fens embarks on his odyssey, he is fueled by the urgent need to reunite with his estranged wife, Beth, and their daughter, Adele. The pressure is on because it is Adele's birthday, leading him to make increasingly reckless choices throughout his quest.

Detective Prendergast, gearing up for his retirement, becomes intrigued by an abandoned vehicle that he discovers. This discovery sets him on a path to uncover the identity of the man behind the chaos, known as D-Fens.

Desperate and in need of a phone, D-Fens enters a Korean convenience store to make a simple purchase. When the store owner demands 85 cents for a can of Coke, D-Fens's frustration boils over, leading to a violent outburst with a baseball bat.

Continuing his journey, D-Fens encounters two young gang members at Venice Beach. In a tense confrontation, he defends himself by injuring one while the other flees, escalating the danger surrounding his actions.

Amid increasing threats from gangsters, D-Fens makes a bold call to his ex-wife, forebodingly asserting his presence at their daughter's birthday celebration. This alarming revelation intensifies the urgency for both D-Fens and the police.

Looking for food, D-Fens visits Whammy Burger, where a minor inconvenience prompts him to brandish a submachine gun. This escalates quickly into a scene of terror, forcing the staff and customers to confront the severity of his outbursts.

As D-Fens continues his rampage, Detective Prendergast diligently works to piece together the connections between the violent incidents. His investigation reveals disturbing truths about D-Fens's unraveling life and escalating hysteria.

D-Fens visits an Army-Navy surplus store, where a misunderstanding with the Nazi owner leads to a deadly confrontation. This incident underscores D-Fens's moral decline and the consequences of his uncontrollable actions.

While on a golf course, D-Fens confronts elderly players, openly expressing disdain for their pastime. His outburst culminates in a chaotic encounter that reflects his deep-seated frustrations with societal norms.

D-Fens's path of destruction leads him to his former home, where his ex-wife narrowly escapes his wrath. This drastic turn of events amplifies the stakes as Prendergast races against time to protect the family from D-Fens's impending chaos.

Detective Prendergast finally uncovers the true identity of D-Fens: William Foster, a man whose job loss and family breakdown have driven him to drastic measures. This revelation adds a layer of complexity to the man behind the madness.

In a tragic showdown on a fishing pier, D-Fens's motivations are laid bare as he seeks revenge and attempts to regain control. The confrontation escalates dramatically, ultimately revealing the depths of his despair and inner turmoil.

As the chaos peaks, Detective Prendergast intervenes to stop D-Fens, leading to a heart-wrenching resolution. Despite understanding Foster's grievances with society, Prendergast grapples with the necessity of law and order against such intense personal pain.

In the aftermath of the tragic events, Prendergast contemplates his role as a protector of society. The turmoil surrounding D-Fens's life complicates his retirement plans, suggesting that his fight against chaos will continue beyond his anticipated departure from the force.