He Never Died

The main character, Jack, bears the heavy burden of a long and violent life that dates back to the very beginnings of humanity. As the narrative unfolds, we come to understand that Jack’s true identity is Quayin, a name that translates to “Cain” in Hebrew. After relocating to the United States, he held numerous jobs while continuing a life marked by chaos, violence, and cannibalism. When asked about his various occupations, he quips a long list including boxer, bodyguard, antique dealer, business owner, construction worker, truck driver, history teacher, soldier, manager, landscaper, bootlegger, wreck diver, miner, movie stuntman, medic, nurse, cook, prisoner, gambler, horse breeder, potter, tinsmith, blacksmith, mechanic, and retail salesperson.

However, Jack has reached a point where he no longer sees killing and eating humans as his purpose in life. He has sunk into a deep depression, spending his days sleeping, watching TV, and playing bingo at a local diner, while limiting human interactions. Refusing to consume meat, he survives on blood provided by a paid medic from a nearby hospital. His monotonous existence is suddenly disrupted when some local thugs, looking to collect a debt, confront his blood supplier. In a deadpan manner, Jack dispatches them with ease, showcasing his immense strength and remarkable ability to heal from injuries, even resorting to painfully extracting bullets from his own immortal, self-repairing flesh.

Complicating his life further is his 19-year-old daughter, an alcoholic who seeks him out and is soon kidnapped by the criminal thugs. This revelation forces Jack to confront his feelings and consider if he should intervene in her peril. The violence that follows reignites his primal hunger for human flesh; he begins indulging in grotesque acts, devouring human fingers and lapping up blood from the floor while contemplatively muttering, “> This could be bad.” In a particularly brutal scene, Jack uses needle-nose pliers to extract a bullet from his own brain—a testament to his resilience and immortality.

After creating chaos reminiscent of Old Testament stories, Jack interrogates one of his injured attackers, leading to the discovery that a former criminal ally intends to punish him by targeting his daughter. Torn between the urge to save her and the reminder of his dark past, Jack ultimately decides to flee, allowing his daughter to fall into the hands of her captors, who had already caused her mother’s demise. He hastily packs a duffel bag with cash and meaningful keepsakes from his past and finds himself in an alley, gnawing on a severed finger, lost in thought.

Among his possessions is an ancient Roman knife, upon which he reads the inscription: “leginum conviction scientia veritate,” meaning “Legion: Certainty of belief and knowledge of truth.” Reflecting on its significance, Jack prepares for an unexpected turn as he surprisingly asks his girlfriend to assist in rescuing their daughter. The culmination leads Jack to confront his evil former associate in a brutal showdown, where he violently incapacitates his old foe, handing his battered daughter off to his girlfriend for urgent care. It becomes clear that his motivations for the rescue are deeply personal, as he admits, “I’m doing this for me.”

The film concludes with a surreal standoff between Jack and an unseen man with a goatee, representing his internal struggles. As Jack’s cannibalistic thoughts are abruptly interrupted by the urgent need to help his daughter, he realizes his primary obligation lies with her. He walks away from potential violence to ensure her safety, telling his nemesis that he will one day see the truths Jack was trying to convey. The closing scene leaves viewers with a lingering sense of mystery as the camera isolates the injured foe and the mysterious man, who ominously greets him with a booming “Hi,” as the screen fades to black.

Last Updated: October 27, 2024 at 22:33