I’m No Longer Here

I’m No Longer Here

Year: 2019

Runtime: 112 mins

Language: Spanish

Director: Luis Fernando Frías de la Parra

Echo Score: 77
DramaMoving relationship storiesHumanity and the world around usEmotional teen coming-of-age storiesTragic sadness and captivating beauty

A young man’s life takes an unexpected turn when a confrontation with a powerful cartel forces him to flee his home in Monterrey, Mexico. Leaving behind his tight-knit street gang, who find solace in dancing to slowed-down cumbia music and attending vibrant parties, he embarks on a journey to the United States. Despite the change of scenery, he finds himself yearning for the familiar rhythms and community he left behind.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen I’m No Longer Here yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – I’m No Longer Here (2019)

Explore the full timeline and setting of I’m No Longer Here (2019). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

2011

Set in 2011, the film portrays a period of intense gang activity in Monterrey and a growing wave of migration across the border. The early 2010s context shapes the characters' choices, fashion, and music as forms of identity and resistance. Deportation and transnational movement underscore the precariousness of life for young people on the margins.

Location

Monterrey, Mexico, Queens, New York, USA

The story begins in the crowded slums of Monterrey, where Los Terkos cultivate a bright, counter-cultural identity amid poverty and danger. The group spends their time at dance parties and showing off their colorful styles, living on the edge of crime. The narrative then shifts to Queens, New York, where Ulises attempts to rebuild his life among migrant workers and a foreign urban landscape.

🏙️ Urban setting 🧭 Migration context 🎨 Street culture

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:49

Main Characters – I’m No Longer Here (2019)

Meet the key characters of I’m No Longer Here (2019), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ulises Sampiero

A 17-year-old gang leader of Los Terkos who longs for belonging and respect in a volatile neighborhood. His loyalty to the crew clashes with the lure of a safer life abroad, and a stolen radio triggers mistrust that fractures his world. Deportation and isolation in the city reveal the personal cost of his choices.

🎭 Protagonist 🌍 Migrant 🧩 Gang leader

Lin

Mr. Loh's grandniece who befriends Ulises and helps him adapt by teaching English and offering shelter. Her curiosity about his past and willingness to learn create a fragile bridge between cultures. Lin's friendship offers a glimmer of belonging in a foreign city.

🤝 Friend 🧭 Cultural mediator

Jeremy

Ulises's friend from the slums who later embraces a different path, turning to Christianity and preaching to others in rap form. His transformation contrasts with the gang's violence and underscores a possible route to redemption or change. He remains a symbol of community and faith amid hardship.

🎤 Performer 🕊️ Faith

Chaparra

A fellow Los Terkos member who helps drive the plot and embodies the crew's presence in the neighborhood. She is part of the colorful, tight-knit group that defines the gang's identity. Her actions, though small, ripple through Ulises's fate.

🧩 Gang member 🎨 Colorful style

La Prendida

A member of Los Terkos who embodies the street dynamics of the slums and the loyalty that keeps the gang together. Her presence highlights the harsh environment that shapes Ulises's decisions. She contributes to the atmosphere of risk that frames the narrative.

🗡️ Gang member 🌆 Street presence

La Chida

Another Los Terkos member who participates in key moments of the gang's life in the slums. Her actions reflect the collective identity of the group and the pressures they face. She is part of the lived environment that forms Ulises's experience.

🧷 Gang member 🌀 Street culture

Mr. Low

Owner of the store whose rooftop becomes Ulises's early workplace and where Lin forms a friendship with him. He represents the ordinary civilian world intersecting with migrant life. His establishment acts as a minor hub in Ulises's new environment.

🏬 Store owner 🪵 Employer

Omar

A member of the Los F violence network who threatens Ulises and embodies the constant danger of the criminal underworld. His presence escalates the stakes for Ulises and shapes the decisions he makes about leaving the life he knew. Omar's presence marks the ongoing risk in the slums.

🎭 Antagonist 🗡️ Gang member

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:49

Major Themes – I’m No Longer Here (2019)

Explore the central themes of I’m No Longer Here (2019), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🛂 Migration

Ulises's move from Mexico to the United States marks a perilous escape from gang violence and a search for safety. The cross-border journey highlights the vulnerability of migrants, who face language barriers, precarious work, and uncertain legal status. The theme also considers how distance from home strains family ties and personal identity.

🪪 Identity

The film traces Ulises's struggle to define himself beyond Los Terkos, while Lin helps him navigate a new culture and language. The tension between street allegiance and a possible new self drives much of the character dynamic. Identity is shown as something learned, negotiated, and sometimes fractured by circumstance.

💥 Violence

Violence threads through the slums and the border, from drive-by shootings to threats from rival factions. Survival hinges on loyalty, quick decisions, and the willingness to leave a life behind. The narrative portrays violence as a corrosive force that disrupts families and futures.

🎶 Culture

Music and dance—Cumbia rebajada, Kolombia, and street performances—anchor Ulises's world and symbolize belonging. The portable MP3 device becomes a lifeline to home and a symbol of resistance against cultural erasure. Across borders, music travels and reshapes identity within migrant communities.

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:49

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of I’m No Longer Here

Don't stop at just watching — explore I’m No Longer Here in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what I’m No Longer Here is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

I’m No Longer Here Summary

Read a complete plot summary of I’m No Longer Here, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

I’m No Longer Here Summary

I’m No Longer Here Timeline

Track the full timeline of I’m No Longer Here with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

I’m No Longer Here Timeline

More About I’m No Longer Here

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about I’m No Longer Here: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About I’m No Longer Here

Explore More About Movie I’m No Longer Here

I’m No Longer Here (2019) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

I’m No Longer Here (2019) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

I’m No Longer Here (2019) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow