Interstate

The story unfolds in a contemporary era, using modern roads, billboards, hospitals, and everyday technology to ground a surreal road trip. Time bends through Neal's experiences, as wishes and memories collide with reality. The narrative moves through moments that feel like a single journey rather than a fixed year, reflecting a current-day sensibility.

The film begins in a Midwestern urban setting in St. Louis before sending the protagonist on a cross-country journey along a fictional Interstate 60 route toward Danver, Colorado. It traverses a town called Morlaw where all citizens are lawyers and spend their days suing each other, and culminates in Danver with a revelation about the package and the truth behind the wish-granting.

✨ Wishcraft

The plot hinges on wishes granted with consequences that ripple through ordinary lives. Neal’s desire for direction triggers a chain of events that expose the costs of shortcuts and the fragility of choice. The mysterious figure testing wishes acts as a mirror, showing how easily desire can distort reality. The story leans into the idea that getting what you want may require facing truths you’d rather ignore.

🧭 Choice and Destiny

Characters chase personal fulfillment while battling external dictates—family expectations, societal norms, and the unpredictable twists of fate. The journey becomes a test of autonomy as Neal confronts pressure to conform to his father's expectations versus following his artistic calling. Time loops and road signs push him to decide who he will be. The film interrogates whether a life is chosen or merely steered by chance.

🎨 Art and Identity

Art emerges as a means of self-definition in a world where appearances can mislead. Neal’s drive to paint roadside motels and diners frames his search for authenticity amid commercial and deceptive façades. Lynn’s involvement hints at collaboration between creator and observer, suggesting art can translate private longing into public resonance. The narrative ties personal vision to broader questions of truth in a world full of imitations.