Ride the Eagle

Leif, a man in his forties, grapples with perpetual adolescence while barely making ends meet as a percussionist in a struggling rock band. His life is marked by stagnation and apathy, living in a dilapidated shed on the outskirts of Los Angeles with only his loyal Labrador, Nora, for company.

Leif receives the shocking news of his mother Honey's death from cancer, which strikes him unexpectedly. His detached reaction reflects their estranged relationship, as he had cut ties with her years ago after she abandoned him to pursue a life within a cult.

To Leif's astonishment, he inherits Honey's rustic cabin located in Yosemite National Park, with the caveat that he must complete several tasks described in a video message she left behind. These tasks serve as emotional triggers designed to address the unresolved feelings and connection between mother and son.

Upon arriving at the cabin, Leif finds that Honey had left behind a considerable amount of marijuana, reflecting her playful and carefree spirit. The tasks laid out for him include rowing across a lake, leaving a nighttime farewell note, and catching a fish by hand.

One of the tasks leads Leif to rekindle contact with his past love, Audrey, who is dealing with her own recent breakup. Despite the undeniable chemistry they share over the phone, Audrey is initially reluctant to revisit their relationship, ultimately agreeing to meet at the cabin.

Leif's hopes of rekindling his romance with Audrey are dashed when he receives the bitter news that his band has let him go. The demolition notice for the shed he called home adds to his feelings of despair and uncertainty about the future.

The situation takes a grim turn when Leif discovers two dismembered rabbits smeared across the windshield of his van. This shocking sight intensifies his already soaring anxiety regarding his final task — performing a heartfelt song on his bongos.

In a moment of solitude, Leif embarks on a lonely walk while Nora stays behind reluctantly at the cabin. Upon returning, he finds that Nora has mysteriously disappeared, prompting him to urgently call the authorities and write a desperate note for her safety.

That night, Carl, the irritable neighbor, intrudes upon the cabin and unleashes scornful comments toward Leif. Carl mistakenly assumes Leif is Nora’s lover rather than her owner, which deeply shatters Leif's perception of his relationship with both Nora and Honey.

Struggling with grief and unresolved emotions, Leif embarks on a pilgrimage to Green Lake, where he grapples with Nora's ashes alongside a heartfelt letter she wrote. This experience serves as a cathartic moment for him, urging reflection on his life and relationships.

Returning to the cabin, Leif finds Nora miraculously safe, although the cannabis stash has vanished. This moment is bittersweet as he is left with a haunting video message from his mother, which inspires him to reclaim control over his life and emotions.

As Leif grapples with his tumultuous thoughts, he decides to reach out to Audrey once more through text messages. This moment marks a pivotal shift as he considers taking decisive steps toward reconnecting with her and moving forward.

In a moment charged with optimism, Leif makes the decision to undertake an exhausting eight-hour drive to meet Audrey. This journey symbolizes his hope for a new beginning and marks a significant turning point in his efforts to establish emotional connections.