Riding the Bullet

In the autumn of 1969, Alan Parker, a university student, begins to grapple with profound feelings of existential dread and emotional turmoil. His artistic expressions become increasingly fixated on themes of death, raising concerns from his professor about his mental state.

On October 30th, Alan fears that his girlfriend, Jessica, intends to end their relationship. Consumed by anxiety on his birthday, he isolates himself in the bathtub, using cannabis to numb his spiraling thoughts of despair and suicidal ideation.

As Alan sinks deeper into darkness, he is visited by the Grim Reaper, an eerie figure embodying death. The Reaper whispers temptations of despair into his ear, heightening Alan's feelings of chaos and hopelessness.

Just as Alan reaches his breaking point, Jessica and his friends burst into the bathroom, throwing a surprise birthday celebration. However, the moment takes a tragic turn as Alan accidentally hurts himself amid the chaos.

Alan regains consciousness in a hospital bed, where he is met with Jessica's mix of anger and genuine concern. She tells him of her love and gives him tickets to a John Lennon concert, hopeful for a rekindling of their relationship.

After being discharged from the hospital, Jessica confronts Alan about the emotional barriers he has built. She expresses how this wall has distanced him from her, leaving Alan conflicted and in deep contemplation.

Alan receives tragic news: his mother, Jean, has suffered a stroke. With a heavy heart, he decides to return home to Lewiston, Maine, giving his concert tickets to his roommates as a selfless gesture.

As Alan returns to his hometown, memories of his father's funeral resurface, conjuring images of his mother's eventual demise. These thoughts plague him as he feels the weight of grief and mortality hanging over him.

On his journey, Alan is involved in a harrowing near-miss accident when he hitchhikes with Ferris, an army deserter. They barely escape a head-on collision but crash into a ditch, igniting Alan's fears of death.

Following the accident, Alan embarks on a hallucinatory journey that blurs the lines between life and death. He encounters vibrant apparitions and memories associated with his mother's love, reflecting on past family moments.

In this dreamlike state, Alan encounters a ghostly version of himself who warns him about ignoring the signs of his impending fate. The apparition leads him to a grave and reminds him of the fragile nature of life.

Alan learns of George Staub's tragic decapitation in a car accident, leading to a haunting choice: who should accompany him to the afterlife? His inability to choose raises a storm of fear and uncertainty within him.

In a moment of panic, Alan chooses his mother to accompany him in death, resulting in a violent expulsion from George's vehicle. This tumultuous moment sends Alan back to reality, leaving him grappling with his choices.

Alan rushes to the hospital, only to find his mother succumbing to a heart attack while watching television. This devastation leaves Alan fractured and lost, mourning the loss of his last family connection.

Years later, Alan arrives at Thrill Village, the site of his childhood memories, hoping to reclaim his lost courage. He decides to confront his fears by riding 'The Bullet,' symbolizing his acceptance of life's profound truths.