Stir of Echoes: The Homecoming

The events unfold in the Iraq War era, with deployment overseas and a quick return home two weeks after the accident. The early 2000s context shapes the political and personal pressures that push Ted toward confronting past actions. The narrative threads through the immediate aftermath of violence, PTSD symptoms, and a haunting that seeks closure.

Set between a war-torn Iraq checkpoint and a quiet Chicago home, the film follows Ted's dual worlds. In Iraq, a fatal checkpoint incident shatters a family and haunts him long after he returns. Back in Chicago, the domestic life with his wife Molly and son Max is eroded by memory, visions, and the search for truth.

🧠 Trauma

Ted's experiences in Iraq leave him with post-traumatic stress and a heavy burden of guilt for the deaths he witnessed. The film follows his flashbacks, intrusive visions, and the strain these memories place on his family life. Trauma is treated as both a psychological wound and a catalyst for the haunting that drives the plot.

👻 Haunting

A burned man and the spirit of Farzan haunt Ted, forcing him to confront unresolved violence. The visions complicate his grip on reality and push him to uncover the truth behind the deaths. The supernatural element acts as a mechanism to reveal moral accountability and seek closure.

🕊️ Consequences

The trauma and violence ripple through Ted's family, especially his son Max and wife Molly, altering their relationships and trust. The deaths generate anger, xenophobia, and fear among Max's peers, while the grown-ups struggle with forgiveness and responsibility. The ending suggests healing comes through confession, acceptance, and moving on, even as grief remains.