The Jacket

In 1991, Jack Starks serves as a soldier during the Gulf War, grappling with the complexities of combat. His voice-over reveals a haunting truth that he died for the first time at the age of 27, marking the beginning of his strange and tragic journey.

During his service, Jack has a startling encounter with a young boy, which is abruptly interrupted when he is shot in the head. This incident marks a critical turning point in Jack's life, leading to his eventual fate.

Fast forward to a year later, Jack finds himself hitchhiking along a snow-covered road. He encounters Jean Price, a troubled young mother under the influence, and her young daughter, inadvertently showcasing a rare act of kindness.

As Jack attempts to fix Jean's broken-down truck, he gives the young girl his army dog tags, a moment that surprises both the girl and Jean. However, Jean misinterprets Jack's good intentions and leaves hastily, convinced he is a threat.

After leaving the encounter with Jean, Jack gets a ride with a stranger, but their journey takes a dark turn when they are pulled over by a policeman. Enigmatically, Jack later finds himself on trial for the cop's murder, with no clear memory of the event.

Jack is declared guilty but insane and is consequently sent to an asylum overseen by Dr. Thomas Becker. This marks the beginning of his harrowing experience behind the locked doors of the mental institution.

In a chilling episode, Jack finds himself immobilized with drugs, confined inside a mortuary drawer. This ordeal triggers a flurry of flashbacks tied to his past, further blurring the lines between reality and hallucination.

On Christmas Eve, Jack unexpectedly meets Jackie Price at a diner. Their conversation reveals her struggles post-tragedy, and this connection leads Jack to discover the dog tags he had given her daughter earlier.

Jack becomes aware that he has inexplicably jumped forward in time to 2007, where he confronts Jackie about their intertwined fates. During this meeting, Jackie reveals that Jack died on January 1, 1993, due to a head injury, deepening the mystery.

Waking up back in the mortuary drawer in 1992, Jack resolves to understand and alter the events leading to his inevitable demise. His determination to revisit the future represents his quest to uncover the truth.

Jack eventually convinces Jackie to assist him in seeking out Dr. Beth Lorenson. Together, they delve into the psychiatrist's insights that stir memories and clues about Jack’s peculiar circumstances, leading to potential life-saving revelations.

Armed with knowledge of his past, Jack attempts to prevent the tragic fate of Jackie, echoing the loss of her mother he had yet to uncover fully. This effort emboldens his mission to alter the events surrounding January 1.

With perseverance, Jack persuades Dr. Lorenson to implement an innovative treatment for the boy she has been caring for in the asylum. This breakthrough therapy symbolizes hope and progress, intertwined with Jack's journey towards redemption.

In a climactic effort, Jack devises a plan to send a warning letter to Jean Price in hopes of changing the course of her life. His sense of urgency underscores the stakes involved as he races against time.

Ironically, upon returning to the asylum, Jack suffers a slip on the ice that leads to his fatal accident. However, the narrative twists as the magic of time reclaims him, sending him back to 2007, where new beginnings await.

In a poignant conclusion, Jack and Jackie reunite in 2007, transformed by the experiences that have followed them. They embark on a drive together, leaving the audience with lingering questions about the future.