This Must Be the Place

Cheyenne, a wealthy former rock star, finds himself feeling bored and disillusioned after a two-decade hiatus in Dublin. His retirement followed the tragic suicides of two teenage fans, which left him in a state of deep reflection. He embarks on a journey to New York with the aim of reconciling with his estranged father during his father’s final moments, only to arrive after it’s too late. The reason Cheyenne provides for their thirty-year silence is rooted in his father’s rejection when he chose to wear goth make-up at the age of 15.

Upon discovering his father’s diary, Cheyenne learns about the harrowing experiences his father endured while imprisoned in Auschwitz, particularly at the hands of the former SS officer, Alois Lange. In search of closure, he consults Mordecai Midler, a professional Nazi hunter, who tells him that Lange is inconsequential compared to other historical figures.

Determined to confront his father’s past, Cheyenne sets off on a cross-country quest to locate Lange. Along the way, he encounters Lange’s wife, granddaughter, and a businessman. His journey leads him to a gun shop where he purchases a powerful weapon. It is here that a bystander delivers a poignant soliloquy about a particular pistol that allows individuals to “kill with impunity.” He reflects that this power transforms people into monsters, stating, > “if we’re licensed to be monsters we end up having just one desire – to truly be monsters.”

Eventually, with Mordecai’s assistance, Cheyenne tracks down Lange, who is now blinded by time. In their encounter, Lange reveals that he had received letters from Cheyenne’s father for many years. He recounts the humiliating moment that fueled Cheyenne’s father’s obsession, suggesting that while it was traumatic, it pales in comparison to the horrors of Auschwitz. Despite viewing this as a “minor incident,” Lange admits to respecting the man’s relentless commitment to his own misery.

In a haunting moment, Cheyenne takes a photograph of Lange and whispers that it was an injustice for his father to pass away before Lange. In a chilling act of retribution, Cheyenne forces the frail, blind Lange to walk out into the harsh salt flats, vulnerable and exposed like a Holocaust victim. Soon after, Cheyenne and Mordecai drive away, leaving Lange in his isolation.

On his return flight—overcoming his previous fear of flying—Cheyenne undergoes a profound transformation. He cuts his long rock-star hair, abandons his goth make-up, jewelry, and flamboyant outfits, signaling a new chapter in his life.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 17:47