This Must Be the Place

Cheyenne, a former rock star, finds himself in a state of ennui after retiring from music for two decades. Living in Dublin, he struggles with the weight of his past and the sorrow he feels over the suicide of two of his teenage fans.

Cheyenne decides to travel to New York seeking to reconcile with his estranged father, who is in his final hours. This decision marks a significant step in Cheyenne's quest for closure and understanding, stemming from years of unresolved conflict.

Upon reaching New York, Cheyenne discovers he is too late to see his father alive. The missed opportunity amplifies his feelings of regret and underscores the complex relationship he had with his father over the past thirty years.

In the wake of his father's death, Cheyenne reads through his father's diary. This moment unveils his father's traumatic experiences in Auschwitz and the deep impact it had on his life, providing Cheyenne with insights into his father's pain.

Cheyenne seeks out a professional Nazi hunter named Mordecai Midler, hoping for answers and closure regarding his father's past. Mordecai reveals that the former SS officer Alois Lange, who tormented his father, is not a figure of great significance in the larger scheme of things.

Determined to confront Lange, Cheyenne embarks on a journey across the United States. His quest becomes both a search for justice and a means of confronting his own demons.

Throughout his travels, Cheyenne meets Lange's wife, granddaughter, and various people who provide clues and insight into Lange's life. These interactions deepen Cheyenne's understanding of his father's past and the impact of Lange’s actions on their family.

In a poignant moment, Cheyenne purchases a large gun, feeling the weight of his mission to confront Lange. At the gun shop, a bystander shares a chilling monologue on the nature of violence and the moral implications of such power.

Eventually, Cheyenne finds Lange, who is now blind and isolated. The encounter is charged with emotions as Lange recounts the lasting effects he had on Cheyenne's father, revealing a complex interplay of fear and admiration.

In a shocking turn, Cheyenne forces Lange to walk out into the salt flats, stark naked, mirroring the suffering of Holocaust victims. This act symbolizes Cheyenne's struggle to reclaim his father's dignity and confront the horrors of the past.

After leaving Lange standing in the salt flats, Cheyenne shares a silent moment with Mordecai as they drive away. This act serves as a form of catharsis for Cheyenne, albeit a violent and haunting one.

In a significant personal triumph, Cheyenne boards a plane to return home, overcoming his longstanding fear of flying. This flight symbolizes his emerging courage and willingness to confront his past.

Upon returning home, Cheyenne undergoes a considerable transformation by cutting his rock-star hair and abandoning his goth attire. This change signifies his attempt to shed the weight of his previous identity and embrace a new chapter in his life.

As Cheyenne steps into this new phase of his life, he reflects on the journey he has undertaken. The experiences have reshaped him, prompting a deeper understanding of grief, redemption, and the legacy of his father.