Upstream Color

The film opens with a character known as the 'Thief,' who engages in a sinister experiment involving a peculiar larva. This larva is notorious for its bizarre effects on the human psyche when ingested, setting the stage for the disturbing events that follow.

Kris, portrayed by Amy Seimetz, is abducted in a nightclub after being unexpectedly tasered by the Thief. This event marks the beginning of her descent into a nightmare where she becomes a pawn in the Thief's manipulative game.

After forcing Kris to ingest the larva, the Thief uses hypnotic suggestion to control her. He distracts her with mindless tasks while secretly directing her actions, leading her to liquidate assets and further manipulate her financial situation.

Once released from the Thief's control, Kris experiences a disturbing awakening at her home. She finds herself surrounded by filth, only to discover unsettling movements beneath her skin, revealing the physical toll of her trauma.

A character known as the 'Sampler' takes Kris to his farm, where he performs a secretive transfusion to transfer a worm from her body into a pig. This bizarre and unsettling operation further intertwines their fates.

Kris wakes up disoriented in an abandoned SUV, struggling to remember the events that transpired. Upon returning home, she is haunted by the remnants of her trauma but feels powerless to seek help from anyone.

After cleaning her home, Kris heads to work only to find herself fired for her unexplained absence. A visit to the grocery store shocks her with the realization that she is completely broke, a direct result of the Thief's manipulation.

A year later, Kris encounters Jeff on a train, and they form a connection over their shared traumas. As their relationship deepens, they discover they both have undergone mysterious medical procedures, marked by identical surgical scars.

Kris' visit to the doctor reveals a shocking health issue: she has been treated for endometrial cancer, rendering her infertile. This diagnosis adds another layer of emotional turmoil to her already complicated life.

As the Sampler's pig gives birth to piglets that he callously discards, Kris and Jeff's emotional turmoil escalates. This act mirrors their internal chaos, prompting Kris to recklessly search for lost aspects of her life while Jeff confronts his coworkers in anger.

Kris and Jeff reunite at her home to prepare for the chaos they sense coming. Armed with supplies, including a gun, they take refuge in her bathroom, clinging to hope amid the feelings of despair and uncertainty.

Kris and Jeff begin to intertwine their personal histories, with moments of shared trauma surfacing during their conversations. This connection intensifies as Kris recites *Walden* while swimming, reflecting their deepening bond.

The film reaches a climax as Kris, Jeff, and the Sampler meet in a stark, surreal setting. During this encounter, Kris acknowledges her awareness of the Sampler, only for the situation to take a sudden turn with the Sampler suffering a heart attack.

In the aftermath, Kris and Jeff gather others who have suffered similar fates at the hands of the Thief and transform the farm into a sanctuary for pigs. This act symbolizes their desire to break free from the Thief's grasp and heal.

The film concludes on a hopeful note with Kris cradling a baby pig, a symbol of innocence and renewal. This serene moment encapsulates her resilience and the possibility of starting anew after a harrowing journey.