Zachariah

Zachariah and his best friend Matthew stumble upon a mail-order gun while riding through the desert and quickly sense its deadly potential. They imagine a future beyond their small town by becoming gunfighters of color and excitement. The discovery sets them on a journey that will test loyalty, courage, and the meaning of freedom.

The duo follows a criminal band called The Crackers into a saloon and faces taunting hostility from an older rough-looking man who calls them gay. Zachariah shoots the aggressor dead, demonstrating a quick talent for gunplay. By force of will, they maneuver their way into joining The Crackers, only to realize they are inept at real crimes and eventually leave them behind.

A taunting fiddler lures Zachariah toward Job Cain, the legendary outlaw, at his home saloon. Cain challenges them to shoot each other to prove their talent, but Zachariah refuses, sensing it would lock him into a future he doesn't want. He leaves Cain’s circle to seek answers elsewhere, while Matthew stays behind to join Cain.

Zachariah meets an Old Man living alone in the desert who offers him shelter if he leaves his gun outside. The Old Man points toward El Camino, a border town rumored to hold both danger and beauty. Zachariah rides away the next day, drawn to the mystery of this rumored place.

In El Camino, a sin city centered around Belle Starr’s brothel, Zachariah is drawn to pleasures and easy confidence but soon realizes that this path is not what he seeks. He charms Belle into a private moment, yet understands that hedonism isn’t the answer. The encounter serves as a distraction rather than a destination.

Back with Cain, Matthew advances into a trusted position and begins plotting to outshine his rival. He imagines a future where he is the top gunman by any means necessary. This ambition foreshadows the conflict that will pull him away from Zachariah.

Zachariah returns to the Old Man’s compound and learns to slow down, discovering the beauty and stillness of the desert. The Old Man teaches him a harsh mantra, Hurry up and die, to emphasize how life is a cycle of change that should be savored. He sheds most of his gunfighter attire and shifts toward a more spiritual outlook.

Cain announces the plan to take his men to El Camino and asks Matthew to guard the saloon in his absence. Matthew secretly follows him instead, eager to maintain control and test his own edge. The pursuit leads him back toward the Old Man’s compound, where he and Zachariah will soon rejoin.

Matthew stops at the Old Man’s compound, where he reunites with Zachariah and announces his plan to duel Cain in El Camino. The two brothers-in-arms begin to prepare, setting the stage for a confrontation that will decide not just skill but their friendship. The Old Man is horrified by the looming violence and withdraws, warning them in silence.

In the morning, Zachariah finds an arrowhead and the Old Man speaks again, signaling he is ready to die. The Old Man dies shortly after, leaving Zachariah with a heavier sense of consequence and a symbol of the desert’s cold truth. The death marks a turning point in Zachariah’s inner journey.

Matthew confronts Cain in El Camino and shoots him dead, signaling the collapse of Cain's power and enabling Matthew's ascent. The moment hints at a celebration with Belle Starr and signals a shift in power. He returns to the compound and goads Zachariah into a final showdown, setting the stage for their last clash.

Zachariah and Matthew finally collide in a dirt-streaked hand-to-hand duel, with Zachariah attempting to stall while Matthew presses forward. After a tense moment, Zachariah rides away and Matthew, with all bullets spent and a new clarity, laughs as he chases the sunset. They ride toward the horizon together, realizing that their bond matters more than the gunfighter life they pursued.