“Enter The Void” is a unique film set in Tokyo that delves into the concept of the afterlife. It follows the journey of a junkie named Oscar from his death to his reincarnation. The movie unfolds from Oscar’s perspective, showing his death, his reflections on his past life, and his eventual rebirth. The movie explores how Oscar’s life choices ripple through the lives of those around him, particularly his sister Linda and his friend Alex. As Oscar revisits memories, many of them are tinged with regret and sorrow.
His affair with Suzy causes turmoil in her family and ultimately leads to his demise. Similarly, Linda regrets her relationship with Mario, influenced by Oscar’s drug dealings, which also put Alex in trouble with the police. The film portrays the idea that after death, individuals must confront their past mistakes and relive their lives. Oscar’s journey highlights this as he faces his nightmares and confronts the consequences of his decisions. Ultimately, he must make a choice about his reincarnated life.
Enter the Void (2009) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
“Enter the Void” is a 2009 film featuring Nathaniel Brown as Oscar, Paz De La Huerta as Linda, and Cyril Roy as Alex. The movie delves into the journey that occurs after death, offering an exploration of the afterlife experience up to the point of reincarnation. Based on the teachings of “The Tibetan Book of the Dead,” the film explores the soul’s journey after death. According to the book, souls have the choice to ascend to higher realms or be reborn. It also touches upon the idea of souls choosing their future parents. The movie concludes with an open ending, suggesting that Oscar may have reincarnated through Linda.
Who is Oscar?
The movie starts with Oscar, a junkie living in Tokyo with his sister. He refuses to find a regular job and instead sells drugs to support his addiction. He’s saved up money to buy a plane ticket for his sister Linda to join him in Tokyo. They often ponder about the afterlife while gazing at the sky together. Oscar mentions a book called “The Book of The Dead,” borrowed from his friend Alex.
While Linda heads off to work, Oscar gets high in their apartment. While he’s tripping, his friend Victor asks him to bring his share of pills to a bar called “The Void.” Despite Oscar’s attempt to convince Victor to meet at home, Victor insists on meeting at the bar. As Oscar starts to sober up to meet Victor, Alex shows up at his apartment. Alex tells Oscar about Linda and Mario, which upsets Oscar as he dislikes seeing them together.
How did Oscar die?
Alex expresses his want to see Linda, but Oscar informs him about his meeting at The Void. Alex isn’t keen on the place, so he stays outside. Observing Oscar carrying too many pills, Alex warns him and suggests asking Victor to handle them instead. However, Oscar refuses, citing his mother’s past experiences. Curious, Oscar asks about Bruno, their drug dealer, and if he has anything stronger than DMT. Alex cautions him, saying that such substances could harm his brain. He then explains the concept from the book, saying that when a person dies, they witness their life moments in a magical mirror. Afterward, they exist as ghosts, able to see and hear everything but unable to communicate with the living. Although there are doors to higher realms, most people opt to remain.
Those who choose to remain will experience a negative journey, eventually leading to reincarnation. Their only chance of escape is a yellow light, symbolizing couples engaging in intercourse. By witnessing their future with the couple, they can select the life they desire and be reborn through that woman. This cycle continues until they decide to move on to higher realms. Alex feels disheartened as the afterlife offers nothing better for humans.
Upon reaching The Void, Victor apologizes to Oscar. Before Oscar can ask further, the police arrive to arrest him. He rushes to the toilet to dispose of the drugs, but the police persistently bang on the door. Eventually, one officer shoots through the closed door, hitting Oscar in the chest. Originally, Oscar believes he’s still under the influence of DMT, but soon, he realizes his soul is leaving his body, implying he is now dead.
What happened after Oscar’s death?
After his death, Oscar watches his body being searched by the police. He flies out of The Void and witnesses a distraught Victor being apprehended by the authorities. He also notices Alex asking about what happened, but the officials dismiss it as an accident. Victor informs Alex about Oscar’s death, prodding Alex to flee. He attempts to enter a strip club where Linda works, but the guards deny him access due to its private nature.
Oscar enters the club and sees Linda dancing. He watches as Linda and Mario become intimate, and when her phone rings, Mario quickly silences it. It is Alex calling, and he leaves a message for Linda, informing her that Oscar was shot in the chest by the cops and is now dead. Alex also advises Linda to be cautious of the authorities. Linda listens to the message after Mario leaves, and she breaks down.
Oscar remembers the time he spent with his family and the day his parents passed away. He and Linda made a promise to always stay together, but Child Protective Services separated them. Despite this, they vowed to keep their promise. He then thinks back to before Linda came to Tokyo. Alex suggested he call Linda to join him there, but Oscar said he didn’t have enough money. Alex also warned him against getting involved in drugs.
Then, he reminisces about the day Victor invited him for dinner. Victor’s mother, Suzy, a former stripper, offered Oscar money to bring Linda to Tokyo. Some days later, Suzy visited Oscar’s apartment, and they became intimate. Oscar recalls his mother’s promise to watch over him from the sky after her passing. Oscar remembers how he started earning money by selling drugs to women until he finally saved enough to call Linda to Tokyo.
Later, Oscar recalls the day Alex introduced him to Bruno. Alex warned him about Bruno and also informed him about DMT, revealing that DMT is the same chemical that is released when a person dies. Alex then lends Oscar the Book of the Dead. Soon after, Oscar picks up Linda from the airport, and they visit an amusement park together. Later, they go to a club where Mario offers Linda a job, and they spend some time together.
Is Linda Pregnant?
Oscar becomes furious and warns Mario not to touch Linda, but Mario dismisses him. Oscar attempts to sell drugs to girls at the strip club. But Mario bans him from the club. Then, Oscar meets Bruno and buys DMT. Later, he stops by Victor’s house and flirts with Suzy until Victor arrives. When Victor confronts Oscar about his behavior with his mother, Victor becomes furious, hits Oscar with a bottle, and runs away. The next day, Suzy calls Oscar to inform him that Victor did not come home.
When Linda leaves for work, Oscar takes the DMT. He receives a call from Victor and experiences a hallucination in the Void, witnessing all that has happened to him. Later, he sees Linda identifying his corpse and witnesses his body being cremated. Linda burns all of Oscar’s drugs and calls Saki, Alex’s friend, to talk. Meanwhile, Oscar flies to Alex’s apartment and sees the police searching for clues. He also witnesses Victor being interrogated by the police about Alex. After a few days, Linda takes a pregnancy test that comes back positive.
Enter the Void (2009) Movie Ending Explained:
Does Oscar Reincarnate?
Oscar observes Alex fleeing from the police and hiding. He also witnesses a conversation between Mario and Linda, where it is revealed that Linda was fired from her job. Oscar enters Linda’s mind and sees her dreaming about him waking up at the morgue. Victor approaches Linda, apologizing for turning Oscar to the police, but Linda tells him to leave. A roommate of Alex meets him to give him some money and a jacket, informing him that Linda wants to meet him. Later, Linda meets with Alex, and they ride a taxi together.
Alex consoles her, and they stop at a Love Hotel. After witnessing other couples being intimate in adjacent rooms, Oscar sees Linda and Alex making love. As they climax, Oscar enters Linda’s body and witnesses her getting impregnated. Soon, Oscar hears the cries of a woman as he exits her womb. He observes the woman, with his vision blurred, as she catches her breath after giving birth. The baby cries uncontrollably after the umbilical cord is cut. It is hinted that Oscar has reincarnated as Linda and Alex’s baby.