Crimes of the Future

As the uncharted future unfolds, a quantum leap in biotechnology has led to the creation of machines that seamlessly integrate with and control bodily functions, rendering them an indispensable part of daily life. Coinciding with this technological advancement is a mysterious series of biological transformations that have taken hold across humankind, with one peculiar phenomenon standing out: the vanishing act of physical pain and infectious disease for the vast majority of the population. This newfound immunity has enabled surgeons to operate on conscious patients in ordinary settings, but not everyone has been affected equally. One such individual is Brecken, an eight-year-old boy who possesses a unique ability – he can consume and digest plastics as if they were his favorite snack. His mother, convinced that her son is no longer human, takes matters into her own hands and smothers him to death, leaving the lifeless body to be discovered by his estranged father, Lang.

Meanwhile, Saul Tenser (played by ...) and Caprice are an internationally acclaimed performance art duo who capitalize on Tenser's "accelerated evolution syndrome," a condition that forces his body to perpetually develop new organs. They monetize this affliction by surgically removing these newly formed organs in front of live audiences, with Tenser enduring constant pain and discomfort due to respiratory and digestive issues. To alleviate these symptoms, he relies on an array of specialized bio-mechanical devices, including a bed that adjusts to his needs, a machine through which Caprice performs surgery on him, and a chair that assists him with eating by rotating and twitching.

As Tenser and Caprice navigate the world of performance art, they meet with bureaucrats from the National Organ Registry, a government agency tasked with regulating human evolution by cataloging and storing newly developed organs. One such bureaucrat, Timlin, is captivated by Tenser's artistic vision and declares that "surgery is the new sex," a sentiment shared by many characters who seem to have replaced traditional intimacy with repetitive cutting as their preferred means of sexual gratification.

In a separate development, a government police unit seeks to exploit Tenser's unique situation for their own purposes. Without confiding in Caprice, Tenser establishes connections through other biological performance art shows that ultimately lead him to a group of radical evolutionists. One such individual is former cosmetic surgeon Nasatir, who creates a zippered cavern in Tenser's stomach that Caprice later uses during an intimate oral sex act, fellating the wound and presumably accessing his internal organs while he revels in erotic pleasure. As Caprice continues to network with other performance artists, she decides to undergo decorative cosmetic surgery on her forehead.

As Tenser convenes with Timlin, the latter unveils the insidious agenda of the evolutionists: they have deliberately adapted their digestive systems to accommodate the consumption of plastics and synthetic chemicals, their primary sustenance being a noxious, purple "candy bar" of toxic waste, lethal to anyone else. This aberrant dietary choice is exemplified by Lang's son, Brecken, who was born with the unique ability to devour plastic, thereby invalidating the government's skeptical stance on human evolution.

Timlin attempts to initiate a physical encounter with Tenser, but he demurs, citing his ineptitude in "the ancient art of intimacy." Meanwhile, Lang approaches Tenser, seeking to exploit his relationship with Caprice to broadcast the cell's anti-government message through an open autopsy of Brecken's body, highlighting the evolved digestive system that has allowed him to thrive on plastic. After a period of deliberation, Tenser reluctantly agrees.

As Timlin, Lang, and others watch with bated breath, Tenser performs the autopsy, only to discover that Brecken's natural organ system has been surgically replaced. Enraged by this revelation, Lang flees in tears. Outside, he is confronted by two operatives claiming affiliation with the corporation responsible for manufacturing Tenser's biomedical devices. In a chilling echo of their earlier murder of Nasatir, they brutally assassinate Lang by driving power drills into his cranium.

Shaken by the senseless deaths of Brecken and Lang, Tenser confides in his police connection that Timlin had secretly replaced Brecken's organs to conceal the deviation in human evolution from public scrutiny. Saddened but resolute, Tenser announces that he will no longer serve as a pawn for the authorities, tacitly endorsing the cell's beliefs on evolutionary adaptation.

In a poignant display of acceptance, Tenser struggles to consume his meal while seated in his chair. He implores Caprice to provide him with a bar of plastic, which she obliges, recording the momentous occasion. As he devours the synthetic snack, Tenser's eyes well up with tears, and his face contorts into a faint, wistful smile as the chair finally quiets its restless occupants.