Kalifornia 1993

As a journalist-turned-psychology-graduate-student, Brian Kessler (David Duchovny) had already gained notoriety for his article on serial killers. A publisher’s offer to turn his writing into a book deal proved too enticing to resist, but the advance soon disappeared, leaving him scrambling to meet the deadline. His photographer girlfriend Carrie Laughlin (Michelle Forbes) saw an opportunity to escape their Pittsburgh roots and persuaded Brian to embark on a road trip to California, where they would visit infamous murder sites along the way. To make ends meet, Brian posted a ride-share ad, unaware that his life was about to take a drastic turn.

Meanwhile, Early Grayce (Brad Pitt), a sociopathic parolee, had just been fired from his job. His parole officer (Judson Vaughn) paid him a visit at the trailer park where he lived with his young girlfriend Adele Corners (Juliette Lewis). Early’s reluctance to take up a new opportunity as a college janitor sparked a heated exchange with his parole officer, who threatened to return him to prison if he failed to comply. With no other options, Early reluctantly accepted the job offer and set off for the interview.

As fate would have it, Early stumbled upon Brian’s ride-share ad at the college and decided to take a chance. He sent Adele ahead, under the guise of meeting his girlfriend at the destination, while he took care of some personal business – namely, murdering the landlord who had been harassing him. When Brian agreed to meet this unlikely duo, Carrie was skeptical, urging Brian to turn back and leave these rough-around-the-edges strangers behind. But Brian’s curiosity got the better of him, and he convinced Carrie to give them a chance.

As they hit the road, Early’s true nature began to reveal itself. Unbeknownst to his companions, he committed a gruesome murder in a gas station bathroom, making off with the victim’s cash. When they arrived at their first hotel, Early took it upon himself to give Adele a makeover, styling her hair to match Carrie’s signature look. At another stop, he invited Brian out for a game of pool, leaving Adele and Carrie alone together. It was then that Adele confided in Carrie about her dark past as a rape victim, revealing that she saw Early as her protector – a notion that filled Carrie with alarm.

As the trip wore on, Carrie grew increasingly uneasy about Brian’s growing fascination with Early and his nonchalant response to the revelation that Early had just been released from prison. She issued an ultimatum: either they rid themselves of this duo or she would be gone for good. The tension was palpable as the group continued their journey, each member unaware of the horrors that lay ahead.

As the trio continues their arduous journey, a grim revelation awaits them at the next gas station stop. The television screens broadcast an unsettling news report, detailing the suspected crimes of their captor, Early (played by a ruthless [actor name]). With cold calculation, he eliminates the attendant and forces Brian and Carrie to join him as unwitting hostages. Their path soon crosses with two unsuspecting police officers, whom Early mercilessly executes. When ordered to finish off one of the wounded men, Brian’s conscience rebels against the command, foreshadowing a moral crisis that will unfold.

The group’s next stop is an elderly couple’s home, where Early unleashes his brutality, beating the man to death and leaving Adele (Carrie) no choice but to abandon her companions. In a moment of defiance, she confronts Early, refusing to be complicit in his atrocities. Her bravery ultimately proves futile, as Early takes her life with a fatal shot. As he turns his attention to Brian, striking him on the head, Carrie finds herself once more at the mercy of their tormentor.

Brian’s prolonged unconsciousness is interrupted by the kind elderly woman, who provides him with the keys to her truck and sets him on a path of vengeance. His destination: an abandoned nuclear testing site, where he lays in wait for Early, armed with nothing but a shovel. The ensuing confrontation results in Brian’s surprise attack, leaving Early stunned but very much alive.

As Carrie, still handcuffed to a bed, endures the horrors of sexual assault at Early’s hands, Brian’s anger and frustration reach a boiling point. He returns to find his loved one in distress and launches a fierce counterattack against their tormentor. The brutal fight ends with Early meeting his maker, struck down by a hail of bullets.

The film concludes on a somber note, as Brian and Carrie find themselves in a California beach house, attempting to rebuild their shattered lives. Carrie’s transformation is evident – her once short hair now flows like a golden mane down her back – and she shares the news that an art gallery has taken notice of her work. As they prepare to celebrate this new chapter, Brian’s tape player drifts into the background, carrying Adele’s poignant voice as she reflects on the fleeting nature of their friendship and the devastating consequences of Early’s actions.