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I'm No Longer Here

I'm No Longer Here 2020

Runtime

112 min

Language

Spanish

Spanish

Made by

Netflix

Netflix

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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of I'm No Longer Here (2020). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


The film unfolds through a nonlinear narrative, weaving together the life of Ulises, a 17-year-old gang leader of Los Terkos in Monterrey, with his experiences in the United States. Here’s a more structured look at the plot:

In 2011, Ulises finds camaraderie among his gang, who embrace the vibrant Kolombia counter-culture—characterized by Cumbia rebajada, a slowed-down version of Cumbia. The gang’s signature style includes bright, baggy attire and outrageous hairstyles, as they revel in colorful dance parties.

A routine money collection from students takes a turn when Ulises and his crew encounter members of a rival gang, Los F, who attempt to intimidate them. The situation escalates when a member of Los F is apprehended by the police, and one of the Terkos snatches a hand radio from the criminal. In a moment of mischief, the gang uses the radio to prank Los F, only to be threatened by armed gang members who warn Ulises and his friend Jeremy to abandon their carefree lifestyle or face dire consequences.

A shocking drive-by shooting of Los Pelones, another gang, exposes Ulises to the grave dangers surrounding him. A survivor, misinterpreting Ulises’s possession of the stolen radio, declares him a traitor and demands his swift departure, or else his family will be in grave danger. Fleeing the turmoil, Ulises’s mother arranges for his illegal smuggling into the U.S., strongly advising him to steer clear of crime. In a heartfelt goodbye, his gang member Chaparra gifts him the much-coveted MP3 player.

Upon arriving in Queens, Ulises finds himself at odds with a group of day laborers due to language barriers and cultural differences. This friction culminates in a fight at a party, prompting him to take up a cleaning job at a store owned by Mr. Loh, a generous Chinese man. His grandniece, Lin, takes an interest in Ulises and befriends him despite his troubled past. She provides him with a dictionary to help him with his English and a place to stay in a shabby rooftop shed.

In his quest for easy money, Ulises attempts to dance in public spaces but is met with police scrutiny. One night, he goes to a party with Lin, but after feeling overwhelmed and nostalgic, he leaves alone. A call home reveals his mother’s fears of Los F, closing the door on his return. Seeking solace, he converses with a Colombian sex worker at a local bar, yet is ultimately told they cannot meet again. Feeling lost, Ulises turns to paint thinner, indulging in intoxication and impulsively cutting his hair.

As fate would have it, his situation worsens when he is caught by the police while homeless and subsequently deported back to Mexico after a stint in prison. Back in Monterrey, he discovers the grim reality: Los F has usurped control over the area, and many former Terkos are now aligned with the criminal group. After attending a funeral of a former comrade, Ulises encounters Jeremy, who has found his faith and preaches to the youth in the slums. Despite an invitation to stay with him, Ulises chooses the solitude of the streets.

In a poignant moment of reflection, he dances once more, letting the melodies from his MP3 guide his movements until its battery finally dies. He then witnesses a surge of local residents rushing to hide from law enforcement, cleverly diverting attention to allow Los F members to escape arrest, encapsulating the desperate reality of his environment.

Timeline

Track the key events of I'm No Longer Here (2020) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Ulises Joins Los Terkos

In 2011, 17-year-old Ulises becomes the leader of 'Los Terkos,' a gang that thrives on the vibrant Kolombia counter-culture in Monterrey. The gang's lifestyle is characterized by colorful dance parties and a distinctive style featuring bright, baggy clothing and extravagant hairstyles.

2011 Monterrey

Confrontation with Los F

During a routine collection of money from students, Ulises and his gang encounter members of a rival gang called 'Los F.' Tensions rise when a member of Los F is arrested by the police, leading to a dangerous encounter where Ulises's gang decides to prank them using a stolen radio.

Monterrey

Drive-By Shooting

A sudden drive-by shooting involving 'Los Pelones' exposes Ulises to the harsh realities of gang life. Following the incident, a survivor misinterprets Ulises's involvement and demands he leaves town to protect his family from potential retribution.

Monterrey

Illegal Immigration to the U.S.

Fearing for his safety, Ulises's mother arranges for him to be illegally smuggled into the United States. In an emotional farewell, he receives an MP3 player from his comrade Chaparra, symbolizing his life back in Monterrey.

Monterrey

Struggles in Queens

Upon arriving in Queens, Ulises faces challenges integrating into life as a day laborer due to language barriers and cultural differences. After an altercation at a party, he finds a job at Mr. Loh's store, where he begins to rebuild his life.

Queens

Friendship with Lin

Ulises meets Lin, Mr. Loh's grandniece, who becomes a supportive friend despite his troubled past. She provides him with a dictionary to learn English and a place to stay in her family's roof shed, helping him navigate his new life.

Queens

Failed Public Dancing

In his pursuit of quick cash, Ulises attempts to dance in public, but finds himself in trouble with the police. The risk of being caught hinders his efforts, pushing him further into desperation.

Queens

Isolation and Nostalgia

Ulises attends a party with Lin but is overwhelmed by nostalgia and leaves alone. A phone call home reveals his mother's worries about potential threats from Los F, forcing him to confront his past life and consider his future.

Queens

Encounter with a Sex Worker

Seeking comfort, Ulises converses with a Colombian sex worker at a local bar. However, feeling emotionally drained and lost, he learns that they cannot see each other again, intensifying his sense of isolation.

Queens

Homelessness and Arrest

Ulises’s situation deteriorates as he becomes homeless and is caught by the police. This leads to his imprisonment and eventual deportation back to Mexico, forcing him to confront the consequences of his choices.

Queens

Return to Monterrey

Back in Monterrey, Ulises finds that Los F has taken over and many former Terkos have joined their ranks. The city has changed, and he no longer fits in with the gang life he once led.

Monterrey

Funeral of a Comrade

Ulises attends the funeral of a former gang member, reflecting on the consequences of gang violence and his choices. This experience leads him to reconnect with Jeremy, a friend who has turned his life around and now preaches faith.

Monterrey

Choosing Solitude

Although offered a place to stay by Jeremy, Ulises opts for solitude and continues to roam the streets. This decision signifies his struggle with identity and the longing for a life he can no longer have.

Monterrey

Dancing Alone

In a moment of reflection, Ulises dances to the music from his MP3 player, finding a fleeting sense of peace. The dance serves as a reminder of his past happiness, but it also leads to the bittersweet realization of loss when the battery dies.

Monterrey

Desperate Times

As Ulises witnesses the local residents divert attention from the police, he understands the lengths people will go to survive. This moment encapsulates the dire circumstances surrounding him, marking the end of his journey.

Monterrey

Characters

Meet the characters that bring I'm No Longer Here (2020) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Ulises

Ulises is a complex character who embodies the struggles of youth caught in the crossfire of gang violence and cultural dislocation. Despite his tough exterior as a gang leader, he shows vulnerability when faced with the realities of his situation and the yearning for connection and acceptance. His journey reflects the harsh realities of displacement and the search for belonging.

👦 Youth 💔 Loss 🌍 Immigrant

Jeremy

Jeremy is a friend of Ulises who undergoes a profound transformation, finding faith amidst the chaos of their environment. His character illustrates the potential for redemption and hope, serving as a beacon for others in the slums, even as he offers Ulises an invitation to reconnect.

🙏 Faith 🔄 Redemption 🌆 Community

Lin

Lin is a warm and supportive character who offers Ulises kindness and a glimpse into a more hopeful life in Queens. As a bridge between cultures, she helps him navigate the challenges of language and loneliness, embodying the theme of connection and the potential for friendship beyond one's past.

🤝 Friendship 🌏 Cultural Bridge 💖 Support

Setting

Uncover the settings of I'm No Longer Here (2020), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

2011

The year 2011 is marked by a backdrop of gang violence and cultural struggles for Ulises, as he navigates through both the colorful, carefree life in Monterrey and the harsher realities of immigrant life in the U.S. This period reflects the complexities of youth gang culture and the issues facing young immigrants, showcasing the challenges of belonging and identity.

Location

Monterrey, Queens

Monterrey, a vibrant city in Mexico, serves as the backdrop for Ulises's early life as part of a gang deeply embedded in the local counter-culture. On the other hand, Queens, a diverse borough of New York City, presents a stark contrast with its cultural mosaic, where Ulises confronts challenges related to language and adaptation, emphasizing the immigrant experience.

🌆 City 🇺🇸 United States 🇲🇽 Mexico

Themes

Explore the core themes of I'm No Longer Here (2020). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


📉

Displacement

The theme of displacement is evident in Ulises's journey from Monterrey to Queens and back. Forced to leave his home due to gang violence, Ulises grapples with identity loss and Cultural dislocation in the United States, revealing the harsh realities faced by many immigrants.

💔

Belonging

Belonging is a central theme throughout Ulises’s story, as he initially finds a sense of community within his gang, only to be uprooted and face isolation in a foreign land. His struggles to connect with others in Queens and eventually returning to Monterrey highlight the longing for acceptance and identity amidst turmoil.

🎶

Cultural Identity

Cultural identity plays a crucial role in the film, particularly through the lens of Cumbia music and dance, which symbolizes Ulises's connection to his roots. Despite his challenges, these cultural expressions serve as a reminder of where he comes from and the vibrant life he once led.

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