Expired (2022) - full transcript

In a futuristic Hong Kong, assassin Jack (Ryan Kwanten), crosses paths with a nightclub singer, April (Jillian Nguyen). As Jack becomes increasingly drawn to April his body mysteriously deteriorates. Jack tracks down reclusive life extension scientist Doctor Bergman (Hugo Weaving), in a search for answers. Doctor Bergman unearths Jack's long buried secret and is forced to confront his own murky past. As the net that connects them tightens, Jack and April struggle for love as they face their past in a loveless world that is on the cusp of immortality and extinction.

[siren wailing]

[Jack thinking] All I've
ever known is the city

since I was a boy.

And I kind
of move around,

never too long
in one place.

[speaking Chinese]

[Jack] I grew up
on the streets.

It's where
I met my father.

Well, that's
what I called him.

We drifted
around the city.

One morning I woke...



he was gone...

and I knew he was never
coming back.

[indistinct chatter on TV]

I've never known
my mother.

I found out she sold me
before I was even born.

I don't blame her, though.

It happens all the time.

Typhoons in the middle
of winter.

They say these
are crazy times.

Everyone out
for themselves.

Then one day I got
a chance to sell my soul.

And I took it.

To follow a man
on his last walk on earth.

Knowing it's your hand



that will carry out
his final act.

Sometimes I wake in the night
and wonder what they saw...

what they thought
in their final moment...

before I took it away.

[electronic click]

Turn around.

On your knees.

[speaking French]

A life isn't worth
what it used to be...

but it's enough
to get by.

[chatter and city noise]

[electrical bleeps]

[speaking Chinese]

[speaking Chinese]

[electrical bleep]

[electrical bleep]

[man thinking] Mother...

if I saw you again...

would you remember me?

Would you know your own eyes
looking back at you?

Do you still think of me?

Was it you?

Was it you?

Does this mystery
belong to you?

♪♪

[bird sounds]

I see butterflies

and rain.

Visions from my childhood.

A memory or a dream.

Flickers from my past.

I reach out
to touch it...

but it dissolves
in the light.

[rumbling sound]

[mechanical noises]

[indistinct dialogue
over loudspeaker]

- [alert rings]
- [woman speaks over loudspeaker]

[loud city noises]

[electronic voice]

Welcome.
This way, sir.

[speaking Chinese]

[speaking Chinese]

Can they see me?

[speaking Chinese]

398.

[speaking Chinese]

♪♪

[no audio]

["Every Beat
of My Heart" playing]

[girl singing along]

[song ends]

What's your name?

My name is April.

I am from the south
of Vietnam.

It's just a village.

There's no money there.

But it's quiet...

and you can still see
the moon at night.

I like to sing.

I like to ice skate,

but I haven't done it
for a while.

No...

I don't have a boyfriend.

What's your name?

Jack.

Long day, Jack?

[clears throat]

Not really.

What do you do?

Construction.

I work construction.

You have family, Jack?

I got a father but, um...

well, I never
really see him.

Why not?

He left me
when I was a kid.

I tracked him down once.

But I didn't bother
to see him.

I understand.

When I first
got here,

all I wanted
was to go home.

Now I feel like...

there's nothing
there for me.

What about your family?

I don't really talk
about my family.

What does it mean?

Believe.

Believe what?

I'm sorry, I...
have to leave.

Goodbye.

♪♪

[thud]

[city noises]

[utensil tapping]

[Jack thinking] You search
for the distant...

then it hits you
in the face.

Should I be afraid?

What magic is this?

[electrical droning]

[swallows]

[distant object clatters]

♪♪

[groans]

[April thinking
in Chinese]

[man over speaker in Chinese]

No, you...
you don't have to do that.

Jack?

You remembered me.

I never forget a voice.

April.

Is that your real name?

Of course not.

No one uses
their real name.

Have you eaten?

Would you like
to eat with me?

When?

Tonight.

Midnight.

That's when I get off.

How will I know you?

I'll be the one
looking at you.

[distant siren wailing]

[man speaking Chinese on TV]

Show me your hand.

Your...

love line is very short.

I didn't know I had one.

Everyone's got one.

There's just no use
for them anymore.

A long life with...

no love.

Do you know
what love is, Jack?

I've only heard stories
from a long time ago.

What kind of stories?

Sad ones, mostly.

You?

I thought I did.

Not anymore.

What have these hands
really done?

Things I shouldn't forget.

Things I should regret.

But you don't.

Maybe one day.

Or maybe it's too late.

Is that what you believe?

Who was it?

A voice...

I thought I could trust.

How many times
did he hurt you?

Less than he wanted to.

[Jack thinking]
What's real?

It's getting
harder to tell...

what's real, what's not.

Are they becoming
more like us?

Or are we becoming
the machine?

[distant object clatters]

♪♪

What is it?

Does it have a heart?

A soul?

Do I?

They said the machines
were meant to replace us.

But it's cheaper
to buy your soul

than a quantum chip.

[elevator door clicks open]

[electronic voice]

[elevator humming]

[elevator door clicks open]

[electronic voice]

[muffled chatter and music]

[electronic bleep]

[man] The company code belongs
to a biotech corporation.

Masuka Industries.

It's the government's
largest private donor.

Its system's high grade.

Impossible to hack.

Its head scientist,
Doctor J. Bergman,

disappeared last year.

He's a life extension
specialist.

He's your best bet.

If he's still alive.

[distant siren wailing]

[man speaking Chinese]

It's a pain...

right here.

It's hard to breathe.

Just can't get enough air.

[speaking Chinese]

No.

[speaking Chinese]

Doctor Bergman?

[distant, indistinct
voice over loudspeaker]

[Doctor Bergman thinking] In the
corner, between the light...

it's closer than you think.

Look at you.

Regrets for the blood
you spilt.

Waiting for the truth
to arrive.

You knew
it was out there.

Who are you?

Where'd it come from?

Something that
was following me.

How old are you?

And how much
can I trust you?

That's what I thought.

[woman over PA in Chinese]

[electronic bleeping]

Hello?

[April] Jack?

It's me.

Have you eaten?

No.

Would you like
to eat with me?

I don't feel like
speaking English today.

[speaking Chinese]

[in English]
Jack.

I have to go to work.

Can I see you tonight?

I want you
to stay at my home.

[city noises]

What do you want?

You killed my brother.

On your knees.

[shuddering]

[running footsteps depart]

[groans]

What is it?

Nymphalis Antiopa.

The mourning
cloak butterfly.

They live 30 times
the normal lifespan,

but their life
is half as bright.

Much of it spent
in semi-hibernation.

Why did you leave
the Corporation?

Huh.

Have a seat.

[electronic droning]

[electronic beeping]

Yeah...

You have a very high concentration
of hormones in your blood.

Adrenaline, dopamine...

serotonin, vasopressin,
oxytocin.

These levels seem
to be new...

to your system.

Seems to be affecting
your cell respiration.

Show me your hand.

Your open and close.

Well, that stiffness is your body's
rejection of the hormone levels.

Have you been
trying any new drugs?

No.

You recently had
any new type of experience?

Like what?

Oh, I don't know.
Anything...

Anything out
of the ordinary?

What about the girl?

The girl in the restaurant,
how long have you known her?

A few days.

And how long have you had
these symptoms?

About the same time.

Why are they
following me?

Well, I can't answer
that just yet.

This will take
some time to analyze.

I'll need your contact.

I have to warn you,
I don't have much money.

I don't want your money.

Then why
are you helping me?

You just be thankful
I've done this much.

[object tapping]

[elevator door clicks open]

Sit.

I have to get dressed.

[rain pattering]

[city noises]

[electronic bleeping]

[Doctor Bergman thinking]
Creatures of loneliness...

taunted by desire...

wrapped up in yourself...

too tight to breathe...

holding on by a thread.

What have you become...

trapped in that castle?

[thunderclap]

♪♪

["Every Beat of My Heart"
playing]

♪ Every beat of my heart ♪

♪ Is just for you ♪

♪ And I will love you ♪

♪ Till my life is through ♪

♪ At the moment you're away ♪

♪ I just want to cry ♪

♪ Every beat of my heart
is just for you ♪

♪ Every beat of my heart
is just for you ♪

♪ Every beat of my heart
is just for you ♪

♪ Every beat of my heart
is just for you. ♪

[song ends]

You ever been scared?

Yeah.

I am, of you.

[whispering]
Are you really?

You're not really
a construction worker...

are you?

I was once.

A long time ago.

I sweated all day
for the price of a coffee.

One day I took a man's
life to save my own.

It didn't seem like
a hard thing to do.

So from then on,
life didn't seem so precious.

Nothing did.

So... are you scared
of me now?

No.

No?

Then what?

I'm scared of...

the things I've done.

The things I've become.

I'm scared that I'll...

dream about you again.

And that I'll miss you...

when I wake up.

What do you pray for
in the darkness?

I...

once had a daughter.

And I lost her.

I pray that she's okay.

And that she's healthy.

I've never
told anyone before.

Only you.

[thunderclap]

[distant thunder rumbling]

[electronic bleeping]

♪♪

[electronic bleeping]

[sighs]

[thunderclap]

[sighs]

[whispering] Fuck.

Do you know what did it?

Yeah, I know.

You should go to sleep.

The sun'll be up soon.

I can't stay.

Why?

I just need to go.

Tonight I didn't
take your money.

I never bring
anyone back here.

Do you understand?

Yes.

I understand.

It's not safe
for you to be near me.

The things I've done
can come back to me.

Anytime.

The things you do...

don't come back.

They're always there.

Inside.

That's why I can't stay.

I can't help you.

Help me what?

Find your child.

I didn't ask you
to help me.

Did I ask for your help?

She's better off
without me, anyway.

I'm too selfish
to be a mother.

Go.

[Jack thinking] You could
never trust someone like me.

I will hurt you...

lie to you...

deceive you.

What did I do to you?

And you to me?

The lights, so bright.

If only you
were on my inside.

[Doctor Bergman]
Can you remember...

before the glory?

You buried it all,
horses and men.

Your white blood...

cracks your stony veins.

Your tomb's crumbling.

The forever light
surrounds you.

[distant siren wailing]

[approaching footsteps]

[speaking Chinese]

[speaking Chinese]

♪♪

[groans]

[April speaking Chinese]

[Doctor Bergman] Have you
seen the moon of late?

I caught a glimpse of it
last night. It was...

Can't remember
the last time I'd seen it.

I must have missed it.

I mean, it was only briefly
visible in the haze, but...

but it did remind me how
some things are still real.

Some things are still
truly beautiful.

Will I sing for you, sir?

No, no, no.
Thank you, no.

Are you lonely, sir?

Or do you have
someone special?

[inhales deeply]

Well, we live in a city
built for machines,

so I would have thought
loneliness was inevitable.

Unless, of course,
the machine is what you become.

I did have someone special...

a very long time ago.

Who was it?

The only person
I ever trusted

and the only person
I couldn't let go.

Still haven't.

How can I help you?

Are you looking
for something?

I spent my whole life
searching for something.

Did you find it?

[faintly] Ah.

Mm.

Why did you come here?

Perhaps I was curious about what
it is that attracts them,

why they come to such a place.

I mean, what are
we all looking for?

I was wondering.

Has your life changed...

recently?

What do you mean?

I mean something...

you didn't see coming.

What do you want?

Just the truth.

You know you can't find truth
in a place like this.

Well, then why do they all come
here, if they know it's a lie?

Because it's better
than nothing.

What, even
if it's not real?

That thing you
can't let go of...

is it real...

or just better
than nothing?

It will be best
for everybody

if you stay away
from him.

Stay away from who?

These people
are very dangerous.

And you should
walk away, hmm?

While you can.

And, um, well...

I'll say goodbye.

♪♪

[woman over loudspeaker] Welcome
back to New World Cryogenics.

Visiting hours finish
in a half hour.

[electronic audio tone]

There isn't much time.
You're deteriorating quite quickly.

As a child, you were part
of an experimental program

at the Masuka Corporation

along with many
other children.

The Corporation's been
following you to take you in,

to conclude
its experiments.

Experiments
in the extension of life.

Street children
were the preferred target.

You were part of a hormone
restriction program

which essentially
comprised of limiting

the production
of certain hormones.

Hormones responsible
for deep emotion.

Now your body has adapted to
function without these hormones,

to the extent that, when they're
reintroduced, they become toxic,

which is what you
are now experiencing.

I mean, some people
would envy your position.

If you can remain
in good health,

it's possible
you could live long enough

to have a chance
to live forever.

You may never
have to die.

You know, once I would have done
almost anything to have what you have.

I... I did
the unimaginable.

I committed
the most terrible crimes...

to the most vulnerable
and innocent.

I'm going to attempt to wipe your
records from the Corporation database,

but if I fail, you'll have to
keep looking over your shoulder,

because the Corporation
won't stop until it has you.

Your only chance
is to stop seeing the girl.

What if I can't
stay away from her?

Well, then you will die.

[TV audio muted]

Looks like the storm's
going to miss us.

Wish me luck.

[Jack] That dream
you had of us,

on the mountain,
in the desert...

Was it real?

[April] Yes.

[Jack] Did you really
miss me when you woke?

[April] Yes.

That day I first saw you...

it was on the train.

I followed you home.

And I followed you
to the club.

I watched you pray
in the darkness.

I don't know if it
was real, or a dream.

I don't know
if you are real.

Is this moment real?

Only you
can answer that.

Mmm. What's it
really mean?

Everything.

What is everything?

Nothing.

My whole life...

I've felt like
I didn't belong anywhere.

When I'm with you,
that feeling's gone.

Jack.

I'll be
your home tonight.

I'll be the one
to never forget you.

[Jack thinking]
You know you can't trust her,

but there's nothing
you can do.

Like the sun...

it devours you.

I see them now...

the lost souls,

flying at the speed
of light.

What magic is this?

The lights...

so bright.

My love...

goodnight.

[groans]

[elevator thuds]

[elevator rumbles]

[elevator door
clicks closed]

[elevator hums]

[elevator thuds]

[city noises]

♪♪

[electronic humming]

[woman screams]

[Jack thinking]
I see butterflies and rain.

Visions from my childhood.

A memory or a dream?

Flickers from my past.

I see you...

hiding from the light.

[man chatters
in Chinese]

[man chatters in Chinese on TV]

[woman on TV speaking Chinese]

[electronic noises]

[electronic voice]

[speaking Chinese]

[man speaking Chinese]

Where is 398?

[speaking Chinese]

♪♪

Hmm.

[April thinking in Chinese]

[people shouting]

[Jack thinking]
Why should I be afraid?

Mother...

why should you?

For my eyes
to look back at me...

and yours back at you.

I'll wait for you.

For your warmth...

your beauty...

your truth.

I'll wait for you.

["Broken Ice"
by Ack Kinmoth playing]

[instrumental music playing]