Cool World 1992

The film intricately weaves together two distinct realms: the tangible world we inhabit and the vibrant Cool World, filled with animated beings known as “doodles.” The story unfolds in 1945 Las Vegas, where Frank Harris (played by Brad Pitt), a returning GI, reunites with his mother. However, tragedy strikes when a motorcycle accident leads to her untimely death. Overwhelmed with grief and haunted by visions, Frank finds himself drifting into the animated Cool World.

Fast forward to 1992, and we meet Jack Deebs, portrayed by Gabriel Byrne, who is serving time for the murder of a man caught in a compromising situation with his wife. During his imprisonment, Jack is frequently visited by hallucinations of Cool World and its alluring inhabitant, Holli Would, played by Kim Basinger. To cope with his circumstances, Jack channels his experiences into a comic series that draws inspiration from his vivid visions of this animated universe.

Upon his release and return to Las Vegas, Jack is unexpectedly pulled into the whimsical realm of Cool World, where Holli harbors the desire to engage with him intimately in hopes of transforming into a real human. However, such relationships are strictly forbidden in Cool World, as they could endanger the boundary separating the two dimensions. As events unfold, Frank’s mission alongside his doodle ally, Nails, revolves around preventing any illicit interactions that could destabilize their worlds.

As the plot thickens, it becomes apparent that Frank has developed feelings for Lonette, a seductive animated waitress, adding a layer of complexity to the unfolding drama. In a fateful twist, Jack and Holli’s union results in her transformation into a noid—actual human form. The repercussions of their actions ripple through both worlds, leading to moments where they morph into grotesque doodle forms.

In a climactic turn, Holli discovers the Golden Spike of Power, a vital element that upholds the balance between dimensions, but her attempts to reclaim her doodle form unleash chaotic creatures into the real world. Jack undergoes a metamorphosis into a powerful humanoid doodle as he strives to restore the spike to its rightful place. In this tumultuous finale, Frank sacrifices himself in an effort to halt Holli, only to find rebirth as a doodle, allowing him to pursue a romantic connection with Lonette. Amidst the fantastical chaos, Jack is left to navigate his new life in the Cool World, with hopes of marrying Holli while confronting the unpredictable nature of their intertwined fates.