Instinct 1999

Powell vanishes into the Bwindi jungle

Anthropologist Ethan Powell disappears for several years, living among mountain gorillas in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. During this period, he forms a bond with a gorilla family and learns to coexist with them. His return to civilization marks the start of the events that lead to his arrest.

Gorillas come under threat from poachers

When poachers arrive at the gorilla group, they shoot at the animals. Powell tries to shield his ape family from harm, demonstrating his protective bond with them. This attack foreshadows the violence that will later lead to his arrest.

Powell is arrested and convicted

Powell is accused of killing and injuring several wilderness park rangers and is convicted for these acts. He is subsequently sent to prison in East Africa. The conviction marks the transition from his gorilla exile to the confines of the penal system.

Theo Caulder enters Powell's case

A bright young psychiatrist, Theo Caulder, is assigned to study Powell and understand his motives. He becomes deeply involved in Powell's case as he tries to reconcile violent behavior with possible causes rooted in Powell's experiences. The prison setting becomes the arena for their intellectual inquiry.

Caulder and Powell challenge civilization's narrative

Caulder's investigation leads him to question the true history and nature of humankind. Powell articulates a harsh critique: civilization has steadily destroyed the natural world, and he argues that humans should abandon it. The dialogue blurs the line between psychiatric case and philosophical manifesto.

Powell's backstory with the gorilla family is revealed

It is revealed that Powell spent years living with the gorillas and that they accepted him as part of their group. He was trying to protect his great ape family when poachers arrived and started shooting them. The revelation reframes his past actions and explains the depth of his bond with the primates.

Powell gets a hearing to reveal the truth

Powell obtains a hearing intended to reveal the truth about his experiences and actions. The hearing becomes a platform for presenting the gorilla loyalty narrative and the circumstances around the violence he is accused of. It elevates Powell's case from mere criminal verdict to a broader existential inquiry.

Guard attack triggers a brutal memory and outburst

During the hearing, a vicious guard attacks another prisoner, triggering a visceral memory of the gorilla killings. Powell violently attacks the guard to stop him, reacting to the threat as if defending his ape family. He is restrained, and his speech is interrupted as he regains silence.

Powell falls silent again

After the outburst, Powell is restrained and stops talking again. The moment underscores the fragile line between his traumatic memories and his ability to communicate. The proceedings circle back to a state of quiet ambiguity about his guilt and motivations.

Escape plan and escape from prison

At the film's climax, Powell uses a pen to dig out the lock on a prison window, enabling a daring escape. The act demonstrates his ingenuity and determination to return to the wild. The escape leaves his future uncertain and sets up his return to Africa.