The Suicide Theory (2015) Plot Summary & Timeline

As Steven confides in a friend who manages a local store about his wife Annie’s pregnancy, an unexpected disturbance caused by a rude individual triggers a series of catastrophic events. This confrontation leads to a brutal murder outside, and mere days later, tragedy strikes again when Annie is killed in a senseless hit-and-run incident while crossing the street alongside Steven. This traumatic ordeal leaves Steven haunted by debilitating flashbacks every time he attempts to cross a street, a relentless reminder of his powerless struggle against fate.

Fast forward three years, Steven’s profound grief has morphed into a relentless career as a contract killer. Yet, his latest assignment takes a bizarre twist when a man plummets from a building, landing directly on the cab Steven is riding in, precipitating another severe panic attack.

This suicidal individual, Percival, recognizes Steven from a distance, identifying him as the man who had been in his life for reasons that seem predestined. Percival, who has failed in his multiple suicide attempts and bears the scars of his battles, believes their encounter is more than mere chance. He begs Steven to end his life, but in a moment of compassion, Steven hesitates, offering Percival a chance to rethink his choice. When Percival steadfastly opts for death, Steven reluctantly complies, only to be astounded when Percival miraculously survives.

As Steven delves deeper into the enigma of Percival’s incredible resilience, he finds himself drawn to the challenge of breaking the perceived curse enveloping him. Percival divulges the source of his turmoil—the loss of his boyfriend Christopher, whose death has profoundly impacted his existence. The two men forge a tenuous bond through their shared sorrow.

In a desperate bid to shatter the curse, Steven hires a gay man to charm Percival, hoping a surge of emotions might render him mortal. When this plan backfires, leaving Percival repulsed by Steven’s actions, the contract killer becomes increasingly obsessed with unraveling the mystery of Percival’s unnatural endurance.

Their explorations lead them to an unforeseen outcome when Percival’s flirtation with a friendly bartender results in a violent assault by the bartender’s homophobic friends. Steven, learning of this brutal incident, devises a scheme to feign homosexuality and walk into the trap set for Percival. At the bar, he falls prey to manipulation by the bartender, only to later enact gruesome retribution against his assailants.

Once again, Percival is disgusted by Steven’s actions, yet the contract killer insists that Percival must have unconsciously orchestrated the events unfolding around them. The unwitting partners are forced to face the dark realities of their lives and the nuanced dynamics of fate and free will.

As Steven’s inner conflict continues to burn, his reluctance to eliminate Frank Dubois becomes glaring, frustrating his employer Thomas. In this turbulent time, Steven discovers Percival’s talent for painting, leading him to appreciate the exquisite nature of art as he witnesses Percival at work on a moving portrait of Chris. This revelation prompts an unexpected visit from Percival to Steven’s home, which takes an emotional turn when the sight of Annie’s old dress causes Percival to flee in panic. That night, Steven finds himself donning his deceased wife’s dress and makeup, gun poised at his temple. Just as he teeters on the edge of ending it all, an unexpected thug outside targets a policeman, prompting Steven to leap into action, saving the officer’s life. The rush of adrenaline leads to an ecstatic phone call to Percival, filled with gratitude for the inspiration spurred by the artist, and newfound appreciation for life’s mysteries.

In the ensuing days, Steven confronts Frank, revealing that his intended target was never actually under contract. His motivations were rooted in a half-remembered license plate number, a frenzied attempt to connect the dots tracing back to Annie’s death. With this realization, Steven vows to put an end to his vengeful spirals, much to Thomas’s chagrin.

Eventually, Percival admits his unintentional role in Annie’s demise, having driven under the influence in the wake of Christopher’s passing. He pleads with Steven for forgiveness, but his request falls on deaf ears. In a poignant farewell, the two share a heartfelt hug, only for Steven to tragically end Percival’s life.

As Steven navigates the aftermath of Percival’s funeral, a turning point is reached; he resigns from his mercenary lifestyle and faces Thomas, only to unearth that Thomas is merely a fragment of his own fractured psyche. This shocking revelation plunges Steven into a surreal realm, where he encounters a gallery of Percival’s art. A haunting portrait of Chris, now finished, serves as a grim reminder of the calamities that transpired.

In a dazed state, Steven is interrupted by a vision of Annie, beckoning him from across the street. As he ventures near, a truck charges toward him, sending him to the pavement. Upon regaining consciousness, a doctor reveals to him that he is fortunate to be alive. The irony of the situation doesn’t escape him; he can only smile bitterly, echoing Percival’s earlier reaction to similar news.