A psychedelic mushroom-infused journey to the fountain of youth for two "mortal" enemies.
In the late 1500s, Claude, a lone French Huguenot settler, wanders the wilderness of the "new world" in search of a place to die. He visits the abandoned quarters of his Commander, Albert, whose throat Claude slit during an uprising just before the other settlers abandoned the camp. While there, Claude retrieves a satchel of highly questionable mushrooms -- the only food left in the deserted settlement -- and notices a carving of an owl-man, or stigini on Albert's desk. Later that evening, Albert's corpse reanimates, claiming to have gained immortality from the nearby Fountain of Youth. Despite Claude's apprehensions, Albert persuades him to seek out the Fountain. What follows is their darkly comedic, mushroom-fueled journey through the wilderness, and toward a fate neither could have predicted.
In the late 1500s, Claude, a lone French Huguenot settler, wanders the northern wilderness of the "new world" in search of a place to die. He visits the abandoned quarters of his murdered Commander, Albert, to retrieve a satchel of mushrooms; the only food left in the deserted settlement. There, he notices a carving of an owl-man, or stigini.
That evening, Albert's corpse reanimates, claiming to have gained immortality from the nearby Fountain of Youth. Because Claude had slit Albert's throat during an uprising just before the other settlers abandoned the camp, he is apprehensive, but Albert persuades Claude to seek out the Fountain.
On their journey, Claude reveals that his wife and daughter were murdered. The men come to an idyllic stream where Claude sees a beautiful mermaid resembling his wife, and assumes this is the Fountain. Albert assures him it is not.
The pair stop for the night. While relieving himself by a tree, Claude is attacked by branches that pull him backward until he is face-to-face with a stigini. Claude awakens the next morning in a panic but Albert dismisses his fears, claiming the Fountain is near.
Claude is unimpressed. Albert pushes Claude into the stream, holding him underwater, but Claude does not drown. Albert asks what Claude will do with his newfound immortality.
Claude vows vengeance on those who have wronged him as Albert eggs him on with sinister suggestions. Claude questions Albert, believing perhaps he is already dead and doomed to Hell, and Albert is the Devil. The men argue and part ways.
Albert encounters his former lover, Francois. Claude appears, reading a letter from Albert's journal. He reveals that Albert had been an executioner charged with murdering Francois. The men thank Claude for reuniting them.
Claude encounters his wife and daughter, Clemence and Madelyn. Clemence leads him to a clearing where they embrace as Madelyn plays nearby. As they kiss, Claude opens his eyes to reveal Clemence is actually Albert. Claude flees. He sees Madelyn with her back to him. She turns revealing a blank, featureless face. Horrified, Claude attempts to run, but becomes stuck to a tree, arms outstretched in a Christ-like pose. A demonic Clemence and Madelyn approach him berate him, telling him it was his fault they are dead. As he gives up hope, Claude is saved by angelic Clemence and Madelyn who scare off the demonic pair. Before passing out, Clemence sees Albert as a Stigini.
A hand slaps Claude's face. He awakens to Anoki, a Timucuan, standing over him. He explains Claude has been hallucinating, and that there are other White men nearby, including one named Jesus. Claude eagerly agrees to meet them.
The men are Spanish Conquistadors. Their leader, Hernando, tells Claude of a group of Huguenots they recently beheaded who had lost course while attempting to sail back to France. Claude learns they had not abandoned him, but rather sought to spare him from death at sea.
As he is led to his death, Claude again eats mushrooms and sees Albert. He bids his friend farewell, asking him to appear as Clemence again.
Claude, Clemence and Madelyn walk together on the beach as all fades to black.
