The Jacket (2005)

The Jacket (2005), an American science-fiction psychological thriller film directed by John Maybury, begins with Jack Starks as an active soldier in the Gulf War. Through his voice-over, we learn that he was 27 when he died for the first time. While on duty, he is ambushed and shot in the head by a young boy. One year later, Jack is portrayed as a solitary figure, hitch-hiking along a snowy road. He comes across a broken-down pick up truck occupied by Jean Price, an intoxicated mother, and her daughter who appears to be around eight or ten years old. Despite Jean’s erratic behavior and vomiting episodes, the girl engages in conversation with Jack. Upon noticing his army dog tags attached to his bag, she asks what they are for. Jack explains that they contain his name so he doesn’t get lost. The girl asks if she can have them and he kindly gives them to her.

After repairing the engine, he asks the girl to test the ignition and successfully starts the truck. Meanwhile, Jean regains consciousness and in her altered state, becomes angry, assuming Jack is a deviant despite the girl’s assurances that he fixed the truck. She hastily takes the girl and drives off. Jack continues on foot and eventually gets picked up by a man driving towards Canada. While driving, they are pulled over by a policeman. The ensuing events are not shown, but we learn that Jack is later charged with murdering the officer and has no recollection of anything from that day except for the mother and daughter who cannot be located by authorities. He is ultimately deemed criminally insane and committed to an asylum under Dr. Thomas Becker’s care.