Heart (2016): Buster's Mal

It’s a deep dive into burnout, grief, and how the "grind" of modern life can literally break someone’s mind. Buster's Mal Heart (2016)

Jonah is a tired concierge working the graveyard shift at a hotel, trying to provide for his wife and daughter. His life starts to unravel after a chance encounter with a conspiracy-obsessed drifter (DJ Qualls).

A surreal third layer shows him alone in a rowboat in the middle of a vast ocean—a metaphorical space for his internal crisis. What Works Buster's Mal Heart (2016)

Years later, Jonah has become "Buster," a wild mountain man who breaks into empty vacation homes to survive while ranting to radio stations about an impending "Inversion" at the turn of the millennium.

The movie follows Jonah (played by ), whose life is shown in three different, interlocking timelines: It’s a deep dive into burnout, grief, and

Buster’s Mal Heart is a surreal, slow-burn psychological trip that feels like a cousin to Mr. Robot or Donnie Darko . It’s definitely not for everyone, but it’s a fascinating watch if you like movies that make you piece things together yourself.

Director Sarah Adina Smith creates a cold, lonely, and slightly "off" feeling throughout, using the vast Montana landscapes to highlight Jonah's isolation. A surreal third layer shows him alone in

This was one of his first big starring film roles, and he carries the movie. He is equally convincing as a sleep-deprived worker and a frantic, bearded hermit.