Infinity Pool (2023)

Novelist James Foster and his wife Em embark on a vacation to the idyllic resort in the fictional seaside country of Li Tolqa, where a vibrant local festival is in full swing. However, their already strained marital relationship is put to the test when they encounter Gabi, a passionate fan of James’ only published novel. Gabi invites the couple to spend time with her and her husband Alban, leading to an unexpected series of events that will forever change their lives.

Despite being warned to stay within the confines of the resort, the quartet decides to explore the picturesque countryside. It is during this outing that James finds himself in an uncomfortably intimate encounter with Gabi, causing a rift between him and Em. As the day unfolds, their reckless actions continue when they indulge in alcohol-fueled merriment and embark on a fateful drive back to the hotel.

Tragedy strikes when James accidentally hits and kills a local man on the road. Fearing the corruption within the country’s justice system, Gabi insists they keep the incident a secret and avoid involving the police. Soon after, James is arrested and learns that the punishment for his crime is death at the hands of the deceased man’s firstborn son.

In a twist of fate, James discovers that Li Tolqa has a peculiar system of justice. For a substantial fee, the guilty can be cloned, and their duplicates can be executed in their place. Leveraging his wealth through his marriage, James pays the exorbitant sum to escape his impending execution. However, the condition is that he must witness the execution of his clone as part of the macabre agreement.

While James becomes intrigued by the dark spectacle, Em is horrified and desperately wants to leave Li Tolqa. James, enthralled by the twisted events unfolding before him, hides his passport and persuades Em to return to the United States alone. He extends his stay, delving deeper into the disturbing underbelly of the resort.

During his extended time in Li Tolqa, James reconnects with Gabi and Alban, who introduce him to a group of fellow Western tourists. These individuals, convicted of serious crimes, have also paid to witness their clones’ executions. James is exposed to a sinister community of people who annually indulge in heinous acts before watching their duplicates meet their gruesome fate.

As the days pass, the group manipulates James into embracing their debauched lifestyle. They encourage him to engage in acts of violence, participate in intoxicated orgies, and mistreat the resort staff. James gradually loses himself in this morally corrupt environment, succumbing to the allure of becoming a libertine criminal.

However, a pivotal moment occurs when James unknowingly brutalizes a clone he believes to be the police detective responsible for his initial arrest. This shocking revelation jolts him out of his haze, and he realizes the extent of the group’s manipulation and abuse. In a desperate bid to escape, James retrieves his hidden passport and attempts to flee, only to be captured by Gabi’s group, who view him as their next potential murder tourist.

In a disturbing turn of events, Gabi reveals her contempt for James, exposing the group’s sadistic intentions and their desire to shape him into one of their own. In a state of panic and confusion, James manages to escape into the nearby wilderness, wounded by a gunshot from Gabi. Weakened and disoriented, he stumbles upon a farmhouse where a local family takes him in and nurses him back to health.

During his recovery, James experiences a series of surreal and possibly hallucinatory episodes. Once he regains his strength, Gabi’s group reappears, demanding that he kill a leashed clone of himself, referred to as “the dog,” as a final step in his transformation. Initially reluctant, James finds himself in a life-or-death struggle with the clone, ultimately beating him to death.

Gabi, recognizing James’ distress, attempts to console him by baring her breast, an unconventional gesture meant to provide solace. The following day, as they prepare to return to the United States, the other tourists engage in casual conversation, seemingly unaffected by the harrowing events they’ve participated in. In stark contrast, James remains visibly shaken, contemplating the deep impact of the past few days.

Upon reaching the airport, James reaches a profound decision. He chooses to stay behind instead of returning home, seeking solace and reflection within the abandoned resort. Sitting alone amidst the pouring rain of the monsoon, James grapples with the haunting memories of his time in Li Tolqa and the choices he has made, uncertain of what lies ahead for him and the profound changes that have taken root within his soul.