A 49-year-old quadriplegic man prepares to end his life, but confronting death forces him to question what it means to truly live.
Everything changed when Jason Eftink broke his neck and nearly drowned in a skiing accident at 19.
Doctors gave him 10 years. He's given 30. Carving out a full life in the Missouri heartland, Jason now faces a fear that has become unbearable—not of current pain, but of what suffering might come. He decides to end his life on his own terms through voluntary stopping of eating and drinking.
As he prepares for the end, family gathers for what may be final meals and friends say their goodbyes. But as the countdown begins, Jason's journey takes unexpected turns that force him to question everything he thought he knew about living and dying.
The Approach
Our camera stays locked-off, reflecting Jason’s experience from his wheelchair. Life flows in and out of frame, never chased, only observed. This stillness creates a meditative space where time feels different.
And when Jason's mind explores the deeper waters - through psychedelics, through meditation, through confronting mortality - our visuals follow. We drift into cosmic imagery, into water, into light. The language of consciousness expanding beyond the body.
Our Protagonist, whose journey from acceptance of death to embrace of life forms our narrative spine.
Jason's mother, struggling between supporting and protecting her son.
Jason’s friend and romantic interest whose appearance adds another layer to Jason's choice.
Death doula who helps plan the VSED process and guide psilocybin journey.