Original subtitles

Hi, my name is Richard Schenkman. I directed "The Man from Earth",

and the movie you're about to watch, "The Man from Earth: Holocene".

We are working very hard to make sure that every person in the world

who wants to see the movie, can stream or download it.

We even uploaded it ourselves to the file sharing community.

But while many people will have free access to the movie,

that hardly means it was free to make.

Dozens of people worked for months or years on the film, and deserve to be paid.

Just as you deserve to be paid for the work that you do, whatever that work is.

That's why I'm so grateful to all of you who visit ManFromEarth.com

and make a donation, of any size,

if you've watched the movie without paying for it up front.

It's a global experiment in the honor system.

We're asking people: "If you watch our movie, and you like it

will you pay something directly to the people who made it?"

Thanks again for your support, and I hope you enjoy "The Man from Earth: Holocene".

Prehistoric chicks are kind of hot.

- I'd tap that. - I bet you would.

- Look at him. He looks half animal. - He's the same as us.

Homo Sapiens, everyone? Genetically, biologically no different than you or I.

We even live in the same geological epoch as them: the Holocene.

It started right after the last ice age.

Cro-Magnon is an out-dated term that separates them as Europeans from Africans.

Any of this ringing a bell?

They had the same hopes and fears as us. The same ties to family and group.

I think they had stronger ties to group than us. And to their fellow creatures.

Think about it. If this man were alive today...

He would be very old.

Especially because most never made it past 32.

He might even appreciate antibiotics, and running shoes.

What would he think of today's world?

This group he would have died to maintain

is now a self-involved generation of social media addicts

so far removed from his perception of humanity, it has to seem...

- alien. - She's talking about you, bro.

- Let's talk about tools. - You're a tool.

The most basic tool is a simple rock.

With a hammer stone, you can break other rocks and create a sharp edge.

You almost done?

Not really.

- Can't you just take pictures? - That's not the assignment.

Professor Shulman wants us to identify the markers that indicate a skull is

Paranthropus Boisei versus Paranthropus Robustus.

That's Professor Young. What the hell is he doing here?

Professor Kittriss is giving them a tour.

Oh, and he tags along. That's so cute.

For God's sake, Tara, they live together. And besides, he's like a thousand.

Forty, tops. Plus, Kittriss is a hottie, so I have to step up my game.

You coming?

Yeah, I guess.

Professor Young, hi. So cool seeing you here.

- We are doing some research. - I'm taking Early Transitional Humans.

Sketching femurs and jawbones?

Okay, here we go.

Smaller braincase, slight crest on the skull,

wide upper jaw, but small teeth?

- Homo Habilis. - Well done.

- You teach comparative religion. - Human history is more than religion.

We are going to grab coffee. Want to join?

I'm having a bite with Professor Kittriss, but thank you.

You like these Cro-Magnons?

They're a mash-up of various early humans. But I like the cave paintings.

Me, too. Let's get a shot in front of the display.

Carolyn said you want to borrow books. Come by any time, take whatever you want.

Thank you, Professor Young.

You're welcome. I'll see you girls in class.

"I like the paintings."

- He knows more than the museum people. - Curators.

My point is: he's a very brilliant man.

With a great ass.

- Hey, hon. - Hey.

You should come running with me some time.

- Running from what? - To stay in shape.

I need a shower. You want to come wash my back?

In truth, yes. However...

How's this batch? Any geniuses I should look out for?

The ones who write coherent sentences? College was about expanding your mind.

Now, it's just a step to Silicon Valley. And those are the good ones.

You really think kids have changed that much in twenty years?

I like this gray.

But if it bugs you, then color it. I won't tell.

You know Mohammed dyed his hair?

See? If it's good enough for the prophet, then...

Nobody notices except you.

He hasn't aged a day in ten years. Every woman on the faculty wants that secret.

- Is that what they're after, Edith? - Oh, stop, Harry.

Switch to spin class if you're sick of Zumba.

It doesn't matter, the doctor just said you need to...

I'm not nagging, mother. You were the one complaining about...

I need to go to class. I'm going to be late.

Why don't we all just take care of ourselves for once. Sound fair?

Again?

She focused so many years on my father's illness that now...

You put everything on hold forever while he was... She has to back off.

It's your life, right? Isn't it, finally?

No, I'm sorry. I love you, too.

I'll call later. Bye.

You are a way better daughter than I will ever be.

Hey, guys. This is Matt Douglas from Primal Kickboxing.

Let's go.

Let's go, you ready? I'll take it easy on you.

I get into position. I'll lead with a head kick.

Then I follow up with two punches.

Focus, man.

Seriously, man. Why do I even bother?

My fault, man. I'm literally on my way downstairs right now.

Five. Four.

Three.

Two.

One. Boom. See how fast...

Amazing. I can't even see you. You're like the Flash.

Come on, I'm waiting on you.

- Have a great class, Professor. - You too, babe.

We're all burning. Every one of us. Burning with desire.

We're burning with a fire caused by what the Buddha called the three poisons:

Greed, anger, ignorance.

He taught us that we can fix this. We can turn them around.

Greed becomes generosity.

Anger becomes compassion.

And ignorance becomes wisdom.

There are miracles are around us all the time, he said.

The fact that we're here together in this room is a miracle.

Isn't the Buddha kind of a hypocrite?

He gave up worldly goods, his father's money. Live a life of restraint...

And then he ended up super fat. Crazy fat. Like, come on.

You mean those statues in Chinatown, right?

The Buddha depicted in those statues is Asian, right?

- So... - It's not the Buddha.

- What do you mean? - Think about it.

Siddhartha Gautama was Indian, from Nepal.

A Chinese monk became a Buddhist, went home and started spreading the religion.

The Chinese mixed in Taoism. Their monks introduced the head shaving, the robes,

the fat, happy Buddha named Hotei.

The actual Buddha was a regular man. Normal body and hair.

- But he was a god. - No.

Never claimed to be.

Just a man, who thought about the human condition and got enlightenment.

Like Jesus. Only without the long blond hair and blue eyes.

- But Jesus wasn't just a man. - No?

He claimed to be the son of God. He was resurrected, so we know he was divine.

You know or you have faith. You can only know what you can prove.

God is beyond proof, logic or reason.

You can believe in God or Jesus through faith, but that's different from knowing.

There's historical evidence Jesus existed. And I have faith that he was divine.

Aquinas said faith is a divine act supernaturally bestowed.

Kierkegaard said that we must leap to faith.

It's an act you must choose to perform.

Kierkegaard was sick of people talking about religion without doing anything.

I hope he didn't mean this class. Shouldn't we talk about Buddha?

- Jesus and Buddha had a lot in common. - How so?

There's a lot of overlap in their philosophies.

They both taught that we should be charitable and not judge others.

But the Buddha said you shouldn't just believe something.

The premise with Jesus is to accept on faith. That's a huge difference.

- Jesus suffered for us. - The Buddha wanted to eliminate suffering.

- Eliminate desire. - What causes suffering. I listened.

Next time we will cover the path to Nirvana,

and we will wrap the semester up with Jainism. Buddhism, but less fun.

Jain women have to be reborn as men to reach enlightenment.

We all know it should be the other way around. Thank you.

- Great lecture. - You just know all this stuff.

I've been at it a long time.

We're having a Buddhist vegetarian dinner. Think you could come?

- Thank you, but I don't think so. - Busy?

I appreciate the invitation.

For what it's worth, the Buddha ate meat.

He just didn't like to see animals killed.

- Who does? But you know, bacon. - Bacon donuts. Best invention ever.

- I've not seen it. - Everybody's seen it.

- Is he coming? - Isabel can work on him.

- I can try. - I can't believe class is almost over.

Next semester he teaches lame Abrahamic and Zoroastrianism religions again.

- Abrahamic religions aren't lame. - You know what I mean.

- He should do Hellenistic. - Zeus and Herakles. That'd be cool.

- He only does real religions. - The Greeks and Romans were onto something.

Christians got a lot from the Pagans. Don't you remember the World of the Early Church?

We need to focus on getting Professor Young to come to dinner.

There's so much in that guy's head I want to get at.

- How do we get him to come? - Tara probably has a few ideas.

- Don't be gross. - Leave her alone, man.

- Are you going to that Delta Psi party? - They are animals.

- Party animals. - What are you, five?

I do not need to get drunk on a Wednesday night with a bunch of boys.

Your loss. I'm going. Saint Philip?

Saint Philip has Bible study Wednesdays. You have no short-term memory, do you?

I don't know. What was the question?

- John, glad I caught you. - Dr. Parker. Do we have an appointment?

I have to share this with somebody. Only you can appreciate it.

I got this at a garage sale last weekend. 75 year old single-malt scotch.

Paid entirely too much for it, but the story...

This woman's husband got it from Scotland. They were saving it for a special occasion.

- And saving it... - And the special occasion never came.

He died couple of months ago. Now she's selling his stuff and moving to Costa Rica.

But here's the kicker: we get home and get a message from Kitty and Ron.

The baby came. I'm a grandfather.

Congratulations Gil. Fantastic.

- Special occasion? - Yes. Indeed.

- To my grandson. - Hear, hear.

- That is... - Terrible.

I don't know if I've ever tasted anything quite like that.

Just goes to show that nothing lasts forever. Even whiskey spoils.

Who knew?

A grandson, John.

On one hand, it's incredibly invigorating. On the other, it means...

I'm so old.

Each day, as he grows, learns to walk, learns to talk...

It means I'm getting one day closer to death.

Another drink?

What the hell?

That's awful.

I'm not getting maudlin. It's just life.

Well, this brings it home.

Do you ever regret not having kids, John?

Look... I'm sorry. I don't mean to pry.

Don't be sorry. It's difficult to discuss.

What isn't?

Say, do you want to have a real drink?

I can't. I have to go home and cook Carolyn dinner.

But congratulations, Dr. Parker. I couldn't be more happy for you.

It's open.

For Carolyn? Coffee table is fine.

So, about those books...

They're in the den. Grab all you want.

Have you thought about that dinner? You could bring Professor Kittriss.

We'll see.

Thanks, Professor.

- Tell Ms. Kittriss I said good night. - I will.

- Smells great. - Thanks.

It's getting hard to find anything that isn't loaded with mercury,

or farm raised in filthy water.

- Thank god we still have Pop-Tarts. - Miracles. All around us.

- How was your day? - As always. This is the highlight.

I was thinking of going hunting this weekend.

I'm starting to forget what real food tastes like.

I thought you'd come with me to the Hillary and Rob thing.

She's feeling really down lately. We thought a party would cheer her up.

Hosting parties always stresses her out.

You know... People. Laughing, carrying on.

I don't know. I think I need some time alone.

You're the king of alone, John. Why not give the opposite a chance?

Doesn't work so well for me.

I'm gonna go change.

You scared the crap out of me.

You didn't miss anything. Typical Delta Psi party.

Pack people into a room and spray them with beer.

- Figuratively speaking, I hope? - For the most part. What's that?

- A book on early man from Professor Young. - How'd it go?

I asked again about dinner. Told him he could bring Professor Kittriss.

Why? Last thing we need is another chick.

This guy Jenkins is an archeologist with a lot of field work under his belt.

The book's really good. The spine wasn't even cracked, but it's personally signed.

He's cute. Or was.

"To my dear friend John Oldman." Wait, what?

I know. Maybe he was kidding. "Old man" instead of "young"?

It's dated May 2007. So that would make Professor Young 33.

You don't call an old man "old man". It's like calling a big guy "tiny".

- But it's not "old man". It's "Oldman". - And maybe it's Kittriss' book.

- So who's this Jenkins guy? - Let's go to the Interwebs.

Let's see. Arthur M. Jenkins.

Taught at Santa Clarita University. Zillion archeology digs.

Oh, academic awards. Blah, blah, blah... He wrote some other books...

But this last one...

"The Longest Night: My Conversation with the Man From Earth".

About the night he spent with a professor named John Oldman

who claimed to be 14,000 years old.

And the comments are... Scathing puts it mildly. Yikes.

"Longest Night would be sci-fi nonsense, but the author presents it as non-fiction

and thus abandons any academic authority he may have once possessed."

Get this one: "Offensive to the religious and non-religious alike,

Jenkins says that the savior is a Buddhist who walks among us

in the guise of a handsome, university professor."

Sounds like Professor Young. He knows everything about Buddhism.

But the savior. Like, Jesus?

He could totally be my own, personal Jesus.

We are totally getting that book.

Like a thief in the night.

I woke you, I'm sorry. I must be getting out of practice.

At being sneaky?

Stealthy.

You really have to go? We could spend the whole weekend in bed.

- And go to Hillary and Rob's thing. - Fair trade, isn't it?

I'm going stir crazy, Carolyn.

- I hate when you disappear. - I'm know, it's just something's...

Something's not right. I'm not bouncing back like I'm used to.

It's called "getting older".

But if you insist on stomping around the woods like a cave man...

I suppose it's a better mid-life crisis thing than

buying a motorcycle and taking off with some student.

Then I'd better try and get back the deposit on that Ducati.

I'll see you.

- Hey. - Come on in.

Hey, Liko.

- You want anything to eat? - No thanks, we're good.

- I want something, Mrs. Nichols. - Me too.

They're kidding. Thanks, Mom. Will you knock it off?

She's adorable, by the way.

- What's so earth-shattering? - Can we...?

I want with pickles and mustard.

We're fine.

So what's up?

For ten years, this guy, Arthur M. Jenkins,

taught at Santa Clarita University with a professor named John Oldman.

One night, this Oldman guy tells his professor friends that he's 14000 years old.

He was born a caveman, became immortal. He knew Columbus, Vincent Van Gogh...

He always uses the name John with a pun for a last name.

Stay in one place for ten years or so, until people realize he doesn't age.

Lived under hundreds of identities, including, wait for it...

Jesus of Nazareth.

He'd lived for thousands of years, never dying, traveling the world...

Until he set up shop in Jerusalem and started preaching.

He gets crucified, his wounds heal, he sneaks off and...

We have Christianity. By accident.

What do you mean, you can't just...

It's science fiction. People write fiction about Jesus all the time.

See what they write about Kirk and Spock. You shouldn't.

But he said that it's a true story. It says right there, "non-fiction".

Oh, then it must be true.

- Many alien books are "non-fiction". - I checked up on Arthur Jenkins.

He was a tenured archeology professor, published a pile of books. The real deal.

Then this one came out and he got laughed off the planet.

- No wonder. - But he did his research.

The John Oldman he knew didn't exist until 2001. No mention of him anywhere.

His references, driver's license, W-2. Everything turned out to be fake.

Jenkins tracked down two colleges where he'd taught under different names.

John Magdel and John Permian.

Magdel? Magdelanian? I have no idea what Permian is.

The first Great Extinction, 250 million years ago.

They also had fake references, and left abruptly after about ten years.

And their descriptions, John Oldman, Magdel, Permian, are virtually identical.

Oldman's DMV records somehow vanished two days after he did.

Google him now, the only reference is this book.

If he is real, he makes his past disappear every time he changes identity.

Makes sense. Million years old, staying under the radar, you have to keep moving.

- Philip, we're not trying to offend you. - I'm not offended.

No, I know. It's just, you really believe.

Look, I know the world isn't flat and more than 6000 years old.

But I believe a man named Jesus lived and died for our sins.

You know there are millions of people who don't believe in Jesus Christ's divinity.

Jews, Hindus, Wiccans, plenty more.

Yes, but that doesn't mean they're right.

Some believe the Galactic Dictator Xenu hid his people in volcanoes on earth, so...

The point is, Jenkins' book is just a story.

If I allow my faith to be shaken by the fantasies of a disgruntled professor...

I'm not really much of a Christian.

Jenkins writes a book about John Oldman. What's this got to do with any of us?

Show him.

I found this book at Professor Young's.

Read the inscription.

"To my dear friend John Oldman."

Professor Young and John Oldman knew each other?

What if Professor Young actually is John Oldman.

How do you make that leap? Are there any pictures?

Jenkins talks about several times when Oldman avoided having his picture taken.

Turning around, stepping behind someone, fake phone calls...

Just to avoid being photographed.

To Jenkins' knowledge, the only existing picture

was taken in 2006 at a barbecue.

So if Professor Young is Jesus Christ returned, then that means we're in...

The End Times.

But if Jesus never left, then he's not returned. He's just...

here.

Cool. I'm hungry. Tara, wanna go get something?

I found an email for Jenkins.

What have we got, Betsy?

Look at that. I think we've got lunch.

Keep it.

And there's another beauty. Alright, Betsy. Let's go.

Come on.

These are for me.

Smell good, too.

Let's make that move.

Let's see, let's move this knight.

What's this?

Dear Miss Chang...

Why don't you and John Oldman

go straight to hell?

God dammit. Why don't they leave me alone?

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

Hey, come here, don't run away. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you.

- I'm not so sure about this anymore. - It was your idea.

I work for Professor Kittriss. And now I'm feeling really "violatey", you know?

- So let's go home. - But I feel like I want to know.

So, let's keep going.

- I wish Jenkins was more responsive. - I wish he was less a dick.

Do you want proof, or not? Photos, something?

Well, then?

This is so exciting.

- Pretty bad-ass, Isabel. - It wasn't locked.

Breaking and entering. Felony makes you kinda hot.

- He really does have a Van Gogh. - Total fake. That'd be worth a fortune.

- Cool Taser? What's this for? - What do you think, perv?

Don't touch that.

Gurar.

I want to be objective, but I really want to believe this

because it would be so deeply, deeply cool.

- Let's split up. - I'll do the bedroom.

There's a basement.

Kittriss is home.

Yeah, give me one sec'.

Hey. We have to go.

Now.

- Come on. - Yeah, I'm coming, I'm coming.

- There's a back door. - Awesome.

My cousin is an art history major. She said it could be an unregistered Van Gogh.

We looked into the authors of those books.

Any history they had prior to publication is sketchy, or nonexistent.

I reached three publishers. None of them had any contact information for the author.

They all vanished with no forwarding address after the publication.

Jonathan Evermore wrote the sci-fi novel "Everlasting Tomorrow,"

about the search for the "meaning of his existence".

I told Bantam I was his granddaughter, looking for his royalties.

She was so happy I called, since they've been piling up since 1966.

No, asshole. We're not taking his money.

- Unbelievable. - We're leaving all that money?

Isn't it weird? Every time someone claims to have been reincarnated,

they were always Napoleon. Alexander the Great. Cleopatra.

It's never the slave who cleaned out Cleopatra's chamber pot.

Or the guy making chamber pots.

"John Oldman" knew the Buddha. Sailed with Columbus.

He didn't actually sail with Columbus.

I read the book, dude.

Come on, get in there. There you go.

Did you saw it? The Van Gogh?

You starting to believe a little bit.

Just because a guy is 14,000 years old, it doesn't make him Jesus.

He could be the guy who made the nails for the cross.

- I was Malcolm X in my past life. - Yeah, for sure.

Hello, Dr. Jenkins, if this is you. If it's not you, I apologize for the wrong number.

So Dr. Jenkins, my name is Isabel Chang.

I do apologize for calling so late, although I did try emailing.

I believe my professor is John Oldman. He calls himself John Young, here at Chico.

Please call me back if you can. I really would love to talk with you.

I know you took a lot of crap for your book, and I just want you to know...

I believe you. There is something different about John Young.

My number's 530-555-0168. Thank you.

Okay, thank you. We will fax that right over.

Another one? Fax... God, what year is this, anyway?

- I'm calling about your email. - Yes. Who is this?

This is Violet Collsen.

- I'm sorry. Violet...? - Collsen. From Central Idaho College.

I've been retired for many years, and my daughter works at the college like I did.

But it was the funniest thing: She was working at home

and I walked passed her desk just when your email came.

Well, I saw the photo and recognized him immediately.

- You did? - Yes, John Pleis.

He was a remarkable man. You just never forget that kind of a person.

- What do you remember about him? - He was our best anthropology professor.

He just had a way about him. You felt you could tell him your secrets.

- And he always had the best advice. - This was how long ago?

Oh, that's about 1957?

- And you remember him clearly? - Yeah. He was a very handsome man, too.

John Pleis?

P-l-e-i-s. Funny name, kind of sticks in your head.

I tried to see what else I could find before calling you.

- There was nothing. He just disappeared. - Yes, he does that.

Well, thank you so much, Ms. Collsen. This is your number if I have questions?

- Great. Thank you so much. Goodbye. - Goodbye.

Pleis. Pleistocene?

We have contacted 60 colleges in 14 states and this was our second hit so far.

Professor Young is a dead ringer for teachers in Idaho and...

Western Wyoming. John Mortem, archaeology, 1979.

Isabel Chang?

This is Arthur Jenkins. You've been trying to reach me.

I have, yes.

Get me a new, clean picture. Email it, or text it to this number.

- I emailed that one... - No, no, no.

Brand-new, full face. Do that and we'll see. Otherwise, we have nothing to talk about.

Thank you so much, Dr. Jenkins. I'm so grateful...

Hey, Professor. We know we're early, but...

It's our last class from you, so we thought we'd have a little goodbye party.

- I'm not going anywhere. - We know. But...

- Here. Cappuccino. - My weakness. Thank you.

Quick, picture.

- Wait, can we go again? - You know the rules.

Real quick.

Okay, class has begun. Take your seats. Cellphones off. Thank you for the coffee.

Cellphones off.

- I knew it. - He did it on purpose.

He didn't want his picture taken so he messed up both shots.

After 14,000 years, you learn a thing or two about hiding.

- These days, there's cameras everywhere. - He can't hide anymore.

All these years of changing his identity... It's over. Time's up. Don't you see?

What do you suggest?

Maybe we just talk to him. Tell him the truth.

- What truth? - That we know who he is.

Based on some book by an old crank and some circumstantial evidence?

We are not crazy people. There is something special about John.

We all knew it the first time we heard him speak. Right?

All throughout history there are prophets, visionaries. Men and women touched by God.

Who's to say John Young isn't one of these people? Why is that so impossible?

Well, it sure isn't likely.

I'm not saying he's the "son of God".

But if he is 14,000 years old, he's the wisest man in the world. In history.

- He should be listened to. Followed. - Worshipped? Is that what you want to say?

- There could be a whole new... - Religion?

Or something, around him.

A corrective for everything we have gotten wrong about Jesus for the past 2000 years.

If that story is true, then everything I've believed is a total lie.

Everything that people throughout history have believed, and lived and died for

is total bullshit. So, no.

Okay, okay. One clear picture of Professor Young's face, and that's it.

Hey Betsy, I have to hit the road for a few days, honey.

But I'll have Suzanne come check on you. Be a good girl.

- Looks nasty. - I got sloppy. Stupid mistake.

What's up? Worried about your grade? You shouldn't be, you did great.

I don't know, it's not that. But thanks.

Then what's going on? Something specific?

I wanted to apologize for yesterday.

The pictures and everything. We're just really going to miss you.

That's okay. I'm going to miss you, too.

I maybe don't act it, but...

I've been lonely most of my life.

Boys only cared about... And the girls hated me because of it.

My parents' friends were always being creepy and...

At some point you either become the person everybody thinks you are, or you just hide.

I didn't want to hide, so... I'm sorry, I don't...

It's okay.

You're okay. You're okay.

What was that?

You know you want me.

Stop. Stop.

- You've been watching me for two years. - You're my student.

It's okay. You're safe with me.

I know who you are. I think it's amazing.

I don't know what you think you know about me, but I need you out of my office.

Fine, I'll make it easy for you.

- Do not make me call security. - And tell them I assaulted you sexually?

Tara, this isn't happening.

- I'm sorry. - It's okay.

Well, you can't.

Spring semester starts in three weeks and you have two sections already filled.

- I'm sorry. - Sorry?

- I can recommend a replacement. - I can't replace you, you know that.

Everyone loves you. Your class is filled in an hour. A third section would sell out, too.

- What's going on here? - Something's come up and I have to go.

- What? - It's personal.

- I'll get Chandra and we can fix this... - No, Gill, please.

I just have to go.

Please, don't do this to me.

I regret it, Gill. Deeply, I do.

Obviously I can't give you a recommendation like this.

I'll have to tell everyone about this mess you're dumping in my lap.

I understand.

Paperwork for the semester all wrapped up? Grades logged, evaluations?

- The last couple of things I'll do today. - You're leaving that soon?

I truly hope that eventually there are no hard feelings.

I'll get over it. But this stinks.

I was hoping to give you my chair in five or six years.

I'd have been honored to take it.

- What the hell were you thinking? - I don't know. I just... you know.

- Okay, what else did he say? - Nothing.

But...

What? What else?

- I think I spilled the beans a little bit. - What beans?

That we know about him.

What exactly did you say?

Well, I... Does it matter? If he knows that we know...

Then he'll disappear for good.

- Crap, Jenkins is on his way down here. - Well, can you call him?

Voice mail.

Hey, Dr. Jenkins. It's Isabel Chang.

Professor Young maybe knows we know and might be leaving really soon.

Please let me know what time you're going to get here. What we should do.

Let's find the guys. It's gonna be okay.

- I knew it. I just knew it. - Carolyn, please...

What, stay calm? Don't get worked up? No, why would I?

- I'm only asking that you... - Let you slip away quietly.

- I've left you money. I don't want you... - I don't need your fucking charity, John.

I have a job.

I need you.

I'm sorry.

I don't understand why you're leaving. The explanation part got by me somehow.

I told you from the start that I would eventually move on.

Yeah, but that's something people say. Like...

"I hate dogs", "I don't want to marry", "No kids".

And guess what? Five years later they're married, with kids.

And a dog.

Not me.

Well, apparently not.

How can a man with so much passion be so cold?

What was this to you?

I've told you how I feel.

Because I'm leaving does not mean that I don't care about you.

That's all I'm going to get out of you, isn't it?

No, just save it.

I'll be back in a few days. I assume you'll be gone by then?

Well, Merry Christmas, John.

Thanks for everything.

- Well, just keep him there. - How are we supposed to do that?

I don't know. But just keep him there. I'm still about two hours away.

You can't get here any faster?

I can only go so fast.

But don't tell him I'm coming. That'll only make him leave faster.

- Alright. Do your best. - Yes, I will do my best.

- Just keep him there? How? - We know where he lives.

You want to talk to him again? You think that's the best course of action?

What choice do we have? If we don't see him now, we'll never see him again.

Let's go.

Please don't leave yet. Just stay one more night. Have dinner with us.

- We only want to talk. - I think it's best if I hit the road now.

Please, I have so many questions for you.

My replacement will be at least as knowledgeable as I am.

You know that's not what we mean.

- I don't know what you want. - Nothing.

- I want to learn from you. - This looks a lot more like stalking.

We read the book.

Don't deny that you're John Oldman.

I see.

I'm sorry. It's fiction.

Yes, I knew Art Jenkins. And yes, we gathered at my cabin. And played a game.

A game. A bunch of eggheads playing intellectual charades.

Maybe it went too far.

Art got angry and I guess this was his response.

I understood things have not gone well for him since its publication.

Early retirement. Laughed out of academia.

That can happen when you publish a science fiction novel as fact.

You're saying Jenkins made everything up.

Just because you write a book and call it 'non-fiction' doesn't make it true.

You're safe with us.

We respect you and want to help you spread the word.

- What word? - The word...

of God.

- You think I try to spread the word of God? - Aren't you?

I am a teacher, not a preacher.

Jesus was a teacher. He said: "Go ye into the world and teach all nations."

I said that in class. I teach the Bible.

You are the living embodiment of Jesus Christ. Always have been, and still are.

That is... what's the word I'm looking for... Nuts.

I'm not even Christian.

Were you, or were you not, Jesus?

Whatever you are looking for, whatever you think I can tell you...

You're going to have to find it somewhere else.

Alright, professor. Have a good life.

A good, long life.

- What did you do? - I tried to keep him here.

- You killed him? - I tased him. He hit his head.

Is he breathing?

- Yeah, he's alive. - You are a lunatic.

- We have to call an ambulance. - Hang on. Wait.

You want to make sure he's dead? You want to be the guy who killed the immortal?

- If Jenkins' story is true... - He's been through a lot worse.

You are insane. We have to get him to a doctor.

- What did you take? - Sorry, I can't hear you.

- Art. Art Jenkins. - Dr. Jenkins. What's up?

My car died. Piece of crap.

I'm broken down by the side of the road. You didn't let John leave, did you?

He's still here. Where are you?

- I don't know. Red Bluff. - That's about an hour away.

- His car broke down in Red Bluff. - Where's that?

- Can you tell me exactly where you are? - It's where the 99 meets the 5.

There's a motel, and a lot of dirt.

- Can't he just take an Uber? - You guys go. I've got this.

We'll come pick you up. Just stay there. We'll call when we're close, okay?

Okay. Thank you.

God dammit.

Is there anything I should be doing? How long until you get here?

Okay, I'll see you soon. Thank you.

You guys go. Ambulance is on the way. Take the idiot with you.

- Are you sure? - Yeah, I got it.

What's going to happen when he wakes up? He's going to be so pissed.

Well, he forgave Judas.

Let's go.

You need to release me.

What am I doing here?

You've kidnapped me. Do you realize that?

We just wanted you to stay.

I wanted to go. So you knocked me out and tied me to a chair.

Cut me loose. I'll leave. You'll never hear from me again.

I'm sorry. I can't.

Yes you can. Just cut the tape and walk away.

Do you want something to drink?

Why are you doing this?

- I want to know the truth. - You want to know the truth.

- Where are the others? - They'll be back soon.

So is there a plan, or are you guys just winging it?

Am I going to be tortured for information?

I don't know where the bomb is. I don't have gold treasures.

They just went to go get Dr. Jenkins.

Art is an angry, bitter man. He does not have our best interest at heart.

He only wants to talk to you.

I'm tied to a chair and Art wants to talk to me.

I'm concerned for your safety. You need to cut me loose.

Where do you worship, Philip?

I'm assuming that you worship somewhere because you seem...

Will you please just stop talking? Please.

- Wouldn't sitting in silence be worse? - I don't know. I'm just trying to think.

It's the Jubilee Christian Fellowship, my church.

I've heard of it. You live locally with your mother, right?

She attends as well?

She knows where you are right now?

- She's at a retreat. - What kind?

Transformation Conference. It's about...

preparing for the future.

Protecting the church.

So she's very involved. Both of you are.

Yeah, her mostly, because I'm busy with school.

You'll be more involved after you graduate, right?

Look, I have questions, okay? Will you answer them?

To the best of my ability.

- I want to... - You want to talk about Jesus.

You believe the Bible is the word of God, right?

Absolutely.

How did you come to that belief?

Growing up, my dad drank.

He hit my mother, so we got out of there.

Some people took us in...

they brought us to the church, and it saved us, really.

We were baptized. Born again.

And you now have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as your savior?

Yes sir, I do.

What would he want you to do now?

I don't know. Why don't you tell me?

- Who exactly do you think I am? - I don't know.

I don't know. You're the best professor I ever had.

You know more about the Bible than Pastor Michaels, plus every other religion.

Most of my teachers, they don't...

they won't...

acknowledge the central truth of scripture. They...

believe that faith and science can't co-exist and that's just not true.

That's not how you teach it.

That just means I'm a decent teacher. Right?

I met Isabel freshman year. It was in your Intro class.

She was the first one of us to realize there's something...

different about you.

The way you spoke.

- I mean, you saved that janitor's life. - That was just CPR, you could do it.

- You talked that girl out of suicide. - She just wanted to be heard.

There's all the other weird stuff, too.

There are no pictures of you. Nothing online before you started teaching.

I've got my own reasons for wanting to be very private these days. That's all.

I mean, on one hand...

what if God really did send His son to Earth to spread his word?

Maybe you're exactly how he'd do it. Allow a man to live for thousands of years,

traveling the world, collecting this knowledge and wisdom,

and once he's got it, he starts preaching.

What he's saying is the truth, so people grasp it right away.

It's like Christianity. It took over the world in a couple of hundred years.

- It makes a certain kind of sense. - And you want to believe that story.

I'm not sure. Because...

if you are Jesus, then...

that means that the Bible is just...

fiction.

I want to know the truth. I need to know the truth.

Can you just tell me the truth?

If I tell you the truth, will you let me go?

Yeah, I guess so.

Okay, I want you to listen very carefully.

Two thousand years ago I stood on a hill in Galilee

and I spoke some basic spiritual truths I'd picked up over the years.

When the gospels were written they called me Christ.

But frankly, the whole thing got a lot bigger than I ever intended.

It got violent and scary and I took off.

I've kept my head down ever since.

I have to move on far more often than I would like.

But lately something's changed.

I'm getting lines in my face, gray hair. I don't heal as fast as I used to.

I don't know if it's something in the air, the water, the food, my blood, or DNA...

or a ticking time bomb in my soul. I feel different.

Are you dying?

I don't know. Maybe. Maybe I'm just changing.

Into what?

If your time is limited, it's even more important for you to come forward.

For you to spread the word as only you can.

I've thought about it a lot and I want to help.

There is so much pain and suffering.

The New Testament said I would return, but I never left.

The Book of Revelation says

Jesus will rule over this planet with his believers for 1000 years.

Shouldn't there be a better way to help people than ruling over them like a king?

What about the Rapture, where the dead in Christ will rise?

Why not bring them into the light now? Why condemn them to darkness?

- They've condemned themselves to darkness. - That's harsh.

That's the fate of those who haven't been saved, or who've abandoned their faith.

Everyone can be saved. Everyone can find peace and love.

Why not create a Heaven on Earth, now? We can help do that.

But right now I need your help.

- What can I do? - It's time to cut me loose.

Okay, what's your plan?

One step at a time.

If you're the son of God, why can't you cut yourself loose?

Son of Man. No magical powers.

Okay, you want a plan.

There are many paths to enlightenment, including your born-again experience.

- But there are equally valid paths. - No, there aren't.

It says in Matthew 18:3...

Jesus tells his disciples: "Be converted, or ye shall not enter Heaven."

There are other approaches to enlightenment that have been practiced throughout time.

Why wouldn't we draw on that experience?

Do they involve the cleansing blood of Christ?

The path is less important than the goal:

a personal transformation that enables us to empathize with others

and bring Heaven on Earth right now.

Rational humans have existed on this planet for 200,000 years.

The New Testament has only existed for a fraction of that time.

This is liberal theological nonsense.

- You're a Methodist now? - I'm not being clear...

I've had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as my savior for the past 10 years.

I think I know who Jesus is. You don't sound anything like him.

I don't know which translation of the Bible you've read.

It's so seductive, isn't it?

It's so seductive. The desire to believe you is so strong.

If people knew you existed and started worshipping you, it could destroy the world.

I have no intention of starting a religion.

You're a real smooth talker, Professor Young.

While you're certainly not Jesus, you do remind me of someone else in the Bible.

Someone with miraculous powers of persuasion.

Someone who wants to transform the world, overturning the true message of the Bible.

You're not Jesus Christ.

You're the Anti-Christ.

Cut me loose, Philip, so we can discuss this rationally.

Sure, cut loose the Anti-Christ. What harm could possibly come from that?

Why don't you listen to yourself?

A minute earlier you're prepared to believe I'm Jesus. Now, I'm the Anti-Christ.

I'm not sure who you are.

Maybe you're a regular guy who's a really good story teller.

But you claimed to be Jesus. You sound more like the Great Deceiver.

Do you even know what the Anti-Christ is? The concept doesn't exist in the Bible.

It's a distortion that superstitious monks created

by pulling completely unrelated passages together.

The word "Antichrist" appears in the Epistles of John

but is never a single person.

I'm talking about the really bad guy from the Book of Revelation.

What malevolent creature from the Book of Revelation do I remotely resemble to you?

There's the seven-headed Beast who is wounded to death.

His wounds miraculously heal. You can do that.

The Beast blasphemes God and heaven, much like your theology of many paths.

Ultimately everyone is worshiping him. You're pushing for a similar plan.

All that's missing is the 666.

You got any tattoos?

The nonsense about the Beast is fantasy literature and nothing more.

You really don't believe in the Bible, do you?

It's a book, written by people.

You're an enemy of the Bible, and your message is disastrous to Christian faith.

- You are a threat. - I just want to be left alone.

I don't believe you.

I haven't lied to you once.

I have an idea. Let's have a little test of faith.

- For me or for you? - Both of us.

I know what I believe in.

Okay. So if I really am the Beast...

what do you think God would have you do with me?

- Probably kill you. - Then do it. Let's end this.

I didn't say you were the Anti-Christ. I just said it could be a possibility.

Great. If you're not going to kill me, you'll have to let me go sometime.

I can't let you go until I know if you're Jesus or not.

- I already told you I was. - That doesn't prove anything.

Then plunge your knife into me and find out.

If I'm Jesus I'll survive. Or die and be reborn.

Maybe you're a manipulative story teller, and I'd be a murderer.

But it still comes down to the same choices: stab me or let me go.

So just stick this knife in your eye or something?

Why not place it on my right side?

Like the Roman soldier with the spear.

So you want me to stab you right now as an act of faith.

I didn't say that.

- But what if I want to? - Then you would be...

You've reached Philip. Sorry I can't get to the phone right now...

No answer.

Philip, where are you? We have Dr. Jenkins, we're really close. Call me.

So what's your problem with him, anyway?

- Me? - Yeah. What'd he ever do to you?

Aside from the fact that he ruined my life? That problem?

Don't get salty, dude.

- What happened, Dr. Jenkins? - Well, you read my book, Isabel. Yes?

You were all good friends, academic peers...

He told you his story, then "just kidding" and he vanished.

I was angry. I felt betrayed. We all felt betrayed.

And I wanted to expose him for the lunatic that I thought he was.

So you became a ninja stalker.

I gave up hope of finding him until I saw your email.

That doesn't explain how you went from a skeptic to a believer.

I'm an archaeologist. I dug deep, looking for the truth,

but I couldn't disprove his fantastic story.

- So I published. And... - Got run out of Dodge on a rail.

It sucks to be you.

No, I would agree.

- I guess the ambulance is already gone. - Maybe there's a note inside.

Call the hospitals. There can't be that many.

- Professor Young's truck is gone. - Hello? Anybody home?

Still no answer. Philip, what's up? Where are you?

Look, there's blood.

Okay, okay. What went on here?

- Philip said he was calling an ambulance. - You need to call the police.

- We don't know what happened. - That's why you need to call the police.

Philip might've done something stupid.

Don't touch that. You have to dial 911.

It's a broken chair and blood. We don't know what went on.

Two people and a car are missing.

- We have to find Philip. - No, you have to call the p...

I'll do it.

Wait, we don't want to get in trouble. Let's just think about what happened.

Maybe Professor Young is in the hospital.

They would've stopped the bleeding here. There wouldn't be a blood trail.

- We're not criminals. - You have no choice.

If the cops come, we all get arrested. Our lives are totally over, period.

But where are they?

Do you think Professor Young killed Philip?

- No way. - Maybe Philip killed Professor Young.

Then he would have had to cut his head off. There's not enough blood for that.

- That's a little graphic. - Maybe they just drove away together.

- After having a knife fight? - Or a ritual sacrifice?

Professor Young was leaving... Maybe he just left.

The Van Gogh is still upstairs. He wouldn't leave it behind, after all these years.

Tara, you and Dr. Jenkins call all the hospitals, see if he's there.

Liko and I will stay here, figure out what to do with this.

Sound like a plan?

I got your letter, obviously. I was surprised to hear from you. And a letter.

Technology is not my friend these days.

- It was a lot of absorb, John. - I know.

How are you feeling?

Still sore. I'm not used to being injured for an extended period of time.

It's only been six weeks.

I've had much worse, and I'm usually up in a couple of days.

- This is different, Harry. - How so?

I don't know. But I hope I'll find out soon.

I like the beard. Reminds me of a Schnauzer I had once.

No, no. I got it.

- So you're living here? - Yes.

- How much longer? - I don't know.

I think I found a name for myself. A classification.

- "Holocene Man". - Your dates are a little off.

The Holocene only goes back 12,000 years. And you, you're...

I saw the ice melt, watched the birth of an epoch.

Scientists are starting to coalesce around the idea that the Holocene's over.

We're now living in the Anthropocene.

Man's activities on the planet have been so severe, it's changed it permanently,

creating a whole new epoch.

That would explain a thing or two about my condition.

End of an era.

Oh, John. Come on, don't talk like that.

Well, everything ends. And apparently, nobody lives forever.

What is it?

John, I didn't do this, come here, for any reason, except you asked.

But, since we're here, I could really use your help.

It's my dad. He's been sick for a while. And now...

Would you be willing to come home with me? Just for a while?

- I think he would really like to meet you. - I'll check my calendar. I think I'm free.

Dr. Jenkins? Angelo Garcetti, FBI.

FBI. What can I do for you?

I hope we could talk about John Young, aka John Oldman, aka John Magdel.

Yeah, yeah. I know who you mean.

- I don't know where he is. - I know. If you knew, I'd know it, too.

Is that so?

Do you think he kidnapped Philip Nichols?

I hope not. I'd hate to think he'd hurt a kid.

You have reason to believe he's capable of violence?

He hunts large animals with bow and arrow, and butchers them with his own hands.

- I have no idea what he's capable of. - I see.

- You've said he claims to be immortal? - Sometimes. Sometimes he denies it.

- Do you think it's true? - Maybe he's just older than he looks.

You describe him as over six feet, thin, with dark hair and eyes.

Interesting.

- Why? What's it to you? - It's a cold case.

Crazy thing. His description matches a guy, died years ago.

But witnesses keep placing him at the scene of violent crimes. Sick, twisted stuff.

Always a different name, different place, but the same description.

I don't think John would hurt people intentionally.

But he is certainly a skilled identity fabricator.

Maybe so.

But an immortal, identity-changing serial killer... Could that be possible?

I think...

anything is possible.

Hi again. I hope you enjoyed the film. We left the ending kind of open,

because we hope to make another movie, or possibly even a television series.

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