I'm No Longer Here - Characters & Cast

His primary motivation is to preserve his identity and connection to his culture. In Monterrey, this means leading Los Terkos and living for the dance. In New York, it becomes a desperate struggle to hold onto the music, style, and memories that define him against a tide of assimilation and loneliness. His ultimate motivation is to belong somewhere again.

Ulises begins as a confident, respected leader of his subculture in Monterrey. Forced displacement to New York shatters his identity, transforming him from a leader into an isolated and misunderstood outcast. He stubbornly clings to his culture, but relentless alienation grinds him down, leading to a moment of crisis where he cuts his hair, symbolizing the death of his old self. His return to Mexico completes his tragic arc; he finds he is no longer 'here' even in his own home, which has irrevocably changed. He is left suspended between two worlds, belonging to neither.

Initially motivated by curiosity and perhaps a shared sense of being an outsider, Lin seeks connection. Ultimately, her motivation shifts towards fitting in with her new environment and assimilating into American youth culture, which leads to her abandoning her brief friendship with Ulises.

Lin is a young Chinese immigrant who is initially intrigued by Ulises' unique style, seeing in him a fellow outsider. She offers him a brief moment of connection and hope, attempting to bridge their language barrier. However, her arc shows a different path of immigration. As she becomes more comfortable and accepted by her American peers, she distances herself from Ulises. Her arc contrasts with his; she seeks to assimilate and eventually leaves him behind, representing the opposite impulse to his stubborn cultural preservation.

Her motivation is friendship and loyalty to Ulises and the Terkos. Her actions are driven by a desire to maintain their bond, even as their world is falling apart.

Chaparra represents the heart of Los Terkos and Ulises' life in Monterrey. She is a loyal and steadfast friend. Her arc is mostly seen through Ulises' memories and brief glimpses on social media. She gives him the MP3 player, a crucial symbol of their bond. By the end of the film, when Ulises returns, the change in his friends, including Chaparra's implied fate within the new cartel-dominated landscape, signifies the complete destruction of the world he left behind.