In the dim corners of New York's shadowy streets, Zou Lei, an undocumented immigrant with dreams of a better future, toils away in a kitchen to eke out a meager existence. Elsewhere, Brad Skinner, haunted by the horrors of his tours in Iraq, numbs his PTSD with a ceaseless cycle of partying. Their serendipitous encounter offers a glimmer of hope for redemption and the start of a new life together. But as they grapple with the ruthless realities of homelessness, incarceration, and Skinner’s tormented psyche, the fragility of their bond is laid bare. 'Preparation for the Next Life' is a raw, unflinching dive into the American underbelly, dissecting the shattered dreams and resilience of society's outcasts.