Assassination Nation 2018

In Salem, Massachusetts, a sense of unease settles over the small town as residents don enigmatic masks that conceal their identities. The narrative is then framed by the introspective voice of high school senior Lily Coulson (Odessa Young), who laments how her community has succumbed to madness. As she recounts her story, we are transported back in time to a moment when Lily was just another ordinary student, surrounded by her closest friends - Bex (Hari Nef), Em (Abra), and Sarah (Suki Waterhouse). The girls frequently discuss the budding romance between Bex and Diamond (Danny Ramirez), with Bex’s excitement palpable as she texts him. Later that night, they attend a party where Bex and Diamond share a passionate moment, while Lily retreats to be alone with her boyfriend Mark (Bill Skarsgard). However, after their physical encounter, Diamond abruptly departs, leaving Bex heartbroken and tears streaming down her face. Meanwhile, Lily is secretly texting someone named “Daddy” behind Mark’s back.

The following day, a series of shocking events unfolds as Mayor Bartlett (Cullen Moss), a vocal opponent of the LGBTQ+ community, is exposed for engaging in illicit activities with male escorts and donning women’s clothing. The ensuing scandal sends Mayor Bartlett into a downward spiral of despair, ultimately culminating in his dramatic and disturbing act of self-harm before a gathering of stunned onlookers. Bex, unfazed by the tragedy, rationalizes her lack of empathy towards Mayor Bartlett due to his prior hypocrisy.

As tensions simmer at school, Lily is summoned by Principal Turrell (Colman Domingo) for creating explicit drawings of nude women. Lily defends her artwork as a means of empowerment, while Principal Turrell cautions her about her promising future. Shortly after, Principal Turrell’s phone is hacked, revealing compromising images of his underage daughter, thereby fueling speculation that he is a pedophile. He attempts to clear his name before an assembled crowd of outraged individuals, assuring them that he truly cares for the children and will not resign, only to be met with scorn.

As the hacking epidemic spreads, it becomes apparent that cheerleader Reagan (Bella Thorne) is responsible for disseminating nude images of her friend Grace (Maude Apatow). In a stunning turn of events, Grace exacts revenge by using an aluminum bat during cheerleading practice, leaving Reagan bloodied and battered. This violent act culminates in Grace’s arrest, further plunging the town into chaos.

As the town’s privacy breaches spiral out of control, Lily’s personal life is laid bare for all to see. It becomes clear that her seemingly innocent neighbor Nick Mathers (Joel McHale) has been secretly collecting intimate photos and videos from Lily, which he shares with the rest of the community. Mark’s discovery of these incriminating images sparks a devastating sequence of events as he enlists his friends to humiliate Lily by capturing a compromising image of her birthmark on camera, all while her parents are left reeling in shock after discovering their daughter’s deceit.

Lily’s subsequent attempt to escape the toxic atmosphere is met with further humiliation when a group of vengeful men drive past her, filming and mocking her every move. One particularly aggressive individual even produces a knife, prompting Lily to seek refuge in an unexpected backyard haven. As she flees through the property, her pursuer hot on her heels, Lily seizes a nearby shovel and delivers a swift blow to his face, ending the chase.

As the town’s menfolk become increasingly unhinged by their own privacy breaches, suspicion falls on Marty (Noah Galvin), a young individual who unwittingly becomes embroiled in the chaos. Following a grueling session of waterboarding, Marty is coerced into revealing the true mastermind behind the hacks. In a heart-wrenching display of public brutality, Marty’s tormentors stab him to death during a live video stream, leaving Lily and her friends aware that they are now squarely in the crosshairs.

Meanwhile, Em’s home becomes a battleground as masked intruders invade her space, seeking to target the girls. Em’s mother Nance (Anika Noni Rose) proves herself a formidable opponent, taking down several attackers with her own gun before falling victim to one of the men. As Em and Sarah are taken hostage by a corrupt cop and his cohorts, Bex finds herself cornered in her home by a masked goon wielding a nail gun. The ensuing underwater battle sees Bex turn the tables on her attacker, only to be subsequently caught by Diamond, Johnny (Cody Christian), and their accomplices.

As Lily flees to Nick’s residence in desperation, she unwittingly stumbles into a trap of twisted intentions. Initially, Nick’s comforting demeanor seems genuine, but it soon morphs into a sinister game as he attempts to forcibly take advantage of her vulnerability. Despite appearances, Lily seizes the opportunity to fight back, biting his face and hiding in the bathroom where she discovers what appears to be the gruesome remnants of Nick’s wife and daughter - victims of his own cruel hand. The truth behind their demise only serves to fuel Lily’s determination as she arms herself with razor-sharp implements embedded within a bar of soap.

As fate would have it, Nick’s brutal assault on Lily is met with her swift retaliation, leaving him bloodied and defeated. With her newfound arsenal at the ready, Lily sets out to rescue her friends from the clutches of their tormentors. Her first stop is the scene of the cop’s heinous crime, where she confronts the perpetrator and blasts him with a shotgun, freeing Em and Sarah from their captors.

The trio then embarks on a mission to save Bex, who finds herself at the mercy of Johnny’s cruel whims after her transgender status becomes known. Diamond’s attempts to intervene only serve to earn him a reprieve, as Bex pleads for his life. However, before she can exact her revenge, the girls arrive with their arsenal of weapons and unleash a hail of bullets, cutting down Johnny’s minions one by one.

With the immediate danger neutralized, Bex sets her sights on Johnny himself, only to spare his life after he begs for mercy. The trio also liberates Diamond, allowing him to escape the clutches of his tormentors. As they regroup and reassess their situation, Lily decides to take a stand against the forces of oppression by recording a video plea, urging other girls in the neighborhood to join her in the fight against the psychopaths that have ravaged their lives.

The call to arms resonates deeply, as the girls respond en masse, arming themselves and preparing to face an army of masked assailants. Meanwhile, elsewhere, Mr. and Mrs. Coulson are brought before a detective, wracked with worry about the true identity of the hacker responsible for the chaos that has engulfed their lives. As they struggle to come to terms with the gravity of the situation, it becomes clear that the culprit is none other than Lily’s own brother, Donny (Caden Swain), who reveals his motivation for the hack as simply “for the lulz.”