Mope

As the cinematic curtain rises, a somber tone is set with a haunting Bible passage from Nahum 3:6: "I will cast abominable filth upon you, make you vile and make you a spectacle." This ominous introduction is juxtaposed with an unsettling image of a bloodied chimpanzee roaming around a disheveled sitcom set. The significance of this scene will become clear as the narrative unfolds.

On Haywood's Hollywood Horses ranch, Otis Haywood Sr. and his son, OJ (referred to as OJ), embark on their daily routine of tending to the horses. In the background, a radio broadcast hints at the mysterious vanishing of two hikers. Suddenly, an inexplicable power outage plunges the ranch into darkness, accompanied by blood-curdling screams from above. A hail of debris rains down, and in a gruesome twist, a coin pierces Otis Sr.'s eye, ending his life. OJ frantically attempts to get his father medical attention, but it's too late.

As the days pass, 6 months after the fateful event, OJ returns to the movie set where one of their horses, Lucky, is being used for a commercial directed by cinematographer Antlers Holst. His sister Emerald (referred to as Em) arrives on set, and together they explain the importance of safety protocols when working with animals. The Haywoods are proud of their heritage, which includes their great-great-great-grandfather, a pioneering black man who rode a horse in the first motion picture ever made.

However, the production staff fails to take their warnings seriously, disrespecting Lucky's boundaries and triggering an explosive reaction from the horse. As a result, the Haywoods are unceremoniously fired from the project, with a VFX horse replacing their beloved Lucky.

With financial struggles mounting at the ranch, the Haywoods visit Ricky "Jupe" Park, a former child actor turned entrepreneur who owns Jupiter's Claim, a Western-themed amusement park. Jupe offers to buy the ranch and its 11th horse, Lucky, which he sees as a valuable addition to his attractions. As they converse, Jupe shares an unsettling story about a traumatic experience on the set of the sitcom Gordy's Home, where a chimpanzee actor went rogue. This harrowing tale foreshadows the chaos that will soon engulf the Haywoods' lives.

As Em encourages OJ to accept Jupe's offer and sell the ranch, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown between the Haywoods' proud heritage and their uncertain future.

As Em shares the tale with OJ about Otis Sr.'s promise to train her first equine companion, Jean Jacket, the narrative takes an unexpected turn. The horse would ultimately be utilized in a cinematic production, only to have another animal take its place - a poignant reminder that even the most significant promises can be fleeting. Meanwhile, Em's observant eye spots Ghost, their other equine friend, mysteriously materializing within the arena. This unexplained occurrence marks the beginning of a series of enigmatic events, as the film is divided into chapters, each bearing the name of an animal integral to the story.

As OJ enters the arena, he finds Ghost lingering before noticing something peculiar on the horizon - a cluster of lights and a voice emanating from the speakers. The spectacle slowly fades away, prompting Ghost's hasty retreat. OJ tracks down the errant horse as it flees the ranch, only to discover that the other equines have turned restless, behaving violently under the stars. Amidst this chaos, Em notices a brief power outage at the Haywood home, during which OJ claims to have spotted a glowing disc hovering in the night sky.

The next day, OJ and Em venture to Fry's Electronics, determined to capture the elusive UFO on film. Staff member Angel Torres offers his expertise, hypothesizing that the Haywoods may be situated in a hotspot for extraterrestrial activity. Later, he arrives at the ranch, regaling them with tales of alien encounters. Em momentarily departs, returning with a pilfered display horse from Jupiter's Claim - a calculated move intended to serve as bait. Jupe soon appears, questioning Em about the stolen equine, but she skillfully deflects his inquiry.

Undeterred, Jupe extends an invitation to the Haywoods, but the wind whisks away his flyer, leaving it torn and abandoned. As night falls, OJ and Em set up their cameras, accompanied by the decoy horse. However, OJ is startled to discover that someone has released another equine - Clover - onto the scene. As he investigates this anomaly, multiple figures emerge from the shadows. Initially mistaken for extraterrestrial beings, these entities reveal themselves to be Jupe's own children, exacting revenge for the theft of their display horse.

This chapter, titled CLOVER, marks a turning point in the narrative, as the Haywoods are forced to confront the consequences of their actions and the reality of the mysterious events unfolding around them.

As the sun dips below the horizon, Orenthal (OJ) embarks on a quest to locate Clover, only to be foiled by an unexpected arrival: a UFO hovering in the clouds. The extraterrestrial visitor swoops down, snatching up the decoy horse and leaving it stuck in mid-air. Clover, understandably spooked, makes a break for freedom as OJ rushes to intervene. However, Em's timely warning allows him to duck for cover just in time, but not before witnessing the heart-stopping abduction of both the decoy horse and Clover herself. The team's efforts to capture the moment on camera are thwarted by an uncooperative praying mantis, which inadvertently blocks the view from one of their surveillance cameras.

As Em urges OJ to abandon the operation, he remains resolute, convinced that there is more to this bizarre incident than meets the eye. His persistence pays off when Em reluctantly agrees to stay and continue with the plan.

The following day, Angel returns, bearing news of a groundbreaking discovery: a cloud in the footage that never moves, which could potentially be the UFO's hiding place. Em reaches out to Antlers, but he declines their invitation, citing concerns about being trapped in this "dream" of fame. OJ, meanwhile, begins to harbor doubts about the true nature of the UFO, speculating that it might not be a mere flying saucer after all.

As the scene shifts to 1998, we find ourselves transported to the set of the sitcom Gordy's Home, where a young Michael Jupe and his fellow actors are filming an episode titled "Gordy's Birthday." Chaos erupts when balloons suddenly begin popping in the room, sending the chimpanzee playing Gordy into a frenzy. Panic sets in as the primate attacks its human co-stars, with Mary Jo Elliot and Tom Bogan bearing the brunt of its wrath. As Jupe hides under a table, he bears witness to a shoe standing upright on its own – a strange occurrence that would later find its way onto display.

The chaos subsides only when the chimpanzee, its frenzy spent, approaches Jupe with an unsettling intensity, employing sign language to inquire about the whereabouts of the family. In a poignant moment, the primate reaches out for the iconic fist bump, but its life is cut short by a tragic gunshot before their fists can meet.

Back in the present, Jupe's thoughts are consumed by memories of the massacre as he prepares for an upcoming event with his wife Amber's support. Her encouragement proves invaluable, helping him to commit his lines to memory.

Meanwhile, Angel sets up tarps in anticipation of an impending storm, while OJ stumbles upon a flyer promoting the Star Lasso Experience, featuring none other than Michael Jupe himself as "Lucky." Convinced that this might be a chance to recapture the elusive star, OJ heads to Jupiter's Claim, driven by a burning desire to bring Lucky back.

As Jupe commences the Star Lasso Experience, he regales the audience with a tale of witnessing a UFO up close, promising that they will depart having undergone a profound transformation. The extraterrestrial visitor arrives ahead of schedule, and Jupe unveils a glass enclosure containing Lucky, destined to be consumed by the spectacle. However, Lucky refuses to budge from his box, while above them, the audience gazes upon the UFO's imposing presence - including Mary Jo Elliot, whose face bears the scars of the traumatic Gordy incident. The camera fixes on Jupe's stunned visage as the shadows behind him seem to suck up the enthralled crowd.

As the lens plunges into the heart of the UFO, it reveals itself to be an alien entity, its gaze illuminated by a green square - the same symbol that had bookended the film's opening credits. With a sense of macabre inevitability, Jupe, his family, and the audience are consumed by this otherworldly being, accompanied by the cacophony of screams and crunching bones.

Meanwhile, OJ arrives at Jupiter's Claim to find Lucky waiting for him, only to have the alien return and attempt to reclaim its latest meal. OJ narrowly avoids becoming its next course, courtesy of a well-timed knock from the arena's bleachers. As he regains consciousness under the cover of darkness, OJ discovers Lucky intact beside him. He loads his equine companion into the truck and sets off towards the ranch, warning Em via phone call that their UFO visitor is not what it seems - a hungry, territorial alien hell-bent on devouring everything in its path.

As Angel prepares to depart the ranch, she's forced to seek refuge within its walls. The extraterrestrial visitor arrives above Haywood house, vomiting forth blood and debris as Em and Angel watch in horror. OJ's truck sputters to a halt just short of reaching the house, and the alien dispatches a decoy horse from the vehicle before moving on.

Come morning, OJ persuades Em and Angel to flee in Angel's truck, with the extraterrestrial visitor hot on their heels. Recalling Lucky's earlier predicament on the commercial set, OJ exercises prudence by avoiding eye contact with the alien - thereby allowing him to survive its latest encounter. The trio escapes successfully and seeks refuge at Angel's apartment.

That night, as they share a meal together, OJ explains that this extraterrestrial entity perceives itself as challenged when individuals dare look upon it, prompting it to consume them. As Antlers tunes in to news reports detailing the Star Lasso Experience's audience disappearance, he decides to join forces with OJ, Em, and Angel in their quest for survival.

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The planning phase begins as Antlers (character name) arrives at the group's abode, accompanied by his trusty hand-cranked camera, carefully designed to withstand the alien's meddling. The clever bunch decides to utilize tube man props to track Jean Jacket's movements, while Em takes up position with cameras, meticulously surveilling the area. Meanwhile, OJ assumes the role of bait, luring the extraterrestrial into their trap.

The following day, however, things take an unexpected turn as Ryder Muybridge, a zealous TMZ reporter, trespasses on the scene, only to meet his demise when Jean Jacket conveniently disables his motorbike. OJ valiantly attempts to save Ryder but is forced to abandon him, opting instead to focus on baiting the alien and capturing crucial footage for Antlers.

As Em and Angel (character name) successfully navigate their encounters with Jean Jacket, the alien's form begins to morph into a gargantuan jellyfish-like shape. Following a heartwarming exchange with OJ, Em commandeers Ryder's motorbike and speeds towards Jupiter's Claim, leaving the chaos behind. En route, she detaches the park's iconic giant balloon mascot and uses the Winkin' Well attraction, featuring an analog camera, to snap a photo of Jean Jacket as it devours the balloon.

The resulting explosion sends both the balloon and Jean Jacket into oblivion, prompting Em to revel in triumph before resting near the Winkin' Well. As reporters converge on the scene, Em stands tall, closes her eyes, and reopens them to behold OJ riding Lucky, emerging from the fog like a phantom. The film concludes with a lingering shot of the photograph, forever capturing Jean Jacket's essence.