Slapface 2022

In a dilapidated house filled with haunting memories of their late mother, brothers Lucas and Tom struggle to find comfort in one another’s company after their tragic loss. Their fragile relationship is put to the test by the relentless bullying of a trio of girls: Donna, Rose, and Moriah, who dominate the streets with their fierce control. Despite his infatuation with Moriah, Lucas must face the harsh realities of his world when the girls demand he explore the dilapidated house at the edge of town, claiming it’s for the sake of “stalking” Moriah. It is within those haunting walls that Lucas encounters Virago, a mysterious creature who unexpectedly becomes a source of companionship.

As Lucas develops an increasingly profound bond with Virago, he grapples with the pull of loyalty to Tom and the temptation of his feelings for Moriah. Under the light of a silvery moon, Lucas decides to enter the abandoned house alone, where he faces the creature that has now woven itself into his life. In a surreal moment, Virago shields Lucas from a pack of menacing stray dogs, showcasing its protective instinct.

This harrowing encounter breeds tension within the household; Tom’s relationship with Anna becomes fraught with conflict, culminating in a dramatic argument that leaves Lucas feeling deserted and alone. In his search for comfort, Virago remains at his side, providing an unsettling but palpable sense of solace.

In a daring twist, Moriah joins Lucas on a journey to the abandoned house, where she must confront her own trepidations. In a moment charged with intimacy, Lucas steals a kiss, yet Virago remains an ever-watchful presence, silently observing their every interaction. Just when it seems the darkness is lifting, the monster ominously makes its presence felt at the brothers’ home, causing a chill to envelop both Moriah and Lucas as they delve deep into their community’s library, uncovering truths that weigh heavily on their hearts. Meanwhile, Anna unearths a painful reminder of loss in the form of a missing dog poster, igniting her pursuit of closure but leading her straight into the gaze of the lurking creature.

In a frantic attempt to locate Anna, Lucas seeks Tom at the local bar, where their search turns futile amid the eerie quiet of their town’s streets. The atmosphere grows thick with tension as their steps echo ominously, heralding an impending calamity. Lucas’s own darker instincts spiral to the surface when an unsettling incident involving a rat unfolds in front of Moriah, signaling the upheaval that lies ahead.

As the human barriers surrounding their reality begin to disintegrate, Moriah’s patience with Lucas reaches its limit, prompting her to end their relationship and leaving him to wallow in despair. It is only in the silence of his own bathroom, when the monster’s sudden appearance plunges him into panic, that Lucas recognizes the severity of his unraveling sanity.

As Lucas and Tom engage in a twisted game of slapface, their laughter disguises the dread lurking just beneath their camaraderie. The festivities take a dark turn when the creature emerges from the shadows, its scrutinizing gaze embedding itself into Lucas’s consciousness and disrupting his illusions of safety.

Desperation drives Lucas back to Moriah, but she remains entrenched in her own defenses, leaving him in a state of confusion and longing. His pursuit of answers leads him to a quiet flower-laden path that ultimately guides him to Anna’s grave, illustrating the stark repercussions of their shared turmoil.

As if the universe had conspired against him, the trio of bullies who have tormented Lucas for so long converge once more, their taunts interrupted by the thunderous roar of the monster, momentarily silencing their scorn. Moriah’s bitterness results in her spitting on Lucas, pushing him into a panic as the bullies pursue him.

In a climactic moment, Lucas stares down at Moriah’s broken form, her body lifeless and bruised on the forest floor. The twins’ hasty retreat leaves them to confront the monster alone, lurking with ominous intent in the shadows, its presence a constant reminder of the madness engulfing their world.

Once Tom arrives at the precinct, he is met with skepticism and refusal by the authorities, leaving him to fend for Lucas alone. The sheriff, in a somber conversation, seeks to connect with Lucas, reminiscing about their shared past and his history of instability. The tension mounts dramatically as alarms wail, drawing Lucas out into a hallway of horror, filled with carnage and chaos; bodies litter the ground, blood smearing the walls. Faced with the monstrous figure at the center of it all, Lucas’s grip on his sanity falters as he prepares to defend himself, only to then drop the firearm and flee home.

Desperate for companionship, Lucas reaches out to Tom, pleading for his return to safety. Overwhelmed with grief, he confides in Virago, asking if it is truly a force of good amidst the devastation. With a trembling voice, he asks, > “Can’t we be friends?” — just as Tom bursts into the room, shattering their fragile moment.

Tom’s arrival triggers a volatile sequence of events. He is struck down, slipping into unconsciousness, and in a frantic attempt to protect him, Lucas grabs a gun, unleashing a hail of bullets before stabbing the monster. Believing that he has lost Tom forever, Lucas cradles his brother’s seemingly lifeless body, tears streaming as he mourns what he fears is the end.

Just when despair feels insurmountable, the police storm in, only to discover that the monstrous entity they were hunting has vanished without a trace. While the authorities address the mayhem, Lucas sits in a daze, absorbing the chaotic reality that has shattered his world. The film concludes on a haunting note: Lucas sits amidst the ruins, his face stained with blood and tears, as the camera captures the anguish etched deep into his soul.