The Intruder

As Scott Howard (Michael Ealy) arrives at a surprise party celebrating his promotion, courtesy of his wife Annie (Meagan Good) and their friends, he's showered with toasts and accolades. The festive atmosphere is short-lived, however, as Scott and Annie soon find themselves drawn to a picturesque home in Napa Valley, only to be startled by the owner, Charlie Peck (Dennis Quaid), who's busy dispatching a deer that's been ravaging the gardens. As they tour the property, Charlie shares his story of loss, having recently lost his wife Ellen to cancer, and reveals his plans to relocate to Florida with his daughter.

The couple is taken aback by Charlie's warmth and openness, which prompts them to reconsider taking over the house at a reduced price. They eventually decide to make it their own and host a cozy housewarming party with Mike (Joseph Sikora) and his girlfriend Rachel (Alvina August). As Mike steps outside for a smoke, he becomes increasingly uneasy about being watched from the treeline. The next morning, he discovers a cigarette burn on the upholstery of his car, leaving him feeling on edge.

As Scott and Annie head into town to grab some ice cream, Annie notices her husband's flirtatious banter with the cashier, which sets off alarm bells for her. Later that evening, she confronts Scott about his behavior, expressing discomfort at the way he's been carrying on.

In an effort to reach out to Charlie after his recent loss, Annie invites him over for Thanksgiving dinner. As he arrives, he's visibly discomfited by a tapestry that Scott has removed from the wall, which was originally hung by Ellen. The tension is palpable as Charlie's eyes flash with anger, but he keeps his cool, instead joining Mike outside for a smoke and conversation.

As they chat, Charlie's demeanor seems off-kilter to Mike, who senses that someone may be watching them from the woods. After Charlie departs, Mike shares his concerns with Scott, pointing out the cigarette burn on his car seat and suggesting that their new neighbor might not be as innocent as he appears.

As tensions simmer beneath the surface, Scott takes proactive measures by hiring a security firm to fortify his home's defenses. However, Charlie's sudden appearance disrupts the tranquility, barking orders at the workers to cease their activities. Scott firmly yet calmly reminds him that this is no longer his domain, and it's his duty as a husband to safeguard his wife's well-being. Charlie attempts to downplay the situation, insisting that any strange noises emanating from the woods are merely the result of rowdy high school kids.

Meanwhile, Scott's professional life is thriving, earning him a major client and an invitation to unwind with colleagues over drinks. Unfortunately, this comes at the expense of his evening plans with Annie, who had prepared dinner for the two of them. Charlie seizes the opportunity to spend quality time with Annie, fueling her suspicions about Scott's whereabouts. As it becomes apparent that Scott has been keeping secrets from his wife, their conversation devolves into a heated exchange, with both parties harboring grievances.

As night falls, the security lights flicker to life, prompting Scott to rush outside armed with a baseball bat to confront any potential intruder. However, he's surprised to find a group of high school students frantically fleeing the scene, having been startled by the sudden illumination. What he fails to notice is Charlie lurking in the shadows, hiding from view.

The following evening, Scott and Annie embark on a night out in town, only for their tranquil evening to be disrupted by Charlie's claims of being an unsuspecting hotel guest. A tipsy Scott confronts Charlie about his proximity to his wife, demanding that he respect her boundaries while Annie looks on uncomfortably.

Scott's life takes a dramatic turn when he becomes the victim of a hit-and-run incident during a jog. Rushed to the hospital and forced to spend the night under observation, Scott seeks answers from Mike, who uncovers a web of deceit surrounding Charlie. It emerges that Charlie was deeply in debt after his construction business went belly-up, leading him to sell his beloved home against his will. Furthermore, it's revealed that Ellen died under suspicious circumstances, with Charlie's rifle being the apparent instrument of her demise. Moreover, Mike discovers that Charlie has a daughter named Cassidy, who had changed her name and moved away to escape her father's troubled past.

As Charlie (character name) pays a visit to Annie at home, feigning concern over Scott's recent accident and bearing gifts of pizza, Mike is dispatched by Scott to check in on Annie. Upon arriving at their residence, Mike spots Charlie's truck parked outside and notifies Scott, who dispatches him to investigate further. Unbeknownst to Mike, Charlie catches wind of his presence and emerges from the shadows, axe in hand, with a sinister intent. With Annie none the wiser, Charlie pretends to be friendly, escorting Mike back to his car before revealing his true intentions - to eliminate Scott and then striking Mike with the axe.

Meanwhile, Scott's hospital release marks the beginning of his efforts to reconnect with Cassidy, only to have her abruptly terminate their conversation upon hearing Charlie's name. His return home finds him suspecting Charlie of orchestrating the attack, given the unlikeliest timing of Charlie's discovery about the accident. This newfound distrust resonates deeply with Annie, who begins to share Scott's concerns.

Undeterred by his recent failure, Scott manages to reestablish contact with Cassidy, only to be met with a chilling revelation - her father, Charlie, is a ruthless individual responsible for the murder of Ellen, whose threat to divorce him and claim their shared property was deemed too great. This dark truth primes Annie for the terror that awaits her at home.

As Scott's suspicions regarding Charlie's involvement grow, Annie finds herself increasingly beset by fear. Her attempts to evict Charlie from their residence prove futile, as she discovers a hidden pathway leading to his secret lair - a cellar beneath the house where he has been secretly residing. There, she stumbles upon a freezer containing Mike's lifeless body, a grim reminder of Charlie's deadly intentions.

Charlie, oblivious to Annie's growing unease, continues to manipulate her, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. When Scott returns home, Charlie is caught in the act, attempting to restrain Annie as part of his twisted plans. In a desperate bid for freedom, Annie manages to break free and share with Scott the horrors she has uncovered.

As Charlie flees to retrieve his rifle, Scott and Annie take refuge in their bedroom, awaiting the perfect moment to strike back. A tense standoff ensues, punctuated by Charlie's frantic attempts to locate them. Scott seizes his chance, striking Charlie across the face with a bat before claiming his rifle and preparing for a final confrontation.

In a heart-pounding climax, Annie dials 911, reporting an intruder shot by her husband. Desperate to cling to life, Charlie begs for mercy before meeting his maker at the business end of Scott's rifle. With justice finally served, Scott stands victorious, having vanquished the monster that had haunted them for so long.