The Vicious Kind 2009

As Peter returns home from college, he finds himself in the reluctant company of his older brother Caleb, who is tasked with driving him through the holiday season. Tensions run high as the brothers navigate conversations about Peter’s new girlfriend, Emma Gainsborough, whom Caleb regard with skepticism. Despite the seemingly innocent nature of Emma, Caleb’s distrust is spurred by unsettling rumors of her past relationships.

The brothers’ disdain for each other reaches a boiling point at their father Donald’s home, where the family dynamic becomes even more strained under Donald’s flirtatious and crude demeanor. Struggling with chronic insomnia, Caleb’s mental state deteriorates further as he is haunted by memories of his ex-girlfriend Hannah. The resemblance between Hannah and Emma reminds him of a painful past filled with betrayal, leading him to take drastic actions, including leaving provocative pictures of himself with a prostitute at Hannah’s doorstep.

In an uncanny twist of fate, Caleb and Emma cross paths multiple times over the next few days—first at a local bowling alley and later at a grocery store. These encounters lead to Caleb expressing his volatile emotions through violent outbursts aimed at Peter, whom he views as naive. Eventually, Caleb finds himself pleading for Emma’s forgiveness after their confrontations.

That evening, Emma catches Caleb in the act of observing her with a camera, which prompts her to confront him about his earlier antics. In a moment of vulnerability, Caleb divulges the rumors about Emma, his traumatic experiences with Hannah, and the toll that sleepless nights have taken on him. He leaves her with a marginal sense of relief.

The following morning, Emma learns from Donald that Peter’s mother passed away during their childhood, a revelation that adds another layer to their challenging family history. Although Caleb hints at feeling more mentally stable after managing to catch a few hours of sleep, his resolve is tested when he meets Emma at a local eatery. Alone with her, he insists that his feelings are purely platonic, yet he can’t resist the urge to steal a kiss, leaving Emma silent and Peter blissfully unaware of the tension that simmers beneath the surface.

Caleb takes it upon himself to warn Peter to be cautious of Emma, citing her peculiar fixation on him. But Peter opens up about his genuine love for Emma, stating that he wishes to share his virginity with her, which amuses Caleb. Later, Caleb expresses regret for his previous judgments about Emma, trying to reconcile with his brother.

As Peter and Emma consider taking their relationship to new heights, a key revelation regarding Emma’s history unfolds, shedding light on how Caleb was the only witness to their mother’s demise, an incident that scars him deeply. Meanwhile, Caleb seeks advice from a prostitute about the complexities of love, questioning whether it is possible to fall for an ideal rather than the real person.

When Caleb attempts to apologize to Emma for the unwanted kiss, they encounter a situation where Emma locks herself out of her house. He helps her enter through a window, and amidst a moment of close proximity, tension ignites before Emma firmly instructs him to cease all communication. Caleb departs, left to reflect on their disrupted intimacy.

At a bar, Caleb talks to his coworker JT about his lack of sexual intimacy with Emma while feeling compelled to defend a woman against harassment, signaling a significant change in his character. However, Peter’s romantic efforts with Emma are thwarted as he experiences premature ejaculation—a stark contrast to the passionate release Caleb ultimately finds with her.

With Caleb confronting his past denying relationship with their mother, he reveals emotional layers of hurt and betrayal, unearthing deep-rooted issues involving Donald’s infidelity. In a bittersweet twist, Caleb’s realization of his own mistakes leads him to express a surprising insight about Peter’s sincere feelings for Emma. This confrontation results in Caleb’s distance from his family ties as he prepares to expose Donald’s secrets.

The next morning at the train station, Peter’s heartfelt declaration of love for Emma meets tears, and Donald grapples with guilt as he imparts wisdom about strength through pain. Meanwhile, Caleb’s unexpected visit to Donald hints at a fragile reconciliation, offering a glimmer of hope for healing within their fractured family.