While She Was Out

On Christmas Eve, suburban life for Della Myers (Kim Basinger) takes a tumultuous turn as she navigates the treacherous landscape of her own home. Her husband Kenneth's (Craig Sheffer) verbal and physical abuse leaves her reeling, with the added indignity of being belittled over the state of their children's toys and clothes scattered across the floor. As the evening wears on, Della seeks solace in a trip to the mall, hoping to find some festive cheer and maybe even a sense of peace.

But the holiday spirit is nowhere to be found as she struggles to park her car amidst the chaos of the crowded lot. Frustration builds as she circles around, searching for an open space, until finally, she spots one - only to have it claimed by a thoughtless driver who's taken up two spaces. Her ire ignited, Della leaves a scathing note on the offending vehicle, calling out the "jerk" for their inconsiderate behavior.

As she completes her errand and returns to her own car, she notices that the note has vanished - only to be replaced by a sinister presence: the very same car, now occupied by four young men. Led by Chuckie (Lukas Haas), they're a rough-around-the-edges crew that's clearly not afraid of a little conflict. When Della takes aim at their leader, calling him out for his ridiculous name, Chuckie fires back with a personal story that leaves her stunned.

The tension simmers just below the surface as these two groups face off in the mall's sterile corridors. It's only when a security guard intervenes on Della's behalf that things take a dark turn: in the ensuing chaos, he becomes an accidental casualty of Chuckie's recklessness. As the gang realizes they've committed murder, Della seizes her chance and speeds away - but she's not safe for long, as the gang hotly pursues her, intent on silencing the only witness to their crime.

As the adrenaline-fueled car chase comes to a screeching halt in an unfinished subdivision, Della (character) emerges unscathed but shaken from her truck, clutching a vital red toolbox. With a swift exit strategy, she commandeers a flare and her trusty toolbox, seeking refuge behind a colossal dredger. As the gang closes in, they're driven by a primal urge to claim what they believe is a valuable prize - the coveted tool box. Della's resourcefulness is put to the test as she's forced to reveal the contents of the box, revealing a comprehensive set of mechanics and sharp-pointed instruments intended for repair work.

The gang's relentless pursuit, illuminated only by the faint beam of a flashlight, becomes a macabre game of cat and mouse. As they taunt her with cruel threats, Della's determination to survive is fueled by the love she has for her children. Her pursuers' exceptional tracking skills allow them to zero in on every subtle clue left behind by Della, their eerie yells and flashlight sweeps casting an unsettling atmosphere.

Tomás stumbles upon Huey (character), who meets a gruesome fate when he missteps and breaks his neck. A game of hide-and-seek ensues as Della outwits Tomás, eventually dispatching him with a cross-wheel wrench. As she flees through the creek, Chuckie and Vingh split off to pursue her separately. Della seizes the opportunity to strike down Vingh in a fierce battle wielding one of her trusty tools, hiding behind a fallen tree as the dust settles.

Chuckie's attempts to reason with Della are met with skepticism, but he eventually finds common ground by exploiting her vulnerabilities. He taunts her about her mundane life, revealing his disdain for her husband and pity for her children. As Chuckie's words pierce her heart, Della becomes entranced, allowing him to momentarily gain the upper hand. However, as she curses herself for her momentary lapse, she seizes the opportunity to ignite a flare, blinding Chuckie before claiming his gun and delivering a fatal shot.

As the worn-out Della (her eyes heavy with the weight of experience) stumbles into the familiar confines of her home, she's met with Kenneth's customary grumblings about her prolonged absence. Yet, Della's mind is still reeling from the horrors she's witnessed, and so she elects to keep her harrowing ordeal to herself, her expression a mask of indifference as she ignores Kenneth's complaints. With a sense of detachment, she ascends the stairs to check on her children, who are both slumbering peacefully. Meanwhile, the intoxicated Kenneth, his words slurred by the effects of drink, asks Della if she's procured something special for him at the mall. But Della's patience is exhausted; she raises the gun, its presence a stark reminder of the trauma she's endured, and delivers a curt, two-word reply: "Nothing." The air is heavy with tension as the weight of their strained relationship hangs precariously in the balance.