Better Watch Out 2017
Directed by
Chris Peckover
Made by
Well Go USA Entertainment
Plot Summary
As the festive charm of Christmas night blankets a quiet neighborhood, 17-year-old Ashley finds herself trapped in an unsettling babysitting job with the overly ambitious 12-year-old Luke Lerner. His infatuation with Ashley becomes painfully clear as he tries to impress her while they watch a horror movie, though his attempts leave much to be desired. The eerie happenings outside only amplify Ashley’s discomfort, but it seems that the cause is merely an unexpected visit from Garrett, Luke’s best friend.
Their moment of calm shatters when an upper window suddenly breaks, revealing a chilling message scrawled across the brick: “U leave and U die.” Panic ensues as Garrett makes a hurried escape through the back, only to meet a gruesome end at the hands of an unseen assailant. Overcome with terror, Ashley and Luke retreat to the attic, barely escaping disaster when Ashley falls and Luke heroically intervenes.
In their frantic search for safety, they find themselves hiding in Luke’s closet, hoping the chaos will settle. However, their temporary refuge is crushed when a masked intruder, who initially seems threatening, turns out to be Garrett. Ashley’s fury boils over when she realizes that Luke had masterminded this terrifying charade to capture her heart through a daring rescue. Although her wrath leaves him chastened, he remains determined.
Complicating matters, Ashley’s boyfriend Ricky arrives after being prompted by an earlier text. Intrigued yet uneasy, he senses something is off when he can’t locate Ashley. In an intense showdown, Luke tries to confront Ricky but ends up falling short. Seeking to reclaim the situation, Ricky lunges for Luke, only to meet Garrett, who confronts him with a shotgun. In a shocking turn, Luke delivers a brutal blow to Ricky using a paint can, leaving him motionless beside Ashley.
As Ashley manages to free herself from her duct tape restraints with a shard of glass, Luke lethally strikes Ricky in a twist that sends Ashley spiraling into horrified shock. When she regains her composure and tries to confront him with a gun, she discovers it’s empty. Realizing her predicament, Ashley makes a desperate attempt to join the group of carolers outside, but Luke is ready, striking her unconscious with the very brick that heralded Garrett’s demise.
Luke’s manipulative game escalates as he fabricates an elaborate trap by contacting Jeremy (Ashley’s ex-boyfriend), pretending it’s Ashley who wants an apology letter. Meanwhile, with cold precision, Luke creates a scenario in which Jeremy unwittingly writes what resembles a suicide note, all while being manipulated and dangled precariously from a tree branch by Luke.
As Garrett reevaluates his position and aims to help Ashley, Luke seizes the moment, brutally eliminating Garrett in a cold display of dominance. With eerie calmness, he turns on Ashley, plunging a knife into her neck before setting the stage to frame Jeremy for her murder.
With his wicked plot seemingly bound for success, Luke comfortably retires to bed, eagerly anticipating his parents’ return and the ensuing police investigation to cover his tracks. Yet, unbeknownst to him, Ashley embodies remarkable resilience, having instinctively applied duct tape to stem her life-threatening wound.
As the sun rises, the grim reality unfolds while Luke watches through his bedroom window as Ashley, defiant even amidst chaos, is whisked away in an ambulance. With her middle finger raised in a bold gesture of defiance, Ashley’s exit stands as a powerful reminder that even in the darkest circumstances, the human spirit can endure and rise above.
Timeline
Christmas Night Babysitting
On a festive Christmas night, 17-year-old Ashley reluctantly takes on a babysitting job with 12-year-old Luke. As they begin their evening of horror movie-watching, it's clear that Luke harbors an infatuation with Ashley that leads to awkward attempts at impressing her.
Chilling Message
The atmosphere shifts abruptly when a window breaks, displaying a chilling message scrawled on the bricks: 'U leave and U die.' Panic envelops Ashley and Luke as they realize they may be in danger, particularly after Luke's best friend Garrett attempts to escape through the back.
Garrett's Gruesome Fate
Ashley and Luke's worry escalates when Garrett, in a desperate bid for safety, meets a grisly end at the hands of an unseen attacker just moments after he flees the house. This grim event solidifies their fear and propels them to seek refuge.
Retreat to the Attic
In an effort to evade the chaos outside, Ashley and Luke retreat to the attic, where they feel a temporary sense of safety. However, their moment of respite is interrupted when Ashley falls, prompting Luke to intervene heroically, showcasing his care for her.
False Refuge in the Closet
Seeking shelter, Ashley and Luke hide in a closet, hoping that the turmoil will eventually die down. Their brief sense of security is shattered when a masked intruder unexpectedly turns out to be Garrett, who has more surprises than they anticipated.
Luke's Terrifying Plan Unveiled
Ashley’s fury peaks when she confronts Luke, realizing he orchestrated the terrifying events to win her affection. Although feeling betrayed, she witnesses Luke's determination to impress her despite her anger, complicating their already tumultuous relationship.
Ricky's Arrival
Ashley’s boyfriend, Ricky, arrives after receiving a text from her, but his intuition tells him something is amiss. His attempts to locate Ashley lead to a confrontation with Luke, escalating the tension in the already dangerous situation.
Brutal Showdown
A violent altercation ensues when Ricky lunges at Luke, leading to an unforeseen brutality as Luke strikes Ricky with a paint can. This shocking encounter leaves Ricky incapacitated, marking a turning point in Luke’s deteriorating mental state.
Escape Attempt
Amidst conflict, Ashley manages to free herself from her duct tape restraints using a shard of glass. However, upon confronting Luke with a gun, she discovers it’s empty, leaving her feeling trapped and desperate in the escalating chaos.
A Dark Turn
In a shocking twist, Luke strikes Ashley unconscious with a brick as she tries to escape to safety. This brutal act showcases his sinister intent, further trapping Ashley in a nightmare she never anticipated while babysitting.
Luke's Manipulative Scheme
As the horror unfolds, Luke cunningly reaches out to Ashley's ex-boyfriend, Jeremy, pretending to be Ashley asking for an apology. His manipulation leads Jeremy to unwittingly craft a letter resembling a suicide note, showcasing Luke's cruelty and calculating nature.
Garrett's Final Stand
In a moment of bravery, Garrett attempts to help Ashley but falls victim to Luke's cold resolve. This chilling act serves to underline Luke's dominance as he eliminates any potential threat to his meticulously crafted plan.
Ashley’s Resilience
Even after suffering severe injury, Ashley exhibits an incredible resolve. She applies duct tape to her wound in a desperate bid to survive while devising a plan to escape Luke's clutches amidst the terror he has unleashed.
Dramatic Finale
As dawn breaks, Ashley is seen being whisked away in an ambulance, defiantly raising her middle finger at Luke. This powerful gesture symbolizes her indomitable spirit and resilience in the face of horrifying adversity, an act that will haunt Luke forever.
Luke’s Inevitable Consequences
As Luke watches the ambulance take Ashley away, he realizes that his manipulative schemes have spiraled out of control. Despite his twisted satisfaction at having executed his plan, he is left to face the impending consequences as the police investigation looms.
Characters
Ashley
Ashley is a strong-willed 17-year-old who finds herself in a life-threatening situation while babysitting. Her character is marked by intelligence and resilience as she attempts to navigate the perilous circumstances orchestrated by Luke, showcasing her growth from a victim to a fighter.
Luke Lerner
Luke is a manipulative and obsessive 12-year-old who craves Ashley's attention and affection. His characterization reveals a dark side, as he transforms from an infatuated boy to a ruthless antagonist, displaying both cunning intelligence and a chilling disregard for human life.
Garrett
Garrett is Luke's best friend, whose unexpected involvement in the terrifying events serves as a catalyst for the chaos. His initial innocence contrasts sharply with the unfolding horror, and his attempts to help ultimately lead to his tragic demise.
Ricky
Ricky, Ashley's boyfriend, enters the story as a well-meaning yet oblivious character who becomes entangled in Luke's sinister games. His eagerness to protect Ashley reveals his bravery, but it ultimately leads to dire consequences when he underestimates the severity of the situation.
Setting
Time period
Modern Day
The movie takes place in the present day, during the Christmas season. This time frame allows contemporary themes of teenage relationships, social media influence, and unexpected violence to resonate strongly with the audience.
Location
Quiet Neighborhood
The story unfolds in a serene suburban neighborhood, marked by festive decorations and a tranquil atmosphere disrupted by sinister events. Known for its close-knit community and holiday spirit, this neighborhood shifts from joyful celebrations to a scene of horror as Christmas night takes an unexpected turn.
Themes
🎭
Manipulation
Manipulation serves as a core theme, illustrated by Luke's calculated attempts to win Ashley's affection through a series of cruel tricks. His actions highlight the dangers of obsession and the lengths one may go to control another's emotions, creating a twisted narrative of love and deceit.
🔪
Violence
The sudden eruption of violence dramatically alters the Christmas backdrop, leading to shocking betrayals and fatal consequences. This theme showcases how an innocent night can quickly devolve into chaos, emphasizing the fragility of safety and trust.
💔
Survival
Amid the chaos, Ashley's struggle for survival illustrates human resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. Her determination to escape and fight back against her aggressor underscores the tenacity of the human spirit, even when hope seems lost.
Featured on this page
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.