Color Out of Space

Color Out of Space 2020

Made by

RLJE Films

RLJE Films

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Plot Summary


In the aftermath of Theresa’s mastectomy, Nicolas Cage takes his family—comprising children Madeleine Arthur, Brendan Meyer, and young Julian Hilliard—to his late father’s secluded farm. One fateful night, a vibrant meteorite crashes onto their property near the well, sparking a series of bizarre occurrences. The following morning, Ward Phillips, a hydrologist surveying the area for a dam project, arrives with the local mayor and sheriff to witness the strange celestial event. However, things take a darker turn as Nathan and Lavinia start witnessing uncanny developments surrounding the meteor, which mysteriously vanishes.

Ward soon discovers an oily sheen in the groundwater. His tests, yielding startling results that mimic the meteor’s colors, lead him to caution the Gardners against consuming the water. As the family quickly falls under the meteor’s sinister influence, Jack becomes obsessed with the well, claiming to communicate with a ‘friend’ beneath its surface, while eerie plant life and insect behavior manifest around him. In a chilling turn of events, Theresa, distracted while preparing dinner, injures herself by cutting off two fingers. Nathan rushes her to the hospital, leaving Benny outside, who reappears late at night, bewildered and claiming that time passed differently for him. Meanwhile, Lavinia tries fruitlessly to reach Nathan, but they remain disconnected. Upon their return home, Nathan lashes out in an unexpected fit of rage towards both Benny and Lavinia, their family dynamics fraying as crops wither and tension escalates.

Desperate to save her family, Lavinia performs a ritual with a copy of the Necronomicon, offering her blood in a grim act of devotion, even as she injures herself. Sudden shrieks from Jack and Benny echo from the alpaca stables, prompting Theresa to rush to their aid as the ominous “Color” starts to wreak havoc outside. In a horrific twist, a bolt of energy fuses Theresa and Jack into a grotesque entity. With their electronic devices failing and the family trapped, Nathan and the children are forced to confine Jack and Theresa in the attic, away from the harmful light. As the situation worsens and the alpacas exhibit grotesque mutations caused by the Color, Nathan confronts the necessity of mercy, ending their lives with a shotgun. Yet, his diminishing sanity prevents him from doing the same to his loved ones.

In a panic, Lavinia and Benny attempt to flee on horseback, but their horse bolts in fear. Benny believes he hears their dog’s cries echoing from the well. However, when he investigates, the Color consumes him. Nathan, now fully unraveled, locks Lavinia away with Theresa and Jack, both of whom have transformed into monstrous forms. As Ward and the sheriff return to the farm, alerted by a local resident who stumbled upon mutated livestock, they break into the attic to rescue Lavinia just in time. Nathan, overwhelmed by despair, believes he has lost his family entirely and ultimately takes drastic measures against the grotesque beings before him.

In the ensuing chaos, Ward helps Lavinia escape as the Color surges ominously from the well, while Nathan, misinterpreted as a threat, is shot by the sheriff. Lavinia chooses to stay with her ailing father, prompting Ward and the sheriff to seek out their neighbor, Ezra, played by Tommy Chong, who has also been impacted by the Color. Upon their arrival at Ezra’s cabin, they discover his lifeless body, along with a haunting audio recording suggesting that the Color desires to reshape its surroundings into something familiar. The duo barely escapes another surge of the Color, but the sheriff meets his fate at the hands of a transformed tree.

Ward rushes back to rescue Lavinia, only to find her fully overtaken by the Color. A surreal funnel of the Color erupts from the well, drawing them into a vision of its alien origin, where tentacled entities loom. As the reality around them begins to shatter, Ward narrowly escapes an assassin-like apparition of Nathan. He barricades himself in the wine cellar, yet the relentless distortions of reality continue to ravage their home, leaving Ward solitary as the sole survivor amidst the ashen remains of the once-vibrant farm.

In a haunting epilogue, an older Ward stands upon the newly constructed dam, now saturating the land where the Gardner family once lived. He shares that few recall the tragic events, but he vows never to drink the water, stating that what he witnessed—the Color—was a herald from realms beyond human comprehension. As he departs, an insect twisted by the Color flits by, serving as a chilling reminder of the unnatural horrors that transpired.

Timeline


Theresa's Mastectomy

The film opens with the aftermath of Theresa's mastectomy, a life-changing event for her and the family. This occurrence sets the stage for the family's emotional struggles as they grapple with the implications of her surgery.

Arrival at the Farm

Nicolas Cage's character decides to take the family to his late father’s secluded farm for a change of scenery. The move signifies a desire for healing and a fresh start amidst the backdrop of the family's turmoil.

the secluded farm

The Meteorite Crash

One night, a meteorite crashes onto the Gardner property, landing near a well. This strange event ignites a series of bizarre occurrences that will deeply impact the family.

one fateful night Gardner farm

Ward Phillips Arrives

The following morning, hydrologist Ward Phillips arrives to survey the area with local officials. They witness the unexplained phenomena surrounding the meteor, marking the beginning of escalating concerns over its impact.

the following morning Gardner farm

Discovery of Contaminated Water

Ward discovers an oily sheen in the groundwater, raising alarms about the water quality for the Gardner family. His tests reveal unsettling results reminiscent of the meteor's colors, which foreshadow the coming chaos.

the well

Obsessions and Strange Events

As the meteor's influence spreads, young Jack becomes obsessed with the well, claiming to have a ‘friend’ speaking to him beneath the surface. This obsession plays a crucial role in the family’s descent into madness.

the well

Theresa's Injury

While preparing dinner, Theresa accidentally injures herself and loses two fingers. This accident signifies a physical manifestation of the family's growing chaos and sets off a chain of tragic events.

the kitchen

Family Dynamics Fraying

Following the incident, Nathan lashes out at his children, causing further strain in family dynamics. Crops begin to wither, and the escalating tension within the family becomes palpable as the meteor's presence amplifies their fears.

the farm

Lavinia's Desperate Ritual

In a desperate attempt to save her family, Lavinia performs a ritual using a copy of the Necronomicon, offering her own blood. The ritual highlights her transformation into a protector amid the unfolding horror.

the farm

Grotesque Transformations

Terrifying transformations take place as the Color wreaks havoc outside, culminating in a horrific fusion of Theresa and Jack into a grotesque entity. Their struggle against the alien force intensifies, foreshadowing darker outcomes.

alpaca stables

Nathan's Mercy

In a moment of desperation, Nathan is forced to confront the impossible decision of mercy killing his transformed family members. This act speaks to his deteriorating mental state as he grapples with the loss of his loved ones.

Benny's Fate

As Benny searches for their dog’s cries near the well, he is ultimately consumed by the Color. His disappearance marks a tragic turning point in the family's struggle against the unseen horror.

the well

Ward's Attempt to Rescue

Ward and the sheriff return to the farm upon hearing alarming reports of mutated livestock. They bravely break into the attic hoping to rescue Lavinia, highlighting their determination to confront the horrific events unfolding.

the farm

Lavinia's Final Stand

In a desperate final fight against the Color, Lavinia is tragically overtaken. This moment underscores the depths of the family's tragedy as they are consumed by forces beyond their comprehension.

the farm

The Haunting Epilogue

Years later, an older Ward stands by the newly constructed dam, reflecting on the tragic events of the past. His vow never to drink the water serves as a solemn reminder of the horrors they faced and the lingering impacts of the Color.

Characters


Nathan

Nathan is a beleaguered father grappling with the aftermath of his wife's mastectomy while trying to hold his family together in the face of cosmic terror. His descent into rage and despair showcases his struggle to cope with the chaotic events around him, leading to desperate decisions as threats close in on his family.

👨‍👧‍👦 Family Man 😠 Anger 🥺 Despair

Lavinia Gardner

Lavinia is a deeply troubled teenager who feels disconnected from her family and yearns for normalcy amidst chaos. Her attempt to perform a ritual speaks to her desperation and desire to regain control, highlighting her inner conflict and vulnerability as the supernatural events unfold.

🔮 Occult 😔 Struggle 🧟‍♀️ Transformation

Jack Gardner

Jack is the youngest member of the Gardner family, exhibiting innocence despite the chaotic and menacing events surrounding him. His bond with the 'friend' beneath the well signifies the unsettling impact of the mysterious Color, showcasing the theme of lost childhood in face of terror.

👶 Innocence 🌊 Curiosity 🕳️ Well

Ward Phillips

Ward is a dedicated hydrologist drawn into the unexplainable occurrences on the Gardner farm. His professionalism clashes with the surreal events he witnesses, making him a reluctant hero determined to uncover the truth behind the disaster as he tries to assist the Gardners.

🔍 Investigator 💧 Water ⚡ Science

Ezra

Ezra is a local resident affected by the mysterious events stemming from the meteor, providing a perspective on the wider impact of the Color. His character adds a layer of local lore and intrigue, highlighting how the supernatural extends beyond the Gardner family.

👴 Local 🤔 Lore 👻 Horror

Setting


Time period

The narrative unfolds in a contemporary setting, grappling with themes of family strife, environmental impacts, and cosmic horror. This time period allows for a blend of modern life with supernatural elements, unsettling the ordinary with unimaginable events.

Location

secluded farm, local area, Ezra's cabin

The movie primarily takes place on a secluded farm, belonging to Nathan's late father, which begins as a serene environment but quickly becomes a hub of bizarre and horrifying occurrences due to a mysterious meteorite. The local area is affected by the strange celestial event, leading to various unusual manifestations. Ezra's cabin, where the duo discovers a haunting scene, adds to the eerie ambiance of the setting.

🏡 Farm 🌌 Local 🏚️ Cabin

Themes


🌌

Cosmic Horror

The theme of cosmic horror is central to the movie, as the arrival of the meteorite brings forth a sense of dread and the unknown. Characters are confronted with forces beyond human understanding, leading to their downfall. This theme explores mankind's insignificance in the vast universe and the terror of confronting alien realities.

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦

Family Dynamics

The film intricately examines the fragility of family bonds under stress. The Gardners face escalating tensions, exacerbated by external horrors, showcasing how trauma can fracture relationships. As the characters battle both external threats and internal strife, the theme highlights the challenges of maintaining family unity amid chaos.

🧙‍♀️

Rituals and Sacrifice

Lavinia's attempt to perform a ritual using the Necronomicon illustrates the theme of desperation and the lengths one might go to in order to save loved ones. The invocation of dark forces and the physical sacrifices made reflect the darker aspects of mankind's connection to the unknown, blurring moral lines in the face of survival.

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