Directed by
Jacob Chase
Made by
Focus Features
Discover the intricate plot of Come Play (2020). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
Oliver is a young boy with non-verbal autism who relies on his smartphone as a means of communication. His daily life is primarily supported by his devoted mother, Sarah, while his father, Marty, spends long hours at work to maintain their household. However, the strain on their marriage becomes evident, ultimately leading Marty to move out of the family home.
One fateful night, Oliver discovers an intriguing app on his phone called “Misunderstood Monsters,” which tells the tale of a lonely creature named Larry who “just wants a friend.” After reading the story, Oliver begins to experience eerie occurrences—lights flickering without reason and a mysterious second face appearing on his tablet during a drawing game. At school, his classmates bully him, leading them to seize his phone and toss it into a field during a cruel prank.
In an effort to help Oliver socialize, Sarah arranges a sleepover, inadvertently inviting the very boys who tormented him. Fearful of the tablet that seems to be connected to the strange happenings, Oliver hides it. When one of the boys finds the tablet and reads Larry’s story aloud, the lights plunge into darkness, and Larry manifests, only visible through the tablet’s camera. The frightened boys blame Oliver for unleashing Larry’s wrath, deepening his isolation.
Days later, the bizarre incidents escalate, and Sarah starts experiencing the disturbances herself. Confronting Larry through the tablet, she learns that he desires to take Oliver to his own world. One troubling night, Marty brings Oliver to his job as a night-shift parking lot attendant. Here, they encounter Larry, portrayed as a ghoul-like figure, who attempts to abduct Oliver. After witnessing this terrifying event, Marty begins to believe in the supernatural threats his family faces.
Despite breaking the tablet in hopes of ending the nightmare, the repercussions linger. One of the boys, Byron, grapples with his trauma and ultimately confesses the truth, exonerating Oliver. The two boys reflect on their past friendship, which ended in a misunderstanding that hurt both families.
As events unfold, Marty faces his own run-in with Larry, who harnesses electricity to communicate and traverse the world. Although he survives, the threat is far from over as Larry targets Oliver in a desperate attempt to claim him. In a final confrontation, Sarah destroys all electronic devices, yet the TV completes Larry’s story, allowing him to gain physical form and terrorize them in their own home.
In a desperate maneuver to protect her son, Sarah offers herself to Larry, clutching his hand instead of Oliver’s. In that poignant moment, Oliver looks into his mother’s eyes for the first time, signifying a breakthrough in their communication. As Sarah and Larry vanish, Oliver is left behind to face his loss. He moves in with Marty, who becomes more invested in Oliver’s therapy and healing.
The story ends on a haunting note when the lights flicker again, and Marty sees an image of Oliver and Sarah joyfully playing together, suggesting that although they have been taken by Larry, the essence of their bond endures.
Track the key events of Come Play (2020) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Oliver's Reliance on Technology
Oliver, a young boy with non-verbal autism, navigates his world through the use of his smartphone for communication. His dependence on technology highlights the challenges he faces in expressing himself and the importance of support from his family.
Strain in the Family
As Oliver's mother, Sarah, dedicates herself to caring for him, the burden begins to strain her marriage with Marty. The continual pressure from both family obligations and work leaves Marty feeling disconnected, ultimately leading him to move out of their home.
Discovery of 'Misunderstood Monsters'
One night, Oliver stumbles upon an intriguing app called 'Misunderstood Monsters.' The story of Larry, a lonely creature seeking companionship, captivates him but also leads to a series of eerie and supernatural occurrences.
Mysterious Events Begin
Following Oliver's discovery, strange incidents unfold, such as flickering lights and a second face appearing on his tablet during a drawing game. These phenomena spark a sense of unease within the household as Oliver struggles to understand the connection to Larry.
Bullying at School
At school, Oliver faces bullying from his classmates who target him for being different. A particularly cruel prank sees them toss his phone into a field, intensifying Oliver's feelings of isolation and helplessness.
The Sleepover Disaster
In an attempt to foster social connections, Sarah mistakenly invites the very boys who torment Oliver to a sleepover. When the boys discover Oliver's tablet and read Larry's story aloud, chaos ensues as Larry manifests and plunges the room into darkness.
Sarah's Confrontation with Larry
After the sleepover incident, Sarah begins to experience the strange occurrences herself. When confronting Larry through the tablet, she learns that he desires to take Oliver to his world, adding to the family's growing fears.
Encounter at Marty's Job
One troubling night, Marty takes Oliver to his job as a night-shift parking lot attendant. Here, they have a terrifying encounter with Larry, who attempts to abduct Oliver, causing Marty to rethink the paranormal threats affecting their family.
Desperate Measures
In a misguided effort to end the haunting, Sarah breaks Oliver's tablet. However, the supernatural events continue, as they realize Larry's influence remains strong despite their attempts to sever the connection.
Byron's Confession
One of the boys, Byron, struggles with guilt over his actions and ultimately admits the truth about the events that transpired. This act of honesty helps to mend the fracture between him and Oliver, reflecting on how misunderstanding can separate friends.
Marty's Final Confrontation
Marty experiences his own terrifying encounter with Larry, who uses electricity as a means of communication. Surviving the ordeal, Marty realizes the seriousness of Larry's intentions to claim Oliver.
The Destruction of Devices
In a frantic attempt to protect her son, Sarah destroys all electronic devices in the house. As a result, however, Larry's influence culminates in a chilling revelation, which enables him to gain a physical form and unleash terror upon them.
Sarah's Sacrifice
During a climactic moment, Sarah chooses to offer herself to Larry instead of Oliver. This act of selflessness allows her to connect with Oliver on a deeper emotional level, culminating in a poignant moment that showcases their bond.
Oliver's New Reality
Left behind after Sarah and Larry vanish, Oliver comes to terms with his loss. He moves in with Marty, who becomes more involved in his therapy, signifying a new chapter in their relationship.
Lingering Haunts
The film concludes with a haunting scene as the lights flicker once more. Marty sees an image of Oliver and Sarah joyfully playing together, suggesting that their love endures even in loss, hinting that Larry's presence may not be entirely gone.
Meet the characters that bring Come Play (2020) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Oliver
Oliver is a courageous young boy with non-verbal autism who navigates a world filled with bullying and supernatural threats. His reliance on technology for communication emphasizes his isolation, yet his journey showcases his inner strength and desire for connection.
Sarah
Sarah is a devoted mother whose resilience is tested as she battles with her family's struggles and the haunting presence of Larry. Her love for Oliver reignites her determination to fight against the supernatural forces threatening their bond.
Marty
Marty is Oliver's father who initially struggles with work-life balance, leading to turmoil in his family. His character evolves as he comes to terms with the supernatural threat, eventually prioritizing his son's well-being over his career.
Larry
Larry is depicted as a supernatural entity whose intentions are ambiguous. He embodies the theme of loneliness and the desire for friendship, portraying how miscommunication can lead to fear and misunderstanding.
Byron
Byron is one of the classmates who bullies Oliver but later experiences guilt and trauma from the events. His journey reflects the impact of bullying and the potential for redemption through honesty and understanding.
Uncover the settings of Come Play (2020), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
The events unfold in a modern-day setting, reflecting contemporary issues such as the struggles of parenting and the challenges faced by individuals with autism. The current technological landscape plays a significant role, as Oliver communicates through his smartphone.
Location
Family Home, Parking Lot
The family home serves as the main setting for Oliver's life, filled with emotional struggles and the complexities of family dynamics. The parking lot introduces a darker element to the story, where the supernatural encounters intensify, highlighting the contrast between safety and fear.
Explore the core themes of Come Play (2020). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Isolation
Isolation is a central theme in the movie, as Oliver, a non-verbal autistic child, faces bullying and struggles to connect with his peers. His relationship with his parents also reflects the emotional distance created by external pressures, emphasizing how isolation can impact family dynamics.
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Supernatural
The supernatural elements manifest through the character Larry, who brings forth fear and conflict within the family. This theme explores the unknown and how it can infiltrate the everyday lives of individuals, prompting a deeper investigation into both fear and connection.
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Parental Love
Parental love drives Sarah's actions as she seeks to protect her son at all costs. The ultimate sacrifice she makes highlights the lengths a parent will go to in order to safeguard their child, showcasing the bond between parent and child amidst the horrors they face.
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