Come to Daddy

Come to Daddy 2020

Directed by

Ant Timpson

Ant Timpson

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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Come to Daddy (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.


Norval Greenwood (Elijah Wood), a well-off musician residing in a lavish Beverly Hills mansion with his mother, unexpectedly receives a letter from his long-absent father inviting him for a visit. Having not seen his father since childhood, Norval embarks on a journey to a remote cabin on the Oregon coast. Initially, he is greeted warmly by his father, Martin Donovan. However, this cordial atmosphere quickly shifts when Norval confesses to a past suicide attempt; Brian’s demeanor changes, revealing an aggressive side as he verbally assaults Norval and even threatens him physically.

Tensions reach a breaking point when Brian violently attacks Norval with a meat cleaver. In the chaos, Brian suffers a heart attack and dies suddenly. Consequently, due to a lack of available space at the local morgue, Norval must keep his father’s embalmed body within the cabin as he waits for his mother to retrieve him. Yet, while attempting to cope with the unusual situation, Norval is repeatedly disturbed by mysterious noises echoing through the house.

An unexpected discovery occurs when he finds a concealed family photo album. To his shock, he realizes that the deceased man is not actually his father. This unsettling revelation leads him to uncover a hidden hatch, granting access to a bunker beneath the house, where he finds his biological father bloodied and chained. Under his father’s direction, Norval attempts to eliminate a man named Michael Smiley, an intruder intent on torturing him. However, Jethro manages to escape, swearing vengeance against Norval and his family.

After finally liberating Brian, Norval carries him upstairs, where Brian divulges the dark truth of his past. Following his departure from Norval and his mother, he teamed up with three men—Jethro, a heavily built individual named Simon Chin, and Stephen McHattie—to execute a kidnapping in Bangkok, which earned them a considerable sum of money. In an act of self-preservation, Brian had abandoned his former partners while using the ransom to maintain the luxurious lifestyle of Norval and his mother.

The situation further escalates when Garfield Wilson, another of Brian’s former accomplices, arrives at the cabin, attempting to murder Norval. In a desperate moment of survival, Norval retaliates, stabbing him violently before suffocating him to death with plastic wrap. Later, as Norval helps his father flee the cabin, Jethro returns, now wielding a flaming crossbow, revealing his plans of revenge against Norval’s mother.

Advising Norval to hide in Jethro’s trunk for a surprise attack, they drive to a motel where Jethro has arranged a meeting with a prostitute. During a BDSM encounter, Norval seizes the opportunity to sabotage Jethro’s escape by slashing his tires. Things take a twist when Jethro retaliates, stabbing Norval before leaving him for dead, but Norval manages to escape, only to discover Jethro has suffered a horrific accident.

In a shocking revelation, Jethro confesses that both he and Brian had a sexual relationship with Norval’s mother, which intensifies the animosity. In a final attempt to secure his fate, Norval stabs Jethro in a vulnerable spot, but not without sustaining injuries of his own.

Wounded yet relentless, Norval stumbles back to the lakeside cabin, ultimately lying next to his father’s remains. With heartfelt remorse, he apologizes, lamenting how he never allowed his mother to heal from the pain of loss. In a poignant moment, Brian faintly grips his son’s hand, suggesting a lingering connection amidst the chaos of their turbulent lives.

Timeline

Track the key events of Come to Daddy (2020) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Norval Receives a Letter

Norval Greenwood, a musician living in a luxurious Beverly Hills mansion with his mother, is taken by surprise when he receives a letter from his long-absent father. This unexpected invitation prompts him to reconnect with a parent he hasn't seen since childhood.

Beverly Hills, California

Journey to the Cabin

Curious and hopeful, Norval decides to travel to a remote cabin on the Oregon coast to meet his father. His excitement builds as he embarks on this journey, wanting to understand more about the man who abandoned him and uncover the truths of his past.

Oregon coast

First Meeting with Father

Upon arrival, Norval is greeted warmly by his father, who seems to be putting on a congenial front. However, as they talk, underlying tensions begin to surface, hinting at a troubled relationship that has yet to be addressed.

cabin

Confession Turns Sour

Norval confesses to a previous suicide attempt, seeking understanding and connection with his father. Instead of compassion, Brian's demeanor shifts shockingly, as he becomes aggressive and verbally assaults Norval, revealing an unexpected and darker side.

cabin

Violent Confrontation

The atmosphere quickly deteriorates as Brian violently attacks Norval with a meat cleaver. In the chaos of their confrontation, Brian suffers a heart attack and dies suddenly, leaving Norval alone to grapple with this harrowing turn of events.

cabin

Death and Decisions

In the wake of his father's death, Norval is confronted with an unusual predicament; he must keep Brian's embalmed body within the cabin due to space issues at the local morgue. This bizarre situation forces Norval to deal with both his grief and shock over recent events.

cabin

Mysterious Noises

As Norval tries to cope with his father's body, he begins to hear unsettling noises echoing through the cabin. These disturbances add to his growing sense of unease, amplifying the already tense and surreal atmosphere he finds himself in.

cabin

Discovery of the Photo Album

While looking for answers, Norval discovers a concealed family photo album. His shock deepens as he realizes the man he believed to be his father is not actually related to him, leading to a quest for the truth about his real family.

cabin

The Hidden Bunker

Driven by his revelations, Norval uncovers a hidden hatch that opens to a bunker beneath the cabin. Inside, he finds his actual father bloodied and chained, which shocks him and sets off a series of events that will change everything.

bunker

Taking Down Michael

Norval's biological father instructs him to eliminate a man named Michael, who poses a threat to them both. In a moment of familial obligation mixed with fear, Norval must now engage in a violent confrontation that complicates his already tumultuous life.

cabin

Conflict with Garfield

The tension escalates further when Garfield Wilson, another of Brian's former accomplices, shows up at the cabin intent on killing Norval. In a frantic struggle for survival, Norval retaliates and kills Garfield, marking a dark turning point in his desperate fight for life.

cabin

Jethro's Revenge

After successfully escaping harm, Norval's troubles are not over. Jethro returns to seek revenge with a flaming crossbow, creating a high-stakes situation that places both Norval and his mother in grave danger.

cabin

Confrontation at the Motel

Norval and Brian try to escape, leading to a confrontation at a motel where they face off against Jethro. In a desperate bid to sabotage Jethro's escape plan, Norval takes drastic action, but not without severe consequences.

motel

The Final Standoff

As the stakes rise, Jethro reveals dark truths about his relationship with Norval's mother. In a final clash, Norval manages to fend off Jethro but is gravely injured in the process, highlighting the depths of their conflict.

cabin

A Heartfelt Farewell

Wounded and emotionally exhausted, Norval returns to the cabin where he lays next to his father's remains. In a moment of reflective sorrow, he apologizes for not being there for his mother, as a lingering connection with Brian suggests a bittersweet resolution to their troubled relationship.

cabin

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Come to Daddy (2020) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Norval Greenwood

Norval is a well-off musician navigating a maze of familial betrayal and unexpected violence. His character evolves from a naive son seeking connection to a desperate survivor amid chaos. The emotional toll of discovering the truth about his family transforms him significantly throughout the film.

🎵 Musician ⚔️ Survivor

Brian

Brian is Norval's father, whose dark past and aggressive demeanor surface dramatically. His character is marked by a history of abandonment and violence, revealing complexities that drive the plot forward. Brian's relationship with Norval is tumultuous, underscoring themes of regret and unresolved emotional turmoil.

🎭 Father 😡 Aggressive

Jethro

Jethro is a menacing figure with a thirst for revenge, embodying physicality and intimidation. His destructive actions amplify the tensions in the film, showcasing the lengths some will go to settle scores. Jethro serves as a catalyst for Norval's transformation through their violent encounters.

💪 Enforcer 🔥 Vengeful

Setting

Uncover the settings of Come to Daddy (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 movie is set in contemporary times, reflecting modern themes and societal issues. The characters' struggles and the technology they use, such as communication via letters and phones, ground the story in the present day while delving into timeless themes of family conflict and betrayal.

Location

Beverly Hills, Oregon Coast

The movie begins in a lavish mansion in Beverly Hills known for its opulence and extravagant lifestyle. The second significant location is a remote cabin on the Oregon coast that serves as a setting for intense family drama and dark revelations. This coastal area is often associated with seclusion, which heightens the tension and urgency of the unfolding events.

🏡 Home 🏞️ Coast

Themes

Explore the core themes of Come to Daddy (2020). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


🔪

Violence

Violence is a central theme in the movie, manifested through the physical confrontations between characters. The brutal encounters and the scene with a meat cleaver illustrate the depths of rage and desperation that can arise within family dynamics. This theme serves as a catalyst for character development and the unraveling of dark family secrets.

🧬

Identity

The theme of identity is pivotal as Norval grapples with discovering his true lineage and the implications of his father's past. The revelation that the deceased man is not his biological father challenges Norval's understanding of himself and his place in the world. This quest for identity prompts a journey of self-discovery amid chaos.

💔

Family Strife

Family strife is at the heart of the narrative, illustrated by the tumultuous relationship between Norval and his father. The tension escalates as secrets emerge, revealing betrayal that spans across years. This theme emphasizes the emotional weight of familial connections and the painful legacies left behind.

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