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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Dear David (2023). 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.


In the fall of 1996, a young boy named David experienced the relentless bullying often found on instant messaging platforms. This torment shaped him into a wounded soul longing for revenge. Fast-forward to 2017, when two teenagers, drawn to David’s chat room, dared to mock him with digital insults, but one of them crossed a line by questioning the very essence of their mortality. That night, a cruel twist of fate would serve a harsh lesson to the instigator.

Adam, a content creator working for BuzzFeed, was under the direction of his boss, Bryce, to craft genuine and original content. Adam’s path took an intense turn as he decided to confront trolls, resulting in a fiery exchange with David, who simply dismissed Adam as “mean.” Unfazed by David’s comments, Adam continued to create captivating material. However, the lurking darkness was just beginning to reveal itself.

As days slipped away, Adam’s nightmares intensified, leading him to question his reality. He found himself in a state of confusion, often imagining himself in a rocking chair next to David, who recounted stories from his troubled past. The line between what was real and what was not blurred dramatically, leaving Adam bewildered and seeking answers.

Concerned for Adam’s well-being, Evelyn, a well-intentioned acquaintance, urged him to take a break, but his obsession with unraveling David’s online enigma only grew stronger. His quest for answers plunged him into an abyss of paranormal occurrences, amplifying his anxiety. One pivotal night, a vivid dream revealed David as nothing more than a devoted follower shrouded in mystery.

Despite relocating to a new apartment, Adam found no reprieve from the ominous specters haunting him. David seemed to have embedded himself into Adam’s life, appearing in his thoughts and hallucinations. The BuzzFeed team celebrated the success of their “Dear David” thread, but the weight of David’s influence threatened to snuff out Adam’s creative spark. Under Bryce’s insistence, Adam was directed to infuse multimedia components into their story, which only served to aggravate the trolls and tighten David’s grip on him.

As tensions escalated, Adam faced a daunting choice: to yield to the shadowy forces or to resist. His indecision left him vulnerable, leading to a particularly alarming morning when he awoke with a nosebleed, a clear warning from David, now armed with a typewriter, making his displeasure known in a rather aggressive manner.

The turning point arrived when Adam confided in Kyle, a sympathetic figure who lent an ear to his harrowing tales. Initially supportive, Kyle soon bore frustration at Adam’s growing detachment from the sinister realities around them. Adam’s insinuations that David might harbor dangerous intentions were met with disbelief from many, but an ominous call from an unknown source sent chills through him. As darkness descended, Adam found himself pulled toward a menacing location, forced to confront the twisted web David had spun online.

With a vendetta against David, Linda emerged as a formidable force, ultimately putting a stop to David’s malevolent antics. The following day, a harrowing image depicting David without a head materialized, a chilling reminder of the evil that had unfolded.

When Bryce proposed expanding the “Dear David” phenomenon globally, Adam hesitantly agreed, despite his uneasiness regarding David’s real intentions. Kyle volunteered to help Adam trace the identity of David’s social media handle, but he expressed significant concern about the privacy implications of their pursuit.

As Adam delved deeper into David’s mystery, connections began to emerge, particularly with Phyllis, whose odd behavior mirrored David’s haunting background. The pieces of this dark puzzle suggested that David could be a manifestation of some deeper malevolence, a revelation that thrust Adam further into terror and confusion.

Eventually, Adam’s journey took him to a hospital—initially believing David was nearing death. Upon arrival, he was met with the surreal truth that David had already passed away. Yet, curiosity drove Adam to seek out David’s medical file, only to be confronted by the unsettling fact that his body had vanished.

As evening approached, Adam’s restless spirit led him to confront Dr. Landers, only to stumble upon Linda, precariously hanging by the staircase. Adam’s inability to grasp the seriousness of the moment led him to drift off, subconsciously engaging in a disquieting phone chat with Kyle.

Evelyn’s harsh critique of Adam’s lack of response heightened his sense of despair, leading to her eventual exit from his life. Meanwhile, Kyle’s insight—that David’s online persona might have never truly existed—went unheeded as Adam’s emotional state spiraled.

A cryptic message from Norris acted as a catalyst, further disturbing Adam’s delicate psyche. Bryce’s advice to reassess his priorities only caused Adam’s grip on reality to slip further, culminating in a climactic confrontation with David that ended in a catastrophic fallout, leaving an indelible mark on his mind.

As the chaos unfolded, Evelyn and Kyle arrived, their anxious faces a sharp contrast to the devastation surrounding Adam. Their reassurances calmed his frayed nerves, spurring Adam to seek revenge against David as they fled the destruction. In a moment of reflection, the trio grappled with their earlier dismissal of Adam’s plight, vowing to communicate more openly in the future.

Meanwhile, Chloe, one of the trolls whose actions had initially triggered this descent, found herself ensnared by a powerful force, driven to repetitively strike her head against a table—a chilling act hinting at the sinister undercurrents at play, echoing the turmoil of Adam’s fractured reality.

Timeline

Track the key events of Dear David (2023) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


David's Bullying Experience

In the fall of 1996, a young boy named David faced relentless bullying on instant messaging platforms. This abusive treatment left deep psychological scars, shaping him into a vengeful and wounded individual longing for retribution.

1996

Teenagers Mock David

Fast-forward to 2017, when two teenagers ventured into David's chat room, ready to mock him online. However, one of them crossed a dangerous line by challenging the very essence of their mortality, setting off a chain of dark events.

2017

Adam Confronts Trolls

Adam, a content creator for BuzzFeed, decided to confront online trolls as part of his work. His fiery exchange with David, who dismissed him as 'mean,' marked the beginning of Adam's entanglement with the dark forces lurking online.

BuzzFeed

Intensifying Nightmares

As days passed, Adam's nightmares escalated, blurring the lines of his reality. He frequently pictured himself in a rocking chair next to David, who shared his traumatic past, pulling Adam deeper into confusion and fear.

Evelyn's Concern

Evelyn, a thoughtful acquaintance, expressed concern for Adam's mental health and suggested he take a break. However, Adam's obsession with discovering David's online identity only intensified, leading him down a perilous path filled with paranormal occurrences.

David's Influence Grows

Despite moving to a new apartment, Adam felt no relief from the specters haunting him. David's presence invaded Adam's thoughts, significantly impacting his creativity and life, ultimately resulting in further tensions at work as Adam struggled with the 'Dear David' series.

New Apartment

Warning Signs from David

Things took a darker turn when Adam awoke one morning with a nosebleed—a clear warning from David. This ominous message occurred alongside disturbing visions of David wielding a typewriter, signaling his growing displeasure with Adam’s actions.

Kyle's Support and Skepticism

Adam confided in Kyle about the disturbing developments surrounding David, who initially offered support. However, Kyle grew frustrated with Adam's detachment from reality and dismissed Adam's insinuations about David's dangerous intentions.

The Confrontation with David

As Adam's journey led him closer to confronting the twisted web of David's online existence, he faced a defining moment when he was lured to a menacing location. There, he would confront the source of his torment and the chaotic fallout that ensued.

Menacing Location

Linda's Intervention

In a turn of events, Linda emerged with a vendetta against David, ultimately putting a stop to his malevolent antics. The chilling aftermath was marked by a harrowing image of David without a head, a haunting reminder of the evil that transpired.

Expanding 'Dear David'

Bryce suggested taking the 'Dear David' phenomenon worldwide, prompting Adam's unease about David's true intentions. Despite his reservations, Adam agreed, while Kyle raised concerns about the privacy ramifications of their investigation into David's identity.

BuzzFeed

Unraveling Connections

As Adam delved deeper into the mystery surrounding David, he began to uncover connections, particularly with Phyllis. Her odd behavior echoed David's troubled background, hinting at a greater malevolence lurking behind David's persona.

The Hospital Revelation

Adam's pursuit led him to a hospital, initially believing that David was nearing death. Instead, he discovered the shocking truth that David had already passed away, further complicating the chilling enigma surrounding David's existence.

Hospital

Confrontation with Dr. Landers

As evening fell, Adam confronted Dr. Landers and stumbled upon Linda in a precarious situation. Despite the gravity of the moment, Adam drifted off, distracted by a disquieting conversation with Kyle, heightening the sense of surreal dread.

Stairs

Evelyn's Departure

Evelyn's critique of Adam's handling of the situation fueled his despair, leading her to exit his life altogether. Simultaneously, Kyle's insight about David's potential non-existence went unheeded by Adam, as his mental state continued to spiral.

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Dear David (2023) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Adam Ellis

Adam is a determined content creator whose journey of self-discovery leads him to confront the haunting specter of David. His relentless pursuit of truth and understanding showcases both his courage and vulnerability as he navigates a chaotic interplay between the real world and his nightmares. Driven by a mix of ambition and obsession, Adam struggles with his sanity amidst the online chaos.

🌐 Content Creator 😟 Obsession 💔 Vulnerability

Bryce

Bryce is Adam's boss, representing the pressure of the content creation world. His insistence on producing captivating content often undermines Adam's mental stability. Initially appearing as a source of professional guidance, Bryce's actions contribute to the mounting chaos that surrounds Adam, ultimately complicating their professional relationship.

👨‍💼 Authority 📈 Ambition

Evelyn

Evelyn is a caring acquaintance who attempts to offer support to Adam as he descends into obsession. Despite her good intentions, her frustrations with Adam's fixation lead to tensions in their friendship. Her character reflects the challenges of being a supportive figure amid someone else's turmoil and the inevitable strain such a dynamic can impose.

💖 Supportive 🤯 Frustration

Linda

Linda emerges as a fierce figure in the face of David's malevolence. Her decisive actions against David illustrate a protective instinct, showcasing her resilience. As a character, Linda challenges the notion of victimhood by actively taking a stand against the digital tormentor, emphasizing the importance of agency in confronting online harassment.

🛡️ Protector 🚫 Confrontation

Kyle

Kyle serves as a sympathetic confidant to Adam, striving to anchor him in a reality often distorted by fear and obsession. He represents the voice of reason, cautioning Adam about the implications of his quest. However, his frustrations about Adam's detachment signal the strain that exists in their bond as Adam delves deeper into the dark mysteries of David.

🤝 Support 💭 Reason

David

David, the central figure of torment, is both a victim and a catalyst for chaos. His past experiences of bullying propel him into a posthumous quest for revenge that haunts Adam. David embodies the consequences of unresolved trauma, illustrating how the cycle of pain can inflict profound repercussions on both the victim and the perpetrator.

👤 Haunting ⚔️ Malevolence

Setting

Uncover the settings of Dear David (2023), 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

1996, 2017

The events of the movie are split between the fall of 1996, when David faces bullying, and the year 2017, when Adam's journey unfolds. The late '90s marked the rise of the internet, introducing instant messaging as a new form of communication, while 2017 saw an escalation in online trolling and the digital age's darker side.

Location

BuzzFeed office, hospital

The BuzzFeed office serves as the central point where Adam works and interacts with his colleagues while navigating the pressures of creating engaging content. The hospital represents a crucial turning point in the story, symbolizing both physical and metaphorical healing as Adam confronts the mysterious death of David, enveloping him in a haunting enigma.

🏢 Office 🏥 Hospital

Themes

Explore the core themes of Dear David (2023). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


👻

Paranoia

Paranoia permeates the narrative as Adam becomes increasingly haunted by David's presence and the consequences of his past actions. His descent into obsession reflects the mental toll of confronting online bullies and the consequences of interference in digital lives. This theme resonates with the dangers of losing touch with reality in a hyper-connected world.

🔪

Revenge

Revenge is a driving force for both David and Adam, encapsulating their struggles with the pain inflicted by others. Adam’s quest for understanding evolves into a need for retaliation against David, blurring the lines between victim and aggressor. This theme underscores the destructive cycle of seeking vengeance and its effects on the human psyche.

🌌

Existential Crisis

The movie explores existential themes as Adam grapples with the implications of mortal existence and the virtual self. The online interactions with David prompt a reflection on life, death, and the nature of reality, culminating in profound questions about what it means to truly 'exist' in both the physical and digital realms.

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