Directed by
Colin Minihan
Made by
IFC Films
Discover the intricate plot of Extraterrestrial (2014). 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.
A frantic woman races towards a shop, desperately seeking a phone to make a call. However, her entreaties are met with refusal, prompting her to seek refuge in a nearby phone booth, where she is suddenly engulfed by a blinding flash of light. Entering the main plot, we meet April and her boyfriend Kyle, who are excitedly heading off for a weekend getaway at her parents’ cabin. Their plans, however, take an unexpected turn when Kyle invites his friends, including Seth, Melanie, and Seth’s girlfriend Lex.
Eager to kick off the festivities, the group embarks on their journey, but not before Seth ignites fireworks inside the vehicle, catching the attention of Sheriff Murphy. The sheriff provides them with a warning, allowing them to continue on their way to the cabin. Upon arrival, they indulge in a mixture of drinking and smoking marijuana, provided by April’s family friend, Travis. In a moment of unexpected intensity, Kyle proposes to April, who turns him down, igniting his frustration.
As they settle down for the evening, the group witnesses a streak of light crash into the woods nearby. Driven by curiosity, they venture into the forest, where they come across what appears to be an alien spacecraft accompanied by strange footprints leading away from the crash site. Upon their return to the cabin, chaos ensues as they encounter an alien being, which they manage to shoot. Panicking, they decide to drive to town for assistance, but their route is abruptly blocked by a fallen tree. Things take a dire turn when a spacecraft descends from the sky, abducting Lex while the rest of the group flees to Travis’s house.
Here, April recounts the harrowing events, leading Travis to hypothesize that the extraterrestrial beings and the U.S. government have been entwined in a treaty since the infamous Roswell incident. According to his theory, the aliens are permitted to abduct humans, while the government erases all evidence of these occurrences. However, his dire warning follows: one must never engage with the aliens. Unfortunately, April’s act of shooting one of the extraterrestrials constitutes a breach of this treaty, and now they find themselves the targets of an alien hunt.
The group rushes back to the cabin, barricading themselves inside while Travis remains behind to fend off the extraterrestrial threat, ultimately leading to his mysterious fate. Meanwhile, in a misguided moment, Seth mistakenly identifies Sheriff Murphy and Deputy Mitchell as aliens, resulting in his arrest as they bicker over the strange happenings. The sheriff reveals his personal vendetta against the aliens, blaming them for the mysterious disappearance of his wife. In a horrific turn of events, an alien uses telepathy to compel Murphy to commit suicide, taking Deputy Mitchell with him.
Just when things seem bleakest for the group, April manages to rescue Seth, but panic drives him to flee into the woods, where he too is subsequently abducted. Returning to the cabin, Kyle, feeling protective, confines April and Melanie to the basement, while he secludes himself in the bathroom with a knife, devising a plan to confront the aliens. However, his intentions come crashing down as an alien catches him off guard and takes him away.
In the suffocating darkness of the basement, April and Melanie reflect on their earlier memories, specifically, the joyful fishing trips they took with April’s parents. Facing the impending doom, Melanie makes a tragic decision to end her life by overdosing on sleeping pills, leaving April to confront the extraterrestrial threat alone. Armed with a crowbar, April resolves to fight back, but in an unexpected twist, the aliens opt to leave.
Determined to rescue Kyle, April ignites fireworks, successfully luring the aliens back, who subsequently abduct her. Upon awakening aboard the alien spacecraft, she embarks on a nerve-wracking exploration of its dark corridors, where she stumbles upon gruesome scenes filled with human corpses and alien hybrids. Conversely, Seth finds himself imprisoned, subjected to terrifying and deadly experiments.
After what seems like an eternity, April reunites with Kyle in a tense embrace, but their brief moment of relief is shattered as the aliens close in on their location. The couple soon finds themselves back on earth, disoriented and in a field. As they attempt to navigate through the forest to return home, they encounter U.S. Army soldiers investigating the UFO crash site. In a shocking and tragic turn of fate, the soldiers shoot both April and Kyle. Lying wounded and on the brink of death, April hands Kyle the engagement ring—an emblem of their love—which he places on her finger. However, this tender moment is quickly eclipsed as the soldiers eliminate them, disposing of their bodies in a pit and igniting them, thus covering up the grim truth.
This harrowing conclusion seals Travis’s chilling theory about the government’s clandestine operations to conceal extraterrestrial life, confirming that they would go to any length to ensure that no witnesses survive to tell the tale. The film ends on a haunting note, leaving viewers to ponder the dark possibilities of mankind’s interaction with forces beyond their comprehension.
Track the key events of Extraterrestrial (2014) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Panic at the Shop
A panicked woman rushes to a shop, desperately trying to use the phone for help. Denied entry, she quickly moves to a nearby phone booth, experiencing a flash of light as she enters.
Weekend at the Cabin
April and her boyfriend Kyle begin their weekend getaway at her parents' cabin. They are joined by Kyle's friends Seth, Melanie, and Seth's girlfriend Lex, creating a lively atmosphere.
Getting Pulled Over
While driving to the cabin, Seth playfully sets off fireworks, drawing the attention of Sheriff Murphy. The sheriff pulls them over but only gives them a warning, allowing them to continue their journey.
Drinks and Proposals
Upon arriving at the cabin, the group begins drinking and using marijuana obtained from a family friend. In an unexpected moment, Kyle proposes to April, but she rejects him, causing tension in their relationship.
The Alien Crash
Later that night, the group witnesses something crash in the woods. Upon investigating, they discover an alien spacecraft and footprints leading away from the crash site, stirring their curiosity and fear.
First Encounter with Aliens
Back at the cabin, the group encounters one of the aliens and, in a panic, shoots it. This impulsive action introduces a new level of danger as they realize they may be violating a pivotal rule.
The Abduction
While attempting to escape to the nearest town, Lex is suddenly abducted by a spacecraft hovering above them. The remaining group is left in shock, realizing the gravity of their situation.
Travis's Theory
Fleeing to Travis's house, April explains the situation and Travis shares his theory about the treaty between aliens and the government. He warns the group that their confrontation with the aliens has serious consequences.
A Misunderstanding with Authorities
Seth mistakenly believes Sheriff Murphy and Deputy Mitchell are aliens, leading to his arrest. Murphy reveals his own pain about the aliens' role in his wife's disappearance, setting a dark tone.
Desperate Measures
An alien uses telepathy to force Sheriff Murphy to shoot himself and Deputy Mitchell, deepening the horror for the remaining humans. April manages to save Seth, but tensions continue to escalate as panic ensues.
Lockdown
In a drastic attempt to protect them, Kyle locks April and Melanie in the basement while he prepares to confront the aliens. However, his plan fails when he is abruptly abducted by one of the aliens.
A Decision Made
In the basement, April and Melanie share memories of happier times, but Melanie ultimately decides to end her life rather than face the aliens. This leaves April isolated and facing the imminent danger alone.
Confronting the Aliens
April tries to fight back with a crowbar, but the aliens leave voluntarily for unknown reasons. However, realizing they have taken Kyle, she uses fireworks to draw them back, demonstrating her determination.
Alien Experiments
Inside the aliens' spaceship, Seth finds himself subjected to a horrifying medical procedure, showcasing the aliens' brutal nature. He becomes one of their many test subjects, illustrating the severity of their intentions.
Return and Tragic Finale
After a chaotic journey, April and Kyle awaken back on Earth, but their relief is short-lived. They encounter U.S. Army soldiers who mistake them for threats and shoot them, confirming the dark conspiracy surrounding the aliens.
Meet the characters that bring Extraterrestrial (2014) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
April
April emerges as a determined and resourceful character who attempts to protect her friends while confronting her own fears. Her feelings for Kyle are complicated by the chaos around them, especially after she rejects his marriage proposal. Ultimately, her resilience defines her character arc as she faces alien threats head-on.
Kyle
Kyle finds himself at the center of tumultuous relationships and external threats. His character is marked by jealousy following his proposal to April, which she declines. His journey reflects a blend of bravery and vulnerability as he faces alien dangers.
Seth
Seth is portrayed as a character driven by thrill-seeking antics, which brings both laughter and chaos to the group. His impulsive nature leads to dire consequences as he engages with the supernatural danger head-on, highlighting the theme of survival.
Melanie
Melanie provides emotional depth in the face of terror, illustrating how fear can drive people to extreme decisions. Her struggle with the reality of their situation speaks to the deeper theme of sacrifice and the human response to peril.
Travis
Travis serves as a critical ally who offers insights into the alien threat. His knowledge about the supposed government-alien treaty provides depth to the plot, encapsulating themes of conspiracy and the hidden truths behind government behavior.
Uncover the settings of Extraterrestrial (2014), 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 film seems to be set in contemporary times, drawing on modern themes like government secrecy and extraterrestrial encounters. It reflects current societal fears regarding the unknown and the repercussions of humanity's contact with alien life.
Location
April's parents' cabin, the woods, Travis's house, UFO crash site
The movie takes place primarily in a secluded cabin belonging to April's parents, surrounded by dense woods. This remote location serves as the backdrop for a weekend getaway that takes a dark turn. Additionally, Travis's house provides a temporary refuge from the aliens, while the UFO crash site becomes a crucial point of discovery.
Explore the core themes of Extraterrestrial (2014). 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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Alien Encounter
The theme of alien encounter runs throughout the film as characters confront beings from another world. This theme explores the fear and intrigue of the unknown. The story grapples with the implications of such encounters, particularly how humans might react when faced with beings that challenge their understanding of existence.
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Betrayal
Betrayal manifests in personal and cosmic forms. April's rejection of Kyle's proposal signifies a rift in their relationship, exacerbated by the chaos that ensues after their encounter with aliens. Moreover, the narrative reveals the betrayal of trust when the government is implicated in covering up extraterrestrial activity.
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Survival
Survival is a pressing theme as the characters fight to navigate their horrifying circumstances. Each character reacts differently to the threat of aliens, showcasing human instincts under pressure. The tension rises as they must confront their fears while devising plans to outsmart the extraterrestrial beings.
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Loss
Loss permeates the story as characters face not only the potential of being abducted but also the emotional weight of death around them. The film illustrates the impact of grief on the survivors, particularly as they deal with the loss of friends and the threat to their very existence.
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