I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House 2016
Directed by
Oz Perkins
Made by
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016). 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.
Iris Blum, a former horror author grappling with dementia, resides in a secluded home in Braintree, Massachusetts. This eerie residence was constructed by a man for his new bride, but on their wedding day, both the bride and groom mysteriously vanished, leaving the house tragically unfurnished. To provide care for Iris, her estate manager, Mr. Waxcap, hires live-in nurse Lily Saylor.
On her very first night at the estate, Lily experiences an unsettling encounter when an unseen force violently wrenches the telephone from her hand, and she catches a glimpse of a figure dressed in white, walking backward. As time passes, a disturbing spot of black mold appears on the wall, growing ever larger, while Lily also notices that a corner of the rug at the base of the staircase has been mysteriously flipped up—curiously, she is the only one traversing the first floor.
Throughout her time with Iris, the former writer refers to Lily as “Polly,” a name that Mr. Waxcap explains belonged to the main character in Iris’s most renowned novel, The Lady in the Walls. When Lily delves into a copy of the novel, she uncovers unsettling implications—that Iris had a connection to Polly and may be recounting a forgotten tale from her own past. The story takes us back to 1812, where Polly, clad in a wedding dress and blindfolded, wanders through the abandoned house, unaware of the sinister events unfolding above her.
In a chilling episode within the kitchen, Lily hallucinates that her arms are now grotesquely bloated and speckled with black mold. Later that evening, she spots a reflection of the white-clad figure but is met with empty air when she turns around. Her curiosity drives her to explore a hidden cardboard box in a closet, where she discovers rough drafts for The Lady in the Walls. This revelation prompts her to suspect that the narrative may not just be fictional, but rather an ominous recounting of a murder that transpired in the home.
As the scenes shift back to 1812, blindfolded Polly, relying on her sense of touch, stumbles upon a wall stripped of wood—remarkably, the same area now tainted with mold in the present day. When Polly dares to lift her blindfold, she locks eyes with her husband, feeling a sense of dread as her husband suddenly strikes her down with a hammer, concealing her lifeless body behind the wall.
In the present, Lily attempts to engage Iris in conversation about the book, only to be met with fury as Iris accuses Polly of betrayal and abandonment, reminding her that even the most beautiful things succumb to decay. A chilling encounter unfolds as Polly’s ghost appears to Iris, whispering dark secrets. In her desperate quest for understanding, Lily discovers the wall boards have been removed and heaped next to the mold-infested wall, only to confront the apparition of Polly, leading to her sudden demise from a heart attack.
Days later, Mr. Waxcap stumbles upon the grim scene, uncovering both Lily’s and Iris’s lifeless forms. Years roll by, and a new family moves into the haunted house, now under the watchful eyes of Lily’s ghost, forever intertwined with the tragic history of the place.
Timeline
Track the key events of I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Iris Blum's Life in Braintree
Iris Blum, a former horror author, resides in a secluded home in Braintree, Massachusetts. As she grapples with dementia, her estate manager decides to hire a live-in nurse to assist her in this eerie residence that holds a haunting past.
Mysterious Disappearance
The home, built for a man’s new bride, has a tragic history as both the bride and groom vanished on their wedding day. The house has remained unfurnished since that fateful event, echoing its sorrowful past.
Lily's First Night
On her very first night at the estate, Lily Saylor, the new nurse, encounters a disturbing force. A telephone is violently snatched from her hand, and she catches a glimpse of a white figure walking backward, setting an eerie tone for her stay.
Strange Occurrences
As days progress, a disturbing black mold spot appears on the wall, growing larger. Additionally, Lily notices a corner of the rug has been flipped up, despite being the only one moving around the first floor.
Iris's Connection to Polly
Throughout her time caring for Iris, she often refers to Lily as 'Polly.' Mr. Waxcap explains that Polly is the protagonist of Iris's most famous novel, *The Lady in the Walls*, intriguing Lily further.
Delving into The Lady in the Walls
Lily explores a copy of *The Lady in the Walls* and begins to suspect Iris’s connection to the story is deeply personal. The narrative hints at Iris recounting a forgotten tale from her own troubled history.
The Haunting Past of Polly
The movie flashes back to 1812, where Polly, blindfolded and in a wedding dress, unsuspectingly wanders through the deserted house. She is oblivious to the ominous events transpiring above her as she explores her surroundings.
The Sinister Reveal
In a shocking turn of events, Polly lifts her blindfold to see her husband. The sense of dread culminates when he violently strikes her down with a hammer, sealing her body behind the wall and marking the house with tragedy.
Lily's Hallucination
One evening, Lily experiences a horrifying hallucination of her arms looking grotesque and disfigured with the same black mold. Later, she glimpses the figure in white but finds nothing when she turns to confront the mystery.
Discovery of Dark Truths
While searching through a hidden box in the closet, Lily finds rough drafts for *The Lady in the Walls*. This discovery intensifies her belief that the story may not be pure fiction but instead a terrifying recounting of real events.
Confrontation with Iris
In an attempt to discuss her findings with Iris, Lily faces unexpected wrath as Iris accuses her of betrayal, likening Polly's story to decay and loss. The tension escalates as the supernatural presence grows stronger.
The Encounter with Polly's Ghost
As the events unfold, Iris experiences an unsettling apparition of Polly whispering dark secrets. This culminates in a scene where Lily discovers the removed wall boards, amplifying the ghostly interactions occurring within the home.
The Tragic Demise of Lily
In a horrifying confrontation with Polly’s ghost, Lily suffers a heart attack, highlighting the overwhelming pressure of the dark secrets that circle the estate. This tragic event seals her fate as she succumbs to the haunting atmosphere.
Discovery of the Bodies
Days after Lily's demise, Mr. Waxcap discovers both Lily and Iris's lifeless bodies. This grim revelation marks the end of their tragic stories intertwined with the haunted history of the house.
New Beginnings, Old Haunts
Years later, a new family moves into the haunted house, unaware of its ghastly history. Their arrival initiates a new chapter, but they soon find themselves under the watchful eyes of Lily's ghost, forever bound to the estate.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Iris Blum
Iris is a former horror author battling dementia, grappling with her fading memories. Her character embodies the haunting connections between past and present, as her stories intertwine with the events transpiring around her. As the main protagonist, she serves as a conduit for the film's eerie atmosphere and the emotional depth of its themes.
Lily Saylor
Lily is the live-in nurse tasked with caring for Iris. Driven by curiosity, she unwittingly uncovers the dark history of the house, leading to her own unsettling experiences. Her character portrays bravery mixed with vulnerability, making her journey through the chilling revelations deeply engaging.
Mr. Waxcap
Mr. Waxcap is the estate manager who hires Lily to care for Iris. He acts as a mediator between the haunted past and the present, providing insight into Iris’s writings and their connection. His character offers a pragmatic perspective amidst the unfolding drama and tragedy.
Setting
Uncover the settings of I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016), 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
1812
The film explores dual timelines, one of which takes place in 1812. During this time, a character named Polly is introduced, wearing a wedding dress and wandering through the abandoned house. The era reflects the darker aspects of human relationships and the hidden horrors of the past.
Location
Braintree, Massachusetts
The movie is set in a secluded and eerie home in Braintree, Massachusetts. This haunted residence is steeped in tragedy, originally constructed for a bride who mysteriously vanished on her wedding day. Its dark history adds an unsettling atmosphere, affecting the lives of those who enter.
Themes
Explore the core themes of I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
👻
Ghostly Hauntings
The theme of ghostly hauntings permeates throughout the film, as both Lily and Iris encounter supernatural forces linked to the tragic past of the house. These apparitions serve as manifestations of unresolved history, marking the intersection of life and death. The tension between the living and the spirits amplifies the horror elements inherent in the narrative.
🧠
Dementia & Memory
Iris Blum’s struggle with dementia highlights the fragility of memory and its impact on identity. As she recalls her past, the lines between reality and fiction blur, ultimately affecting Lily. The film delves into the haunting nature of forgotten memories and lost connections, underscoring a poignant exploration of the mind.
💔
Tragic Love
The theme of tragic love surfaces through the narrative of Polly and her husband. The ill-fated relationship leads to a series of horrific events marked by betrayal and violence. As love transforms into something sinister, it reflects how deep affection can become entwined with despair and tragedy.
Featured on this page
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2025 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.