Directed by
Adam Randall
Made by
Saban Films
As phroggers—individuals who stealthily occupy others’ homes—teenagers Mindy and Alec invade the residence of police detective Greg Harper, his wife Jackie, and their teenage son Connor. Despite Mindy’s insistence on remaining unnoticed, Alec begins to torment the family, engaging in bizarre acts like removing pictures from frames, turning on TVs, and even urinating on Greg while he sleeps. Adding to the chaos, he conceals Jackie’s beloved sunflower mug, leading the family to ponder whether a supernatural force might be at play within their home.
Tension simmers between Connor and Greg due to a recent revelation about Jackie’s affair, causing Greg to act out in frustration, even smashing his phone against a window. When a repairman appears to fix the damaged window, Alec deceives Mindy into letting him inside, not realizing she doesn’t actually belong there. Jackie’s surprise grows as she returns home to find this stranger within her house. Upon discovering stolen silverware, which Alec cleverly hid, Jackie turns to the police for help.
Lieutenant Moriah Davis assigns Greg and his partner, Ray Spitzky, to look into the mysterious disappearances surrounding two boys, including 12-year-old Justin Whitter, who vanished while riding his bike. At the crime scene, they uncover a green pocketknife reminiscent of one owned by Cole Gordon, a man incarcerated for murdering six boys long ago.
Greg and Spitzky suspect they may be dealing with a copycat killer and decide to interview Gordon’s surviving victims. They visit Tommy Braun, whose horrific disfigurement from a previous attack becomes chillingly evident during their conversation. Tommy cryptically recounts a “magic house” that can disappear, warning Spitzky that he will never find the man responsible.
Meanwhile, Jackie’s lover, Todd, visits the Harper home to express his affection, only to come under attack when Alec hurls Jackie’s precious mug at him from above. Mistakenly believing her son, Connor, is responsible for the incident, Jackie tends to Todd’s injury in the basement while Mindy, anxious to escape, fetches her concealed backpack. However, she is caught in a life-threatening situation when Greg unexpectedly returns home and discovers Todd in the basement. In a shocking turn of events, Mindy witnesses Greg murder Todd in a brutal attack.
As the plot thickens, Jackie and Greg conspire to bury Todd’s body in the woods, while Connor stumbles upon the hidden silverware and receives a sinister anonymous message about “phrogging.” Before long, Alec confronts and captures Connor, leading to a turbulent conflict that leaves Mindy unconscious in the back of Greg’s vehicle.
Upon waking, Mindy discovers a horrifying reality, finding evidence that indicates Greg’s sinister past, including the presence of Justin Whittier’s jersey. In a perilous escape, she manages to flee into the woods and contacts the authorities. However, before they can trace her location, the call abruptly disconnects.
Finding a secret trailer where the missing boys are imprisoned, Mindy learns of Greg’s horrific intentions. Just as she attempts to rescue them, Greg catches her and suffocates her, believing her to be a threat. In a heated and frantic series of events, Greg shoots Mindy, making it appear as though she was attacking him in self-defense and plants a weapon in her hand to cover his tracks.
In a final confrontation, Alec and Greg face off. After a duel involving an axe, the scene culminates in Greg’s demise, shot by law enforcement right after he learns Alec’s intention to expose him. The narrative wraps up with Alec whispering to Spitzky his name, revealing his connection to Tommy and a vengeful plan that unraveled in tragic ways, while the police rescue the two boys hidden in the woods.
In a poignant ending, Jackie and Connor return home, greeted by a swarm of police activity and the harsh truth of Greg’s hidden life. As memories resurface, Alec recalls a moment from his childhood—the simplicity of walking along a railroad track with Tommy, a stark contrast to the nightmarish revelations that just unfolded.
Mindy and Alec invade Harper's home
Teenagers Mindy and Alec stealthily enter the house of police detective Greg Harper, intending to invade his family's privacy. Their actions set the stage for a series of bizarre and unsettling events that unfold throughout the narrative.
Alec's torment begins
Alec, against Mindy's wishes of remaining unnoticed, starts playing ominous games with the Harper family. His antics include removing pictures from frames and turning on TVs, creating an atmosphere of dread that disrupts the family's sense of safety.
Tension between Connor and Greg
Connor Harper and his father, Greg, experience rising tension stemming from a recent revelation about Greg's wife, Jackie's affair. This strain leads Greg to act out in frustration, symbolized by him smashing his phone against a window.
Alec deceives Mindy
When a repairman arrives to fix the broken window, Alec tricks Mindy into allowing him into the house, momentarily raising the stakes for their invasion. The situation escalates as Jackie comes home to find an unwelcome stranger in her house, increasing tension.
Discovery of stolen silverware
Jackie Harper discovers missing silverware hidden away by Alec, which prompts her to seek help from the police. This discovery marks a significant turning point, highlighting the invasion's consequences and the family's escalating fear.
Investigation of missing boys
Lieutenant Moriah Davis assigns Greg and his partner, Ray Spitzky, to investigate the mysterious disappearances of two boys, including Justin Whitter. Their investigation reveals a connection to a past murderer, escalating the sense of danger.
Interview with a survivor
Greg and Spitzky visit Tommy Braun, a survivor of Cole Gordon's past attacks. Tommy cryptically mentions a 'magic house' that can disappear, leaving them with more questions than answers about their ongoing investigation.
Alec attacks Todd
Jackie's lover, Todd, visits the Harper home, only to be unexpectedly attacked when Alec throws Jackie's beloved mug at him. Jackie, believing Connor to be responsible, tends to Todd's injury, further complicating the situation.
Mindy witnesses a murder
In a shocking turn of events, Mindy sees Greg murder Todd, mistaking him for a threat after his arrival. This brutal act pulls Mindy deeper into the family's dark secrets, leaving her terrified and desperate to escape.
Conspiracy to bury Todd
Greg and Jackie conspire to conceal Todd's murder by burying his body in the woods. Meanwhile, Connor finds silverware that further connects their chaotic situation, revealing the layers of deception and danger surrounding them.
Mindy escapes and contacts authorities
After narrowly escaping Greg's grasp, Mindy flees into the woods and tries to contact the authorities. Unfortunately, her call is abruptly disconnected, amplifying the sense of urgency and danger in her situation.
Mindy discovers imprisoned boys
Mindy stumbles upon a secret trailer where she discovers the missing boys are being held captive. Just as she attempts to save them, Greg discovers her, leading to a fateful confrontation.
Final confrontation with Greg
In a climactic showdown, Mindy and Greg struggle, culminating in Greg shooting Mindy, making it appear as self-defense. This moment not only reveals Greg's malicious intent but also his desperate attempt to cover his tracks.
Alec exposes Greg
Alec confronts Greg in a showdown, leading to Greg's demise as law enforcement intervenes. In his final moments, Greg learns of Alec's intention to reveal the truth about his dark past and actions.
Jackie and Connor deal with the aftermath
Jackie and Connor return to their home to find a chaotic scene filled with police activity. As they grapple with the reality of Greg's hidden life, memories of better times haunt them.
Mindy
Mindy is a key figure in the film, possessing a blend of curiosity and anxiety as she engages in phrogging. Her trepidation regarding Alec's increasingly risky behavior highlights her internal conflict. As events escalate, Mindy's survival instincts lead her to confront horrific truths, illustrating her resilience in the face of danger.
Greg Harper
Greg Harper is depicted as a troubled detective spiraling into moral decay after a disturbing revelation about his wife's infidelity. His violent tendencies surface amid a crumbling family portrait, ultimately unraveling into a dark path of murder and deception. The duality of his role as both protector and perpetrator creates a complex character defined by betrayal and desperation.
Alec Travers
Alec Travers serves as an unpredictable harbinger of chaos, inflicting psychological torment on the Harper family. Initially depicted as a mischievous teen, his actions reveal a deeper connection to the film's darker elements. Though his intentions may seem trivial at first, his role becomes critical in uncovering the true nature of fear and manipulation.
Jackie Harper
Jackie Harper embodies the complexities of a wife caught in betrayal amidst familial strife. Her struggle with guilt and the chaos in her home culminate in dire consequences, shaping her character as someone torn between love and survival. Her emotional spectrum adds depth to the unfolding tragedy as she faces the aftermath of her choices.
Connor Harper
Connor Harper, the teenage son, is depicted as a victim of the frayed family dynamics surrounding him and the chaos unfolding in his home. The tension with his father becomes palpable, highlighting the strains of family loyalty and modern teenage angst. His journey through confusion to revelation is central to the emotional core of the narrative.
Time period
The film does not specify a particular historical period but captures contemporary tensions within a family and societal issues surrounding crime. The themes of betrayal and community tragedy resonate with modern life, reflecting current fears and moral dilemmas.
Location
Harper residence, Woods, Secret trailer
The Harper residence serves as the central hub of tension and chaos, where both family dynamics and sinister actions unfold. The nearby woods become a significant location as secrets are buried and dark encounters take place. In addition, a secret trailer is revealed as a horrifying prison where missing boys are held captive, embodying the hidden horrors lurking beneath the surface.
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Betrayal
Betrayal is a central theme in the film, manifesting through Jackie's affair and Greg's heinous actions. The emotional turmoil resulting from familial betrayal intensifies the conflict, driving characters to desperate measures. The haunting realization that those closest can turn into threats underscores the narrative's tension.
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Fear
Fear permeates the lives of the Harper family and the phrogging teenagers. It is both a psychological element, symbolized by the supernatural events concocted by Alec, and a literal fear of the unknown as they confront real danger. The theme of fear confronting the familiar presents a chilling perspective on safety in one's own home.
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Justice
Justice plays a pivotal role throughout the film, as characters grapple with the consequences of their actions and seek to avenge wrongs. The narrative becomes a quest for justice as Greg's crimes catch up to him, leading to a chaotic resolution. The pursuit of accountability against moral failings creates an unsettling yet compelling backdrop.
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