I Still See You 2018
Directed by
Scott Speer
Made by
Lionsgate
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of I Still See You (2018). 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 Chicago, a tragic disaster strikes when an explosion occurs at Dr. Martin Steiner’s Ashburn Laboratories, resulting in numerous casualties. In the aftermath, ghostly remnants of the victims begin appearing, haunting the living as non-sentient beings that eerily mimic certain actions at regular intervals.
Fast forward ten years, and we meet Veronica ‘Ronnie’ Calder, who feels increasingly disturbed by her family’s refusal to recognize the daily presence of her deceased father, Robert, at their breakfast table. Her unease deepens when she encounters a remnant of a young man, who she comes to understand is named Brian. Brian’s lingering spirit mysteriously scrawls the word “run” on a mirror before disappearing, leading Ronnie to fear for her safety.
During a lesson on remnants led by Mr. Bittner, Ronnie suffers from a sudden earbleed, heightening her anxiety about Brian’s intentions. Seeking answers, she seeks out Mr. Bittner at his home, but he dismisses her concerns as mere paranoia. Determined to uncover the truth, she recruits her new classmate Kirk to aid her investigation. Kirk’s research unveils a dark past, revealing that Brian was connected to the disappearance and subsequent death of Pastor Greer’s daughter, Mary. They discover that Brian took his own life the day after Mary’s mysterious disappearance, a tragedy that haunts Ronnie further when she realizes their birthdays coincide.
As their inquiry deepens, Principal Pescatelli summons Kirk to discuss their findings. This meeting culminates in tragedy when Pescatelli falls through the ceiling during a school basketball game, prompting Kirk to believe their investigation has dire consequences. Ronnie and Kirk soon connect Brian’s name to another pair of sorrowful cases involving Emma Shaw and Claire White. When Claire’s sister, Kerry, reveals that Brian was previously her sister’s boyfriend, they boldly venture to Chicago’s No-Go Zone, where Claire’s death transpired—revealing the chilling Ashburn Laboratories once more.
Upon arrival, they encounter a disheveled Dr. Steiner, who divulges that he was experimenting with the idea of using the deceased as vessels to bring back the dead, a risky project he believed Brian was trying to manipulate to redeem his tragic mistakes. In a misguided attempt to atone for his actions, Dr. Steiner ultimately takes his own life, leaving Ronnie and Kirk with the burdensome truth.
Faced with looming danger, Kirk is arrested when a gun is discovered in his locker, leading Ronnie to seek Mr. Bittner’s assistance again. Here, she learns about Kirk’s tumultuous past involving firearms and his expulsion from a previous school, but soon finds herself questioning his innocence. Bittner promises to protect her for the remaining 48 hours leading to her birthday, sensing that it may be when Brian seeks to enact his grim resurrection plan. With Bittner’s guidance, they reinforce her home, securing a panic room designed to thwart the presence of remnants.
As the climax unfolds, Kirk uncovers that Bittner has a much darker motive tied to his daughter Eva’s untimely demise. After knocking Kirk out, Bittner buries him alive, revealing his true intent: to murder young women who share his daughter’s birthday to resurrect her. Meanwhile, Ronnie narrowly escapes to a frozen lake, where Bittner catches up with her. In a fight for her life, she breaks the ice, plunging them into the frigid waters below. Just as it seems hopeless, Mary Greer’s ghost intervenes, leading to Bittner’s watery demise while Brian’s spirit saves Ronnie.
Brimming with memories of her father teaching her to ice skate at that very lake, Ronnie struggles to stay conscious. Thankfully, Kirk arrives just in time, having unearthed himself with the help of his father’s spirit. The two face their shared burden as they visit Robert’s grave, determined to honor the truth surrounding the tragic events of Chicago. As they leave, Brian’s ghost looks on, a reminder of the story they will now carry with them.
Timeline
Track the key events of I Still See You (2018) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Explosion at Ashburn Laboratories
A catastrophic explosion occurs at Dr. Martin Steiner's Ashburn Laboratories, leading to multiple casualties. This disaster not only takes lives but leaves behind ghostly remnants that begin haunting the living, mimicking their actions in eerie patterns.
Presence of the Deceased
Ten years after the explosion, Veronica 'Ronnie' Calder grapples with the unsettling habit of her family ignoring her deceased father Robert's presence at their breakfast table. This daily sight brings her both comfort and confusion as she struggles with the concept of her family's refusal to accept loss.
Encounter with Brian's Remnant
Ronnie has a chilling encounter with the remnant of a young man named Brian, who ominously scrawls the word 'run' on a mirror before vanishing. This disturbing event leads her to question whether she is truly safe and further ignites her anxiety about the presence of spirits.
Earbleed During Class
During a lesson on remnants taught by Mr. Bittner, Ronnie experiences a sudden earbleed, which intensifies her worries about Brian. This incident pushes her to seek answers and delve deeper into the mystery surrounding the remnants.
Seeking Guidance from Mr. Bittner
Determined to understand Brian's intentions, Ronnie approaches Mr. Bittner at his home but finds him dismissive of her fears, attributing them to paranoia. Undeterred, Ronnie enlists the help of her new classmate Kirk to investigate further.
Unearthing Brian's Past
Ronnie and Kirk's research leads them to discover that Brian was linked to the mysterious disappearance and death of Pastor Greer's daughter, Mary. This revelation becomes even more unsettling when Ronnie realizes that she shares a birthday with Mary, deepening her emotional connection to the tragedy.
Tragedy at the Basketball Game
As the investigation progresses, Principal Pescatelli summons Kirk to discuss their findings. The meeting ends in disaster when Pescatelli falls through the ceiling during a school basketball game, causing Kirk to believe their inquiries might have severe repercussions.
Discovering More Tragic Cases
Ronnie and Kirk connect Brian's name to additional tragic cases involving Emma Shaw and Claire White. When Claire's sister Kerry reveals that Brian was Claire’s boyfriend, the duo feels compelled to investigate deeper, leading them to Chicago's No-Go Zone.
Facing Dr. Steiner
Upon reaching the No-Go Zone, Ronnie and Kirk come face-to-face with Dr. Steiner, who divulges his dangerous experiments aiming to use the deceased as vessels to resurrect them. This confession unveils the real darkness behind Brian's actions and connection to past tragedies.
Kirk's Arrest
Kirk's situation worsens when a gun is discovered in his locker, leading to his arrest. Ronnie, now doubting Kirk’s innocence, reaches out to Mr. Bittner for help as she becomes increasingly aware of the imminent danger surrounding her.
Preparing for Danger
With Mr. Bittner's guidance, Ronnie secures her home with a panic room designed to withstand the presence of remnants. As her birthday approaches, Bittner warns her that she may be in grave danger as it approaches, heightening the tension surrounding the already ominous situation.
Bittner's Dark Motive Revealed
The climax intensifies when Kirk uncovers Bittner's sinister intent tied to his daughter Eva's tragic fate. After knocking Kirk unconscious, Bittner plans to murder young women who share Eva's birthday, seeking to resurrect her from the dead.
The Final Confrontation
In a desperate fight for her life at a frozen lake, Ronnie finds herself grappling with Bittner. As they struggle, Bittner catches up to her, and in a critical moment, Mary Greer’s ghost intervenes to help Ronnie escape while Brian’s spirit saves her from drowning.
Resurfacing and Reflection
After narrowly escaping, Ronnie fights to stay conscious while memories of skating with her father flood back. Meanwhile, Kirk manages to unearth himself, and together they confront their shared traumas at Robert's grave, prepared to honor the truth of their experiences.
Brian’s Ghost Observes
As Ronnie and Kirk leave Robert’s grave, the spirit of Brian watches over them, serving as a reminder of the tragic events they have uncovered. The two are now bound by the heavy reality of their knowledge and the presence of the otherworldly experiences they faced.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring I Still See You (2018) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Veronica 'Ronnie' Calder
Ronnie is a resilient young woman haunted by her father's ghost, struggling with the trauma of loss and her family's denial. Her determination to uncover the truth about Brian's remnant drives her into a chilling investigation, and she exhibits courage as she navigates the dangers that arise. Her emotional journey highlights the challenges of dealing with grief while seeking justice for the lost.
August Bittner
Mr. Bittner, a teacher with a complex past, initially appears as a mentor figure to Ronnie, offering wisdom but hiding dark motives. His character embodies the theme of fatherhood twisted by loss, as his actions are driven by a desperate desire to resurrect his deceased daughter. His transformation from mentor to antagonist adds depth to the narrative's exploration of grief and morality.
Brian
Brian is a tragic figure whose spirit lingers due to unresolved issues surrounding his suicide and the mysterious death of another girl. His haunting presence and cryptic messages provoke fear and curiosity within Ronnie, driving the plot's central mystery. As more is revealed about his past, he transforms from a haunting remnant into a symbol of lost potential and tragedy.
Kirk Lane
Kirk is a resourceful classmate who aids Ronnie in her investigation. Brave and loyal, he embodies the spirit of friendship and determination needed to confront the dark realities surrounding them. His character also faces personal challenges and mysteries of his own, contributing to the depth of the story's emotional landscape.
Setting
Uncover the settings of I Still See You (2018), 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
10 years after the explosion
The movie is set a decade after a catastrophic event that left lingering traumas and ghostly remnants in its wake. This time frame follows the emotional struggles of those directly affected, especially the youth who grapple with loss, fear, and the haunting memories of the past. It captures a period where the living must coexist with the spectral presences that emerge from tragedy.
Location
Chicago, Ashburn Laboratories, Chicago's No-Go Zone
Chicago serves as the backdrop for this haunting tale, marked by the tragedy of an explosion at Dr. Martin Steiner's Ashburn Laboratories. Known for its vibrant city life, Chicago also harbors dark secrets, especially in areas like the No-Go Zone, where past tragedies continue to haunt its residents. The lab itself is a sinister location, filled with remnants of its chilling history and ghostly echoes of lost lives.
Themes
Explore the core themes of I Still See You (2018). 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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Ghosts
Ghostly remnants significantly contribute to the haunting atmosphere of the film. They symbolize unresolved trauma and the impact of grief on the living, manifesting in both frightening and poignant ways. The interplay between the past and present raises questions about life, death, and the spirits that linger between both realms.
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Loss
The theme of loss permeates the narrative, reflecting the characters' struggles to cope with the death of loved ones. Veronica's experience with the ghost of her father and the tragic histories of Brian and other victims emphasize the emotional scars left behind by unexpected tragedies. It explores how grief can deeply affect lives and relationships.
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Mystery
Mystery is a driving force in the film as Veronica and Kirk unravel the dark secrets tied to Brian's past and the laboratory's experiments. The investigation reveals the connections between the remnants and their tragic stories, adding layers of intrigue and suspense to the plot. The pursuit of truth leads to shocking revelations that change their understanding of life and death.
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