Directed by
Vincenzo Natali
Made by
Netflix
Discover the intricate plot of In the Tall Grass (2019). 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.
Becky, who is six months pregnant, and her brother Cal DeMuth embark on a journey to San Diego. Their plan is for Becky to stay with her aunt until she gives birth so she can put her baby up for adoption. However, their trip takes a dark turn when they stop by an old church and hear a young boy named Tobin calling for help from a field of tall grass. As they investigate, they also hear his mother, Natalie, pleading with him not to seek any assistance.
Worrying for the boy’s safety, Becky and Cal enter the grass, but soon they find themselves separated as the terrain behaves in bizarre and unsettling ways. Panic escalates, and their attempts to leave become futile as darkness descends. Amid the confusion, Cal stumbles upon a frightened and dirty Tobin, who oddly holds a dead crow. Tobin shares that the grass does not allow dead things to move, burying the bird in the ground as they converse. During a tense moment, Becky encounters Tobin’s father, Ross, but they too become lost in the endless grass.
As events unfold, Cal is led by Tobin to an ancient stone, but their moment is interrupted by Becky’s chilling scream as she is attacked by an unseen menace. Meanwhile, Becky’s child’s father, Travis, arrives, looking desperately for both Becky and Cal. He discovers their abandoned vehicle and enters the field, ultimately meeting Tobin, who cryptically leads him to Becky’s lifeless body. Stricken by grief, Travis is further haunted by Tobin’s presence, who seems to exist in different timelines as they navigate the menacing field.
The following day, confusion reigns as a much earlier version of Tobin arrives at the church where his family gathers. The family’s dog, Freddy, runs into the grass, prompting panic and a frantic search as Travis calls for Tobin. Unfortunately, this leads to further disarray as Ross, driven by a growing sense of dread, discovers the ancient rock. Upon touching it, he becomes detached from reality, deepening the peril for everyone involved.
The narrative thickens as Becky receives a distressing phone call warning them against repeating mistakes. As their journey proceeds, Becky experiences a horrific event where the grass seems to enter her womb, rendering her unconscious. Fortunately, Ross revives her moments later, suggesting a way out of the ominous field. However, revelations about the rock arise when Natalie warns them of its danger, igniting conflict among them. Desperate to escape, they suffer losses, including the deaths of Natalie and injuries inflicted on Travis.
In a tragic twist, the group manages to find refuge in an old building where they discover that Freddy, the dog, has escaped through a hidden passage leading to safety. Competing feelings of jealousy and desperation surface when Cal allows Travis to slip to his doom during a tumultuous encounter. Tobin, witnessing these events, flees for safety while Cal struggles with his fate, revealing a perilous time loop in which he is pursued relentlessly by the unhinged Ross.
As the plot develops, Becky engages in a cat-and-mouse game with Ross, managing to inflict an injury before encountering monstrous beings that threaten her. In her attempts to reach out to her former self, she becomes ensnared in a web of visions and hallucinations that blur reality. Tragically, she soon learns that her brother was not who he seemed, revealing a shocking connection to Ross.
In a heart-wrenching finale, while collapsing under the agony of betrayal and violence, the critical realization dawns that only through understanding the ‘grass’ can the characters break the cycle of despair. Ultimately, after being confronted by Ross, with everything on the line, Travis takes a gamble, touches the stone, and confronts the visions that have haunted them. With determination, he manages to guide Tobin out of the grass, urging him to prevent Becky and Cal from entering again.
Finally emerging in the church, armed with the knowledge that will seal their fates, Tobin prevents them from stepping into the grass—closing the loop and allowing Becky to decide to keep her baby as they drive away. Travis, listening from the field, finds peace as he succumbs to the grass. Through this haunting odyssey, the themes of fate, sacrifice, and the harrowing journey of acceptance intertwine, leaving a chilling impression of the darkness woven into the fabric of their lives.
Track the key events of In the Tall Grass (2019) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Becky's Journey Begins
Becky, who is six months pregnant, along with her brother Cal DeMuth, sets out on a journey to San Diego. Their aim is for Becky to stay with her aunt until she gives birth, planning to put the baby up for adoption.
A Disturbing Encounter
During their journey, they stop at an old church where they hear a boy named Tobin calling for help from a field of tall grass. Worrying for Tobin's safety, Becky and Cal decide to investigate, unaware of the horrors that await them.
Into the Grass
As they enter the grass, Becky and Cal quickly find themselves separated due to the bizarre and unsettling nature of the terrain. Darkness descends, heightening their panic and confusion while they attempt to find each other.
Meeting Tobin
Cal stumbles upon Tobin, who is frightened and dirty, holding a dead crow. Tobin explains that the grass does not allow dead things to move, leading to a significant exchange between them as they try to figure out their predicament.
Becky's Encounter with Danger
While trying to find each other, Becky encounters Tobin’s father, Ross, unexpectedly. Their meeting soon turns perilous, and they too become lost in the endless and ominous grass.
Travis's Arrival
Becky's child's father, Travis, arrives searching desperately for them. After discovering their abandoned vehicle, he follows Tobin, who cryptically leads him to Becky’s lifeless body, sending him into despair.
Confusion and Timelines
The next day, an earlier version of Tobin appears at the church where his family is gathered. In a chaotic series of events, the family's dog, Freddy, runs into the grass, leading to further panic and disarray.
The Ancient Rock's Secrets
Ross, driven by fear, discovers an ancient stone in the grass. Upon touching it, he becomes detached from reality, which increases the peril for everyone involved during their harrowing attempts to escape.
A Distress Call
Becky receives a distressing phone call that warns them against repeating past mistakes. This unsettling realization culminates in a horrific moment where the grass seems to invade her womb, leaving her unconscious.
Struggles for Survival
While Ross manages to revive Becky, a conflict ensues about the ancient rock and its dangers. In their desperate attempt to escape, the group suffers losses, including Natalie’s death and injuries to Travis.
Hidden Passageway
The group finds refuge in an old building where they discover that Freddy, the dog, has escaped through a hidden passage. This revelation ignites a myriad of feelings, including jealousy and desperation among the group.
Betrayal and Chaos
In a tumultuous encounter, Cal allows Travis to slip to his doom, illustrating the desperate situation they are in. Tobin witnesses these incidents unfold and takes off for safety as chaos reigns around them.
Confronting the Monstrous Beings
Becky engages in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with Ross, managing to injure him before facing monstrous beings that continue to threaten her life. This intensifies her struggle against the dark forces within the grass.
The Realization
As the web of visions and hallucinations tightens around her, Becky learns a shocking truth about her brother, revealing connections to Ross that complicate their survival. Betrayal surges as relationships fracture under the pressure.
The Final Confrontation
In a climactic showdown with Ross, Travis makes the fateful decision to touch the ancient stone. This moment becomes pivotal as he navigates through the haunting visions that hold them captive within the grass.
Breaking the Cycle
Ultimately, Travis guides Tobin out of the grass and prevents Becky and Cal from entering again. This decisive act closes the loop, allowing Becky to keep her baby as they drive away while Travis succumbs to the grass, signifying heavy sacrifices made.
Meet the characters that bring In the Tall Grass (2019) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Becky (played by Laysla De Oliveira)
A determined woman grappling with her pregnancy decision, Becky embodies the struggle between maternal instincts and the societal pressures to conform. Her journey into the grass mirrors her chaotic emotional landscape as she faces horrifying truths and the betrayal of those closest to her.
Cal (played by Avery Whitted)
As Becky's brother, Cal's protective instincts lead him into the grass where he grapples with loyalty and desperation. His character reveals the complexities of kinship and sacrifice, ultimately driving a wedge between his morals and the choices that haunt him.
Tobin (played by Will Buie Jr.)
A mysterious boy trapped in the grass, Tobin serves as a catalyst for the unfolding horrors. His eerie knowledge of the grass and its secrets hints at a deeper understanding of the time loop they are ensnared in, making him both a guide and a tormentor for the adults.
Ross (played by Patrick Wilson)
Tobin's father, Ross, experiences a tragic transformation as the stress of the situation drives him further into madness. His character illustrates the depths of despair and the consequences of losing touch with reality while deeply invested in his family’s survival.
Travis (played by Harrison Gilbertson)
Becky’s partner, Travis represents the search for truth and resolution amid chaos. His determination to find Becky and Cal leads him to face his own vulnerabilities, showcasing the theme of sacrifice as he confronts the grass and its implications for his family’s future.
Uncover the settings of In the Tall Grass (2019), 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 events unfold in a contemporary setting where modern technology coexists with ancient mysteries. The characters grapple with present-day dilemmas of pregnancy, family loyalty, and the haunting echoes of past decisions that creep into their reality.
Location
San Diego, old church, field of tall grass
The story begins in San Diego, known for its beautiful coastlines and vibrant culture. An old church serves as a pivotal location where the characters first hear the cries for help from Tobin. The vast field of tall grass becomes a nightmarish landscape, known for disorienting the characters and trapping them in a cycle of confusion and despair.
Explore the core themes of In the Tall Grass (2019). 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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Fate & Cycles
The film explores the theme of fate, emphasizing how the characters are caught in a time loop that forces them to confront their actions repeatedly. Choices made in the past resonate in the present, leading to tragic consequences. The struggle to break free from this cycle symbolizes the difficulty of overcoming one's destiny.
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Sacrifice
Sacrifice is a recurring theme, particularly as Becky navigates her desire to put her baby up for adoption. The characters face harrowing choices that weigh their survival against their familial ties. The chilling realization of what it means to sacrifice for love and safety resonates throughout their journey.
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Darkness
The film delves into the theme of darkness, not just in the literal sense as the characters become engulfed in the ominous grass but also in their personal struggles. Each character faces their own demons, revealing the shadows lurking within, creating an atmosphere of suspense and fear that drives the narrative.
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