Directed by
David Robert Mitchell
Made by
RADiUS-TWC
Discover the intricate plot of It Follows (2015). 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.
Annie Marshall bursts out of her home, seemingly on the run, yet she insists she doesn’t need assistance from those nearby. She hops into her car and speeds away. That evening, she finds herself alone on a beach, where she makes a heartfelt call to her parents, expressing her love for them. Tragically, the next morning reveals her brutalized body lying on the sand.
Meanwhile, carefree university student Jay Height attends a movie with her boyfriend, Hugh. During the film, Hugh’s attention is drawn to a girl dressed in yellow, but Jay insists she can’t see her. Feeling uneasy, Hugh suggests leaving. Later, in his car, Hugh and Jay have their first sexual encounter, but things quickly take a dark turn when Hugh uses chloroform to incapacitate her. When Jay regains consciousness, she finds herself bound to a wheelchair. Hugh reveals shocking news: he has transmitted a sinister curse to her through their intimacy—an invisible entity will now pursue her, one that they alone can see.
This entity moves at a slow pace, but it has an uncanny ability to know Jay’s location at all times. If it manages to catch up to her, Jay’s life will be forfeit and it will then go after the one who passed it to her. To illustrate the reality of the threat, Hugh waits until a naked woman slowly approaches them, urging Jay to act quickly and sleep with someone else to pass on the curse. He then drives her home, disappearing into the night. The following day, the police find both the mysterious woman and Hugh—whose real name is revealed to be Jeff Redmond—missing.
Back at school, Jay is unsettled when she spots an old woman approaching her, a figure invisible to everyone else around. That night, Jay’s sister Kelly, along with their friends Paul and Yara, gathers at her home. Suddenly, someone throws a rock through a window; Paul looks around but finds nothing. Later, Jay is alarmed to see a ragged, half-clothed woman coming toward her and rushes upstairs to alert her friends, who can’t see the danger. Jay’s fear escalates when an unsettling tall man enters her bedroom, prompting her to escape on a bicycle.
With help from their neighbor Greg, the group uncovers the truth about Hugh’s identity. Jeff explains that he was marked by the entity after a one-night stand and emphasizes the need for Jay to pass it on to someone else for her safety. He advises her to drive away to give herself time to formulate a plan. Greg takes Jay, Kelly, Yara, and Paul to his family’s lake house for some respite. The next day, while they enjoy the lakefront, the entity makes its presence known when it takes on Yara’s form and attacks Jay from behind. Fleeing in Greg’s car, she crashes and wakes up in a hospital with an arm injury. In a desperate move to gain some time from the entity, Jay ends up sleeping with Greg in the hospital.
Despite Jay’s insistence on the entity’s existence, Greg dismisses her fears. Soon after, Jay spots the entity disguised as Greg and panics, rushing into his house where she unexpectedly encounters the entity taking on the grotesque appearance of Greg’s mother, leading to a tragic outcome. After that harrowing event, Jay finds herself isolated outdoors, contemplating her situation.
On the beach, she spots three young men on a boat, and in a moment of impulsive relaxation, she wades into the water. Back at home, Paul, willing to confront the entity’s threat, proposes that Jay pass it on to him. She declines, choosing self-preservation over passing the burden.
The friends coordinate one last attempt to defeat the entity by luring it into a swimming pool, intending to electrocute it. While waiting in the pool, Jay faces a horrific apparition when the entity appears as her father. Instead of entering the water, it hurls electrical devices at her, prompting chaos as Paul tries to defend her by firing at the invisible threat. In the struggle, Paul accidentally injures Yara but manages to shoot the entity multiple times, causing it to sink into the pool. Jay narrowly escapes as it pulls her down, only to find herself watching in horror as the pool fills with blood.
Later, back at Jay’s house, she shares a moment of vulnerability with Paul, leading to intimacy between them. After a drive through town, where they pass sex workers, Yara recovers in the hospital. As the narrative unfolds, Jay and Paul walk down the street, hand in hand, only to have a figure lurking ominously behind them, hinting that the nightmare may not yet be over.
Track the key events of It Follows (2015) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Annie's Escape
Annie Marshall bursts out of her home in a panic, insisting that she doesn't need any help. She jumps into her car and speeds away, clearly on the run from something unknown.
A Heartfelt Call
Later that evening, Annie finds herself alone on a beach where she makes a heartfelt call to her parents. She expresses her love for them, leaving an ominous sense of foreboding hanging in the air.
Tragic Discovery
The next morning, tragedy strikes as Annie's brutally beaten body is discovered on the beach. This shocking event sets the dark tone for the unfolding story.
The Movie Date
Meanwhile, college student Jay Height goes to the movies with her boyfriend, Hugh. During the film, Hugh becomes distracted by a girl dressed in yellow, but when Jay tries to see her, she finds nothing amiss.
The Dark Turn
After the movie, Jay and Hugh have a romantic encounter in his car which takes a disturbing turn when Hugh uses chloroform to incapacitate her. Jay awakens bound to a wheelchair, facing a terrifying revelation.
A Sinister Curse
Hugh informs Jay that he has transmitted a curse to her through their intimacy, wherein an invisible entity will now pursue her. This entity knows her location at all times, creating a sense of dread that she cannot escape.
The Warning
To illustrate the threat, Hugh shows Jay a woman who approaches them, urging her to pass the curse to someone else. Hugh drives away thereafter, leaving Jay in a state of confusion and fear.
Unease at School
Back at school, Jay is unsettled by the sight of an old woman who approaches her. The elderly figure is invisible to everyone else, increasing Jay's anxiety about the curse.
Night of Terror
That night, Jay and her friends are gathered at home when a rock shatters a window. While they search for the source, Jay's fear intensifies as she sees a ragged woman approaching, yet her friends remain oblivious.
Escape on Bicycle
In a panic, Jay escapes her home on a bicycle after a tall man enters her bedroom. Her desperation grows as she tries to evade the invisible threat.
The Search for Truth
With the help of their neighbor Greg, Jay and her friends piece together the chilling truth about Hugh's identity and the curse. They realize their only chance for safety is for Jay to pass the curse on to someone else.
Temporary Retreat
The group decides to retreat to Greg’s family's lake house to escape the entity’s grasp. However, their respite is short-lived as the entity soon makes its presence known.
The Attack
While enjoying their time at the lake, the entity takes on Yara's form and unexpectedly attacks Jay. In a desperate escape attempt, she gets into a car accident and wakes up in the hospital.
Desperate Measures
To buy herself time, Jay reluctantly sleeps with Greg while in the hospital. This act, however, does little to alleviate her fears as the entity continues to haunt her.
Final Confrontation
In a last-ditch effort, Jay and her friends plan to confront the entity by luring it into a swimming pool. As chaos ensues, they realize the depth of their challenge when they witness the entity taking on terrifying forms.
Meet the characters that bring It Follows (2015) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Jay Height (Maika Monroe)
Jay is portrayed as a carefree university student whose life spirals into horror after an ill-fated encounter. As she navigates her new terrifying reality, Jay embodies resilience and determination to survive while grappling with guilt and the fear of endangering those she loves.
Hugh / Jeff Redmond (Jake Weary)
Hugh, later revealed to be Jeff, acts as the catalyst for Jay's horrifying ordeal. His initial charm transforms into betrayal as he introduces Jay to the curse, showcasing a complex blend of guilt and selfishness that complicates his character.
Kelly (Lili Sepe)
Kelly, Jay's sister, serves as a source of support and anxiety as she observes Jay's declining mental state. While protective, she is also vulnerable, showing the impact of external threats on familial bonds and friendships.
Paul (Keir Gilchrist)
Paul represents loyalty and bravery as he tries to confront the entity's threat. His growing affection for Jay highlights the complexities of their friendship amid the horror, showcasing the human capacity to care even in dire circumstances.
Uncover the settings of It Follows (2015), 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
Contemporary
Set in modern times, the film reflects the anxieties and uncertainties faced by today's youth. Issues like the consequences of intimacy and the impact of technology on personal relationships are prevalent, bringing a relatable yet chilling background to Jay's experiences.
Location
Lake House, Beach
The story unfolds primarily at a secluded lake house, a tranquil spot away from the chaos of city life, ideal for a retreat. In juxtaposition, the beach serves as both a serene and haunting site, highlighted by tragic events, imbued with a sense of foreboding and loss.
Explore the core themes of It Follows (2015). 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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Paranoia
The theme of paranoia runs deep throughout the film as Jay grapples with the looming threat of the unseen entity. The constant dread that someone or something is following her impacts her relationships and instills a sense of isolation. This fear of the unknown resonates with anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by their circumstances.
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Fear of Intimacy
Fear of intimacy serves as a crucial theme, daring to explore how personal connections can turn dangerous. The film portrays how moments of vulnerability can lead to catastrophic consequences, emphasizing the fine line between love and fear when trust is breached.
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Cycles of Violence
The cyclical nature of violence is a profound theme as the curse transfers from one individual to another, perpetuating a cycle of fear and destruction. It illustrates the idea that actions have irreversible consequences, ultimately raising questions about responsibility and the burden of passing on trauma.
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