Late Phases

Late Phases 2014

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Plot Summary


As Will reluctantly moves his obstinate father, Ambrose McKinley, a blind Vietnam War veteran, into a retirement community near a mystical forest, the air is thick with tension. Ambrose, known for his cantankerous nature, struggles to adapt, clashing with the other residents, including the trio of neighbor women: Gloria, Anna, and Emma. Initially, they are drawn to his spirited personality, but soon find his obstinacy unbearable. Their duplex-mate Delores becomes the first victim in a string of horrific attacks that will challenge Ambrose’s resilience.

On one fateful night, beneath the light of a full moon, a creature invades Delores’ home, brutally slaying her and leaving Ambrose gravely injured. His loyal German Shepherd comes to his rescue, valiantly defending him against the beast while Ambrose scrambles for his gun. Although he successfully repels the attacker, he mourns the loss of his faithful companion, who succumbs to its injuries.

The following day, authorities dismiss Ambrose’s report of a supernatural creature, attributing the chaos to a mere animal attack. Yet, Ambrose is plagued by the certainty that a werewolf is responsible for the vile incidents terrorizing the community. Grieving for his dog and digging its grave, he becomes increasingly suspicious of the unexplained disappearances of multiple residents who ventured into the woods, all connected by their proximity to the forest.

Driven by purpose, Ambrose sets out to uncover the truth behind these unsettling occurrences, observing his neighbors for any signs of lycanthropy. His acute senses detect the haunting rasping of a werewolf’s breath. He initially suspects Gloria’s husband, who is confined to an iron lung, recalling the doom of poor Delores. When Ambrose inadvertently disconnects the machine keeping him alive, Gloria accuses him of attempted murder and evicts him from their vicinity.

Undaunted, he directs his attention towards Father Roger Smith, the local priest, who has developed a persistent cough from years of smoking. Alongside him is James Griffin, a friend of the priest who suffers similar respiratory issues. Believing that one or both may harbor dark secrets, Ambrose visits the church, where he encounters yet another possible suspect.

However, the three neighbors soon grow weary of Ambrose’s unconventional behavior and convince James to transport him back home discreetly. Meanwhile, Ambrose remains steadfast in his quest for answers, seeking out silver bullets from a local gunsmith intrigued by his determination. Unknown to him, James has acquired silver ammo as well, intensifying Ambrose’s paranoia.

As he continues to dig his dog’s grave, Ambrose finds himself engulfed by a storm of concern from the community. Complaints about the tombstone and the odor of decay draw the attention of the authorities, escalating their worries about his mental well-being. Yet, Ambrose’s resolve remains unshaken; he will not rest until he unravels the sinister forces threatening his once-peaceful neighborhood.

With the lunar cycle reaching its peak, Ambrose finds a bittersweet sense of closure upon completing the grave for his beloved canine. At the same time, James cunningly ingratiates himself with Gloria, Anna, Emma, and her husband Bennet, unleashing the deadly curse of lycanthropy upon them. When Ambrose visits Gloria, he is met with an eerie silence, culminating in the shocking discovery of her husband’s corpse; the urgency to return home and prepare for the nightfall sinks in.

James, overwhelmed by his secrets, confesses to Father Smith but is met with doubt, leading to a tragic outcome. As the savage wolf claims another life, Ambrose leaves a heartfelt voicemail for his son Will, revealing the truth behind his late wife’s cherished ring and expressing his unwavering commitment to her legacy. Acknowledging the gravity of his situation, he prepares for his final farewell.

As darkness envelops the community, Ambrose uses his keen hearing to combat the attacking werewolves on his property, relying on an arsenal of weapons and ingenious traps. Though he sustains injuries, he ultimately finds peace in ending James’s reign of terror. In quiet acceptance of his fate, he sits on his porch, ready to confront the inevitable.

When Will, aware of his father’s last words, rushes to his side, he is met with a horrifying sight: the werewolves’ forms, half-transformed, alongside Ambrose’s lifeless body, purposefully medicated to prevent his transformation into a monster.

In the wake of this tragedy, Will and his wife stand solemnly at Ambrose’s military funeral. As he receives the honored tri-folded flag and hands it to his partner, he retrieves his father’s rifle, aiming it at the luminous moon. With a heavy heart, he releases a defiant shot against the dark forces that claimed his loved one.

Timeline


Relocating Ambrose

Will reluctantly moves his obstinate father, Ambrose McKinley, a blind Vietnam War veteran, into a retirement community. This transition is met with thick tension, as Ambrose's strong-willed nature clashes with the surrounding environment.

Retirement Community

Ambrose's Struggles

Once settled, Ambrose struggles to adapt to retirement life, clashing with other residents including Gloria, Anna, and Emma. Initially charmed by his spirited personality, they soon find his obstinacy unbearable.

Retirement Community

Delores's Attack

The tranquility is shattered when Delores, Ambrose's duplex-mate, becomes the first victim of a series of horrifying attacks. This incident escalates the tension in the community, setting the stage for further chaos.

Retirement Community

Confrontation with the Creature

One fateful night, a creature invades Delores' home, leading to a brutal attack that leaves Ambrose gravely injured. His loyal German Shepherd bravely defends him, but tragically succumbs to its injuries during the fight.

Night Delores' Home

Dismissal of Ambrose's Claims

The day after the attack, local authorities dismiss Ambrose's claims of a supernatural creature, labeling it as a mere animal attack. Despite this, Ambrose believes that a werewolf is responsible for the growing chaos in the community.

Day Retirement Community

Suspicion Escalates

As Ambrose digs the grave for his beloved dog, he becomes increasingly suspicious about the disappearances of residents near the mystical forest. His acute instincts push him to investigate the strange happenings that plague the community.

Mystical Forest

Accusations and Eviction

Ambrose's investigations lead him to suspect Gloria's husband, but when he inadvertently disconnects the iron lung keeping him alive, it results in accusations of attempted murder. Gloria's anger leads to Ambrose's eviction from their community.

Retirement Community

Investigating the Priest

Shifting his focus, Ambrose targets Father Roger Smith and his friend James, both of whom show symptoms that raise suspicion. Ambrose confronts them in a desperate search for clues about the emerging werewolf threat.

Outside the Church

Community Concerns

Ambrose's behavior concerns the community, leading to complaints about his disturbed grave digging. The authorities question his mental stability, while Ambrose remains resolute in uncovering the truth.

Retirement Community

Grave Completion

As the lunar cycle peaks, Ambrose finishes digging the grave for his dog. Simultaneously, James manipulates the other residents, unleashing the curse of lycanthropy upon them and deepening Ambrose's sense of urgency.

Night Ambrose's Yard

Grave Discoveries

Ambrose discovers Gloria's husband has been slain, heightening the impending danger surrounding him. He feels urgency to return home and prepare for the next night as the threat of werewolves grows stronger.

Evening Gloria's Home

James's Confession

In a moment of desperation, James confesses to Father Smith about his involvement but is met with doubt. His confession leads to tragic consequences as the werewolf continues to claim lives in the community.

Church

Final Stand

As night falls, Ambrose prepares for the final confrontation against the attacking werewolves on his property. Armed with an array of weapons and traps, he courageously defends his home but realizes the depth of the threat he faces.

Night Ambrose's Property

Ambrose's Last Moments

Ambrose uses his keen instincts to counter the werewolf threat, knowing he will not escape unscathed. In his final moments, he finds peace in ending James's terror, accepting the fate that awaits him.

Night Ambrose's Property

Will's Loss

Will rushes to his father's side only to find a horrifying scene of werewolves beside Ambrose's lifeless body. Determined to honor his father's legacy, he prepares himself for a confrontation against the dark forces that have claimed his family.

Night Ambrose's Property

Characters


Ambrose McKinley

Ambrose is a blind Vietnam War veteran, characterized by his fierce independence and stubborn nature. Despite his cantankerous demeanor, his tenacity shines through as he battles inner demons and external threats, showcasing his profound sense of duty and love for his late wife.

🌟 Veteran 💪 Tenacity

Will

Will is Ambrose's son, representing a bridge between the past and the future. He grapples with his father's legacy while dealing with the feelings of loss and helplessness that arise from the tragic turn of events, ultimately leading him to take a stand against the darkness enveloping their family.

👨‍👦 Family 🎯 Determination

James Griffin

James is a complex character whose secretive nature drives much of the tension in the story. Initially appearing helpful, his hidden agenda and involvement in the lycanthropic curse reveal a darker side that complicates his relationships within the community.

🕵️‍♂️ Secrets 🔪 Betrayal

Setting


Time period

The events unfold in contemporary times, reflecting modern societal issues faced by the elderly, such as isolation and the challenges of aging. The tension between reality and the supernatural creates a unique blend of horror and drama, captivating the audience's attention.

Location

retirement community, mystical forest

The movie takes place in a retirement community, known for its tranquil atmosphere, which contrasts sharply with the tension that ensues within its walls. Nearby, a mystical forest looms, shrouded in mystery and secretive happenings, becoming the center of fear and supernatural occurrences as residents begin to disappear.

🏡 Retirement 🌲 Nature

Themes


🌕

Supernatural Horror

The theme of supernatural horror emerges as Ambrose confronts the terror of a werewolf threatening his community. The blend of realism with the myth of lycanthropy adds depth to the narrative, showcasing the fear of the unknown and the struggle between man and beast.

💔

Grief and Loss

The emotional weight of grief and loss is intricately woven into the storyline, especially through Ambrose's mourning for his dog and the memories of his late wife. This theme highlights the impact of loss on one’s psyche and the lengths to which a person will go to protect their loved ones.

🛡️

Resilience

Ambrose's resilience is a central theme, as he navigates the challenges of aging and the horror that threatens his peace. His determination to uncover the truth and protect his community echoes the universal struggle to confront fear and injustice despite overwhelming odds.

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