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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Nails (2017). 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.


Partially paralyzed after a harrowing hit-and-run incident while jogging, Dana Milgrom finds herself enduring a challenging recovery at Hopewell Rehabilitation Hospital. Her discomfort with the hospital escalates when she suspects that someone is stalking her during the night. However, her nurse, Trevor Helms, dismisses her fears as unlikely.

During her stay, Dana’s husband Steve Milgrom and their daughter Gemma Milgrom come to visit. Trevor expresses his concerns to Steve about the possibility of Dana hallucinating. On her part, Gemma has a chance encounter with the ever-watchful hospital director, Elizabeth Leaming. Meanwhile, Steve shares news about Ashley, a promising new recruit for the track team he coaches, further complicating the family dynamics.

As night descends, Dana finds herself alone again, plagued by visions of a shadowy figure that appears to be haunting her. She relays her experiences to Dr. Ron Stengel, who is intrigued not only by her claims but also by the fact that she had been clinically dead for three minutes after her accident. The situation intensifies when the ghostly figure disables her breathing machine, nearly claiming Dana’s life. She tells Steve about her disturbing encounters, describing a man with an unsettling visage and elongated hands.

To mitigate Dana’s fears, surveillance cameras are installed in her room. Feeling protective, Steve confronts Elizabeth about the care his wife is receiving while she admonishes Trevor regarding equipment failures he attributes to the building’s faulty wiring. In a strange twist, Dana connects with invalid patient Ellie through the thin wall separating their rooms, communicating through rhythmic thumping, which offers some solace.

Determined to uncover the hospital’s dark past, Dana conducts research online and stumbles upon the tragic story of Eric Nilsson—a figure linked to the hospital’s history who was thought to be involved in the mercy killings of five children, ultimately leading to his own suicide in 1984. As her fears mount, Dana confronts Trevor about Eric, but he merely directs her back to Dr. Stengel.

In a fit of distress, Dana finds scratch marks on her back, believing them to be from the ghostly figure that visits her at night. In her subsequent talk with Dr. Stengel, she learns more about Eric’s troubled past, including his nickname “Nails,” earned from his disturbing habit of collecting fingernails from child patients, which had made him a prime suspect in their mysterious deaths. Stengel reveals that Eric took his own life in the closet of Dana’s room, reinforcing her belief that a dark presence lurks within.

While on a Skype call with Gemma, Dana is devastated to discover that Ashley has been spending time with Steve at home. Just then, Nails emerges from the closet in a terrifying confrontation, but the vision dissipates when Trevor arrives in time to shield Gemma. Dana presents Steve with footage of the closet door moving on its own; however, he expresses concern that the cameras might be exacerbating her fears. Desperate for validation, Dana instructs Gemma to inquire about Nails with Ellie, but the old woman unexpectedly passes away.

In an attempt to secure their safety, Trevor nails the closet shut. Dana beseeches him for assistance to escape the hospital, but he declines, ultimately confiding in Elizabeth that he did witness something eerie in Dana’s room during the rescue. As Dana’s research evolves, she comes to believe that her near-death experience has rendered her capable of seeing Eric’s ghost.

One night, Nails manipulates Dana’s computer, showcasing a video that exposes Steve’s affair with Ashley. To further compound her anguish, supernatural scratches etch “I miss you” across Dana’s skin. In the basement, Trevor finds a file belonging to Dana Breiman. Suddenly, Nails appears once again, violently attacking Trevor and ending his life.

Steve becomes suspicious, suspecting Trevor’s role in Dana’s torment. Although Dana defends Trevor, she ultimately discovers that her own childhood file from when she was treated here for meningitis has surfaced in Trevor’s possession. This revelation triggers horrifying realizations, linking her past to the crimes committed by Eric.

Amidst the chaos, Elizabeth attempts to reach out to the authorities, but her efforts are thwarted by an ominous supernatural force. Tensions erupt between Dana and Steve after she reveals that Nails had shown her the video of his betrayal, leading to further disarray in their relationship. As the power fails throughout the hospital, Steve sets off in search of Ashley, only to find her possessed and ready to attack.

Realizing the impending danger, Dana urges Gemma to escape with her, fearing that Nails intends to claim more lives. With Gemma’s help, Dana bravely detaches her medical tubes and makes a run for it. In a sudden twist of fate, they come across Dr. Stengel, but he meets a grim fate as Nails kills him right before their eyes.

Determined to confront her fears, Dana locks Gemma out and faces Nails alone. In a chilling clash, Nails levitates Dana, violently hurling her around the room until she ultimately succumbs to the confrontation. As first responders find Gemma outside, she explains the horrifying truth: Nails was responsible for her mother’s death. A haunting vision reveals a ghostly Eric preparing to inject adult Dana with a needle, mirroring the tragedy faced by the children years earlier.

Timeline

Track the key events of Nails (2017) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Dana's Accident

Dana Milgrom suffers a life-altering hit-and-run incident while jogging. This traumatic event leaves her partially paralyzed and leads to her hospitalization at Hopewell Rehabilitation Hospital.

Hopewell Rehabilitation Hospital

Challenging Recovery

As Dana begins her recovery, she experiences discomfort with her surroundings and grows suspicious that someone may be stalking her at night. Despite her fears, her nurse Trevor Helms dismisses these concerns.

Hopewell Rehabilitation Hospital

Family Visits

Dana's husband, Steve, and their daughter, Gemma, come to visit her at the hospital. During this visit, concerns are raised about Dana's mental state, raising questions about her perceived hallucinations.

Hopewell Rehabilitation Hospital

Haunting Experiences

As night falls, Dana experiences haunting visions of a shadowy figure. Her disorientation increases as she informs Dr. Ron Stengel about the malevolent presence that seems to be lingering in her room.

Night Hopewell Rehabilitation Hospital

The Breathing Machine Incident

In a terrifying turn of events, the ghostly figure disables Dana's breathing machine, nearly causing her death. Shaken, Dana recounts her experiences to Steve, describing the figure's disturbing features.

Hopewell Rehabilitation Hospital

Surveillance Cameras

To help put Dana's mind at ease, surveillance cameras are installed in her room. The move intensifies tensions with her husband as he confronts hospital director Elizabeth about the care Dana is receiving.

Hopewell Rehabilitation Hospital

Connecting with Ellie

Dana establishes a connection with Ellie, a fellow patient, by tapping on the thin wall between their rooms. This communication offers Dana some relief as she navigates the unsettling environment around her.

Hopewell Rehabilitation Hospital

Discovering Eric's Past

In her quest for answers, Dana uncovers the tragic history of Eric Nilsson, a former patient linked to the hospital's dark past. His involvement in the deaths of five children and subsequent suicide adds to the eerie atmosphere.

Online Research

Unsettling Occurrences Intensify

Dana begins to feel physical manifestations of the ghostly presence, including scratch marks on her back. A discussion with Dr. Stengel reveals more about Eric's troubling history, amplifying her fears.

Hopewell Rehabilitation Hospital

Video Revelation

While on a Skype call with Gemma, Dana discovers that her husband Steve has been seeing a woman named Ashley. In a chaotic moment, Nails, the ghostly figure, confronts her in a terrifying scene.

Hopewell Rehabilitation Hospital

Nailing the Closet Shut

To confront the threat of Nails, Trevor nails shut the closet that has become a source of terror for Dana. Meanwhile, she desperately seeks help in escaping the hospital, but Trevor refuses her request.

Hopewell Rehabilitation Hospital

Supernatural Chaos Escalates

In a series of tragic events, Nails attacks Trevor, killing him unexpectedly. As chaos ensues, Dana finds herself unraveling the connection between her own past and Eric's horrifying legacy.

Hopewell Rehabilitation Hospital

Confronting Past Trauma

Dana learns that her childhood files from her previous treatment at the hospital are linked to Eric's crimes. This revelation forces her to confront her own traumatic history in the context of the spectral encounters.

Hopewell Rehabilitation Hospital

Final Confrontation

As the hospital descends into chaos and the power fails, Dana faces Nails in a final clash. Despite her bravery, she succumbs to his violent attack, leading to a devastating conclusion.

Night Hopewell Rehabilitation Hospital

Gemma's Heartbreaking Truth

In the aftermath, as first responders find Gemma outside, she reveals the chilling truth about Nails being responsible for her mother’s death. A haunting vision of Eric hints at a dark continuation of past crimes.

Hopewell Rehabilitation Hospital

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Nails (2017) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Dana Milgrom

Dana is a determined and resilient woman whose strength is tested following a near-fatal accident. As she navigates her recovery at Hopewell Rehabilitation Hospital, her mental and emotional fortitude is challenged by ghostly apparitions and a haunting past. Her journey to uncover the truth about her own experiences becomes a desperate fight for survival.

💪 Strong 😨 Tormented

Steve Milgrom

Steve is Dana's supportive but conflicted husband, grappling with the strain of his wife's recovery and his unintended betrayal. His character represents the balance between loyalty and guilt as he navigates his feelings for Dana, while also dealing with the complications introduced by Ashley. His protective instincts clash with the chaos that begins to unfold.

🤝 Supportive 😔 Guilt-Ridden

Trevor Helms

Trevor is a nurse at the rehabilitation hospital who initially seems helpful yet grows increasingly skeptical of Dana's claims. His character serves as both a confidant and a source of tension as he grapples with the supernatural occurrences in the hospital. Ultimately, he becomes a pivotal figure in the unfolding horror.

⚕️ Nurse 🔍 Skeptical

Elizabeth Leaming

Elizabeth serves as the hospital director and a figure of authority within the film. Her character embodies the bureaucratic challenges faced in hospitals, as she tries to maintain order while dealing with Dana's acute fears. The tension between her professionalism and the supernatural elements of the narrative adds depth to her role.

👩‍⚕️ Director 🔒 Authoritative

Eric Nilsson

Eric, also known as 'Nails', is a ghostly presence whose dark legacy influences the events of the film. His troubled history tied to the hospital and the children's deaths creates a chilling backdrop for Dana's experiences. As the embodiment of unresolved traumas, his character is pivotal in weaving together the horror and mystery.

👻 Ghost 🕵️‍♂️ Haunting

Setting

Uncover the settings of Nails (2017), 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 of the movie occur in contemporary times, focusing on modern rehabilitation practices and the psychological impact of trauma. The characters navigate a world shaped by both medical advancements and lingering fears, suggesting a blend of everyday life with elements of supernatural horror.

Location

Hopewell Rehabilitation Hospital

Hopewell Rehabilitation Hospital serves as a medical facility for those recovering from severe physical ailments. Known for its advanced treatment options, the hospital harbors a troubling secret connected to its dark past. The atmosphere is laden with an unsettling blend of healing and horror as patients contend with both physical recovery and psychological terror.

🏥 Hospital 🕵️‍♂️ Mystery

Themes

Explore the core themes of Nails (2017). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


👻

Supernatural Horror

The theme of supernatural horror looms large as Dana grapples with the terrifying presence of Eric 'Nails' Nilsson. Coupled with her traumatic past, the haunting interactions reveal how unresolved histories can manifest as chilling encounters. The tension escalates as Dana fights to uncover the truth behind the hospital's dark legacy.

💔

Betrayal

Betrayal weaves through the narrative, particularly in Dana's relationship with her husband Steve. His affair with Ashley adds emotional turmoil, compounding Dana's struggles as she attempts to discern reality from hallucination. This theme underscores the impact of personal crises amid external horrors.

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