Old Man 2022
Directed by
Lucky McKee
Made by
RLJE Films
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of Old Man (2022). 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.
An old man finds himself suddenly awakening in a secluded cabin nestled deep in the woods. Alone and filled with an unsettling erratic energy, he frantically calls out for someone named Rascal, vehemently threatening to kill them if they ever dare to return. Just then, a young hiker named Joe, claiming to be lost in the wilderness, knocks on the cabin door. The old man, alarmed, holds him at gunpoint, demanding to know if he has any information on Rascal’s whereabouts or if he has been sent by the old man’s estranged wife.
After a tense standoff, the old man eventually allows Joe to enter, yet continues to maintain a vigilant watch, his shotgun never wavering. While rummaging through Joe’s belongings, the old man discovers a knife and decides to keep it for himself. When Joe attempts to make an escape, the old man fires a shot, preventing him from leaving.
In an unexpected twist, the two engage in a conversation, sharing their life stories. Joe reveals the distressing nature of his own home life and recounts hearing strange moans in the woods before losing consciousness. Meanwhile, the old man narrates a haunting tale of his past—how he captured and tortured a Bible Salesman who had once crossed his threshold, while also recalling hearing similar eerie sounds. He explains that the sounds led him to a leopard, which he subsequently killed, its head now displayed on the wall of his cabin.
With the old man leaving to prepare a meal, Joe attempts to reclaim his knife, only to find it stained with blood. Suddenly, he vanishes from the cabin, replaced by Rascal, a menacing figure in black who terrorizes the old man. Rascal compels the old man to open a mysterious chest in the living room, suggesting that its contents will reveal the truth behind his wife’s departure.
As the chest opens, the old man is plunged into a haunting vision of Joe—his younger self—returning to his childhood bedroom. In a shocking scene, Joe discovers his wife engaged with the Bible Salesman. In a fit of rage, pushed by the cacophony of moans, he shoots the salesman dead. His wife, attempting to flee, meets a tragic end at the hands of the knife.
Returning to the present, the old man pleads for forgiveness from a vision of his wife, echoing the remorseful cries of the salesman in his earlier memory. However, she denies him, emphasizing the torment he faces. Rascal is unmasked as a different version of Joe, ensuring the old man is trapped in an endless cycle of reliving the traumatic double murder. After reminding the old man of his dark memories, Rascal departs, leaving him to awaken once more, prepared to relive the haunting loop yet again.
Timeline
Track the key events of Old Man (2022) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Old Man Awakens
The story begins with the old man waking up in a secluded cabin deep in the woods. Confused and disoriented, he realizes he is alone and feels an unsettling energy surrounding him.
Call for Rascal
In a state of panic, the old man frantically calls out for someone named Rascal, threatening to kill them if they dare to return. His erratic behavior sets a tense atmosphere within the cabin.
Joe Knocks on the Door
Suddenly, a young hiker named Joe knocks on the cabin door, claiming to be lost in the wilderness. Alarmed, the old man confronts Joe at gunpoint, demanding to know if he has information about Rascal.
Tense Standoff
After a tense standoff, the old man reluctantly allows Joe to enter the cabin. Despite lowering his guard slightly, the old man keeps his shotgun trained on Joe, creating a palpable tension in the air.
Discovery of the Knife
While rummaging through Joe's belongings, the old man finds a knife and decides to keep it for himself. The atmosphere grows darker as Joe's attempts to escape are thwarted by the old man's gunfire.
Shared Life Stories
In an unexpected turn of events, Joe and the old man engage in a revealing conversation, sharing their troubled pasts. Joe recounts his distressing home life and disturbing sounds he heard before blacking out.
The Old Man's Haunting Tale
The old man tells a haunting story about capturing and torturing a Bible salesman who came to his door. He also shares his own experiences with strange moans in the woods, leading to him killing a leopard.
Blood-Stained Knife
While the old man leaves to prepare a meal, Joe attempts to reclaim his knife only to find it stained with blood. This shocking discovery heightens the tension and uncertainty surrounding their situation.
Rascal's Arrival
Joe suddenly vanishes from the cabin, replaced by Rascal, a menacing figure in black. Rascal begins to terrorize the old man, revealing a deeper connection to his past and insisting upon opening a mysterious chest.
Vision from the Chest
As the chest opens, the old man is plunged into a chilling vision of Joe's younger self. He witnesses Joe in his childhood bedroom, confronting a shocking scene involving his wife and the Bible salesman.
Tragic Confrontation
Overcome with rage, Joe shoots the Bible salesman after hearing the same eerie moans. In a desperate attempt to flee, his wife meets a tragic end at the hands of the knife, a haunting conclusion to the scene.
Pleading for Forgiveness
Returning to the present, the old man pleads for forgiveness from a vision of his wife. His remorse echoes the cries of the Bible salesman as he grapples with the torment of his past actions.
The Truth Revealed
The old man's wife denies him forgiveness, emphasizing the torment he faces due to his memories. Rascal reveals himself as a different version of Joe, forcing the old man into an unending cycle of trauma.
Endless Cycle of Trauma
As Rascal departs, he ensures that the old man remains trapped in a haunting loop, reliving the traumatic double murder he committed. Each awakening keeps him bound to his past mistakes.
Awakening Again
Once more, the old man awakens in the cabin, facing the reality of his repetitive cycle. The haunting memories of his past loom over him as he prepares to relive the torment yet again.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring Old Man (2022) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Old Man (Stephen Lang)
The Old Man is a deeply troubled character, burdened by his past actions and haunted by his memories. His erratic behavior and violent tendencies reveal a tortured soul struggling with regret and guilt over past decisions, especially regarding his estranged wife and Rascal. His journey through the film showcases a desperate need for redemption amidst overwhelming despair.
Joe (Marc Senter)
Joe is a young hiker who unwittingly finds himself at the center of the old man's haunting story. Initially perceived as a threat, he gradually shares his own painful history, revealing vulnerabilities that connect him to the old man's past. His character serves as a catalyst for the old man's reflections, ultimately exposing the interconnectedness of their tragic narratives.
Bible Salesman (Patch Darragh)
The Bible Salesman represents a pivotal figure in the Old Man's past, embodying a sense of betrayal and guilt. His encounter with the old man leads to tragic consequences, further complicating the old man's torment. Through his role, he underscores the themes of trust and moral conflict that plague the old man's psyche.
Rascal
Rascal is a menacing figure that embodies the old man's guilt and regret, serving as a constant reminder of his dark past. Representing the old man's inner demons, Rascal's presence amplifies the horror of the narrative and evokes the cyclical nature of trauma. His interactions with the old man force him to confront the consequences of his actions in a chilling way.
Setting
Uncover the settings of Old Man (2022), 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 timeline of the movie is left ambiguous, creating a timeless atmosphere where past traumas resonate in the present. This lack of defined time period allows for exploration of universal themes like guilt and redemption, making the events feel both immediate and reflective of deeper human experiences.
Location
secluded cabin, woods
The movie takes place in a secluded cabin nestled deep within the woods, a setting that evokes isolation and mystery. This forested area is largely unknown, providing a perfect backdrop for the old man's haunting encounters and memories. The cabin serves as both a refuge and a prison for the characters, amplifying the tension and urgency of their interactions.
Themes
Explore the core themes of Old Man (2022). 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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Cycles of Trauma
The story revolves around the theme of reliving trauma, as the old man finds himself stuck in a repetitive cycle of guilt and violence. His encounters with Rascal, a manifestation of his past, highlight how unresolved issues can haunt individuals indefinitely. As he wrestles with the memories of his actions, the film emphasizes the profound impact of past decisions on one's psyche.
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Isolation
Isolation is a prominent theme in the narrative, exemplified by the old man's seclusion in the woods. His loneliness and the eerie silence of the forest reflect his internal struggles and the emotional distance from those he has lost. The cabin, though a physical space, symbolizes the isolation of his mind as he grapples with guilt and remembrance.
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