Fred, portrayed by Josh Ruben, is a struggling actor and writer who escapes to a secluded mountain cabin in hopes of finding inspiration away from the distractions of the world. To help facilitate his writing journey, he enlists the assistance of Bettina, played by Rebecca Drysdale, who drives him to and from the cabin. Unfortunately, Fred is plagued by writer’s block, and during one of his runs, he serendipitously encounters Fanny, enacted by Aya Cash, the talented author behind the acclaimed horror novel Venus, who is also staying nearby.
At first, Fanny is less than impressed by Fred’s attempts to justify his identity as a writer, leading to their parting ways for the evening. However, the plot thickens when a thunderstorm cuts off the power in the area, prompting Fanny to visit Fred for some late-night company. As they share drinks, Fanny daringly challenges Fred to conjure a terrifying story to frighten her. Although his initial attempt falls flat, with Fanny’s encouragement, he spins a chilling tale about a young boy witnessing his parents’ grisly murder at the hands of a werewolf, growing up fueled by thoughts of vengeance, complete with dramatic sound effects.
Fanny confronts Fred about the predominantly white perspective of his story, sparking a revolt in him that challenges her to share one of her unfinished ideas. Fanny, in turn, improvises a gripping narrative about a girl who attempts to murder her creepy grandfather but accidentally kills his dog instead, leaving her haunted by both. In a moment of candidness, Fred reveals the emotional turmoil he has been grappling with since his wife left him, leading to a mental breakdown.
As the night progresses, Fred and Fanny begin collaborating on a quirky story about a troll residing in an Edible Arrangements shop who persuades a beleaguered secretary to kill her unscrupulous boss in return for extended life. Their creativity is interrupted when Carlo, played by Chris Redd, arrives with a pizza delivery. Fanny enthusiastically invites Carlo to join their storytelling session, where he admits to being a devoted fan of her work. The trio indulges in some carefree moments, including doing cocaine and reenacting Fanny’s story of Venus, much to Fred’s annoyance as he feels overshadowed.
Fred, now keen on sharing his creative ideas, offers a new story concept involving a singer who makes a Faustian bargain to gain fame on a nationwide talent show, only to be coerced into singing about chilling acts of murder. After Carlo leaves to complete his deliveries, and while Fanny is momentarily absent, Fred stumbles upon her notebook. Upon perusing its contents, he discovers that Fanny has been documenting all their stories alongside notes reflecting his insecurities about her superior writing skills.
In a fit of drunken rage, Fred confronts Fanny with a fire poker when she returns, leading to a chaotic chase throughout the house. The confrontation culminates tragically as Fred loses his footing and accidentally impales himself. In his last moments, bleeding and in agony, he begs Fanny to end his suffering. Fanny contemplates his plea but ultimately walks away, leaving him to bleed out.
The next morning, Bettina arrives, completely unaware of Fred’s fate as she stumbles upon Fanny’s notebook. In a surprising twist revealed in a mid-credits scene, Bettina has adapted the stories into her own book and enjoys newfound fame as an author, showcasing the unpredictable consequences of their night of creativity and chaos.
Fred Escapes to the Cabin
Struggling with writer's block and the distractions of city life, Fred decides to retreat to a secluded mountain cabin. He hopes that the tranquility of nature will help him find the inspiration he desperately needs to rekindle his writing career.
Bettina's Assistance
To support his creative journey, Fred recruits Bettina to drive him to and from the cabin. Their arrangement provides him with the transportation he needs, while also establishing a source of companionship during his isolation.
Meeting Fanny
During one of his runs, Fred encounters Fanny, the successful author of the horror novel *Venus*. Their initial interaction is awkward, as Fanny is unimpressed with Fred's self-proclaimed identity as a writer, leading to a brief and tense parting.
The Thunderstorm
A sudden thunderstorm cuts off the power in the area, prompting Fanny to seek out Fred for company. This chance meeting marks the beginning of their late-night storytelling adventure, setting the stage for their creative collaboration.
Late-Night Storytelling
While sharing drinks, Fanny challenges Fred to tell her a scary story. Though his first attempt falters, Fanny's encouragement pushes him to craft a chilling tale that captivates her, mixing humor and horror in a unique way.
Cultural Confrontation
As their storytelling unfolds, Fanny confronts Fred about the limitations of his predominantly white perspective in his narratives. This sparks a fierce debate, leading Fanny to share one of her unfinished story concepts, showcasing her own creativity.
Fred's Emotional Turmoil
During their candid conversation, Fred reveals the emotional weight he bears from his wife's departure. This confession exposes his vulnerabilities, intensifying the connection between him and Fanny as they bond over their own struggles.
Collaborative Story Creation
As the night advances, Fred and Fanny begin to collaborate on a quirky tale about a troll in an Edible Arrangements shop. Their imaginations intertwine, leading to an unexpected creative synergy as they craft a humorous yet dark narrative.
Pizza Delivery and Chaos
Carlo arrives with pizza, adding a new dynamic to their storytelling session. Fanny invites him to join, leading to a mixture of fun moments—including drug use—that ultimately frustrates Fred as he feels overshadowed by Fanny's charm.
Fred's Discovery
While Fanny is away, Fred finds her notebook and is struck by the realization that she has been documenting their stories. This discovery highlights his insecurities about her superior writing skills, further amplifying the tension between them.
The Confrontation
In a moment of rage fueled by alcohol, Fred confronts Fanny with a fire poker upon her return. This escalates into a chaotic chase throughout the cabin, culminating in a tragic accident that forever alters the course of their night.
Fred's Final Moments
After the accident, Fred is left bleeding and in agony, begging Fanny to end his suffering. His plea puts her in a moral dilemma as she contemplates his fate but ultimately chooses to walk away, leading to a haunting conclusion.
Bettina's Arrival
The following morning, Bettina arrives at the cabin, blissfully unaware of the night’s chaotic events. She stumbles upon Fanny's notebook, which contains the remnants of the stories they created together, setting the stage for a surprise twist.
Bettina's Newfound Fame
In a mid-credits scene, it is revealed that Bettina has adapted the stories into her own book, leading to unexpected success as an author. This twist highlights the unpredictable consequences of the creative night shared by Fred and Fanny.
Fred (Josh Ruben)
Fred is a struggling actor and writer battling severe writer's block. He is plagued by insecurities about his talent and often resorts to desperate measures in a bid for validation and creativity. His character undergoes a tumultuous journey, revealing the depths of his emotional struggles.
Fanny (Aya Cash)
Fanny is a confident and talented author known for her acclaimed horror novel 'Venus.' She provides both a source of inspiration and intimidation for Fred, showcasing unwavering strength as she challenges him to push beyond his limits. Her character embodies modern femininity and the complexities of creative identity.
Carlo (Chris Redd)
Carlo is a pizza delivery driver who inadvertently becomes involved in the creative chaos unfolding within the cabin. His lighthearted demeanor and admiration for Fanny provide comic relief amid the rising tension, making him a likable presence despite the circumstances.
Bettina (Rebecca Drysdale)
Bettina is Fred's supportive yet unaware friend who transports him to the cabin. Her character plays a crucial role in the film's final twist, showcasing how her involvement connects to the unexpected outcomes of the night. She provides a grounding influence, even if she remains oblivious to the events that transpired.
Time period
The movie takes place in a contemporary setting, reflecting modern themes of creative pressure and personal turmoil. The characters' interactions and the technological references throughout the film anchor it in the present day, highlighting current societal challenges.
Location
secluded mountain cabin
The secluded mountain cabin serves as a retreat from the chaos of the outside world, providing an intimate setting for creativity and vulnerability. Known for its stunning natural surroundings, it becomes a backdrop for the exploration of complex emotions and relationships as the characters navigate their personal struggles.
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Creativity
The theme of creativity is central to the film, exploring the struggles and triumphs of writing. Through their storytelling sessions, Fred and Fanny confront their fears, insecurities, and imaginative boundaries, ultimately revealing the therapeutic power of art.
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Chaos
Chaos unfolds as the characters' late-night storytelling spirals out of control, leading to unexpected confrontations and consequences. This theme examines how creativity can sometimes give way to volatile emotions, resulting in both collaborative breakthroughs and personal breakdowns.
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Trust
Trust is tested throughout the film as Fred's insecurities arise in the face of Fanny's talent. Their relationship evolves under the strain of competition and vulnerability, showcasing how trust can be both a fragile bond and a source of strength.
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