Test your knowledge of Summer of 84 with our quiz!

Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Summer of 84 (2018). 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.


In the summer of 1984, the tranquil seaside town of Cape May, Oregon finds itself under the shadow of terror, haunted by the ominous figure of the “Cape May Slayer.” This notorious serial killer has been the cause of 13 teenage boys disappearing over the past decade, instilling fear in the hearts of the residents.

Fifteen-year-old Davey Armstrong, portrayed by Graham Verchere, is the son of an investigative journalist who unveils this chilling story. Convinced that his neighbor, Wayne Mackey, played by Rich Sommer, a well-regarded police officer from their neighboring town of Ipswich, is the very slayer they fear, Davey embarks on a venture to uncover the truth. However, his close friends—Dale “Woody” Woodworth (Caleb Emery), Curtis Farraday (Cory Grüter-Andrew), and Tommy “Eats” Eaton (Judah Lewis)—are initially skeptical of his claims, dismissing them as mere theories stemming from Davey’s fascination with conspiracy and urban legends.

Things take a dramatic turn when an acquaintance of Davey inexplicably appears on a milk carton days later after he was seen within Mackey’s home. This event convinces his friends to join him in a daring investigation. The boys start monitoring Mackey’s routine, uncovering numerous suspicious behaviors, such as Mackey’s frequent purchases of gardening tools and bags of soil, as well as his odd late-night jogs. During one of their stakeouts, disguised as a game of manhunt, Davey gets caught by Mackey while trying to plant a walkie-talkie near his window, which raises alarms over their safety.

As their pursuit of the truth deepens, Woody and Farraday stumble upon a second car and sodium hydroxide canisters in a self-storage unit tied to Mackey. Meanwhile, Davey and Eats discover a bloodied shirt belonging to the missing boy, hidden in Mackey’s garden shed. Terrified yet determined, they take their findings to Davey’s parents, but their excitement quickly turns to despair as they are met with outrage and accusations of vandalism. Consequently, Mr. Armstrong brings the boys to Mackey’s house to apologize. Mackey, claiming innocence and citing the boy seen in his home as his nephew, brushes off the incident while Davey faces grounding as punishment.

The intrigue intensifies when Davey sneaks out to meet Nikki Kaszuba, his crush played by Tiera Skovbye, who urges him to abandon his investigation. The next day, Mackey’s visit to Davey’s home with an attempted phone call to prove his nephew’s existence backfires, awakening Davey’s suspicions again as he uncovers the call was made to Mackey’s own house.

Meanwhile, just as a suspect is apprehended in the Cape May Slayer case—Mackey himself being the arresting officer—Davey sets plans in motion to infiltrate Mackey’s house during the 1984 Cape May Festival. As Farraday scouts the festival, he discovers that the bags of soil were intended for a community beautification project, leading him and Eats to withdraw their support. Undeterred, Davey, Woody, and Nikki venture into Mackey’s home with Mr. Armstrong’s video camera, ultimately gaining access to a locked room in the basement. Here, they are delivered chilling horror when they discover the missing boy’s desiccated corpse in a bathtub, alongside a recently abducted victim, confirming that Mackey is indeed the notorious Cape May Slayer.

In a desperate turn of events, they present the heart-stopping footage to the Ipswich Police Department, prompting an APB on Mackey. That night, Mackey captures both Davey and Woody, leaving them abandoned in his cruiser on a distant island and announces his chilling intention: they are to play a deadly game of manhunt. As the boys flee into the wilderness, they stumble across a corpse dump leading to a frantic chase by Mackey. In a moment of bravery, Davey distracts Mackey, allowing Woody a chance to escape, but Mackey catches him and brutally cuts his throat.

Cornered by the maniac, Davey finds himself at the mercy of Mackey, who surprisingly opts not to kill him, leaving him alive to suffer the torment of constant paranoia—waiting for Mackey’s inevitable return.

After being rescued and returning to a semblance of normalcy, Davey retraces his paperboy route, passing haunting reminders of the horror—the abandoned home of a missing boy, the trashed house of Eats due to family strife, and Mackey’s now-infamous residence cordoned off with police tape. The eerie notion that the Cape May Slayer remains at large haunts him as he unfurls a newspaper, reading of the continual threat lingering ominously over their town.

Timeline

Track the key events of Summer of 84 (2018) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Introduction to Cape May

In the summer of 1984, Cape May, Oregon, a peaceful seaside town, is gripped by fear due to the infamous Cape May Slayer. Over the past decade, this serial killer has caused the disappearance of thirteen teenage boys, creating an atmosphere of terror for the townspeople.

Summer 1984 Cape May, Oregon

Davey's Investigation Begins

Fifteen-year-old Davey Armstrong, son of an investigative journalist, becomes convinced that his neighbor, Wayne Mackey, is the Cape May Slayer. Despite skepticism from his friends, including Woody, Farraday, and Eats, Davey is driven to uncover the truth behind Mackey's dark reputation.

Cape May

The Milk Carton Mystery

Things take a dramatic turn when one of Davey's acquaintances appears on a milk carton shortly after visiting Mackey's home. This unsettling event compels Davey's friends to join him in investigating Mackey, marking the beginning of their dangerous quest.

Cape May

Monitoring Mackey

The group starts to observe Mackey's daily routine, noting his suspicious behaviors, including odd purchases of gardening tools and late-night jogs. The boys become increasingly wary of Mackey, sparking a fervent desire to reveal the truth about their mysterious neighbor.

Cape May

The Stakeout

During a game of manhunt, Davey attempts to plant a walkie-talkie near Mackey's window but gets caught. This confrontation raises alarms, forcing the boys to confront the real dangers of their investigation and the reality of Mackey's possible guilt.

Mackey's House

Discovering Clues

While investigating further, Woody and Farraday stumble upon a storage unit containing a second car and sodium hydroxide canisters linked to Mackey. Meanwhile, Davey and Eats find a bloodied shirt belonging to a missing boy in Mackey's garden shed, deepening their fears.

Self-storage unit and Mackey's garden shed

Confrontation with Authorities

The boys report their findings to Davey's parents, but instead of praise, they face accusations of vandalism. Mr. Armstrong attempts to resolve the situation by bringing them to apologize to Mackey, who dismisses their claims, reinforcing their doubts about his innocence.

Mackey's House

Secrets Unraveled

Davey sneaks out to meet his crush, Nikki, who warns him to abandon his investigation. The next day, Mackey's visit to Davey's house backfires when Davey uncovers that the phone call regarding Mackey's nephew was made from Mackey’s own landline, raising his suspicions anew.

Davey's House

Planning the Infiltration

As the Cape May Festival approaches, Davey devises a plan to sneak into Mackey's house. With his friends initially hesitant after learning about the community beautification project linked to Mackey’s soil purchases, Davey remains focused on his goal.

1984 Cape May Festival Cape May Festival

The Horrifying Discovery

Inside Mackey’s basement, Davey, Woody, and Nikki discover the desiccated corpse of a missing boy alongside a freshly abducted victim. This gruesome find confirms their worst fears about Mackey's true identity as the Cape May Slayer.

Mackey's Basement

Seeking Justice

The boys present the shocking footage of their discovery to the Ipswich Police Department, urging them to act. This prompts an urgent APB on Mackey, intensifying the high-stakes nature of their investigation and the imminent danger they face.

Ipswich Police Department

Game of Manhunt

That night, Mackey captures Davey and Woody, imprisoning them in his cruiser and announcing a deadly game of manhunt. As they flee into the wilderness, they face a terrifying chase from Mackey, leading them deeper into danger.

Wilderness

The Final Confrontation

During their escape, Davey distracts Mackey to allow Woody a chance to get away but is met with a tragic turn when Mackey catches Woody and brutally attacks him. This confrontation amplifies the existing horror and desperation surrounding their plight.

Wilderness

The Aftermath

Despite being spared, Davey is left in a state of paranoia, haunted by Mackey’s words and the trauma of their encounter. The emotions of fear and uncertainty linger as he struggles to regain a sense of normalcy and safety amid the lingering threat.

Cape May

Lingering Shadows

Although rescued, Davey retraces his paperboy route, encountering remnants of the horror that unfolded. Each corner brings back haunting reminders, including the police-taped home of Mackey, reinforcing the chilling truth that the Cape May Slayer is still out there.

Cape May

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Summer of 84 (2018) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Davey Armstrong (Graham Verchere)

Davey is a determined and curious teenager, driven by a desire to uncover the truth behind the local murders. He balances typical adolescent concerns with a pressing urgency to solve the mystery that envelops his community. His courage is tested as he faces unimaginable horror, highlighting his resilience and determination.

🔍 Protagonist 🧑‍🦰 Investigative 💔 Tragic

Wayne Mackey (Rich Sommer)

Wayne Mackey is a seemingly upstanding police officer whose charming exterior hides a sinister reality. His character embodies duplicity, as he manipulates trust while harboring dark secrets. This juxtaposition makes him a focal point of the horror, illustrating how evil can conceal itself in plain sight.

🕶️ Antagonist ⛓️ Deceptive 😈 Sinister

Tommy 'Eats' Eaton (Judah Lewis)

Tommy, affectionately nicknamed 'Eats,' is one of Davey's loyal friends who initially dismisses the conspiracy theories but later joins the investigation. His character brings humor and camaraderie to the story, but he also faces the sobering reality of the group's pursuits. His bravery ultimately reveals the depths of their friendship.

👶🏻 Loyal Friend 😄 Comic Relief 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Supportive

Setting

Uncover the settings of Summer of 84 (2018), 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

1984

The year 1984 is marked by significant cultural events, and in this narrative, it reflects a time of innocence shattered by horror. Amidst the vibrancy of festivals and adolescence, the shadows of crime loom large, affecting the lives of young boys in the community. The era is characterized by a rising awareness of societal dangers, particularly concerning the safety of children.

Location

Cape May, Oregon, Ipswich

Cape May, Oregon, is a tranquil seaside town known for its picturesque views and close-knit community. However, the peaceful atmosphere is shattered by the presence of a serial killer, creating a palpable sense of fear among its residents. Ipswich, a neighboring town, serves as the backdrop for the local law enforcement's efforts to capture the notorious 'Cape May Slayer.'

🏖️ Seaside Town 🏘️ Neighborhood

Themes

Explore the core themes of Summer of 84 (2018). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


🕵️‍♂️

Mystery

Mystery plays a crucial role in 'Summer of 84' as the characters delve into the enigma of the Cape May Slayer. Driven by curiosity and fear, the young protagonists embark on a quest to uncover the truth, highlighting the tensions between innocence and the reality of evil. Their investigation reveals layers of deceit that keep the audience guessing until the shocking conclusion.

⚰️

Death

The theme of death looms ominously throughout the film, representing the darker side of childhood innocence. The disappearance of teenage boys instills a profound fear in the community, showcasing how violence can shatter lives and neighborhoods. The brutal revelation of the missing boy's fate serves as a haunting reminder of the consequences of unchecked evil.

👥

Friendship

Friendship is a central theme, characterized by the bond between Davey and his friends as they navigate fear and danger together. Their loyalty and courage are tested as they confront a terrifying reality that challenges their youthful notions of safety. The group's dynamics shift as they grapple with disbelief, trust, and the strength required to face the horrifying truths.

© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.