Directed by
Joel Potrykus
Made by
Oscilloscope
Sean leads a solitary life in a caravan nestled within a forest, with only his cat, Kaspar, for companionship. His days are consumed by the pursuit of alchemical experiments, guided by an ancient book, though remarkably, his efforts yield little success amidst the mysterious sounds that permeate the woods. With his stock of pills running low—crucial for maintaining his mental balance—Sean becomes increasingly anxious, suspecting he is being watched. In his paranoia, he locks himself inside the caravan, armed with an axe, as he awaits a visitor.
That visitor turns out to be his friend, Cortez, who arrives with supplies but bears disappointing news: he cannot locate the pills Sean desperately needs and refuses to traverse the three-hour trip back to his place. The absence of these pills triggers a rapid decline in Sean’s mental state, spiraling him into paranoia and dread.
His mindset deteriorating, Sean attempts to catch animals as part of his dark plans, setting traps in the forest. Venturing out onto the lake in his rowboat, he declares his intention to summon a demon that very night, proclaiming a willingness to offer whatever the demon desires, including his own body and teeth. Sean’s first victim, an unsuspecting possum, finds its way into his traps, leading to a grim fate that he seems unbothered about. That evening, he enkindles a fire, entreating a being named “Belial,” proclaiming his remorse for his human form while invoking Latin passages from his alchemical tome.
However, as ominous noises echo from the forest, fear envelops him, driving him back into the safety of his caravan. Lighting numerous candles to ward off the darkness, Sean pursues his grim activities further, ultimately killing the possessed possum with a knife.
Upon Cortez’s return to the cabin for a stay, he is taken aback by Sean’s increasingly erratic behavior and the gruesome sight of the dead possum. Sean’s heightened agitation leads him to threaten Cortez with a knife, forcing him to leave and feeling a deep sense of betrayal. Later, Sean stumbles upon Cortez’s damaged car deep in the forest, discovering a cross necklace and a tooth lodged in a tree engraved with the words “PAY UP.”
Night falls, and as Sean engages in occult practices, burning his alchemical papers, he is met with a bloodied Cortez, eyes alight with a ghastly glow. Cortez shares tales of a malevolent force dwelling in the forest, claiming it demands recompense for all that Sean possesses.
In a harrowing turn of events, Sean discovers Cortez’s lifeless body and inters him. As despair settles in, he resorts to extreme measures, using pliers to extract his own teeth. That night, he defiantly calls out to the demon, offering it his tooth in hope of appeasement, only to be met by an unsettling response from the depths of the forest.
Sean’s descent into madness accelerates as he finds himself drenched in blood, engaging in violent acts against himself and consuming the raw remains of the possum. In a moment of realization, he discovers his cat has vanished. Desperately searching for Kaspar, Sean’s voice distorts, blending with the haunting howls of the demon echoing through the trees.
In a final act of desperation, Sean plunges beneath the lake’s surface, thinking he has conquered the demon. Yet, joy morphs into dread as he hears the sorrowful whimper of his beloved cat mixed with the chilling howl of the dark entity lurking in the shadows of the forest.
Sean's Solitary Life
Sean lives alone in a caravan situated in the depth of a secluded forest. Accompanied only by his cat, Kaspar, he immerses himself in alchemical experiments guided by an ancient tome.
The Mysterious Sounds
While pursuing his experiments, Sean is constantly distracted by strange sounds echoing through the woods. The eerie noises heighten his sense of paranoia as he suspects he may be under surveillance.
Supply Shortages
As Sean's stock of vital pills dwindles, his anxiety escalates, leading him to lock himself away in the caravan for protection. The pills are crucial for maintaining his mental stability during this turbulent time.
Cortez's Visit
Sean's friend, Cortez, arrives with supplies but bears disappointing news regarding the pills. He does not intend to return to fetch more, which further deepens Sean's sense of isolation and desperation.
Descent into Paranoia
Without his pills, Sean's mental state deteriorates rapidly, plunging him into a dark realm of paranoia and fear. He begins to set traps in the forest, intending to capture wildlife for his grim plans.
Rowboat on the Lake
In a moment of resolve, Sean takes his rowboat onto the lake, declaring his intention to summon a demon that evening. He expresses his willingness to sacrifice anything, including his own body, to this entity.
First Victim
Sean captures an unsuspecting possum in one of his traps, leading to a grim fate for the creature. Fascinated, he feels little remorse as he prepares for his dark ritual that night.
The Summoning
That evening, Sean ignites a fire and calls out to the demon 'Belial,' reciting Latin verses from his ancient book. Fear creeps in as the ominous sounds surround him, causing him to retreat back into the safety of his caravan.
Cortez's Shock
Cortez returns to check on Sean, only to be taken aback by his friend's erratic behavior and the sight of the dead possum. Sean, now dangerously agitated, threatens Cortez with a knife, fostering a feeling of betrayal.
Discovery in the Forest
After their confrontation, Sean discovers Cortez’s damaged car hidden deep in the forest. Amongst the debris, he finds a cross necklace and a disturbing tooth lodged in a tree, heightening his sense of dread.
Cortez's Horrifying Revelation
As night falls, Cortez is found bloodied and possessed, warning Sean of a malevolent force that requires payment for his previous actions. This unsettling encounter intensifies Sean's fear and paranoia.
Sean's Desperation
In a fit of despair, Sean discovers Cortez's lifeless body and buries him in the forest. He resorts to extreme measures, extracting his own teeth with pliers as he tries to appease the demon.
Blood Festival
That night, in a desperate attempt to negotiate with the dark entity, Sean offers it his tooth, only to be met with eerie responses echoing from the forest. His mental state spirals as he descends deeper into madness.
Absence of Kaspar
As Sean's anguish mounts, he realizes that his beloved cat, Kaspar, has vanished. His frantic search for Kaspar intertwines with the haunting remnants of the demon's presence in the woods.
Final Descent
In a dramatic climax, Sean plunges beneath the lake's surface, believing he has outsmarted the demon. However, dread seizes him as he hears his cat’s whimpers intertwine with the demon's chilling cries, sealing his fate.
Sean
Sean is a deeply troubled individual consumed by his desire for alchemical success, which drives him into a state of paranoia and madness. He initially presents as a reclusive figure, but his inner turmoil becomes evident as he spirals further down into darkness. His journey explores themes of isolation and the fragility of the human psyche.
Cortez
Cortez acts as the voice of reason and concern for Sean, yet his attempts to help highlight the latter’s deteriorating state. He embodies the reality that Sean is escaping from, and his return serves as a catalyst for Sean's violent reactions. Ultimately, Cortez represents a tragic element of betrayal and friendship amidst chaos.
Kaspar (Sean's Cat)
Kaspar, Sean's feline companion, symbolizes the last tether Sean has to his humanity and sanity. As a source of comfort, the cat's disappearance marks a significant turning point in Sean’s descent into madness. The bond between them adds an emotional layer to Sean's unraveling psyche.
Time period
The film’s events occur in a contemporary setting but delve into themes of isolation that transcend time. It explores the psychological strains of solitude and the descent into madness, relevant in various eras. Tension mounts as Sean grapples with his mental health amidst his grim pursuits.
Location
Caravan, Forest, Lake
The story unfolds in a secluded **caravan** situated in a dense **forest** that serves as Sean's sanctuary. The vibrant yet eerie woods, with their mysterious sounds, create an unsettling atmosphere, lending a sense of isolation and paranoia. Nearby, a **lake** acts as both a setting for reflection and a site for Sean’s dark experiments.
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Isolation
Isolation is a central theme as Sean retreats from society, engaging in dangerous alchemical experiments fueled by paranoia. His solitude intensifies his mental decline, creating a haunting narrative of self-destruction. The setting underscores his emotional detachment and growing fears.
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Occultism
The film delves into occult practices, with Sean attempting to summon a demon in a desperate bid for control. His use of an ancient tome and rituals signifies a deep yearning for power, which ultimately leads to dire consequences. The interplay of reality and the supernatural heightens the tension throughout the story.
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Despair
Despair permeates the narrative as Sean's situation spirals out of control, culminating in self-harm and violence against innocent creatures. As he loses touch with reality, his feelings of betrayal by his friend contribute to his hopelessness, rendering the theme palpable by the film's climax.
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