Directed by
Bryan Bertino
Made by
A24
Along a narrow path through the dense woods, Kathy (Zoe Kazan) is driving her 10-year-old daughter Lizzy (Ella Ballentine) to her father’s home for his scheduled custody time. Exhausted from caring for her abusive, alcohol-dependent mother, Lizzy is resolute in expressing her desire to stay with her father permanently. As twilight descends, an unfortunate incident occurs when Kathy inadvertently strikes a wolf with her vehicle. The injuries on the wolf, however, suggest a brutal animal attack rather than the accident.
Feeling the weight of her own injuries from the collision, Lizzy quickly calls for a tow truck and an ambulance. When the tow truck driver, Jesse (Aaron Douglas), arrives and begins to inspect the car, Lizzy notices the wolf’s lifeless body has vanished, sending shivers of fear down her spine. Frustrated from arguing with Lizzy, Kathy steps out of the vehicle to speak with Jesse, only to be taken aback when Jesse’s severed arm unexpectedly lands on the hood of their car. In a desperate and gruesome scene, Jesse crawls out from the woods, grievously injured, but before Kathy can offer aid, a monstrous creature drags him under the tow truck, devouring him.
The chaos continues as the monster, drawn by the sound of music from Lizzy’s teddy bear, attacks their car, pulling Kathy out into the open. Luckily, the impending ambulance temporarily frightens the beast away, sparing Kathy’s life for the moment. As they tremble in the back of the ambulance, the grim reality sets in when the creature brutally murders the EMT team. In a narow escape, Kathy attempts to navigate away, but when the monster retaliates, she swerves into the trees for safety.
Suffering from internal bleeding and aware that her time is dwindling, Kathy has a shocking realization: the creature is repelled by bright light. She uses her lighter to fashion a torch and shares her daring plan with Lizzy. Deliberately, Kathy intends to lead the monster into the woods so that Lizzy can make a run for help. In a heartfelt moment, she tells her daughter, “You are the best thing in my life.”
As Kathy prepares for the worst, believing Lizzy will reach safety, she is suddenly attacked, leaving the monster to ferociously claw at her throat. Lizzy, paralyzed by fear, finally musters her courage and retaliates against the beast with a hammer, managing to scare it away temporarily with a flashlight. The harsh truth dawns on her when she realizes her mother’s lifeless body lies before her. Filled with rage and determination, Lizzy lures the horrifying creature towards the ambulance, using a spray can along with her mother’s lighter to ignite a fierce blaze, ultimately arriving at the creature’s demise. Even as it flickers in its last moments, she strikes it with a large stick to ensure it is defeated.
In a poignant flashback, Lizzy remembers a bitter encounter with Kathy, who, fueled by alcohol, had desperately apologized, foretelling that Lizzy would grow to be a far better person than she ever was. With the dawn breaking overhead, Lizzy emerges from the dark woods, signifying her journey towards healing and resilience.
Driving to Custody
Kathy drives her daughter Lizzy through the dense woods, headed to her father's home for scheduled custody time. Lizzy, having endured the struggles of living with an abusive and alcohol-dependent mother, expresses her deep desire to stay with her father permanently.
Wolf Encounter
As they travel, Kathy accidentally strikes a wolf with their vehicle. The injuries on the wolf, however, indicate a violent attack, hinting at the presence of a larger danger in the woods.
Call for Help
Injured from the collision, Lizzy calls for a tow truck and an ambulance. This decision marks the beginning of a harrowing night, as they await help in the isolated wilderness.
Jesse's Arrival
Tow truck driver Jesse arrives to assist but is quickly thrust into chaos when Lizzy notices the wolf’s body has mysteriously vanished. Confusion and fear sweep over them as the reality of their situation becomes apparent.
Jesse's Attack
In a shocking turn of events, a severed arm falls onto the hood of Kathy's car, revealing Jesse's gruesome injuries. Before they can react further, the unseen creature drags Jesse into the woods, leaving Kathy and Lizzy terrified.
Monster's Assault
The creature attacks their vehicle, drawn by the sound of music from Lizzy’s teddy bear. Kathy is pulled out of the car, but their lives are spared momentarily by the sound of an approaching ambulance.
Ambulance Attack
As they take refuge in the ambulance, the horrifying reality sets in when the creature brutally kills the EMT team. This gruesome scene marks a turning point in the night, escalating their fight for survival.
Realization of Light
Kathy, suffering from internal injuries, comes to a crucial realization that the creature is repelled by bright lights. This discovery sets the stage for a desperate plan to confront the beast and protect Lizzy.
Heartfelt Goodbye
In a poignant moment, Kathy tells Lizzy that she is the best thing in her life and prepares to lead the monster away. This emotional farewell underscores their bond as Kathy sacrifices herself for her daughter's chance at survival.
Lizzy's Courage
Paralyzed by fear, Lizzy finally gathers her courage and fights back against the creature using a hammer. Her determination is ignited as she strives to save her mother and herself from the monstrous threat.
Kathy's Demise
Tragically, Kathy is attacked, leaving her lifeless body lying in the woods. Lizzy's rage and grief propel her to confront the creature head-on as she prepares for a final stand.
Final Confrontation
Using her mother’s lighter and a spray can, Lizzy creates a blaze to lure the monstrous creature towards her. In a desperate struggle, she ensures the creature's defeat by delivering a final blow with a large stick.
Flashback of Regret
In a haunting flashback, Lizzy remembers a bitter confrontation with her mother, where Kathy, under the influence of alcohol, expressed her fears that Lizzy would surpass her in life. This memory adds emotional depth to Lizzy's journey.
Emergence into Dawn
As dawn breaks, Lizzy emerges from the dark woods, symbolizing her transformation and resilience after facing unimaginable horrors. This moment signifies not just survival, but a new beginning and hope for her future.
Kathy
Kathy is a weary mother burdened by her past and the chaos of an unhealthy relationship with her own mother. Her character grapples with her inadequacies while striving to provide a better life for Lizzy. Ultimately, she showcases immense bravery in facing the monster, emphasizing her protective instincts towards her daughter.
Lizzy
Lizzy is a resilient 10-year-old who battles the harsh realities of her upbringing. Her resolve to remain with her father reflects her desire for stability and love. Through the film, she grows from a frightened child into a courageous survivor, embodying strength and the ability to face her fears.
Time period
Twilight
Set during twilight, the time period signifies a transition from day to night, evoking feelings of uncertainty and danger. This liminal space underscores the characters' vulnerabilities and the impending chaos they must face, as the darkness of night falls, revealing the hidden horrors that lurk within.
Location
Dense Woods
The movie predominantly takes place in a dense, foreboding forest that serves as both the backdrop and catalyst for the unfolding horror. Known for its isolating qualities, the woods become a character in their own right, amplifying the tension and fear as the characters confront both the monstrous creature and their own inner demons.
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Loss
The theme of loss permeates throughout the film, as Lizzy copes with the absence of her father and the emotional distance from her mother. The traumatic events force her to confront not only physical loss but also the loss of trust and safety, pushing her towards resilience and growth.
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Courage
Courage is a central theme as Lizzy, initially paralyzed by fear, ultimately confronts the monster to save herself and her mother. The film showcases her evolution from a frightened child to a fierce warrior, emphasizing the profound strength that arises in desperate circumstances.
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Mother-Daughter Bond
The bond between Kathy and Lizzy is portrayed with complexity, reflecting both deep love and the challenges posed by Kathy's struggles. Their relationship is tested in life-or-death situations, highlighting themes of sacrifice, survival, and the unconditional love that empowers Lizzy to take action.
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