They Live in the Grey 2022

Suicidal social worker Claire Yang struggles with the deep-rooted trauma stemming from the heartbreaking loss of her young son, Lucas. This tragedy not only led to the end of her marriage with Peter Yang but also left her feeling isolated and haunted. Gifted with the sensitivity to perceive supernatural spirits, Claire finds herself plagued by intermittent visions of violent ghosts, leading her to seek refuge in her closet for both safety and sanity.

Assigned by her boss at Child Protective Services, Lloyd, to investigate the suspected abuse of a young girl named Sophie Lang, Claire is thrust into a world where she feels the intertwining of trauma and the paranormal. During her interviews with Sophie and her parents, Giles Lang and Audrey Lang, Claire becomes increasingly aware of the unsettling paranormal activity within the family’s home. It soon becomes clear that a ghostly presence is linked to Sophie’s injuries, yet Claire feels powerless to act without being believed.

The spectral woman manifests her fury by slapping Sophie, trapping her in a closet, and creating chaos throughout the girl’s room. In a candid moment, Sophie reveals to Claire that her father had an affair while her mother was pregnant, intensifying the already strained family dynamics. As Claire faces pressure from Lloyd to wrap up what appears to be a straightforward case, the ghost becomes more aggressive; during a family dinner, it forces Audrey to harm herself with a knife, leading to a chaotic confrontation about Giles’ past infidelity.

With the supernatural phenomena escalating, Audrey beseeches Claire to use her abilities to communicate with the ghost and drive it away. However, Claire’s attempts to intervene lead to her being choked unconscious during a vision in the family’s bathroom, where she witnesses the anguish of a woman who killed her husband and later took her own life after discovering their child’s tragic fate.

Upon awakening in the hospital, Claire is surprised to find herself supported by her ex-husband, Peter. An encounter with another ghost, Ada, teaches Claire about the dangers of self-blame and the importance of healing fractured relationships. As she processes her experiences, Claire learns that her boss has closed the Lang case, which threatens to separate Sophie from her parents, prompting Claire to confront Lloyd, only to be fired for her challenges to his authority.

Compelled by her memories, Claire visits the spot where she lost her son, gaining a deeper understanding of her grief and culpability. This emotional turning point motivates her to stop relying on prescription medications and brings her back into her own bed, moving on from her days spent hiding in her closet. Summoning the courage needed to rebuild her life, Claire reaches out to Peter to express her desire to start anew, and he reciprocates.

Yet darkness looms as the ghost’s wrath turns on Claire at home. Haunted by flashbacks, she realizes both the tragic backstory of the ghost and the truth about the abusive dynamics in the Lang household. Determined to protect Sophie, Claire rushes to the family’s residence, guided by the ghost. In a climactic confrontation, she finds Audrey holding Giles at gunpoint, fueled by rage over his past affair and her long-standing resentment.

As the situation spirals out of control, Claire intervenes, inadvertently causing a tragic series of events that results in Giles’ death. Amidst chaos, the neighbors call for help as Peter arrives with his police partner, responding to the gunfire. Claire’s desperate plea for help from the ghost leads to an extraordinary display of spectral power that ultimately neutralizes Audrey’s threat, though not without consequences.

In the aftermath, Claire embraces her unique gift of sensing and communicating with ghosts, sharing her experiences with Peter. Knowing her path is to assist families grappling with their own paranormal challenges, she takes on a new mission, enriched by her journey through trauma and learning to help others navigate their pain. Through her resilience and newfound purpose, Claire begins to heal the wounds of her past and pave the way toward a brighter future.