Antlers

The story begins with a horrific encounter in an abandoned coalmine where Kenny Glass is tragically killed. His death occurs during a violent confrontation with a wendigo while he and Frank Weaver are engaged in meth production.

Following the attack, Frank Weaver sustains severe injuries, which leave him on a slow path towards becoming a wendigo himself. This transformation symbolizes a deeper descent into madness and symbolizes the darker themes of addiction and violence.

In an effort to protect his younger brother Aiden and to save his father Frank, Lucas Weaver decides to confine Frank within their isolated home. This drastic measure represents Lucas's growing maturity and the burden of responsibility placed on his young shoulders.

Years before the main events, Julia Meadows returns to her hometown, Cispus Falls, seeking a fresh start as a schoolteacher. Her return reignites old familial conflicts with her brother Paul, who is the town's sheriff.

Julia becomes increasingly concerned about Lucas when she notices his unsettling drawings and hears his tales about bears turning into monsters. This troubling behavior signals deeper issues that need addressing and foreshadows impending danger.

Former sheriff Warren Stokes makes a shocking discovery while hiking—a dismembered part of Kenny's corpse. This grisly find, along with native wards in the mine, amplifies the tensions and dark mysteries surrounding Lucas's home life.

Julia reaches out to the school principal, Ellen Booth, concerning Lucas's troubling behavior. Although hesitant, Ellen agrees to visit the Weaver residence, ultimately leading to catastrophic consequences.

Tragedy strikes when Ellen Booth is brutally murdered by Frank, now transformed into the wendigo. This violent eruption marks a turning point in the narrative, showcasing the full horror of Frank's transformation.

As tensions escalate, Clint Owens, a school bully, is attacked by Frank, who has fully succumbed to the wendigo. This attack emphasizes the dire reality that no one in Cispus Falls is safe from the emerging threats.

Determined to uncover the truth, Julia persuades Paul that the disappearances of Ellen and Clint are connected to Frank. Their brief investigation, however, leads to no solid evidence, leaving Julia frustrated and deeply concerned.

After Lucas is hospitalized due to malnutrition and abuse resulting from Frank’s transformation, Julia and Paul face a moral dilemma concerning his custody. Julia's protective instincts lead her to seek legal custody, highlighting the struggle between family ties and safety.

Julia, with Paul's reluctant support, consults Warren Stokes, who shares ancient lore about the wendigo curse. While Paul dismisses the supernatural, Julia insists on the reality of Frank’s change, suggesting he might come for them.

In a tense moment, Daniel LeCroy is killed while investigating unexplainable noises, escalating the fear among the townspeople. This incident reinforces the danger posed by the wendigo and heightens the urgency of Julia's mission.

Julia confronts the wendigo in a climactic showdown, driven by a fierce desire to save Lucas and Aiden. In a desperate act, she aids Lucas in dispatching the creature, but not without significant emotional and physical toll.

In a heartbreaking final act, Julia witnesses Aiden’s transformation into a wendigo. Faced with the unbearable choice of saving or ending Aiden's life, she makes the tragic decision to end his suffering, showcasing deep emotional pain and sacrifice.

In the aftermath, Julia and Paul decide to care for Lucas, bringing some semblance of hope amidst the horror they faced. However, Paul struggles with the lingering effects of their trauma, uncertain about the curse that might still haunt their lives.