Bloat

The film opens with home footage showing Hannah giving birth to her stillborn daughter, Ava. This tragic event leaves a lasting emotional impact on the family, casting a shadow over their lives moving forward. It establishes the background of grief and loss that influences their subsequent actions.

Hannah and her husband Jack plan a family trip to Japan to seek a respite from their grief. The trip is intended as a healing experience for the family, including their two sons, Steve and Kyle. Jack's work as a NATO AI operator prevents him from accompanying them fully due to escalating Middle Eastern tensions.

Hannah and her sons arrive in Tokyo and settle into an Airbnb. They begin exploring the city, seeking new experiences and trying to find some relief from their ongoing grief. The setting introduces viewers to their environment and sets the stage for upcoming events.

During an excursion to a secluded mountain town, Kyle nearly drowns in a lake. He is rescued by Iriko, a family friend and nurse, which marks the beginning of strange behavioral changes in Kyle. This incident introduces a supernatural element linked to the water spirit legend.

After the incident, Kyle begins to exhibit bizarre behaviors, including an obsession with cucumbers, aggression towards his brother Steve, and episodes of vomiting green bile. Hannah attributes these traits to trauma, but her concerns are compounded by Jack's suspicions of a supernatural cause.

Jack, monitoring Kyle remotely, investigates the legend of the Kappa, a water spirit believed in Japanese folklore to possess children. His research grows as Kyle's condition worsens, indicating a supernatural influence might be at play.

Jack enlists his friend Ryan to help investigate further. Ryan spots the Kappa during a video call and attempts to shoot it but is attacked by the water spirit, revealing its dangerous supernatural nature. This escalates the family's crisis and urgency to find a solution.

The situation worsens as Kyle becomes increasingly violent, ultimately biting his brother Steve. This act prompts Jack to take drastic measures to confront and contain the supernatural threat affecting his son.

Jack travels to Japan and finds Kyle possessed by the Kappa spirit. In a desperate attempt to save his son and stop the evil force, Jack confronts Kyle and then sets the Airbnb house on fire to eliminate the presence, risking his own life in the process.

The film concludes with Jack on trial, where his sons, Steve and Kyle, give positive testimonies about their father, stating he is a good father despite the horrifying events. This final moment reflects on the family's resilience and the impact of their traumatic experience.