Choose or Die

Hal, a married man with a troubled family life, stumbles upon the interactive fiction game CURS>R. Initially thinking it is a nostalgic throwback, he soon realizes that the game has a dangerous hold over reality, affecting his family in unimaginable ways.

Three months later, we meet Kayla, a college student managing her studies while working as a cleaner. Her life is complicated by her mother's drug addiction, which has worsened after the tragic death of Kayla's brother, Ricky.

Kayla befriends Isaac, a tech-savvy classmate who helps her learn to code. Their friendship blooms as they work together, providing support through their personal endeavors, notably Kayla’s struggle with her mother's addiction.

While visiting Isaac, Kayla comes across the CURS>R game and is intrigued by a promotional offer of a $125,000 prize. Drawn in by the irresistible chance of easy money, she decides to call the game's number and begins her descent into terror.

After contacting the game's number, Kayla receives a chilling message from the Terror Director. The directive to complete the game and input a specific code sets her and Isaac on a dark path filled with gruesome challenges.

As Kayla plays CURS>R in a café, she witnesses the horrific outcome of one game level where a waitress consumes broken glass. This brutal scene marks the beginning of her realization that the game’s violence is not just fictional.

Disturbed by the horrific events, Kayla attempts to destroy the game’s tape to end the nightmare. However, Isaac's skepticism and disbelief about CURS>R’s powers throw a wrench in her attempts to escape its hold.

During a graveyard shift, Kayla receives a frantic call from her mother that escalates the chaos around her. The reality-bending nature of the game becomes apparent when Thea falls from a window and is rushed to the hospital.

Kayla and Isaac realize that CURS>R has sinister connections to real life. They discover a cryptic code within the game's sound effects, leading them to believe it can manipulate reality and deepen their peril.

While delving deeper into CURS>R, Kayla and Isaac confront their own traumatic memories, particularly the tragic loss of Kayla's brother. Their emotional journey strengthens their resolve to confront the game's dark power.

Eventually, Kayla and Isaac breach the storage location of CURS>R, discovering Beck—its sinister creator. He reveals that he has intentionally embedded curses within the game, thriving on the suffering of its players for personal benefit.

As Kayla approaches a solution, Isaac falls victim to a deadly trap set by CURS>R. This heartbreaking loss fuels Kayla's determination to put an end to the game and save her remaining family.

In a harrowing encounter, Kayla faces Hal, who has become ensnared in the game's dark legacy. The battle unveils the depths of Hal's twisted pact with CURS>R, as he torments his own family in a desperate attempt to protect them.

Through sheer will, Kayla manages to defeat Hal and reclaim control from CURS>R. This victory not only symbolizes her fight against darkness but also signifies her emergence from the shadows of personal trauma.

Empowered by her reconciliation with the game's curse, Kayla confronts and eliminates Lance, freeing her mother from dependency. In choosing to target those who deserve punishment, she begins to heal both herself and Thea.