Clara's Ghost

Clara Reynolds resides in a historic Connecticut home with her husband, Ted Reynolds, a once semi-famous actor. One day, while searching for a shoe she believes she mislaid on the road, she heads to the police station to report its disappearance. Meanwhile, her daughters Julie Reynolds and Riley Reynolds, both working actors and former child stars from a sitcom, return home to celebrate their beloved family dog, Ollie’s birthday.

Feeling overshadowed by her self-absorbed family, Clara begins experiencing eerie visions in the house, including a ghostly woman who pleads to be let inside. In an unexpected turn, Riley purchases marijuana from an old classmate, Joe, who is later invited to join them for dinner by Ted. As a magazine photoshoot featuring Ted, Julie, and Riley unfolds, Clara’s sense of invisibility deepens. During the family dinner, the ghost reappears, pushing Clara to confront her family about their teasing. Although her impassioned demand for recognition is met with dismissive laughter, the ghost embraces her in a moment of gratitude as the others drunkenly sway to “MacArthur Park.”

As the evening progresses, Joe shares a haunting story about the Reynolds’ home, built in 1862 by a sea captain for his daughter, Adelia, who was tragically institutionalized before ever entering the house; her father, in despair, ended his life in the woods nearby. Driven to frustration by her family’s lack of respect, Clara damages a self-portrait Ted created, while tension escalates as Ted criticizes a monologue Julie is struggling with and nearly drowns Joe in a punch bowl during a heated exchange.

In a rebellious act, Clara attempts to summon Adelia’s spirit during a séance but instead locks her family in the basement. After a brief emotional encounter with Joe, she retracts, leading him back downstairs to unlock the door. But chaos ensues as she instead attempts to ignite the basement. Joe intervenes, but ultimately leaves when Clara brandishes a kitchen knife. It dawns on her that the ghost is indeed Adelia, whose spirit has entwined with her own.

In a desperate search, Ted breaks down the basement door but cannot locate Clara, while Riley is almost struck by a flowerpot moved by unseen forces. An agitated Clara confronts her family with a knife, during which they discover that Ollie has devoured some unattended brownies. As the night unfolds, Clara wanders into the woods where she seemingly kills a coyote. The family rushes Ollie to the veterinarian and learns of a drunk woman at the police station, initially believed to be Clara, but turns out to be someone else. Upon returning home, they find a bloody shirt belonging to Clara beside the woods, along with her missing shoe in her closet.

As they traverse town, they encounter Clara walking naked, whom they promptly bring back home. While the family settles in for the night, Clara continues to hear Adelia’s voice, a reminder of the supernatural events that have unfolded.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 16:46