Clinical

The film introduces Dr. Jane Mathis, a dedicated trauma psychiatrist, working late at night while holiday music plays softly in the background. Her solitude is shattered by a loud crashing noise that draws her into a situation she could never anticipate.

Upon rushing into the waiting room, Dr. Mathis discovers her patient, Nora, injuring herself with a shard of glass. In a chilling revelation, Nora states, 'I did what she told me to do...' before tragically slitting her own throat, leaving Mathis in shock and despair.

Fast forward two years, Mathis struggles with the lingering trauma from the incident with Nora. Sitting in her car outside her therapist's office, she takes medication, showcasing her battle with the psychological aftermath of the night that changed her life.

During her therapy sessions with Terry, Mathis grapples with her emotional barriers. Despite her desire to help others heal, she reveals that she is not ready to confront Nora, indicating the complexity of her psychological state and the impact of her past.

Although Mathis avoids working with trauma patients, a phone call from a mysterious individual named Alex compels her to re-engage in her profession. This decision marks her tentative step back into confronting the trauma she has tried to escape.

That night, Mathis is awakened by unsettling sounds outside her home. Investigating the source, she finds her trash can overturned and senses a presence nearby that fills her with both intrigue and dread, foreshadowing the return of an unsettling figure.

In his first session, Alex expresses his hurt over his appearance and the frustrations with his past therapists. Mathis, committed to understanding her patients, refrains from prescribing medication and emphasizes the importance of addressing their inner turmoil.

While jogging with her friend Clara, Mathis unexpectedly spots Nora lurking in the woods. This sight sends terror through her, as she struggles to reconcile her healing with the very real presence of the person who once harmed her.

At dinner with her boyfriend Miles, Mathis's lack of appetite becomes apparent, hinting at her internal struggles. The conversation takes a lighter turn, yet her mind drifts back to her traumatic experience with Nora, showcasing her deep emotional turmoil.

During their sessions, Alex admits to his serious struggles, which push Mathis to use exposure therapy techniques. As he confronts the trauma that changed his life, their sessions grow increasingly intense, reflecting their entwined fates.

Mathis shares a disturbing dream involving Nora with Terry during their session, expressing a sense of heaviness upon waking. Terry's concern for her mental state leads him to urge her to stay vigilant about her well-being as she grapples with unresolved feelings.

On a fateful night, Mathis discovers Alex sleepwalking in her home, an event that unnerves her and raises questions about her own therapeutic boundaries. Despite her hesitation, her complicity grows as she seeks comfort in her relationship with Miles.

As Mathis digs deeper into Alex's past, she uncovers a shocking revelation: Alex is both Nora's abuser and father. This unsettling truth ignites a desperate need to confront her hidden fears and the connections that bind them all.

In a climactic struggle, Mathis fights for her life against Alex, as they confront the haunting truths that both have suppressed for too long. The battle leaves her victorious yet deeply altered, leading to a confrontation with her own morality and choices.

In the aftermath, Mathis faces the repercussions of her actions, finding herself incarcerated in the mental institution that once housed Nora. Grappling with haunting memories and unresolved trauma, she must confront the most daunting journey of all: her path to redemption.