Curve

On her way to Denver for the wedding rehearsal, Mallory video chats with her sister Ella. Ella questions whether Mallory is truly in love and happy with the decision. Mallory replies with a cheerful, fake voice and ends the call, setting up a tension between appearances and reality.

A few minutes after the call, Mallory's car breaks down on the road. She tries to call AAA but has no service, leaving her stranded and anxious about arriving on time. The isolation deepens the sense of danger looming ahead.

Mallory spots a man named Christian nearby. He helps start her car, easing her anxiety. Grateful, she offers him a ride, though a wary instinct warns her to be cautious.

During the drive, Christian fixates on fate, insisting their meeting was meant to happen. He makes a crude remark about Mallory's sexuality, revealing his dangerous mentality. When she tells him to stop and pull over, he pulls a knife and forces her to keep driving; she tries to crash toward a guardrail to escape, but they crash.

Mallory wakes in the wrecked car with her leg trapped under the seat. She frees herself as best she can but cannot exit. Christian wakes, tells her to get out, and then inexplicably leaves, heightening her desperation.

The following morning, Christian returns and eats and drinks in front of her, talking about fate again. He asserts control and reminds her that she must accept her circumstances, keeping her trapped and under his thumb.

That night, rats slither into the car. Mallory kills one, eats a strip of its meat, and drinks her own urine to survive, highlighting her deteriorating situation and resolve to endure.

Christian declares that he is holding a family hostage and hands Mallory a saw. She initially thinks it’s to cut through the door, but he implies she must use it to save herself, underscoring the peril she’s in.

A heavy rainstorm heats the tension as Christian says goodbye. Mallory attacks him and tosses his car keys away to prevent pursuit. A police car arrives, but the officer, misreading Mallory's screams, drives away with Christian, leaving her in danger.

As the car begins to flood, Mallory starts cutting at her leg but makes only superficial progress. The rising water eventually frees her leg, allowing her to leave the car and seek safety outside.

Mallory reaches the cabin where Christian was staying and witnesses him killing the police officer and discovers he’s killed the homeowners. He is holding their daughter Katie hostage, deepening the stakes of the confrontation.

Mallory confronts Christian, taking him on in a tense struggle. She pushes him off a second-story balcony; his leg is crushed in a bear trap and he dies from the injury. Mallory limps away with Katie as the front door slams shut behind them.