Daniel Isn't Real

Young Luke experiences a traumatic event when a mass shooting occurs at a local coffee shop. This event profoundly affects him, imprinting a sense of fear and confusion in his childhood mind.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Luke meets Daniel, a charming and confident boy who quickly becomes his friend. Despite being invisible to adults around them, their friendship provides Luke with much-needed companionship during his parents' divorce.

Daniel convinces Luke to mix a bottle of his mother Claire's psychiatric medication into a smoothie, claiming it will grant her superpowers. This reckless act leads to a near-fatal poisoning incident, putting a strain on their friendship.

Following the poisoning incident, Claire orders Luke to send Daniel away. Luke resorts to symbolically confining Daniel within his mother's old dollhouse, attempting to separate himself from the turmoil.

Years later, the now college-aged Luke struggles with anxiety about his future and the stress of caring for his mentally unstable mother. His conversations with his therapist, Dr. Braun, reveal his deep-seated fears of mirroring his mother's mental health issues.

During a visit to his childhood home, an unexpected event occurs when Luke unlocks the dollhouse. Daniel re-emerges as an adult, initially appearing to be a supportive presence in Luke's chaotic life.

Daniel's influence seems beneficial as he helps Luke navigate his tumultuous life, including preventing Claire from committing suicide. Luke also begins to experience academic success and finds romance with artist Cassie.

As the relationship deepens, Daniel's behavior shifts to a more sinister nature. He shows aggression when Luke starts to assert himself, particularly in social situations, indicating a darker side to his influence.

During a date with psychology student Sophie, Daniel overtakes Luke, resulting in a chaotic and public incident that gets Luke expelled from campus. This moment marks a significant turning point in Luke's perception of his own sanity.

Burdened with doubt about his mental health, Luke seeks answers after a visit to John Thigpen's father, which reveals disturbing parallels between their experiences. This encounter leads Luke to suspect that Daniel may not just be an imaginary friend.

In a desperate attempt to free Luke from Daniel's grasp, Dr. Braun makes a late-night visit. Tragically, this encounter ends with Luke's consciousness trapped in the dollhouse, while Daniel assumes control of his life.

As Luke's friends become targets, Daniel reveals himself as a 'traveler,' expressing his intent to harm Cassie. Luke struggles internally as he attempts to reclaim his identity and protect those he loves from Daniel's sinister plans.

In their climactic showdown, Luke confronts Daniel, recognizing the danger he poses. Luke understands that their souls are intertwined and that he must make a significant sacrifice to protect Cassie from Daniel's predatory hunger.

In a selfless act, Luke jumps from the rooftop, ensuring Cassie's safety but ultimately resulting in his own demise. His decision reflects his final stand against Daniel's monstrous nature.

As Cassie mourns Luke's death, Daniel reverts back to his monstrous form in the shadows, hinting that he remains a lurking threat in search of a new host. This haunting conclusion underscores the lingering impact of his parasitic presence.