I.T.

I.T.

Year: 2016

Runtime: 95 min

Language: english

Director: John Moore

DramaMysteryThrillerCrime

Self-made millionaire Mike Regan’s life unravels when his IT consultant, Ed, uses his technological skills to stalk his teenage daughter and threaten his family. Mike's sophisticated "smart home" becomes a tool for Ed's manipulation, exposing personal secrets and creating a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Facing a modern-day nemesis in an age of compromised privacy, Mike must use his intelligence and past relationships to protect his loved ones and stop Ed’s relentless pursuit.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen I.T. yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

I.T. (2016) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of I.T. (2016), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Mike Regan is a self-made aviation tycoon who lives in a cutting-edge smart house filled with the latest technology, sharing it with his wife Rose and their 17-year-old daughter Kaitlyn. His company is developing a game-changing app called “Omni Jet” that could boost the business and attract crucial capital through a stock offering, a process that must clear the scrutiny of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

At work, Ed Porter is brought in to fix a stubborn Wi‑Fi signal, and the moment the password ReganHouse1 is discovered, it signals a weak approach to security. Porter also upgrades the car’s GPS and claims a past at the National Security Agency, along with service in a Kandahar exercise, which adds an unsettling aura to his image. Porter eventually meets Kaitlyn through social media, and a relationship develops, but Mike fires him after Kaitlyn invites Porter into the house, ending his promising career at the company.

From there, Porter slides from professional access to close, unauthorized access. He quietly begins to monitor the home’s sensors and cameras, slipping into the shadows of the smart house to watch Kaitlyn and even secretly recording her in the shower. He escalates his control by sending fake emails to Mike’s clients and to the SEC, threatening the company’s survival. He also steals the sense of security the family relies on by remotely controlling the house’s technology, and he takes his deceit further by manipulating Rose with a spoof email that claims a mammogram test is positive for breast cancer—news that proves devastating, even though the physician later confirms the results were negative.

As the threat becomes personal, Mike confronts Porter, who forcibly stays in the family’s orbit by continuing to manipulate their digital environment. When Kaitlyn learns that Porter has uploaded a video of her, she is mortified and blames her father for letting the technology into their home. The clash comes to a head as Porter taunts Mike through the car’s navigation system, and he even uses the video to trigger fear. A catastrophic moment follows as Porter remotely disables the car’s braking system, causing a collision with a stalled truck and a ruined vehicle.

Desperate for a way out, Mike seeks the aid of Henrik, an independent IT expert. Henrik explains Porter’s true past—revealing that the man’s real name is Richard Edward Portman, that his father’s suicide when he was six helps explain his behavior, and that the supposed NSA employment and Kandahar photo were fabrications. Henrik also advises a drastic plan: dismantle the smart infrastructure, purge emails, and wipe bank accounts and files.

To secure evidence, Henrik engineers a risky distraction: he manipulates a waitress Porter is obsessed with by hijacking her phone and texting Porter to lure him away to a coffee shop. Seizing the moment, Mike enters Porter’s apartment to collect thumb drives containing critical evidence and manages a narrow escape just as Porter returns. Porter realizes a hidden intruder was in his space and tries to turn the tide by framing Mike for assault, leading to a brief arrest when Mike attempts to bring the evidence to the authorities.

After his release, Mike returns home to find Kaitlyn and Rose tied up and gagged. A tense struggle unfolds; Porter fires a window and Mike lands a punch, sending Porter to the ground. Porter dies from the ensuing injuries as Rose frees herself and pleads with Mike not to kill him.

In the aftermath, the company’s workers commend Mike for guiding the family through the nightmare and for steering the successful development of the app. The smart house is restored, and life gradually returns to a semblance of normalcy, with the family bonded by the ordeal and the promise of continued innovation.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:16

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Technological Paranoia Thrillers like I.T.

Stories where everyday technology turns into a weapon of control and fear.If the high-tech horror of I.T. had you on edge, explore more movies where smart homes, cyber stalking, and digital invasions create intense paranoia. These films tap into modern fears about privacy and technology, pitting characters against a faceless, tech-savvy antagonist in a terrifying game of cat and mouse.

paranoidunsettlinganxiousclaustrophobictensesuspensefulmodern dread

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically centers on a protagonist, often an ordinary person or family, whose life is upended when a tech-based antagonist hijacks their digital existence. The plot unfolds as a series of escalating violations—from hacked cameras to financial ruin—forcing the hero to use their wits to fight back against a enemy who knows their every move.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups films that share a core premise of technology as the primary antagonist. They generate a specific kind of claustrophobic tension, making viewers question the safety of their own devices. The similarity lies in the shared modern fear, the fast-paced, high-intensity cat-and-mouse structure, and the unsettling feeling of being watched in your own home.

High-Stakes Home Invasion Stories like I.T.

Tense stories where the safety of home is violently shattered by an intruder.For viewers who felt the claustrophobic terror of I.T., this collection features movies where a family's home becomes a prison under siege. While the method of invasion may vary—from physical break-ins to digital takeover—these stories share a relentless pace, heavy emotional weight, and a cathartic fight for survival.

tenseclaustrophobicanxiouscatharticunsettlingsuspensefulfamily in peril

Narrative Summary

The pattern begins with an established sense of domestic normalcy, which is brutally disrupted by an invasion. The story becomes a prolonged siege, with the protagonists trapped and forced to use their intelligence and resourcefulness to outwit a determined foe. The emotional journey is one of escalating fear, resilience, and the desperate need to protect family at all costs.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by the shared visceral experience of a safe space becoming a death trap. They generate intense anxiety and a fight-or-flight response in the viewer. The connection is based on the core themes of family protection, the violation of privacy, a fast-paced cat-and-mouse structure, and the ultimate goal of cathartic survival.

Unlock the Full Story of I.T.

Don't stop at just watching — explore I.T. in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what I.T. is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

I.T. Timeline

Track the full timeline of I.T. with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

I.T. Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in I.T.

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape I.T.. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in I.T.

I.T. Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of I.T. that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

I.T. Spoiler-Free Summary

More About I.T.

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about I.T.: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About I.T.