It Comes at Night

The film begins with a frail man named Bud, who is visibly suffering from a severe illness, gasping for breath while covered in painful boils. His daughter Sarah, wearing a gas mask, tenderly reassures him that everything will be fine, highlighting the dire situation they face.

In a somber act of mercy, Sarah's husband Paul and their son Travis transport Bud into the woods. Travis places a pillow over Bud’s head and shoots him, a heartbreaking decision reflecting their desperate circumstances, and Bud's body is hastily covered in lighter fluid and cremated in an open grave.

The family's lifestyle is depicted as insular, with Paul, Sarah, Travis, and their dog Stanley cut off from the outside world. It is heavily suggested that a deadly virus has ravaged the country, leaving them in a haunting state of isolation and fear.

Travis repeatedly experiences terrifying visions of Bud, the sick man from earlier, which lead him to wake up frightened each night. These nightmares create an atmosphere of dread, as the family becomes increasingly aware of potential intruders lurking outside their home.

When ominous banging is heard, Paul and Sarah arm themselves, confronting the perceived threat. They discover it is Will, who, after being ordered to surrender, is knocked unconscious by Paul, introducing a new element of danger to their isolated existence.

Once tied up and restrained, Will explains to Paul that he mistook their house for abandoned and was seeking resources for his wife and child. He shares distressing news about an 80-mile stretch of land devoid of life, highlighting the perilous state of the world outside.

Concerned for Will's family, Paul drives him to search for them, but their journey quickly turns dangerous. They encounter hostile men in the woods, and Paul's reaction leads to their demise, showcasing the fragility of their existence in this harsh reality.

Paul and Sarah eventually bring Will's wife Kim and their young son Andrew into their home. The two families begin to establish boundaries but slowly learn to coexist, sharing meals and games amid the backdrop of their survival struggle.

Amidst the tension, Travis becomes increasingly intrigued by Kim, which leads to unsettling dreams where she embodies both comfort and horror. Their conversations highlight their shared desires for normalcy, revealing the emotional weight of their situation.

Travis's chase after Stanley into the woods leads to a shocking discovery, resulting in Paul having to make the heartbreaking choice to euthanize the injured dog. The sound of the gunshot echoes through their home, marking a pivotal moment of loss.

As suspicion grows between the two families, Travis's interactions with Andrew incite questions about health and trust. The emotional fallout creates an increasingly tense atmosphere, with both families navigating their strained relationships.

The toll of the relentless situation becomes apparent when Travis succumbs to the virus, leading to a heart-wrenching scene where Sarah desperately tries to comfort him. Travis's decline marks a critical juncture in the family's struggle for survival.

Tensions reach their peak when Paul confronts Will about Andrew's health, leading to a chaotic standoff. In the ensuing turmoil, Paul accidentally kills Andrew, inciting Kim's anguished plea for vengeance, thus deepening the animosity between the families.

As the film nears its conclusion, both Paul and Sarah are revealed to be infected. They share a devastating gaze at the table, reflecting on their choices and the consequences of their actions in a world stripped of humanity.

The story culminates as the screen fades to black, leaving the audience to grapple with the catastrophic ramifications of the characters' choices. The somber ending serves as a haunting reminder of their desperate situation and the fragility of life.