It Waits

It Waits

Year: 2005

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: English

Director: Steven R. Monroe

HorrorHorror the undead and monster classicsTerrifying haunted and supernatural horrorSci-fi horror creatures and aliensCreepy chilling and terrifying horror

It lurks…it prowls… A lone female park ranger tries to track down a vicious creature killing various people and terrorizing her at a remote national park.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen It Waits 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!

Timeline & Setting – It Waits (2005)

Explore the full timeline and setting of It Waits (2005). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present day

The events unfold in a contemporary time frame, with modern ranger operations, satellite communications, and vehicles. The narrative moves from a deadly cave discovery to a tense siege at the ranger station, reflecting current-era technology and survival challenges. The timeline includes a two-month gap between the initial discoverers and the subsequent attacks.

Location

Remote national forest, Devil's Gate Dam, ranger station tower, cave

A remote national forest setting forms the backdrop for It Waits, centered on a ranger station tower near the Devil's Gate Dam. The area includes a cave where ancient drawings and bones lie, and the dam acts as a focal point for the ranger station’s duties. The secluded, rugged landscape amplifies the isolation and danger posed by the creature.

🌲 Forest 💧 Dam 🏢 Ranger Station 🕳 Cave

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:48

Main Characters – It Waits (2005)

Meet the key characters of It Waits (2005), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Danny St. Claire (Cerina Vincent)

Ranger at the remote forest station who grapples with guilt over the car crash that killed her friend Julie. She is resourceful and determined, fighting through nightmares and isolation to protect others. Her arc culminates in taking responsibility and sealing the cave to stop the creature.

🎯 Protagonist 🧭 Ranger 😔 Guilty 🛡 Determined

Justin Rawley (Dominic Zamprogna)

Danny's colleague and boyfriend who accompanies her to the dam. He is capable and supportive, but is killed by the creature, highlighting the stakes and danger of the forest.

🎯 Ally 😢 Fatality 🛡 Courage

Evelyn Nash (Chilton Crane)

Campers who ignore warnings and are killed by the creature. Evelyn represents the reckless vulnerability of visitors in a dangerous wilderness.

👥 Visitor ⚠ Warning 😨 Victim

Carl Nash (Fred Henderson)

Evelyn’s husband, who also falls victim to the creature. His death underscores the unpredictable peril of the forest.

👥 Visitor 😨 Victim 🗡 Danger

Rick Bailey (Greg Kean)

Ranger station supervisor who dismisses Danny’s concerns, delaying help and contributing to the mounting danger.

🎯 Authority 🕯 Skeptic ⚔️ Conflict

Julie Cassidy (Miranda Frigon)

Danny’s best friend, whose death in a car crash haunts Danny and motivates her actions. Julie’s memory drives the emotional core of the story.

😭 Friend 🕊 Loss 🧭 Motive

Joseph Riverwind (Eric Schweig)

Teacher of the killed students who explains the demon’s connection to negative energy and its lure to Danny's guilt.

👨‍🏫 Teacher 🪶 Legend 🧠 Knowledge

Wakinyah Creature (Matthew Jordon)

The demon-turned-predator drawn to human negativity, stalking and attacking those at the ranger station and in the cave.

👹 Demon 🕷 Predator 🕳 Force

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:48

Major Themes – It Waits (2005)

Explore the central themes of It Waits (2005), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Guilt

Danny carries guilt over Julie's death, a burden that shapes her decisions and attracts the demon’s attention. The spirit of loss drives her to confront painful memories as the creature feeds on negative energy. Redemption, if any, hinges on accepting responsibility for the past.

🛡️ Survival

The group fights to survive against a relentless, supernatural predator. They rely on courage, resourcefulness, and improvisation—radio, dynamite, and driving the creature toward a trap. The tension escalates as the station buckles and the forest becomes a deadly labyrinth.

👹 Demon

The It Waits creature embodies a malevolent force drawn to human negativity. It uses stealth and brute force to eliminate threats, turning the forest into a battlefield. The climax hinges on trapping the demon in the cave and sealing it away.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:48

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.

Unlock the Full Story of It Waits

Don't stop at just watching — explore It Waits 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 It Waits is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

It Waits Summary

Read a complete plot summary of It Waits, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

It Waits Summary

It Waits Timeline

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

It Waits Timeline

It Waits Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of It Waits 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.

It Waits Spoiler-Free Summary

More About It Waits

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about It Waits: 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 It Waits

Similar Movies to It Waits

Discover movies like It Waits that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.

Explore More About Movie It Waits

It Waits (2005) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

It Waits (2005) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

It Waits (2005) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow

Movies Like It Waits – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy

Camp Blood (2000) Detailed Story Recap

Prey for the Beast (2007) Ending Explained & Film Insights

Forest of the Damned (2005) Complete Plot Breakdown

The Final Terror (1983) Film Overview & Timeline

The Prey (1983) Movie Recap & Themes

Darkness Waits (2020) Movie Recap & Themes

The Forest (1982) Detailed Story Recap

She Waits (1972) Movie Recap & Themes

The Creeping Terror (1964) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap

Haunts (1976) Ending Explained & Film Insights

Shriek of the Mutilated (1974) Movie Recap & Themes

Grizzly Park (2008) Ending Explained & Film Insights

Lurking Fear (1994) Ending Explained & Film Insights

Deadly Instincts (1997) Detailed Story Recap

Terror (1978) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap