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 – It Waits (2005)

Trace every key event in It Waits (2005) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Archaeology students discover the cave; demon slaughters them

In a remote national forest, five archaeology students explore a cave linked to an ancient Native American legend. They blast their way in to gain entrance and uncover prehistoric drawings and bones scattered across the cave floor. A demon emerges from the shadows and slaughters them all.

Prior to the ranger events Remote national forest cave
2

Two months later: Danny's guilt and isolation

Two months have passed since the cave incident. Ranger Danielle 'Danny' St. Claire drinks at the tower, crying and blaming herself for the car crash that killed her best friend Julie. Her superior Rick Bailey insists she stay at the station alone for a few days and orders her to drain water to relieve pressure on the Devil's Gate Dam.

Two months after the cave incident Ranger Station Tower; Devil's Gate Dam area
3

That night: first signs of trouble

That night, nightmares from the accident haunt Danny. She descends from the tower to investigate and finds claw marks on the tool shed door, hinting at a dangerous presence nearby.

That night Ranger Station grounds
4

Justin arrives; they inspect the dam

The following morning Justin Rawley arrives to keep her company. They drive to the Devil's Gate Dam to inspect the facilities and assess the situation.

Next morning Devil's Gate Dam vicinity
5

Dinner confession and romance

They return to the station for a romantic dinner. Danny confesses she was the one driving the car when it crashed, and she let the police believe Julie was driving. Justin consoles her and they make love.

Evening Ranger Station
6

Sabotage revealed at night

During the night, the emergency siren sounds as they discover that the satellite dish, Justin's jeep, and the radio have been sabotaged. The threat outside is no longer just atmospheric—something has actively undermined their communications.

That night Ranger Station
7

Dam trip; campers warned; campers killed

The next day they head to the dam to use its radio. They meet campers Carl and Evelyn Nash who ignore Justin's warnings and venture off on their own, only to be killed later by the creature.

Next day Devil's Gate Dam area
8

Discovery of the Nashes and Justin's death

At the dam, the radio room is trashed. They return to the station to find Evelyn's body swinging from a chain and Carl's body thrown off the roof. Justin heads off to get help and is ambushed and killed by the creature.

That same day Dam; Ranger Station
9

Danny buries Justin; creature attacks

The next morning, Danny discovers Justin's severed head in the tool shed and his body on the roof. She buries his remains and arms herself for protection. That night the creature attacks the station, but Danny shoots and wounds it.

Next morning Ranger Station
10

Demon explained; guilt resurfaces

The following morning, Danny follows the creature's blood trail to the cave and sees the teacher of the slain students. He explains the demon is drawn to Danny's negative energy—her guilt over Julie's death. Back at the station, Danny finds the corpses of the Nashes and Justin dug up and arranged around the table, with Justin's head on a plate.

The next morning Cave; Ranger Station
11

Rick and the warning ignored

Danny hunts the creature but is unsuccessful and is wounded in the leg. She calls Rick and begs him to bring SWAT, but Rick dismisses her, thinking she is drunk. The tension between belief and evidence drives the narrative forward.

Same day Ranger Station
12

Rick dies; pursuit to the cave

The next day, Rick arrives at the station and accompanies Danny to the cave. They discover the teacher's body impaled on a pole. The creature then drops Justin's body onto Rick, crushing him to death.

Next day Forest; cave entrance
13

Final chase and cave sealed

Danny drives toward the cave with the creature in close pursuit and crashes into the cave to force the demon inside. She uses dynamite to seal the cave, trapping the creature within. She returns to the station, places her ranger badge on the table, and leaves.

Final confrontation Cave entrance; Ranger Station
14

Aftermath and confession

Sometime later, Danny tells a policeman about the killings but says she doesn't know who did it. She then confesses to being the driver in the crash that killed Julie, accepting responsibility for her friend's death.

Sometime later Police/roadside

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:34

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in It Waits

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in It Waits

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.