Late Phases

As Will reluctantly moves his obstinate father, Ambrose McKinley, a blind Vietnam War veteran, into a retirement community near a mystical forest, the air is thick with tension. Ambrose, known for his cantankerous nature, struggles to adapt, clashing with the other residents, including the trio of neighbor women: Gloria, Anna, and Emma. Initially, they are drawn to his spirited personality, but soon find his obstinacy unbearable. Their duplex-mate Delores becomes the first victim in a string of horrific attacks that will challenge Ambrose’s resilience.

On one fateful night, beneath the light of a full moon, a creature invades Delores’ home, brutally slaying her and leaving Ambrose gravely injured. His loyal German Shepherd comes to his rescue, valiantly defending him against the beast while Ambrose scrambles for his gun. Although he successfully repels the attacker, he mourns the loss of his faithful companion, who succumbs to its injuries.

The following day, authorities dismiss Ambrose’s report of a supernatural creature, attributing the chaos to a mere animal attack. Yet, Ambrose is plagued by the certainty that a werewolf is responsible for the vile incidents terrorizing the community. Grieving for his dog and digging its grave, he becomes increasingly suspicious of the unexplained disappearances of multiple residents who ventured into the woods, all connected by their proximity to the forest.

Driven by purpose, Ambrose sets out to uncover the truth behind these unsettling occurrences, observing his neighbors for any signs of lycanthropy. His acute senses detect the haunting rasping of a werewolf’s breath. He initially suspects Gloria’s husband, who is confined to an iron lung, recalling the doom of poor Delores. When Ambrose inadvertently disconnects the machine keeping him alive, Gloria accuses him of attempted murder and evicts him from their vicinity.

Undaunted, he directs his attention towards Father Roger Smith, the local priest, who has developed a persistent cough from years of smoking. Alongside him is James Griffin, a friend of the priest who suffers similar respiratory issues. Believing that one or both may harbor dark secrets, Ambrose visits the church, where he encounters yet another possible suspect.

However, the three neighbors soon grow weary of Ambrose’s unconventional behavior and convince James to transport him back home discreetly. Meanwhile, Ambrose remains steadfast in his quest for answers, seeking out silver bullets from a local gunsmith intrigued by his determination. Unknown to him, James has acquired silver ammo as well, intensifying Ambrose’s paranoia.

As he continues to dig his dog’s grave, Ambrose finds himself engulfed by a storm of concern from the community. Complaints about the tombstone and the odor of decay draw the attention of the authorities, escalating their worries about his mental well-being. Yet, Ambrose’s resolve remains unshaken; he will not rest until he unravels the sinister forces threatening his once-peaceful neighborhood.

With the lunar cycle reaching its peak, Ambrose finds a bittersweet sense of closure upon completing the grave for his beloved canine. At the same time, James cunningly ingratiates himself with Gloria, Anna, Emma, and her husband Bennet, unleashing the deadly curse of lycanthropy upon them. When Ambrose visits Gloria, he is met with an eerie silence, culminating in the shocking discovery of her husband’s corpse; the urgency to return home and prepare for the nightfall sinks in.

James, overwhelmed by his secrets, confesses to Father Smith but is met with doubt, leading to a tragic outcome. As the savage wolf claims another life, Ambrose leaves a heartfelt voicemail for his son Will, revealing the truth behind his late wife’s cherished ring and expressing his unwavering commitment to her legacy. Acknowledging the gravity of his situation, he prepares for his final farewell.

As darkness envelops the community, Ambrose uses his keen hearing to combat the attacking werewolves on his property, relying on an arsenal of weapons and ingenious traps. Though he sustains injuries, he ultimately finds peace in ending James’s reign of terror. In quiet acceptance of his fate, he sits on his porch, ready to confront the inevitable.

When Will, aware of his father’s last words, rushes to his side, he is met with a horrifying sight: the werewolves’ forms, half-transformed, alongside Ambrose’s lifeless body, purposefully medicated to prevent his transformation into a monster.

In the wake of this tragedy, Will and his wife stand solemnly at Ambrose’s military funeral. As he receives the honored tri-folded flag and hands it to his partner, he retrieves his father’s rifle, aiming it at the luminous moon. With a heavy heart, he releases a defiant shot against the dark forces that claimed his loved one.

Last Updated: November 21, 2024 at 10:20