Pet

Pet

Year: 2016

Runtime: 94 min

Language: English

Director: Carles Torrens

ThrillerHorror

In a bleak animal shelter, Seth, a man yearning for connection, becomes captivated by Holly, a mysterious waitress. His fragile hope is challenged by her detached demeanor, leading him down a disturbing path. Consumed by longing and spiraling into obsession, he takes drastic action, kidnapping Holly and imprisoning her in a cage hidden within the shelter, blurring the lines between rescuer and captor.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Pet (2016) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

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

Socially awkward animal shelter employee Seth Donaldson recognizes his former classmate Holly Garling while riding the same Metro bus. Their brief conversation sparks something in Seth, who then becomes obsessed with Holly. He dives deep into her social media, memorizing her likes and dislikes, all in a bid to win her over.

In an effort to connect, Seth stages a chance encounter at the restaurant where Holly works as a waitress. However, their meeting takes a awkward turn when Holly feels uneasy about Seth’s knowledge of her personal life and dismisses him. Despite this setback, Seth sends Holly roses, though she misinterprets the gesture as a sign of reconciliation from her ex-boyfriend, Eric.

Determined to get closer to Holly, Seth follows her to a bar where Eric works. Unfortunately, his attempt to reach out to her ends in violence as Eric beats him. In the aftermath, Seth finds Holly’s dropped journal, filling him with dark insights about her troubled past.

Driven by his obsession, Seth constructs a cage in the basement of the animal shelter and devises a plan to abduct Holly. He successfully sneaks into her apartment by impersonating a delivery person and manages to imprison her. In her captivity, Holly copes by conversing with her imaginary former roommate, Claire, leading to chilling revelations about her past, including a confession of murder.

As the narrative unfolds, Seth learns from Holly’s journal about her descent into brutality. He believes he is helping her. Their twisted dynamic takes a dark turn when Holly manipulates Seth into killing the security guard, Nate, who stumbles upon their secret. Under Holly’s influence, Seth believes that their shared involvement in such atrocities solidifies their bond.

Detective Meara begins to investigate Nate’s disappearance, leading to the looming threat of exposure for Seth. In a shocking act of devotion, Seth cuts off his own finger to prove his love for Holly. In a tragic turn, Holly seizes control of the situation by threatening to take her own life if Seth does not release her from her cage. He complies, mistakenly thinking they can build a life together.

However, the relationship culminates in betrayal when Holly, after professing her love for Seth, brutally slashes his throat. Fast forward to the future, Holly resumes her life, now published as an author, reigniting her tumultuous romance with Eric. Upon discovering Eric’s infidelity, Holly contemplates revenge but ultimately chooses to visit Seth instead, who has now become a mute captive in a cage, a grim reminder of their harrowing connection.

Last Updated: October 27, 2024 at 21:51

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Claustrophobic Psychological Captivity Thrillers like Pet

Tense stories of obsession that unfold in isolated, confined spaces.If you liked the tense, confined setting and disturbing power play in Pet, you'll find more movies like it here. These thrillers focus on obsessive characters and psychological manipulation within isolated spaces, creating a similar sense of claustrophobic dread and unease.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow a character's obsessive fixation leading to abduction and imprisonment. The plot revolves around the psychological battle within a confined space, exploring themes of control, manipulation, and the blurring lines between victim and perpetrator as the situation escalates.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a central, disturbing relationship set in isolation. They deliver a consistent mood of high tension, psychological unease, and claustrophobia, using the confined setting to intensify the emotional and psychological conflict.

Movies about a Descent into Moral Darkness like Pet

Character-driven stories of obsession that lead to devastating acts.For viewers who appreciated Pet's portrayal of a character's obsessive downward spiral. These films explore similar journeys where a fragile individual's longing leads to manipulation, crime, and a complete collapse of morality, resulting in a heavy, bleak viewing experience.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a protagonist, often initially sympathetic or lonely, whose unhealthy obsession consumes them. The story is a linear or escalating series of unethical decisions—from manipulation to violence—highlighting their moral decay and culminating in an ending without redemption.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their focus on a specific character arc: the tragic and disturbing fall from grace. They share a dark tone, heavy emotional weight, and a steady pacing that makes the descent feel inevitable, appealing to viewers interested in intense psychological portraits.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Pet

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