Polaroid

Polaroid

Year: 2019

Runtime: 88 min

Language: English

Director: Lars Klevberg

DramaThrillerHorror

While cleaning out her deceased mother’s belongings, Bird Fitcher discovers a vintage Polaroid camera. Soon, she and her friends begin taking photos with it, but they soon realize that each snapshot captures a subject’s impending doom. As the pictures develop, a terrifying and deadly chain of events unfolds, forcing Bird to confront the camera’s dark secret and fight to break the cycle before she and her friends become the next victims.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Polaroid 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!

Polaroid (2019) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Polaroid (2019), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Sarah, portrayed by Madelaine Petsch, and her friend discover an old Polaroid camera among her late mother’s belongings. After her friend receives a “like” from her crush, Sarah, feeling bold, snaps a photo of herself in lingerie using the camera. However, when she looks at the photo, she becomes uneasy as a chilling shadow looms in the background. After her friend departs, Sarah is left alone at home, where she investigates strange noises from the attic. In a moment of horror, she finds herself dangling upside down before being pulled up by a mysterious entity, ultimately leading to her offscreen demise.

The story progresses with a shy high school student, Bird, played by Kathryn Prescott, who receives the same Polaroid camera from her co-worker Tyler. This camera, bearing the initials “RJS,” quickly becomes a source of terror. After taking pictures at a costume party, including a shot of her crush Connor (Tyler Young), Bird begins to notice a disturbing shadow appearing in the photos. Tragedy strikes when Tyler is murdered by the entity, sending shockwaves through Bird’s life. She later learns that the ominous shadow has shifted to Avery’s photo, only for Avery to meet an even grimmer fate.

As Bird desperately attempts to protect her friends, she discovers a sinister pattern tied to the camera’s history. The entity, manifesting the horrors of its past, is linked to a photography teacher named Roland Joseph Sable, who had a dark reputation involving the tragic fate of several students. Amidst the chaos, Bird and her friends fight against the entity, which has its own rules concerning photographs and heat sensitivity.

As events escalate tragically, including the death of Bird’s friend Mina, the group gathers information about Roland’s family’s role in the camera’s curse. They meet Lena Sable, Roland’s wife, who reveals the heartbreaking story of their daughter, Rebecca, the original owner of the camera. Driven to madness by her bullying and the gruesome fate of her classmates, Roland’s vengeful spirit now hunts those connected to his trauma.

With danger closing in, Bird and her allies confront the entity, learning about its ties to Sheriff Pembroke and the violent past that endangers their lives. Utilizing their newfound knowledge, Bird devises a plan to trap the entity and finally put it to rest. In a climactic showdown, she takes a daring risk to lead the entity into a spot where it can “fully develop.” Through quick thinking and bravery, she confronts the monster, resulting in a fierce battle that claims the entity’s existence. Ultimately, she unites with her friends and disposes of the cursed camera, ensuring that its dark legacy is buried forever.

Last Updated: October 27, 2024 at 22:06

Unlock the Full Story of Polaroid

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

Polaroid Timeline

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

Polaroid Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Polaroid

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Polaroid

More About Polaroid

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

Similar Movies to Polaroid

Discover movies like Polaroid 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.