Spiral

In the 1980s, two young boys share a tender kiss in the back of a car, symbolizing the innocence of youth and love. Their private moment is abruptly interrupted by the approach of another vehicle, marking a moment of lost opportunity and foreshadowing the challenges they will face.

In the present day, Aaron and Malik move into a new home with their daughter Kayla. As they drive across a bridge, an inexplicable event occurs when an object resembling a bird collides with their windshield, leaving a mysterious spiral mark that hints at future troubles.

That night, while Kayla is settled in her room, Aaron and Malik engage in a conversation, unaware of the cloaked figure lurking outside their home. This sense of unease begins to permeate their family's new life as they confront the unknown.

Malik wakes up alone the following morning and starts unpacking their belongings. He discovers a computer and a set of glasses that belonged to the boy he shared a kiss with years ago, triggering memories and contemplation about his past.

During a routine garbage run, Malik spots a man named Reinhart, who silently watches him before disappearing. This interaction heightens Malik's senses about the odd occurrences surrounding their new life, foreshadowing the tension to come.

That night, Malik is awakened by strange noises echoing through the house. As he investigates, he finds nothing, yet the sense that something sinister is at play continues to grow as he struggles to get restful sleep.

Malik's unease increases when he finds derogatory graffiti in their home that reads 'Faggots.' Flashbacks to his traumatic past reveal his struggle to be accepted, injecting layers of pain into the couple's new life.

Despite the negativity, the family celebrates Kayla's new job as a dancer that night. However, their happiness is shadowed by Reinhart's ominous presence, collapsing their moment into a grim reminder of societal intolerance.

Malik becomes distressed when he notices a family photo has mysteriously vanished from their home. His frustration with societal stigma regarding homosexuality manifests into the decision to install a security system, reflecting his deepening anxiety.

At a neighbor's party, Malik spots Reinhart yet again, but when he looks away, Reinhart vanishes. This reoccurrence deepens Malik's paranoia as he grapples with the feeling of being watched and the weight of his memories.

Malik's nights are plagued by anxieties, where he grips a bat while hearing disturbing sounds. When he discovers a shadowy figure at his window, his fear escalates, leading him to confront the growing terror surrounding them.

The news of Reinhart's death rocks the neighborhood, with Marshall and Tiffany claiming a ritual was performed for him. Malik, feeling the weight of the revelations, learns about the family's history of mental instability through Reinhart’s nephew, Matthew.

As the days pass, Malik and Aaron battle paranoia and nightmares. Malik begins to piece together a cryptic note that resembles dates of past tragedies in their neighborhood, further intertwining their lives with the community's dark history.

Amidst the chaos at Tiffany and Marshall's party, Malik searches desperately for his family. The underlying sinister motives of the gathering lead to an overwhelming sense of dread as the past resurfaces, forcing Malik into a confrontation with his fears.

In a heart-wrenching moment, it is revealed to Malik that he is destined to repeat a cycle of violence and trauma. The film closes on his time in prison as he reflects on the haunting events, leaving a chilling note on the continual struggle for hope amidst suffering.