Summer of 84

In the summer of 1984, Cape May, Oregon, a peaceful seaside town, is gripped by fear due to the infamous Cape May Slayer. Over the past decade, this serial killer has caused the disappearance of thirteen teenage boys, creating an atmosphere of terror for the townspeople.

Fifteen-year-old Davey Armstrong, son of an investigative journalist, becomes convinced that his neighbor, Wayne Mackey, is the Cape May Slayer. Despite skepticism from his friends, including Woody, Farraday, and Eats, Davey is driven to uncover the truth behind Mackey's dark reputation.

Things take a dramatic turn when one of Davey's acquaintances appears on a milk carton shortly after visiting Mackey's home. This unsettling event compels Davey's friends to join him in investigating Mackey, marking the beginning of their dangerous quest.

The group starts to observe Mackey's daily routine, noting his suspicious behaviors, including odd purchases of gardening tools and late-night jogs. The boys become increasingly wary of Mackey, sparking a fervent desire to reveal the truth about their mysterious neighbor.

During a game of manhunt, Davey attempts to plant a walkie-talkie near Mackey's window but gets caught. This confrontation raises alarms, forcing the boys to confront the real dangers of their investigation and the reality of Mackey's possible guilt.

While investigating further, Woody and Farraday stumble upon a storage unit containing a second car and sodium hydroxide canisters linked to Mackey. Meanwhile, Davey and Eats find a bloodied shirt belonging to a missing boy in Mackey's garden shed, deepening their fears.

The boys report their findings to Davey's parents, but instead of praise, they face accusations of vandalism. Mr. Armstrong attempts to resolve the situation by bringing them to apologize to Mackey, who dismisses their claims, reinforcing their doubts about his innocence.

Davey sneaks out to meet his crush, Nikki, who warns him to abandon his investigation. The next day, Mackey's visit to Davey's house backfires when Davey uncovers that the phone call regarding Mackey's nephew was made from Mackey’s own landline, raising his suspicions anew.

As the Cape May Festival approaches, Davey devises a plan to sneak into Mackey's house. With his friends initially hesitant after learning about the community beautification project linked to Mackey’s soil purchases, Davey remains focused on his goal.

Inside Mackey’s basement, Davey, Woody, and Nikki discover the desiccated corpse of a missing boy alongside a freshly abducted victim. This gruesome find confirms their worst fears about Mackey's true identity as the Cape May Slayer.

The boys present the shocking footage of their discovery to the Ipswich Police Department, urging them to act. This prompts an urgent APB on Mackey, intensifying the high-stakes nature of their investigation and the imminent danger they face.

That night, Mackey captures Davey and Woody, imprisoning them in his cruiser and announcing a deadly game of manhunt. As they flee into the wilderness, they face a terrifying chase from Mackey, leading them deeper into danger.

During their escape, Davey distracts Mackey to allow Woody a chance to get away but is met with a tragic turn when Mackey catches Woody and brutally attacks him. This confrontation amplifies the existing horror and desperation surrounding their plight.

Despite being spared, Davey is left in a state of paranoia, haunted by Mackey’s words and the trauma of their encounter. The emotions of fear and uncertainty linger as he struggles to regain a sense of normalcy and safety amid the lingering threat.

Although rescued, Davey retraces his paperboy route, encountering remnants of the horror that unfolded. Each corner brings back haunting reminders, including the police-taped home of Mackey, reinforcing the chilling truth that the Cape May Slayer is still out there.