Summer’s Blood

That night, in a dim hotel room, Gant rambles about his family and the consequences of losing them. He recalls his wife Sara Jean’s death and insists that people are nothing without their family. The speech establishes the film's fixation on family as motive and trap.

Summer Mathews props her way along the road, hoping to reach a safe town. Cliff stops to pick her up and hints at repayment in kind. She weaponizes the situation, pulling a revolver and signaling danger.

In Massey, Summer stops at a gas station to steal, drawing the sheriff’s attention. Tom Hoxey witnesses the scene, helps redirect the sheriff, and invites Summer into his truck to escape. They drive off toward town, stopping at a bar where Tom subtly convinces her to stay at his house for the night.

Summer arrives at Tom's house and meets Gaia, a vigilant mother with bolts on the windows. Tom explains he misses his mother's cooking and the two decide to sleep together. Gaia listens from outside the door, hinting at the danger behind the walls.

In the morning, Summer tries to leave, but Tom forbids her to go. She pockets money from a kitchen jar, prompting Tom to intervene; Gaia strikes Summer with a blunt object. Tom reveals he has bullets for Summer's revolver, signaling his hold over the situation.

Darwin returns home to a trashed house and discovers his daughter Amber is missing. He grows increasingly worried and starts asking around town about Amber, fearing she’s fallen into trouble. The town’s apathy pushes him further into his search.

Tom reveals Amber is being held in the basement, chained alongside another captive. He also shows Summer the skull of Clarissa and insists he didn’t kill her, claiming she died from a spider bite. Summer realizes Tom is hiding something monstrous beneath the surface.

Gaia pressures Tom to get rid of the women in the basement and balks at Darwin’s inquiries. Tom asserts the garden—the bizarre fixation of his world—must be preserved, and he maintains control over the household. The volatile dynamic underscores the violent family subplot.

Amber, weakened in the basement, begs for her father. Summer helps her attempt to reach the tools, but Amber trips and dies from the impact. Tom returns furious about Amber’s death, while Summer steels herself for what comes next.

Jessie, a witness to Amber's captivity, is kidnapped by Tom to silence her. She frees herself, grabs a knife, and stabs Tom in the leg. Summer pleads with Jessie to stay quiet and safe rather than escalate the danger.

Darwin confronts Tom after learning of Amber; Tom lies about Amber’s whereabouts. Darwin drives to Tom’s house, but Tom shoots him in the head in the car to silence him. Gaia arrives amid the chaos, and Tom’s violence intensifies as Summer remains trapped.

Gant Hoxey returns home and immediately asserts his authority, intending to take Summer. He guts Jessie to force Summer to witness his power, and a tense breakfast follows as the family pretends normalcy. The next morning, Gant shoots Tom and Gaia to clear the way for his new family, but Summer drives him to a park and stabs him to death, ending the nightmare with a grim act of vengeance.