The Block Island Sound

The Block Island Sound

Year: 2020

Runtime: 100 mins

Language: English

Directors: Kevin McManus, Matthew McManus

Echo Score: 57
ThrillerHorrorMysteryHorror

A mysterious presence lurking near Block Island begins to affect fisherman Tom Lynch, triggering a series of unsettling and violent outbursts. As his behavior spirals out of control, he inadvertently puts his family in increasing danger, and he must confront the unseen force impacting his life and threatening those he loves.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Block Island Sound 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!

Timeline – The Block Island Sound (2020)

Trace every key event in The Block Island Sound (2020) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Tom wakes on a chaotic fishing vessel off Block Island

Tom wakes to a chaotic scene aboard his fishing vessel off Block Island, finding the boat disheveled and equipment out of place. A wider sense of strangeness grips the island as reports of dead fish begin washing ashore. He scans the horizon, unsure of what happened as the world around him feels off-kilter.

early morning Block Island coast
2

Harry notices his father's odd behavior

Harry, Tom's son, starts noticing odd behavior in his father—nighttime trips on his boat and moments when Tom becomes unresponsive during conversation. The family grows concerned as the man they know seems to slip away. The tension on Block Island intensifies as days pass.

night Block Island
3

Audry arrives to investigate wildlife with Emily

Audry, Tom's other daughter, is sent from the Rhode Island mainland to investigate the wildlife disturbances with her colleague Paul. She brings her daughter Emily along, hoping to gather data and keep the family together. The investigation officially begins as they arrive on the island.

day Block Island
4

Audry and Paul begin documenting the anomalies

Audry and Paul start documenting the unusual wildlife events while Harry tries to connect with Emily by teaching her to fish and catch frogs. The household dynamics become tangled as Tom's absence lingers and the strange phenomena escalate. They record odd animal behavior and episodes that hint at a larger pattern.

day Block Island
5

Tom vanishes at night; his body washes ashore

That night, Tom sneaks out on his boat and vanishes, leaving his family fearing the worst. Later, the police confirm his disappearance when his body washes ashore, sealing the belief that he drowned. The island reacts with grief mixed with a chilling sense that something unseen is at play.

night Block Island
6

Jen returns for the funeral; Harry's psyche falters

Jen, Tom's estranged sister, returns from New York for the funeral, forcing Harry to confront his trauma. Harry's mental state deteriorates further as the weight of his father's death and the strange happenings bear down on him. A confrontation with an older man during the funeral scene underscores his unraveling.

funeral day Block Island
7

Harry investigates underwater; wakes on the boat

Driven by a need to understand what happened, Harry borrows scuba gear and dives at the drowned-site, only to black out underwater. He wakes on the fishing vessel with its electronics scrambled and a strange sound filling the cabin. The boundary between reality and signal-noise blurs as something unseen seems to pull at the boat.

night Water near Block Island
8

A deer crash and growing paranoia

While driving after dropping Jen at the ferry, Harry experiences a vision of his father that distracts him and leads to a deer collision. The accident deepens his paranoia and he drifts toward conspiracies and forces guiding him. The line between science and superstition begins to blur in his mind.

night Rural road near Block Island
9

Therapy and the wind farm theory

Audry takes Harry to a psychologist who speculates that he might suffer electromagnetic hypersensitivity caused by the Block Island Wind Farm. The doctor advises contacting a former patient who had a similar experience to learn what to do. The family remains unsettled as the doctor warns that danger could escalate if Harry isn't kept away from the island.

after deer incident Psychologist's office
10

A warning from a former patient

The former patient explains paranoia is driven by some otherworldly force that watches and influences people. He warns that someone could get hurt if Audry doesn't remove Harry from Block Island. The sense of impending doom weighs on the family as they try to protect Emily and themselves.

soon after Block Island
11

Audry returns from the ferry run and Harry's drive

On the way back from the meeting, Audry drives to catch the last ferry, while Harry resists another vision and heads out for a nighttime drive. He nearly collides with a jogger and then attempts to attack her, interrupting any sense of safety. The house and island feel increasingly haunted as danger closes in.

night Block Island roads
12

Emily abducted; the ascent begins

Harry abducts Emily onto the fishing boat, as Audry fights to reach the vessel and reclaim her daughter. Paul is knocked unconscious during the chaos, and Audry and Emily barricade themselves in the cabin while the boat fills with a wailing, rattling sound. A supernatural ascent begins, lifting every object and person—including Harry—toward the sky.

night Fishing boat off Block Island
13

Audry and the boat rise; dawn reveals the aftermath

Audry is carried up with the rising cabin as dawn approaches, and Emily watches in horror as the vessel becomes a silent, empty hull. The next morning, authorities find Emily alone in the boat's cabin, while Audry has been dropped into the ocean alive and treading water. A final voiceover recalls a biologist's justification for taking certain fish from their habitat to study them.

morning Fishing boat / open sea

Last Updated: October 14, 2025 at 04:07

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of The Block Island Sound

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

The Block Island Sound Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Block Island Sound, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Block Island Sound Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Block Island Sound

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Block Island Sound

The Block Island Sound Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Block Island Sound that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Block Island Sound Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Block Island Sound

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Block Island Sound: 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 The Block Island Sound