The Civil Dead

Clay, an unemployed photographer in Los Angeles, tries a get-rich-quick scheme by staging a fake open house at his apartment to pay the rent. With Whitney away on a work trip, he promises to get out of the house and actually take some photos. The stunt sets his life on edge as the money crunch worsens.

While photographing a mattress sprayed with '5G killed my dog,' Clay spots a man in the background who ruins the shot, fueling his annoyance. Whit, now unseen by others, appears and is pleased that Clay can see him, insisting on tagging along. The two are old high-school friends who have drifted apart, now reunited in an uncanny way.

Whit reveals that he is dead and cannot move or open doors, and that Clay is the only person who can see or hear him since becoming a ghost. He decides to spend time with Clay while Whitney is away. This marks the start of Whit living in Clay's world as an unseen presence.

Clay takes a Polaroid of Whit, but the photo fails to show Whit at all, making the ghostly reality even more unsettling. The moment confirms that Whit's presence is real but invisible to others. Clay grows distressed by this supernatural sign and its implications.

Clay allows Whit to hang around, and Whit secretly reads the contents of others' poker hands during a private game hosted by Arnold. He relays the cards to Clay, giving them an eerie edge. The unlikely duo uses this eerie advantage to pull in money.

Returning from the game, Clay is attacked in an alley by a man he scammed at the open house. The assailant disappears into dust, hinting at a supernatural power connected to Whit. The event intensifies Clay's fear and reliance on his ghostly companion.

Whit returns to LA as Whitney himself comes back, and Clay asks for a week to figure out how to integrate Whit into his life since Whitney cannot see or hear him. Whit reluctantly agrees to give Clay space and follows Belle, the hostess from Arnold's game, home with her date. The arrangement deepens the sense that Whit is both present and invisible.

In the morning, Clay tells Whitney that he got a job through a friend, and the two drive out of LA with Whit to rent a cabin. They hope to devise a plan for Whit's undetected presence in Clay's life. The trip marks a shift from city hustle to a secluded attempt at stability.

Clay leaves the cabin door open so Whit can come and go as he pleases, signaling a tentative acceptance of Whit's ghostly presence. The uneasy calm settles in as they test living with a visible-but-invisible friend. This arrangement puts them on a fragile footing.

During a power outage, Clay becomes convinced Whit has the ability to shut the lights off and accuses him of killing the alley man and other poltergeist-like powers. Whit remains quiet, neither confirming nor denying the accusation. The tension between them deepens as fear overshadows trust.

In the morning, Clay hides a broken statue of the cabin owner's horse in the attic. Whit reveals the truth: he is not a successful actor but a street performer dressed like Heath Ledger's Joker who was beaten to death by performers dressed as Pennywise and Deadpool. The confession shatters Clay's image of his friend and redefines their bond.

Clay and Whit share an awkward apology, and Clay urges Whit to check out the attic. He closes the attic ladder behind him, leaving Whit unable to escape as Whit screams and pleads. Clay collects his things and drives away, effectively abandoning Whit to his fate.