The Crush

Unable to find a suitable apartment in Seattle, journalist Nick Elliot drives to the suburbs. He discovers a guest house owned by Liv and Cliff Forrester and quickly accepts the offer to move in.

On his first day at Pique magazine, Nick is reprimanded for being late and is assigned a trivially unimportant story. He begins to feel the pressure of his new job while dealing with mixed feelings about the Forrester family.

Darian, the Forrester's 14-year-old daughter, visits Nick in the guesthouse, showing interest in his work. Their playful flirting escalates as Darian gives Nick a gift and invites him to her parents' party.

Nick reluctantly attends the Forrester's party, feeling out of place amid high-society guests. He seeks out Darian who reveals she has rewritten a story of his that received accolades from his boss.

Nick decides to take Darian to a coastal lighthouse where they bond and he forgives her for her earlier intrusion. Darian admits her struggles at school due to skipping grades and unexpectedly kisses Nick.

As Nick tries to maintain a platonic relationship with Darian, her crush on him is evident and he becomes increasingly distracted. During a barbecue, Nick's co-worker Amy expresses her concern over Darian's affection for him.

Darian is suspected of vandalizing Nick's car, and during a confrontation, her parents believe her over Nick. This creates tension as Nick feels isolated in the household.

Nick discovers a secret shrine built by Darian in a hidden room of the garage, which unnerves him. He becomes dedicated to rewriting his work in light of the invasive situation with Darian.

In a fit of jealousy over Nick’s budding relationship with Amy, Darian locks her in a darkroom filled with wasps. The incident leads to Amy being hospitalized, which pleases Darian as she feels closer to Nick.

Nick arrives home to find he's been arrested for sexually assaulting Darian. Despite his protests and assertions of innocence, the authorities favor Darian’s claim due to circumstantial evidence.

As Nick navigates the aftermath of his arrest, he learns from Cheyenne that Darian may have poisoned a camp counselor who rejected her. This information highlights Darian's manipulative tendencies.

After posting bail, Nick begins packing to leave but is interrupted by Darian's sudden attack. In a moment of chaos, he discovers horrific details about her obsession through her notes and shrines dedicated to him.

During a final confrontation, Nick fights back as Darian attempts to kill him. However, her parents return home just in time, preventing a tragedy but exposing the extent of Darian's instability.

Eventually, Nick moves to a new apartment with Amy, attempting to escape the chaotic past. However, he receives disturbing letters from Darian, who is now in a mental institution, hinting at a new obsession.