The Family Fang

The story opens with Baxter, a member of the Fang family, making headlines by audaciously snatching lollipops from a bank teller. This act compels his brother Caleb to step up and take control of the situation, temporarily assuming the role of a security guard to maintain order.

In an unexpected turn, Camille fakes a serious injury to draw attention from her family. This ruse prompts Annie to mourn her supposed passing, leading to a heartfelt but extravagant eulogy delivered by Caleb, highlighting the family's unique dynamics and their penchant for performance.

Years later, an adult Annie finds herself on a film set where she is pressured to expose her skin for a director's artistic vision. Despite her initial hesitation, she succumbs to the demands, but is later humiliated when an intrusive crew member exploits her vulnerability, leading to a scandalous tabloid photograph.

Amidst personal turmoil, Baxter shifts gears in his career after publishing two novels to pursue a quirky obsession with potato gunsmithing. His passion escalates when he invites his subjects for a misguided shoot involving a game of William Tell, resulting in a mishap that lands him in the hospital.

The Fang family gathers again, yet the atmosphere is fraught with disillusionment. Caleb strives to engage his siblings in a new performance project, but Annie's refusal to participate leads to rising tensions. Meanwhile, Baxter's absurd attempt to film chaos in a food court only complicates matters further.

During a lull in their creative endeavors, Annie turns to old recordings of their past performance art. A documentary showcasing their parents' avant-garde projects reveals Caleb's cringe-inducing acts, including a failed crossbow demonstration, prompting memories of their busking experience in Central Park.

Annie discovers a hidden compartment in her childhood wardrobe, revealing postcards adorned with her mother's paintings. Camille's frantic attempts to conceal the artwork indicate the complex dynamics at play, particularly concerning Caleb's disapproval of artistic expressions within the family.

Following the fallout from a failed prank involving chicken sandwiches, Caleb and Camille retreat to the serene Berkshires. Their abrupt disappearance raises alarms when their car is found with a mysterious crimson smudge, inciting a police investigation and heightening tensions among the siblings.

Annie reflects on her tumultuous high school experience during a senior production of Romeo and Juliet. The absence of her Romeo leads to an embarrassing mishap with Baxter, who hesitates during a pivotal moment, causing chaos and resulting in their drama teacher's expulsion.

As Annie and Baxter confront their parents' true nature, the fact that Caleb long viewed fatherhood through the lens of art becomes starkly apparent. This revelation disturbs their understanding of family dynamics and ignites a series of unsettling questions.

Amidst a yard sale at their parents' home, Annie and Baxter stumble upon a CD by Vengeful Virgins featuring a song that resonates deeply within the Fang family. This discovery prompts an investigation into the teenage twins behind the haunting music, leading to unsettling findings about Caleb's past.

Just as tensions peak, Miss Delano reenters the scene, unveiling a shocking connection as the twins' mother. The layers of the family's intricate web of deception slowly unravel, revealing a clandestine double life maintained by Camille and an elaborate scheme involving Caleb.

With the truth behind their parents' charade exposed, Annie and Baxter must now confront the reality that they have been unwitting pawns in an elaborate scheme. As they grapple with their feelings of resentment and confusion, they reluctantly choose to uphold the family's secrets.

In the aftermath of uncovering their family's intricate deceptions, Annie and Baxter begin a journey toward healing. They start to find their footing, embracing their own identities while gradually letting go of their ties to their parents' legacies.