The Imaginary

Children's book author Jessica is happily married to musician Max, who has two daughters from a previous marriage. The family dynamic is complex, with Jessica struggling to connect with rebellious teenager Taylor while forming a close bond with younger Alice.

While exploring the basement of Jessica's childhood home, Alice finds an old teddy bear named Chauncey. Instantly attached to the bear, Alice's newfound friendship begins to shift the family dynamics further.

Jessica frequently battles with frightening nightmares involving her mentally unstable father, Ben, and Simon the spider, a character from her stories. These nightmares hint at deeper issues and anxieties that affect her present life.

The family's fragile peace is disrupted when Samantha, the emotionally troubled biological mother of Alice and Taylor, sneaks into their home and attacks Jessica. This incident brings to light the unresolved tensions surrounding Taylor and Alice's past.

With Max leaving for a music tour, Alice becomes increasingly fixated on a scavenger hunt she believes is given to her by Chauncey. Jessica grows concerned as she notices Chauncey's influence deepening in Alice's life.

During a chaotic incident at home, Chauncey briefly morphs into a menacing bear when a boy named Liam accidentally breaks a bottle. This unsettling transformation alarms Jessica, raising her suspicions about the teddy bear's true nature.

Desperate to understand Alice's troubling behavior, Jessica contacts child psychologist Dr. Soto. During a session, Dr. Soto observes Alice speaking with Chauncey, unveiling a disturbing dialogue that suggests Chauncey's threatening nature.

After a series of unsettling events, Alice suddenly vanishes from home, causing panic. Taylor, distressed and blaming Jessica for her sister's disappearance, begins her search for the truth behind Chauncey's influence.

In pursuit of answers, Taylor meets with Gloria, who reveals that Chauncey was Jessica's childhood imaginary friend. Gloria warns that these figures can become dangerous when neglected, shedding light on the family's current struggles.

As Jessica discovers drawings of Chauncey and the phrase 'Never Ever,' she, Taylor, and Gloria embark on a scavenger hunt that uncovers a glowing doorway to the Never Ever realm. This revelation forces them to confront Jessica's buried childhood memories.

In the mysterious Never Ever realm, Gloria confronts Chauncey but meets a horrifying end at his hands. Jessica and Taylor, driven by love and fear, race to find Alice while evading Chauncey's relentless pursuit.

In a climactic moment of bravery, Jessica confronts Chauncey, managing to stab him in the eye. However, the fight is not over, as Chauncey seeks vengeance by using Alice as bait in a desperate struggle.

After a harrowing battle, Alice bravely ignites Chauncey in flames, sealing him behind a door. The family narrowly escapes the burning house and finds temporary sanctuary in a hotel, believing they have finally triumphed.

Their sense of safety is quickly shattered when they encounter a child playing with a teddy bear curiously resembling Chauncey. This unsettling discovery compels the family to flee to another hotel, haunted by the past.

Despite escaping, the family remains tense and concerned that their past is far from over. They seek further refuge, fully aware that the presence of Chauncey, or something similar, looms over them, threatening their new beginning.