The Line

Los Angeles shock jock Elvis Cooney leaves his family to start his midnight radio show at KLAT. As he arrives at the studio, he is greeted by his switchboard operator, Mary, and a new intern, Dylan, whom he decides to prank.

During his show, Elvis receives a chilling call from a man named Gary who claims to have taken his wife and daughter hostage. Gary threatens that if Elvis doesn't comply, he will kill his family.

Gary reveals that Elvis was indirectly responsible for the suicide of Lauren, a previous switchboard operator, due to his crude jokes. This revelation deeply shakes Elvis as he faces the consequences of his past behavior.

Under pressure, Gary gets Elvis to admit he has been unfaithful with Mary. He then orders Elvis to jump off the roof, putting both Elvis and the audience on edge as they face imminent danger.

Elvis hears two gunshots that make him believe his family has been killed. This moment heightens the tension in the studio, as everyone grapples with the grim turn of events.

Elvis discovers that Gary has been inside the studio, manipulating him into a chase while he commits more sinister acts. It's revealed that Gary has killed the security guard and rigged the building with explosives.

While searching for Gary and his family, Elvis and Dylan encounter Tony, an old friend of Elvis who is caught stealing. Gary orders Elvis to kill Tony, but Elvis shows mercy, emphasizing his struggle with morality.

Elvis and Dylan reach the control room, only to find Justin, the host from the previous time slot, dead. This shocking discovery adds to their urgency as they realize the danger has escalated.

Gary makes it clear that he has Mary and Steven restrained in the recording studio. Elvis manages to buy them ten more minutes to find Gary's location and save his family.

Elvis apprehends Gary, who reveals he is holding a dead man's switch linked to bomb vests on his family. This tense moment forces Elvis into a desperate position where he must negotiate.

In a tense negotiation, Gary agrees to release Elvis's family in exchange for Dylan. The LAPD officer Bruce is forced to comply under duress, raising the stakes even higher for everyone involved.

After Bruce successfully disarms the bomb vests, Gary unexpectedly shoots him, dropping the dead man's switch without any catastrophic consequences. Everyone is left in shock as they process the sudden betrayal.

In a shocking twist, it is revealed that the situation was a prank orchestrated by the entire radio station, leaving Dylan horrified. Elvis's crew returns, celebrating their elaborate joke as Dylan grapples with the reality of the stunt.

As the crew chases after Dylan, he accidentally falls backward down the stairs, hitting his head hard. The moment leaves everyone awestruck and questioning whether it's part of the prank or a real accident.

The following morning, Elvis emerges from the studio, vowing to leave radio behind. Shortly after, he learns that Dylan's real name is Max and that his apparent 'death' was all part of the elaborate prank to celebrate Elvis's birthday.