The Rental

The Rental

Year: 2020

Runtime: 89 min

Language: English

ThrillerHorror

Two couples seeking a peaceful getaway choose a seemingly perfect coastal rental property. However, their relaxing weekend takes a dark turn when they discover evidence suggesting the house is bugged, and they are being watched. As paranoia escalates, they struggle to discern reality from surveillance, leading to a tense and unsettling confrontation with the property’s mysterious host and a descent into fear and suspicion.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Rental yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

The Rental (2020) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The Rental (2020), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Charlie, portrayed by Dan Stevens, and his wife Michelle, played by Alison Brie, along with Charlie’s brother Josh, interpreted by Jeremy Allen White, and Josh’s girlfriend Mina, brought to life by Sheila Vand, decide to enjoy a weekend getaway in a stunning ocean-view house. However, things take a turn when Mina’s rental application is inexplicably denied. Seizing the opportunity, Charlie submits his own request, which is promptly accepted.

Upon their arrival at the secluded property, the group encounters the owner, Taylor, played by Toby Huss. Tension rises when Mina confronts him about the rejection, suspecting racial bias. Although Taylor dismisses her claims, he returns later to provide a telescope, which creates unease for Mina. While the group settles in, it becomes apparent that a sinister presence is surveilling them.

After a night of drinking, Mina and Charlie engage in a sexual encounter in the shower. The following morning, they agree that their intimacy cannot continue, particularly as Josh inadvertently sows seeds of doubt in Michelle’s mind about Charlie’s fidelity, sharing stories of past infidelity. A shocking turn occurs when Mina discovers a hidden camera in the shower-head, which sends her into a panic. Just as she attempts to alert the authorities, Charlie intervenes, fearing that police involvement could reveal their compromising encounter.

Meanwhile, Michelle, under the influence of drugs, reaches out to Taylor to address issues with the hot tub. In the meantime, Mina confronts Taylor about the camera, but he feigns ignorance and decides to call the police. In a chaotic twist, Josh misinterprets the situation and attacks Taylor, resulting in his unconscious state. When the group learns of Taylor’s lifeless body, they wrongly conclude that Josh has inadvertently killed him.

In a state of panic, Michelle insists on calling the police, but Charlie proposes a cover-up: they could make it appear as though Taylor fell into the ocean. As tensions rise and decisions become increasingly desperate, a masked villain, played by Anthony Molinari, enters the scene and brutally smothers Taylor, escalating the horror.

As the group grapples with the unfolding nightmare, Michelle becomes the target of the masked killer, who chillingly broadcasts the earlier footage of Mina and Charlie’s encounter on television. In her turmoil, Michelle crashes her car, while Mina and Josh frantically search for the camera’s receiver to destroy any incriminating evidence.

Tragedy strikes as Charlie discovers Michelle’s lifeless body, only to be subsequently killed by the masked menace. Mina and Josh desperately break into a locked room beneath the house, but their search leads only to discarded boxes of old junk. The horror continues when Josh confronts Mina about the leaked footage, further straining their fractured relationships. As the masked figure hunts them down, only Mina manages to evade capture, but a disorienting fall off the cliff seals her fate.

With the group systematically eliminated, the relentless killer returns to the property, methodically erasing all traces of his heinous acts. He then prepares to ensnare unsuspecting new tenants, establishing a cycle of fear as he continues his sinister spree of murder undetected.

Last Updated: November 02, 2024 at 13:14

Ending Explained – What Happens at the End of The Rental?

Still wondering what the ending of The Rental (2020) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.

The ending of The Rental reveals that the masked killer—a cold and calculating man who wears an old man mask—is never truly caught or identified. Throughout the film, suspicion points towards different characters, including the rental owner Taylor and his brother, but ultimately, the killer’s identity remains a mystery. The killer’s face is never revealed, as he removes his mask only in the final moments, leaving his identity forever hidden. This anonymity underscores that the killer has a sophisticated operation, one that he continues doing repeatedly, as shown in the film’s epilogue. After escaping the chaos he creates, he swiftly wipes away any evidence—removing his cameras and listening devices—and prepares for his next victim, which he soon captures at a new rental. The film ends with this new family unknowingly entering the same trap, suggesting that the killer remains at large and ready to repeat his deadly game. This chilling conclusion reinforces the film’s theme of distrust and the unsettling idea that evil can hide in plain sight, often slipping through the cracks of our perception. It leaves viewers with a disturbing sense that such threats are ongoing and unstoppable, emphasizing a bleak, nihilistic outlook on human honesty and safety. The fact that the killer continues his rampage ensures that his cycle of violence persists beyond the story, making the ending both unsettling and eerily realistic.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44

Unlock the Full Story of The Rental

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Rental in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Rental is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Rental Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Rental with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Rental Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Rental

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Rental. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Rental

The Rental Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of The Rental? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

The Rental Ending Explained

More About The Rental

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Rental: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Rental

Similar Movies to The Rental

Discover movies like The Rental that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.