The Vicious Kind

Peter arrives home from college, entering a fraught environment alongside his older brother Caleb. Their relationship is strained, largely due to previous confrontations and differing attitudes toward familial bonds.

Caleb drives Peter home, bringing up Peter's new girlfriend, Emma Gainsborough, whom he deeply distrusts. The brothers engage in a tense discussion about Emma's past relationships and Caleb's unsettling rumors about her.

At their father Donald's home, family dynamics become increasingly strained as Donald's crude demeanor causes discomfort. Peter and Caleb clash, fueled by underlying resentments and differing family loyalties.

Struggling with chronic insomnia, Caleb's mental health deteriorates while haunted by his memories of his ex-girlfriend, Hannah. The pain of his past actions and their consequences begins to manifest in reckless behavior.

In an impulsive act of vengeance against his ex, Caleb leaves provocative pictures at Hannah's doorstep, blurring the lines between his unresolved feelings and his treatment of Emma. This act intensifies Caleb's emotional turmoil.

Caleb and Emma's paths cross serendipitously at a local bowling alley and a grocery store, leading to awkward interactions. Caleb's hostility begins to rise as he struggles to process his feelings towards both women.

In response to Peter’s naïve admiration for Emma, Caleb lashes out violently, revealing deep-seated anger and anxiety. His unpredictable behavior raises concerns for both Peter and Emma as underlying tensions escalate.

Caleb catches Emma observing him, prompting a heated confrontation where he reveals his skepticism about her past. In a moment of honesty, he shares his trauma caused by Hannah, hoping for understanding from Emma.

Emma learns from Donald about the tragic loss of Peter’s mother during childhood. This revelation adds complexity to their interactions, as it reveals layers of grief that influence the family's dynamics.

Caleb assures Emma of his platonic intentions but struggles with his feelings, culminating in a stolen kiss that leaves Emma unsettled. This incident compounds the complications in their relationships.

Caleb takes on the role of protector, warning Peter to be cautious of Emma's fixation on him. However, Peter's earnest love for Emma contrasts sharply with Caleb's suspicions, leading to familial disconnection.

Caleb seeks advice from a prostitute about love, grappling with the complications of his feelings for Emma and the ideals he constructs versus her reality. This insight reveals his deeper struggles with intimacy.

While attempting to apologize to Emma, Caleb ends up helping her enter her locked house through a window. This close encounter spurns tension despite Emma's directive to halt all communication.

At a bar, Caleb exhibits a shift in his character by defending a woman against harassment. This marks a pivotal moment of growth for him as he begins to confront his past frustrations.

Caleb reveals deep-seated issues with their father Donald, reflecting on family secrets and his feelings of betrayal. This confrontation hints at a possible reconciliation but leaves the family bonds in jeopardy.