Dead Water 2019

Tara, a passionate photographer, often finds herself capturing beautiful moments on a scenic lakeside bridge. In a shocking incident, her brother, John, accidentally knocks her camera over the edge and tragically takes his own life shortly after. Fast forward a decade, Tara is stuck in a relationship with her neglectful boyfriend, Derek, and shares her space with her party-loving best friend, Amy. Despite the chaos in her life, Tara continues to pursue her passion for photography and vlogging.

One day, while she’s working as a waitress, Derek abruptly ends their relationship via voicemail, leaving Tara feeling betrayed. In a bid to uplift their spirits, Amy suggests they escape to her parents’ remote lake house, coincidentally on the anniversary of John’s death. Upon arrival, the picturesque home captivates Tara, though she is more worried about the wifi for her vlog than the ambiance. Strange occurrences like self-opening doors and disappearing perfumes hint that the house may hold dark secrets.

As they unwind with wine and spaghetti, Tara shares her painful memories regarding her brother’s death and how it impacted her relationship with her family. They decide to steer clear of discussing men for the weekend, but their resolve is tested when the dashing Lucas appears—a rugged backpacker seeking a charge for his phone. Amy eagerly intends to matchmake Tara with him.

Dinner leads to meaningful conversations where Lucas expresses his own grief, claiming he abandoned his career as a pharmacist to hike the wilderness. As the evening unfolds, Tara becomes uneasy, sensing that someone is watching. Reviewing her vlog footage, she discovers a shadowy figure behind her, but the evidence mysteriously vanishes by morning.

An unexpected turn of events occurs when Tara finds herself at odds with Amy over Lucas, just as Derek makes a surprise return to win Tara back. Tensions escalate when Lucas intervenes, attempting to defend Tara during their confrontation. What culminates in violence shocks the group, resulting in Derek’s brutal death at the hands of Lucas.

In a frenzy, Tara stumbles upon Derek’s lifeless body, triggering her PTSD. Desperate to reach Amy, she finds her friend in a compromising position with Lucas. The confrontation becomes heated as accusations fly, leading to a devastating revelation about past betrayals. With no means of escape, Tara reluctantly stays after Amy’s remorseful apology.

As night falls, Tara investigates Lucas’s belongings and uncovers troubling evidence—her missed belongings and a camera full of creepy photos he took of her. With the truth surrounding Lucas’s obsession surfacing, Tara’s escape turns dire when Lucas reveals his chilling history with her brother.

In an ultimate showdown, Tara confronts Lucas and, after a fierce struggle, pushes him to his demise into the lake while liberating herself and Amy from his clutches. They make a desperate escape, but the nightmare isn’t over until Tara finally makes a harrowing choice. Two months later, as she attempts to move on, the haunting memories linger, leaving Tara forever changed.

This chilling tale encapsulates not just a horror story, but also the complexities of trauma, love, and the dark shadows of the past.