The 24th Day 2004

Tom, played by Scott Speedman, and Dan, portrayed by James Marsden, cross paths in a bar and subsequently head back to Tom’s apartment. Earlier, Dan had sent his friend Isabella, played by Sofía Vergara, home before joining Tom. As the night unfolds, Dan is quite forward, almost pressuring Tom into an intimate encounter. Tom, who considers himself inexperienced and has never had a partner before, finds himself hesitant, especially since Dan boasts about his numerous sexual experiences.

During their time together, Dan suddenly recalls having been in Tom’s apartment years ago, connecting it to a broken ceramic frog from a prior visit. It turns out that five years earlier, they shared a one-night stand, which Tom has vividly remembered as his only homosexual experience. The revelation leaves Tom troubled, as he grapples with how Dan can be so carefree when he seems to have forgotten their past. As the tension escalates, Dan feels overwhelmed and attempts to leave, but suddenly, Tom takes control, holding him hostage.

As time passes, the fallout from their encounter is devastating. Tom’s wife receives an HIV-positive diagnosis, which leads her to drive through a red light and die in an accident. Soon after, Tom learns that he too is HIV-positive, a revelation that leaves him devastated and angry. Plagued by guilt for believing he transmitted the virus to his wife, Tom blames Dan for their present misfortunes and formulates a plan for revenge.

He captures Dan, binding him to a chair, and intends to conduct a blood test to determine Dan’s HIV status. The stakes are high: if Dan tests positive, Tom plans to kill him; if negative, he will be set free. As they await the test results, tension mounts between them. Dan claims to have been tested just two months prior and insists he always practices safe sex, but Tom is unconvinced, accusing Dan of lying about his past encounters.

In a desperate attempt to escape, Dan tries to overpower Tom, but the struggle only leads to his re-capture. The two men engage in a series of intense discussions about their lives, their college experiences, and the nature of their past encounters. Dan tries to insist that Tom’s wife might have contracted HIV from someone else, but Tom remains fixated on his narrative that Dan is responsible for the tragedy.

As Dan continues to plead for his life, he reveals personal insights, mentioning his college journey and his recent experiences. Despite the discussions creating a semblance of understanding, Tom’s resolve does not waver. Ultimately, after an agonizing period, Tom decides to release Dan. Just as freedom seems within grasp, Tom reveals that Dan’s test result is indeed positive.

In a moment of existential clarity, Tom realizes that the outcome of the test is a reflection of choices made by both men, leading to a poignant revelation about responsibility and consequences. The story crescendos as Dan stands in shock at Tom’s doorway, coping with the devastating truth of his situation.