What Is Anything About?
The premise of Anything in 276 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the sprawling, sun‑drenched streets of Los Angeles, a recent loss hangs over a quiet household like a lingering fog. Earl, a widower still navigating the ache of his wife’s absence, arrives in the city hoping to find solace among his adult children. The move places him in a world that is simultaneously familiar—family gatherings, neighborhood routines—and unsettlingly new, where the rhythm of the city pulses with restless energy that both comforts and unsettles him.
A short distance from his new home lives Frida, a spirited and unconventional transgender neighbor whose presence radiates a vibrant, unapologetic confidence. Frida’s home is a kaleidoscope of colors, music, and art, offering a stark contrast to Earl’s muted, careful demeanor. Her laughter echoes through the hallway, and her openness about her identity and experiences paints the neighborhood with a fresh perspective that Earl has never encountered.
Their paths cross in the most ordinary of moments—a shared hallway, a borrowed cup of coffee, a late‑night conversation on a balcony overlooking the glowing skyline. The juxtaposition of Earl’s measured grief and Frida’s lively resilience creates a quiet tension that gradually shifts into curiosity. As they begin to navigate the subtle differences in their lives, a tentative trust forms, hinting at the possibility of something deeper than friendship.
The film sways between the bittersweet melancholy of loss and the bright, hopeful hues of new connections, wrapping the story in a tone that feels both intimate and expansive. Los Angeles itself becomes a character—a tapestry of diverse lives, sun‑soaked streets, and hidden corners where unexpected bonds can blossom, offering both protagonists a chance to rediscover purpose, compassion, and perhaps a shared glimpse of love.
What Happens in Anything?
The complete story of Anything, from the first scene to the last, in 465 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
Audrey Walsh and her husband Henry, a doctor, commit a heinous act by abducting Henry’s pregnant patient, Shannon Becker, holding her against her will in their home. Driven by a dark obsession, the Satan-worshipping couple seeks to use an ancient grimoire to instill the spirit of their deceased grandson, Jackson, into Shannon’s unborn child. However, their ritual goes awry, resulting in the manifestation of a demonic beast instead.
As the couple delves deeper into the darkness, they and Shannon begin to experience chilling haunting apparitions throughout their once peaceful home. Among these ghostly encounters, Henry is confronted by an apparition who gruesomely flosses her teeth until they fall out, while Audrey is haunted by a trick-or-treater in a ghost costume—a haunting reminder of her daughter, who tragically took her own life after Jackson’s death. Meanwhile, Shannon is tormented by the vision of a contorted figure desperately suffocating under a bag, amplifying the terror.
In the midst of this chaos, the persistent handyman, Rory, arrives to clear the driveway. Possessed by the evil they summoned, Rory unexpectedly takes his own life by driving into the plow, escalating the horror within the house.
As tensions rise, their plans unravel further when Detective Bellows launches an investigation into Shannon’s mysterious disappearance. Upon arriving at the house, Bellows discovers Shannon’s confinement but is unable to defuse the situation peacefully; she shockingly turns the gun on herself, joining the ranks of tormented souls that continue to haunt the Walsh residence.
Troubled by their misdeeds, Audrey and Henry seek counsel from fellow cultist Ian. Upon reviewing the grimoire that sparked this nightmare, Ian reveals they inadvertently summoned Surgat, a demon that unlocks the gates to purgatorial souls clamoring for a human body. Ian warns them of the dire consequences that lie ahead, claiming he could correct their ritual, but it would demand a sacrifice in exchange for Jackson’s return.
The next day, Ian arrives to finalize the spell, but chaos ensues when cult leader Yolanda warns Henry that Ian has killed his mother. With unease, Henry confronts his wife, alerting her to the shift in Ian’s demeanor.
The situation spirals out of control as Shannon breaks free, provoking a cacophony of apparitions to manifest. In the ensuing chaos, Ian stabs Audrey, beckoning Surgat to claim a host for himself, and a sinister ghost drags Ian away as another entity claims Henry’s life.
In her frantic escape, Shannon faces a barrage of ghostly figures. Just as the sinister visions dissipate, she takes a moment to breathe, realizing that her water has broken—a sign of impending delivery amid a nightmare.
The horror and desperation in this gripping tale showcase the lengths to which people will go for love, but also the terrifying downfall that follows when dark rituals awakened forces beyond their comprehension.
Anything Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
11 key events in the order they happen, from “Shannon's Abduction” to “The Consequences of Their Actions”. 11 events name a place, across 2 locations.
- 1
Shannon's Abduction
Audrey and Henry Walsh commit a horrifying act by abducting Henry's pregnant patient, Shannon Becker. They confine her in their home, driven by a dark obsession to perform a ritual involving the spirit of their deceased grandson, Jackson.
Where:Walsh Residence
- 2
The Dark Ritual
The couple attempts to use an ancient grimoire to invoke Jackson's spirit into Shannon's unborn child. However, their ritual goes awry, leading instead to the emergence of a demonic beast, forever altering the fate of everyone involved.
Where:Walsh Residence
- 3
Haunting Apparitions Begin
As the couple delves deeper into their sinister plans, they begin experiencing chilling hauntings within their home. Audrey sees a trick-or-treater in ghostly attire, a painful reminder of their deceased daughter, while Henry encounters a grotesque apparition.
Where:Walsh Residence
- 4
Rory's Tragic Fate
The handyman, Rory, arrives to clear the driveway, unknowingly possessed by the evil they have summoned. In a tragic turn of events, Rory takes his own life by driving into a plow, adding a layer of horror to the unfolding chaos.
Where:Outside Walsh Residence
- 5
Detective Bellows Investigates
Detective Bellows begins an investigation into Shannon's mysterious disappearance, which leads her to the Walsh home. Upon discovering Shannon's imprisonment, she is confronted with a shocking turn of events when Shannon turns the gun on herself in despair.
Where:Walsh Residence
- 6
Counsel from Ian
Disturbed by their actions, Audrey and Henry reach out to fellow cultist Ian for guidance. Ian reveals they have unwittingly summoned a demon named Surgat, complicating their already dire situation with promises of a corrective ritual that demands a sacrifice.
Where:Walsh Residence
- 7
Ian's Grim Revelation
On the next day, Ian arrives to finalize the spell, but his demeanor shifts drastically. cult leader Yolanda warns Henry that Ian has murdered his mother, adding to the tension and distrust between the group.
Where:Walsh Residence
- 8
Shannon's Escape
As chaos reigns, Shannon manages to break free from her confinement, inciting a manifest of horrid apparitions. The desperation of the situation escalates as Julie is determined to flee amidst the upheaval.
Where:Walsh Residence
- 9
Betrayal and Violence
In a shocking turn of events, Ian stabs Audrey in the midst of the chaos, offering her as a vessel for Surgat. As the horrific spirit drags Ian away, Henry's life is claimed by another dark entity, symbolizing the complete unraveling of their dark scheme.
Where:Walsh Residence
- 10
Shannon's Labor
In the midst of the horrors surrounding her, Shannon takes a breath and realizes that her water has broken, signaling the impending arrival of her child. This realization occurs as the monstrosities begin to fade momentarily, highlighting her struggle for survival.
Where:Walsh Residence
- 11
The Consequences of Their Actions
The events serve as a stark reminder of the lengths people go to out of love. However, the horrific downfall they face demonstrates the terrifying consequences that arise when dark rituals awaken forces beyond their control.
Where:Walsh Residence
Who Are the Main Characters in Anything?
4 characters, among them Audrey Walsh, Henry Walsh and Shannon Becker: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Audrey Walsh
Played by Matt Bomer
A deeply troubled character, Audrey becomes consumed by her obsession with resurrecting her lost grandson, leading her down a dark path. Her guilt over her daughter's death drives her actions, resulting in a chilling blend of maternal instinct and madness. Over time, her fragility and desperation become apparent as she battles haunting visions and external consequences.
- 👩⚕️ Obstinate
- 🖤 Grief
-
Henry Walsh
Played by Matt Bomer
Henry, a physician, turns from a caring husband to a sinister figure, driven by his obsession over loss and the flawed pursuit of control through dark means. His willingness to engage in sinister rites showcases a significant moral decline, revealing underlying themes of desperation and moral corruption. His character arc culminates in utter chaos as he faces the consequences of his choices.
- 🩺 Doctor
- 💔 Obsession
-
Shannon Becker
Played by Matt Bomer
As the kidnapped pregnant patient, Shannon embodies the consequences of others' misguided choices. Her character experiences profound fear and trauma, struggling to escape the oppressive environment the Walshes create. Her plight symbolizes innocence lost and the devastation wrought by the couple's actions, especially as she battles both mental and physical horrors.
- 👶 Pregnant
- 😨 Victim
-
Ian
Played by Matt Bomer
A fellow cultist who becomes integral to the dark rituals that spiral out of control. Ian's knowledge of the grimoire presents a glimmer of hope for Audrey and Henry but ultimately leads to greater chaos. His character serves as a catalyst for the horror that unfolds, illustrating the dangers of dabbling in the occult and the irreversible consequences of his actions.
- 🔮 Cultist
- ⚠️ Catalyst
Where and When Is Anything Set?
Anything is set in Walsh residence. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The film's events occur in a contemporary setting, reflecting the societal dynamics and psychological stresses of modern life. As the characters grapple with their dark desires, the timeline reflects a descent into madness, showcasing how quickly a seemingly normal existence can spiral into chaos.
Where
Walsh residence
The story unfolds in the Walsh residence, which transforms from a peaceful home to a site of horror and despair. Known for its once warm atmosphere, the house becomes a prison for Shannon Becker and a stage for sinister apparitions. Its walls echo with the haunting cries of tormented souls, making it a chilling backdrop for the dark events that transpire.
- 🏡 Home
- 👻 Haunted House
What Are the Themes of Anything?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Love, Dark Rituals and Despair.
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01
Love
The story explores the destructive nature of love when it becomes obsessive. Audrey and Henry's misguided love leads them to commit heinous acts, underlining how love can warp moral boundaries. This theme questions the lengths one might go to in the name of love and the consequences that follow.
-
02
Dark Rituals
The movie delves into the realm of dark rituals and occult practices, revealing the dangers of meddling with forces beyond understanding. The couple's attempt to resurrect their lost grandson through nefarious means highlights the ramifications of their actions. It serves as a cautionary tale about invoking the supernatural without understanding the consequences.
-
03
Despair
Despair permeates the narrative as characters navigate their grief and guilt. Audrey's haunting memories of her daughter and Shannon's terrifying visions reflect the emotional turmoil they endure. This theme emphasizes how unaddressed loss can manifest in haunting ways, transforming their lives into a nightmare.
What Kind of Film Is Anything?
Dark in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Ambiguous
A relentless and oppressive supernatural horror film that generates intense dread through a series of violent rituals, demonic manifestations, and the psychologically disturbing consequences of a couple's desperate grief.
- oppressive
- chaotic
- claustrophobic
- horrifying
- demonic
- bleak
- dark rituals
- grief and loss
- supernatural horror
- demonic possession
Content notes: suicide, kidnapping, demonic possession, occult rituals, self-harm, murder.
Quiz
How well do you remember Anything? Test yourself on the story.
