What Is Buck Wild About?
The premise of Buck Wild in 329 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the rolling heat of a remote Texas wilderness, a group of longtime companions sets out for a hunting trip that promises both camaraderie and the thrill of the chase. What begins as a simple escape from everyday routines quickly hints at something far less predictable, as the pristine landscape holds whispers of danger beneath its open skies. The trip’s promise of “a vacation to die for” frames every moment with a mix of anticipation and uneasy anticipation.
The quartet is anchored by Craig, a straight‑laced planner who clings to order even as the world around him loosens. Beside him is Jerry, a mysterious relative from New York whose inscrutable motives add a layer of intrigue to the group’s dynamic. The intellectual Tom brings a nerdy curiosity that often softens the tension, while Lance, the unabashed hedonist, pushes boundaries with a wild streak that both excites and unsettles his friends. Together they embody a spectrum of personalities that clash and complement, setting the stage for a volatile blend of humor, rivalry, and reluctant solidarity.
Beyond the friends themselves, the setting itself feels like a character—a rugged expanse dotted with weathered cabins, winding trails, and the ever‑present hum of unseen wildlife. The atmosphere balances the rustic charm of a classic hunting getaway with an undercurrent of something off‑kilter, hinting that the land may hold more than just game. Mysterious locals, cryptic warnings, and the odd occurrence of unexplained phenomena loom just beyond the firelight, suggesting that the wilderness may not be as tame as the hunters assume.
As the days unfold, the group’s bonds are tested by the unpredictable rhythm of the wild, and the promise of a perfect hunt begins to slip into something more unsettling. The tension between their individual desires and the looming unknown creates a suspenseful, darkly comic tone, leaving the audience to wonder how far the friends will go to survive the trip that was supposed to be nothing more than a weekend of sport.
What Happens in Buck Wild?
The complete story of Buck Wild, from the first scene to the last, in 558 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Craig Thompson is a straitlaced, careful man who sets out on a Texas hunting trip with three companions: Jerry, a mysterious relative from New York; Tom Alexander, a witty, nerdy thinker; and Lance, a hedonist who lives for the moment. Their guide, Clyde, accompanies them to a remote cabin, along with Clyde’s daughter, Candy, who sparks a tense, uneasy energy as she and Lance exchange a charged look in the next room. Clyde warns them not to cross onto the property of Billy Ray, a local gangster, and the group settles in, trying to keep tensions in check.
That night, the dynamics deepen: Lance and Candy share a private moment in the shed, while Clyde’s warning lingers in the air. Craig reveals that he intends to marry his girlfriend, and a growing rift surfaces when Jerry hints that Lance might be having an affair with Craig’s girlfriend. Craig, trying to hold the group together, refuses to believe the accusation, even as unease gnaws at the atmosphere and the trip begins to feel less like a routine hunt and more like a test of loyalties.
During a hunt, Craig is horrified to accidentally shoot Clyde. Clyde survives multiple attempts to finish him off, but Jerry becomes convinced that Clyde is turning into a zombie, insisting they must end his life. Craig remains unconvinced and insists they bring Clyde back to town for help. On the road, they are halted by Officer Shipley, who demands to see the tags on their kill. In the ensuing panic, Jerry knocks Shipley unconscious, only to discover Clyde has vanished from the truck. Tom walks off on his own, and the others retreat to the cabin, where the evening takes another turn: Candy seduces Lance in the shed, and Lance—now aware of Candy’s change—tries to escape but is bitten. Jerry urges shooting Lance in the brain, but Craig again refuses and locks Lance in the bathroom, leaving the group divided and frightened.
Desperation grows when Tom calls for help, and Jerry heads out to rescue him from Billy Ray’s gang, who have been humiliating Tom for sport. Tom and Jerry form a fragile bond as they struggle to escape the gang and the increasingly hostile townspeople who have turned as the infected spread. Meanwhile, Lance’s mood shifts: after ingesting cannabis-laced brownies, he becomes unusually mellow and attempts to help Craig work through his feelings of inferiority. Once the drug wears off, Lance reverts to his primal state, and Craig—now more assertive—decides to end the threat by delivering a fatal headshot. Tom and Jerry return to the cabin, but Jerry forgets to refill the truck’s gas tank, complicating their escape.
A tragic turn follows when Jerry accidentally wounds Tom, who is then dragged away by the zombies and killed. The situation seems hopeless until Shipley appears, only to be overwhelmed and eviscerated by the encroaching horde. Craig and Jerry sprint to Shipley’s cruiser, where a zombie Tom pleads with them not to abandon him. In a tense, awkward moment, Craig apologizes to Tom, and Jerry hotwires the car. They flee, striking a deer on the road, and, in the aftermath, Jerry dryly notes that it was a clean kill. With the last of their courage, they realize they’ve survived enough to call the hunting trip a “success”—even as the danger still lingers beyond the headlights.
Buck Wild Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Arrival at the remote cabin” to “Aftermath and uncertain safety”. 14 events name a place, across 13 locations.
- 1
Arrival at the remote cabin
Craig Thompson arrives with his companions at a remote Texas cabin where Clyde and his daughter Candy accompany them. Clyde warns them not to cross Billy Ray's property, trying to keep tensions in check as they settle in for a hunting trip. The group dynamics are tense from the start as secret loyalties and expectations loom.
When:Evening Where:Remote cabin, Texas
- 2
Tension in the shed
That night, Lance and Candy share a private moment in the shed, hinting at a shift in power and desire. Clyde's warning about Billy Ray lingers, casting a shadow over the group. Craig reveals he plans to marry his girlfriend, fueling jealousy and suspicion among the men.
When:Night Where:Cabin shed
- 3
Clyde is shot during a hunt
During a hunt, Craig accidentally shoots Clyde, terrifying the group. Clyde survives his injuries but remains a target of fear and suspicion, as Jerry insists Clyde may be turning into a zombie. Craig wants to bring Clyde back to town for help, while others debate what to do.
When:Night Where:Hunting grounds
- 4
Road confrontation and Clyde's disappearance
On the road, Officer Shipley stops them to inspect licenses and kill tags, triggering panic. Jerry knocks Shipley unconscious, and to their shock, Clyde vanishes from the truck. Tom veers off on his own while the rest retreat to the cabin, unsettled by the events.
When:Night Where:On the road to town
- 5
Candy seduces Lance; Lance is bitten
Back at the cabin, Candy seduces Lance in the shed, and Lance, now aware of Candy’s change, tries to escape but is bitten. Jerry urges shooting Lance in the brain, but Craig refuses and locks Lance in the bathroom, fracturing the group. The first cracks in loyalty widen into fear and mistrust.
When:Night Where:Cabin shed / bathroom
- 6
Tom seeks help against Billy Ray's gang
Desperation grows when Tom calls for help, and Jerry heads out to rescue him from Billy Ray's gang who have been humiliating Tom for sport. Tom and Jerry form a fragile bond as they struggle to escape the gang and the increasingly hostile townspeople who have turned as the infected spread.
When:Evening Where:Billy Ray's town
- 7
Escape and the infection spreads
Tom and Jerry manage to escape the gang, but the townspeople grow more hostile as the infections spread. The two of them navigate a brutal environment, trying to survive while the threat outside intensifies.
When:Night Where:On the road and through town
- 8
Lance's transformation after cannabis brownies
Lance's mood shifts after ingesting cannabis-laced brownies; he becomes unusually mellow and tries to help Craig work through his insecurities. Once the drug wears off, Lance reverts to his primal state, turning into a dangerous liability for the group. Craig, now more assertive, resolves to end the threat with a fatal headshot.
When:Night Where:Cabin
- 9
Gas trouble upon returning to the cabin
Tom and Jerry return to the cabin after their escape, but Jerry forgets to refill the truck's gas tank, leaving them with a precarious exit. This oversight foreshadows further peril as the infected and the angry townspeople close in. The group's plans grow more desperate as the night deepens.
When:Night Where:Cabin
- 10
Jerry wounds Tom and the horde closes in
Jerry accidentally wounds Tom, who is dragged away by the zombies and killed. The surviving members confront the collapse of their plans as the horde closes in, forcing them to confront their vulnerabilities head-on.
When:Night Where:Near the cabin
Show the other 4 events of Buck Wild Hide the last 4 events
- 11
Shipley is overwhelmed by the horde
Shipley appears to offer help but is overwhelmed by the encroaching horde and eviscerated. The attempt at rescue proves futile as the situation deteriorates, leaving the group more isolated.
When:Night Where:Road near cabin
- 12
Escape to Shipley’s cruiser with Tom pleading
Craig and Jerry sprint to Shipley’s cruiser; Tom, now a zombie, pleads with them not to abandon him. In a tense moment, Craig apologizes, and Jerry hotwires the car to escape. The trio fights through fear to claw a way toward safety.
When:Night Where:Shipley’s cruiser, road
- 13
The deer and the haunted road to a fragile 'success'
They flee down the road, striking a deer with the car, a grim reminder of the new reality they face. Despite the losses, they survive enough to call the hunting trip a 'success' and keep moving forward into an uncertain dawn.
When:Night Where:On the road
- 14
Aftermath and uncertain safety
With danger still looming beyond the headlights, Craig and Jerry reflect on their survival and the cost of loyalty in a world overrun by the infected. The trip ends with hard-won survivors choosing to press on together, aware that danger remains.
When:Night Where:Road / outskirts
Who Are the Main Characters in Buck Wild?
9 characters, among them Craig Thompson (Matthew Albrecht), Jerry (Jarrod Pistilli) and Tom Alexander (Dru Lockwood): who each one is and the part they play in the story. 8 of them link to the actor’s page.
- CT
Craig Thompson (Matthew Albrecht)
Played by Matthew Albrecht
A straitlaced, careful man who tries to hold the group together. His rational demeanor clashes with others as loyalty, jealousy, and fear come to the surface. He is torn between protecting the group and his relationship with his girlfriend, facing a hard choice as the night unfolds.
- 🛡️ Leadership
- 🧠 Rational
- ⚖️ Moral conflict
- J(
Jerry (Jarrod Pistilli)
Played by Jarrod Pistilli
A mysterious relative from New York whose blunt pragmatism pushes the group toward drastic actions. He grows convinced Clyde is turning into a zombie and advocates aggressive measures, testing the group's limits.
- 🗡️ Impulsive
- 🧩 Skeptic
- 🧭 Survivalist
- TA
Tom Alexander (Dru Lockwood)
Played by Dru Lockwood
A witty, nerdy thinker who balances humor with danger. He forms a fragile bond with Jerry as they attempt to escape the gang, but the infected threat and betrayals erode the group’s unity. He is killed by the outbreak during the escape.
- 🎭 Intellectual
- 🌀 Tension
- 🗡️ Protector
- L(
Lance (Isaac Harrison)
Played by Isaac Harrison
A hedonist who lives for the moment, his mood swings and cannabis-laced humor mask a dangerous primal side when the drug wears off. He tests Craig's resolve and the group dynamic, becoming unpredictable under stress.
- 🔥 Impulsive
- 🧪 Drug-influenced
- 🧭 Unpredictable
- C(
Candy (Meg Cionni)
Played by Meg Cionni
Clyde's daughter who sparks tension with the group, flirting with Lance and generating charged energy in the cabin. Her presence amplifies jealousy and distrust among the men.
- 💃 Temptation
- 🫂 Tension
- 👀 Distrust
- C(
Clyde (Joe Stevens)
Played by Joe Stevens
The guide and protector who accompanies the group to the cabin. He warns about Billy Ray's gang and then vanishes, leaving the others to grapple with the escalating dangers.
- 🧭 Guide
- 🌀 Absence
- 🧟 Threat
- BR
Billy Ray (Mark Leslie Ford)
Played by Mark Leslie Ford
A local gangster whose territory and gang pose an external threat. His presence intensifies the danger outside the cabin, complicating the survivors' odds.
- 💼 Gang
- 👊 Threat
- OS
Officer Shipley
A law enforcement figure who interrupts the group’s plans during a tense moment and is overwhelmed by the spreading chaos.
- 👮 Law enforcement
- ⚠️ Crisis
- C(
Carla (Amelia Meyers)
Played by Amelia Meyers
Craig's girlfriend, whom he intends to marry. Her presence underlines the personal stakes driving Craig and adds tension to the group dynamics.
- 💑 Relationship
- 🫂 Stakes
Where and When Is Buck Wild Set?
Buck Wild is set in Texas and remote hunting cabin. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
Texas, remote hunting cabin
The film unfolds on a rugged Texan landscape centered around a remote hunting cabin and the surrounding woods. Isolation amplifies paranoia and tension among the group as they contend with external threats and internal rivalries. The setting blends rustic frontier atmosphere with sudden crisis as danger encroaches from both the local gang and the infected.
- 🗺️ Texas
- 🏕️ Remote hunting cabin
- 🧟 Zombie outbreak
What Are the Themes of Buck Wild?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Survival, Tension & Betrayal and Infection.
-
01
Survival
A hunting trip devolves into a fight for life as external threats collide with escalating internal tensions. Trust is tested, and decisions must be made in the moment to determine who survives the night. The harsh environment forces characters to improvise and confront their own limits.
-
02
Tension & Betrayal
Jealousy and shifting loyalties fracture the group. Rumors of an affair and Candy's flirtations push boundaries, inflaming suspicion. The pressure to defend or abandon each other drives confrontations that edge toward violence.
-
03
Infection
The spread of the infected and the collapse of order redraw the line between hunter and prey. Outbreak conditions force brutal choices and test humanity in the face of imminent danger. The crisis reframes the trip from a routine hunt into a fight for survival.
What Kind of Film Is Buck Wild?
Tense in tone, with variable pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Variable
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bittersweet
This film is a tense and darkly humorous horror-comedy that plunges a group of friends into escalating chaos and moral decay during a hunting trip gone horribly wrong, creating a desperate and claustrophobic atmosphere.
- anxious
- chaotic
- claustrophobic
- darkly humorous
- desperate
- paranoid
- zombie outbreak
- survival horror
- friendship betrayal
- mistaken identity
Content notes: zombie violence, gore, accidental death, betrayal, bodily harm.
Quiz
How well do you remember Buck Wild? Test yourself on the story.
