What Is Hoax About?
The premise of Hoax in 310 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the remote, mist‑shrouded wilderness of the Pacific Northwest, a tragic incident dubbed the “Mountaineering Massacre” has sparked both fear and speculation. Official reports point to a routine bear attack, but whispers among locals and media circles suggest something far more enigmatic may be lurking among the towering pines. The film opens with a palpable sense of unease, the forest itself becoming a character whose silence is broken only by distant, unsettling sounds that hint at an unseen presence.
Enter Rick Paxton, a driven television producer whose career teeters on the edge of obscurity. Determined to turn the tragedy into a breakthrough series, he sees an opportunity to investigate the legend of the elusive creature that prowls the myths of the region. To give his venture credibility, he assembles a diverse crew, including the calm and knowledgeable primate specialist Dr. Ellen, a seasoned helicopter pilot, a social‑media vlogger, and a handful of other experts and supporters, each bringing their own expertise and motivations to the expedition.
The tone of the story blends gritty survival realism with the palpable tension of a creature‑feature mystery. As the team ventures deeper into the forest, the line between documentary and hunt blurs, and the wilderness begins to test their resolve, equipment, and sanity. The atmosphere is thick with static‑filled radio chatter, the crunch of underbrush beneath boots, and the ever‑present threat that something far larger and more intelligent may be watching. Interpersonal dynamics crack under pressure, as ambitions clash with the raw need to stay alive.
All the while, the lingering question—whether the folklore of Bigfoot holds any truth—casts a shadow over every decision. The expedition becomes a desperate quest not just for proof, but for survival, as the unknown force in the woods forces each participant to confront their own limits and the primal fear that something truly monstrous may be stalking them.
What Happens in Hoax?
The complete story of Hoax, from the first scene to the last, in 676 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Six college students venture into the wilderness for a camping trip, but an unknown creature strikes, killing five and leaving one, Alex Barnes, missing. The incident becomes known as the Mountaineering Massacre, a chilling event that gnaws at the memory of those involved and the investigators who study it.
Years later, a struggling film producer, Rick Paxton, walks back into the orbit of his former boss, Roger Brannen, and pitches a provocative idea: spin the Massacre as a Bigfoot attack rather than the bear explanation the police suspect. Brannen agrees, but only if Paxton can bring back hard proof.
Paxton assembles a team to re-enter the woods in search of evidence: his assistant Danny, his cameraman Justin Johnson, the social media vlogger Brigette, primate expert Dr. Ellen Freese, helicopter pilot Jonesy and his bulldog Ike, Sasquatch expert Peter, security John Singer, and Cooper Barnes, the missing Alex’s father. They set up a trail camera with bait per Peter’s instructions and even add pheromones to lure animals toward the device.
Initial attempts falter when Peter goes to check the camera and is killed by an unseen predator. While scanning the surroundings for Peter, the group discovers a cave with intestines hanging from the ceiling and spots a shaggy silhouette on the camera, but no clear progress is made. Growing frustrated— and with Brigette voicing concerns— Paxton secretly applies pheromones to Brigette’s coat, drawing a brutal attack from the creature that leaves her with a broken ankle. Ellen and Singer want to evacuate her to a hospital, but Paxton initially resists, fearing that a rescue won’t attract the predator.
Tragedy compounds the mission as Jonesy and Ike are targeted and killed near the helicopter— Ike is torn open, and Jonesy’s head is smashed. Back at camp, the creature trashes Paxton’s equipment and leaves a bloody paw print on Brigette, intensifying the tension. Paxton, Ellen, and Cooper later uncover a large footprint that seems to prove the creature’s presence. When Brigette begins to panic again, Paxton agrees to fly her to the hospital, now needing the SAT Phone from the helicopter. Danny drives toward the landing site on an ATV, only to find the SAT Phone destroyed and Jonesy’s body nearby. On his return to camp, he spots the creature and crashes, sustaining a concussion.
Danny comes back injured and is tended to by Ellen, while Singer steps in to lead. The group resolves to endure the night, planning to leave at first light if they survive. That night, Cooper, Singer, and Justin chase the creature into the woods, where Singer is ambushed and killed. Cooper and Justin sprint back to camp to relay the fatal turn of events, even as the creature ransacks the camp and claims Danny’s life. Panicked, Paxton fires his weapon at Brigette out of fear and accidentally shoots Cooper when he tries to intervene, then flees deeper into the woods.
Ellen and Justin attempt to aid the wounded Cooper away from the camp and stumble upon a cabin with cars already parked outside. An older woman named Charlotte opens the door and, after letting them in, knocks Ellen unconscious. When Ellen awakens, she and Cooper find themselves tied to chairs while Charlotte and her two sons— Luc and Gage— observe. It’s revealed that the brothers have been posing as monstrous figures to deflect scrutiny while they hunt humans for sport, and Gage boasts a macabre ritual as Cooper recognizes a long-dead figure as his missing daughter Alex. Ellen frees herself, douses Charlotte with scalding water, and uses a frying pan to bludgeon Gage to death. She then attempts to escape in one of the family cars, which bear the marks of their victims. While driving away, she accidentally runs over Luc, but the car’s 911 system activates a call; the dispatcher promises help, only for Charlotte to ambush Ellen again through the car window.
Meanwhile, Paxton, with dwindling ammo, comes face-to-face with the real Bigfoot in the forest as the climactic confrontation unfolds, leaving his fate open to the encounter with the legendary creature.
Hoax Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Rick Paxton pitches a Bigfoot-based show” to “The real Bigfoot confronts Paxton”. 15 events name a place, across 13 locations.
- 1
Rick Paxton pitches a Bigfoot-based show
In the wake of the Mountaineering Massacre, struggling film producer Rick Paxton approaches his former boss Roger Brannan and pitches turning the case into a TV hit. Brannan agrees to the project only if Paxton can bring credible proof first. The meeting kickstarts the hunt-for-proof storyline that frames Bigfoot as the culprit.
When:Some time after the massacre Where:Brannan's office
- 2
Paxton assembles a team and plans an expedition
Paxton gathers a team to venture into the woods in search of evidence of Bigfoot. He brings Danny, cameraman Justin, vlogger Brigette, primate specialist Dr. Ellen, helicopter pilot Jonesy and his bulldog Ike, Sasquatch expert Peter, security John Singer, and Cooper, Alex's missing father. They set up a trail cam with bait and secretly add pheromones to attract animals, hoping to lure the cryptid into view.
When:Beginning of expedition Where:Woods / camp site
- 3
Peter checks the trail cam and is killed
Peter checks the trail cam as instructed, hoping to capture evidence. An unseen creature strikes, killing him before anyone realizes what happened. His death raises the stakes and confirms the danger lurking in the woods.
When:Soon after setup Where:Trail cam site
- 4
A cave discovery and mysterious silhouette
While searching for Peter, the group finds a cave with intestines hanging from the ceiling and a hairy shape visible on the camera footage. The unsettling discovery heightens the sense of danger and hints at something far more horrific than a bear attack. They struggle to interpret what they have just witnessed.
When:Soon after Peter's death Where:Cave
- 5
Brigette is attacked after pheromone lure
Paxton secretly adds pheromones to Brigette's coat, hoping to draw the creature toward the group. The plan backfires as Brigette is attacked, breaking her ankle and derailing morale. The team debates evacuation versus continuing the mission.
When:After the cave discovery Where:Camp
- 6
Jonesy and Ike are killed at the helicopter
Jonesy and Ike are attacked at the helicopter site by the unseen predator. Ike is ripped open, and Jonesy's skull is repeatedly bashed, a brutal demonstration of the creature's threat. The team loses key support and valuable equipment.
When:During the attack sequence Where:Helicopter site
- 7
Camp is damaged and a Bigfoot footprint is found
The creature destroys Paxton's equipment around the camp and leaves a bloody paw print on Brigette, terrifying the remaining team. Later, the expedition discovers a large footprint in the ground that seems to belong to Bigfoot. The discovery confirms their fear and pushes them to press on.
When:Night / later that day Where:Camp
- 8
Danny learns the SAT Phone is destroyed and finds Jonesy's body
Danny drives to the landing site to retrieve the SAT Phone, only to find it destroyed along with Jonesy's body. He glimpses the creature nearby, panics, and crashes his ATV, injuring himself and scaring the others. He limps back to camp to report what happened.
When:After the helicopter attack Where:Landing site, then camp
- 9
Survival talks and the night camp plan
Back at the camp, Ellen and Justin tend to Danny's injuries while Singer asserts they should leave at first light if they want to survive. The looming fear of a nocturnal predator keeps everyone on edge as the night deepens.
When:Night Where:Camp
- 10
Night raid: Singer is killed; Cooper and Justin return to camp
During the night, Cooper, Singer, and Justin sneak out to track the creature, only for Singer to be ambushed and killed. Cooper and Justin rush back to the camp to warn the others, realizing the danger is closing in. The siege culminates with the camp being overrun.
When:Night Where:Woods then camp
Show the other 5 events of Hoax Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Paxton panics, shoots Brigette and Cooper, then flees
Paxton, out of ammo and overwhelmed, runs into the woods as the creature closes in. In a panic, he fatally shoots Brigette and Cooper when they try to intervene, then disappears into the trees. He carries the pheromone-streaked bag as the cryptid looms nearby.
When:Night Where:Camp / woods edge
- 12
Ellen and Justin reach a cabin; Justin trapped; Charlotte takes Ellen inside
Ellen and Justin stumble upon a cabin with parked cars after trying to help the injured Cooper. Justin's foot is caught in a bear trap, forcing Ellen to seek aid from the house's owner, Charlotte, who opens the door and knocks Ellen unconscious.
When:Night Where:Cabin in woods
- 13
Cannibal family reveals their trap; Justin killed; Ellen and Cooper captured
Inside, Charlotte and her two insane sons, Luc and Gage, reveal themselves as cannibalistic killers who posed as monsters to misdirect suspicion. Luc drags Justin into a shed and clubs him to death, while Gage lures Ellen and Cooper into submission. The siblings' gruesome rituals are revealed as the family’s dark purpose.
When:Inside the cabin Where:Cabin
- 14
Ellen escapes and wreaks revenge inside the cabin
Ellen frees herself, scalds Charlotte with hot water, and uses a frying pan to beat Gage to death. She then tries to flee in one of the family's cars, but crashes and triggers a 911 call as Charlotte attacks through the window. The escape marks a brutal turning point in Ellen's fight for survival.
When:Escape sequence Where:Cabin / cars
- 15
The real Bigfoot confronts Paxton
While the human threats unfold in the cabin, Paxton has saved nothing and finds himself face-to-face with the real Bigfoot in the woods. With his ammo exhausted and the cryptid closing in, he fights for his life as the creature advances. The film ends on a grim confrontation between Paxton and the true monster.
When:Final confrontation Where:Woods
Who Are the Main Characters in Hoax?
10 characters, among them Rick Paxton, John Singer and Brigette Powers: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- RP
Rick Paxton
Played by Ben Browder
A hard-edged film producer who wants to spin the Mountaineering Massacre into a sensational Bigfoot story. He pursues 'proof' at any cost, manipulating his team and risking lives for a lucrative TV deal. His actions reveal a willingness to sacrifice others to secure a dramatic narrative and escape when danger mounts.
- 🎭 Antagonist
- 🔍 Ambition
-
John Singer
Played by Brian Thompson
A pragmatic security member who takes charge during the expedition. He tries to keep the group safe and grounded in reality, resisting Paxton's exploitative plans. He is ultimately killed by the unknown creature, underscoring the peril of both nature and human greed.
- 🛡️ Protector
- 🗺️ Leadership
-
Brigette Powers
Played by Shoshana Bush
A social media vlogger on the expedition whose fervent energy and commentary add tension and pressure to the mission. She endures a brutal attack and a critical injury, illustrating the dangers of sensationalism in hostile environments. Paxton ultimately shoots her when trying to escape, marking a dark turn in the pursuit of a story.
- 🎬 Social Media
- 🧪 Tension
- G
Gage
Played by Christopher Soren Kelly
One of Charlotte’s deranged sons; he relishes violence and uses the cannibal family’s ruse to misdirect investigators. He is brutal and unpredictable, dancing with a corpse and murdering Cooper and Ellen’s allies, embodying the film’s brutal human threat.
- 🔪 Brutality
- 🧟 Horror
- AB
Alex Barnes
Played by Ryan Lee
The missing son whose disappearance drives the expedition and frames the mystery around the larger killings. His absence haunts the survivors and fuels the pursuit of truth amid escalating danger.
- 🧸 Mystery
- 🕰️ Loss
- CB
Cooper Barnes
Played by Maximillian Decker
Alex’s father who joins the expedition seeking answers. His presence underscores the personal stakes of the investigation and he becomes a victim of the cannibal family’s brutality.
- 👨👦 Family
- 🩸 Violence
- JJ
Justin Johnson
Played by Hutch Dano
A member of the expedition who is captured and killed during the cabin sequence, epitomizing the sudden, brutal shift from pursuit to survival.
- 🎥 Crew
- 🗡️ Danger
- J
Jonesy
Played by Anthony Ray Parker
The helicopter pilot whose support is cut down in the chaos, highlighting the vulnerability of the expedition’s logistics when the threat is close at hand.
- 🚁 Safety
- 🩸 Death
- DE
Dr. Ellen Freese
Played by Cheryl Texiera
A primate specialist and doctor who becomes entangled with the cannibal family. She fights to survive, escapes initial capture, and ultimately confronts the killers, demonstrating resilience and resourcefulness.
- 🧬 Science
- 🩸 Resilience
- RB
Roger Brannen
Played by Matt Riedy
A former employer who licenses the plan to Paxton and agrees to the Bigfoot show as long as there is 'proof'. He embodies the ethical compromise at the heart of the project and its pursuit of a sensational narrative.
- 🎬 Producer
- 🕵️♂️ Ambition
Where and When Is Hoax Set?
Hoax is set in Wilderness camp and Cabin in the Woods. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
Wilderness camp, Cabin in the Woods
A remote forest setting serves as the film's primary backdrop, beginning with a rugged wilderness camp where six college students are attacked. The investigation moves through harsh terrain to a secluded cabin where a cannibalistic family operates. The setting blends brutal outdoor environments with claustrophobic interiors to heighten danger and suspense.
- ❄️ Wilderness
- 🗺️ Remote Location
- 🎭 Horror
What Are the Themes of Hoax?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Exploitation, Media Manipulation and Survival.
-
01
Exploitation
A hard-edged film producer intends to spin the Mountaineering Massacre into a sensational Bigfoot story. The push for ratings drives risky decisions and blurs ethics with entertainment. The pursuit of a lucrative narrative often comes at the expense of truth and safety.
-
02
Media Manipulation
The expedition is framed as a TV-ready Bigfoot encounter, with the team chasing 'proof' to attract an audience. Tensions rise as methods become means to sensational ends, and reality is reshaped to fit a broadcastable horror story. The film critiques how media can distort tragedy for ratings.
-
03
Survival
The characters are forced to endure brutal threats from both a rumored cryptid and a murderous human family. Trust fractures under isolation, injuries, and the constant sense of danger. Survival hinges on grit, quick thinking, and hard choices when civilization collapses in the woods.
What Kind of Film Is Hoax?
Dark in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bleak
A relentlessly tense and brutal horror film that traps its cast in a desperate wilderness fight against terror, pivoting from monster mystery to grim human depravity before ending in total devastation.
- tense
- brutal
- hopeless
- paranoid
- gory
- claustrophobic
- wilderness survival
- found footage
- cannibalism
- deception
Content notes: graphic violence, cannibalism, torture, animal death, dismemberment.
Quiz
How well do you remember Hoax? Test yourself on the story.
