What Is OBEX About?
The premise of OBEX in 295 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In 1987 Baltimore, Conor Marsh leads a quiet, secluded existence alongside his loyal dog, Sandy. Their days follow a gentle rhythm, undisturbed by the bustle of the outside world — until a chance discovery in a computer magazine captures Conor’s attention. An advertisement for a mysterious video game called OBEX promises something extraordinary: total immersion into a digital realm unlike anything he has experienced before. Intrigued by the prospect, Conor welcomes this unexpected diversion into his otherwise unremarkable life, unaware that the game will soon demand far more from him than casual curiosity.
As Conor engages with OBEX, he begins to sense that the experience offers more than simple entertainment. The game feels uncannily real, as though the screen serves as a threshold rather than a barrier between worlds. Then, in a single unsettling moment, Sandy vanishes without explanation, and the comfortable boundaries of Conor’s reality begin to fracture. What started as a harmless pastime quickly transforms into something far more urgent, pulling him into a pursuit where the distinction between what is real and what is simulated becomes increasingly impossible to discern.
The surreal domain that awaits Conor defies conventional logic, presenting a landscape that seems to operate by its own enigmatic rules. Every step forward reveals new layers of mystery, and the deeper he ventures, the more the world around him appears to understand — and respond to — his presence. His search for Sandy becomes a test of resolve, a navigation through an environment where nothing can be taken at face value. As the lines between virtual and actual continue to dissolve, Conor must confront the possibility that rescuing his companion may require him to surrender the certainty of everything he thought he knew about the world — and perhaps about himself.
What Happens in OBEX?
The complete story of OBEX, from the first scene to the last, in 513 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 1 cast member page.
Spoilers ahead
Conor Marsh [Albert Birney] lives a secluded life in Baltimore in 1987, with his dog, Sandy [Dorothy]. One day, while flipping through a computer magazine, he spots an advertisement for a video game called OBEX, starring a demon named Ixaroth who devours human souls. Curious and slightly bored by the game’s simple gameplay, he buys it and starts to play, hoping for something more than a straightforward pastime. That night, the whir of his printer wakes him, and he discovers a note stating that something is inside his VHS tape collection. He searches, but the unknown figure remains elusive, hidden among familiar tapes. As he drifts back to sleep, the demon Ixaroth erupts from his television screen and abducts his dog.
The next morning brings a shocking realization: Sandy is missing. A strange Macintosh computer sits outside his home, and before long Conor is sucked into the world of OBEX itself. Inside this neon, danger-filled domain, he steps into a peculiar shop where a woman running the store provides him with supplies and guidance for the perilous journey ahead. With a mission to rescue Sandy, he forges onward, and during his trek he rescues a television head named Victor from cicada‑like figures. Victor Frank Mosley decides to accompany Conor, offering a companion’s steadiness as they navigate this dreamlike realm. The pair travel by car through the night toward the ominous Valley of Bones, where they are ambushed by two naked humans who swiftly transform into skeletons, rendering the emotional and physical stakes even higher.
Victor carries the injured Conor back to a nearby store where they receive a magical-like revival, reinforcing their resolve to press on despite the dangers. Their path leads them to Ixaroth’s castle, a looming fortress that is stubbornly locked, forcing them to hunker down and wait for an opportunity. When dawn arrives, they discover the grim truth: Victor’s skeletal remains lie nearby, having sacrificed himself to unlock the gate and give Conor a chance at entry. Gripping his sword, Conor pushes forward into the castle and finds himself stepping into a church filled with cicada‑like figures. There, he locates Sandy imprisoned inside a television set, but the moment he moves to rescue him, Sandy dies, a sorrowful and shocking turn that shakes Conor to the core.
A difficult encounter with his mother follows, as she reveals a memory book filled with moments from his past, before she vanishes from sight, leaving Conor alone in a haunting corridor of memory and loss. Ixaroth, the demon who abducted Sandy, confronts Conor at the church, and the two engage in a climactic struggle. Conor defeats Ixaroth with his sword, and in a fleeting moment of reconciliation, he believes he has saved Sandy. Yet the true twist awaits: the entire journey has been a game, a constructed reality played by Conor, which brings him back to his ordinary life with Sandy seemingly restored. The emotional arc resolves on a quiet final image as Conor and Sandy relax on a beach, the line between game and life blurred but the bond between them intact.
OBEX Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Conor discovers OBEX and buys the game” to “Ending on the beach”. 15 events name a place, across 14 locations.
- 1
Conor discovers OBEX and buys the game
In Baltimore, 1987, Conor Marsh leads a quiet life with his dog Sandy. He reads a computer magazine and spots an ad for OBEX, a video game promising a demon named Ixaroth who devours souls. Curious, he buys the game and begins to play, only to be disappointed by the simplistic gameplay.
When:1987 Where:Baltimore
- 2
A mysterious note points to the VHS tapes
That night, the printer from his computer whirs to life. He retrieves a note claiming something is inside his VHS tape collection, but he cannot locate the mysterious figure. The strange hints begin to creep into his quiet routine.
When:Night Where:Conor's home
- 3
Ixaroth abducts Sandy from the TV
Ixaroth emerges from the television and abducts Sandy, pulling her into the screen. In the morning, Conor discovers Sandy is missing and searches outside his home in a panic. The game world begins to bleed into his reality.
When:Morning after abduction Where:Conor's home
- 4
Conor is pulled into the OBEX world
The next morning, Conor finds a Macintosh computer outside his home that serves as a gateway to OBEX. He is sucked into the video game world, stepping into a strange land where danger lurks.
When:Morning Where:Outside Conor's home
- 5
A shopkeeper provides equipment for the quest
In OBEX, Conor enters a shop where a woman who runs the store provides him materials for his journey. She equips him for the quest and helps him navigate this perilous world.
When:Daytime Where:OBEX world store
- 6
Victor the TV head joins the journey
Conor rescues a television head named Victor from cicada-like figures, and the strange encounter marks the start of a new ally. Victor decides to accompany him on the journey, offering aid and companionship.
When:Early journey Where:OBEX world road
- 7
A perilous drive through the Valley of Bones
They find a car and drive through the night toward the Valley of Bones, a desolate and eerie landscape. Their journey is interrupted when two naked humans ambush them and transform into skeletal beings. Victor's presence steadies Conor, and they press on despite the danger.
When:Night Where:Valley of Bones
- 8
Conor is revived after the ambush
Victor carries a wounded Conor back to the shop where they are revived, and their plan for reaching Ixaroth's castle is renewed. The setback strengthens their resolve as they continue deeper into OBEX.
When:Evening Where:OBEX store
- 9
Castle gates block their intrusion
They finally reach Ixaroth's castle, but the gates are locked, preventing infiltration. They decide to sleep outside to rest and plan their strategy for a way inside.
When:Night Where:Ixaroth's castle
- 10
Victor’s sacrifice unlocks the gates
With morning comes the discovery of Victor's skeletal remains, having sacrificed himself to unlock the castle gates. Conor persists into the castle with renewed determination.
When:Morning Where:Castle gates / outside
Show the other 5 events of OBEX Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Conor finds Sandy in a church, tragedy strikes
Inside the castle, Conor finds a church filled with cicada-like figures and Sandy imprisoned in a television. Sandy dies just as Conor is about to rescue him, a poignant and devastating moment.
When:In-game time Where:Ixaroth's castle church
- 12
Conor meets his mother and a memory book
Conor meets his mother in the church, who shows him a memory book filled with memories of his past before vanishing. The encounter leaves him unsettled and emphasizes the game’s hold on his life.
When:Mid-game Where:Castle church
- 13
Final confrontation with Ixaroth
Ixaroth confronts Conor at the church, and Conor defeats the demon by stabbing it with his sword. With the demon defeated, Conor can begin to reconcile with Sandy.
When:Climax Where:Church
- 14
Reality twist: the journey was a game
It is revealed that the entire journey occurred as a game inside OBEX, and Conor wakes back in his real life with Sandy waiting by his side.
When:Ending Where:Baltimore, home
- 15
Ending on the beach
Conor and Sandy relax on a beach, signaling a peaceful ending after the harrowing adventure. The film closes on a calm, sunlit shoreline that hints at a new start.
When:Ending Where:Beach
Who Are the Main Characters in OBEX?
4 characters, among them Conor Marsh (Albert Birney), Sandy (Dorothy) and Victor (Frank Mosley): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Conor Marsh (Albert Birney)
Played by Albert Birney
A reclusive Baltimore resident in 1987, Conor is curious and resourceful, driven to dive into OBEX after Sandy's disappearance. He navigates both the mundane world and a surreal digital realm with growing determination, improvising solutions as needed. His arc centers on agency, maturity, and the tension between fantasy and reality.
- 🧭 Introverted
- determined
- 🧠 Clever
- S(
Sandy (Dorothy)
Played by Dorothy
Sandy is Conor's loyal dog who is abducted into the OBEX world. The canine companion anchors Conor's motivation and moral compass throughout the quest. Sandy's fate becomes a catalyst for the emotional weight of the journey.
- 🐕 Loyal
- 🕊️ Brave
- 💔 Tragic
-
Victor (Frank Mosley)
Played by Frank Mosley
A talking television head rescued by Conor, Victor serves as a quirky yet dependable ally who keeps the journey moving. He sacrifices himself to help unlock the castle gates, embodying loyalty and selflessness. His brief but impactful presence adds depth to the theme of friendship and sacrifice.
- 🛡️ Loyal ally
- 🗝️ Resourceful
- ⚡ Dramatic
-
Mary (Callie Hernandez)
Played by Callie Hernandez
Mary runs a store that aids Conor with supplies for his journey, acting as a practical ally in the real world. She embodies a supportive, resourceful presence that helps bridge the urban setting with the fantasy quest. Her role underscores the importance of timely help and practical guidance.
- 🛒 Helpful guide
- 🧭 Resourceful
- 🤝 Supportive
Where and When Is OBEX Set?
OBEX is set in Baltimore, OBEX game world, Ixaroth's castle, Valley of Bones, a game-store, a… (1987). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1987
The narrative unfolds in the late 1980s Baltimore, reflecting era-specific tech like desktop PCs, printers, and VHS tapes. The game-world segments evoke pulp-fantasy aesthetics of that era, blending with a contemporary urban setting. The tempo moves from a secluded, quiet life to a high-stakes quest, before returning to everyday existence with a sense of closure.
Where
Baltimore, OBEX game world, Ixaroth's castle, Valley of Bones, a game-store, a church
Set primarily in Baltimore in 1987, the story shifts into a perilous digital realm called OBEX. The film juxtaposes a gritty urban backdrop with surreal fantasy locations such as Ixaroth's castle, the Valley of Bones, and a mystical church. Key spaces include Conor's home, a curious game-store, and the distorted television-world where Sandy is abducted. The journey threads through screen and memory, culminating on a beach, implying a return to normal life.
- 🏙️ Urban Baltimore
- 🕹️ Virtual realm
- 🏰 Fantasy setting
- 🏖️ Beach finale
What Are the Themes of OBEX?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Reality vs. Virtual, Sacrifice and Memory.
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01
Reality vs. Virtual
The line between Conor's ordinary life and the OBEX game blurs as the game world intrudes into his home. Ixaroth's appearance from the television and the mission to rescue Sandy show how virtual narratives can feel tangible. The twist reveals the journey might be a game within a game, challenging what is real. The film uses this collision to question control, agency, and the power of immersion.
-
02
Sacrifice
Victor sacrifices himself to unlock the castle gates, highlighting loyalty and selflessness. Conor's determination drives him to confront Ixaroth in a perilous final confrontation. The death of Sandy and Victor's sacrifice amplify the emotional stakes of the quest. The finale suggests that even within a simulated world, acts of sacrifice carry lasting consequences.
-
03
Memory
A memory book from Conor's mother surfaces, hinting at a past that continues to shape his choices. The revelation that the adventure is tied to memories reframes the entire journey. The film uses memory to connect loss, affection, and identity, suggesting reconciliation and growth. The beach ending implies a reshaped sense of self grounded in remembered connections.
What Kind of Film Is OBEX?
Dark in tone, with variable pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Variable
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A tense and surreal psychological horror that plunges a lonely man into a nightmarish digital realm to rescue his dog, blending high-stakes anxiety with melancholic themes of loss.
- surreal
- anxious
- lonely
- nightmarish
- melancholic
- tense
- virtual reality
- loss of a pet
- psychological horror
- rescue mission
Content notes: animal death, animal abduction, body horror, psychological horror.
Quiz
How well do you remember OBEX? Test yourself on the story.
