What Is OBEX About?
The premise of OBEX in 269 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a quiet corner of the world, Conor Marsh resides in a state of deliberate seclusion, his only true companion a loyal dog named Sandy. Their shared existence is one of peaceful routine, a shelter against the noise of the outside that Conor has carefully constructed. However, this sanctuary is disrupted when he stumbles upon OBEX, a cutting-edge virtual-reality game that promises a gateway to a different kind of experience. The discovery sparks a curiosity that Conor hasn’t felt in a long time, suggesting an escape from the stillness of his daily life.
The game presents itself as a technological marvel, seemingly capable of bridging the gap between the screen and reality. As Conor begins to explore its offerings, the atmosphere in his home shifts, charged with a strange energy that hums beneath the surface. The situation takes a dire turn when Sandy disappears under mysterious circumstances. The sudden absence shatters Conor’s peace, and he begins to sense that the game’s influence has leaked into his physical world, blurring the edges of what he thought was real.
Driven by a desperate need to find his canine companion, Conor faces a choice that defies logic. The boundaries that once separated his everyday life from the digital realm of OBEX begin to dissolve, revealing an uncanny landscape where the rules of reality no longer apply. To rescue Sandy, he must navigate this surreal terrain, plunging into a journey that tests his resolve and challenges his perception. The game has become more than a mere diversion; it is now a labyrinth of intrigue and danger that Conor must traverse at any cost.
What Happens in OBEX?
The complete story of OBEX, from the first scene to the last, in 503 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 2 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Conor Marsh leads a quiet life in Baltimore in 1987, with his dog Sandy, a routine that feels almost too calm to be real. One day, while thumbing through a computer magazine, he spots an advertisement for a video game called OBEX, built around a demon named Ixaroth who devours human souls. Intrigued, he orders the game and begins to play, only to find the gameplay disappointingly simple and underwhelming compared to the hype on the page. That night, a whir of his printer interrupts his sleep, and a cryptic note emerges, claiming that something is inside his VHS tape collection. He searches, but the figure remains elusive, and he drifts back into sleep. In the darkness, the demon Ixaroth slips out of the television and abducts Sandy, vanishing into the world of his own making.
The next morning brings a shock: Sandy is missing, and Conor, outside in the dim light, discovers a Macintosh computer glowing with unfamiliar energy. He is suddenly pulled into the world of OBEX, where the boundaries between game and reality blur. In a strange, otherworldly shop, a woman running the establishment provides him with tools and supplies for the quest ahead. As he pushes forward, he rescues a television head named Victor from cicada-like figures, and Victor decides to join him on the perilous journey.
Together they traverse a landscape lit by neon and night, eventually locating a car and driving through a long, tense night toward the symbolic Valley of Bones. Along the way, Conor is ambushed by two naked humans who quickly transform into skeletal forms, a terrifying reminder of the world’s warped logic. Victor carries the wounded Conor to a safe haven, where they are revived and prepared to continue the mission.
Their path then leads them to the looming castle of Ixaroth, a fortress whose gates are stubbornly sealed. The pair rests to regroup, but the morning reveals a grim turn: the skeletal remains of Victor lie nearby, a sacrificial act that unlocked the gates at last. Undeterred, Conor presses inside and finds himself in a church filled with cicada-like figures. There, he locates Sandy imprisoned within a television set, but the moment of rescue is crushed when Sandy dies just as he is about to free him. In the midst of this sorrow, Conor encounters his mother, who unveils a memory book packed with images from his past, then vanishes as if pulled away by a stronger force.
Ixaroth confronts Conor in this church labyrinth, and a fierce battle erupts. Armed with a sword, Conor defeats the demon and experiences a brief, hard-won reconciliation with Sandy. Yet the most shifting truth arrives in the final flash: the entire journey has been a game—an elaborate loop that Conor has been playing, altering the fabric of his life in the real world. When he returns to reality, he and Sandy sit together on a tranquil beach, the veil between game and life finally settled, and the quiet rhythm of normalcy returning to their days.
OBEX Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Conor discovers OBEX ad and buys the game” to “The journey was all a game; Conor returns to real life”. 15 events name a place, across 11 locations.
- 1
Conor discovers OBEX ad and buys the game
Conor Marsh, living a secluded life in Baltimore in 1987, spots an advertisement for the video game OBEX featuring a demon named Ixaroth. He buys the game hoping for entertainment and a distraction from his quiet routine. Initial impressions are positive, but the gameplay soon reveals itself as simple and underwhelming.
When:1987, Baltimore Where:Baltimore, Maryland
- 2
That night, a printer noise reveals a hidden message
Later that same night, the printer in Conor's room starts whirring on its own and a note appears, hinting that something has intruded into his VHS tape collection. He searches the shelves but finds nothing familiar or visible. The unease grows as the sense of an intrusion lingers.
When:That night Where:Conor's home
- 3
Ixaroth emerges from the television and abducts Sandy
As Conor attempts to sleep, Ixaroth materializes from the television screen in a burst of static and drags his dog Sandy into the game world. The abduction marks the true onset of the otherworldly threat. Conor is left stunned by how quickly his world has turned into OBEX.
When:That night Where:Conor's home
- 4
Sandy goes missing and Conor is pulled into OBEX
The next morning, Sandy is missing and Conor finds a Macintosh computer that acts as the gateway into OBEX. He is promptly sucked into the game world, losing his ordinary life to a bright, dangerous version of reality. In this new realm, he must navigate unfamiliar landscapes to locate his pet.
When:Next morning Where:Conor's home / OBEX world
- 5
Conor meets a shopkeeper who provides supplies
Inside OBEX, Conor enters a roadside store where a woman runs the shop and supplies him with materials for his quest. She offers practical tools and guidance to begin his journey through the strange world. The encounter establishes a framework of support within this perilous game.
When:In-game Where:OBEX world – in-game store
- 6
Victor the television head joins the quest
During his travels, Conor rescues a television head named Victor from cicada-like figures. Grateful and loyal, Victor decides to accompany Conor, adding a helpful ally to the dangerous mission. Together they continue toward their goal, facing the odd dangers of OBEX.
When:In-game Where:In-game
- 7
The journey through the Valley of Bones and a deadly skirmish
The duo finds a car and drives through the night into the eerie Valley of Bones. They are attacked by two naked humans who transform into skeletal figures, a brutal reminder of the world’s threats. Victor aids Conor in surviving the assault and keeping moving.
When:In-game Where:Valley of Bones
- 8
Victor revives Conor after the attack and they press on
Wounded, Conor is carried back to the store where Victor revives him, restoring strength for the continued journey. The pair push forward toward Ixaroth’s castle, determined to confront the demon and rescue Sandy. The alliance grows stronger through shared peril.
When:In-game Where:In-game store
- 9
Ixaroth’s castle is reached but is locked; they sleep outside
Conor and Victor arrive at Ixaroth's castle, only to find its gates sealed against entry. They are forced to sleep outside to gather their strength for the next day. The sense of peril deepens as the final confrontation looms nearby.
When:In-game Where:Ixaroth's castle entrance
- 10
Victor sacrifices himself to unlock the gates
The following morning, Conor discovers the skeletal remains of Victor, who sacrificed himself to unlock the castle's gates. His companion’s sacrifice unlocks access to the fortress and gives Conor a chance to move forward. The loss weighs heavily, yet the journey continues.
When:In-game Where:Castle gates
Show the other 5 events of OBEX Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Conor enters the church and finds Sandy inside a TV
Conor penetrates the castle and finds a church filled with cicada-like figures. Inside a television set, he discovers Sandy imprisoned, seemingly within reach of rescue. The moment marks a crucial turning point, though danger remains all around.
When:In-game Where:Castle church
- 12
Sandy dies just as Conor is about to rescue him
As Conor prepares for a dramatic rescue, Sandy dies in the television box, a devastating twist that undercuts the hope of saving him. The loss intensifies Conor's resolve to defeat the demon and finish the journey. The tragedy underscores the game's ruthless stakes.
When:In-game Where:Castle church
- 13
Conor meets his mother and memory book appears
In a surreal encounter, Conor meets his mother who reveals a memory book chronicling his past. The book offers a glimpse into the life he left behind and hints at deeper emotional layers. The mother abruptly disappears, leaving Conor unsettled and more determined.
When:In-game Where:Castle church
- 14
Ixaroth confronts Conor and is defeated
Ixaroth confronts Conor at the church, and the young man defeats the demon with a sword. The climactic duel ends with Ixaroth's fall and a painful but necessary resolution of the immediate threat. After the battle, Conor reconciles with Sandy in a moment of relief and closure.
When:In-game Where:Castle church
- 15
The journey was all a game; Conor returns to real life
It is revealed that the entire journey occurred within the OBEX game that Conor played, and he is returned to his everyday life with Sandy by his side. The final scenes show them relaxing on a beach, serving as a quiet, ambiguous ending. The twist frames the adventure as a test of courage rather than a literal escape.
When:Ending Where:Baltimore / Beach (real world)
Who Are the Main Characters in OBEX?
8 characters, among them Conor Marsh (Albert Birney), Ixaroth (Voice) (Nicholas Gurewitch) and Victor (Frank Mosley): who each one is and the part they play in the story. 7 of them link to the actor’s page.
-
Conor Marsh (Albert Birney)
Played by Albert Birney
A secluded Baltimore resident in 1987 who stumbles into OBEX after finding a mysterious note. He shifts from passive observer to determined rescuer, navigating both the real world and the game with growing resourcefulness. His journey tests his courage, memory, and sense of self as he confronts surreal dangers to save Sandy.
- 🧭 Curious
- 🧰 Resourceful
- 🗺️ Determined
- I(
Ixaroth (Voice) (Nicholas Gurewitch)
Played by Nicholas Gurewitch
The demon villain who devours souls and emerges from Conor's television, driving the conflict. Ixaroth manipulates the game's logic to trap Conor in a perilous quest, representing the blurring of digital and real worlds.
- 👹 Villain
- 🗝️ Fantasy
- 🌀 Surreal
-
Victor (Frank Mosley)
Played by Frank Mosley
A television head who becomes Conor's unusual ally, joining the journey through OBEX. He sacrifices himself to unlock the castle gates, highlighting themes of friendship and selfless aid in a hostile environment.
- 🗡️ Ally
- 🧭 Guide
- 🏳️ Sacrifice
- M(
Mom (Paisley Isaacs)
Played by Paisley Isaacs
Conor's mother who appears in a memory book and briefly in the surreal landscape before disappearing. Her memory anchors Conor to his past and motivates his actions within the game's trials.
- 👪 Family
- 🧠 Memory
- CS
Cicada Soldier (Paul Oh)
Played by Paul Oh
A cicada-like figure encountered along the journey, representing the hostile, insectile adversaries that populate OBEX. These figures underscore the game's alien and dangerous atmosphere.
- ⚔️ Soldier
- 🪲 Cicada
- 👾 Creature
- MI
Man in Field (Nate Krimmel)
Played by Nate Krimmel
A fleeting, naked figure seen in the Valley of Bones who becomes part of the perilous, skeletal landscape. His appearance adds to the unsettling, otherworldly atmosphere of OBEX.
- 👤 Field figure
- 🌾 Rural
- K/
Knight / Nightmare Man (Tyler Davis)
Played by Tyler Davis
A humanoid figure encountered in the game's perilous spaces, representing a menacing form that tests Conor's resolve within the fantasy realm. This character adds to the film's blend of dreamlike and dangerous imagery.
- 🗡️ Knight
- 🌀 Nightmare
- 🧭 Surreal
- S
Sandy
Conor's dog who is abducted by Ixaroth, setting the inciting quest in motion. Sandy's fate provides the emotional core that drives Conor's determination to navigate OBEX.
- 🐕 Dog
- 🫶 Bond
Where and When Is OBEX Set?
OBEX is set in Baltimore, Maryland, OBEX (video game world), Ixaroth's Castle, Valley of… (1987). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1987
Set in 1987, the film reflects the era of early home computing, VHS tapes, and print magazines fueling curiosity and fear. The tech tools—a Macintosh computer, a printer, and a game ad—anchor the story in a distinctly late-80s vibe. This time frame drives the tension between nostalgia for a pre-digital age and the irresistible lure of immersive digital worlds.
Where
Baltimore, Maryland, OBEX (video game world), Ixaroth's Castle, Valley of Bones, Church
Baltimore, Maryland serves as the film's quiet urban base where Conor lives a secluded life. The OBEX world expands the narrative into a neon-lit, perilous video-game realm that bleeds into real spaces, placing the characters in locations like a castle, a valley, and a church. The transitions between real locations and game locales create a liminal space where danger can intrude into ordinary life.
- 🏙️ Urban landscape
- 💾 Virtual world
- 🏰 Fantasy fortress
- 🌌 Surreal atmosphere
What Are the Themes of OBEX?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Reality vs Illusion, Sacrifice and Memory.
-
01
Reality vs Illusion
Conor's life shifts as the lines between the video game OBEX and his own world blur, forcing him to question what is real. The quest to rescue Sandy becomes a test of perception, memory, and agency, not just luck or skill. The sense that the game can swallow or reveal truth underpins the emotional core: maturation through confronting a fabricated danger. The film uses this boundary to explore how fantasy can reorder priorities and reshape identity.
-
02
Sacrifice
Victor sacrifices himself to unlock the castle's gates, highlighting the cost of collaboration and courage in a hostile world. Conor's journey also hinges on personal sacrifices—letting go of certainty, facing loss, and risking everything for Sandy. The memory book and the mother's disappearance underscore the theme that love requires painful choices. The twist that the journey might be a game within a game reframes sacrifice as both literal and symbolic.
-
03
Memory
The memory book and Conor's mother are anchors that tether him to a past while confronting a constructed reality. The film frames memory as a driver of action—what we remember guides decisions and can unlock or imprison us. The revelation that the journey was part of a game invites reflection on how memory shapes identity and purpose. Even as the world resets, those memories leave lasting effects on Conor and Sandy.
What Kind of Film Is OBEX?
Tense in tone, with variable pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Variable
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
An anxious and uncanny journey through a dissolving reality, driven by a desperate rescue mission that blends nostalgic 80s tech with nightmarish fantasy.
- lonely
- uncanny
- anxious
- desperate
- nightmarish
- triumphant
- virtual reality
- pet companionship
- loss and grief
- rescue mission
Content notes: animal peril, animal death implied, psychological horror.
Quiz
How well do you remember OBEX? Test yourself on the story.
