Better Watch Out (2017)

On a quiet suburban street aglow with twinkling Christmas lights, 17-year-old babysitter Ashley pulls her car into the driveway of the festively decorated Lerner house one chilly evening during the holiday season. Snow dusts the lawn, and the air hums with the faint jingle of distant carols. Ashley, played with wide-eyed poise by Olivia DeJonge, steps out, her breath fogging in the cold, carrying a mix of boredom and mild apprehension as she rings the bell. Inside, 12-year-old Luke Lerner (Levi Miller), a precocious boy with a mop of dark hair and an unsettlingly mature gleam in his eye, flings open the door. He's been infatuated with Ashley since she started babysitting him three years ago, when he was just nine, and tonight, he plans to make his move.

Luke ushers her in with boyish enthusiasm, the living room a cozy tableau of holiday cheer: a towering Christmas tree twinkles in the corner, stockings hang by the fireplace, and platters of cookies sit untouched on the coffee table. His parents, Deidre Lerner and Robert Lerner, are absent, off at a Christmas party somewhere in the neighborhood, leaving the house feeling vast and echoey. "Hey, Ashley! You look amazing," Luke says, his voice cracking slightly in that awkward pre-teen way, as he dims the lights with a remote, casting romantic shadows. He pops in a horror movie--screams and slashing sounds fill the room--and sidles closer on the couch, his arm brushing hers. Ashley shifts uncomfortably, forcing a smile. "Luke, come on, you're like a little brother to me," she says, rebuffing his advances with gentle firmness, though his persistence gnaws at her patience.

The movie drones on, tension simmering not from the screen but from Luke's lingering stares. Suddenly, a knock echoes at the front door. Luke hops up, feigning casualness, and lets in his best friend, Garrett (Ed Oxenbould), a chubby, wide-eyed kid clutching a six-pack of soda. Garrett plops down, oblivious to the vibe, and the trio settles into awkward chatter. Outside, the night deepens; strange shadows flicker past the windows, but Ashley brushes it off as holiday paranoia. Then, a sharp crash shatters the upstairs quiet--a window breaks somewhere above. The three freeze. Luke's eyes widen in mock fear. "What was that?" Ashley whispers, heart pounding as she grabs her phone.

They creep upstairs, footsteps muffled on the carpeted stairs, the house's festive warmth turning claustrophobic. In the hallway, they spot it: a brick on the floor, scrawled in red marker with the words "U leave and U die." Panic surges. Garrett's face drains of color. "Oh God, we're gonna die!" he yelps, bolting for the back door downstairs and out into the snowy yard. A deafening bang echoes--a gunshot. Ashley screams, peering out the back window to see Garrett crumple in the yard, blood pooling under the Christmas lights strung across the patio. "He's shot! Someone's out there!" she gasps, dialing 911, but the line crackles with poor reception. Luke, pale but composed, grabs her hand. "We have to hide."

Adrenaline propels them into the dark, cluttered attic, dust motes dancing in flashlight beams from Ashley's phone. The space is a labyrinth of holiday boxes and forgotten toys, the air thick with mildew. Ashley stumbles on a loose board, her foot plunging through as she nearly snaps her neck in a fall. Luke lunges, catching her just in time, his small hands gripping her waist. "I've got you," he murmurs, their faces inches apart, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that chills her more than the drop. They scramble down to Luke's bedroom, diving into the closet amid hanging clothes and stacked shoeboxes. Heartbeats thunder in the silence.

Footsteps thud outside. The closet door rattles. A figure bursts in--masked, black-clad, shotgun leveled. "Get out here!" the intruder growls, voice muffled. Ashley's eyes dart to the mask: it's one of Luke's, a creepy rubber thing from his collection, painted with jagged teeth. Recognition dawns. "Take off the mask!" she demands, shoving the door open. The figure yanks it off--it's Garrett, alive and trembling, the shotgun trembling in his hands. "It was you? You shot yourself?" Ashley whirls on Luke, fury replacing fear. "This was all a setup? To play hero and get in my pants?"

Luke's innocent facade cracks, a sly grin creeping across his face. "I just wanted to impress you, Ashley. You're so cool under pressure." But anger boils in her. "You're sick! I'm calling your parents." She storms toward the stairs, phone in hand. Luke's expression hardens. "No!" He shoves her hard. Ashley tumbles down the stairs in a sickening flurry of limbs and thuds, her head cracking against the wooden steps. She blacks out, the world spinning into darkness.

Ashley awakens groggy, wrists and ankles bound to a chair in the living room with thick duct tape, the horror movie still flickering on the TV like a mocking backdrop. Blood trickles from a gash on her forehead. Luke stands before her, casual as ever, while Garrett fidgets nearby, shotgun in lap. "Welcome back," Luke says cheerfully. "We're playing truth or dare. My rules." Ashley struggles, tape biting into her skin. "Untie me, you little psycho! Your parents are gonna kill you!" Luke laughs, a chilling sound from such a young throat. "Truth: Do you like me, Ashley? Even a little?" She spits defiance: "You're a kid. Go to hell."

Tension coils as Luke paces, his plan unfolding. He grabs Ashley's phone, fingers flying over the screen. Minutes later, the back door bangs open--Ricky (Aleks Mikic), Ashley's boyfriend, bursts in, eyes wild. "Ashley? You texted about trouble?" Luke had sent it, mimicking her: "Come quick, scared. Back door." Ricky scans the room, spotting her bound form. "What the fuck?" He lunges at Luke, fists flying in a brutal scrum across the kitchen floor--plates shatter, chairs topple. Luke takes a punch to the jaw but fights dirty, kneeing Ricky in the gut. Garrett hesitates, then levels the shotgun. "Back off!" Ricky freezes, hands up. Luke clubs him from behind with a lamp; Ricky slumps unconscious. They drag him to another chair, duct-taping him beside Ashley. "Two players now," Luke beams, wiping blood from his lip.

The game escalates, a twisted psychological torture chamber under the Christmas tree. "Truth or dare, Ricky?" Luke asks the groggy man. Ricky glares: "Fuck your game." Luke dials another number on Ashley's phone, putting it on speaker. It's Jeremy (Dacre Montgomery), Ashley's sleazy ex-boyfriend, voice cocky on the line. "Ashley? What's up?" Luke impersonates her perfectly, voice pitched high: "Jeremy, I need you to write an apology letter. For everything. Read it back as you go." Jeremy, flattered by the attention, complies, scribbling on paper at home: "I'm sorry for being a jealous asshole. I did it all because I couldn't let go." Luke nods to Garrett, who slips out the back door unnoticed.

Outside, under the cover of night, Garrett--no, Luke slips into the shadows, rope in hand. He sneaks to Jeremy's nearby house, waits for the call to end, then ambushes him at the door. Jeremy doesn't suspect a thing until the noose tightens. Luke drags him struggling to the tree outside the Lerner house, hoisting him up with chilling efficiency, the apology letter pinned to his chest like a suicide note. Jeremy's body sways in the breeze, face purple, tongue lolling--a gruesome holiday ornament framed by glowing lights.

Back inside, revelations pour out like venom. Garrett, sweating profusely, whispers to Ashley while Luke fetches drinks. "He's crazy. It was supposed to be just a scare... to make him look good." But Luke returns, eyes narrowing. The truth-or-dare turns sadistic: dares involve slaps, confessions of crushes, humiliations. Ashley pleads, "Garrett, help us!" Garrett's conscience cracks. As Luke turns to check Ricky's bonds, Garrett creeps over, peeling tape from Ashley's wrists. "I'm getting you out," he hisses, tears streaming. But Luke spins, shotgun seized in a blur. Bang. Garrett's chest explodes in red mist; he collapses gurgling, eyes wide in betrayal. "You were my best friend," Luke says flatly, smoke curling from the barrel. First blood: Luke kills Garrett, his gullible accomplice, for daring to defect.

Momentum surges toward madness. Ricky thrashes awake, roaring as Luke monologues his master plan. "See, Ashley? Jeremy's the jealous ex. He lured Ricky here, killed Garrett outside, staged the brick, the shot--everything. Hung himself in shame." Ashley's horror peaks: Luke's not just a prankster; he's a calculating psychopath, charming his way through life, manipulating everyone like pawns. His voice cracks again--"I'm doing this for us"--but it's no boyish flaw; it's a weapon, disarming adults who've always bought his innocence.

Ricky strains against the tape, snapping a wrist free in desperation. He charges Luke, a whirlwind of fists and furniture crashes. The shotgun skitters across the floor; Ashley wriggles partially loose, lunging for it. Luke dodges Ricky's haymaker, grabs a kitchen knife instead. Chaos reigns: Ricky lands a solid punch, splitting Luke's lip, but the boy twists like a feral cat, stabbing wildly. Ashley screams, "Stop! He's a kid!" But Luke's eyes are dead. He pins Ricky, knife plunging--wait, no, Ricky overpowers him momentarily, slamming Luke against the wall. Garrett's body lies cooling nearby, a stark reminder.

The fight spills toward the stairs. Luke feints, grabs the shotgun. Ricky hesitates--can't shoot a child. Mistake. Luke clubs him unconscious again, binding tighter. Now alone with Ashley, the air thickens with dread. "You could've loved me," Luke whispers, stroking her cheek. She recoils, tears streaming. "You're a monster." He smiles. "Truth: Will you tell?" She spits blood. "Everyone." His face falls. Knife flashes--slash--plunging into her neck. Blood sprays, hot and arterial, soaking her shirt. Ashley gurgles, clutching the wound, vision blurring as she slumps.

But Luke's not done. Precision defines him. He drags Ricky's limp form outside, staging the scene meticulously: Jeremy's body dangles from the tree, note fluttering. Inside, he positions Garrett by the back door, "shot" from outside; Ashley slumped in the chair, stabbed by Jeremy's "rage"; Ricky bound as another victim-to-be. Duct tape trails lead to the attic brick, shotgun wiped clean. The Lerner house transforms into a perfect crime scene, suburban normalcy shattered but pinned on the dead ex.

Luke steps back, surveying his work under the Christmas lights. Ashley's chest heaves faintly--alive, barely, but he'll claim she fought Jeremy. Ricky stirs groggily. Luke straightens a fallen ornament, humming a carol. Headlights pierce the night--his parents' car pulls in. He slips upstairs, composing himself, the charming boy once more. Deidre and Robert enter, calling out. Chaos erupts: screams at the bodies, 911 dialed. Luke descends, feigning shock: "Mom! Dad! Jeremy... he came for Ashley!" His voice cracks perfectly, tears on cue.

Police swarm the snow-dusted street, lights flashing red and blue against the holiday glow. Jeremy's hanging confirmed as staged suicide, but the scene fits: jealous ex snaps, invades, kills intruders and babysitter, binds boyfriend before offing himself. Ashley survives the stabbing, rushed to surgery, her testimony muddled by trauma and blood loss. Ricky, battered but breathing, corroborates the "intruder" panic but blacks out on details. Garrett's death pinned on the phantom shooter--Jeremy. Luke's mask? A prop from his room, innocent. The brick? Jeremy's threat.

Interrogations unfold. Luke spins tales with psychopath's ease, charming detectives: "I hid like Ashley said. Heard shots..." No priors, perfect family, voice cracking just right. Charges never stick; evidence frames Jeremy airtight. Months later, Ashley recovers, scarred forever, whispering warnings dismissed as hysteria. Ricky vanishes from her life. Luke? Back in school, eyeing a new babysitter, unrepentant, the boy next door with murder in his smile. The Lerner house stands quiet again, lights twinkling, facade intact. Fade to black on Luke's knowing grin--evil wins, wrapped in tinsel.

(Word count: 3472)

In the ending of "Better Watch Out," Ashley confronts the true nature of the situation as she realizes that Luke, the boy she was babysitting, is the one behind the terror. After a tense confrontation, Ashley manages to outsmart Luke, leading to a shocking climax where she fights for her life. The film concludes with a chilling twist, revealing Luke's dark intentions and leaving Ashley's fate uncertain.

Now, let's delve into the ending in a more detailed narrative fashion.

As the night progresses, the tension escalates in the suburban home where Ashley is babysitting Luke. After a series of harrowing events, Ashley finds herself cornered in the house, realizing that the innocent facade of the evening has been shattered. Luke, who had initially seemed like a harmless teenager with a crush, reveals his true, sinister nature.

In a pivotal scene, Ashley discovers that Luke has orchestrated the entire night's horror, including the fake home invasion that had terrified her earlier. The realization hits her hard; she is not just dealing with a prank gone wrong but with a deeply disturbed individual who has taken his obsession too far. Luke's demeanor shifts from playful to menacing, and his obsession with Ashley becomes clear as he tries to manipulate her emotions, attempting to convince her that they can be together if she just plays along with his twisted game.

Ashley, however, is not willing to succumb to Luke's delusions. In a desperate bid for survival, she fights back. The confrontation escalates as they move through the house, with Ashley using her wits and resourcefulness to evade Luke's increasingly violent attempts to control her. The atmosphere is thick with tension as the stakes rise; Ashley's fear is palpable, but so is her determination to escape.

In a climactic moment, Ashley manages to turn the tables on Luke. She uses her knowledge of the house and her quick thinking to outmaneuver him. The struggle culminates in a brutal confrontation where Ashley fights for her life, showcasing her resilience and strength. The emotional weight of the scene is heavy, as Ashley is not just fighting for her physical safety but also for her autonomy against someone who has twisted affection into a weapon.

As the dust settles, the film takes a dark turn. Luke, who has been portrayed as a misguided youth, is revealed to be far more dangerous than anyone anticipated. In a shocking twist, he is left standing amidst the chaos, his true nature fully exposed. The final moments of the film leave viewers with a chilling sense of dread as Ashley, battered but alive, escapes the house. However, the film closes on a haunting note, suggesting that Luke's obsession may not be over, leaving Ashley's fate uncertain and the audience with lingering questions about the nature of evil and obsession.

In the end, Ashley survives the night, but the psychological scars of her experience remain. Luke, on the other hand, is left in a state of twisted triumph, having revealed his true self and the depths of his depravity. The film concludes with a stark reminder of the dangers that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly innocent relationships, leaving a lasting impact on both the characters and the audience.

In "Better Watch Out," there is no post-credit scene. The film concludes with a tense and shocking climax, leaving the audience with a sense of unease and finality. After the harrowing events unfold, the story wraps up without any additional scenes or hints at a sequel, focusing instead on the chilling resolution of the plot. The absence of a post-credit scene reinforces the film's dark themes and the emotional weight of the characters' experiences.

Ashley is the main character and the babysitter for the night. Her significance lies in her role as a protector and her emotional journey throughout the film. Initially, she is portrayed as a confident and capable young woman, but as the night unfolds, she becomes increasingly vulnerable and must confront the terrifying reality of the situation. Her character embodies the struggle between innocence and the harshness of betrayal.

Luke starts as a seemingly innocent teenage boy who has a crush on Ashley. However, as the plot progresses, his motivations shift dramatically. He becomes increasingly manipulative and dangerous, revealing a darker side as he orchestrates a series of terrifying events. His desire for Ashley's affection transforms into a twisted need for control and power, showcasing his descent into villainy.

The home invasion serves as the catalyst for the film's tension and horror. It begins with a typical babysitting scenario but quickly escalates into a nightmare. The invasion forces Ashley to confront her fears and fight for survival, while also revealing Luke's true nature. The invasion is not just a physical threat but also a psychological one, as it tests the characters' relationships and reveals hidden truths.

Garrett is introduced as Luke's friend and initially appears to be a supportive ally. However, his character adds complexity to the plot's twists. As the story unfolds, Garrett's involvement reveals layers of deception and manipulation, particularly in his interactions with Ashley. His presence complicates the dynamics between the characters and heightens the tension, ultimately leading to shocking revelations about loyalty and betrayal.

The suburban home setting is crucial to the film's atmosphere and themes. It represents safety and normalcy, which is starkly contrasted by the horror that unfolds. The familiar environment becomes a trap, amplifying the sense of isolation and vulnerability for Ashley. The setting also allows for intimate and claustrophobic encounters, heightening the suspense and emotional stakes as the characters navigate their fears within the confines of a seemingly safe space.

"Better Watch Out" is not a family-friendly film. It is a horror-thriller that contains several potentially objectionable or upsetting scenes, including:

1. Violence: The film features graphic violence, including scenes of physical harm and threats to characters, which can be disturbing for younger viewers.

2. Psychological Tension: There are intense moments of suspense and psychological manipulation that may be unsettling, particularly for sensitive individuals.

3. Mature Themes: The film explores themes of betrayal, fear, and the darker aspects of human nature, which may not be suitable for children.

4. Language: There is the use of strong language throughout the film, which may be inappropriate for younger audiences.

5. Disturbing Imagery: Some scenes may include shocking or gruesome imagery that could be upsetting.

Overall, the film is intended for a mature audience and contains elements that could be distressing for children or sensitive viewers.