Brief Summary
Michael's weekend visit to meet his girlfriend Emma's family turns into a terrifying nightmare when he discovers they are skinwalkers, creatures who steal identities. Trapped in their isolated town, he uncovers a collection of stolen belongings from past victims and learns of the skinwalkers' plan to infiltrate society. With the help of the real Emma's spirit, Michael escapes, but the skinwalkers follow him, leaving him paranoid and isolated, forever questioning the faces around him.
- The GPS died somewhere past Mexican hat, but Emma said she knew the way.
- The town seemed to rise from the desert like a mirage, framed perfectly by the crimson cliffs that hugged the horizon.
- The front door swung open before we even had a chance to step out.
The Drive to Bluff
Michael is driving with his girlfriend, Emma, to meet her family in Bluff, a remote and traditional town. He notes Emma's unusual quietness and the unsettling scenery, including numerous dead animals and ravens. The GPS fails, and Emma's vague answers about the town's traditions and dislike of outsiders make Michael increasingly uneasy.
Arrival in Bluff
Upon arriving in Bluff, Michael finds the town eerily deserted, with mannequins in every shop window. Emma explains that people keep to themselves, but the silence and stillness feel wrong. They reach Emma's family's ranch-style home, where Michael is greeted by her overly enthusiastic mother, Patricia, her stern father, Robert, and her intense brother, Jake.
Meeting Emma's Family
Michael is introduced to Emma's family, who are oddly welcoming but also intensely scrutinizing. Robert's handshake is possessive, and the family insists on using no titles, making Michael feel like an outsider. Jake stares intently, making Michael uncomfortable. The house is filled with Native American art but lacks mirrors, which Patricia attributes to religious beliefs.
Unsettling Discoveries
During a brief tour, Michael notices scratches on the door frames and a heavily locked basement door. Dinner is lit by candles, and the meat is served raw. The family interrogates Michael about his life, making him increasingly uneasy. He later finds a room filled with personal belongings of missing people, including driver's licenses and wedding rings.
Confrontation and Revelation
Patricia catches Michael in the room of stolen items and claims they are "donations" from people who moved away. That night, Michael hears scratching and whispers outside his room and sees a tall, inhuman shadow. In the morning, Emma acts strangely, and the family insists on a tour of the deserted town. Michael finds the stolen items again and is confronted by Patricia and Robert, who reveal that leaving is not an option.
The Truth Revealed
Michael is trapped by Emma's family, who are revealed to be skinwalkers. The real Emma manages to warn Michael that she is not who he thinks she is. Patricia interrupts, and Emma reverts to her blank state. The family sabotages Michael's car, and as night falls, they reveal their true forms.
Skinwalkers
As the sun sets, Michael hears voices speaking in unison and sees inhuman shadows. The real Emma apologizes, but her voice is flat, revealing she has been replaced. The family transforms into monstrous creatures, revealing they are skinwalkers who study, learn, and become their victims. They keep the originals alive to perfect their copies.
Escape
The skinwalkers offer Michael a choice: join them or become part of their collection. The real Emma urges him to run, revealing a scar that the skinwalker Emma cannot perfectly replicate. Michael flees, pursued by the family, and manages to escape into the desert night.
The Mining Shack
Michael stumbles upon an abandoned mining shack and finds a journal detailing encounters with skinwalkers. The entries warn of their spread and the importance of questioning familiar faces. He realizes that light weakens them and that he must use this to his advantage.
Daylight and Deception
As dawn breaks, the skinwalkers retreat, weakened by the sunlight. Michael gathers supplies and begins a treacherous trek toward the highway. He is confronted by illusions of his loved ones, who try to manipulate him into returning.
Emma's Guidance
Michael hears Emma's voice, guiding him and warning him against the skinwalkers' deception. She urges him to run and assures him that their love transcends their physical separation. With her guidance, Michael reaches the highway and is rescued by a truck driver.
Aftermath
Michael reports the murders to the police, but they find no evidence and dismiss his story as hallucinations. The journal's entries have changed to his own handwriting, making him appear delusional. He is released into his mother's custody but receives a text from the skinwalker Emma, indicating they have followed him.
Paranoia
Michael becomes paranoid, researching missing persons cases and mapping patterns of disappearances. He moves, changes his number, and carries iron implements for protection. He questions every familiar face, haunted by the memory of Emma and the knowledge that the skinwalkers are still out there, waiting.
