TLDR;
In 1998, Shadyside is plagued by a curse that drives people to insanity. As prom night approaches, a series of brutal murders target the prom queen contenders, revealing a dark conspiracy involving teachers, parents, and students. Lori and her best friend Megan must uncover the truth and fight for their lives against the killers, who are revealed to be driven by jealousy, revenge, and a disturbing family history.
- A cursed town with a history of bloodshed.
- A series of murders targeting prom queen contenders.
- A conspiracy involving teachers, parents, and students.
- The protagonist, Lori, and her best friend, Megan, fighting for their lives.
- Twists and turns revealing the killers' motives and identities.
Introduction and Setting the Scene [0:20]
The movie begins in 1998 in Shadyside, a town known for being cursed and causing insanity. Lori Granger, a high school student, introduces the town's reputation and Vice Principal Dolores's efforts to change its image by organizing a prom event. Lori also introduces the prom queen contenders: Tiffany Falconer, the leader of the Wolfpack bully group; Christy, a weed dealer and rebel; the Wolfpack members Linda, Debbie, and Melissa; and Lori herself, the least popular of the group.
Characters and Initial Conflicts [0:48]
Lori's stoner best friend, Megan, supports her despite not caring about prom. In class, the teacher, Dan, asks Lori about her future aspirations, leading to the Wolfpack mocking her about her mom stabbing her dad. Megan defends Lori, but the mean girls persist. Later, at the restaurant where Lori works, Tiffany's boyfriend, Tyler, stares at Lori, making Tiffany uncomfortable and leading to more insults. Tyler returns to talk to Lori, admiring her dreams and admitting his own feelings of inadequacy.
The First Murder and Rising Tension [2:41]
Tiffany tries on her prom dress at home, admired by her mom, Nancy, and her father, Dan, who is also a teacher. Christy sells weed to students from another town and is then stalked and murdered by a masked man in a red cloak with an axe. The next day, Christy's absence disqualifies her from the prom queen competition, leaving only the Wolfpack and Lori as contenders. The killer is seen crossing out Christy's picture in the yearbook and burning her boots.
Prom Night Preparations and Initial Events [3:46]
Tiffany gets ready for prom, with Nancy emphasizing that she shouldn't lose to Lori. Lori also prepares, and her mom, Rosemary, apologizes for the burden of her dad's death story. At the prom, Lori arrives with Megan as her date. Dolores urges the crowd to choose a candidate who embodies the school's values. The male candidates and Lori step onto the stage, but the Wolfpack appears in swimsuits and performs strange dances, humiliating Lori.
More Murders and Rising Suspicion [4:59]
Linda and her boyfriend find her flyers vandalized, leading her to confront the prankster. Her boyfriend is then terrified by a slashing noise and finds Linda brutally stabbed by the killer in the red cloak. The boyfriend is also attacked but manages to escape. Lori is informed of a delivery outside the school, where she receives flowers with a threatening note. Debbie and her boyfriend are attacked in the basement, with the boyfriend's face slashed and Debbie electrocuted.
Confrontations and Escalating Violence [6:50]
Tiffany confronts Lori, bringing up the story of Lori's mom stabbing her dad on prom night. Melissa is disgusted by Tiffany's cruelty. Debbie's necklace causes the ballroom lights to flicker, and a janitor is sent to the basement. Melissa checks on Lori in the bathroom, offering her makeup. Lori returns to the party with renewed confidence, but Tiffany insults Melissa and pours a drink on her. Tiffany and Lori have a dance battle, with Lori gaining popularity.
Further Deaths and Growing Panic [8:37]
Melissa is attacked by two masked killers in the locker room and dragged away. Tiffany confronts Tyler about staring at Lori, and he breaks up with her. Megan sees the killer in the red cloak and tries to follow him. She notices that all the prom queen candidates except Tiffany and Lori are missing. Megan warns Lori and Tyler about the killer, but Lori dismisses her as jealous. Tyler suggests they go somewhere private.
Discoveries and Trapped [10:35]
Megan heads to the basement to check the power circuit and discovers the janitor's and other students' bodies. Lori and Tyler arrive at the auditorium, where Tyler tries to make a move on her, but Lori is upset. Lori discovers the bodies in the basement with Megan, and they realize they are trapped when the killer locks the door from outside.
Escape and Confrontation [11:44]
The girls run through the basement, finding a room with the victims' faces crossed out in the yearbook. Lori apologizes to Megan for not believing her. The killer breaks into the room, but the girls escape through a window, with Megan cutting her hand. Lori stabs the killer with a glass shard, allowing them to escape.
The Killer Revealed and Arrested [12:34]
The girls rush to the hall as Lori is announced as prom queen. The killer arrives and kills two students. Lori tries to warn everyone, but panic ensues. The principal confronts the killer and is attacked. The killer is revealed to be their teacher, Dan, Tiffany's dad. He confesses that he did it because he knew how badly Tiffany and Nancy wanted to win. The authorities arrive and arrest Dan.
Aftermath and Unexpected Twist [14:05]
Lori and Megan reconcile, and Megan is taken to the hospital. Nancy is taken for questioning but is released, which proves to be a mistake. Tiffany apologizes to Lori for her past behavior. Nancy returns home with a knife, revealing herself as the second killer.
Final Confrontation and Revelation [15:05]
Nancy attacks Lori and Tiffany, who hide in a closet. Tiffany reveals she was also part of the plan and attacks Lori. Nancy reveals she murdered Lori's dad because he dumped her. Tiffany is impaled and killed. Nancy corners Lori, but Lori slams a trophy into Nancy's head, leaving her severely injured. As Nancy lies dying, her blood forms a satanic symbol, revealing a deeper, more disturbing family involvement. Lori leaves the house, ending the movie.
