PET (2016)

Summary:

Seth, a lonely and socially awkward animal control officer, becomes obsessed with Holly, a waitress he knew in high school. After a series of unsettling encounters and escalating stalking, Seth decides to kidnap Holly, believing he is saving her and can force her to love him by keeping her in a cage beneath an animal shelter.

However, what begins as a story of obsession and abduction soon twists into a dark and unpredictable psychological battle. Holly proves to be far more resourceful and dangerous than Seth anticipated, turning the tables on her captor and revealing a sinister past that challenges Seth's perception of victim and aggressor.

Keywords: Pet, 2016, Dominic Monaghan, Ksenia Solo, Thriller, Horror, Psychological Thriller.

Plot:

Seth, an introverted and emotionally stunted animal shelter employee, develops an unhealthy obsession with Holly, a former high school classmate who now works as a waitress. After repeatedly attempting to connect with her, only to be rejected, Seth's fixation intensifies. He begins stalking her, meticulously documenting her life, and eventually devises a plan to abduct her. Seth converts a large, reinforced cage in the basement of the animal shelter into a prison, believing he can "save" Holly from her seemingly destructive life and make her love him once she understands his intentions.

He successfully kidnaps Holly, imprisoning her in the cage. Initially, Holly is terrified and desperate to escape, trying to reason, plead, and even physically attack Seth. Seth, however, remains steadfast in his delusion, believing his actions are an act of love. As days turn into weeks, Holly begins to subtly manipulate Seth, exploiting his emotional vulnerabilities and psychological weaknesses. She feigns compliance and understanding, slowly gaining his trust and learning about his past, including his involvement in the death of his former girlfriend, Claire, which Seth insists was an accident.

The dynamic shifts dramatically when Holly, through her manipulation, coerces Seth into confessing to Claire's murder. She then reveals her own dark secret: she is a ruthless sociopath who previously murdered a man and framed her friend for the crime. Holly confesses to having deliberately set up the situation to get Seth to confess to Claire's murder, knowing he would be a convenient scapegoat. The tables are completely turned as Holly now holds the psychological upper hand, having effectively trapped Seth in his own twisted game. She forces him to help her dispose of her previous victim's body, ensuring his complicity and making him an accessory. The film concludes with Holly free and Seth now psychologically enslaved to her, bound by his actions and her knowledge, having become the true "pet" in their twisted relationship.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Dominic Monaghan as Seth
• Ksenia Solo as Holly
• Jennette McCurdy as Claire

Crew:

• Director: Carles Torrens
• Writer: Jeremy Slater
• Producer: Nick Phillips
• Producer: Kelly Wagner
• Cinematography: Sergi Vilanova
• Editor: Brian Ufberg

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: December 2, 2016 (USA)
• Language: English
• Genre: Thriller, Horror, Psychological Thriller
• Running Time: 94 minutes
• Accolades: None specified.