The Empty Man Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Ex-cop investigates a missing girl, accidentally becomes a vessel for an ancient interdimensional entity, and then shoots a guy, thus proving that nihilism is, like, totally contagious, man.

🍿 The Empty Man: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Prologue: A Hiking Trip Gone Wrong (1995)

In 1995, four friends hiking in Bhutan encounter a mysterious, ancient force. Paul falls into a crevice and finds a bizarre skeletal shrine. He becomes entranced, setting off a chain of disturbing events. The prologue establishes the origin of the Empty Man myth and its terrifying power.

A Detective’s Investigation (2018)

Years later, in Missouri, former detective James Lasombra investigates the disappearance of Amanda, a teenage girl. He discovers a cryptic message: “The Empty Man made me do it.” This leads him down a dark path, uncovering a connection to a local urban legend and a series of bizarre suicides among teenagers.

Unraveling the Mystery of the Pontifex Institute

Lasombra’s investigation leads him to the Pontifex Institute, a mysterious group with unusual beliefs tied to Bhutanese mythology. He learns about their practices and the entity they worship, the Empty Man. He begins to suspect a deeper, more sinister plot at play, blurring the line between reality and delusion.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• James Lasombra (James Badge Dale): A former detective haunted by personal tragedy, who investigates a missing girl and uncovers a terrifying cult.
• Amanda Quail (Sasha Frolova): A troubled teenager who goes missing after summoning the Empty Man, becoming entangled with a sinister cult.
• Nora Quail (Marin Ireland): The mother of Amanda, who enlists the help of James to find her missing daughter, revealing a hidden affair.
• Arthur Parsons (Stephen Root): The charismatic and enigmatic leader of the Pontifex Institute, a cult worshipping the Empty Man.
• Paul (Aaron Poole): A hiker who encounters the Empty Man entity in Bhutan and becomes a central figure in the cult’s plans.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Amanda: ““The Empty Man made me do it.”” – Written on Amanda’s mirror, this message kicks off the central mystery and becomes a recurring motif throughout the film.
• Devara: ““On the first night you hear him. On the second night you see him. On the third night he finds you.”” – Devara explains the urban legend/rules associated with summoning The Empty Man.
• Amanda: ““Where were you?”” – Amanda repeats this to James, forcing him to relive the trauma of his family’s death.
• Arthur Parsons: ““He gives his followers what they desire, as long as they do his bidding.”” – Parsons describes the nature of The Empty Man and the cult’s devotion to him.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $16,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $2,992,948
• Worldwide Gross: $4,796,993

💥 The Empty Man Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘The Empty Man’ hit me hard. I went in expecting another generic horror movie, but what I got was this mind-bending, unsettling story that stuck with me for days. The opening sequence in the mountains was insane, and I was hooked after that. The way it played with reality and belief messed with my head. It’s not a perfect movie, but it’s definitely unique and thought-provoking. I’m recommending this to all my horror friends.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of slow-burn horror”
  • “Viewers interested in Lovecraftian themes”
  • “Those who enjoy psychological thrillers”
  • “Audiences who appreciate complex narratives”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Suicide”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Gore”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Cult themes”

Professional Reviews

• High on Films: “The Empty Man is a slow-burn thriller that blends Lovecraftian horror with detective noir. Though it suffers from pacing issues, the film’s eerie atmosphere and thought-provoking themes make it a worthwhile watch for fans of cosmic horror. Its original concepts create something that will keep people thinking for a long time to come.
• Slash Film: “Director David Prior crafts a truly unsettling experience. The Empty Man dives into nihilism and explores the idea that the world is shaped by belief. While the narrative can be convoluted, the strong performances and unique visuals create a memorable horror film that will leave you with a sense of dread.

Audience Reactions

The film’s unique blend of cosmic horror and detective noir really resonated with me, creating an unforgettable cinematic experience.: Most viewers praised the film’s atmospheric tension, unsettling themes, and original approach to horror, while some were confused by the intricate plot.

Overall Consensus: The Empty Man is a divisive but ultimately rewarding horror film, praised for its originality and atmosphere, but criticized for its complexity.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was quietly released by 20th Century Fox shortly before Disney’s acquisition of the studio was complete, leading to minimal marketing and a limited theatrical run.”
• “Director David Prior has cited influences such as David Fincher and cosmic horror writers like H.P. Lovecraft in shaping the film’s tone and themes.”
• “The lengthy prologue set in Bhutan was initially conceived as a standalone short film but was later integrated into the main narrative to establish the mythology of the Empty Man.”
• “The movie explores themes of existential dread, the power of belief, and the malleability of reality, drawing inspiration from philosophical concepts like nihilism and deconstruction.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Empty Man?

The Empty Man is available for streaming on platforms like Hulu and HBO Max. You can also rent or purchase the film through services such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Empty Man, you might like these similar films:

• Sinister (2012): Both films explore the disturbing influence of a supernatural entity on a family and the protagonist’s descent into madness as they investigate.
• The Ritual (2017): Features a group of friends encountering a terrifying entity in a remote location, blending elements of folk horror and psychological dread.
• The Conspiracy (2012): Explores the disturbing rabbit hole one falls down while exploring cults and conspiracy theories, creating a sense of paranoia and unease.
• Resolution (2012): Shares a similar slow-burn, unsettling atmosphere, and deals with themes of inescapable doom and forces beyond human comprehension.

🛒 The Empty Man Related Products

• The Empty Man (Graphic Novel): Dive deeper into the lore of The Empty Man with the complete graphic novel series. Explore the origins of the entity and the cult that worships it. A must-have for fans who want to uncover every secret.
• The Empty Man Inspired T-Shirt: Show your love for this mind-bending horror flick with a unique Empty Man-themed T-shirt. The design features iconic imagery from the film, making it a must-have for die-hard fans.
• Lovecraftian Horror Collection (Blu-ray): A curated collection of Lovecraftian horror films, including ‘The Thing’, ‘In the Mouth of Madness’, and other classic films that explore similar themes of cosmic dread and existential horror, allowing you to explore other movies that deliver similar experiences.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Empty Man features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Immersion” – performed by Brian Williams (Lustmord)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Empty Man Deserves a Cult Following

Ever feel like some movies just get a bad rap? Chris Stuckmann dives into ‘The Empty Man,’ arguing it’s way better than people gave it credit for. Honestly, after his breakdown, I’m starting to think he’s right!

✨ Rate