The story begins with Julia Lund, a psychology student living in Los Angeles, experiencing vivid nightmares about being pursued by shadowy figures since childhood. Despite seeking therapy, Julia remains haunted by these recurring nightmares.
One night, Julia’s childhood friend, Billy Parks (played by Jon Abrahams), calls her in a panic, claiming that “they” are coming for him. Concerned for his well-being, Julia goes to check on Billy but finds his apartment abandoned. She discovers a drawing Billy made depicting the creatures from her nightmares.
As Julia investigates further, she reconnects with her former roommate, Sam Burnside (played by Ethan Embry), and his girlfriend, Terry Alba (played by Dagmara Domińczyk). They reveal that they have also been experiencing similar nightmares and encounters with the shadowy entities.
Together, Julia, Sam, and Terry uncover a pattern of disappearances and strange occurrences linked to their shared childhood experiences. They learn that the entities, which they refer to as “they,” are malevolent creatures that lurk in the darkness and prey on their victims’ fears.
As the attacks escalate, Julia and her friends become increasingly paranoid and desperate to find a way to stop “they” before it’s too late. They seek help from a skeptical psychology professor, Dr. Robert Smythe (played by Marc Blucas), who initially dismisses their claims as irrational.
However, as the evidence mounts and the attacks become more frequent and violent, Dr. Smythe begins to believe their story and joins forces with them to confront the creatures. They discover that the entities are ancient and have been preying on humanity for centuries, feeding on fear and despair.
In the climactic showdown, Julia and her friends confront the creatures in an abandoned warehouse, where they use light as a weapon against them. They manage to trap the entities temporarily but realize that they cannot defeat them completely.
In the end, Julia and her friends are left traumatized by their ordeal but determined to continue fighting against the creatures. They vow to remain vigilant and warn others about the existence of “they,” knowing that the battle against fear and darkness is far from over.
“They” is a suspenseful and atmospheric horror film that explores themes of fear, trauma, and the power of belief. With its chilling visuals, tense atmosphere, and compelling performances, the film delivers a haunting and unforgettable viewing experience for fans of the genre.