When it comes to thrillers that take place on a farm, a central theme that often emerges is the idea of isolation. In many of these films, the farm serves as a symbol of a remote, rural way of life that is often at odds with the modern world. This isolation can be physical, as in the case of a farmhouse located in a remote area, or social, as in the case of characters who are cut off from the broader community due to their beliefs, values, or lifestyles.
The central theme in films where a couple visits a farmhouse and finds themselves caught up in chaos, there is a breakdown of trust. The protagonists, who are often unsuspecting and innocent, are led to believe that the farmhouse they are visiting is a safe haven or a place of refuge. They are presented with a façade of hospitality and kindness, only to realize that they have been deceived.
Director Derek Sulek’s latest thriller, “Chaos on the Farm,” released on April 16, 2023, depicts this particular theme and offers a gripping viewing experience. The film juxtaposes the peacefulness of farm life with sudden chaos, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats with a skillful blend of suspense and intrigue. The movie’s plot centers around a gripping story, and the director expertly captures the essence of farm life before unleashing the movie’s twists and turns. Here’s a brief recap of the story to help you understand what you can expect from this nail-biting film.
Spoilers Ahead
‘Chaos On The Farm’ Story
The opening shots of “Chaos on the Farm” showcase the picturesque beauty of a farm, but the serene atmosphere is quickly shattered by a murder. The film’s protagonist, Jessica (Brook Sill), is reeling from the loss of her mother and struggling to come to terms with it. When her family lawyer informs her of her mother’s will, which includes a substantial amount and a share for her aunt and uncle, Jessica is tasked with delivering the inheritance money to them at their farmhouse. Having never visited them before due to the distance, Jessica sees this as an opportunity to finally meet her relatives. Her boyfriend, Sam (Billy Armstrong), offers to accompany her and fulfill her mother’s wishes.
Upon arriving at Jessica’s aunt’s farmhouse, Jessica and Sam are warmly welcomed by Aunt Susan (Clare Kramer) and Uncle Lawrence (Jake Busey). Susan and Lawrence prepare delicious food for the couple and engage them in conversation to bridge the gap created by their differing lifestyles and geographic distance. While discussing their preferences, Uncle Lawrence expresses his disdain for city life and extols the virtues of the remote farmhouse, where people barely know each other. However, when Jessica and Sam go to their room, Uncle Lawrence makes it clear that he disapproves of unmarried couples sharing a room and goes so far as to label it a sin. Despite this, Jessica and Sam choose to ignore his comments, understanding that their beliefs and lifestyle differ from those of their hosts.
A Delightful Visit That Turns Into A Nightmare
The character of Uncle Lawrence seems to be a very strange one. His demeanor suggests that he doesn’t enjoy the company of Jessica and Sam, and he becomes visibly angry when he catches them being intimate in their room after dinner. Throughout their exploration of the farm the next day, Uncle Lawrence remains suspicious and keeps a close eye on the young couple. In the afternoon, a scruffy-looking man named Kurt arrives at the farmhouse in a beat-up car blaring loud music. When Jessica questions him about his identity, he responds by asking about her visit and seems surprised to see her. As Kurt and Jessica start having a conversation, and Kurt tries to tell Jessica that the people living in the house are not who she thinks they are, Aunt Susan quickly hustles Jessica inside, warning her that Kurt is a dangerous criminal. Lawrence takes charge of the situation and reveals that Kurt is a thief who is hiding out at the farm.
The situation takes a dark and sinister turn when Sam catches Uncle Lawrence in the act of killing Kurt and attempting to dispose of his body. Sam quickly alerts the authorities and rushes to Jessica, urging her to leave with him at once. However, their escape is cut short when Aunt Susan ambushes them from behind and ties them to chairs. It is then revealed that Lawrence and Susan are not who they claim to be; they are actually Julie and Brandon, a nefarious duo who have assumed false identities to carry out heinous crimes and steal money. Their pretense as Jessica’s relatives was merely a means to obtain her inheritance money. Just moments after Sam’s emergency call, Sheriff Hank (Dorian Gregory) arrives at the scene to investigate. When Brandon tries to deceive the sheriff, he hears some suspicious noises and heads inside, only to be attacked and choked by Brandon. Meanwhile, with Sam’s help, Jessica manages to break free and starts running for her life as Brandon starts chasing her.
‘Chaos On The Farm’ Ending
Jessica attempts to evade Brandon, but he manages to capture her. In a moment of desperation, Brandon attempts to kill her, only to be confronted by Sheriff Hank, who points his gun at Brandon and demands his surrender. Despite the sheriff’s efforts, Brandon ends up killing him, leaving Jessica to flee in terror. Meanwhile, Julie subjects Sam to torture in order to extract information on the location of the inheritance money that he and Jessica hid. Despite his resistance, Sam eventually divulges that the check is concealed in Jessica’s bag. Seizing the opportunity, Julie takes the check and readies herself to depart. Unable to locate Jessica, Brandon returns to the house and devises a plan to flee with Julie. Meanwhile, Jessica manages to make her way to the sheriff’s car to call for backup. Seeing Jessica in the car, Brandon sets his sights on killing her.
After finally freeing himself, Sam attempts to attack Julie, but she outsmarts him by pointing a gun at him and making her escape. Meanwhile, Jessica flees the sheriff’s car and hides in the basement to avoid Brandon, only to be caught off guard when he tracks her down. However, Jessica summons her courage and, in a stunning turn of events, kills Brandon by using his own belt to strangle him. Sam later arrives on the scene to comfort Jessica, who is understandably traumatized by the experience. In the final scenes of “Chaos on the Farm,” Julie is apprehended by the police while attempting to flee with the stolen money. Sam and Jessica then sit outside the house, reflecting on the harrowing nightmare they have just endured.