A disheartened artist is terrorized by events that become increasingly surreal and may be the work of a jaded woman skilled in an even darker art.

SYNOPSIS:

Coverage:

"An eerie thriller, `Lauren is Nearby' has a clever structure that keeps us from identifying what genre of film we're in - though we begin in the realm of domestic drama with a traditional gaslighting premise, the spooky incidents creep into the story until the great third act twist..." - Screenplay Readers

Synopsis:

Willie Blake (30) is an artist struggling to infuse her next work with the edge that might win

her a breakout art show when she receives a mysterious text from her husband’s purported

mistress.

Since being laid off as a reporter, Willie’s a bit unsure of herself and dependent both

emotionally and financially on her husband, Jonah, a real estate executive on the rise.

Prodded by her cynical journalist friend, Clarissa, Willie noses around Jonah's home office,

finding clues that a former goth girl turned real estate professional, Lauren Ranson (26),

might be the other woman. Jonah’s quick to deny, but Lauren’s definitely spying when he

takes Willie to dinner.

More texts drive Jonah to strange behavior and intensify Willie’s suspicions, though he

claims he’s out dealing with a difficult client, not appeasing an upset mistress.

Hoping to convince Willie the affair is real, Clarissa encourages further investigation and

volunteers to help. As she’s checking up on Jonah’s whereabouts, escalating tech problems

starting with home electronics plague Willie.

Since Jonah’s an early adopter, the latest home tech including doorbell cameras, smart

speakers, and social media surround Willie. Lauren seems to be hacking the home systems

to harass Willie into letting Jonah go or worse.

In an attempt to know Lauren better, Willie’s investigation garners a warning that

electronics might allow magical assault. Amid clashes with Jonah in which she demands the

truth, electronic and possibly real intrusions persist along with ongoing social media

suggestions that “Lauren is nearby.” Are all of those smart speakers, doorbell cameras, and

portable devices being hacked or are they a channel to something powerful and

supernatural at work?

To put an end to the disturbances, an erratic Jonah tears out of the house, possibly for a

rendezvous and confrontation with Lauren. Willie and Clarissa follow to a new home

development seeking the truth but walk into a rattling, all-hell-breaks-loose showdown that

may lead to death instead of answers.