Genre: Drama/Thriller
Cast: Seth Peterson (Providence), Chad Donella (Final Destination),
Bruce Davison (X-Men 1 & 2, Runaway Jury), Giancarlo
Esposito (Usual Suspects, Homicide: Life on the Street),
Lin Shaye (There's Something About Mary)
Directed/Written/Produced by: Tommy Stovall
Synopsis: Robbie Levinson and Trey McCoy, a gay couple in their late twenties, live in a quiet suburban neighborhood and are especially tight with their widowed neighbor Kathleen. Stable and together for six years, Robbie and Trey gain an unwanted conflict when Chris Boyd moves in next door.
Chris has moved out of his parents' house to gain some independence, yet he remains under the control of his overbearing father, a fundamentalist preacher. One night outside his house, Chris threatens Robbie and reveals his disdain for gay people. Robbie does some research on Chris and discovers that he belongs to an anti-gay activist group.
One evening, Trey walks the dog while Robbie stays home. After Robbie is surprised by a strange noise outside, he opens the front door to find their dog Phoebe, leash still attached, scratching and whining. Robbie, led by Phoebe to a dark wooded neighborhood park, discovers Trey lying on the ground, alone, bloody and badly beaten. Trey is rushed to the hospital and slips into a coma. Robbie, along with Trey's parents, Jim and Barbara McCoy, must deal with uncertainty and difficult emotions while Trey fights for his life.
Chris becomes the prime suspect when Robbie tells police that he had to have been Trey's attacker. But Chris has a solid alibi: his father, Pastor Boyd. Detective Elizabeth Fisher, convinced that Chris and his father are lying, discovers that Chris and a friend were previously arrested for harassing a gay man.
Robbie is confident that Trey will identify his attacker when he wakes up, but Trey takes a turn for the worse and goes into a seizure. The doctor delivers some horrific news: Trey is brain dead. Before Trey is let off of life support, Robbie vows to him that he will get justice.
Jim and Barbara begin to turn on each other, both devastated and confused over the loss of their only son. Jim struggles with his alcoholism and begins to question his faith and God. Barbara becomes angry and focuses on her burning desire for justice.
Kathleen, jaded by her own experiences, tells Robbie that he can't rely on the law. So, Robbie, frustrated by the slow investigation, begins to seek evidence on his own. He confronts Chris at church in an attempt to draw a confession. But instead of admitting to the murder, Chris humiliates Robbie by spitting in his face.
A homicide detective, Sergeant Esposito, is added to the case and begins to clash with Detective Fisher. He points the finger at Robbie after learning that he will benefit from a sizable life insurance policy from Trey's death. Esposito reveals to Robbie during questioning that he believes Robbie is the murderer.
A fuming Robbie attacks and punches Chris at his church, landing himself in jail for assault.
When Robbie is released from jail, Detective Fisher tries to convince Esposito that Robbie couldn't have killed Trey and that Chris is lying. But Esposito has already begun discussions with the DA to bring a case against Robbie. Disgusted that he himself has become the prime suspect, Robbie breaks into Chris' house and searches for anything he can find. While there, he comes across something unexpected that poses a mystery, and possibly proof of Chris' motive. Robbie starts to follow Chris and soon learns that Chris has an important secret.
Robbie continues to follow Chris and overhears a private conversation, proving what really happened the night Trey was attacked. Robbie and Barbara, both disillusioned with the legal system, decide to take justice into their own hands. With the help of a willing Kathleen, Robbie and Barbara anxiously attempt to carry out their plan of revenge. |