FILM SYNOPSIS

Tyler Reed is an Internet vlogger in his thirties living in the suburbs of southern California and completely circulates his lifestyle based on prepping for the end of times, indulging in radical conspiracy theories, and producing videos he streams though his online channel titled The Ordeal. We watch as he truly stays busy, producing video content almost everyday, while simultaneously promoting and selling his online ‘Ordeal’ merchandise on a continual basis- packaged and mailed by Tyler himself. His longtime girlfriend Ashley Bridges helps him film his videos and ultimately supports his vlog channel and way of life all together. 

He eventually puts out a call to his followers that he will officially be recruiting members to his militia and will be taking in applications. Tyler soon gathers a group of six men, online followers of his, and all of which we’re selected because the individual skill they bring to the table. They all begin to train together and seem rather committed, going on jogs, hikes, do the shooting range, all while they are dressed in Tyler’s militia/‘merch’ clothing. However Tyler’s mental state begins to decline, and unaware to the rest of the group Tyler is now on meds. His continuous redirect and obsessing over conspiracies has seemed to have changed him, his temper and outburst always end up in some sort of argument where he always refers back to everything being some grand scheme to keep us under control. Tyler has now become one of those on the Internet we’d typically call crazy. 

While his mental collapse unfolds, he begins to now start questioning the loyalty of his few militia members, scrutinizing their motives and morally testing them. Soon Tyler’s paranoia becomes out of control and he believes a major disaster is going to happen, causing him to gather his militia and head for the hills. The remaining members and his girlfriend know Tyler is in mental decline, and he has bugged out under false pretenses. When they confront Tyler about how he’s totally lost it and completely wrong, neither is he convinced nor happy but will not change his mind. And when the group follows through on leaving and going back home, this pushes Tyler over the ultimate edge