Excrutiate

Excruciate is a story of depression, trauma and a deep longing to be healthy, happy... normal. On paper Chris seems like an average 35 year old. A seemingly happy marriage, a lovely home, and a small roofing company that he runs. In reality, he suffers from a deep depression rooted in untreated childhood sexual trauma. His wife, Jenn, has finally convinced him to seek treatment at a sexual assault centre to help him unpack his trauma. Everything seems to be going good for Chris for a change but then after a night of having a little too much to drink and an argument with Jenn, his nightmares start up again, his sleep paralysis. This sets off a deep spiral into depression, paranoia, lies and fear. While suffering in silence, Chris is lying to Jenn about his declining mental health. He’s put her through too much already and this could easily be the beginning of the end for them. With his sleep paralysis becoming more common, sleep is at an all time low. It even seems that he is being followed around by an old man that just stares at him. Off his medication, he can’t seem to figure out what’s even real anymore. An excited Jenn is off to visit her sister for a week and a half. She is eager for her trip but equally worried to leave Chris home alone, fearing that he will easily fall back into drinking and not taking care of himself like he has in the past. Chris assures her that he is fine, he is a new person and smiles and waves while she drives off on her trip. Once out of sight, the smile quickly fades because he knows he can’t do this alone anymore. Alone, drinking more everyday, Chris is at his breaking point. The nightmares are getting worse and more real, spilling into reality. After a few close calls with suicide, he has hit rock bottom and is desperate to become healthy again. It’s too late though as his rock bottom has somehow unleashed an entity, the figure from his nightmares. Stalking him in his own home, unable to escape the figure, it turns into a fight for survival and sanity.