The Empty Man is a 2020 supernatural horror film directed, written, and co-edited by David Prior in his feature directorial debut, based on Cullen Bunn and Vanesa R. Del Rey's graphic novel The Empty Man published by Boom! Studios. Starring James Badge Dale and Marin Ireland, it follows an ex-cop who, upon an investigation into a missing girl, discovers a secret cult.

Plot

In 1995 in the Ura Valley, Bhutan, four friends—Greg, Fiona, Ruthie, and Paul—go hiking on a mountain. Paul hears a strange whistling and falls into a crevice. Greg finds him in an almost catatonic state, staring at a massive, ancient humanoid skeleton with inhuman features embedded in the cave wall. Paul warns Greg against touching him, or he will die. Ignoring the warning, Greg carries Paul out. The group takes refuge at an empty house as a snowstorm hits. The next day Ruthie is chased by a tall creature wearing robes, which disappears. That night, the paralyzed Paul whispers something into Ruthie's ear. The following morning, they wake up to find Paul sitting near the bridge they crossed yesterday. As Greg shouts at Paul, a dazed Ruthie stabs Greg and slices Fiona's throat, then pushes them off the cliff. She shares an entranced look with Paul before throwing herself off too. Paul helplessly watches, shedding a single tear.