A man "unboxes" a vintage doll that bears a likeness to television and film star James Franco. As the man plays with the doll, it spouts soundbites from Mr. Franco's past; the man becomes obsessed.
Amidst the chilly white winter, bright-eyed Alma, wanders through Barcelona’s cobblestone streets. Suddenly, she spots an unassuming toy shop. Her gaze is drawn to a nearly identical figure staring back at her from the storefront window. As if by magic, the shop’s door swings open. But to her bewilderment, her elusive twin is nowhere to be found.
Loner Mark Lewis works at a film studio during the day and, at night, takes racy photographs of women. Also he's making a documentary on fear, which involves recording the reactions of victims as he murders them. He befriends Helen, the daughter of the family living in the apartment below his, and he tells her vaguely about the movie he is making.
Twenty years after the disappearance of her daughter, a recovering alcoholic is preparing to host her family's Christmas celebration when her estranged ex-brother-in-law arrives unannounced, bearing nostalgic gifts and a heavy secret.