Strapped for cash,
videographer Aaron Franklin accepts an online job request to travel to a remote cabin in
Crestline, California, where he meets his client, Josef. Josef explains that he has an inoperable
brain tumor and is expected to die before his pregnant wife Angela gives birth, so he wishes to have Aaron record a single day's video diary for his unborn child, "Buddy," just like the protagonist of the film
My Life. The video diary begins with Josef removing his clothes and taking a long
bubble bath, pretending his child is in the tub with him, during which he becomes saddened by his impending fate and mentions that he could commit suicide at any point before then if he wanted to. Becoming unsettled, Aaron briefly steps out of the room and stumbles upon a Halloween mask of a wolf on a closet shelf, which frightens him. Josef says the wolf is named "Peachfuzz.", that his father gave it to him when he was a child, and that he intends to bequeath it to Buddy, though Aaron finds its appearance too scary to be given to a child. Throughout filming, Josef demonstrates eccentric behavior that makes Aaron uneasy, such as
jump scaring Aaron by leaping out from a hiding place with a shriek, then laughing when Aaron yells in fright. It also becomes increasingly obvious that his motives and his stories about his life are
falsified. While dining at a restaurant, Josef asks Aaron if he has ever done anything he's ashamed of. Aaron recalls that he struggled with
incontinence as a child. Josef then admits that he stalked and secretly photographed Aaron prior to their meeting, but claims that he regrets his actions and hopes Aaron can forgive him. Aaron agrees, but attempts to leave that night, though Josef convinces him to come inside and share a drink. In the ensuing conversation, Josef confides that he lied about Peachfuzz's origins, explaining that he purchased it at a
ninety-nine cent store and raped Angela while wearing it after discovering
bestiality porn in her internet search history. Disturbed, Aaron crushes
Benadryl to put Josef to sleep and tries to leave again, but is unable to locate his car keys. He intercepts a phone call from Angela, who reveals that she is actually Josef's sister and urges Aaron to escape. He is stopped by Josef, who breaks down in tears over his fear of dying and thanks Aaron for his kindness. When Aaron reveals he spoke to Angela, Josef flees. Aaron follows him and finds Josef wearing the Peachfuzz mask, barring the front door and growling in menace. They scuffle, and Aaron ultimately succeeds in getting away. Aaron begins to have recurring nightmares about Josef. He also starts receiving items in the mail from Josef despite having never given Josef his address, including a videotape of Josef digging a hole in the woods, a wolf stuffed animal, a knife, and a heart-shaped locket containing photos of both of them. He contacts the police, but they are unable to take action due to Aaron knowing little about Josef. Josef approaches Aaron's house in the middle of the night, standing outside menacingly and eventually entering while Aaron is asleep, cutting a lock of his hair. A final DVD is sent to Aaron in which Josef offers to meet him in broad daylight at
Lake Gregory to make amends. Aaron accepts Josef's offer, but places a camera on himself and sets his phone to speed-dial 911 as a precaution. While Aaron waits on a park bench for Josef to arrive, Josef kills him from behind with an axe. While reviewing the footage, Josef questions why Aaron did not turn around in the moments leading up to his murder. He concludes that Aaron believed Josef was a good person who would not harm him - because of this, he declares Aaron to be his favorite victim. "Josef," now calling himself Bill, later receives a phone call from his newest target as he places a DVD of Aaron's murder alongside nearly thirty other DVDs and videotapes of his past victims. ==Cast==