Directed by Meeshelle Neal, Smart Home Killer is a film that perfectly captivates its audience. The movie revolves around Leah Tomkins, a single working mother who resides with her daughter, Harper. From invasion to being trapped inside a smart house, the storyline is filled with unexpected turns and twists. Lifetime has consistently delivered impressive movies on a low budget, and Smart Home Killer is no exception—it’s a compelling choice for a weekend watch. Natalie Brown leads the narrative skillfully, supported by a talented cast that beautifully interprets Meeshelle Neal’s vision. Spoilers Ahead!
Smart Home Killer (2023) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
The film starts with a home invasion while Leah is alone inside her house. She somehow manages to call 911, and the person runs away before getting caught. Later, she changes her location altogether without worrying much about what may happen to Harper since she needs to start school all over again with new friends. Also, Leah has also got a job in this new place so the house covers all her requirements as of now. This new house also has an upgraded security system called Soteria, invented by a mad genius, Devan Karloe.
Devan comes to see the house and gives a tour of Soteria to Leah. Soteria is basically an artificial intelligence that will perform the tasks with the voice command of Devan and the house owner. Devan seems a bit obsessed with Soteria. But the main reason behind Leah installing this security system is to protect herself and Harper from home invasions that they have recently faced.
Why does Devan kill Wasley?
When Devan is giving a tour to Leah about how Soteria works, we see someone tracking their movements by hacking the CCTV camera of the house. Later we are introduced to Wasley Mora, who is Devan’s assistant. He is sent to guide Leah on how Soteria works. However, Harper develops a feeling for him, and soon they start seeing each other without Leah knowing anything about it. Wasley’s intentions are not clear, as even when he has the opportunity, he doesn’t harm anyone. Maybe everything is just fun for him; hacking CCTV cameras; dating an underaged girl, whatever.
But when Leah finds out about this, she strictly handles the issue, starting with removing Wasley from the property. Later she also calls Devan and tells him that she doesn’t want Wasley anywhere near Harper. Devan warns Wasley, but he threatens him, saying that he knows everything about this AI programme. Devan does not want Wasley to leave. However, after multiple warnings, when Wasley still meets with Harper and manipulates Soteria’s data, Devan completely loses control. He remotely controls the car Wasley is driving and pushes him toward death once and for all. The reason is not related to Wasley seeing Harper but because he dares to put his hand on Soteria, which makes Devan completely go rogue.
Why does Devan kill Oscar?
As time progresses, Devan becomes very much obsessed with Soteria and now with Leah as well. He starts liking her in a way that he somehow needs to see her every now and then. Meanwhile, Leah has met with an old friend named Oscar in her office and they start to take their relationship to a more serious stage. At a housewarming party, it is clearly visible how much Devan hates to see Oscar and Leah together. Also, at the party, Oscar gives Leah a smartwatch which he plans to interconnect with Soteria in the future. This does not sit well with Devan, as he hates to share his work with anyone else. He rejects the proposal then and there and gives the notion to Oscar that he actually does not like his presence in the house at all.
Anyway, soon, Leah comes to realize that Devan is following her movements inside and outside the house. She asks Devan to remove the security system as it fails to keep unwanted guests away in the first place. She feels like Devan is kind of invading her private life way too much. Later, when Leah plans to change all the passwords with Oscar, Devan asks Soteria to text Leah that she is urgently required in her office.
Leah leaves for the office while Oscar stays inside the house. Soon, Devan takes full control of the house as Oscar enters the steam room, it gets locked. Devan turns the heat up, and Oscar tries to leave the steam room, but he fails. Oscar is killed because he becomes a threat to Devan. Oscar has already got Leah, but the doubt of Oscar interconnecting Soteria with his smartwatch drives Devan wild. He does not want anyone to even touch Soteria.
Smart Home Killer (2023) Movie Ending Explained:
Can Leah and Harper Protect Themselves from Devan?
When Harper returns home that night, she fails to find Oscar in the house. Leah arrives at the house and wonders where Oscar could be. Suddenly, video footage of Oscar struggling inside the steam room appears, and Leah tries to rush to the steam room to save him. Harper later informs her that the video footage is from previous events, and there is nothing they can do at the moment to help Oscar. They begin consoling each other when Devan enters the house. He has already raised the Carbon Monoxide levels inside the house.
Leah and Harper start feeling numb as the gas takes a toll on their nervous systems. But somehow, Leah finds the strength to hit Devan from behind. She strikes him multiple times with a pan that Devan had gifted her. When Devan is knocked out, Leah and Harper finally manage to take full control of Soteria and unlock the doors of the house. Later, we see Leah uninstalling Soteria and other robots in the house. Both the mother and daughter have now decided not to use robots or AIs any longer. Instead, they consider getting a dog.
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