Set in Lexington in the present day, Thanatophobia follows Ernie Cranshaw, a seventy eight-year-old man deeply scarred by a terrible past who lives alone in his humble ranch home. After suffering another horrific nightmare triggered by an event from his childhood, he awakens the next morning and visits a 50s-styled diner. While there, he's approached by a mysterious stranger who offers him a unique opportunity - a favorite classic theater is showing a week of free classic films before closing its doors for good. Hesitatingly, Ernie heads off through a rainy night to the theater, but what lies inside may just send him to the brink of madness.