Summaries

Synopsis

Barbara Thorson (Madison Wolfe) is a young, independent teenager who lives with her brother and supportive older sister, Karen (Imogen Poots). Barbara has created a fantasy world inspired by her love of Dungeons & Dragons and the career of former Phillies pitcher, Harry Coveleski. Believing that giants from other worlds are coming to attack her hometown, she spends her days creating weapons and traps to fend off the creatures.One day, Barbara meets Sophia (Sydney Wade), who just moved to the area from Leeds, England. Sophia expresses an interest in getting to know Barbara, but Barbara initially remains aloof.

A confrontation between Barbara and a group of bullies led by Taylor (Rory Jackson) is interrupted by Barbara being called by the school psychologist, Mrs. Molle (Zoe Saldana). Barbara leaves the ensuing meeting abruptly, declaring that their talk would just distract her from her preparations to battle a giant. Later, Barbara explains the mythology behind the giants to Sophie. She shows Sophia the baits and traps she created to lure and trap giants, and tells her about the magical war-hammer, Coveleski, which she keeps in her handbag. She also tells Sophia about Harbingers, ghostly creatures that warn her when there is a nearby giant.After Barbara is given detention by the principal for insulting a teacher, she takes Sophie with her on her hunt for a giant. Sophia begins to doubt Barbara's claims about the giants.

When Mrs. Molle learns about Barbara's interest in baseball, she asks about it, causing Barbara to become lost in bad memories and to run home. In a daze, she is startled by Sophie and strikes her, causing Taylor and her friends -who witnessed it- to laugh. Though Barbara tries to apologize, Sophie runs off, upset. Later, Sophie is approached by Taylor who promises to tell her a secret about Barbara if Sophie will show them some of the "freaky things" Barbara does. Sophie agrees, leading Taylor and friends to the sanctuary, where they proceed to dismantle many of Barbara's traps. Barbara interrupts and draws Covaleski, which turns out to be a small animal's jawbone tied to a stick. Barbara is shocked at the state of her weapon and is beaten by Taylor and friends.

Sophia takes Barbara to her home to recover. When Barbara wakes, she becomes very upset at being brought upstairs, and tells Sophie to slowly move away, before "it" sees her. Sophia looks into one of the bedrooms and drops a glass of water in shock before fleeing the house. Barbara visits Mrs. Molle at her house looking for help but grows uncomfortable upon being introduced to her family.

After Barbara fails to go to school for several days, Sophie and Mrs. Molle visit Barbara's house. In the basement, Sophie discovers a recording of Barbara and her mother telling the story of Coveleski's "Giant Killer" nickname. Sophia leaves and finds Barbara, telling her that all of the giants are in her head, and asks Barbara why she never told Sophie about her mother. Barbara angrily storms off. She is visited by Harbingers who taunt her, telling her that she is too weak to defeat a giant.

Barbara heads to face the giant at an abandoned train yard. She hides in the trains but is hunted by the giant. She eventually activates a train control station rigged to nearby electrical poles, which electrocutes it and sets fire to some of the train cars. Sophie arrives just as Barbara is leaving. The next day, Barbara humiliates Taylor by placing a skeleton in her locker. This worries Mrs. Molle and Karen who proceed to look for Barbara. Barbara heads to her sanctuary upon discovering that she still can't use Coveleski, where she prays for the return of her weapon.

As an unexpected storm bears down on the town, Mrs. Molle confronts Barbara on her way to the sanctuary, telling her that Barbara's mother is desperate to see her. Barbara ignores her. Upon arriving, she witnesses a scene of destruction. Sophia explains that Taylor wrecked the area as revenge for what Barbara did and that she tried to stop her. Suddenly, a giant appears out of the water. Barbara stands against it, and draws forth the restored Coveleski from her handbag, revealing a massive, glowing war hammer. She proceeds to defeat the titan with it, fueled by her wrath that it came for her mother. Laying injured upon the beach, the titan reveals that he came for Barbara, not her mother. Barbara is stunned and demands that the titan "finish it". The titan snatches her up, and draws her close to its head, so she can strike it down with Coveleski. As the titan falls back into the ocean, it brings Barbara with it. Sinking below the waves, she hears the voice of the titan telling her that every living thing must die. It says to run from death is to reject life, and that she must find joy in every moment while she can. Barbara swims back to the beach, where she reunites with Sophie.

The next day, Barbara climbs upstairs to see her mother, who lays dying in her bed. They share heartfelt messages and Barbara apologizes for avoiding her. After the summer break, Barbara's mother dies, but Barbara rekindles her relationships with Mrs. Molle, Karen and Sophia. On the first night of school, she is awoken by the titan, who stands in the ocean, watching her. She says thank you and goes back to sleep.