The Vicious Kind follows the story of Caleb Sinclaire, a young man who is struggling to come to terms with the break-up of his last relationship. Over the Thanksgiving holidays, Caleb's younger brother, Peter, brings home his new girlfriend, Emma, for the family to meet. From the moment Caleb meets Emma, he is filled with a sense of disdain and disgust towards her, convinced that there is something deeply wrong with her.
Caleb's initial warnings to his brother about Emma are ignored, and Peter is initially smitten with her. However, as Thanksgiving progresses, Caleb becomes increasingly infatuated with Emma, despite his better judgement. The more he gets to know her, the more he begins to appreciate her complexity and depth.
As Caleb and Emma's relationship begins to develop, the tension between the Sinclaire brothers reaches fever pitch, ultimately resulting in a violent confrontation. The Vicious Kind explores themes of love, obsession, and betrayal, serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of letting our emotions get the better of us.