In a weekend getaway to the countryside, two dear friends, Tucker and Dale, seek to relax and enjoy life in their cabin deep in the woods. They are typical small-town guys, well-intentioned but with a somewhat disheveled appearance that could lead to misunderstandings. However, their peaceful adventure takes a turn for the nightmarish when a group of college students arrives in the area, looking for fun and, along the way, a bit of excitement in nature.
It all begins with an incredibly unfortunate accident that results in the accidental death of one of the young men, unleashing a series of increasingly surreal events. The students, convinced that Tucker and Dale are serial killers because of their rugged looks and bumbling behavior, begin to fall one by one in their misguided attempts to "save" their friend who has ended up at the two men's cabin. What seemed like a simple misunderstanding spirals into total chaos, filled with terrifying misunderstandings and comedic situations.
As the violence erupts in a hilariously absurd way, Tucker and Dale try to clarify the situation and show that they are not the villains of this story. But, of course, no one seems to be listening to them. The film cleverly plays with slasher clichés, blending horror and comedy into a rollercoaster that will make audiences laugh and scream in equal measure.