Two years after being presumed dead, Stanley Caldwell (under the alias of "Alan") meets with an agent named Lauren on a boat to discuss a new screenplay.

They soon learn that despite public protest, director Mike Helton has begun principal photography on Cabin by the Lake, a film based on Stanley's old screenplay detailing his exploits as a serial killer.

Helton unveils the indoor set for Cabin by the Lake: An enormous water tank almost identical to Stanley's original "garden".

Tasked with shooting the underwater scenes, Stanley dons scuba gear and dives into the tank to tend his garden, infuriating Helton by ignoring his stage directions.

In turn, Stanley drugs Helton and takes him back to the cabin where he buries him alive, using fireworks to cover his panicked screams.

Stanley directs the final scene of the movie, but secretly rigs a light fixture to fall into the tank and electrocute the actress inside.

Stanley coerces the actors playing Mallory and Boone to come back to the set for one final shot, then returns to the cabin where a defiant Alison manipulates him into bringing her to the stage.

A news report states that Cabin by the Lake was a surprise hit in its opening weekend, earning $36 million at the box office with a sequel already in the works.

The Los Angeles Times panned the sequel, writing, "Nelson is so resolutely expressionless, however--so completely lacking in charisma--that it's difficult to believe anyone could fall under his spell.

Campy to the max, this sequel to last year's highly rated telepic does away with the original's misogyny and replaces it with in-jokes about the Hollywood production process.

Completely in tune with just how flaky showbiz types can be, this serial killer story is comfortable in the confines of feather-light, jokey fright".