After being released from the institution in Québec where she was placed in after suffering a mental breakdown, housewife Alice Jarett relocates to the country of Canada with her husband Martin, a professor.

Alice has a few more run-ins with the carpenter, and comes to the conclusion that he is the spirit of the house's builder, a man named Edward who was executed for killing several repo men when his obsession with perfecting his home caused him to incur massive debt.

When Martin returns home and discovers Laura's mangled body, he attacks Alice, but is subdued and has his head crushed in a vise by Ed.

[2] Despite deeming the finale weak, DVD Verdict also enjoyed the film, writing that it was "filled with quirky characters, and this—at least for me—is why The Carpenter works.

had a lukewarm reaction to the film (which they described as being "like Ghost if Swayze were psychotic") and concluded "I can somewhat recommend it, if only because some moments are absurdly brilliant".