Set in New Zealand during the 1980s, 'Pet' follows Justine, a twelve-year-old girl captivated by her charming yet enigmatic teacher. As a new educator dazzles the students, Justine's admiration erupts into a desire for closer connection. However, ominous undercurrents stir at the school when a string of thefts triggers Justine's intuition that all is not as it seems. Navigating a labyrinth of deception and burgeoning guilt, Justine is ensnared in a moral quandary, wrestling with her loyalties. Amidst the atmospheric backdrop of pastoral New Zealand, 'Pet' delves into the sinister dynamics of influence and manipulation, inviting comparisons to other intense narratives of youth and psychological suspense, and casting a penetrating light on the societal ills of racism, misogyny, and religious imposition.