Hereditary

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

(SIGHS) Come on, Peter.

Wake up. Peter. Wake up.

Here's your suit.

Do you know if your sister

slept in her room last night?

I don't know.

Come on, Peter. Get up.

(GRUNTS)

Oh, Charlie.

For God's sake, come on!

It was freezing last night!

That's how you get pneumonia.

That's okay.

Okay, come on.

Let's go. We're late.

Your mother's

in the car already.

ANNIE:
(CLEARS THROAT) Um...

It's heartening to see so many

strange new faces here today.

Um, I know my mom

would be very touched

and probably a little

suspicious... (CHUCKLES)

um, to see this turnout. So.

My mother was a very secretive

and private woman.

She had private rituals,

private friends,

private anxieties.

It honestly feels

like a betrayal

just to be standing here

talking about her.

She was a very difficult woman

to read.

If you ever thought you knew

what was going on with her,

and God forbid

you tried to confront that.

But when her life

was unpolluted,

she could be

the sweetest, warmest,

most loving person

in the world.

She was also

incredibly stubborn,

which maybe, explains me.

(SCRIBBLING ON PAPER)

You could always count on her

to always have the answer.

(CHARLIE CLICKS TONGUE)

ANNIE:
And if

she ever was mistaken,

and well,

that was your opinion...

- (CLICKS TONGUE)

- And you were wrong.

There aren't nuts in that?

- No.

- Good.

Does that have nuts? 'Cause

we don't have the EpiPen.

STEVE:
I know.

Hello, Rexy! Good dog.

Shoes off, everybody.

Charlie, shoes off.

It does feel weird.

(SOFTLY) Yeah.

Should I be sadder?

You should be

whatever you are. It'll come.

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

Hey, how's it going?

Mmm, just working.

Taking a break

from avoiding the show.

So, you still toiling away

at the hospice?

Yeah, between this

and the, uh, preschool.

So what's our deadline now?

Seven months?

- Six and a half.

- Ooh, coming up.

Any ideas for titles?

- (STRUMMING GUITAR)

- (TV PLAYING)

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

Come in.

Hey...

- Goodnight, kiddo.

- Goodnight.

Are you, uh... Are you feeling

okay about everything?

Yeah. Fine.

A little sad?

Mmm... (CHUCKLES)

Yeah, I get it. I know.

- Goodnight.

- Night.

STEVE:
Love you.

ANNIE:
Who's this?

That's Grandma?

You know

you were her favorite, right?

Even when

you were a little baby,

she wouldn't let me feed you

because she needed

to feed you.

Drove me crazy.

She wanted me to be a boy.

You know, I was a tomboy

when I was growing up.

I hated dresses

and dolls and pink.

Who's gonna take care of me?

(SCOFFS) Um, excuse me.

You don't think

I'm gonna take care of you?

But when you die.

Well, then...

Dad will take care of you.

Or Peter.

You never cried as a baby.

You know that?

Even when you were born.

Did you feel

like you wanted to cry today?

You think it might feel

like a relief?

(KISSING)

Goodnight, sweetheart.

(SIGHS)

Mom?

(SWITCH CLICKS)

(EXHALES DEEPLY)

I just scared myself

in the workshop.

With... With what?

(CHUCKLES)

No.

Are you done?

Almost.

So, maybe we finish the toy

after the quiz.

What do you think?

- Okay.

- Okay.

(THUDS)

- (ALL EXCLAIMING)

- Oh, my God! What was that?

(STUDENTS CHATTERING

INDISTINCTLY)

TEACHER:

So, if we go by the rule

that the hero is undone

by his fatal flaw,

what is Heracles' flaw?

BRIDGET:
Arrogance.

Okay. Why?

Because he literally refuses

to look at all the signs

that are literally handed

to him the entire play.

TEACHER:
Okay, interesting.

- (CELL PHONE VIBRATES)

- So he thinks he has control.

But let's all remember,

Sophocles wrote the oracle

so that it was unconditional,

meaning, Heracles never had

any choice, right?

So does that make it

more tragic or less tragic

that if he has a choice?

- BOY:
Less.

- Okay.

- Why?

- Because.

TEACHER:
Care to

weigh in, Peter?

Um, about which part?

GIRL:
I think it's more tragic

because if it's all

just inevitable,

then that means that

the characters had no hope.

They never had hope

because they're all just,

like, hopeless.

They're all like pawns

in this horrible,

hopeless machine.

(SCHOOL BELL RINGS)

(DOOR OPENS)

STEVE:
Hello!

ANNIE:
Hi!

(DOOR CLOSES)

Did you go up

in my mom's room?

No.

Mmm. Door was open.

(PHONE RINGING IN DISTANCE)

PETER:
Hello?

Sorry. I know it's irrational.

- No problem.

- Thank you.

Hey, Dad. It's the cemetery.

About what?

Let me see.

Hello? Yes.

What does that mean?

Desecrated?

But it's only been a week.

(SIGHS)

Yes, okay, yes. Sure.

All right. I understand.

Yes...

Uh, why don't I call you back?

Yes. Goodbye.

What was it?

Uh, just some billing crap.

Okay, well, I'm, uh...

I'm gonna go see a movie.

Okay.

(WOMAN SPEAKING SPANISH)

He would say

"I'm a burden, I'm a burden,

I'm a burden."

(WOMAN SPEAKING SPANISH)

TRANSLATOR:
And I would

tell him, "No, no."

(WOMAN SPEAKING SPANISH)

TRANSLATOR:
But yes,

he was a burden.

Now we've set aside

some time for any newcomers

who might like to speak.

So, anyone.

If it's your first

or second time with us,

the floor is open.

Yes. Would you like to...

Maybe not.

Okay. No pressure.

My name's Annie.

ALL:
Hi, Annie.

My mom died a week ago.

So I'm just here

for trying it.

I have a lot of resistance

to things like this,

but I came to these

a couple years ago.

Well, I was forced to come

and I guess it, um...

I guess it helped. So, um...

My mom was old and she wasn't

all together there at the end.

And we were pretty much

estranged before that,

so it really wasn't

a huge blow.

But I did love her.

And she didn't have

an easy life.

She had DID, which became

extreme at the end.

And dementia.

And my father died when I was

a baby from starvation,

um, because he had

psychotic depression

and he starved himself,

which I'm sure was just

as pleasant as it sounds.

And then there's my brother.

My older brother

had schizophrenia

and when he was 16

he hanged himself

in my mother's bedroom

and of course

the suicide note blamed her

accusing her of putting people

inside him. So.

(SIGHS)

That was my mom's life.

And then she lived

in our house

at the end before hospice.

We weren't even talking

before that.

I mean, we were

and then we weren't.

And then we were.

She's completely manipulative.

Until my husband finally

enforced a no-contact rule,

which lasted until I got

pregnant with my daughter.

I didn't let her

anywhere near me

when I had my first, my son,

which is why I gave her

my daughter,

who she immediately

stabbed her hooks into.

And I just...

I felt guilty again.

I felt guilty again.

When she got sick,

not that she was really even

my mom at the end,

and not that she would ever

feel guilty about anything.

And I just don't want to put

any more stress on my family.

I'm not even really sure

if they could...

Could give me that support.

And I just...

I just feel like...

I just sometimes

feel like it's all ruined.

(SOBBING)

And then I realize

that I am to blame.

Or not that I'm to blame,

but I am blamed! I'm...

MAN:
And what do you think

you feel blamed for?

I don't know.

MAN 1:
(ON TV) Hey, what's

going on in town

anyway, Mister?

A convention or something?

MAN 2:
What?

MAN 1:
Well, those clothes

you're wearing.

I talked to a guy this morning

who was wearing

the same kind of outfit.

MAN 2:
Maybe it's the guy

you're looking for, huh?

MAN 3:
You spoke to him?

What did he tell you?

Where did he go?

MAN 1:
Hey, what's the matter

with you?

- Hey, take your hands off me.

- (PHONE VIBRATES)

MAN 3:
You will tell me

what he said to you!

MAN 1:
Well why should I?

Hey, who do you think

you are anyway?

(INDISTINCT ARGUMENT)

MAN 1:
He came in

with the dog tags!

Wanted to know

about the address

and I told him how to find it.

MAN 3:
Where?

(CLICKING TONGUE)

(CONTINUES CLICKING TONGUE)

(CHAIR CREAKING)

(CELL PHONE VIBRATES)

Hey, um, do you think

I could maybe borrow

one of the cars tonight?

Why? Where are you going?

Oh, just like

a school barbecue thing.

Oh, so you're not eating

with us?

No, I was still gonna

eat here.

Well, you can eat there

if you want. I just didn't...

No, no, no. I'm gonna

eat here. I just, I...

Just be going to hang out.

No drinking?

We're not even old enough

to get drinks if we wanted to.

Well, that's a crock. I'm just

asking if you're drinking.

Well, I just answered no.

You gonna take your sister?

Uh... Does she want to go?

(SIGHING) Have you asked her?

Charlie?

(CLICKS TONGUE)

ANNIE:
Charlie!

(ANNIE SIGHS)

I mean, what are you doing?

Leaving the house barefoot?

Are you some kind of idiot?

You can't roam around

with no shoes and no coat.

- I want Grandma.

- Oh.

Oh, what?

You're angry with me now?

You are going to this...

Hey, socks off.

You're going to this party

with your brother.

CHARLIE:
What party?

Some school hangout

with other kids.

CHARLIE:
That's okay.

No, it's not okay.

You're going.

- Why?

- Because it'll be fun.

Because you'll get to hang out

with other kids.

- With who?

- With your...

With your brother.

With other kids.

- Fine.

- Good. You're going.

- She's going with you.

- Great.

Now this really means

no drinking.

Yeah, I really wasn't

going to.

(CHARLIE CLICKING TONGUE)

(CONTINUES CLICKING TONGUE)

(HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

PETER:
Whoa. Hi.

Oh. Hi.

How's the party?

Why? You wanna know

if you should come?

Uh, yeah. What do ya think?

Either way.

Hey, do you happen

to smoke at all?

I have really good weed.

- The other room has a bong.

- Sick.

Do you wanna wait out here

for a second?

- No.

- Charlie, please, just...

It'll be two minutes

and then we can hang out.

You can draw.

Please, Charlie. I'm...

Oh, sh*t, look. They're

giving out chocolate cake.

Not to everyone.

Yes to everyone. It's a party.

- I don't know anyone.

- Nobody does.

Just walk over and stand there

and they'll give you a piece.

Hurry up. They're gonna

run out. Come on, Charlie.

Hey, guys. Peter has weed.

(MUSIC CONTINUES)

BRIDGET:
That was

your sister downstairs?

- PETER:
Yeah. Charlie.

- (CELL PHONE VIBRATES)

BOY:
Is your sister hot?

I actually saw her

drawing me last week.

PETER:
Oh, yeah?

Yeah. She made me

look retarded.

Yeah. That's Charlie.

(CELL PHONE VIBRATES)

(CHARLIE WHEEZING)

CHARLIE:
Peter?

Charlie. (COUGHING)

- (WHEEZING)

- What's up?

Are you okay?

It's hard to breathe.

What do you mean?

I think my throat's

getting bigger.

(CHARLIE GASPING)

(GASPING)

It's okay, Charlie. We're

almost at the hospital, okay?

(CONTINUES GASPING)

- (COUGHS)

- Charlie!

(BRAKES SCREECHING)

(GASPING)

(TIRES SCREECHING)

(BREATHES HEAVILY)

(GASPING)

(SIGHS) You okay.

Okay.

ANNIE:
(WHISPERS) Okay, good.

They're home.

STEVE:
Good.

ANNIE:
I'm running out

for some balsam wood.

You want anything?

STEVE:
I'm good, sweetheart.

Drive safe.

ANNIE:
Okay. Back in 20.

(DOOR OPENS)

(DOOR CLOSES)

(CAR DOOR OPENS)

(ANNIE GASPS)

(ANNIE SCREAMING)

(CONTINUES SCREAMING)

Oh, my God! Oh, my God!

(ANNIE SOBBING)

Oh, no. I can't, I can't...

(WAILING)

I just want to die!

Oh, God. It hurts too much!

I just need to die!

(CONTINUES WAILING)

Charlie!

Oh, God.

(CONTINUES WAILING)

Oh, Charlie!

(ANNIE WAILING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(SIGHS)

(CLOCK TICKING)

(TEACHER SPEAKING

INDISTINCTLY)

Hey, are you guys friends

with Becky on Facebook?

You're friends with Becky?

- I said "Facebook friends."

- (LAUGHING)

But seriously,

you see her statuses, bro?

(CHUCKLES) Oh, my God,

dude, I know.

- Like, every ten seconds.

- For real.

Oh, dude, what about, uh,

f***ing... Let me hit that.

- Brian?

- Brian and his girlfriend.

He calls her something...

He calls her something really

goofy, dude. What does he...

Oh, he calls her princess.

- (LAUGHING)

- (COUGHING)

Who f***ing calls

their girlfriend "princess"?

What the f***?

Dude, he's like,

"I'm picking up

my princess from the airport.

F***ing eating cous...

What the f***.

It's couscous.

Couscous. I don't give a sh*t,

"...with my princess."

- (COUGHS)

- You hit that sh*t?

Who's his girlfriend?

Some, uh, some f***ing

stupid college chick.

Oh, damn.

I wanna f***ing stupid

college princess, bro.

- (LAUGHING)

- Yeah.

Oh, hey dude.

Dude, dude, dude.

Are you... Are you all right?

(GROANING)

I think I'm having a...

Like a reaction.

My throat is...

I think my throat

is getting bigger.

Dude, it's just it's...

It's just weed.

Chill, man. It's all right.

Just hold my hand. Hold on.

(CRYING)

(DOOR CLOSES)

(CAR ENGINE STARTS)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

- (SEAT BELT ALARM BEEPING)

- (ENGINE STARTS)

Uh, I'm so sorry

to chase you down.

Uh, were you not

coming in, or...

I... No, I just, um...

I forgot something.

Oh, okay, sorry.

Sorry, I just...

I recognized you

from a few months ago.

Oh, God.

I feel very silly. I'm Joan.

Hi.

(STUTTERS)

Are you doing better?

- What?

- After your mother?

What? No, no.

That's not... (SIGHS)

My, um...

My daughter was killed.

Oh. I'm... (SIGHS)

I'm so, so sorry.

Oh, would you like to

come in with me?

Or we could even

just have a coffee.

Uh, I'm sorry.

Really, I, um...

(STAMMERS) I can't...

I really did forget something.

My son died.

Oh.

I'm so sorry.

How old was yours?

Thirteen.

God. That's awful.

My son and my grandson

drowned four months ago.

The little one was seven.

Oh, my God!

I've been coming here

for a couple of months now.

And it has helped.

It doesn't

make it easier obviously,

but sometimes

it makes it less lonely.

Okay.

And now I'm about to

embarrass myself but, uh,

if you need someone

to talk to...

'Cause we all do.

If you need it.

Okay. (SNIFFLES)

Thank you. Really.

Okay.

- (SEAT BELT ALARM BEEPING)

- (ENGINE STARTS)

Bye-bye.

(EXHALES)

- Hey.

- Hey.

- (SIGHS) I'm going to bed.

- Where were you?

At the movies.

Gonna go to bed.

Okay. I'll come up with you.

Okay.

ANNIE:
(EXHALES)

I'll be right back.

No you won't.

You're taking the blanket.

I can't sleep.

It's freezing out there.

Well, the heater's up there.

Okay.

Is that okay?

If it gets too cold,

come back in.

I just need to sleep.

(TONGUE CLICKS IN DISTANCE)

- (TONGUE CLICKS)

- (GASPS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(FOOTSTEPS RECEDING)

Sh*t.

JOAN:
Oh, Annie. You came.

It's a little earlier

than we said.

Ah, you're perfect.

Come in. Come in.

Uh, your welcome mat.

(CHUCKLES) Ah!

It's kind of cute, huh?

Yeah. My mother used to

embroider ones just like that.

Did she really?

Isn't that funny?

Please come in. Sit.

ANNIE:
First there's the...

The smell of something wrong.

(SOBBING) And then the body.

Covered in black blood,

like tar.

And her head wasn't there

so I couldn't see her face.

(SOBBING)

But they were gone.

And her hands,

and her little finger nails.

(SNIFFLES)

How is your relationship

with your son?

- Peter?

- Hmm.

Oh, God. Um...

Okay, I sleepwalk.

I mean, I haven't done it

in years, but, um...

A couple years ago,

I woke up

and I was standing

next to Peter in Charlie's bed

when they shared a room.

And they were

completely covered

in paint thinner.

And so was I.

From head to toe.

And I was standing there

with a box of matches

and an empty can

of paint thinner.

(SNIFFLES)

And I woke myself up

striking the match,

which also woke Peter up,

and he started to scream.

(SNIFFLES)

And I immediately put

the match out.

Like, immediately. (SNIFFLES)

I mean, I was just

as shocked as he was.

And it was impossible

to convince them

that it was just sleepwalking,

which of course it was, but...

(SNIFFLES)

The timing was awful.

Peter and I had gotten into

this stupid quarreling phase,

just forever arguing

about nothing, such...

Frivolous stuff.

And Peter always held it

against me.

And there was nothing

I can say

and nothing I can do

because it happened.

While I was asleep.

Hey! That was quick.

Did you bike all the way here?

Um, no. Actually my friend

drove me home.

Oh, uh, by the way,

Peter, have you, um...

Have you signed up for that,

uh, SAT prep course?

PETER:
I'll do it tomorrow.

Yeah, you know what,

you gotta do that

because it's coming up.

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

Jesus Christ, Annie.

You're not planning on letting

him see that, are you?

- Who?

- Peter.

How do you think he's gonna

feel when he sees that?

What? It's not about him.

Oh, no?

No. It's a neutral view

of the accident.

(SIGHS)

(STEVE CLEARS THROAT)

Are you, uh, are you

coming down to dinner?

I'm making dinner.

No, I made the dinner.

I came to get you.

Come, stay, whatever you want.

I don't really give a sh*t.

(CUTLERY CLATTERING)

This is really good, Dad.

Thanks, buddy.

(CHUCKLES)

(TAPPING)

You okay, Mom?

What?

Is there something

on your mind?

Is there something

on your mind?

It just seems like there might

be something you wanna say.

STEVE:
Peter...

ANNIE:
Like what?

I mean, why would I wanna

say something

so I can watch you

sneer at me.

Sneer at you?

I don't ever sneer at you.

Oh, sweetie.

You don't have to.

You get your point across.

Okay, so fine. Then say

what you wanna say then.

Peter.

I don't wanna say anything.

I've tried saying things.

Okay, so try again.

Release yourself.

Oh, release you, you mean.

Yeah, fine. Release me.

Just say it.

Just f***ing say it!

Don't you swear at me,

you little sh*t!

Don't you ever

raise your voice at me!

I am your mother!

Do you understand?

All I do is worry and slave

and defend you.

And all I get back is that

f***ing face on your face.

So full of disdain

and resentment

and always so annoyed.

Well, now your sister is dead.

And I know you miss her,

and I know it was an accident

and I know you're in pain.

And I wish I could take that

away for you.

I wish I could shield you

from the knowledge

that you did what you did,

but your sister is dead!

She's gone forever!

And what a waste. (CRIES)

If it could have maybe brought

us together or something.

If you could have just said,

"I'm sorry",

or faced up to what happened.

Maybe then we could do

something with this.

But you can't take

responsibility for anything!

So now I can't accept...

And I can't forgive because...

Because nobody admits

anything they've done!

(EXHALES DEEPLY)

(SIGHS)

(ANNIE MUMBLING INDISTINCTLY)

PETER:
What about you, Mom?

She didn't wanna go

to the party.

So why was she there?

STEVE:
All right. We're

stopping this right now.

That's it.

I said stop right now.

Fine!

Fine.

ANNIE:
Joan?

Oh! Annie!

- Hey.

- Oh! (LAUGHING)

- Annie!

- Hi!

Oh, my!

How are you?

- Oh, Annie! I'm...

- Are you okay?

(LAUGHS)

(STAMMERS) I'm... I am, yes.

I'm really good.

- I'm really, really... (SIGHS)

- Okay.

(SIGHS) Something's...

Something happened, Annie,

and I feel completely

turned around.

- What happened?

- (LAUGHS)

I don't even know

if I should say.

What do you mean?

You're gonna think I am crazy!

No, not at all.

Oh. Okay.

All right, come on.

I met a spiritual medium.

They were performing

an open sance.

I know, I know

what you're thinking,

but they asked me to attend.

They were bringing skeptics

in and scientists.

So I went, fully skeptical.

And what I experienced there,

Annie, was truly...

Open sance...

They brought in the spirit of

a man from the 19th century.

And no, no, not in a kind of

smoke and mirrors way, no.

And the man sitting

next to me

was a completely

cynical neurologist

and he looked permanently

changed by the end of it.

No, I... I... I know

what you're thinking. I do.

But I... I approached

the medium afterwards

and I asked her about my son

and my grandson

and she came to my apartment

and she...

(SIGHS)

She ended up performing...

Well... She conjured

my grandson.

No, no, no, I know, I know

what that smile is. I know.

Annie, Annie...

I wouldn't believe it either,

I didn't believe it,

but I heard his voice.

I felt his presence

in the room.

Annie, this is real.

What are you doing right now?

I'm just here shopping.

Do you wanna come over?

Oh, Annie. Please, Annie.

I really think you should.

It would be everything

if you came.

ANNIE:
Nice mood setter.

(JOAN BREATHES DEEPLY)

Okay.

I'm going to put my hand

on the glass,

but I'm not going to

add pressure.

You do the same.

All right.

(EXHALES DEEPLY)

Louis...

Louis, are you here?

It's Grandma.

Louis, if you are here

with us,

please just try

and slide the glass.

Louis, if you're here...

(GASPS)

Hi, Louis!

- (LAUGHING) Hi, Louis!

- How did you do that?

Louis, I'm going to ask you

some questions. Okay, sweetie?

If the answer is yes,

slide the glass to the right.

If it's no,

slide it the other way,

to the left.

Do you understand?

Louis, are you okay?

(GLASS SLIDING)

Are you in pain?

- (GASPS) Oh, my God!

- It's okay. It's okay.

It's okay. It's okay.

Louis, I brought

your chalkboard.

- Remember your chalkboard?

- (ANNIE CRYING)

Can you write something?

(JOAN LAUGHS)

Oh, Louis!

I love you, sweetheart!

ANNIE:
I'm sorry.

Could we stop?

What?

I'm sorry.

Please... (STAMMERS)

Louis, we're going to stop

for a second,

but I'll be right back.

Are you all right?

I'm sorry, I'm just...

I really...

I understand, I understand.

That's exactly how I reacted

the first time.

I have to go. Okay.

I'm... I'm sorry. Thank you.

- No, no. It's okay. It's okay.

- Thank you. Yeah.

- I know. I know, honey.

- (BREATHING HEAVILY)

If you want to try this

on your own...

- God...

- It's okay. It's okay.

First light the candle,

then choose an item that

belonged to your daughter.

That will be your link.

Mine was the chalkboard.

That's my link.

It's all right.

It's all right.

- It's okay. There you go.

- (BREATHING DEEPLY)

Then when you're ready,

read this out loud,

every syllable,

very carefully.

(WHIMPERING) Sorry, why?

What is it?

I don't know

what language it is.

The medium

had me read it first.

It's to make things start.

But remember,

your whole family...

Every member needs to be

in the house.

Your son, everyone.

Very important.

- Okay.

- Okay?

- Deep breath.

- (EXHALES DEEPLY)

You didn't kill her, Annie.

What?

She isn't gone.

- (TONGUE CLICKS)

- (GASPS)

(GASPS)

(CRYING)

(ANNIE BREATHING SHAKILY)

(INAUDIBLE)

PETER:
Mom?

What are you doing?

What's going on?

You're sleepwalking.

I'm sorry. Is Charlie here?

Why are you scared of me?

What?

I never wanted

to be your mother.

Why?

I was scared.

I didn't feel like a mother.

(SNIFFLES)

But she pressured me.

Then why did you have me?

It wasn't my fault.

I tried to stop it.

How?

I tried to have a miscarriage.

How?

However I could.

I did everything they told me

not to do but it didn't work.

I'm happy it didn't work.

You tried to kill me.

No, I did not. I love you!

PETER:
(CRYING)

You tried to kill me!

- ANNIE:
I love you!

- Why did you try to kill me?

I didn't!

I was trying to save you!

- (MATCH LIGHTS)

- Why did you try to kill me?

(BOTH CRYING)

(GASPING)

(ANNIE RECITING INDISTINCTLY)

(WHISPERING) Peter?

Peter, sweetheart? Wake up.

- (GASPS) What?

- It's okay. It's me.

I am so, so sorry

for everything.

- Please, please forgive me.

- It's okay.

I can't stand

the things I said.

It's okay. It's okay.

Can you get up, sweetheart?

We're gonna try something.

I was having a nightmare.

Oh, it's okay.

We can do something.

Do what?

I figured it out.

Come on, come on.

Steven. Baby. Steve, wake up.

- What?

- Come downstairs.

We're gonna try

something together.

Come on, come on.

Steve, come on. Let's go.

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

(ANNIE BREATHING HEAVILY)

(ANNIE CLEARS THROAT)

- Dad?

- It's okay.

ANNIE:
Come on, come on!

(ANNIE EXHALES DEEPLY)

(ANNIE CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)

Okay. So...

It's freezing in here.

ANNIE:
Wait! No, no, no.

What are you doing? Wait!

I'm gonna close the window.

No, no.

We can't change anything.

I don't wanna mess it up.

Everyone needs to sit.

Come sit.

My friend Joan taught me

how to do this.

- (BREATHES DEEPLY)

- What friend Joan?

We need our palms on the table

and our fingers to touch.

Please.

What are we doing here, Annie?

Please. You'll see.

Please. Trust me.

All right, fine.

We can do it over here then.

Peter. Okay.

Okay, Steve. Come on.

I need you both

to concentrate.

On what?

Think about Charlie,

if you can.

- Oh, for f***'s sake.

- Sweetheart, please, please.

I tried this 20 minutes ago

- and it worked.

- What worked?

I would not be bringing you

down here if it didn't.

Well, I just need to show you.

- Show what?

- F***! I'm a...

I'm a medium, okay?

I was

seeing apparitions earlier

and I just shook them off

and I shouldn't have.

Please, I know how it sounds,

but there's no way

to talk about it.

I just need to show you, okay?

Please, you'll see.

- I'm completely lucid.

- Peter, go to bed.

What! No, no, no!

Peter, please!

We need to do this

as a family.

This needs all our energies,

okay? Together.

- (BREATHING HEAVILY)

- All right, I'll stay.

Steve. Steve, please.

I really, really need you

to be open to this.

Please, please.

I promise... Both of you.

Please. I need you

to be open. Please.

Come on, Steve.

Come on, come on. I promise.

(BREATHING HEAVILY) Okay.

Okay, good.

So, I read that earlier.

I don't think

I need to read that again.

What language is even that?

(EXHALES DEEPLY)

Try to concentrate.

Charlie?

Charlie, are you here?

Charlie, it's Mommy.

And Daddy and Peter.

(FLOOR BOARD CREAKS)

Charlie, if you're

in this room with us,

I'm gonna have us all

touch the glass.

(SOFTLY) Don't add pressure.

Now if you're in here,

Charlie,

I want you to move

the glass for us.

Even if it's just a tiny bit.

- Oh, Jesus Christ, Annie!

- Even if it's just the tiniest

little movement.

Okay, Charlie?

Okay.

Sh*t. What the hell?

- What?

- You don't feel that?

What? Feel what?

Like, you don't feel

the air flexing?

Wow! Yes!

Thank you, Charlie!

That was so good!

Okay. Now, Charlie,

what I'd like for you to do

is I'd like for you to show

them what you did earlier.

(STEVE AND PETER

BREATHING HEAVILY)

Can you show them what

you just did for me before?

- Mom.

- She's gonna do it.

- That's enough!

- What! No, no, no!

Listen,

when I did this earlier,

this manifested on the page.

I saw it!

- I saw it!

- What is it?

- It's Charlie!

- Annie!

Charlie, did you want to draw

some more?

- You can keep going.

- Stop it! Stop it!

Okay, we need to keep

our fingers touching...

- (PETER CRYING)

- You are scaring him!

No, I am not!

Peter, Peter, listen...

Stop it!

Listen to me.

There is no need to be scared.

This is your sister.

Mom.

Charlie, what's wrong?

(PETER GASPS)

(ANNIE GROWLING FAINTLY)

(GROWLING STOPS)

(DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE)

(IN CHILD'S VOICE) Hello?

- PETER:
Mom?

- (IN NORMAL VOICE) Mom? Mom?

PETER:
I don't like this.

- Dad, I don't like this.

- ANNIE:
What's happening?

- Please stop.

- Annie, please, stop this.

- What's going on?

- STEVE:
Please stop this.

- Please.

- Mom!

You're really freaking me out.

Please stop.

What's happening?

Why is everyone scared?

PETER:
Dad, make it stop.

(SHOUTING) Why

are you scaring me!

Make it stop! Make it stop!

Make it f***ing stop!

- PETER:
Make it stop!

- (SCREAMING) Where's Mom!

(SHOUTING) Stop it!

Stop it now! Please stop!

Mom? Peter?

Peter, I'm scared.

(CRYING) Dad, make it stop!

(GASPS) What the hell?

What are you doing?

(PETER CRYING)

What happened?

(DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE)

TEACHER:
Our country has had

many ups and downs

economically speaking.

We've talked

about the struggles

during the 1800s

compared to the fall of 1929,

in an era that

become known appropriately

as the Great Depression.

For a decade we suffered

through many, many hardships.

In 1929, Wall Street had been

going so well

that when it finally crashed

because of the Great Boom,

it caused a huge decline

in the economy.

So much so

that it caused food lines.

(TEACHER SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)

This is where

the Federal Government has,

or still has...

(TEACHER CONTINUES SPEAKING)

(TONGUE CLICKS)

Uh, uh. Yes, Peter?

Um, I'm sorry.

I have to go to the bathroom.

Um, of course. Take the pass.

As I was saying...

(PHONE RINGING)

Hello?

STEVE:
Can you guess

who just called me from school

in complete hysterics?

- Charlie?

- What?

Uh, nothing. What happened?

Peter just called me, Annie,

terrified,

crying in the halls,

convinced

he's being threatened

by some vengeful spirit.

Why does he think

he's being threatened?

Listen to me, Annie.

I have a son to protect.

What does that mean?

It means that that's what

I'm worried about right now

and that's how...

Hey, don't talk to me

like this.

- He's my son too...

- (LINE DISCONNECTS)

Oh!

- (GRUNTS)

- (PHONE BEEPS)

Do not hang up on me again.

I am not sleepwalking anymore.

Do you understand?

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(PHONE CLATTERS)

(PHONE RINGING)

AUTOMATED VOICE:

At the tone,

please record

your voice message.

When you are

finished recording,

you may hang up or press pound

for more options.

- (BEEPS)

- MAN:
Annie, hi!

This is Patrick

at the Archer Gallery.

Um, I was just calling

first to see how you're doing,

how your family's doing.

We've all been thinking

about you

and just worrying about you

and hoping you're okay.

You guys have been in our

constant thoughts and prayers.

And then also, uh, we just

wanted to, well, to say first,

if you need us to postpone

the show or push the date,

it's obviously more than okay.

And if not, uh,

we just wanna call and see

if we could help

in any way or offer...

- (GASPING)

- (PATRICK CONTINUES SPEAKING)

(SCREAMS)

STEVE:
Oh, jeez. That smell.

(EXHALES)

STEVE:
Annie?

What's that smell?

What the f*** happened here?

I didn't feel like

looking at it anymore.

(SIGHS)

(FAINT SCRIBBLING)

(SCRIBBLING CONTINUES)

(SCRIBBLING GETS LOUDER)

(SCRIBBLING CONTINUES)

(TONGUE CLICKS)

Charlie?

(THUDS)

(DOG GROWLING)

(WHIMPERS)

(CONTINUES GROWLING)

(GRUNTING)

(BARKS)

(CHOKING)

- (DOOR SLAMS)

- (DOG YELPS)

ANNIE:
Peter?

Oh my God, Peter!

(PETER GASPING)

What's wrong, baby?

What's happening?

What are you doing?

What do you mean?

You were pulling on my head!

What? No I wasn't.

I just came in.

You were screaming.

What happened?

I saw Charlie in the corner

and then you started

trying to pull my head off!

Oh, Peter.

I would never do that to you.

Are you crazy? Please, baby.

(PANTING)

What corner

did you see Charlie?

(SHUDDERING)

Peter, listen to me.

I don't know what's happening

or what you just saw,

but I am stopping this.

Do not tell Dad

what you just said to me.

Do not, okay?

Because it is not true.

Something is happening

and I'm the only one

who could stop it.

Do you understand?

I'm the only one

who can fix this.

(WIND BLOWING)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(FIRE CRACKLING)

(GRUNTING)

(PANTING)

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

ANNIE:
Joan?

(KNOCKING FRANTICALLY)

Joan, please.

I need to talk to you.

Joan, I really need

to ask you a question.

Joan!

(GASPS)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

WOMAN:
(IN DISTANCE) Peter!

Peter!

Peter!

I expel you!

Zantany!

(INAUDIBLE CONVERSATIONS)

Dagdany!

Aparagon!

(SHOUTING LOUDER) Peter!

Get out!

Peter!

(PANTING)

- (GRUNTS)

- (BOTTLES RATTLE)

(OBJECTS RATTLE)

(PANTING HEAVILY)

Oh, God.

(CONTINUES PANTING)

(ANNIE CRYING)

(LAPTOP CHIMES)

(MOUSE CLICKS)

- (GROANING)

- (FLIES BUZZING)

(ROD CLATTERS)

(GROANS)

(BUZZING CONTINUES)

(GROANING)

...so everyone

feels justified.

Iphigenia's murder

was commanded by the gods.

- (FLIES CONTINUE BUZZING)

- (GASPING)

(GASPS)

(RETCHING AND COUGHING)

TEACHER:
So, really,

Agamemnon had no choice...

(TEACHER CONTINUES

INDISTINCTLY)

(TONGUE CLICKING)

(TONGUE CLICKING CONTINUES)

Peter.

Peter, what's wrong?

Peter, are you all right?

(TONGUE CLICKING)

- BRIDGET:
Can he breathe?

- (GROANING FAINTLY)

Peter,

what are you doing, man?

(SCREAMS)

(SCREAMING)

(PHONE RINGING)

(CLOCK TICKING)

(PHONE CONTINUES RINGING)

AUTOMATED VOICE:

Call from West High School.

(PHONE RINGING)

Hello.

Yes, it is.

(TIRES SCREECHING)

(SIGHS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(SOBBING)

(CRYING) Oh, thank God.

Wait, what? Oh my God!

What happened?

What happened to him?

Oh, no, no, no, no, no.

(GASPING)

Oh my God. Oh, no.

Oh, who did that?

He did it, apparently,

to himself.

(STEVE SIGHS)

Smashed his face

into his own desk.

Okay, Steve. Wait, wait.

Wait, Steve. Listen.

STEVE:
Take his feet.

Please, take his feet.

(GRUNTING)

Steve, uh, upstairs...

In the attic when you were

gone, I went up there and I...

I just... I really need you

to go up there

and see what I saw.

There's a body.

Yeah. I mean,

I think it's my mother,

I think, but I can't tell

because the skin's all black

and she's all distended

but the head is gone. (CRYING)

Will you, please? I just need

you to go and see upstairs.

(ANNIE SOBBING)

(SHUDDERING) Please, Steve.

(PANTING)

And then there's more.

You mean more than your

mother's headless body?

Of course there is.

- (GASPS)

- (INSECTS BUZZING)

(PANTING)

(STEVE SCREAMS)

- Jesus, f***!

- Okay, there's more.

What the f*** was that?

Why didn't you

call the police?

The police can't help us.

Who the f*** is that up there?

Do you remember Joan,

my friend whose grandson died?

- She took me to her apartment.

- It did look like your mother.

Well, listen. She taught me

how to do the sance.

I didn't even want to, but she

brought her grandson back

and I saw it and felt it just

like you did with Charlie.

Now, look.

This is my mother's album.

Now look here. See this?

See her?

That's her. That's Joan.

She didn't even mention

knowing my mom

and I've never met her before,

but she approached me.

She consoled me.

She told me about this sance,

and she showed me how.

Now look at this.

See this symbol?

On the necklace

my mom gave me.

It's her necklace, right?

They're both wearing it,

and they're wearing it

in every photo.

And look at that pattern!

Did you see up there?

This was painted

above the body, right?

In blood!

You dug up the grave.

It was you, wasn't it?

What?

All those nights you were

pretending to go

to the movies.

You're not even listening!

And then the day

the cemetery called, I said,

"Oh, I won't tell her

because she'd be worried."

Oh, God damn it!

Listen to me, Steve!

I know you don't trust me

and there is nothing

I can do about that.

But they put a curse on us

when we brought Charlie back.

We made a pact with something.

Something that is

in this house.

I don't know what it is

but it is after Peter.

I watched these pages fill.

All of them are Peter!

I'm sorry.

I don't know what I did.

I don't know what I did

but Peter is in danger...

And I started it.

Now if we destroy this book,

it will take me too.

I tried to burn it. I tried.

But my arm caught on fire

on its own

as if I was linked to it

because I am linked to it.

I understand this now. Please!

If we don't destroy

this book...

(CRYING)

Peter will...

Oh, God. Do you understand?

We have to do this. Please,

please, please, please.

For Peter.

I need you to trust me, Steve.

It needs to be me.

It's my fault.

It's my fault.

I know it's my fault. Please.

Please, I need you

to throw it in the fire.

Please, I just...

I can't do it.

I can't.

I'm just too f***ing scared.

But if we don't do it...

If we don't do it,

it's gonna be Peter,

it's gonna be our son.

Okay, I know this. I know so.

Just, please, please,

please, please, please...

(CONTINUES CRYING)

Steve, please.

Please understand, baby.

Please, please.

Please throw it in the fire.

(SNIFFLES)

Sweetheart, please.

Please take it, take it.

You gotta do it.

You gotta do it.

Okay. Thank you, thank you.

Okay, here. Okay.

Now listen to me.

Listen to me.

(SOBBING QUIETLY)

Oh! You are

the love of my life.

I love you, Steve.

I love you so, so much.

Oh, God, I love you so much.

And I love Peter so much.

(PANTING)

Now please, just...

Please just throw it in.

(GASPING)

I'm not gonna do this

with you anymore.

What? No, no, no!

No, no,

it's not helpful for you.

You are sick, Annie.

I need to call the police.

Oh, God!

(GASPS)

(SCREAMING)

(GASPS)

(GROANS)

(GROANS)

Mom?

Dad?

(FAINT FOOTSTEPS RUNNING)

(INSECT CHIRRING

INTERMITTENTLY)

(FLIES BUZZING)

Mom?

Dad?

(LOUD BANG)

(CLATTERING)

(FLIES BUZZING)

PETER:
Hello?

(FLOORBOARD CREAKING)

(DOOR SHUTS)

- (CLOCK TICKING)

- (FIRE CRACKLING)

Mom?

(GASPING)

(WOOD CREAKING)

(THUDS)

(PETER WHIMPERING)

(ANNIE SCREAMS)

(ANNIE SCREAMS)

(RAPID KNOCKING)

Stop! Mom, please stop!

Mom, I'm sorry!

Okay, I'm sorry.

(RAPID KNOCKING CONTINUES)

(SOBBING)

Mommy. Mommy, please.

I'm begging you.

I'm begging you to stop.

(KNOCKING STOPS)

- (GASPING)

- (FLIES BUZZING)

Mommy?

(GASPS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

Just gotta wake up. (MUMBLES)

You just gotta wake up.

Come on. You're okay.

Just wake up. Wake up!

Wake up! Wake up!

(SNIFFLES)

(FLESH TEARING AND SQUELCHING)

- (CLINKS)

- (SAWING CONTINUES)

(SCREAMS)

(THUDS)

(SAWING CONTINUES)

(SAWING STOPS)

(THUDDING)

(INSECTS CHIRPING)

(TONGUE CLICKS)

JOAN:
Oh, hey, hey, hey.

It's all right.

Charlie...

You're all right now.

You are Paimon,

one of the eight kings

of Hell.

We have looked

to the Northwest

and called you in.

We've corrected

your first female body

and give you now

this healthy male host.

We reject the Trinity and pray

devoutly to you, great Paimon.

Give us your knowledge

of all secret things.

Bring us honor, wealth,

and good familiars.

Bind all men to our will,

as we have bound ourselves

for now and ever to yours.

(FOOTSTEPS)

Hail, Paimon!

WORSHIPPERS:
Hail, Paimon!

Hail, Paimon!

Hail!

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes