Poltergeist (1982) Movie Script
Hello?
What do you look like?
Talk louder!
I can't hear you!
Hey, hello!
Hello! I can't hear you!
Five.
I don't know.
I don't know.
Get her in focus! Here I come!
Open up! Shit!
Jesus H. Christ!
What are you...?
What happened?
Now he's got pressure.
He has a receiver!
When it's time to relax
One beer stands clear
Oh, damn it!
Tweety?
Oh, shit, Tweety! Couldn't you
have waited for a school day?
Won't you please
Please won't you be
Who the hell is this guy?
What the hell's going on?
Freeling, what's goin' on here?
I apologize!
My neighbor's on the same remote!
I bet my life on this game!
Are you kiddin' me?
Hi, Ben. We got a good
football game goin' on here.
My kids wanna watch
"Mr. Rogers."
I don't care what you're watchin'!
Just show some mercy with that thing!
Come on, Steve!
Move your set.
- Move yours, Ben.
- There it is. Don't move.
Tweety doesn't like that smell.
Sweetheart,
Tweety can't smell a thing.
Put a flower with him.
A flower?
For when he's hungry.
For when he's lonely.
For when it's nighttime.
Oh, it's okay.
Now I lay me down to sleep...
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
- Oh, brother.
- Stifle it.
If I should die before I wake...
It did.
I pray the Lord my soul to take.
That was lovely.
Lovely, honey.
Mom, when it rots,
can we dig up the bones?
Robbie! Will you come
on down out of the tree?
E. Buzz!
Can I have a goldfish now?
Come and get it.
Come and get it.
You're overfeeding them.
Tweety Two and Tweety Three
want seconds.
You know what happens
when you overfeed goldfish?
They grow up to be... sharks!
Good night.
Mom, there's a big storm
headed this way.
You'll be asleep by the time
it gets here if you hurry.
Come on. In you go.
Good night, sweetie.
Okay, lights out.
Closet light!
My fault.
Turn it on, Mommy!
That enough?
- Okay?
- Good night, Mom.
Night, Mommy.
Good night.
Either I'm dead or I'm crazy.
You're not crazy, Pete.
You mean I'm dead?
I'm...
You mean...
You mean this is for good?
Sleepwalking.
Nocturnal somnambulism.
You know what?
I will bet you anything
it's genetic.
I mean, Carol Anne last night
and all last week.
And me when I was ten.
- Would you deal with this?
- Sure.
You know...
once I slept-walked four blocks...
and I fell asleep
in the back of this guy's car.
He drove all the way to work
before discovering me.
God, I woke up,
I started screaming.
People came running, called the cops.
The cops took
this poor dude downtown.
- My father, Ed...
- Big.
Big Ed has me examined
for bruises and hickeys.
God, I was so embarrassed!
Oh, shit, Steve.
What if we dig the pool,
you know...
and Carol Anne sleepwalks and falls
into it before there's any water?
Oh, honey, no.
Have you ever dove off
a three-meter board, sweetheart?
- What's three meters?
- It's about ten feet.
Let's dig the pool closer to the house
and let the kids jump off the roof.
No, honey, honey, honey.
A three-meter board is like
an air pocket, sweetheart.
When you dive off,
it's like free-falling, okay?
You gotta get your feet in position.
Three meters.
Honey, your diving days are over.
We're talkin' Olympics,
Diane, okay?
Let me see your tuck position.
We can jackknife into the swan.
Twist, turn...
and splash!
Honey, it's right to
the Nautilus machine.
Look at this, honey.
Before, after.
Before, after.
Before, after.
- Don't.
- I love you.
Oh, God, I love it
when you talk dirty!
Storm is coming closer.
Hey, partner.
Hi, honey.
Is everything okay?
It's thundering.
Come on. Hop up.
I'm the wind and you're the feather.
Say good night to Mom.
- Good night, Mom.
- Good night, sweetheart.
Here we go.
I don't like the tree, Dad.
That's an old tree.
It's been around here a long time.
It was here before my company
built the neighborhood.
I don't like its arms.
- It knows I live here, doesn't it?
- It knows everything about us.
That's why I built the house next to it,
so it could protect us.
You and Carol Anne
and Dana and your mom and me.
It's a very wise old tree.
It looks at me.
It knows I live here.
I think the storm's gonna pass us.
How do you know?
'Cause I can count.
You know what you do?
When you see the lightning...
you count 'til you hear the thunder.
If you can count higher each time,
that means the storm's movin' away.
Wanna try it?
We need some lightning.
Wait. It's comin'.
Okay, count.
One, two, three.
Next time, you'll be able to count
to at least four or five. Bet you.
Daddy, it's for you.
Tell them to take
a message, sweet pea.
My dad wants to take a message.
Night.
It's too hot.
Okay. Night, angel.
- Happy dreams, okay?
- Night, Daddy.
One...
two...
three...
I did not. Come on!
- Good night, Dana.
- Good night, Dad.
- Get off the phone, Dana.
- Okay, Dad.
One...
two...
Three...
four...
Five...
They're here.
Listen to me, Jeff.
No, I'm not kidding.
I know. How could anybody
sleep through a 6.5?
There was damage. Yeah, the bedroom.
There's stuff in pieces all over.
We're listening to the radio.
There's nothing on the radio at all.
You are so obnoxious!
You drive me nuts!
Force field.
- You are so obnoxious.
- Got my nose.
This means war, and I mean it!
- Hey, watch out.
- Honey, chew your food ten times.
You're a big barf bag.
You're a doggie bag.
- I won't eat it.
- There you go.
Sweetheart, last night
when you said, "They're here"...
Can I take my goldfish to school?
Maybe the fault line runs directly under
our house. Wouldn't that be a scream?
The ceiling got crumbs
all over my bed.
Remember last night when you woke up
and said, "They're here"?
Who did you mean?
Who's here?
The TV people.
- She's stoned.
- What do you know?
More than you! Ask Dad!
- "Ask Dad!"
- "Ask Dad!"
"Ask Dad!"
It's not my mess!
Thanks a lot, jerko.
I've got class in 20 minutes.
Give me this
before you cut yourself.
Did the earth move for you?
It wasn't quite the same
thing for us, Jeff. Huh?
Okay. Yeah, right. Okay.
- Give me that before you cut yourself.
- It's not my fault.
Bye, sweet pea.
I'm outta here.
- Bye, honey.
- I'm outta here.
- You I can handle.
- I got school.
- Well, breakfast first.
- All right. I'll just flunk.
It happens on every job.
Look at this!
I love that swing.
I love you. I love you.
I love it.
E. Buzz, no, no!
Get down.
Carol Anne, I've told you guys
to push your chairs in when you're done.
Honey, you're gonna ruin your eyes.
This is not good for you.
What's the matter?
What are you doing?
- How is it?
- Great, Mrs. Freeling.
- Okay, Bluto, give me my cup.
- You sure make good coffee.
Oh, Jesus!
Don't do that, honey.
You wanna see Mommy lying in a cigar box
covered with licorice?
Did you do this?
You guys.
I asked you
not to pull the chairs out.
The TV people?
Do you see them?
Do you?
I think you're really
gonna enjoy this kitchen.
This is our latest development.
We call this phase four.
Where do you live, Mr. Freeling?
We were the first family to set up house
in the Cuesta Verde Estates.
Oh, phase one.
We had to pass through
my neighborhood to get here.
Oh, that area with
the lived-in look.
It has that, but in a couple of months
you won't be able to distinguish...
phase one from phase three to phase...
We have a saying around here.
"The grass grows greener
on every side."
- That's the way I feel about it.
- I can't tell one house from the other.
I think you're right.
But I think our construction standards
are really very liberal.
I have this neighbor, and he built
his Jacuzzi in his bedroom...
and it has a running aqueduct
connected to a wading pool outside.
It's built half in
and half out of his living room.
It was featured in last month's
issue of "Town and Country."
I'll show you the den.
Honey, come here, quick!
- Hurry, before it stops again!
- But the cans...
- Easy.
- All right.
Just stand right here, okay?
I've kept Dana and Robbie out of this,
but Carol Anne was here so she knows.
Dana would blab, and Robbie
would be up for three weeks.
I think you should sit down.
Now just stand, okay?
Now just be calm.
Now reach back into our past
when you used to have an open mind.
Remember that?
Just try to use that
for the next couple of minutes.
- Okay?
- Okay.
Mother didn't cook any dinner.
We'll go to Pizza Hut, okay?
Now just look.
Just look. Just watch.
Come here, sweetheart.
Honey, could you move
the chair out of the way...
and just stay down there?
- Let's show Daddy.
- I'm hungry.
Now don't argue with Mommy.
Let's just do this once.
Okay, here we go.
I want pepperoni pizza.
Mommy, that burns.
The floor needs more wax.
Steven, you do it.
Honey, try.
It's like there's this tickling...
right in here,
and it starts to pull you.
It pulls you, and suddenly
it's like there's no air...
except that you can breathe,
and you're getting pulled along...
- Hi, Ben.
- Mr. Tuthill, hi.
My TV's not on, so if you're
havin' problems with your set...
It's nothing like that.
Diane and I were just wondering...
- This will sound strange coming from me.
- I doubt that.
The mosquitoes are awful.
They're chowin' down.
I've never been bothered by 'em.
I don't think I've ever
been bitten by one of 'em.
As far as I know, nobody in my family's
ever been affected by 'em.
Mosquito ever suck on you, son?
- I don't know, Dad.
- He don't know.
Look.
I'm sorry.
Uh, Mr. Tuthill, look.
We were just...
What we were wondering...
Diane, my wife,
and I were wondering, Ben...
somethin' funny's
goin' on here next door.
Somethin', uh...
We were wondering if maybe you had
experienced any disturbances lately.
What kind of disturbances?
Um, oh, you know, like...
dishes or furniture
moving around by themselves.
Don't scratch.
You're gonna infect 'em.
Just let me put this on.
- Don't.
- Boy, did I feel like a fool.
I'm sorry, but I had to say something.
We were losing blood.
- We'll keep this thing in the family.
- Don't scratch.
Tomorrow I'll call somebody.
Who, for instance?
I already looked in the Yellow Pages.
Furniture movers we got.
Strange phenomena, there's no listing.
One, one thousand,
two, one thousand...
three, one thousand,
four, one thousand...
five, one thousand...
Honey, look.
I lived with this freaky thing all day
and nothing bad happened.
It's like another side of nature, a side
that we're not qualified to understand.
When you overreact, it makes
what happened much too important.
No one's goin' in the kitchen
'til I know what's happening.
One, one thousand,
two, one thousand...
three, one thousand,
four, one thousand...
One, one thousand,
two, one thousand, three...
One, one thousand,
two, one thousand...
Help me!
Help me!
- Help me, Dad!
- Be careful!
Dad, come on!
Help me!
He's coming!
It's taking me in!
- He's coming!
- It's hurting me!
- Steven, hurry!
- Dad, help me!
- Hold on!
- Hold on to him!
Hold me, Dad!
- I got him!
- My leg!
Dad, my leg!
Help me, Dad!
Look, Mom, Dad!
It's a tornado!
It must've just skimmed us.
There wouldn't be a house left if...
I left her upstairs!
Baby, we're coming!
- I'll go check the kitchen.
- No! I'll do it!
You check your room.
Baby?
Sweetheart?
Baby?
Did you find her?
I've looked everywhere.
This is crazy.
Oh, my... My God.
The swimming pool.
Be careful, honey!
Mommy!
Nothing!
Thank God.
What?
Oh, Carol Anne, thank God! Baby!
Baby, where are you?
- Mommy, come over here!
- What is it?
What, baby?
I can't hear you, Mommy.
Where are you?
I can't hear you, Mommy!
Where are you?
What members of the household
are involved...
and what are their ages?
There's Diane, my wife.
She's 31.
Uh, 32. I'm sorry.
My oldest daughter, Dana.
She's 16.
My son, Robert, is eight.
Five.
Has there been any publicity
about these events?
Absolutely nothing.
Can you be reasonably sure...
of not letting any get started?
That's the last thing we want.
We haven't even gone to the police.
Would your family welcome...
a serious investigation
of these disturbances...
by someone who can make
firsthand observations?
Look, Dr. Lesh,
we don't care about the disturbances...
the pounding and the flashing...
the screaming, the music.
We just want you
to find our little girl.
I guess I should warn you that...
we keep the room locked off
from the rest of the house.
Robbie's sleeping with us now, and Dana
spends a lot of time with friends.
How many disturbances
have you recorded in the room?
We don't go in the room anymore.
Mr. Freeling, we'll record
any psychotronic energy or event.
Yes, Ryan photographed an extraordinary
episode on a case in Redlands.
That's right. It was a child's toy,
a very small Matchbox vehicle.
It rolled seven feet
across a linoleum surface.
The duration of the event
was seven hours.
Seven hours for what?
For the vehicle
to complete the distance.
Of course, this would never
register on the naked eye...
but I have it recorded
on time-lapse camera.
It's fantastic.
We've been trying to
hold ourselves together as a family.
Of course,
no one's been sleeping much.
Steven has missed so much work.
But he's been wonderful.
Really wonderful.
How long have you been
investigating haunted houses?
- Mrs. Freeling...
- Diane.
The determination as to whether
your home is haunted is not very easy.
What I meant to say was...
it might very well be
a poltergeist intrusion...
instead of a classic haunting.
There's a difference?
Did you see that?
There'll be two more.
They travel in pairs.
Dr. Casey.
Gotta be quicker than that.
It's electrical.
You can smell the charge.
What about poltergeists?
Poltergeists are usually
associated with an individual.
Hauntings seem to be connected...
with an area,
a house, usually.
Poltergeist disturbances
have a fairly short duration.
Perhaps a couple of months.
Hauntings can go on for years.
Are you telling me that all of this
could just suddenly end at any time?
Yes, it could.
Unless it's a haunting.
But hauntings don't usually
revolve around living people.
Then we don't have much time, because
my daughter is alive in this house.
While trying to escape
from an unknown assailant.
Marshall is listed as critical
and under intensive care.
This is probably
gonna seem a little strange.
We hear better on this channel.
Don't ask me why.
Well...
I guess I'll call her.
It's Mommy, sweetheart.
We wanna talk to you.
Please answer me, baby.
Please answer me.
Please talk to me, bunny.
Look at the dog.
Are you with us now?
Can you say hello to Daddy?
Hello, Daddy.
Hello, sweet pea.
It's Mommy, sweetheart.
Hello, Mommy.
Hello, baby.
Can you see me?
Can you see Mommy?
Mommy, where are you?
Where are you?
We're home, baby.
We're home.
- Can you find a way home to us, baby?
- Mommy, where are you?
I can't find you!
I can't!
I'm afraid of the light, Mommy!
I'm afraid of the light!
Tell her to stay away
from the light!
- Maybe it's a way out.
- It is, but not for her.
Tell her quickly.
- Stay away from the light!
- Tell her, Diane.
Stay away from the light!
The light is dangerous!
Don't go near it!
- Don't even look at the light!
- I don't believe it.
The voice could be coming
from a CB transmitter.
This isn't a hoax!
What the hell is this?
Anything?
- Nothing's registered.
- Mommy, there's somebody here.
Mommy, is that you?
No, it's not Mommy.
Who is it, Dr. Lesh?
- Who's with you, baby?
- Who's with you?
Somebody's coming!
Help me, please!
My God! My baby!
You bastards!
She's just a baby!
Help her!
Can't you hear what's happening?
Listen!
Get away from me!
Leave me alone!
Mommy, help me!
She just moved through me.
My God!
I felt her.
I can smell her!
It's her!
Smell my clothes.
She's all over me.
- It's her.
- My God.
It's her. I felt her.
It is. It's her.
It is.
It's my baby.
She went through my soul.
I can't hear her anymore.
Honey?
Where exactly do you suppose
Carol Anne was playing...
when she vanished from sight?
Where was Carol Anne playing
when she disappeared?
Her bedroom closet.
Let's go up there.
They won't let you in.
We'll just see about that.
Whatever happened to you?
I was just about to check out
the kid's bedroom when... I don't know.
Something took a bite outta me.
You got bit?
- That or the world's worst muscle spasm.
- Let's have a look.
- Think we'll spend the night downstairs.
- No. Wrong.
Honey, you take Dana and Robbie
and go and spend tonight in town.
I am not leaving here
without Carol Anne.
Mom, Dad, I can't stay here anymore.
You go, baby, go.
I'm not gonna leave
anybody in this house alone.
Can we talk to you?
Let's go.
- Any movement from those things?
- There's been some ionization flux.
I'd like to make sure they're not caused
by humidity from structure leakage...
but I'm not goin' up there
to find out.
We have got much more than the
paranormal episode taking place here.
There is a measurable
physical science in this house...
that goes far beyond the creaking doors
or cold spots I've experienced.
The voice on television.
Where is it coming from?
The absence of a signal on a channel
that is not receiving a broadcast...
means that it can receive a lot of noise
from many things, like short waves.
Solar disturbances,
car ignition sparkings.
Outer space.
Or inner space.
What if these people have an area
of bilocation in their own living room?
What do you mean?
If that is the way out...
then maybe somewhere in this house
there's a way in.
No, please.
Leave it on.
Thanks.
You know,
when it's quiet like now...
I can imagine how all of this
must look from your side.
I'm really embarrassed.
Nonsense.
I'm the one who should be embarrassed
being here with you nice people.
Parapsychology isn't something
you master in.
There are no
certificates of graduation...
no licenses to practice.
I am a professional psychologist.
I spend most of my time
engaged in this ghostly hobby.
Which makes me the most irresponsible
woman of my age that I know.
Would you like a glass for that?
No, thank you.
You know, you were very funny.
Your hands were shaking
about a mile a minute.
This isn't over.
I'm absolutely terrified.
It's all the things
that we don't understand.
I feel like the protohuman,
coming out of the forest primeval...
and seeing the moon for the first time
and throwing rocks at it.
If I got killed,
would I come back...
and get stuck in the house
like my sister?
Your sister isn't dead, Robbie.
If I got killed...
could I visit her
and show her how to get back here?
You could tie a rope around me
and hold it tight...
then somebody could come and get us,
and we could live somewhere else.
Some people believe...
that when you die,
your soul goes to heaven.
When Grandpa was dead...
I looked at him in the hospital bed
and I was watching...
but I didn't see anything
go up out of him.
His soul is invisible, Robbie.
You couldn't see it.
But how come Grandpa isn't
on television with Carol Anne?
Some people believe
that when people die...
there's a wonderful light...
as bright as the sun...
but it doesn't hurt
to look into it.
All the answers to all the questions
that you ever want to know...
are inside that light.
And when you walk to it,
you become a part of it forever.
And then, some people die...
but they don't know
that they've gone.
They think they're still alive?
Maybe they didn't want to die.
Maybe they weren't ready.
Maybe they hadn't
lived fully yet...
or they'd lived a long time,
but they still wanted more life.
They resist going into that light...
however hard the light wants them.
They just hang around...
watch TV,
watch their friends grow up...
feeling unhappy and jealous.
Those feelings are bad.
They hurt.
And then...
some people...
just get lost
on the way to the light...
and they need someone
to guide them to it.
So some people get angry...
and throw things around,
like in my bedroom?
Just like in school.
Like, some kids are nice to you...
some kids are mean.
I got beat up once
by three kids.
They took my lunch money.
Maybe they got hit by a truck,
and they're upstairs right now.
Listen, partner, maybe we oughta
get some shut-eye, okay?
You know what?
When we called Grandma tonight...
she got really excited that
you're comin' to stay with her...
and she's plannin' all these
neat things for you guys to do.
Can I take E. Buzz with me
when we go?
Sure you can.
- Good night, Mom.
- Good night, sweetie.
Night, lady.
Night, Dad.
Night, Rob.
I love you.
Good night, Carol Anne.
I'm gonna go
get something to eat.
What is it?
Roll it back.
I think we got one.
I think it recorded.
Yes. It recorded.
Look at all of them.
Is that our house?
Who are all those people?
They're so alone. So alone.
Where are they coming from?
I don't know.
Call me, okay?
This cameo is over
a hundred years old.
Yeah, some haul, huh?
And this watch is only
a few years old, and it's not yours.
Well, I'm off.
I'm taking these back to the lab
along with the tapes.
I'm going to have to
display these, you know.
- Please, not on "60 Minutes."
- Or "That's Incredible!"
I'll get it. Excuse me.
I'm leaving Ryan here with you.
Marty won't be coming back.
I am coming back.
And I'll bring some help.
Try not to worry.
Thank you.
We've missed you
down at the office.
The boys have gotten worried,
so I took it upon myself to...
Jesus, Steve, you look like shit.
Aren't you feeling any better?
I'm still weak, Mr. Teague.
I've got the flu, I can't get up...
Looks like you got
some cable problems here.
Yeah. The cable's been off
for a couple of weeks.
We'll have to look into that.
The rest of the block dark too?
No, just us.
You got some electrical problems
as well here.
What have you got screwed in there,
a 300-watt bulb?
You afraid of burglars,
or are you trying to attract...
every insect in Cuesta Verde?
- Steve, are you happy here?
- Yes, I am, sir.
Forgive me for asking
all these questions...
but we don't want to lose
the best rep we've ever had...
to the flu
or other opportunities.
Seeing all that software
in your living room...
makes me wonder, maybe you've
got something going on the side.
No, I just read "Popular Mechanics."
I got hobbies.
Feel like going
for a little ride?
I'd like to show you something.
Oh, God! I'm sorry!
One of your children
was born in your house, huh?
I understand that she's
missed a lot of school.
One of Trask's daughters
is in the same nursery class.
She got the flu as well, huh?
Yeah, we've all got
the same thing.
I'm sorry.
- I didn't see her.
- She's around.
I wonder if you'd mind
if I asked you a question.
Are you thinking about
leaving Cuesta Verde?
How could anyone in the world
have a problem...
on a day like this?
How's that spot
for a bay window?
It's pretty nice if you're
living up here, but...
not so great
down in the valley...
Iooking at homes
cutting into the hillside.
You don't have to live
in the valley anymore.
What are you saying?
We're starting phase five
right here where we're standing.
All of this can be
your master bedroom suite.
That can be your view.
Interested?
Well, Mr. Teague,
that's a generous offer.
- I'm just not a developer.
- You're responsible for 42% of sales.
That's almost half
of everything down there.
Almost $70 million worth
of dwelling and properties.
That's a whole generation
of security...
that nobody
can put a price tag on.
I know we should have made you
a full partner three years ago.
I don't want to lose you now.
Not much room
for a pool, is there?
We own all the land.
We've already made arrangements
for relocating the cemetery.
You're kidding me.
- That's sacrilegious, isn't it?
- Oh, don't worry about it.
After all, it's not ancient
tribal burial ground.
It's just... people.
Besides, we've done it before.
When?
In '76. Right down there.
Cuesta Verde?
All 300 acres.
It was quite a deal.
But I never heard
anything about it.
It's not something
one advertises on a billboard...
or on the side of a bus.
Don't worry. Friends and relatives
can visit their loved ones...
in Broxton Memorial Park.
It's only five minutes further.
Oh, yeah. Five minutes.
That's no great hardship.
I suppose that would be okay.
Okay with whom?
Whomever might complain.
Nobody's complained until now.
We've had two experiences
in the kitchen. This is the den.
Y'all mind hangin' back?
You're jammin' my frequencies.
So... what side of the rainbow
are we working tonight, Dr. Lesh?
- This your Knott's Berry Farm solution?
- I know what you're thinking.
But you must take my word for it.
She's cleaned many houses.
Her gifts have been documented...
We haven't heard Carol Anne
since last night.
Why is this door locked,
Mr. Freeling?
- Answer her, Steven.
- I am.
I am addressing the living.
I'm sorry.
That's the room
my son and daughter used to occupy.
We believe it's the heart
of the house.
This house has many hearts.
- What is the matter?
- What's the matter?
I was trying to answer her
with my mind...
and she couldn't hear me.
I thought you said this Tangina Barrons
was an extraordinary clairvoyant.
I am.
I just don't like trick answers.
Come here, honey...
and give me your hand.
I'm not gonna bite you.
Come on down here. You'll give me
a whiplash lookin' up at you.
Your daughter is alive
and in this house.
Where was the last incident
of bilocation?
I get my strongest feelin'...
the point of origin is in
the child's closet upstairs.
Yes. I believe that too.
Honey, you're gonna be strong for me
and for your daughter.
I can do absolutely nothing
without your faith in this world...
and your love for the children.
I will.
Believe me, I will.
And will you do anything I ask,
even if it comes contrary...
to your beliefs as a human being
and a Christian?
Yes, I promise. Please!
Would you all come on in?
Gather 'round.
There is no death.
It is only a transition to
a different sphere of consciousness.
Carol Anne is not like those
she's with.
She is a living presence...
in their spiritual earthbound plane.
They are attracted
to the one thing about her...
that is different from themselves...
her life force.
It is very strong.
It gives off
its own illumination.
It is a light that implies life...
and memory of love and home...
and earthly pleasures...
something they
desperately desire...
but can't have anymore.
Right now, she's the closest thing
to that...
and that is
a terrible distraction...
from the real light
that has finally come for them.
Do you understand me?
These souls, who for
whatever reason are not at rest...
are also not aware
that they have passed on.
They're not part of consciousness
as we know it.
They linger in
a perpetual dream state...
a nightmare from which
they cannot awake.
Inside the spectral light
is salvation...
a window to the next plane.
They must pass through
this membrane...
where friends are waiting
to guide them to new destinies.
Carol Anne must help them
cross over...
and she will only hear
her mother's voice.
Now...
hold on to yourselves.
There's one more thing.
A terrible presence
is in there with her.
So much rage.
So much betrayal.
I've never sensed
anything like it.
I don't know
what hovers over this house...
but it was strong enough to punch
a hole into this world...
and take your daughter
away from you.
It keeps Carol Anne
very close to it...
and away from the spectral light.
It lies to her.
It says things
only a child can understand.
It has been usin' her
to restrain the others.
To her, it simply is
another child.
To us, it is the beast.
Now let's go get your daughter.
Red ribbons,
handkerchiefs, tennis balls.
Okay, rope's ready.
- Bathwater?
- I shut it off. It's ready too.
All right. Call to her.
Carol Anne, it's Mommy.
Can you hear me?
Carol Anne,
please tell Mommy hello.
Try again.
Can you say hello to Daddy?
Daddy and I miss you so much.
So much. We love you so much.
Please, just say hello.
- She's under restraint.
- What?
- Who's restraining her?
- There are many arms about her.
She thinks it's safe. Who is she more
threatened by, you or your husband?
Neither. Steve decides
the punishment the children...
That's not fair.
I've never laid a hand...
Fight about it later.
Steven, make Carol Anne answer you.
Be cross with her.
It's Daddy.
Be angry with her,
or you'll never see her again.
Carol Anne, I want you
to answer me.
Tell her if she doesn't answer you,
she'll get a spankin'.
- I've never spanked the children.
- Honey, please. Just tell her.
Carol Anne,
you answer your parents...
or you're gonna get
a real spanking from the both of us!
Mommy! Help me!
- She's away from him.
- From whom? Is she all right?
Diane, ask about the light.
Mommy, help me, please!
- Honey, do you see a light?
- Help me, please!
Mommy! Help me!
Tell her to go to the light.
They'll follow her. They've been
followin' her for weeks.
- You must do what I say!
- Tell her, Diane.
Mommy, I can't find you!
Run to the light!
Run as fast as you can!
- I am in the light!
- No, honey.
- Tell her you are.
- No, it's a lie!
You can't choose between life and death
when dealin' with what is in between.
Tell her before it's too late.
Run to the light, baby.
- Mommy is in the light.
- Tell her you're waiting for her.
Mommy is waiting for you in the light.
I hate you for this.
Now clear your minds.
It knows what scares you.
It has from the very beginning.
Don't give it any help.
It knows too much already.
Now, open the door.
Ryan, get downstairs
and wait by the target!
Give me the tennis ball
marked number 1!
Dr. Lesh! It's my handwriting!
It came right out of thin air!
The ball came back.
It's his handwriting!
Kiss my ass!
Number 2!
Give me your hand!
She's at the mouth
of the corridor!
Tell her to stop!
Tell her not to go into the light!
Listen to me.
Do not go into the light.
Stop where you are.
Turn away from it.
Don't even look at it.
Hurry with the rope!
Throw it into the light!
Fantastic.
I got it!
Tell him
to take up the slack gently.
Take up the slack!
Take up the slack!
Help me tie this around my waist!
What are you doing?
I'm goin' in after her!
She won't come to you!
Let me go!
You've never done this before!
Neither have you!
You're right. You go.
No! Let me!
You can't! Who's strong enough
to stay here and hold the rope?
I love you!
No! Go downstairs
and wait by Ryan...
and pull only when I say so!
Only when I say.
Don't let go!
Never!
It's coming.
How will we know she's got her?
When will we know?
Cross over, children.
All are welcome.
All welcome.
Go into the light.
You said, "No"!
There is peace and serenity
in the light.
You said don't go into the light!
Steven, not yet!
- They're here!
- They're back!
Diane! No, please, no!
Get 'em into the water!
- Oh, God!
- No, I'm helping you!
Don't worry.
Get 'em in the water.
She's gonna be all right.
Come on. Breathe now.
Just take a breath.
Breathe.
Breathe. Damn it, breathe!
Breathe!
That's it. Come on.
Come on. Breathe. Yeah.
That's it. Breathe.
Baby.
Sweetheart.
Sweet pea, it's Daddy.
Come on, honey.
Come on, pumpkin.
Hi, Daddy.
This house is clean.
Be careful.
Mom, I'm going to dinner
with Janice and Brian.
- Is your room packed up?
- Everything but the bed.
- Are we gonna sleep here tonight?
- I guess not.
So you better get Brian
to bring you home right after dinner.
Dad wants us to stay
at the Holiday Inn on I-74.
Oh, yeah.
I remember that place.
You what?
Are you gonna do anything
about this?
- About what?
- Your new gray?
Oh. You don't like it?
You don't think
it's kind of punk?
Bye, Mom.
Honey, I don't know.
Okay, Rob.
That thing almost killed me.
You okay?
Don't hurt your back.
How you feelin'?
Oh, I'm good.
I feel a little hungover,
like I've been asleep for a few days...
but... I feel good, Steven,
I really do.
She doesn't seem
to remember any of it.
Oh, what a day.
Smell that mimosa.
You better cut a bouquet and
take it with you. We're not stayin'.
I know.
We worked so hard for this.
A thousand beautiful memories.
I gotta go to the office, pick up
some stuff, clean up a few things.
I'll be back early.
We're leaving tonight for sure?
Yeah, we are.
If the kids get sleepy,
let 'em sleep 'til I get home.
How's Teague taking it?
You know Teague. He won't take
"Go to hell" for an answer.
- What will you tell him?
- I'll give him directions.
"...colored mixture generously
directly from applicator to hair.
- Gently work it through..."
- Let me have that.
I want my truck back. Stop!
That's my truck!
Gimme it.
"Gently work it through with fingers
to saturate every strand.
Then comb through
with a brush and a comb...
to be sure entire width
of every hair is wet.
Do not lather."
- Get out of the solar system.
- Gimme it.
- It's getting late, guys.
- Gimme it.
- Give it back to me.
- Give it.
- Stop it.
- I'm gonna be in the bathtub.
Could you answer the phone...
Could you answer the phone
for me, please?
And can you
tuck yourselves in, please?
Yes, we will.
Thank you.
Good night, sweetheart.
- See what you get?
- Good night.
- Good night, Robbie.
- Good night, Carol Anne.
You're not real!
Oh! Help!
Help me!
You're not real!
Let me go!
I hate you!
You're done! I hate you!
I hate you!
I hate you!
Carol Anne, Robbie, run!
Open the door!
Carol Anne, Robbie, run!
Don't touch my babies!
You...
Help me, somebody!
No more.
Mr. Tuthill!
Ben! Help!
Please help me!
Somebody help me! Please!
Listen!
What sort of sound is that?
I've got to get them!
Come on!
- What's going on?
- Don't go!
- Please, Ben! Help me!
- No, don't go!
Help me!
Get away from my babies!
Get away!
Help!
Give me your hand!
Give me your hand!
I can't reach you!
- Now grab your sister!
- Take my hand!
Come on!
Hold on!
God, help me!
Help us!
You moved the cemetery,
but you left the bodies, didn't you?
You son of a bitch! You left the bodies
and you only moved the headstones!
You only moved the headstones!
Why?
Hurry, Dad, hurry!
- Dad, hurry!
- Come on.
Hurry.
- Hurry, Dad!
- Come on. Damn it, Steven, hurry!
What's happening?
What's happening?
What's happening?
- Get in the car!
- What is it?
Drive away! Daddy, drive away!
Steven, hurry!
The house is coming!
- Faster!
- Don't look back!
What do you look like?
Talk louder!
I can't hear you!
Hey, hello!
Hello! I can't hear you!
Five.
I don't know.
I don't know.
Get her in focus! Here I come!
Open up! Shit!
Jesus H. Christ!
What are you...?
What happened?
Now he's got pressure.
He has a receiver!
When it's time to relax
One beer stands clear
Oh, damn it!
Tweety?
Oh, shit, Tweety! Couldn't you
have waited for a school day?
Won't you please
Please won't you be
Who the hell is this guy?
What the hell's going on?
Freeling, what's goin' on here?
I apologize!
My neighbor's on the same remote!
I bet my life on this game!
Are you kiddin' me?
Hi, Ben. We got a good
football game goin' on here.
My kids wanna watch
"Mr. Rogers."
I don't care what you're watchin'!
Just show some mercy with that thing!
Come on, Steve!
Move your set.
- Move yours, Ben.
- There it is. Don't move.
Tweety doesn't like that smell.
Sweetheart,
Tweety can't smell a thing.
Put a flower with him.
A flower?
For when he's hungry.
For when he's lonely.
For when it's nighttime.
Oh, it's okay.
Now I lay me down to sleep...
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
- Oh, brother.
- Stifle it.
If I should die before I wake...
It did.
I pray the Lord my soul to take.
That was lovely.
Lovely, honey.
Mom, when it rots,
can we dig up the bones?
Robbie! Will you come
on down out of the tree?
E. Buzz!
Can I have a goldfish now?
Come and get it.
Come and get it.
You're overfeeding them.
Tweety Two and Tweety Three
want seconds.
You know what happens
when you overfeed goldfish?
They grow up to be... sharks!
Good night.
Mom, there's a big storm
headed this way.
You'll be asleep by the time
it gets here if you hurry.
Come on. In you go.
Good night, sweetie.
Okay, lights out.
Closet light!
My fault.
Turn it on, Mommy!
That enough?
- Okay?
- Good night, Mom.
Night, Mommy.
Good night.
Either I'm dead or I'm crazy.
You're not crazy, Pete.
You mean I'm dead?
I'm...
You mean...
You mean this is for good?
Sleepwalking.
Nocturnal somnambulism.
You know what?
I will bet you anything
it's genetic.
I mean, Carol Anne last night
and all last week.
And me when I was ten.
- Would you deal with this?
- Sure.
You know...
once I slept-walked four blocks...
and I fell asleep
in the back of this guy's car.
He drove all the way to work
before discovering me.
God, I woke up,
I started screaming.
People came running, called the cops.
The cops took
this poor dude downtown.
- My father, Ed...
- Big.
Big Ed has me examined
for bruises and hickeys.
God, I was so embarrassed!
Oh, shit, Steve.
What if we dig the pool,
you know...
and Carol Anne sleepwalks and falls
into it before there's any water?
Oh, honey, no.
Have you ever dove off
a three-meter board, sweetheart?
- What's three meters?
- It's about ten feet.
Let's dig the pool closer to the house
and let the kids jump off the roof.
No, honey, honey, honey.
A three-meter board is like
an air pocket, sweetheart.
When you dive off,
it's like free-falling, okay?
You gotta get your feet in position.
Three meters.
Honey, your diving days are over.
We're talkin' Olympics,
Diane, okay?
Let me see your tuck position.
We can jackknife into the swan.
Twist, turn...
and splash!
Honey, it's right to
the Nautilus machine.
Look at this, honey.
Before, after.
Before, after.
Before, after.
- Don't.
- I love you.
Oh, God, I love it
when you talk dirty!
Storm is coming closer.
Hey, partner.
Hi, honey.
Is everything okay?
It's thundering.
Come on. Hop up.
I'm the wind and you're the feather.
Say good night to Mom.
- Good night, Mom.
- Good night, sweetheart.
Here we go.
I don't like the tree, Dad.
That's an old tree.
It's been around here a long time.
It was here before my company
built the neighborhood.
I don't like its arms.
- It knows I live here, doesn't it?
- It knows everything about us.
That's why I built the house next to it,
so it could protect us.
You and Carol Anne
and Dana and your mom and me.
It's a very wise old tree.
It looks at me.
It knows I live here.
I think the storm's gonna pass us.
How do you know?
'Cause I can count.
You know what you do?
When you see the lightning...
you count 'til you hear the thunder.
If you can count higher each time,
that means the storm's movin' away.
Wanna try it?
We need some lightning.
Wait. It's comin'.
Okay, count.
One, two, three.
Next time, you'll be able to count
to at least four or five. Bet you.
Daddy, it's for you.
Tell them to take
a message, sweet pea.
My dad wants to take a message.
Night.
It's too hot.
Okay. Night, angel.
- Happy dreams, okay?
- Night, Daddy.
One...
two...
three...
I did not. Come on!
- Good night, Dana.
- Good night, Dad.
- Get off the phone, Dana.
- Okay, Dad.
One...
two...
Three...
four...
Five...
They're here.
Listen to me, Jeff.
No, I'm not kidding.
I know. How could anybody
sleep through a 6.5?
There was damage. Yeah, the bedroom.
There's stuff in pieces all over.
We're listening to the radio.
There's nothing on the radio at all.
You are so obnoxious!
You drive me nuts!
Force field.
- You are so obnoxious.
- Got my nose.
This means war, and I mean it!
- Hey, watch out.
- Honey, chew your food ten times.
You're a big barf bag.
You're a doggie bag.
- I won't eat it.
- There you go.
Sweetheart, last night
when you said, "They're here"...
Can I take my goldfish to school?
Maybe the fault line runs directly under
our house. Wouldn't that be a scream?
The ceiling got crumbs
all over my bed.
Remember last night when you woke up
and said, "They're here"?
Who did you mean?
Who's here?
The TV people.
- She's stoned.
- What do you know?
More than you! Ask Dad!
- "Ask Dad!"
- "Ask Dad!"
"Ask Dad!"
It's not my mess!
Thanks a lot, jerko.
I've got class in 20 minutes.
Give me this
before you cut yourself.
Did the earth move for you?
It wasn't quite the same
thing for us, Jeff. Huh?
Okay. Yeah, right. Okay.
- Give me that before you cut yourself.
- It's not my fault.
Bye, sweet pea.
I'm outta here.
- Bye, honey.
- I'm outta here.
- You I can handle.
- I got school.
- Well, breakfast first.
- All right. I'll just flunk.
It happens on every job.
Look at this!
I love that swing.
I love you. I love you.
I love it.
E. Buzz, no, no!
Get down.
Carol Anne, I've told you guys
to push your chairs in when you're done.
Honey, you're gonna ruin your eyes.
This is not good for you.
What's the matter?
What are you doing?
- How is it?
- Great, Mrs. Freeling.
- Okay, Bluto, give me my cup.
- You sure make good coffee.
Oh, Jesus!
Don't do that, honey.
You wanna see Mommy lying in a cigar box
covered with licorice?
Did you do this?
You guys.
I asked you
not to pull the chairs out.
The TV people?
Do you see them?
Do you?
I think you're really
gonna enjoy this kitchen.
This is our latest development.
We call this phase four.
Where do you live, Mr. Freeling?
We were the first family to set up house
in the Cuesta Verde Estates.
Oh, phase one.
We had to pass through
my neighborhood to get here.
Oh, that area with
the lived-in look.
It has that, but in a couple of months
you won't be able to distinguish...
phase one from phase three to phase...
We have a saying around here.
"The grass grows greener
on every side."
- That's the way I feel about it.
- I can't tell one house from the other.
I think you're right.
But I think our construction standards
are really very liberal.
I have this neighbor, and he built
his Jacuzzi in his bedroom...
and it has a running aqueduct
connected to a wading pool outside.
It's built half in
and half out of his living room.
It was featured in last month's
issue of "Town and Country."
I'll show you the den.
Honey, come here, quick!
- Hurry, before it stops again!
- But the cans...
- Easy.
- All right.
Just stand right here, okay?
I've kept Dana and Robbie out of this,
but Carol Anne was here so she knows.
Dana would blab, and Robbie
would be up for three weeks.
I think you should sit down.
Now just stand, okay?
Now just be calm.
Now reach back into our past
when you used to have an open mind.
Remember that?
Just try to use that
for the next couple of minutes.
- Okay?
- Okay.
Mother didn't cook any dinner.
We'll go to Pizza Hut, okay?
Now just look.
Just look. Just watch.
Come here, sweetheart.
Honey, could you move
the chair out of the way...
and just stay down there?
- Let's show Daddy.
- I'm hungry.
Now don't argue with Mommy.
Let's just do this once.
Okay, here we go.
I want pepperoni pizza.
Mommy, that burns.
The floor needs more wax.
Steven, you do it.
Honey, try.
It's like there's this tickling...
right in here,
and it starts to pull you.
It pulls you, and suddenly
it's like there's no air...
except that you can breathe,
and you're getting pulled along...
- Hi, Ben.
- Mr. Tuthill, hi.
My TV's not on, so if you're
havin' problems with your set...
It's nothing like that.
Diane and I were just wondering...
- This will sound strange coming from me.
- I doubt that.
The mosquitoes are awful.
They're chowin' down.
I've never been bothered by 'em.
I don't think I've ever
been bitten by one of 'em.
As far as I know, nobody in my family's
ever been affected by 'em.
Mosquito ever suck on you, son?
- I don't know, Dad.
- He don't know.
Look.
I'm sorry.
Uh, Mr. Tuthill, look.
We were just...
What we were wondering...
Diane, my wife,
and I were wondering, Ben...
somethin' funny's
goin' on here next door.
Somethin', uh...
We were wondering if maybe you had
experienced any disturbances lately.
What kind of disturbances?
Um, oh, you know, like...
dishes or furniture
moving around by themselves.
Don't scratch.
You're gonna infect 'em.
Just let me put this on.
- Don't.
- Boy, did I feel like a fool.
I'm sorry, but I had to say something.
We were losing blood.
- We'll keep this thing in the family.
- Don't scratch.
Tomorrow I'll call somebody.
Who, for instance?
I already looked in the Yellow Pages.
Furniture movers we got.
Strange phenomena, there's no listing.
One, one thousand,
two, one thousand...
three, one thousand,
four, one thousand...
five, one thousand...
Honey, look.
I lived with this freaky thing all day
and nothing bad happened.
It's like another side of nature, a side
that we're not qualified to understand.
When you overreact, it makes
what happened much too important.
No one's goin' in the kitchen
'til I know what's happening.
One, one thousand,
two, one thousand...
three, one thousand,
four, one thousand...
One, one thousand,
two, one thousand, three...
One, one thousand,
two, one thousand...
Help me!
Help me!
- Help me, Dad!
- Be careful!
Dad, come on!
Help me!
He's coming!
It's taking me in!
- He's coming!
- It's hurting me!
- Steven, hurry!
- Dad, help me!
- Hold on!
- Hold on to him!
Hold me, Dad!
- I got him!
- My leg!
Dad, my leg!
Help me, Dad!
Look, Mom, Dad!
It's a tornado!
It must've just skimmed us.
There wouldn't be a house left if...
I left her upstairs!
Baby, we're coming!
- I'll go check the kitchen.
- No! I'll do it!
You check your room.
Baby?
Sweetheart?
Baby?
Did you find her?
I've looked everywhere.
This is crazy.
Oh, my... My God.
The swimming pool.
Be careful, honey!
Mommy!
Nothing!
Thank God.
What?
Oh, Carol Anne, thank God! Baby!
Baby, where are you?
- Mommy, come over here!
- What is it?
What, baby?
I can't hear you, Mommy.
Where are you?
I can't hear you, Mommy!
Where are you?
What members of the household
are involved...
and what are their ages?
There's Diane, my wife.
She's 31.
Uh, 32. I'm sorry.
My oldest daughter, Dana.
She's 16.
My son, Robert, is eight.
Five.
Has there been any publicity
about these events?
Absolutely nothing.
Can you be reasonably sure...
of not letting any get started?
That's the last thing we want.
We haven't even gone to the police.
Would your family welcome...
a serious investigation
of these disturbances...
by someone who can make
firsthand observations?
Look, Dr. Lesh,
we don't care about the disturbances...
the pounding and the flashing...
the screaming, the music.
We just want you
to find our little girl.
I guess I should warn you that...
we keep the room locked off
from the rest of the house.
Robbie's sleeping with us now, and Dana
spends a lot of time with friends.
How many disturbances
have you recorded in the room?
We don't go in the room anymore.
Mr. Freeling, we'll record
any psychotronic energy or event.
Yes, Ryan photographed an extraordinary
episode on a case in Redlands.
That's right. It was a child's toy,
a very small Matchbox vehicle.
It rolled seven feet
across a linoleum surface.
The duration of the event
was seven hours.
Seven hours for what?
For the vehicle
to complete the distance.
Of course, this would never
register on the naked eye...
but I have it recorded
on time-lapse camera.
It's fantastic.
We've been trying to
hold ourselves together as a family.
Of course,
no one's been sleeping much.
Steven has missed so much work.
But he's been wonderful.
Really wonderful.
How long have you been
investigating haunted houses?
- Mrs. Freeling...
- Diane.
The determination as to whether
your home is haunted is not very easy.
What I meant to say was...
it might very well be
a poltergeist intrusion...
instead of a classic haunting.
There's a difference?
Did you see that?
There'll be two more.
They travel in pairs.
Dr. Casey.
Gotta be quicker than that.
It's electrical.
You can smell the charge.
What about poltergeists?
Poltergeists are usually
associated with an individual.
Hauntings seem to be connected...
with an area,
a house, usually.
Poltergeist disturbances
have a fairly short duration.
Perhaps a couple of months.
Hauntings can go on for years.
Are you telling me that all of this
could just suddenly end at any time?
Yes, it could.
Unless it's a haunting.
But hauntings don't usually
revolve around living people.
Then we don't have much time, because
my daughter is alive in this house.
While trying to escape
from an unknown assailant.
Marshall is listed as critical
and under intensive care.
This is probably
gonna seem a little strange.
We hear better on this channel.
Don't ask me why.
Well...
I guess I'll call her.
It's Mommy, sweetheart.
We wanna talk to you.
Please answer me, baby.
Please answer me.
Please talk to me, bunny.
Look at the dog.
Are you with us now?
Can you say hello to Daddy?
Hello, Daddy.
Hello, sweet pea.
It's Mommy, sweetheart.
Hello, Mommy.
Hello, baby.
Can you see me?
Can you see Mommy?
Mommy, where are you?
Where are you?
We're home, baby.
We're home.
- Can you find a way home to us, baby?
- Mommy, where are you?
I can't find you!
I can't!
I'm afraid of the light, Mommy!
I'm afraid of the light!
Tell her to stay away
from the light!
- Maybe it's a way out.
- It is, but not for her.
Tell her quickly.
- Stay away from the light!
- Tell her, Diane.
Stay away from the light!
The light is dangerous!
Don't go near it!
- Don't even look at the light!
- I don't believe it.
The voice could be coming
from a CB transmitter.
This isn't a hoax!
What the hell is this?
Anything?
- Nothing's registered.
- Mommy, there's somebody here.
Mommy, is that you?
No, it's not Mommy.
Who is it, Dr. Lesh?
- Who's with you, baby?
- Who's with you?
Somebody's coming!
Help me, please!
My God! My baby!
You bastards!
She's just a baby!
Help her!
Can't you hear what's happening?
Listen!
Get away from me!
Leave me alone!
Mommy, help me!
She just moved through me.
My God!
I felt her.
I can smell her!
It's her!
Smell my clothes.
She's all over me.
- It's her.
- My God.
It's her. I felt her.
It is. It's her.
It is.
It's my baby.
She went through my soul.
I can't hear her anymore.
Honey?
Where exactly do you suppose
Carol Anne was playing...
when she vanished from sight?
Where was Carol Anne playing
when she disappeared?
Her bedroom closet.
Let's go up there.
They won't let you in.
We'll just see about that.
Whatever happened to you?
I was just about to check out
the kid's bedroom when... I don't know.
Something took a bite outta me.
You got bit?
- That or the world's worst muscle spasm.
- Let's have a look.
- Think we'll spend the night downstairs.
- No. Wrong.
Honey, you take Dana and Robbie
and go and spend tonight in town.
I am not leaving here
without Carol Anne.
Mom, Dad, I can't stay here anymore.
You go, baby, go.
I'm not gonna leave
anybody in this house alone.
Can we talk to you?
Let's go.
- Any movement from those things?
- There's been some ionization flux.
I'd like to make sure they're not caused
by humidity from structure leakage...
but I'm not goin' up there
to find out.
We have got much more than the
paranormal episode taking place here.
There is a measurable
physical science in this house...
that goes far beyond the creaking doors
or cold spots I've experienced.
The voice on television.
Where is it coming from?
The absence of a signal on a channel
that is not receiving a broadcast...
means that it can receive a lot of noise
from many things, like short waves.
Solar disturbances,
car ignition sparkings.
Outer space.
Or inner space.
What if these people have an area
of bilocation in their own living room?
What do you mean?
If that is the way out...
then maybe somewhere in this house
there's a way in.
No, please.
Leave it on.
Thanks.
You know,
when it's quiet like now...
I can imagine how all of this
must look from your side.
I'm really embarrassed.
Nonsense.
I'm the one who should be embarrassed
being here with you nice people.
Parapsychology isn't something
you master in.
There are no
certificates of graduation...
no licenses to practice.
I am a professional psychologist.
I spend most of my time
engaged in this ghostly hobby.
Which makes me the most irresponsible
woman of my age that I know.
Would you like a glass for that?
No, thank you.
You know, you were very funny.
Your hands were shaking
about a mile a minute.
This isn't over.
I'm absolutely terrified.
It's all the things
that we don't understand.
I feel like the protohuman,
coming out of the forest primeval...
and seeing the moon for the first time
and throwing rocks at it.
If I got killed,
would I come back...
and get stuck in the house
like my sister?
Your sister isn't dead, Robbie.
If I got killed...
could I visit her
and show her how to get back here?
You could tie a rope around me
and hold it tight...
then somebody could come and get us,
and we could live somewhere else.
Some people believe...
that when you die,
your soul goes to heaven.
When Grandpa was dead...
I looked at him in the hospital bed
and I was watching...
but I didn't see anything
go up out of him.
His soul is invisible, Robbie.
You couldn't see it.
But how come Grandpa isn't
on television with Carol Anne?
Some people believe
that when people die...
there's a wonderful light...
as bright as the sun...
but it doesn't hurt
to look into it.
All the answers to all the questions
that you ever want to know...
are inside that light.
And when you walk to it,
you become a part of it forever.
And then, some people die...
but they don't know
that they've gone.
They think they're still alive?
Maybe they didn't want to die.
Maybe they weren't ready.
Maybe they hadn't
lived fully yet...
or they'd lived a long time,
but they still wanted more life.
They resist going into that light...
however hard the light wants them.
They just hang around...
watch TV,
watch their friends grow up...
feeling unhappy and jealous.
Those feelings are bad.
They hurt.
And then...
some people...
just get lost
on the way to the light...
and they need someone
to guide them to it.
So some people get angry...
and throw things around,
like in my bedroom?
Just like in school.
Like, some kids are nice to you...
some kids are mean.
I got beat up once
by three kids.
They took my lunch money.
Maybe they got hit by a truck,
and they're upstairs right now.
Listen, partner, maybe we oughta
get some shut-eye, okay?
You know what?
When we called Grandma tonight...
she got really excited that
you're comin' to stay with her...
and she's plannin' all these
neat things for you guys to do.
Can I take E. Buzz with me
when we go?
Sure you can.
- Good night, Mom.
- Good night, sweetie.
Night, lady.
Night, Dad.
Night, Rob.
I love you.
Good night, Carol Anne.
I'm gonna go
get something to eat.
What is it?
Roll it back.
I think we got one.
I think it recorded.
Yes. It recorded.
Look at all of them.
Is that our house?
Who are all those people?
They're so alone. So alone.
Where are they coming from?
I don't know.
Call me, okay?
This cameo is over
a hundred years old.
Yeah, some haul, huh?
And this watch is only
a few years old, and it's not yours.
Well, I'm off.
I'm taking these back to the lab
along with the tapes.
I'm going to have to
display these, you know.
- Please, not on "60 Minutes."
- Or "That's Incredible!"
I'll get it. Excuse me.
I'm leaving Ryan here with you.
Marty won't be coming back.
I am coming back.
And I'll bring some help.
Try not to worry.
Thank you.
We've missed you
down at the office.
The boys have gotten worried,
so I took it upon myself to...
Jesus, Steve, you look like shit.
Aren't you feeling any better?
I'm still weak, Mr. Teague.
I've got the flu, I can't get up...
Looks like you got
some cable problems here.
Yeah. The cable's been off
for a couple of weeks.
We'll have to look into that.
The rest of the block dark too?
No, just us.
You got some electrical problems
as well here.
What have you got screwed in there,
a 300-watt bulb?
You afraid of burglars,
or are you trying to attract...
every insect in Cuesta Verde?
- Steve, are you happy here?
- Yes, I am, sir.
Forgive me for asking
all these questions...
but we don't want to lose
the best rep we've ever had...
to the flu
or other opportunities.
Seeing all that software
in your living room...
makes me wonder, maybe you've
got something going on the side.
No, I just read "Popular Mechanics."
I got hobbies.
Feel like going
for a little ride?
I'd like to show you something.
Oh, God! I'm sorry!
One of your children
was born in your house, huh?
I understand that she's
missed a lot of school.
One of Trask's daughters
is in the same nursery class.
She got the flu as well, huh?
Yeah, we've all got
the same thing.
I'm sorry.
- I didn't see her.
- She's around.
I wonder if you'd mind
if I asked you a question.
Are you thinking about
leaving Cuesta Verde?
How could anyone in the world
have a problem...
on a day like this?
How's that spot
for a bay window?
It's pretty nice if you're
living up here, but...
not so great
down in the valley...
Iooking at homes
cutting into the hillside.
You don't have to live
in the valley anymore.
What are you saying?
We're starting phase five
right here where we're standing.
All of this can be
your master bedroom suite.
That can be your view.
Interested?
Well, Mr. Teague,
that's a generous offer.
- I'm just not a developer.
- You're responsible for 42% of sales.
That's almost half
of everything down there.
Almost $70 million worth
of dwelling and properties.
That's a whole generation
of security...
that nobody
can put a price tag on.
I know we should have made you
a full partner three years ago.
I don't want to lose you now.
Not much room
for a pool, is there?
We own all the land.
We've already made arrangements
for relocating the cemetery.
You're kidding me.
- That's sacrilegious, isn't it?
- Oh, don't worry about it.
After all, it's not ancient
tribal burial ground.
It's just... people.
Besides, we've done it before.
When?
In '76. Right down there.
Cuesta Verde?
All 300 acres.
It was quite a deal.
But I never heard
anything about it.
It's not something
one advertises on a billboard...
or on the side of a bus.
Don't worry. Friends and relatives
can visit their loved ones...
in Broxton Memorial Park.
It's only five minutes further.
Oh, yeah. Five minutes.
That's no great hardship.
I suppose that would be okay.
Okay with whom?
Whomever might complain.
Nobody's complained until now.
We've had two experiences
in the kitchen. This is the den.
Y'all mind hangin' back?
You're jammin' my frequencies.
So... what side of the rainbow
are we working tonight, Dr. Lesh?
- This your Knott's Berry Farm solution?
- I know what you're thinking.
But you must take my word for it.
She's cleaned many houses.
Her gifts have been documented...
We haven't heard Carol Anne
since last night.
Why is this door locked,
Mr. Freeling?
- Answer her, Steven.
- I am.
I am addressing the living.
I'm sorry.
That's the room
my son and daughter used to occupy.
We believe it's the heart
of the house.
This house has many hearts.
- What is the matter?
- What's the matter?
I was trying to answer her
with my mind...
and she couldn't hear me.
I thought you said this Tangina Barrons
was an extraordinary clairvoyant.
I am.
I just don't like trick answers.
Come here, honey...
and give me your hand.
I'm not gonna bite you.
Come on down here. You'll give me
a whiplash lookin' up at you.
Your daughter is alive
and in this house.
Where was the last incident
of bilocation?
I get my strongest feelin'...
the point of origin is in
the child's closet upstairs.
Yes. I believe that too.
Honey, you're gonna be strong for me
and for your daughter.
I can do absolutely nothing
without your faith in this world...
and your love for the children.
I will.
Believe me, I will.
And will you do anything I ask,
even if it comes contrary...
to your beliefs as a human being
and a Christian?
Yes, I promise. Please!
Would you all come on in?
Gather 'round.
There is no death.
It is only a transition to
a different sphere of consciousness.
Carol Anne is not like those
she's with.
She is a living presence...
in their spiritual earthbound plane.
They are attracted
to the one thing about her...
that is different from themselves...
her life force.
It is very strong.
It gives off
its own illumination.
It is a light that implies life...
and memory of love and home...
and earthly pleasures...
something they
desperately desire...
but can't have anymore.
Right now, she's the closest thing
to that...
and that is
a terrible distraction...
from the real light
that has finally come for them.
Do you understand me?
These souls, who for
whatever reason are not at rest...
are also not aware
that they have passed on.
They're not part of consciousness
as we know it.
They linger in
a perpetual dream state...
a nightmare from which
they cannot awake.
Inside the spectral light
is salvation...
a window to the next plane.
They must pass through
this membrane...
where friends are waiting
to guide them to new destinies.
Carol Anne must help them
cross over...
and she will only hear
her mother's voice.
Now...
hold on to yourselves.
There's one more thing.
A terrible presence
is in there with her.
So much rage.
So much betrayal.
I've never sensed
anything like it.
I don't know
what hovers over this house...
but it was strong enough to punch
a hole into this world...
and take your daughter
away from you.
It keeps Carol Anne
very close to it...
and away from the spectral light.
It lies to her.
It says things
only a child can understand.
It has been usin' her
to restrain the others.
To her, it simply is
another child.
To us, it is the beast.
Now let's go get your daughter.
Red ribbons,
handkerchiefs, tennis balls.
Okay, rope's ready.
- Bathwater?
- I shut it off. It's ready too.
All right. Call to her.
Carol Anne, it's Mommy.
Can you hear me?
Carol Anne,
please tell Mommy hello.
Try again.
Can you say hello to Daddy?
Daddy and I miss you so much.
So much. We love you so much.
Please, just say hello.
- She's under restraint.
- What?
- Who's restraining her?
- There are many arms about her.
She thinks it's safe. Who is she more
threatened by, you or your husband?
Neither. Steve decides
the punishment the children...
That's not fair.
I've never laid a hand...
Fight about it later.
Steven, make Carol Anne answer you.
Be cross with her.
It's Daddy.
Be angry with her,
or you'll never see her again.
Carol Anne, I want you
to answer me.
Tell her if she doesn't answer you,
she'll get a spankin'.
- I've never spanked the children.
- Honey, please. Just tell her.
Carol Anne,
you answer your parents...
or you're gonna get
a real spanking from the both of us!
Mommy! Help me!
- She's away from him.
- From whom? Is she all right?
Diane, ask about the light.
Mommy, help me, please!
- Honey, do you see a light?
- Help me, please!
Mommy! Help me!
Tell her to go to the light.
They'll follow her. They've been
followin' her for weeks.
- You must do what I say!
- Tell her, Diane.
Mommy, I can't find you!
Run to the light!
Run as fast as you can!
- I am in the light!
- No, honey.
- Tell her you are.
- No, it's a lie!
You can't choose between life and death
when dealin' with what is in between.
Tell her before it's too late.
Run to the light, baby.
- Mommy is in the light.
- Tell her you're waiting for her.
Mommy is waiting for you in the light.
I hate you for this.
Now clear your minds.
It knows what scares you.
It has from the very beginning.
Don't give it any help.
It knows too much already.
Now, open the door.
Ryan, get downstairs
and wait by the target!
Give me the tennis ball
marked number 1!
Dr. Lesh! It's my handwriting!
It came right out of thin air!
The ball came back.
It's his handwriting!
Kiss my ass!
Number 2!
Give me your hand!
She's at the mouth
of the corridor!
Tell her to stop!
Tell her not to go into the light!
Listen to me.
Do not go into the light.
Stop where you are.
Turn away from it.
Don't even look at it.
Hurry with the rope!
Throw it into the light!
Fantastic.
I got it!
Tell him
to take up the slack gently.
Take up the slack!
Take up the slack!
Help me tie this around my waist!
What are you doing?
I'm goin' in after her!
She won't come to you!
Let me go!
You've never done this before!
Neither have you!
You're right. You go.
No! Let me!
You can't! Who's strong enough
to stay here and hold the rope?
I love you!
No! Go downstairs
and wait by Ryan...
and pull only when I say so!
Only when I say.
Don't let go!
Never!
It's coming.
How will we know she's got her?
When will we know?
Cross over, children.
All are welcome.
All welcome.
Go into the light.
You said, "No"!
There is peace and serenity
in the light.
You said don't go into the light!
Steven, not yet!
- They're here!
- They're back!
Diane! No, please, no!
Get 'em into the water!
- Oh, God!
- No, I'm helping you!
Don't worry.
Get 'em in the water.
She's gonna be all right.
Come on. Breathe now.
Just take a breath.
Breathe.
Breathe. Damn it, breathe!
Breathe!
That's it. Come on.
Come on. Breathe. Yeah.
That's it. Breathe.
Baby.
Sweetheart.
Sweet pea, it's Daddy.
Come on, honey.
Come on, pumpkin.
Hi, Daddy.
This house is clean.
Be careful.
Mom, I'm going to dinner
with Janice and Brian.
- Is your room packed up?
- Everything but the bed.
- Are we gonna sleep here tonight?
- I guess not.
So you better get Brian
to bring you home right after dinner.
Dad wants us to stay
at the Holiday Inn on I-74.
Oh, yeah.
I remember that place.
You what?
Are you gonna do anything
about this?
- About what?
- Your new gray?
Oh. You don't like it?
You don't think
it's kind of punk?
Bye, Mom.
Honey, I don't know.
Okay, Rob.
That thing almost killed me.
You okay?
Don't hurt your back.
How you feelin'?
Oh, I'm good.
I feel a little hungover,
like I've been asleep for a few days...
but... I feel good, Steven,
I really do.
She doesn't seem
to remember any of it.
Oh, what a day.
Smell that mimosa.
You better cut a bouquet and
take it with you. We're not stayin'.
I know.
We worked so hard for this.
A thousand beautiful memories.
I gotta go to the office, pick up
some stuff, clean up a few things.
I'll be back early.
We're leaving tonight for sure?
Yeah, we are.
If the kids get sleepy,
let 'em sleep 'til I get home.
How's Teague taking it?
You know Teague. He won't take
"Go to hell" for an answer.
- What will you tell him?
- I'll give him directions.
"...colored mixture generously
directly from applicator to hair.
- Gently work it through..."
- Let me have that.
I want my truck back. Stop!
That's my truck!
Gimme it.
"Gently work it through with fingers
to saturate every strand.
Then comb through
with a brush and a comb...
to be sure entire width
of every hair is wet.
Do not lather."
- Get out of the solar system.
- Gimme it.
- It's getting late, guys.
- Gimme it.
- Give it back to me.
- Give it.
- Stop it.
- I'm gonna be in the bathtub.
Could you answer the phone...
Could you answer the phone
for me, please?
And can you
tuck yourselves in, please?
Yes, we will.
Thank you.
Good night, sweetheart.
- See what you get?
- Good night.
- Good night, Robbie.
- Good night, Carol Anne.
You're not real!
Oh! Help!
Help me!
You're not real!
Let me go!
I hate you!
You're done! I hate you!
I hate you!
I hate you!
Carol Anne, Robbie, run!
Open the door!
Carol Anne, Robbie, run!
Don't touch my babies!
You...
Help me, somebody!
No more.
Mr. Tuthill!
Ben! Help!
Please help me!
Somebody help me! Please!
Listen!
What sort of sound is that?
I've got to get them!
Come on!
- What's going on?
- Don't go!
- Please, Ben! Help me!
- No, don't go!
Help me!
Get away from my babies!
Get away!
Help!
Give me your hand!
Give me your hand!
I can't reach you!
- Now grab your sister!
- Take my hand!
Come on!
Hold on!
God, help me!
Help us!
You moved the cemetery,
but you left the bodies, didn't you?
You son of a bitch! You left the bodies
and you only moved the headstones!
You only moved the headstones!
Why?
Hurry, Dad, hurry!
- Dad, hurry!
- Come on.
Hurry.
- Hurry, Dad!
- Come on. Damn it, Steven, hurry!
What's happening?
What's happening?
What's happening?
- Get in the car!
- What is it?
Drive away! Daddy, drive away!
Steven, hurry!
The house is coming!
- Faster!
- Don't look back!