A Sacrifice (2024) Movie Script
1
[]
WOMAN:
I'm sorry we have
to meet like this again.
It's all I can manage today.
Maybe next time
you can come in.
Don't worry. I understand
how difficult this is for you.
WOMAN:
This is an improvement.
You're not the first therapist
I've talked to,
but you're definitely
in my top ten.
I'm flattered, but actually
I'm a social psychologist.
Oh, great. So you're not
going to try to fix me?
[SCOFFS]
Wouldn't dream of it.
So, last time we met,
we were talking about friends,
creating a support system.
Sure. I've got friends, online.
[VIDEO PLAYING IN BACKGROUND]
VOICE [IN BACKGROUND]:
Release fear.
WOMAN:
People like me who don't
want to participate in
a society
that's coming to an end.
Like, what's the point?
Well, actually--
It's all right for you.
You'll be dead in 20 years.
We'll be the ones left to deal
with your scorched earth policy.
Meaning?
Fukushima, not an accident.
You think all these fires
and floods are a coincidence?
And haven't you noticed?
Nature knows
to target the cities
that fuel global disparity
and destroy the environment.
The world is disintegrating.
Civilization is unwinding.
[]
BEN:
It's easy to see
how it happens.
The conspiracy cloud
begins with fear.
A distrust of society,
the need for truth
and order to calm the chaos.
Where groups
of likeminded people
exchange
counter-societal theories
and create connections
where none exist.
[PHONE PINGS]
Hi, Ben, it's Max.
I've got something
you might want to see.
I'll send you an address.
Jesus.
You think he changed his mind?
Hold it together.
We have to be quick.
They're clearing the scene.
[CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICKING]
Okay, best behavior.
She got you in here.
[IN GERMAN]
Ben Monroe.
The ride-along.
Hands in pockets,
you're just observing. Okay?
Sure. Thank you.
[]
What happened here?
Bad pills?
Very deliberately so.
NINA:
Looks like cyanide.
It wasn't accidental.
They killed themselves
in shifts,
so each person
and their possessions
could be precisely arranged.
And then there's this.
[CLEARS THROAT]
They've all got them.
Along with the black spot.
MAN [IN GERMAN]:
MAX: Suicide note?
[NINA SIGHS]
MAX: What?
NINA: "Sacrifice is redemption."
"We return to source,
so she may live."
Was this group
on your radar?
Up until now, they didn't
display any extreme ideologies.
BEN:
The minute someone mentions
sacrifice or redemption,
I'd smell cult.
NINA:
Don't be so sure.
You've probably heard
the sirens call
and don't even know it.
I'm done here.
Should we go outside?
Get some air?
MAX:
Yeah. Good idea.
[POLICE QUESTIONING
IN BACKGROUND]
[PHONE PINGS]
NINA:
Feeling better?
Oh, God, no.
It's my daughter.
She just landed.
I'm sorry about that. I--
I'm trying to break out
of the theoretical side of life,
you know.
Most people throw up the first
time they see a dead body.
I'm Nina.
Nice to meet you.
Paper?
A book actually.
I read your last one.
The Science of Loneliness.
Really?
A return to community
as the most important tenet
of a stable society.
Simple. Perfect.
Don't be shy.
We've all read it.
How else do you think
you got in here?
What did you mean before?
The sirens call...
Well, it all depends on
what you consider to be a cult.
[CHUCKLING]
Do you believe
in the afterlife?
Living by a set of rules
that dictates
whether you get in or not?
Not this heathen, no.
That group mentality
is all around us.
Ever served
in the armed forces?
Or maybe you have
a therapist
you wouldn't dream
of challenging.
I actually make a point
of avoiding all those things.
Very smart.
You have to be careful
who you give your power to.
Hm.
[PHONE PINGS]
Fuck.
[AIRPORT SECURITY ANNOUNCEMENT]
Excuse me. Hi.
Is this...
Is this the right train
to Kreuzberg?
Gneisenaustrasse...
Yeah, you're good.
Yeah, this is right.
Thank you.
Want me to help you with that?
Erm... Yes, please. Thank you.
Curse or protection?
Hm?
Curse or protection?
Oh. My dad got it for me.
Curses are more my mom's thing.
[CHUCKLES]
Or maybe it's his way
of reminding you,
don't talk to strangers.
Mm.
Probably has a point, yeah.
Yeah, hm?
Well, I'm Mazzy,
so now we're not strangers.
Okay. I'm Martin.
Nice to meet you, Mazzy.
Yeah. Me too. I mean, you too.
Where are you coming from?
California. Yeah, San Diego.
And you?
I'm from Berlin,
so I'm going home.
I'm actually from Kreuzberg.
Kreuzberg? All right.
That's how you say it.
[LAUGHS]
Not "Cruise-berg."
So I suppose
we're going to the same place.
Yeah, I guess so.
[]
BEN [ON INTERCOM]:
I'm on the fourth floor.
Come on up.
[DOOR BUZZES]
Mazzy!
No.
Come to Berlin, he said.
We'll paint the town, he said.
Honestly, the least
you could have done
was pick me up
from the airport.
Your address has like
five syllables in it.
My stuff is downstairs,
by the way.
I am so sorry.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity.
Max called
at the last minute.
I'm so sorry.
Right.
I've missed you so much.
Come here.
[BEN GROANS CHEERFULLY]
Oh, God, I'm going to die.
What time is it?
Before you do
anything at all,
could you please
just call your mom?
Let her know you're here,
and you're safe. Please.
No, I need a minute.
The whole ride to the airport
was just sex trafficking
and "raving consciously."
Right, but you wouldn't
know anything about that.
No, nothing.
[CLICKS TONGUE]
Hm--
Hi, Mom. I have not
had to use my pepper spray yet.
Dad says hello and I will call
you later. Love you. Bye.
How is she?
I tried calling her
yesterday
about your food
and your schedule.
Oh, no. Right, here.
She'll be fine.
Apparently, this is all
an exercise in trust.
She said that to you?
Oh, no.
I overheard her telling Mitch.
Mitch?
Yeah. Mitch.
Who do you think
she's off finding? Herself?
Okay.
He's some whiny tech bro.
Honestly, the whole thing
is really disgusting.
Uh, what chapter are you on?
It doesn't really
work like that.
It's okay.
He won't last.
I'm so glad you're here.
You know that?
[BEN GROANS]
[MAZZY'S PHONE BUZZES]
WOMAN [RECORDED, IN GERMAN]:
[DOOR OPENING]
MARTIN [IN GERMAN]:
[IN GERMAN]
[SMOOCHES]
[GIGGLES]
MARTIN:
[]
MAZZY: Thank you.
BEN: Okay...
You have to go back
totally reformed. Okay?
That's part of the deal
because your grades
were offensive this year.
I know, but this is, like,
the best punishment ever.
And your end of the deal
is that you're going
to come home with me, right?
Well, I can't just leave at the
beginning of the academic year.
Okay? And the thumbscrews are on
to finish the book.
It's interesting.
Even you'd find it interesting.
Well, based on the last one...
I'm kidding. Go on.
All right.
Well, it's a follow-up, okay.
I'm calling it
The Power of Groupthink.
Is that bad? I thought
you said lonely was bad.
It depends.
I'm interviewing this girl.
She's kind of a hermit.
She won't even let me
in her apartment to talk to her.
She's kind of like those
hikikomori kids
I talked to in Japan,
right?
I don't know
if I made it to that chapter.
Right, anyway.
They're totally isolated,
they lock themselves
in their rooms,
sometimes for years,
living their lives online.
Gaming, chat rooms...
Cool.
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
Point is, there are all kinds
of predators
just waiting for them,
to welcome them into their
persecution fantasies.
Like what?
Mm-mm. You'll get nightmares.
Come on.
[]
[]
[GASPING]
BEN:
The first day
is always daunting.
Just give it a chance, okay?
Hey. Did you forget something?
Still think this is
the best punishment ever?
Have a good day.
Make some friends.
MAZZY:
Whatever, Dad.
TEACHER:
This process allows us
to quantify
the exact amount
of chemical substance
found within the base solution.
[PHONE BUZZES]
[SCHOOL BELL RINGS]
You can expect to see
a question about this
on a test later in the semester.
Thank you all.
Wake up. It's over.
Hi.
Larissa.
Hi, I'm Mazzy.
American?
Yes.
Yes! Oh, I'm not
a fascist or anything.
It's just so great when there's
someone new from home.
Do I need to assert dominance
or anything?
Nah, they're just
a bunch of rich house-cats.
So, a group of us is going out
in Friedrichshain this weekend.
You wanna come?
Uh-- Pfft.
No, my dad would never let me.
Not even when I'm 30.
Ugh. Shame.
Well, maybe next time.
Yeah, sure.
Yeah?
WOMAN [IN GERMAN, OVER PA]:
[COIN CLINKING]
[PEOPLE CHATTING INDISTINCTLY]
[IN GERMAN]
[IN GERMAN]
[IN GERMAN]
[CHATTING DIES DOWN]
[IN GERMAN]
[SINGING BOWL CHIMING]
[CHANTING]
Om.
[]
In The Origins of
Totalitarianism,
Hannah Arendt
talked about loneliness
as the common ground
for terror,
the essence
of a totalitarian government,
which bases itself
on the experience
of not belonging
to the world at all,
which is among the most radical
and desperate experiences
of man.
[BELL RINGS]
Well, have a great weekend.
[STUDENTS CHATTING]
Paper is due on Tuesday
in my inbox.
Thank you.
STUDENT:
That was a really great class,
thank you.
NINA:
You look better.
A lot of paperwork had to be
filed to get you cleared.
I hope it was worth it.
I learned a lot, actually.
That I have a weak stomach,
and that I'd make
a shitty criminal psychologist.
You can't unsee
that kind of thing.
I haven't slept in 20 years.
Which would make you
the perfect interview subject,
by the way.
You already owe me.
A preview of the book
would make us even.
My students never pay me
this kind of attention.
Well, I'm a novelty, Max.
You'll never leave.
Yep.
My assistant told me
you were catching the show.
I was early.
Are you ready
to compare case notes?
The BFV are desperate
for your insight.
MAX:
And I assume everyone
wants reassurance
that this is a one-off
and not a missed pattern?
Like I said, not on our radar.
The guy who owned the house
was a doctor, a naturopath.
Create
an appealing shopfront
to hide the sinister stuff
that's going on in the basement.
That's a little reductive.
Well, I get rewards in the
afterlife, they all offer that.
But what's the initial draw?
You can't just lead with death.
MAX:
Actual community. Belonging.
Not just likes
and feedback loops.
I think
it's bigger than that.
It's about simple answers
to the big questions.
Meaning in life is important.
Order in the universe
is important.
All things I could use
right now.
MARTIN [IN GERMAN]:
[STAMMERS]
[WHIMPERING DESPERATELY]
[SOBBING]
[SOBBING INTENSIFYING]
[]
[]
MAZZY: Oh, I've missed you.
ELSA: How are you?
Mazzy? This is
my colleague, Nina.
Oh. Hey, Nina.
Hi, Mazzy.
It's so lovely to meet you.
This is a nice surprise.
NINA: I know.
And look, no bodies.
[IN GERMAN]
Come on in.
[DOOR SLAMS]
Hey, who's the midlife
crisis bait?
Yeah.
She's just some nerd
from work.
Said every husband
to his gaslit wife ever.
This level of paranoia
is not healthy.
Okay. No, you're right.
Besides, what's good
for the goose...
Shut the fuck up,
let me see.
Whoa. He's hot.
Mm-hm. I met him on the way
from the airport.
That soon?
Mm-hm.
Has he messaged you?
Yes. Look, twice.
Says he wants to meet up.
[GIGGLING]
Oh, God.
How long have you all
known each other?
Since Max deigned
to do a semester at Berkeley.
Yeah. Worst grades
of my academic career,
thanks to you two.
BEN: You're welcome.
MAX: Thank you.
Cheers.
MAX: Cheers.
How is Lydia?
Hey, Sofie.
No, it's okay. It's fine.
Well, according
to her therapist, uh,
my "inability to process"
is worse than the last
five years of our marriage.
And what about you, Nina?
Where did you study?
Cambridge.
Well, don't I feel tawdry?
You didn't want to stay
in England?
My family would never have
stood for it.
Do something meaningful
for society,
and then straight home.
[CHUCKLES]
Are they in Berlin?
My parents are long gone.
The rest are here though,
still keeping an eye on me.
So horribly conventional.
Apart from the bit where you
work for the government,
profiling dangerous criminals.
The devil has
all the best tunes.
[PHONE BUZZES]
[IN GERMAN]
[PHONE RINGING]
MAX:
[IN GERMAN]
What's wrong?
Uh-- We have to go.
Party's over.
[]
[IN GERMAN]
NINA [IN GERMAN]:
[IN GERMAN]
[PHONE RINGS]
Yeah?
[SOBBING, IN GERMAN]
[IN GERMAN]
[]
NINA [IN GERMAN]:
[SIGHS]
[BREATHING DEEPLY]
[SLURPS]
You hate it?
No, it's really...
It's amazing.
Sorry, I should have
asked first.
No, it's fine.
[PHONE RINGING]
I'm sorry. It's my dad.
[MAZZY SIGHS]
So, um, where's your mom?
Oh, um, she's back home.
Yeah, my parents split up
last year.
She's farmed me out
for the semester,
so that she can eat, pray,
love, or whatever.
That must be really hard.
What about you, do you live
with your parents or...?
Um, actually, my parents died
in a car accident
when I was a kid.
Oh, my God.
No, it's okay.
No, I-I'm so sorry.
No, no, it's okay. Don't worry.
It was a long time ago.
I barely remember it.
I went to live
with my grandmother.
Do you live with her now?
No, I live alone.
I'm not very good
at being alone.
Yeah, but, I mean,
I've got friends, right?
[LAUGHING]
Um-- Uh...
I work at an environmental NGO.
Oh.
And, um, you know,
giving something back
really helps to put things
into perspective.
Yeah. Heh.
Yeah,
I've been into gratitude
since before
it was even a thing,
so I understand.
Yeah, right.
Yeah, I get it.
Right.
MAZZY:
What's that?
You want to borrow it?
It'll really change
your perspective.
You know, we are shaped
by our intentions.
We create what we think.
Hmm?
It's German.
Oh, right. That's true.
Um...
Yeah. It's about mass extinction
and what can be done,
even though we've passed
the point of crisis.
Right.
We're all so fucked, right?
Actually, I told my mom...
I told her
I'm not having children
to help keep
the population down.
And she started sobbing.
Wow.
I mean, exactly.
Overpopulation
is a big problem.
And we need people like you
who think of the bigger picture
and...
Actually...
you should come.
And... meet my group.
If you want to.
Really?
Yeah, sure.
NINA:
Thank you.
BEN:
And, there you go.
[NINA CHUCKLES]
Are you working me?
Only if you want to show me
the doctor's manifesto.
Unfortunately impossible.
Headlines, then?
He was making a point.
He was deeply affected
by environmental decline,
by social injustice
on every level.
So, revolutionary suicide.
Exactly.
He set up free healing centers
in low-income neighborhoods,
he was like a local saint.
With his own personal gospel,
no doubt.
He was of an era
that believed in community,
in social equality.
The '90s was a bumpy re-entry
for them.
Safety in dictatorship.
It's complicated.
And maybe for an American
not so easy to understand.
[SCOFFS]
Well, I doorstepped
the neighbors after you left.
Okay.
And they said that he became
increasingly paranoid,
started preaching
about the end of time,
systemic environmental
collapse.
He believed what they did
was for the greater good.
And there's the hook.
It's not a hook
if you truly believe in it.
Yeah, but it all ends the same
way. On a funeral pyre.
Robbed of their own free will.
I think they gave it away
willingly.
They were just trying to give
their lives some meaning.
So, all I have to do
is throw myself into the flames?
[IN GERMAN]
[BEN HUMMING]
BEN:
Is there any fruit
that you don't eat?
[PHONE PINGS]
Hmm?
There's something on the list
that your mom sent.
There are a lot of things
on that list actually.
Something about...
[VOICE FADING]
...seeds and nightshades.
HILMA [ON VIDEO]:
What will you sacrifice
for your planet today?
Don't be afraid to let go.
Release fear.
Embrace love.
[PEOPLE CHATTING INDISTINCTLY]
Hey.
Hey. You came.
Yeah. Hi.
[HILMA SPEAKING SOFTLY]
Are you sure
this is a good idea?
Yeah, it's fine.
Come on.
I want you to meet Hilma.
She leads the group.
HILMA: Martin.
Hi.
This is Mazzy.
She's a new... friend.
Hi.
Oh, what a pleasure it is
to meet you, Mazzy.
We're so happy
to welcome you here.
Thank you.
Martin's told me so many
great things about your group.
Yeah?
Oh, dear Martin.
So he has told you
about our cause?
Uh, yeah, a little.
Well, we strive
to release ourselves
from our destructive
behaviors,
our worldly attachments,
so that our beautiful Earth
may purify and heal.
Cool.
[HILMA LAUGHS]
[]
Take this.
And remember, there's no
distinction between you and it.
All life is connected.
We are all part of the whole.
Right?
So, shall we?
I don't have a mask.
You can have mine.
HILMA [IN GERMAN]:
Why doesn't Hilma wear one?
She's not afraid.
Did you realize,
if we all lived
like middle-class Americans...
[HILMA CONTINUES IN BACKGROUND]
there would be no resources left
for most of Africa and Asia?
We need to realize
that we can only exist
if we think as a collective.
[]
Feel the energy
that comes into being
when our collective focus
is woven together.
Let's visualize
our planet healed.
REPORTER [IN GERMAN]:
[FLIES BUZZING]
[BEN'S PHONE BUZZES]
MAZZY: Hey, Dad.
Hm?
Can I go to the Reichstag thing
with Larissa tomorrow?
Who's Larissa?
Larissa.
Larissa, from school.
Yeah, sure. Yeah.
It's great that you got
a new friend.
And are interested in
politics and architecture.
Okay, thanks.
Just be careful. okay?
Yep.
And check in with me
every few hours.
Yep, got it.
Seriously.
That girl on the news
has got everyone worried.
Hey. Dad?
Who was that woman
at Elsa's the other night?
Nina?
Just someone from work.
A colleague.
And you would tell me if you're,
like, dating anyone or...
something like that, right?
If I met someone
and it was serious,
yeah, I'd let you know.
Do you think you and Mom
would ever get back together?
I'll always love your mom,
you know that.
We are shaped
by our intentions.
We create what we think.
[]
[BIRDS & INSECTS CHIRPING]
So...
Are you ready?
I'm not gonna freak out
or anything, am I?
No, no, no,
it's just mushrooms.
Nothing synthetic.
You know, real euphoria comes
from communing with the Earth.
And sometimes that means...
eating it.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
Fuck it. Let's do this.
All right.
[ECHOING]
Hilma was amazing.
Like, magical.
[]
When she gave me this necklace,
I could feel her energy.
[ECHOING]
She gave me this ash.
It's from an ancient
rowan tree.
And it's to remind me
that she's transcendent.
That we all are transcendent.
[TREES CREAKING
AND LEAVES RUSTLING LOUDLY]
[DISTORTED VOICES WHISPERING]
VOICE [DISTANT]:
Mazzy!
Mazzy!
Mazzy?
Come to me.
[]
Knowledge is born
of a lucid mind,
and purity is the gateway.
Have you gained clarity?
Existence is a lonely journey
of continuous death
and rebirth.
NINA:
So, what about you?
Is it just you and Mazzy
against the world?
Yeah, yeah.
Her mom and I
are still picking over
the divorce carcass,
you know.
But on the plus side,
she agreed to let me
have Mazzy
for the semester, so...
To modern parenting at work.
[PIANO PLAYING SOFTLY]
[WOMAN SINGING SOFTLY]
I think she's treating this
more as immersion therapy.
It must be hard for her
to be away from her daughter.
Cognitive adaption happens
faster than we think, though.
Actually, I think
it's more of a trust thing.
She's conflating
the breakdown of the marriage
with your ability
to parent.
Actually,
it's kind of specific.
We were at the beach
with Mazzy's friends
when she was younger,
and Mazzy had an accident.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
I don't mean to pry...
No, no, it's fine, honestly.
She, um--
She got caught in a rip.
Happened really fast.
It was really frightening,
obviously.
Then when we got her to shore,
it all became about how...
I was watching the kids
and I didn't see it.
[]
Sometimes after trauma,
we need somewhere
to put our fear and blame.
It's perfectly normal.
She stopped breathing.
But you saved her.
[MAZZY CRIES OUT]
BEN:
Actually, I kind of froze.
Her mom got there before I did
and pulled her out.
That's just a fear response.
Let it go.
It's all over now.
You're right.
It is all over now.
HILMA:
...strive to let go
of fear and hate.
Love heals all.
This is the absolute truth.
BEN:
The guy can't sing.
Don't... don't sing.
[LAUGHING]
Leave it to someone who can.
It's not, you know, it's...
...a basic principle of music.
He tried.
HILMA [ON VIDEO]:
I can feel your pain.
You'll never be alone again.
[]
BEN:
Hey.
Why didn't you wake me up
when you went out last night?
[SIGHING]
You were exhausted.
I wanted to let you sleep.
Plus, you're 16,
you're responsible.
I got freaked out.
You keep telling me
to be careful,
and then you just go out.
I called Mom.
[GROANING]
Oh, don't worry,
she didn't pick up.
What's that in your hair?
Stop! What are you doing?
Wait a second.
Just calm down.
Don't tell me to calm down.
I fucking hate all of this.
Why can't you just come home
and be normal?
You realize you've ruined
our lives by coming here?
Okay, Maz, your mom ended it.
Not the other way around.
You know that, right?
She asked me to leave.
I just needed to get away
and give us some space
for a minute.
She didn't tell you
to go to fucking Europe!
[GROANING SIGH]
Where do you think you're going?
I'm going to Elsa's.
What?
And, no, I won't be home
for fucking dinner.
[DOOR SLAMS]
[MAZZY CRYING]
MAX [OVER PHONE]:
Hey, Ben.
Hey. I'm in the doghouse.
What's wrong?
Now Mazzy's pissed with me,
and she's on her way
to your place.
Don't worry.
I'll keep an eye on her.
She can cool down here
and sleep over if she wants.
Yeah, that's probably
a good idea.
Try not to worry.
Thanks.
No problem.
[SIGHS]
Mazzy. What a surprise.
Come in.
I'm sorry to just turn up.
Our doors are always open.
I was looking for Martin.
Is he here?
No, dear. Is something wrong?
Come.
My dad,
he's just such an asshole.
Has he let you down?
Yeah, he lied to me.
[]
He snuck out in the middle of
the night to meet some woman.
[SIGHS]
I came to Berlin for him.
To see him.
But it's always
only ever about him.
Is that what upsets you
the most?
I had this accident
when I was younger.
It was ages ago
and I'm fine now, but...
I don't know, I think it's the
reason that my parents split up.
Oh, there we are.
I can see that must make you
feel ashamed.
Perhaps you wonder
if your parents blame you
for their separation?
And that maybe he wouldn't
have left if it wasn't for you?
Untangle yourself
from your parents.
The sooner you stop
relying on them,
the more powerful
you will be.
MAZZY:
Hilma says
I need to turn away from him.
That weirdo
from the video you sent me?
What does that even mean?
It means fuck him.
If he doesn't need me,
then I don't need him.
Wow. Okay.
Hey, let's go out.
Yeah, come on,
I want to go to Friedrichshain.
No way. My dad is even more
neurotic than usual
because of that girl
on the news.
Well, your dad
doesn't have to know.
I can't, okay?
I'm sorry, they'd be furious.
Okay, fine.
I have other friends, you know.
[IN GERMAN]
NINA [QUOTING]:
[DOOR BUZZES]
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
Do you trust me?
Just go easy with the red pen,
please.
Pressure to deliver
is crippling.
I'm excited to read it.
The Power of Groupthink.
You know, I always thought
there was something mystical
about the idea
of mass consciousness.
Or absolutely terrifying.
[NINA CHUCKLES]
I think there really is
such a thing as a group soul.
I've seen how a group gains the
consciousness of an individual.
It's extraordinary.
Almost telepathic.
[]
Everything you do
is for others.
The individual is swallowed
by this huge creature,
and whatever the creature does,
you're swept along with it.
You should probably
write that down.
[CHUCKLES]
Take it.
It's yours.
[IN GERMAN]
HILMA [IN GERMAN]:
[IN GERMAN]
CONGREGATION [IN UNISON]:
[]
[]
[]
[]
[BIRDS CALLING]
HILMA [IN GERMAN]:
[]
Don't be afraid to let go.
Release fear.
Embrace love.
Hi.
All is love, right?
Oh, my God,
where are you taking me?
[IN GERMAN]
[LOUD MUSIC PLAYING]
Seriously, where are we?
Come on.
[EXCITED WHOOPING]
[]
[]
MAZZY [ECHOING]:
No!
No!
Get off me! Let me go!
LARISSA [ECHOING]:
Come on.
[]
[COUGHING, VOMITING]
We can't go home like this.
Come on.
No, please.
I need to lie down.
What? No, Maz, no.
Come on, we can sleep it off
in the park.
[]
Hey, hey.
[LINE RINGING]
[MAZZY GROANS]
Sorry.
DISPATCHER [IN GERMAN]:
[]
[SIGHS]
Are you okay?
Yeah.
Oh, man. Don't ever have kids.
You'll never get
a good night's sleep again.
[CALMLY]
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Hey, we were worried about you.
MEMBER [IN GERMAN]:
No, no, please,
I just want to sleep.
I'll take care of this for you.
No, please don't call my dad.
You need to get the poison
out of your system.
We can't let you go home
like this.
Let them help you.
Okay, okay...
MAZZY:
Where's Larissa? Is she okay?
She's fine, she's fine.
I took care of her. All right?
They'll make you feel better,
I promise.
I'm so, so sorry.
No...
[MUTTERING IN BACKGROUND]
[PHONE RINGS]
Hello?
MAX: Ben I've been trying
to get hold of you.
It's Mazzy.
What?
She snuck out
and didn't come home
last night.
What do you mean?
[WHIMPERING]
[WHIMPERING]
[]
Martin made the right decision
by bringing you here.
We'll take care of you now.
I'm so embarrassed.
I'm so sorry.
No!
You recognize what you've done.
That's redemption enough.
I know young people today
feel so empty.
But you're very special.
Sinless.
Unblemished.
I knew it
the first time we met.
No.
No, it's all right, Mazzy.
You'll never be alone again.
Now you're with people
who care about you.
Thank you. Thank you.
Okay.
Let us take care of you
from now on.
[IN GERMAN]
[IN GERMAN]
SOFIE [IN GERMAN]:
I'm sure
she's with friends,
it's just she's lying about
which friend
she was actually with...
Yeah, I'd appreciate that.
Thanks.
MAX: Anything?
No. God.
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
Hey. You okay?
You have to try and calm down.
It's only been a few hours.
[RAISING VOICE]
She's been gone all night.
Okay?
It's been 12 hours.
I'm going to call the police.
No, don't call the police yet.
I know the protocol. They won't
take it seriously for 24 hours.
I'll call my people.
They can help.
Really?
Max, what do you think?
I'm not a cop.
I don't know the protocols.
But if Nina's got contacts,
that will speed things up.
I mean,
am I overreacting, Max?
She probably got stranded
at some club,
and knows
she's in deep shit.
[BEN SIGHS]
[]
This will make you feel better.
No...
Come on, just a little bit more.
Just a little bit more.
Good girl.
MARTIN:
Hey, Mazzy. It's all right.
MAZZY:
No! Don't go!
Mazzy!
[IN GERMAN]
Mazzy!
Mazzy!
As with any deep cleansing,
it will get worse
before it gets better.
Call my dad, please...
Just-- Please call my dad.
We are your family now.
[PHONE BUZZES]
[IN GERMAN]
[PHONE PINGS]
Hey.
MAX: What?
Take a look at this.
Who's that?
I don't know.
Sofie, do you know who that is?
I've got a lead!
An unconscious girl was seen
being carried into a community
center in Friedrichshain.
Did they call the police?
NINA: Of course.
BEN:
Thank God. Let's go.
Mom?
[IN GERMAN]
What will you sacrifice
for your planet today?
[DISTORTED SOUNDS]
HILMA:
Purity is the gateway.
[]
Have you gained clarity?
Yes. Yes.
I fucking hate you.
No!
How dare you disrespect me,
Mazzy.
Martin!
[DESPERATELY]
Martin, please.
Purity cannot be attained.
Martin, please.
It's such a shame.
[MAZZY SHOUTS IN PAIN]
HILMA [IN GERMAN]:
[]
Please, no.
[MAZZY SQUEALING DESPERATELY]
You were exceptional, Mazzy.
I had such high hopes for you.
[MAZZY STRUGGLING
AND SCREAMING]
[]
[IN GERMAN]
[IN GERMAN]
[REVULSION IN VOICE]
[DOOR SLAMS]
[]
[SCREAMS FURIOUSLY]
That's all they said, right?
Nothing else?
I know as much
as you do.
NINA [IN GERMAN]:
[IN GERMAN]
NINA:
[]
[NINA BREATHING DEEPLY]
NINA [IN GERMAN]:
[NINA BREATHING INTENSIFYING]
[]
Ben Monroe.
[]
He believed what they did
was for the greater good.
[BREATHING CLIMAXES]
[WHISPERING, IN GERMAN]
MARTIN [IN GERMAN]:
[]
[WHISPERS SOFTLY]
HILMA [IN GERMAN]:
NINA [IN GERMAN]:
BEN [IN GERMAN]:
She was seen being carried
in here apparently.
HILMA:
Ben.
I wish our first meeting was
under different circumstances.
I've heard so much about you,
about the influential
work you do.
So many people
must heed your words.
I'm sorry?
Your hypotheses
are so comforting.
Community and symbiosis
is the cure for so much
of what ails us as a planet.
We wouldn't be in this position
if we were thinking
of the whole.
Okay. I think there's been
a misunderstanding.
I'm looking for
my daughter Mazzy.
It's okay, Ben. Mazzy's safe.
She's with my friends.
What friends?
These are my friends.
They're my family.
You can trust them.
What? So she's safe?
HILMA:
It's important that
we populate our organization
with the most progressive
and brilliant minds.
Your writing on the subject
of collective consciousness
is so inspiring.
You have such undeniable
influence.
You possess
the mastery and power
to lead us
to global recognition.
I don't even know you. Okay?
We know you, Ben.
No, no, you've got me
all wrong.
You have no idea how to
reconnect with your daughter.
[WHISPERING IN BACKGROUND]
She's slipping through
your fingers again, Ben.
HILMA:
We can help you.
If you help us.
Do you really want her
to go back?
Stop!
Just stop talking, okay?
Where is she?
Huh?
Maz?
Ben, just listen to me
for a second, okay?
We're trying to help you.
[BEN HAMMERING ON DOORS]
She is safe.
She's so happy here.
She's met a wonderful boy.
We've given her a real sense
of belonging.
So you can start healing
your relationship.
She'll want to stay
and live here with you. With us.
That's what you really want,
isn't it?
What? You, me and Mazzy?
There is no you and Mazzy.
You don't even know her.
You're so lost in your pain.
Your rejection.
This egoism you have of not
being your daughter's savior.
We can rid you of that and
replace it with real purpose.
The power of knowing
you're changing the world.
Wouldn't it be wonderful
if we could all
experience it together?
What the fuck is going on here?
Have you even had an original
thought in your whole life?
All that talk
about a group soul,
was that your idea or hers?
Oh, you've got the community
and the love,
but you're all alone
in there, aren't you?
And now what? You're holding
my daughter ransom?
I'm calling the police.
If we are ever threatened, we
will move our timeline forward.
What does that mean?
We are ready
to make the ultimate sacrifice.
To purify and start again.
CONGREGATION
[IN UNISON, IN GERMAN]:
I thought I could help Mazzy,
but maybe she can't be saved.
[IN GERMAN]
Choose to stay, Ben,
and Mazzy will have
a reason to exist.
[SHOUTING]
Exist?
Ben, the world
is disintegrating.
Civilization is unwinding.
What did you just say?
LOTTE:
And haven't you noticed?
The world is disintegrating.
Civilization is unwinding.
[IN GERMAN]
BEN:
Lake Liepnitz.
That's where you take them.
You're psychotic.
[DOOR OPENS]
Max, call whoever you know
at the police department.
Maz has been kidnapped.
MAX:
What? Do you know
where she is?
Lake Liepnitz. You hurry!
[]
HILMA [IN GERMAN]:
[IN GERMAN]
[VOICE CRACKING]
[IN GERMAN]
[]
NINA'S MOM:
[]
[DOOR CREAKS OPEN]
[FLIES BUZZING]
[MARTIN INHALES SHARPLY]
HILMA [IN GERMAN]:
[WHISPERING AND WHIMPERING
IN BACKGROUND]
[]
[PEOPLE GASPING]
[MUFFLED GASPING]
[SUFFOCATING]
[SCREAMING]
[]
[]
[FROGS CROAKING]
VOICE:
Mazzy!
[DISTORTED WHISPERING,
LAUGHTER]
Mazzy!
[DISTORTED WHISPERING]
[BIRDS TWEETING]
VOICE:
Over here.
Come to me.
[WHISPERING, GIGGLING]
MAZZY:
Hey. Can you help me?
Where am I?
VOICE:
Mazzy.
Come here.
[]
[IN GERMAN]
[OFFICERS SHOUTING ORDERS]
[]
LOTTE:
Let go.
Mazzy!
[DISTORTED VOICES]
[BEN GASPS]
[BEN GASPING, GROANING]
Come on, Maz...
Maz!
Mazzy. Hey! Come on!
Mazzy!
That's it, that's it.
You got it, you got it.
Breathe, breathe.
Let it out, let it out.
I got you.
That's it, that's it.
I got you.
Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
I love you so much.
I'm so sorry.
Existence is a lonely journey
of continuous death
and rebirth.
But I see you.
I can feel your pain.
SOFIE [IN GERMAN]:
[IN GERMAN]
And if you join our family,
you'll never be alone again.
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
WOMAN:
I'm sorry we have
to meet like this again.
It's all I can manage today.
Maybe next time
you can come in.
Don't worry. I understand
how difficult this is for you.
WOMAN:
This is an improvement.
You're not the first therapist
I've talked to,
but you're definitely
in my top ten.
I'm flattered, but actually
I'm a social psychologist.
Oh, great. So you're not
going to try to fix me?
[SCOFFS]
Wouldn't dream of it.
So, last time we met,
we were talking about friends,
creating a support system.
Sure. I've got friends, online.
[VIDEO PLAYING IN BACKGROUND]
VOICE [IN BACKGROUND]:
Release fear.
WOMAN:
People like me who don't
want to participate in
a society
that's coming to an end.
Like, what's the point?
Well, actually--
It's all right for you.
You'll be dead in 20 years.
We'll be the ones left to deal
with your scorched earth policy.
Meaning?
Fukushima, not an accident.
You think all these fires
and floods are a coincidence?
And haven't you noticed?
Nature knows
to target the cities
that fuel global disparity
and destroy the environment.
The world is disintegrating.
Civilization is unwinding.
[]
BEN:
It's easy to see
how it happens.
The conspiracy cloud
begins with fear.
A distrust of society,
the need for truth
and order to calm the chaos.
Where groups
of likeminded people
exchange
counter-societal theories
and create connections
where none exist.
[PHONE PINGS]
Hi, Ben, it's Max.
I've got something
you might want to see.
I'll send you an address.
Jesus.
You think he changed his mind?
Hold it together.
We have to be quick.
They're clearing the scene.
[CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICKING]
Okay, best behavior.
She got you in here.
[IN GERMAN]
Ben Monroe.
The ride-along.
Hands in pockets,
you're just observing. Okay?
Sure. Thank you.
[]
What happened here?
Bad pills?
Very deliberately so.
NINA:
Looks like cyanide.
It wasn't accidental.
They killed themselves
in shifts,
so each person
and their possessions
could be precisely arranged.
And then there's this.
[CLEARS THROAT]
They've all got them.
Along with the black spot.
MAN [IN GERMAN]:
MAX: Suicide note?
[NINA SIGHS]
MAX: What?
NINA: "Sacrifice is redemption."
"We return to source,
so she may live."
Was this group
on your radar?
Up until now, they didn't
display any extreme ideologies.
BEN:
The minute someone mentions
sacrifice or redemption,
I'd smell cult.
NINA:
Don't be so sure.
You've probably heard
the sirens call
and don't even know it.
I'm done here.
Should we go outside?
Get some air?
MAX:
Yeah. Good idea.
[POLICE QUESTIONING
IN BACKGROUND]
[PHONE PINGS]
NINA:
Feeling better?
Oh, God, no.
It's my daughter.
She just landed.
I'm sorry about that. I--
I'm trying to break out
of the theoretical side of life,
you know.
Most people throw up the first
time they see a dead body.
I'm Nina.
Nice to meet you.
Paper?
A book actually.
I read your last one.
The Science of Loneliness.
Really?
A return to community
as the most important tenet
of a stable society.
Simple. Perfect.
Don't be shy.
We've all read it.
How else do you think
you got in here?
What did you mean before?
The sirens call...
Well, it all depends on
what you consider to be a cult.
[CHUCKLING]
Do you believe
in the afterlife?
Living by a set of rules
that dictates
whether you get in or not?
Not this heathen, no.
That group mentality
is all around us.
Ever served
in the armed forces?
Or maybe you have
a therapist
you wouldn't dream
of challenging.
I actually make a point
of avoiding all those things.
Very smart.
You have to be careful
who you give your power to.
Hm.
[PHONE PINGS]
Fuck.
[AIRPORT SECURITY ANNOUNCEMENT]
Excuse me. Hi.
Is this...
Is this the right train
to Kreuzberg?
Gneisenaustrasse...
Yeah, you're good.
Yeah, this is right.
Thank you.
Want me to help you with that?
Erm... Yes, please. Thank you.
Curse or protection?
Hm?
Curse or protection?
Oh. My dad got it for me.
Curses are more my mom's thing.
[CHUCKLES]
Or maybe it's his way
of reminding you,
don't talk to strangers.
Mm.
Probably has a point, yeah.
Yeah, hm?
Well, I'm Mazzy,
so now we're not strangers.
Okay. I'm Martin.
Nice to meet you, Mazzy.
Yeah. Me too. I mean, you too.
Where are you coming from?
California. Yeah, San Diego.
And you?
I'm from Berlin,
so I'm going home.
I'm actually from Kreuzberg.
Kreuzberg? All right.
That's how you say it.
[LAUGHS]
Not "Cruise-berg."
So I suppose
we're going to the same place.
Yeah, I guess so.
[]
BEN [ON INTERCOM]:
I'm on the fourth floor.
Come on up.
[DOOR BUZZES]
Mazzy!
No.
Come to Berlin, he said.
We'll paint the town, he said.
Honestly, the least
you could have done
was pick me up
from the airport.
Your address has like
five syllables in it.
My stuff is downstairs,
by the way.
I am so sorry.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity.
Max called
at the last minute.
I'm so sorry.
Right.
I've missed you so much.
Come here.
[BEN GROANS CHEERFULLY]
Oh, God, I'm going to die.
What time is it?
Before you do
anything at all,
could you please
just call your mom?
Let her know you're here,
and you're safe. Please.
No, I need a minute.
The whole ride to the airport
was just sex trafficking
and "raving consciously."
Right, but you wouldn't
know anything about that.
No, nothing.
[CLICKS TONGUE]
Hm--
Hi, Mom. I have not
had to use my pepper spray yet.
Dad says hello and I will call
you later. Love you. Bye.
How is she?
I tried calling her
yesterday
about your food
and your schedule.
Oh, no. Right, here.
She'll be fine.
Apparently, this is all
an exercise in trust.
She said that to you?
Oh, no.
I overheard her telling Mitch.
Mitch?
Yeah. Mitch.
Who do you think
she's off finding? Herself?
Okay.
He's some whiny tech bro.
Honestly, the whole thing
is really disgusting.
Uh, what chapter are you on?
It doesn't really
work like that.
It's okay.
He won't last.
I'm so glad you're here.
You know that?
[BEN GROANS]
[MAZZY'S PHONE BUZZES]
WOMAN [RECORDED, IN GERMAN]:
[DOOR OPENING]
MARTIN [IN GERMAN]:
[IN GERMAN]
[SMOOCHES]
[GIGGLES]
MARTIN:
[]
MAZZY: Thank you.
BEN: Okay...
You have to go back
totally reformed. Okay?
That's part of the deal
because your grades
were offensive this year.
I know, but this is, like,
the best punishment ever.
And your end of the deal
is that you're going
to come home with me, right?
Well, I can't just leave at the
beginning of the academic year.
Okay? And the thumbscrews are on
to finish the book.
It's interesting.
Even you'd find it interesting.
Well, based on the last one...
I'm kidding. Go on.
All right.
Well, it's a follow-up, okay.
I'm calling it
The Power of Groupthink.
Is that bad? I thought
you said lonely was bad.
It depends.
I'm interviewing this girl.
She's kind of a hermit.
She won't even let me
in her apartment to talk to her.
She's kind of like those
hikikomori kids
I talked to in Japan,
right?
I don't know
if I made it to that chapter.
Right, anyway.
They're totally isolated,
they lock themselves
in their rooms,
sometimes for years,
living their lives online.
Gaming, chat rooms...
Cool.
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
Point is, there are all kinds
of predators
just waiting for them,
to welcome them into their
persecution fantasies.
Like what?
Mm-mm. You'll get nightmares.
Come on.
[]
[]
[GASPING]
BEN:
The first day
is always daunting.
Just give it a chance, okay?
Hey. Did you forget something?
Still think this is
the best punishment ever?
Have a good day.
Make some friends.
MAZZY:
Whatever, Dad.
TEACHER:
This process allows us
to quantify
the exact amount
of chemical substance
found within the base solution.
[PHONE BUZZES]
[SCHOOL BELL RINGS]
You can expect to see
a question about this
on a test later in the semester.
Thank you all.
Wake up. It's over.
Hi.
Larissa.
Hi, I'm Mazzy.
American?
Yes.
Yes! Oh, I'm not
a fascist or anything.
It's just so great when there's
someone new from home.
Do I need to assert dominance
or anything?
Nah, they're just
a bunch of rich house-cats.
So, a group of us is going out
in Friedrichshain this weekend.
You wanna come?
Uh-- Pfft.
No, my dad would never let me.
Not even when I'm 30.
Ugh. Shame.
Well, maybe next time.
Yeah, sure.
Yeah?
WOMAN [IN GERMAN, OVER PA]:
[COIN CLINKING]
[PEOPLE CHATTING INDISTINCTLY]
[IN GERMAN]
[IN GERMAN]
[IN GERMAN]
[CHATTING DIES DOWN]
[IN GERMAN]
[SINGING BOWL CHIMING]
[CHANTING]
Om.
[]
In The Origins of
Totalitarianism,
Hannah Arendt
talked about loneliness
as the common ground
for terror,
the essence
of a totalitarian government,
which bases itself
on the experience
of not belonging
to the world at all,
which is among the most radical
and desperate experiences
of man.
[BELL RINGS]
Well, have a great weekend.
[STUDENTS CHATTING]
Paper is due on Tuesday
in my inbox.
Thank you.
STUDENT:
That was a really great class,
thank you.
NINA:
You look better.
A lot of paperwork had to be
filed to get you cleared.
I hope it was worth it.
I learned a lot, actually.
That I have a weak stomach,
and that I'd make
a shitty criminal psychologist.
You can't unsee
that kind of thing.
I haven't slept in 20 years.
Which would make you
the perfect interview subject,
by the way.
You already owe me.
A preview of the book
would make us even.
My students never pay me
this kind of attention.
Well, I'm a novelty, Max.
You'll never leave.
Yep.
My assistant told me
you were catching the show.
I was early.
Are you ready
to compare case notes?
The BFV are desperate
for your insight.
MAX:
And I assume everyone
wants reassurance
that this is a one-off
and not a missed pattern?
Like I said, not on our radar.
The guy who owned the house
was a doctor, a naturopath.
Create
an appealing shopfront
to hide the sinister stuff
that's going on in the basement.
That's a little reductive.
Well, I get rewards in the
afterlife, they all offer that.
But what's the initial draw?
You can't just lead with death.
MAX:
Actual community. Belonging.
Not just likes
and feedback loops.
I think
it's bigger than that.
It's about simple answers
to the big questions.
Meaning in life is important.
Order in the universe
is important.
All things I could use
right now.
MARTIN [IN GERMAN]:
[STAMMERS]
[WHIMPERING DESPERATELY]
[SOBBING]
[SOBBING INTENSIFYING]
[]
[]
MAZZY: Oh, I've missed you.
ELSA: How are you?
Mazzy? This is
my colleague, Nina.
Oh. Hey, Nina.
Hi, Mazzy.
It's so lovely to meet you.
This is a nice surprise.
NINA: I know.
And look, no bodies.
[IN GERMAN]
Come on in.
[DOOR SLAMS]
Hey, who's the midlife
crisis bait?
Yeah.
She's just some nerd
from work.
Said every husband
to his gaslit wife ever.
This level of paranoia
is not healthy.
Okay. No, you're right.
Besides, what's good
for the goose...
Shut the fuck up,
let me see.
Whoa. He's hot.
Mm-hm. I met him on the way
from the airport.
That soon?
Mm-hm.
Has he messaged you?
Yes. Look, twice.
Says he wants to meet up.
[GIGGLING]
Oh, God.
How long have you all
known each other?
Since Max deigned
to do a semester at Berkeley.
Yeah. Worst grades
of my academic career,
thanks to you two.
BEN: You're welcome.
MAX: Thank you.
Cheers.
MAX: Cheers.
How is Lydia?
Hey, Sofie.
No, it's okay. It's fine.
Well, according
to her therapist, uh,
my "inability to process"
is worse than the last
five years of our marriage.
And what about you, Nina?
Where did you study?
Cambridge.
Well, don't I feel tawdry?
You didn't want to stay
in England?
My family would never have
stood for it.
Do something meaningful
for society,
and then straight home.
[CHUCKLES]
Are they in Berlin?
My parents are long gone.
The rest are here though,
still keeping an eye on me.
So horribly conventional.
Apart from the bit where you
work for the government,
profiling dangerous criminals.
The devil has
all the best tunes.
[PHONE BUZZES]
[IN GERMAN]
[PHONE RINGING]
MAX:
[IN GERMAN]
What's wrong?
Uh-- We have to go.
Party's over.
[]
[IN GERMAN]
NINA [IN GERMAN]:
[IN GERMAN]
[PHONE RINGS]
Yeah?
[SOBBING, IN GERMAN]
[IN GERMAN]
[]
NINA [IN GERMAN]:
[SIGHS]
[BREATHING DEEPLY]
[SLURPS]
You hate it?
No, it's really...
It's amazing.
Sorry, I should have
asked first.
No, it's fine.
[PHONE RINGING]
I'm sorry. It's my dad.
[MAZZY SIGHS]
So, um, where's your mom?
Oh, um, she's back home.
Yeah, my parents split up
last year.
She's farmed me out
for the semester,
so that she can eat, pray,
love, or whatever.
That must be really hard.
What about you, do you live
with your parents or...?
Um, actually, my parents died
in a car accident
when I was a kid.
Oh, my God.
No, it's okay.
No, I-I'm so sorry.
No, no, it's okay. Don't worry.
It was a long time ago.
I barely remember it.
I went to live
with my grandmother.
Do you live with her now?
No, I live alone.
I'm not very good
at being alone.
Yeah, but, I mean,
I've got friends, right?
[LAUGHING]
Um-- Uh...
I work at an environmental NGO.
Oh.
And, um, you know,
giving something back
really helps to put things
into perspective.
Yeah. Heh.
Yeah,
I've been into gratitude
since before
it was even a thing,
so I understand.
Yeah, right.
Yeah, I get it.
Right.
MAZZY:
What's that?
You want to borrow it?
It'll really change
your perspective.
You know, we are shaped
by our intentions.
We create what we think.
Hmm?
It's German.
Oh, right. That's true.
Um...
Yeah. It's about mass extinction
and what can be done,
even though we've passed
the point of crisis.
Right.
We're all so fucked, right?
Actually, I told my mom...
I told her
I'm not having children
to help keep
the population down.
And she started sobbing.
Wow.
I mean, exactly.
Overpopulation
is a big problem.
And we need people like you
who think of the bigger picture
and...
Actually...
you should come.
And... meet my group.
If you want to.
Really?
Yeah, sure.
NINA:
Thank you.
BEN:
And, there you go.
[NINA CHUCKLES]
Are you working me?
Only if you want to show me
the doctor's manifesto.
Unfortunately impossible.
Headlines, then?
He was making a point.
He was deeply affected
by environmental decline,
by social injustice
on every level.
So, revolutionary suicide.
Exactly.
He set up free healing centers
in low-income neighborhoods,
he was like a local saint.
With his own personal gospel,
no doubt.
He was of an era
that believed in community,
in social equality.
The '90s was a bumpy re-entry
for them.
Safety in dictatorship.
It's complicated.
And maybe for an American
not so easy to understand.
[SCOFFS]
Well, I doorstepped
the neighbors after you left.
Okay.
And they said that he became
increasingly paranoid,
started preaching
about the end of time,
systemic environmental
collapse.
He believed what they did
was for the greater good.
And there's the hook.
It's not a hook
if you truly believe in it.
Yeah, but it all ends the same
way. On a funeral pyre.
Robbed of their own free will.
I think they gave it away
willingly.
They were just trying to give
their lives some meaning.
So, all I have to do
is throw myself into the flames?
[IN GERMAN]
[BEN HUMMING]
BEN:
Is there any fruit
that you don't eat?
[PHONE PINGS]
Hmm?
There's something on the list
that your mom sent.
There are a lot of things
on that list actually.
Something about...
[VOICE FADING]
...seeds and nightshades.
HILMA [ON VIDEO]:
What will you sacrifice
for your planet today?
Don't be afraid to let go.
Release fear.
Embrace love.
[PEOPLE CHATTING INDISTINCTLY]
Hey.
Hey. You came.
Yeah. Hi.
[HILMA SPEAKING SOFTLY]
Are you sure
this is a good idea?
Yeah, it's fine.
Come on.
I want you to meet Hilma.
She leads the group.
HILMA: Martin.
Hi.
This is Mazzy.
She's a new... friend.
Hi.
Oh, what a pleasure it is
to meet you, Mazzy.
We're so happy
to welcome you here.
Thank you.
Martin's told me so many
great things about your group.
Yeah?
Oh, dear Martin.
So he has told you
about our cause?
Uh, yeah, a little.
Well, we strive
to release ourselves
from our destructive
behaviors,
our worldly attachments,
so that our beautiful Earth
may purify and heal.
Cool.
[HILMA LAUGHS]
[]
Take this.
And remember, there's no
distinction between you and it.
All life is connected.
We are all part of the whole.
Right?
So, shall we?
I don't have a mask.
You can have mine.
HILMA [IN GERMAN]:
Why doesn't Hilma wear one?
She's not afraid.
Did you realize,
if we all lived
like middle-class Americans...
[HILMA CONTINUES IN BACKGROUND]
there would be no resources left
for most of Africa and Asia?
We need to realize
that we can only exist
if we think as a collective.
[]
Feel the energy
that comes into being
when our collective focus
is woven together.
Let's visualize
our planet healed.
REPORTER [IN GERMAN]:
[FLIES BUZZING]
[BEN'S PHONE BUZZES]
MAZZY: Hey, Dad.
Hm?
Can I go to the Reichstag thing
with Larissa tomorrow?
Who's Larissa?
Larissa.
Larissa, from school.
Yeah, sure. Yeah.
It's great that you got
a new friend.
And are interested in
politics and architecture.
Okay, thanks.
Just be careful. okay?
Yep.
And check in with me
every few hours.
Yep, got it.
Seriously.
That girl on the news
has got everyone worried.
Hey. Dad?
Who was that woman
at Elsa's the other night?
Nina?
Just someone from work.
A colleague.
And you would tell me if you're,
like, dating anyone or...
something like that, right?
If I met someone
and it was serious,
yeah, I'd let you know.
Do you think you and Mom
would ever get back together?
I'll always love your mom,
you know that.
We are shaped
by our intentions.
We create what we think.
[]
[BIRDS & INSECTS CHIRPING]
So...
Are you ready?
I'm not gonna freak out
or anything, am I?
No, no, no,
it's just mushrooms.
Nothing synthetic.
You know, real euphoria comes
from communing with the Earth.
And sometimes that means...
eating it.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
Fuck it. Let's do this.
All right.
[ECHOING]
Hilma was amazing.
Like, magical.
[]
When she gave me this necklace,
I could feel her energy.
[ECHOING]
She gave me this ash.
It's from an ancient
rowan tree.
And it's to remind me
that she's transcendent.
That we all are transcendent.
[TREES CREAKING
AND LEAVES RUSTLING LOUDLY]
[DISTORTED VOICES WHISPERING]
VOICE [DISTANT]:
Mazzy!
Mazzy!
Mazzy?
Come to me.
[]
Knowledge is born
of a lucid mind,
and purity is the gateway.
Have you gained clarity?
Existence is a lonely journey
of continuous death
and rebirth.
NINA:
So, what about you?
Is it just you and Mazzy
against the world?
Yeah, yeah.
Her mom and I
are still picking over
the divorce carcass,
you know.
But on the plus side,
she agreed to let me
have Mazzy
for the semester, so...
To modern parenting at work.
[PIANO PLAYING SOFTLY]
[WOMAN SINGING SOFTLY]
I think she's treating this
more as immersion therapy.
It must be hard for her
to be away from her daughter.
Cognitive adaption happens
faster than we think, though.
Actually, I think
it's more of a trust thing.
She's conflating
the breakdown of the marriage
with your ability
to parent.
Actually,
it's kind of specific.
We were at the beach
with Mazzy's friends
when she was younger,
and Mazzy had an accident.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
I don't mean to pry...
No, no, it's fine, honestly.
She, um--
She got caught in a rip.
Happened really fast.
It was really frightening,
obviously.
Then when we got her to shore,
it all became about how...
I was watching the kids
and I didn't see it.
[]
Sometimes after trauma,
we need somewhere
to put our fear and blame.
It's perfectly normal.
She stopped breathing.
But you saved her.
[MAZZY CRIES OUT]
BEN:
Actually, I kind of froze.
Her mom got there before I did
and pulled her out.
That's just a fear response.
Let it go.
It's all over now.
You're right.
It is all over now.
HILMA:
...strive to let go
of fear and hate.
Love heals all.
This is the absolute truth.
BEN:
The guy can't sing.
Don't... don't sing.
[LAUGHING]
Leave it to someone who can.
It's not, you know, it's...
...a basic principle of music.
He tried.
HILMA [ON VIDEO]:
I can feel your pain.
You'll never be alone again.
[]
BEN:
Hey.
Why didn't you wake me up
when you went out last night?
[SIGHING]
You were exhausted.
I wanted to let you sleep.
Plus, you're 16,
you're responsible.
I got freaked out.
You keep telling me
to be careful,
and then you just go out.
I called Mom.
[GROANING]
Oh, don't worry,
she didn't pick up.
What's that in your hair?
Stop! What are you doing?
Wait a second.
Just calm down.
Don't tell me to calm down.
I fucking hate all of this.
Why can't you just come home
and be normal?
You realize you've ruined
our lives by coming here?
Okay, Maz, your mom ended it.
Not the other way around.
You know that, right?
She asked me to leave.
I just needed to get away
and give us some space
for a minute.
She didn't tell you
to go to fucking Europe!
[GROANING SIGH]
Where do you think you're going?
I'm going to Elsa's.
What?
And, no, I won't be home
for fucking dinner.
[DOOR SLAMS]
[MAZZY CRYING]
MAX [OVER PHONE]:
Hey, Ben.
Hey. I'm in the doghouse.
What's wrong?
Now Mazzy's pissed with me,
and she's on her way
to your place.
Don't worry.
I'll keep an eye on her.
She can cool down here
and sleep over if she wants.
Yeah, that's probably
a good idea.
Try not to worry.
Thanks.
No problem.
[SIGHS]
Mazzy. What a surprise.
Come in.
I'm sorry to just turn up.
Our doors are always open.
I was looking for Martin.
Is he here?
No, dear. Is something wrong?
Come.
My dad,
he's just such an asshole.
Has he let you down?
Yeah, he lied to me.
[]
He snuck out in the middle of
the night to meet some woman.
[SIGHS]
I came to Berlin for him.
To see him.
But it's always
only ever about him.
Is that what upsets you
the most?
I had this accident
when I was younger.
It was ages ago
and I'm fine now, but...
I don't know, I think it's the
reason that my parents split up.
Oh, there we are.
I can see that must make you
feel ashamed.
Perhaps you wonder
if your parents blame you
for their separation?
And that maybe he wouldn't
have left if it wasn't for you?
Untangle yourself
from your parents.
The sooner you stop
relying on them,
the more powerful
you will be.
MAZZY:
Hilma says
I need to turn away from him.
That weirdo
from the video you sent me?
What does that even mean?
It means fuck him.
If he doesn't need me,
then I don't need him.
Wow. Okay.
Hey, let's go out.
Yeah, come on,
I want to go to Friedrichshain.
No way. My dad is even more
neurotic than usual
because of that girl
on the news.
Well, your dad
doesn't have to know.
I can't, okay?
I'm sorry, they'd be furious.
Okay, fine.
I have other friends, you know.
[IN GERMAN]
NINA [QUOTING]:
[DOOR BUZZES]
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
Do you trust me?
Just go easy with the red pen,
please.
Pressure to deliver
is crippling.
I'm excited to read it.
The Power of Groupthink.
You know, I always thought
there was something mystical
about the idea
of mass consciousness.
Or absolutely terrifying.
[NINA CHUCKLES]
I think there really is
such a thing as a group soul.
I've seen how a group gains the
consciousness of an individual.
It's extraordinary.
Almost telepathic.
[]
Everything you do
is for others.
The individual is swallowed
by this huge creature,
and whatever the creature does,
you're swept along with it.
You should probably
write that down.
[CHUCKLES]
Take it.
It's yours.
[IN GERMAN]
HILMA [IN GERMAN]:
[IN GERMAN]
CONGREGATION [IN UNISON]:
[]
[]
[]
[]
[BIRDS CALLING]
HILMA [IN GERMAN]:
[]
Don't be afraid to let go.
Release fear.
Embrace love.
Hi.
All is love, right?
Oh, my God,
where are you taking me?
[IN GERMAN]
[LOUD MUSIC PLAYING]
Seriously, where are we?
Come on.
[EXCITED WHOOPING]
[]
[]
MAZZY [ECHOING]:
No!
No!
Get off me! Let me go!
LARISSA [ECHOING]:
Come on.
[]
[COUGHING, VOMITING]
We can't go home like this.
Come on.
No, please.
I need to lie down.
What? No, Maz, no.
Come on, we can sleep it off
in the park.
[]
Hey, hey.
[LINE RINGING]
[MAZZY GROANS]
Sorry.
DISPATCHER [IN GERMAN]:
[]
[SIGHS]
Are you okay?
Yeah.
Oh, man. Don't ever have kids.
You'll never get
a good night's sleep again.
[CALMLY]
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Hey, we were worried about you.
MEMBER [IN GERMAN]:
No, no, please,
I just want to sleep.
I'll take care of this for you.
No, please don't call my dad.
You need to get the poison
out of your system.
We can't let you go home
like this.
Let them help you.
Okay, okay...
MAZZY:
Where's Larissa? Is she okay?
She's fine, she's fine.
I took care of her. All right?
They'll make you feel better,
I promise.
I'm so, so sorry.
No...
[MUTTERING IN BACKGROUND]
[PHONE RINGS]
Hello?
MAX: Ben I've been trying
to get hold of you.
It's Mazzy.
What?
She snuck out
and didn't come home
last night.
What do you mean?
[WHIMPERING]
[WHIMPERING]
[]
Martin made the right decision
by bringing you here.
We'll take care of you now.
I'm so embarrassed.
I'm so sorry.
No!
You recognize what you've done.
That's redemption enough.
I know young people today
feel so empty.
But you're very special.
Sinless.
Unblemished.
I knew it
the first time we met.
No.
No, it's all right, Mazzy.
You'll never be alone again.
Now you're with people
who care about you.
Thank you. Thank you.
Okay.
Let us take care of you
from now on.
[IN GERMAN]
[IN GERMAN]
SOFIE [IN GERMAN]:
I'm sure
she's with friends,
it's just she's lying about
which friend
she was actually with...
Yeah, I'd appreciate that.
Thanks.
MAX: Anything?
No. God.
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
Hey. You okay?
You have to try and calm down.
It's only been a few hours.
[RAISING VOICE]
She's been gone all night.
Okay?
It's been 12 hours.
I'm going to call the police.
No, don't call the police yet.
I know the protocol. They won't
take it seriously for 24 hours.
I'll call my people.
They can help.
Really?
Max, what do you think?
I'm not a cop.
I don't know the protocols.
But if Nina's got contacts,
that will speed things up.
I mean,
am I overreacting, Max?
She probably got stranded
at some club,
and knows
she's in deep shit.
[BEN SIGHS]
[]
This will make you feel better.
No...
Come on, just a little bit more.
Just a little bit more.
Good girl.
MARTIN:
Hey, Mazzy. It's all right.
MAZZY:
No! Don't go!
Mazzy!
[IN GERMAN]
Mazzy!
Mazzy!
As with any deep cleansing,
it will get worse
before it gets better.
Call my dad, please...
Just-- Please call my dad.
We are your family now.
[PHONE BUZZES]
[IN GERMAN]
[PHONE PINGS]
Hey.
MAX: What?
Take a look at this.
Who's that?
I don't know.
Sofie, do you know who that is?
I've got a lead!
An unconscious girl was seen
being carried into a community
center in Friedrichshain.
Did they call the police?
NINA: Of course.
BEN:
Thank God. Let's go.
Mom?
[IN GERMAN]
What will you sacrifice
for your planet today?
[DISTORTED SOUNDS]
HILMA:
Purity is the gateway.
[]
Have you gained clarity?
Yes. Yes.
I fucking hate you.
No!
How dare you disrespect me,
Mazzy.
Martin!
[DESPERATELY]
Martin, please.
Purity cannot be attained.
Martin, please.
It's such a shame.
[MAZZY SHOUTS IN PAIN]
HILMA [IN GERMAN]:
[]
Please, no.
[MAZZY SQUEALING DESPERATELY]
You were exceptional, Mazzy.
I had such high hopes for you.
[MAZZY STRUGGLING
AND SCREAMING]
[]
[IN GERMAN]
[IN GERMAN]
[REVULSION IN VOICE]
[DOOR SLAMS]
[]
[SCREAMS FURIOUSLY]
That's all they said, right?
Nothing else?
I know as much
as you do.
NINA [IN GERMAN]:
[IN GERMAN]
NINA:
[]
[NINA BREATHING DEEPLY]
NINA [IN GERMAN]:
[NINA BREATHING INTENSIFYING]
[]
Ben Monroe.
[]
He believed what they did
was for the greater good.
[BREATHING CLIMAXES]
[WHISPERING, IN GERMAN]
MARTIN [IN GERMAN]:
[]
[WHISPERS SOFTLY]
HILMA [IN GERMAN]:
NINA [IN GERMAN]:
BEN [IN GERMAN]:
She was seen being carried
in here apparently.
HILMA:
Ben.
I wish our first meeting was
under different circumstances.
I've heard so much about you,
about the influential
work you do.
So many people
must heed your words.
I'm sorry?
Your hypotheses
are so comforting.
Community and symbiosis
is the cure for so much
of what ails us as a planet.
We wouldn't be in this position
if we were thinking
of the whole.
Okay. I think there's been
a misunderstanding.
I'm looking for
my daughter Mazzy.
It's okay, Ben. Mazzy's safe.
She's with my friends.
What friends?
These are my friends.
They're my family.
You can trust them.
What? So she's safe?
HILMA:
It's important that
we populate our organization
with the most progressive
and brilliant minds.
Your writing on the subject
of collective consciousness
is so inspiring.
You have such undeniable
influence.
You possess
the mastery and power
to lead us
to global recognition.
I don't even know you. Okay?
We know you, Ben.
No, no, you've got me
all wrong.
You have no idea how to
reconnect with your daughter.
[WHISPERING IN BACKGROUND]
She's slipping through
your fingers again, Ben.
HILMA:
We can help you.
If you help us.
Do you really want her
to go back?
Stop!
Just stop talking, okay?
Where is she?
Huh?
Maz?
Ben, just listen to me
for a second, okay?
We're trying to help you.
[BEN HAMMERING ON DOORS]
She is safe.
She's so happy here.
She's met a wonderful boy.
We've given her a real sense
of belonging.
So you can start healing
your relationship.
She'll want to stay
and live here with you. With us.
That's what you really want,
isn't it?
What? You, me and Mazzy?
There is no you and Mazzy.
You don't even know her.
You're so lost in your pain.
Your rejection.
This egoism you have of not
being your daughter's savior.
We can rid you of that and
replace it with real purpose.
The power of knowing
you're changing the world.
Wouldn't it be wonderful
if we could all
experience it together?
What the fuck is going on here?
Have you even had an original
thought in your whole life?
All that talk
about a group soul,
was that your idea or hers?
Oh, you've got the community
and the love,
but you're all alone
in there, aren't you?
And now what? You're holding
my daughter ransom?
I'm calling the police.
If we are ever threatened, we
will move our timeline forward.
What does that mean?
We are ready
to make the ultimate sacrifice.
To purify and start again.
CONGREGATION
[IN UNISON, IN GERMAN]:
I thought I could help Mazzy,
but maybe she can't be saved.
[IN GERMAN]
Choose to stay, Ben,
and Mazzy will have
a reason to exist.
[SHOUTING]
Exist?
Ben, the world
is disintegrating.
Civilization is unwinding.
What did you just say?
LOTTE:
And haven't you noticed?
The world is disintegrating.
Civilization is unwinding.
[IN GERMAN]
BEN:
Lake Liepnitz.
That's where you take them.
You're psychotic.
[DOOR OPENS]
Max, call whoever you know
at the police department.
Maz has been kidnapped.
MAX:
What? Do you know
where she is?
Lake Liepnitz. You hurry!
[]
HILMA [IN GERMAN]:
[IN GERMAN]
[VOICE CRACKING]
[IN GERMAN]
[]
NINA'S MOM:
[]
[DOOR CREAKS OPEN]
[FLIES BUZZING]
[MARTIN INHALES SHARPLY]
HILMA [IN GERMAN]:
[WHISPERING AND WHIMPERING
IN BACKGROUND]
[]
[PEOPLE GASPING]
[MUFFLED GASPING]
[SUFFOCATING]
[SCREAMING]
[]
[]
[FROGS CROAKING]
VOICE:
Mazzy!
[DISTORTED WHISPERING,
LAUGHTER]
Mazzy!
[DISTORTED WHISPERING]
[BIRDS TWEETING]
VOICE:
Over here.
Come to me.
[WHISPERING, GIGGLING]
MAZZY:
Hey. Can you help me?
Where am I?
VOICE:
Mazzy.
Come here.
[]
[IN GERMAN]
[OFFICERS SHOUTING ORDERS]
[]
LOTTE:
Let go.
Mazzy!
[DISTORTED VOICES]
[BEN GASPS]
[BEN GASPING, GROANING]
Come on, Maz...
Maz!
Mazzy. Hey! Come on!
Mazzy!
That's it, that's it.
You got it, you got it.
Breathe, breathe.
Let it out, let it out.
I got you.
That's it, that's it.
I got you.
Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
I love you so much.
I'm so sorry.
Existence is a lonely journey
of continuous death
and rebirth.
But I see you.
I can feel your pain.
SOFIE [IN GERMAN]:
[IN GERMAN]
And if you join our family,
you'll never be alone again.
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]