Apparitions (2022) Movie Script
1
You made it!
- We made it.
- Are you with anybody?
Why are you wearing that?
Uh, look around.
You didn't graduate.
They don't know that.
I noticed they got here
after the ceremony.
All right, so I may have
told them the wrong time
and avoided telling them
I changed courses midyear.
- Ali!
- I'll tell them, I swear.
At an awkward dinner
five years from now.
I mean, look, look at
those poor adorable fools.
Do you really want me to
ruin their hopes and dreams
with the news that continue
to be a fuckup today?
You're a terrible,
terrible person.
Guilty as charged.
Oh, my God.
Hi.
Thought I'd stop
by, say congrats.
Checking up on me.
I'm sorry I didn't
bring anything,
there really isn't a
registry for graduations.
So, how are you?
Keeping busy.
You?
Good, yeah.
Almost a psychologist now.
That is great.
It's just great.
Well, I've gotta get back.
Just wanted to wish you well.
Thanks for um, coming, Jane.
It was really good to see you.
You too, kid.
You made a friend?
Who the hell was that?
And did she just check me out?
It's just an old friend.
Uh, you're not getting
away with that, that easily.
No, Ali, wait, Ali...
Hey!
Cool ride, can I be
you when I grow up?
Sorry, um, it's just
Lily's never mentioned you
or any of her family or
friends, or anyone really.
So this is kind of a huge deal.
Uh, how long have you known her?
Are you guys related?
We're not related.
And if Lily doesn't wanna
talk about something,
isn't that her business?
Look, Lily's private, I get
that's part of the deal.
But she's not really
been herself lately
- and I was...
- And who is that, exactly?
Look, if anything
happens to her,
or if she seems
stranger than normal,
call this number first.
Okay, but why would
anything happen to her?
Lily, I am so, so sorry.
It's fine, don't
worry about it.
No, you don't understand.
I rushed out of work,
got home to change,
wore that special
shirt you bought me.
You know the one with
those crazy flowers on it.
Oh, you mean the one
that I got you as a joke?
Hey, I love that shirt.
I jumped in the car, switched
on the GPS lady and took off.
I was actually running early.
Now, you know how good
I am with directions.
Not at all.
Exactly, which is
why I used the lady,
but this time she's taken me
out in the middle of nowhere.
Every 10 seconds she's
telling me to do a u-turn.
Turns out I plugged in the
wrong MacArthur Street.
Melbourne has three of them.
So I searched for
the other address
and speed your way.
Finally, I am traveling the
right direction when boom!
The traffic stops.
For 20 minutes we inch
along, when finally I see it.
What?
A kitten.
A kitten.
Little shit wouldn't
get off the road.
Someone would chase it
off and it would run
straight back on.
It had a death wish, I guess.
Can cats have death wishes?
So you're telling me
that a kitten stopped you
from coming to my graduation.
Well, a kitten and
my own stupidity.
I'm so sorry, Lil, I
really wanted to be there.
It's fine, I'm here with Ali.
We'll walk home together.
Why don't I made you dinner?
You can't even turn
on your oven without
giving yourself
third degree burns.
Skin grafts are temporary, love.
This is forever.
No, I'm pretty sure skin
grafts are permanent, idiot.
Oh, fuck.
That girl's gotta
have rocks for brains
to fall for that nonsense.
Don't talk like that about her.
Why?
'Cause you wuv her?
Sorry!
I forgot what a
noble hero you are.
But I'm a damsel
under much...
...distress.
Will you stop?
She'll be coming over later,
I have to make dinner
and do housework.
Or...
Do me, instead.
So I'm guessing golden boy
had another elaborate excuse?
So the family are treating
me to a dinner tonight.
Wanna join us?
Laugh at my jokes?
Stop me from actually
murdering them?
Oh, and there is a grad
after-party tonight
which I'm sure is going
to be highly inappropriate
and far too messy.
Wanna meet me there?
Course not.
Who am I asking?
Call me later.
You can jump in any
time you like, you know.
The anticipation of
pleasure is much better
than pleasure itself.
Where did you get that from?
I think it was a film
except it was "death"
and "worse" and not
"pleasure" and...
Fuck was that?
Shit, what time is it?
Okay, time to go.
This isn't a game,
Vi, she'll be...
She'll be sad for a few
hours, do some shots
and get over it.
Violet.
Joshua.
Please?
You know, one of
these days I might
get really fucking offended.
I'll call you tomorrow.
Fuck, Violet.
Vi.
Is that you?
I swear I'll wring her neck.
This is not fucking funny, Vi.
Before anyone says a word,
please keep all conversation
to a modest volume,
please and thank you.
Hey.
Lil!
I just broke my own rule.
Missed you last night.
As usual, things happened,
then they escalated.
It got apocalyptic
pretty quickly.
What did you do?
I, ah, just
had a quiet one.
Really?
I thought you'd be
having a nice night
in with the boy toy.
As far as I'm concerned,
the boy toy no longer exists.
Oh, Lil, sorry.
Do we have cake?
Come join us.
Hello Lily, you there?
I'd love to, but I can't.
I've had to head off
for a day or two.
Did you just go on an
adventure without me?
Sorry hon, but this is one
I have to do on my own.
You know what
happens a hero leaves
her sidekick behind, right?
It's never good.
I'll be fine.
I'll be back before you
can say lickety split.
Lickety split.
Well, fast, but not
that fast, smartass.
Well, call me when
you get to wherever
it is that you're going, okay?
Love you.
Love you.
Is she okay?
Hope so.
Shit.
How are ya, love?
- What can we get you?
- Oh!
- Um...
- Oh, never mind that lot.
Don't get many
like you out here.
You know, a pretty
girl away from the city
rolling up stag all
the way out here
in the middle of nowhere?
Let me guess, car
ran outta juice.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
Right, you're not the first one.
See old Murray there?
His car ran out of petrol 30
years ago and he never left!
Um, where is the
nearest petrol station?
Oh, about 40k up the road?
Yeah, it's been a bit of
a shit since they closed
that one back at Bowser.
Can you imagine that?
A town called Bowser doesn't
even have a bloody servo.
My name's Marlee.
That boofhead there,
he's my other half, Tom.
I'm sorry.
No, no, that's all right.
I've got a jerrycan
out the back.
How far up the road are you?
Oh, just a short walk.
Oh, don't you worry
about a thing.
What's your name, sweetheart?
Um, Lily.
Well, Lily, we take
good care of our guests
up here, don't we, Marl?
We do indeed.
But there's something
that we would like
you to do for us first.
This is amazing.
Thank you so much.
Oh, best parma in
200 kilometers.
Only bloody parma
in 200 kilometers.
Oh shush your face.
It's on the house for you, love.
Are you seri, no.
It's fine, I couldn't.
Look, I'm just
really happy to see
another sheila in this place.
Thank you, this is...
You guys are life savers.
So Lil, what are you
looking for in this
part of the world, then?
Um, I'm looking for a house.
Out here?
Yeah, it's, uh, just
at the end of the road
on the top of the rise.
The house on the hill?
Is something wrong?
Yeah, uh, you don't
wanna go up there, love.
Look, why don't we put
you up here for the night?
No, I wouldn't
wanna put you out.
Oh, it's no trouble.
You're not one of them
ghost hunters, are you?
Ghost hunters?
Yeah, yeah, well you know,
a lot of folk around here
are convinced that
place is haunted.
Why would they think that?
Because anybody
that goes up there,
they don't come back.
Squatters,
kids looking for a thrill.
All gone.
You can't be serious.
Yeah, look, uh, a young
family died up there
about 20 years ago.
Ever since, there's
been a darkness
surrounding that place.
We're simple, ordinary,
normal folk here.
All right, we might
be a little kooky
and set in our ways,
but we're not religious,
we're not superstitious and
we're definitely not mad.
So believe us when we say to you
nothing that has
gone into that house
has ever come out alive again.
God, that family.
Lovely folks.
I believe the mother
was pregnant at the...
What was she like?
The mother.
Why do you wanna know that?
Ah, there was one
person that came out
of that house alive.
You're...
Oh, love.
Yeah, that all right, Marl.
Come on, let's get you
back on the road, hey?
Thanks.
There we are, all
right, give it a bell.
Ah, there she is
back from the dead.
Thank you so much,
I really really
- appreciate it.
- Nah, no probs.
Listen, Lil.
In case you do change your
mind, there's a freeway turnoff
about 30k's out of town.
Take you straight back
to Melbourne, okay?
Hope to see you again.
Hi, you've called Alice.
You know the drill.
The beep.
Hey, Al, you there?
It's Lil.
I'm not sure what's
happening, uh...
You know, I think you're right,
I shouldn't have tried
to do this on my own.
I'm scared, Al.
I thought everything would
be all right, but uh...
You know, I'm sorry,
I'm just being crazy.
I'm here out in the
middle of nowhere
freaking myself out.
Everything's fine.
I'm fine.
I'll call you tomorrow.
If I survive the night
in my haunted house.
Hello?
What?
Oh, hi.
Alice.
I'm Lily's friend.
- We met-
- It's late.
Yeah, sorry about that.
- But Lily-
- I told you to call.
I know.
You don't really go in
for normal conversation
or rhythms, do you?
Or late night visitors.
Lily left town really
early this morning
and then tonight she left
me a really weird message
and I haven't heard
from her since.
- You told me to c-
- Define weird.
She sounded scared.
Did she say where she was going?
She said something
about a haunted house.
I'm sure she'll be fine.
Yeah, but you didn't
hear the message.
Yeah, but this
isn't the first time
she's left without
warning, right?
- Well no, but-
- And she's more than capable
of taking care of herself.
- Yes, but-
- It's probably
a solo adventure, road
trip to clear the head.
She'll be back for lattes
before you know it.
So you're not gonna do anything.
Aw, if it'll make
you feel better
I'll run some checks,
find out where's she's at
and I'll let you know.
She likes skinny caps, actually.
Great detail.
- Thanks, Columbo.
- Sorry.
Do you mind if I just use
your bathroom real quick?
Thank you.
Hello?
You wouldn't.
I've done more for less.
You've got five
seconds to tell me
why I shouldn't
shoot you right now.
Or call the police.
I'm sorry.
This is extreme
behavior, even for me.
I didn't mean any harm,
I'm just really worried
about my friend.
And by the looks
of it, so are you?
If you're not gonna help me,
I'm just gonna have
to find her myself.
Buy me a coffee.
The first thing you
need to know about Lily
is people vanish around her.
I've known her
longer than anyone,
and loss is her
life's one constant.
I've spent years
searching for answers.
I'm still looking.
I'm sure Lily told
you that she lost
her parents at an early age.
Which is the truth.
But she's less chatty about
her years as a foster child.
At age eight, Lily ended
up with the Frasers.
How those fuckers got vetted
by anyone is a mystery.
Leonard Fraser was an
alcoholic household despot
who ruled his family
with an iron fist.
One his kids too
often saw up close.
Till the night he disappeared.
He was missing for
six days before anyone
bothered to investigate.
Lily was living in filth.
His wife was comatose,
never to emerge.
What happened?
Oh, at first they thought
he'd finally ran off
with some poor wretch he'd
met at the local, but no dice.
To eradicate your existence
takes skill and smarts.
Qualities Leonard Fraser
was not famous for.
After that, she got
lucky for awhile.
She was taken in by an older
couple lovely as can be.
They died just recently.
Natural causes, I checked.
Under them, Lily
got back on track.
She studied hard,
got her marks up
in everything but mathematics.
You see, her year
eight maths teacher,
Mr. Edgar Cooke, was a real gem.
You know, the type of teacher
who marks down the
prettiest girls' exams
so they have to
see him after class
for some private tutoring.
Like Fraser, Cooke vanished
before he could get
to our girl Lily.
Coincidence?
I'm not big on coincidences.
And then there was
the slumber party.
It was the end of school, an
attempt to make some friends.
Didn't exactly go to plan.
You've never tasted
marshmallows before, Lily?
Uh, nope.
Okay, this is how you do it.
First you take your marshmallow,
then your weapon of choice.
Stab it quickly through the head
before it even knows
what's happening.
Victim number two, stab
it right under the jaw.
Victim three, you can
play with this one.
Make it really hurt.
Does this have to be so macabre?
Last one.
That's just a mercy killing.
Can't leave any witnesses.
Should we be worried?
I don't know, Lily, should we?
What do you mean?
You're an orphan, aren't you?
Yeah but um...
So what really happened
to your parents?
Sonja, maybe you should stop.
Did they die some
gruesome death?
Is that why you
don't talk about it?
I, uh, I was really
little at the time,
I don't really remember.
My mother said you were
the only one there.
Tell us a scary story, Lily.
How did you kill your parents?
You really think
I killed my parents?
Why don't you shut the fuck up
or who knows what
might happen to you.
I knew she was a fucking psycho.
She never told me.
Lily's never spoken to
anybody about what happened.
The only thing we know for sure
is those girls were never
seen or heard from again.
We think we know Lily.
She's quiet, determined, lost.
We feel the need to protect
her, save her from harm.
But all those
traumatic experiences,
they must have had an effect.
What if, that night,
she just snapped?
You're nuts.
I have to look at
it from every angle.
Work the evidence, and
where there is none
all I've got is motive,
opportunity and circumstance.
And when I put those
into the slot machine,
all three come up Lily.
Lily might be weird, but
she's also the kindest,
sweetest person I've ever met.
There's no way she could
hurt anyone, let alone...
Let alone stab four girls
to death while they sleep.
You would be shocked how
normal a killer can seem.
You know Karl Denke?
The butcher who sold his
customers human flesh?
He was a regular churchgoer
and a pillar of his community.
He even played the organ
for special services.
I don't buy it, sorry.
How could she of even
disposed of the bodies?
They were in an
abandoned house out
in the middle of nowhere.
The surrounding woods
would've been a perfect place
to dispose of something
you didn't want found.
You're delusional.
You must have had a
wonderful childhood
to think so well of humanity.
Lily saw her parents slain
when she was barely three.
Something like that,
it leaves a residue.
Isn't that all the more reason
why we should be protecting her?
It's my job to protect everyone.
That boyfriend of hers.
What's his story?
Ex-boyfriend.
Interesting.
He went missing three days ago.
So the idea is to arrest Lily?
The idea is to find her
and hopefully find out
what's going on.
Well I'm coming with you.
No, you're not.
Too many lives have
been lost already,
do you really think
Lily will forgive me
if I put yours in danger?
Look, I'm sorry, I will
do everything I can
to try to protect her,
but this is just something
I have to do alone.
You sound just like Lily.
Okay, you know what?
Fuck it, you were right.
That whole sleepover thing
has got me freaked out.
You just let me know as
soon as you find her, yeah?
Yeah, of course.
Having someone call
your best friend
- a murderer is hectic.
- I didn't call
her a murderer.
Well no, but you have to
entertain the possibility.
I get it.
Okay.
So when are you heading off?
I'm just curious.
I'll be leaving in the morning.
Great, good luck.
I'm calling the police, go away!
Stop!
Enough!
Okay, so I may have
gone a little too far.
You think?
You are just driving,
you are not helping,
influencing or getting
involved in this case
in any way, do you understand?
Please tell me you understand.
Sorry, just...
Sorry.
Sorry.
Whoa, whoa, whoa,
it's okay, it's okay.
I look after the
house, I'm not gonna...
Lily?
Is it really you?
The lawyer didn't
tell you about me?
The lawyer didn't tell
me much about anything.
Do you live here?
No.
I wasn't considered
part of the family.
Did you know my parents?
It was a very long time ago.
I do remember your
mother though, a little.
She was a very beautiful woman.
Not unlike yourself.
What was she like?
I think maybe I should
show you something.
This place looks like it's
been shut for 100 years.
She might not be
in her glory days,
but there's life in
the old girl yet.
And we're here because?
I wanna make sure I'm
on the right track.
Senior Constable,
you know I don't put
my face on before 12.
It's good to see you, Marlee.
It's good to see you too, Jane.
Come here.
Come on in.
Little Marlee over there,
she had dreams of a
rock and roll lifestyle.
And she lived it for
one glorious summer.
Rode the bus to the
big smoke and vowed
never to come back.
Until one day her mom got sick
and her dad couldn't run
this place without her.
And she's been back behind
that bar ever since.
Doesn't matter how far you run,
the past will always
catch up with you.
- Oh, Tom.
- There we are.
You legend.
Ah, you put Melbourne
baristas to shame.
Ever thought of taking
your skills on the road?
What, leave all of of this?
Yeah, he knows
which side his bread's
buttered on, don't
you, sweetness?
- Thanks, darling.
- Ah, draft on tap
- wins every time.
- It does.
So we saw an
apparition yesterday.
Back from the dead?
Yep, wind's begun to howl again.
Since when?
Aw, three
or four nights ago.
Before or after
the ghost sighting?
It started the
moment she arrived.
Yeah.
You know there's...
There's gotta be
something darker out there
than just some lost
little lamb, you know.
Perhaps the lamb's
become the wolf.
We both know that's not
what you believe, Jane.
Yeah.
Anyway, so why are you here?
That's why you've
always been here.
And we're kinda glad you are,
because I reckon one
way or the other,
she's gonna need you.
This is who you are.
How does a three-year-old
recover from that?
We all thought she was so
young she'd forget it all.
I did my best, but...
Witnessing all that
so young must fuck
up your circuitry somehow.
Maybe it scrambled her for good.
You can't really
believe that, can you?
I'm just hoping
it's not too late.
I've always
been here for you, Lily.
What...
What did you do to her?
She tried to hide you from me.
But you were mine to protect,
mine to raise, mine to love.
Lily, come on, it's time to go.
Grab my hand, sweetheart.
Come on, we have to
go, Lily, grab my hand.
You're a monster.
She tried to hide you from me.
I couldn't let you
be raised by someone
so willingly vindictive.
I've been protecting
you ever since.
All these people you
killed because of me.
For you, for you!
This is...
This is insane.
They were worth nothing.
Only you matter to me.
I've never missed a concert,
a game, a play, a graduation.
I've always been there for you.
I have always watched over you.
What is that?
It's your graduation present.
Open the door.
Lily.
Why are you...
So Joshy boy here has been
running around on you.
That night you finished
your last exam,
you remember, he suddenly
had a 24-hour stomach bug?
Turns out he was fucking
some girl he met at the pub.
He got lost so often
you bought him a GPS.
He was lost
in other girls' vaginas.
Every time he left a
gig you weren't at,
every time he was late,
every time he missed a date
he was sleeping
with another woman.
Don't worry.
I looked after her for you.
For 20 years I've
looked out for you.
But now it's time
for you to show me
that you can look
after yourself.
Starting now.
You can do it.
I'm right behind you.
Dad?
Yes, honey?
I think I can do this on my own.
I'm ready.
I'm sorry.
Oh, God!
Oh, God, Lily!
I'm so sorry.
I'm not a bad person,
I'm just weak and stupid
and a terrible man and I
promise you that I'll...
Ah!
I saved you because
I'm not a psycho,
not because I'm a fucking idiot.
Now let's go.
- Lily, wait, wait!
- Come on.
- What?
- We can't just
leave him there alive.
He'll come after us,
you should've killed him
when you had the chance.
Fine, okay, go, I'll take
care of it and just don't stop
until you find the
nearest police station.
Over there.
Fuck!
That was Josh, right?
Yeah.
Stay here.
Please.
Lily?
Lily, he's all right.
Lily!
Are you okay?
Lily!
Lily?
You want more? Keep it up!
Shit.
Hey, hey.
Wake up.
Hey, wake up.
No, wake up.
No, wake up, wake up, wake.
Hey, hey.
Okay, it's okay.
Hey, hey, hey, are you okay?
Are you?
Just give me this.
It'll be okay.
It's okay.
Okay, okay, you
have to stay here.
Okay, you gotta stay
here and I'll be back
in a second, okay?
I'm gonna be right back.
Let her go, let her go,
let her go, let her go!
Hey, hey!
She won't hurt me.
No, she would never,
never, never hurt me.
I keep trying to get rid of
her, she keeps coming back.
She's here risking her
life because she loves me.
So you don't have to
hurt anyone anymore.
Okay?
We can start over.
No, no, please, Dad.
Please, Dad, no, just let
her go, just let her go,
just let her go.
No, please, Dad, okay
I'll do anything.
Okay? I'll do anything.
Just not her, just not h...
No, no.
I'll do anything, okay?
Okay, please.
Please.
Please, there.
There, it's gone.
Please, Dad, please,
Dad, no, let her go.
Let her go, okay?
No, please.
Hey, are you gonna be all right?
You're not gonna get
rid of me that easily.
Promise?
At least we've got blankets.
You made it!
- We made it.
- Are you with anybody?
Why are you wearing that?
Uh, look around.
You didn't graduate.
They don't know that.
I noticed they got here
after the ceremony.
All right, so I may have
told them the wrong time
and avoided telling them
I changed courses midyear.
- Ali!
- I'll tell them, I swear.
At an awkward dinner
five years from now.
I mean, look, look at
those poor adorable fools.
Do you really want me to
ruin their hopes and dreams
with the news that continue
to be a fuckup today?
You're a terrible,
terrible person.
Guilty as charged.
Oh, my God.
Hi.
Thought I'd stop
by, say congrats.
Checking up on me.
I'm sorry I didn't
bring anything,
there really isn't a
registry for graduations.
So, how are you?
Keeping busy.
You?
Good, yeah.
Almost a psychologist now.
That is great.
It's just great.
Well, I've gotta get back.
Just wanted to wish you well.
Thanks for um, coming, Jane.
It was really good to see you.
You too, kid.
You made a friend?
Who the hell was that?
And did she just check me out?
It's just an old friend.
Uh, you're not getting
away with that, that easily.
No, Ali, wait, Ali...
Hey!
Cool ride, can I be
you when I grow up?
Sorry, um, it's just
Lily's never mentioned you
or any of her family or
friends, or anyone really.
So this is kind of a huge deal.
Uh, how long have you known her?
Are you guys related?
We're not related.
And if Lily doesn't wanna
talk about something,
isn't that her business?
Look, Lily's private, I get
that's part of the deal.
But she's not really
been herself lately
- and I was...
- And who is that, exactly?
Look, if anything
happens to her,
or if she seems
stranger than normal,
call this number first.
Okay, but why would
anything happen to her?
Lily, I am so, so sorry.
It's fine, don't
worry about it.
No, you don't understand.
I rushed out of work,
got home to change,
wore that special
shirt you bought me.
You know the one with
those crazy flowers on it.
Oh, you mean the one
that I got you as a joke?
Hey, I love that shirt.
I jumped in the car, switched
on the GPS lady and took off.
I was actually running early.
Now, you know how good
I am with directions.
Not at all.
Exactly, which is
why I used the lady,
but this time she's taken me
out in the middle of nowhere.
Every 10 seconds she's
telling me to do a u-turn.
Turns out I plugged in the
wrong MacArthur Street.
Melbourne has three of them.
So I searched for
the other address
and speed your way.
Finally, I am traveling the
right direction when boom!
The traffic stops.
For 20 minutes we inch
along, when finally I see it.
What?
A kitten.
A kitten.
Little shit wouldn't
get off the road.
Someone would chase it
off and it would run
straight back on.
It had a death wish, I guess.
Can cats have death wishes?
So you're telling me
that a kitten stopped you
from coming to my graduation.
Well, a kitten and
my own stupidity.
I'm so sorry, Lil, I
really wanted to be there.
It's fine, I'm here with Ali.
We'll walk home together.
Why don't I made you dinner?
You can't even turn
on your oven without
giving yourself
third degree burns.
Skin grafts are temporary, love.
This is forever.
No, I'm pretty sure skin
grafts are permanent, idiot.
Oh, fuck.
That girl's gotta
have rocks for brains
to fall for that nonsense.
Don't talk like that about her.
Why?
'Cause you wuv her?
Sorry!
I forgot what a
noble hero you are.
But I'm a damsel
under much...
...distress.
Will you stop?
She'll be coming over later,
I have to make dinner
and do housework.
Or...
Do me, instead.
So I'm guessing golden boy
had another elaborate excuse?
So the family are treating
me to a dinner tonight.
Wanna join us?
Laugh at my jokes?
Stop me from actually
murdering them?
Oh, and there is a grad
after-party tonight
which I'm sure is going
to be highly inappropriate
and far too messy.
Wanna meet me there?
Course not.
Who am I asking?
Call me later.
You can jump in any
time you like, you know.
The anticipation of
pleasure is much better
than pleasure itself.
Where did you get that from?
I think it was a film
except it was "death"
and "worse" and not
"pleasure" and...
Fuck was that?
Shit, what time is it?
Okay, time to go.
This isn't a game,
Vi, she'll be...
She'll be sad for a few
hours, do some shots
and get over it.
Violet.
Joshua.
Please?
You know, one of
these days I might
get really fucking offended.
I'll call you tomorrow.
Fuck, Violet.
Vi.
Is that you?
I swear I'll wring her neck.
This is not fucking funny, Vi.
Before anyone says a word,
please keep all conversation
to a modest volume,
please and thank you.
Hey.
Lil!
I just broke my own rule.
Missed you last night.
As usual, things happened,
then they escalated.
It got apocalyptic
pretty quickly.
What did you do?
I, ah, just
had a quiet one.
Really?
I thought you'd be
having a nice night
in with the boy toy.
As far as I'm concerned,
the boy toy no longer exists.
Oh, Lil, sorry.
Do we have cake?
Come join us.
Hello Lily, you there?
I'd love to, but I can't.
I've had to head off
for a day or two.
Did you just go on an
adventure without me?
Sorry hon, but this is one
I have to do on my own.
You know what
happens a hero leaves
her sidekick behind, right?
It's never good.
I'll be fine.
I'll be back before you
can say lickety split.
Lickety split.
Well, fast, but not
that fast, smartass.
Well, call me when
you get to wherever
it is that you're going, okay?
Love you.
Love you.
Is she okay?
Hope so.
Shit.
How are ya, love?
- What can we get you?
- Oh!
- Um...
- Oh, never mind that lot.
Don't get many
like you out here.
You know, a pretty
girl away from the city
rolling up stag all
the way out here
in the middle of nowhere?
Let me guess, car
ran outta juice.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
Right, you're not the first one.
See old Murray there?
His car ran out of petrol 30
years ago and he never left!
Um, where is the
nearest petrol station?
Oh, about 40k up the road?
Yeah, it's been a bit of
a shit since they closed
that one back at Bowser.
Can you imagine that?
A town called Bowser doesn't
even have a bloody servo.
My name's Marlee.
That boofhead there,
he's my other half, Tom.
I'm sorry.
No, no, that's all right.
I've got a jerrycan
out the back.
How far up the road are you?
Oh, just a short walk.
Oh, don't you worry
about a thing.
What's your name, sweetheart?
Um, Lily.
Well, Lily, we take
good care of our guests
up here, don't we, Marl?
We do indeed.
But there's something
that we would like
you to do for us first.
This is amazing.
Thank you so much.
Oh, best parma in
200 kilometers.
Only bloody parma
in 200 kilometers.
Oh shush your face.
It's on the house for you, love.
Are you seri, no.
It's fine, I couldn't.
Look, I'm just
really happy to see
another sheila in this place.
Thank you, this is...
You guys are life savers.
So Lil, what are you
looking for in this
part of the world, then?
Um, I'm looking for a house.
Out here?
Yeah, it's, uh, just
at the end of the road
on the top of the rise.
The house on the hill?
Is something wrong?
Yeah, uh, you don't
wanna go up there, love.
Look, why don't we put
you up here for the night?
No, I wouldn't
wanna put you out.
Oh, it's no trouble.
You're not one of them
ghost hunters, are you?
Ghost hunters?
Yeah, yeah, well you know,
a lot of folk around here
are convinced that
place is haunted.
Why would they think that?
Because anybody
that goes up there,
they don't come back.
Squatters,
kids looking for a thrill.
All gone.
You can't be serious.
Yeah, look, uh, a young
family died up there
about 20 years ago.
Ever since, there's
been a darkness
surrounding that place.
We're simple, ordinary,
normal folk here.
All right, we might
be a little kooky
and set in our ways,
but we're not religious,
we're not superstitious and
we're definitely not mad.
So believe us when we say to you
nothing that has
gone into that house
has ever come out alive again.
God, that family.
Lovely folks.
I believe the mother
was pregnant at the...
What was she like?
The mother.
Why do you wanna know that?
Ah, there was one
person that came out
of that house alive.
You're...
Oh, love.
Yeah, that all right, Marl.
Come on, let's get you
back on the road, hey?
Thanks.
There we are, all
right, give it a bell.
Ah, there she is
back from the dead.
Thank you so much,
I really really
- appreciate it.
- Nah, no probs.
Listen, Lil.
In case you do change your
mind, there's a freeway turnoff
about 30k's out of town.
Take you straight back
to Melbourne, okay?
Hope to see you again.
Hi, you've called Alice.
You know the drill.
The beep.
Hey, Al, you there?
It's Lil.
I'm not sure what's
happening, uh...
You know, I think you're right,
I shouldn't have tried
to do this on my own.
I'm scared, Al.
I thought everything would
be all right, but uh...
You know, I'm sorry,
I'm just being crazy.
I'm here out in the
middle of nowhere
freaking myself out.
Everything's fine.
I'm fine.
I'll call you tomorrow.
If I survive the night
in my haunted house.
Hello?
What?
Oh, hi.
Alice.
I'm Lily's friend.
- We met-
- It's late.
Yeah, sorry about that.
- But Lily-
- I told you to call.
I know.
You don't really go in
for normal conversation
or rhythms, do you?
Or late night visitors.
Lily left town really
early this morning
and then tonight she left
me a really weird message
and I haven't heard
from her since.
- You told me to c-
- Define weird.
She sounded scared.
Did she say where she was going?
She said something
about a haunted house.
I'm sure she'll be fine.
Yeah, but you didn't
hear the message.
Yeah, but this
isn't the first time
she's left without
warning, right?
- Well no, but-
- And she's more than capable
of taking care of herself.
- Yes, but-
- It's probably
a solo adventure, road
trip to clear the head.
She'll be back for lattes
before you know it.
So you're not gonna do anything.
Aw, if it'll make
you feel better
I'll run some checks,
find out where's she's at
and I'll let you know.
She likes skinny caps, actually.
Great detail.
- Thanks, Columbo.
- Sorry.
Do you mind if I just use
your bathroom real quick?
Thank you.
Hello?
You wouldn't.
I've done more for less.
You've got five
seconds to tell me
why I shouldn't
shoot you right now.
Or call the police.
I'm sorry.
This is extreme
behavior, even for me.
I didn't mean any harm,
I'm just really worried
about my friend.
And by the looks
of it, so are you?
If you're not gonna help me,
I'm just gonna have
to find her myself.
Buy me a coffee.
The first thing you
need to know about Lily
is people vanish around her.
I've known her
longer than anyone,
and loss is her
life's one constant.
I've spent years
searching for answers.
I'm still looking.
I'm sure Lily told
you that she lost
her parents at an early age.
Which is the truth.
But she's less chatty about
her years as a foster child.
At age eight, Lily ended
up with the Frasers.
How those fuckers got vetted
by anyone is a mystery.
Leonard Fraser was an
alcoholic household despot
who ruled his family
with an iron fist.
One his kids too
often saw up close.
Till the night he disappeared.
He was missing for
six days before anyone
bothered to investigate.
Lily was living in filth.
His wife was comatose,
never to emerge.
What happened?
Oh, at first they thought
he'd finally ran off
with some poor wretch he'd
met at the local, but no dice.
To eradicate your existence
takes skill and smarts.
Qualities Leonard Fraser
was not famous for.
After that, she got
lucky for awhile.
She was taken in by an older
couple lovely as can be.
They died just recently.
Natural causes, I checked.
Under them, Lily
got back on track.
She studied hard,
got her marks up
in everything but mathematics.
You see, her year
eight maths teacher,
Mr. Edgar Cooke, was a real gem.
You know, the type of teacher
who marks down the
prettiest girls' exams
so they have to
see him after class
for some private tutoring.
Like Fraser, Cooke vanished
before he could get
to our girl Lily.
Coincidence?
I'm not big on coincidences.
And then there was
the slumber party.
It was the end of school, an
attempt to make some friends.
Didn't exactly go to plan.
You've never tasted
marshmallows before, Lily?
Uh, nope.
Okay, this is how you do it.
First you take your marshmallow,
then your weapon of choice.
Stab it quickly through the head
before it even knows
what's happening.
Victim number two, stab
it right under the jaw.
Victim three, you can
play with this one.
Make it really hurt.
Does this have to be so macabre?
Last one.
That's just a mercy killing.
Can't leave any witnesses.
Should we be worried?
I don't know, Lily, should we?
What do you mean?
You're an orphan, aren't you?
Yeah but um...
So what really happened
to your parents?
Sonja, maybe you should stop.
Did they die some
gruesome death?
Is that why you
don't talk about it?
I, uh, I was really
little at the time,
I don't really remember.
My mother said you were
the only one there.
Tell us a scary story, Lily.
How did you kill your parents?
You really think
I killed my parents?
Why don't you shut the fuck up
or who knows what
might happen to you.
I knew she was a fucking psycho.
She never told me.
Lily's never spoken to
anybody about what happened.
The only thing we know for sure
is those girls were never
seen or heard from again.
We think we know Lily.
She's quiet, determined, lost.
We feel the need to protect
her, save her from harm.
But all those
traumatic experiences,
they must have had an effect.
What if, that night,
she just snapped?
You're nuts.
I have to look at
it from every angle.
Work the evidence, and
where there is none
all I've got is motive,
opportunity and circumstance.
And when I put those
into the slot machine,
all three come up Lily.
Lily might be weird, but
she's also the kindest,
sweetest person I've ever met.
There's no way she could
hurt anyone, let alone...
Let alone stab four girls
to death while they sleep.
You would be shocked how
normal a killer can seem.
You know Karl Denke?
The butcher who sold his
customers human flesh?
He was a regular churchgoer
and a pillar of his community.
He even played the organ
for special services.
I don't buy it, sorry.
How could she of even
disposed of the bodies?
They were in an
abandoned house out
in the middle of nowhere.
The surrounding woods
would've been a perfect place
to dispose of something
you didn't want found.
You're delusional.
You must have had a
wonderful childhood
to think so well of humanity.
Lily saw her parents slain
when she was barely three.
Something like that,
it leaves a residue.
Isn't that all the more reason
why we should be protecting her?
It's my job to protect everyone.
That boyfriend of hers.
What's his story?
Ex-boyfriend.
Interesting.
He went missing three days ago.
So the idea is to arrest Lily?
The idea is to find her
and hopefully find out
what's going on.
Well I'm coming with you.
No, you're not.
Too many lives have
been lost already,
do you really think
Lily will forgive me
if I put yours in danger?
Look, I'm sorry, I will
do everything I can
to try to protect her,
but this is just something
I have to do alone.
You sound just like Lily.
Okay, you know what?
Fuck it, you were right.
That whole sleepover thing
has got me freaked out.
You just let me know as
soon as you find her, yeah?
Yeah, of course.
Having someone call
your best friend
- a murderer is hectic.
- I didn't call
her a murderer.
Well no, but you have to
entertain the possibility.
I get it.
Okay.
So when are you heading off?
I'm just curious.
I'll be leaving in the morning.
Great, good luck.
I'm calling the police, go away!
Stop!
Enough!
Okay, so I may have
gone a little too far.
You think?
You are just driving,
you are not helping,
influencing or getting
involved in this case
in any way, do you understand?
Please tell me you understand.
Sorry, just...
Sorry.
Sorry.
Whoa, whoa, whoa,
it's okay, it's okay.
I look after the
house, I'm not gonna...
Lily?
Is it really you?
The lawyer didn't
tell you about me?
The lawyer didn't tell
me much about anything.
Do you live here?
No.
I wasn't considered
part of the family.
Did you know my parents?
It was a very long time ago.
I do remember your
mother though, a little.
She was a very beautiful woman.
Not unlike yourself.
What was she like?
I think maybe I should
show you something.
This place looks like it's
been shut for 100 years.
She might not be
in her glory days,
but there's life in
the old girl yet.
And we're here because?
I wanna make sure I'm
on the right track.
Senior Constable,
you know I don't put
my face on before 12.
It's good to see you, Marlee.
It's good to see you too, Jane.
Come here.
Come on in.
Little Marlee over there,
she had dreams of a
rock and roll lifestyle.
And she lived it for
one glorious summer.
Rode the bus to the
big smoke and vowed
never to come back.
Until one day her mom got sick
and her dad couldn't run
this place without her.
And she's been back behind
that bar ever since.
Doesn't matter how far you run,
the past will always
catch up with you.
- Oh, Tom.
- There we are.
You legend.
Ah, you put Melbourne
baristas to shame.
Ever thought of taking
your skills on the road?
What, leave all of of this?
Yeah, he knows
which side his bread's
buttered on, don't
you, sweetness?
- Thanks, darling.
- Ah, draft on tap
- wins every time.
- It does.
So we saw an
apparition yesterday.
Back from the dead?
Yep, wind's begun to howl again.
Since when?
Aw, three
or four nights ago.
Before or after
the ghost sighting?
It started the
moment she arrived.
Yeah.
You know there's...
There's gotta be
something darker out there
than just some lost
little lamb, you know.
Perhaps the lamb's
become the wolf.
We both know that's not
what you believe, Jane.
Yeah.
Anyway, so why are you here?
That's why you've
always been here.
And we're kinda glad you are,
because I reckon one
way or the other,
she's gonna need you.
This is who you are.
How does a three-year-old
recover from that?
We all thought she was so
young she'd forget it all.
I did my best, but...
Witnessing all that
so young must fuck
up your circuitry somehow.
Maybe it scrambled her for good.
You can't really
believe that, can you?
I'm just hoping
it's not too late.
I've always
been here for you, Lily.
What...
What did you do to her?
She tried to hide you from me.
But you were mine to protect,
mine to raise, mine to love.
Lily, come on, it's time to go.
Grab my hand, sweetheart.
Come on, we have to
go, Lily, grab my hand.
You're a monster.
She tried to hide you from me.
I couldn't let you
be raised by someone
so willingly vindictive.
I've been protecting
you ever since.
All these people you
killed because of me.
For you, for you!
This is...
This is insane.
They were worth nothing.
Only you matter to me.
I've never missed a concert,
a game, a play, a graduation.
I've always been there for you.
I have always watched over you.
What is that?
It's your graduation present.
Open the door.
Lily.
Why are you...
So Joshy boy here has been
running around on you.
That night you finished
your last exam,
you remember, he suddenly
had a 24-hour stomach bug?
Turns out he was fucking
some girl he met at the pub.
He got lost so often
you bought him a GPS.
He was lost
in other girls' vaginas.
Every time he left a
gig you weren't at,
every time he was late,
every time he missed a date
he was sleeping
with another woman.
Don't worry.
I looked after her for you.
For 20 years I've
looked out for you.
But now it's time
for you to show me
that you can look
after yourself.
Starting now.
You can do it.
I'm right behind you.
Dad?
Yes, honey?
I think I can do this on my own.
I'm ready.
I'm sorry.
Oh, God!
Oh, God, Lily!
I'm so sorry.
I'm not a bad person,
I'm just weak and stupid
and a terrible man and I
promise you that I'll...
Ah!
I saved you because
I'm not a psycho,
not because I'm a fucking idiot.
Now let's go.
- Lily, wait, wait!
- Come on.
- What?
- We can't just
leave him there alive.
He'll come after us,
you should've killed him
when you had the chance.
Fine, okay, go, I'll take
care of it and just don't stop
until you find the
nearest police station.
Over there.
Fuck!
That was Josh, right?
Yeah.
Stay here.
Please.
Lily?
Lily, he's all right.
Lily!
Are you okay?
Lily!
Lily?
You want more? Keep it up!
Shit.
Hey, hey.
Wake up.
Hey, wake up.
No, wake up.
No, wake up, wake up, wake.
Hey, hey.
Okay, it's okay.
Hey, hey, hey, are you okay?
Are you?
Just give me this.
It'll be okay.
It's okay.
Okay, okay, you
have to stay here.
Okay, you gotta stay
here and I'll be back
in a second, okay?
I'm gonna be right back.
Let her go, let her go,
let her go, let her go!
Hey, hey!
She won't hurt me.
No, she would never,
never, never hurt me.
I keep trying to get rid of
her, she keeps coming back.
She's here risking her
life because she loves me.
So you don't have to
hurt anyone anymore.
Okay?
We can start over.
No, no, please, Dad.
Please, Dad, no, just let
her go, just let her go,
just let her go.
No, please, Dad, okay
I'll do anything.
Okay? I'll do anything.
Just not her, just not h...
No, no.
I'll do anything, okay?
Okay, please.
Please.
Please, there.
There, it's gone.
Please, Dad, please,
Dad, no, let her go.
Let her go, okay?
No, please.
Hey, are you gonna be all right?
You're not gonna get
rid of me that easily.
Promise?
At least we've got blankets.