Esme, My Love (2022) Movie Script
1
[woman humming]
HANNAH: Where did
you learn that?
ESME: Something I
heard in a dream.
HANNAH: That's Emily's song.
ESME: Who's Emily?
[music]
ESME: You never told
me you had a sister.
HANNAH: No, I suppose not.
ESME: Hannah?
Hannah?
Hannah?
Mom!
HANNAH: Yes, love?
ESME: Where are we going?
How do you know where we are?
When are we going to get there?
I told you I feel fine.
I don't need fresh air.
HANNAH: Fresh air
will do you some good.
ESME: I don't feel sick. Really.
HANNAH: You'll see
the big rock...
the lake.
We're going to the farm.
[whispered voice] Esme.
ESME: But why?
HANNAH: I've wanted you to
see it for a very long time.
It's ah, it's where we're from.
ESME: I just want to go home.
I'm tired.
HANNAH: Esme?
I thought I had a little
more time to tell you this.
I thought...
we had a little more time.
[ominous music]
[car horn]
HANNAH: Esme?
Esme, you know
that... I love you.
ESME: I don't-
HANNAH: I love you, okay?
I love you and I would never,
never do anything to hurt you,
right?
Not on purpose. Not
if I didn't have-
ESME: Hannah!
That clingy thing!
HANNAH: [sigh] Yeah, well...
somethings that clingy
thing is important.
[car horn]
[tires skidding]
[banging noises]
[deep breathing]
[crickets]
[birds chirping]
[car engine revving]
[deep breaths]
[engine stops]
[birds chirping]
[deep breaths]
[rustling]
[car door opening]
Esme?
[eerie music]
[sneeze]
Bless you.
[birds chirping]
HANNAH: It's beautiful, right?
[yawns]
[eerie music]
HANNAH: All of this
used to be ours.
All of it.
Isn't it amazing?
ESME: I guess so.
Can you tell me about Emily?
HANNAH: Well, she
loves the forest...
and exploring.
Just like you.
That used to be her
mirror, you know?
ESME: Really?
HANNAH: She used to say it let
her see things for what they
really were.
ESME: What's that
supposed to mean?
HANNAH: Oh, I don't know.
ESME: Is it magic?
[music, women humming]
HANNAH: I don't know.
[music, women humming]
[acoustic guitar]
HANNAH: Emily used
to love trees.
ESME: Did she have a favorite?
HANNAH: Sycamores probably.
Those are the easiest to climb.
And ferns.
Those aren't trees but...
Emily loved ferns.
[running footsteps]
Is this a sycamore?
You should feel the
bark on this one!
It's really prickly.
ESME: I like our forest!
HANNAH: Esme, wait!
HANNAH: Funny, you think you
know a place and then it changes
on you.
Hey!
Esme!
Shh. It's okay. It's just...
you look so much like her.
So?
You know how important
you are to me, right?
ESME: Hannah,
you're being clingy.
- HANNAH: No, look, sorry.
It's just- - ESME: Hannah!
Mom.
Call me Mom.
Okay?
HANNAH: Let's go to the right.
[rustling]
ESME: Are we gonna
be there soon?
Look, I just need
you to be good, okay?
Just for today, please.
ESME: [mumbling] Just wanted to
know where we're gonna meet her.
HANNAH: It's far to the lake.
We're gonna need to
find a place to rest.
[wind blowing]
[music]
[fire crackling]
Hello there, sleepyhead.
[pot banging]
Can you show me the lake?
You'll see it soon.
Can you?
We have to keep moving.
Already?
[pot clanging]
Are we going home soon?
Are we going home soon?
Hannah?
[music crescendos]
Are we going home soon?
Hannah?
[yelp]
Ow!
[fire crackling]
HANNAH: You're so beautiful.
You're right. There's no hurry.
Not yet, anyway.
I can show you the
big rock today.
Would you like that?
[metal clanging]
[wind]
[birds chirp]
[atmospheric music]
Wow.
This is...
I haven't been here in years.
It's like looking
into yesterday.
But... the tree's in the way.
All this used to be
farmland, just fields...
And cows, mostly.
Big, fat cows.
Did you and Emily used
to come here a lot?
Yeah, we used to race
up the hill to get here.
Grandpa used to say that this
rock crowns the hillside.
Isn't that a nice phrase?
"This rock crowns the hillside."
Always very poetic, Grandpa.
It's nice how some
things last forever.
Except of course
without all the...
Esme?
Esme?
Esme?!
[atmospheric music]
[rustling]
[whispered voice] Esme.
[gasp] What did I say
about disappearing?
- I...
- You can't just wander off!
[crickets]
Esme, are you done?
ESME: No!
Well hurry up.
ESME: Well it's not my fault
Number Two takes so long!
[wood cracks]
ESME: Hannah?
What?
ESME: What's this?
[gasp] Oh my goodness!
This is a little garden shovel.
Did I ever tell you you come
from a family of diggers?
HANNAH: Okay.
This looks like a
good spot to dig.
It's usually better to dig
near existing structures.
ESME: Why?
There's a better chance
someone left something nearby.
See?
Here.
You try.
[crickets]
[buzzing fly]
ESME: Weren't you gonna
take me to the lake?
We can get to the lake later. I
want to show you something
first.
But why not after?
Come on! You'll like it.
[peaceful music]
Can we sail it?
Maybe.
Later?
It's beautiful, right?
[music, women humming]
[door opening]
HANNAH: This looks like
a good spot for digging.
[footsteps]
HANNAH: Help yourself.
Go ahead. Anywhere you like.
Go ahead.
It's fun.
[digging]
HANNAH: Whoa.
What is it?
That...
That's the bottle cap to
our family's milk bottle.
See?
The family logo?
Isn't it cool?
Don't you see?
It's like...
like a sign.
- Of what?
- It's like...
My past is connecting with us.
A tiny piece of something...
that doesn't exist anymore.
Okay?
- [whispers] We're not really
alone. - What?
Yeah! [laughs] We're
not alone, are we?
The past, the past
can speak to us.
- Change our minds, maybe even
change our plans- - Hannah!
Mom.
You call me Mom.
Take good care of it.
Make sure not to lose it.
[digging sounds]
HANNAH: No way.
They left some peaches!
ESME: Who did?
Grandma and Grandpa.
Oh, you're gonna love these.
Aren't they old?
Nah. Canned goods last forever.
[retching]
HANNAH: I'm so sorry, Esme.
- ESME: I really don't feel
good. - HANNAH: No, no, no.
[retching]
[rustling]
[floorboards creaking]
Esme?
Wait! [groans]
[creaking door]
[gags]
[acoustic guitar]
[rain]
[floorboards creaking]
[thunder]
ESME: Hannah, when
are we leaving?
Hannah?
Hannah!
[gasp]
[coughing]
[rustling]
[music fades]
Esme?
Hi!
Hey baby girl.
You know you're my
favorite thing, right?
Oh yeah?
Mmhmm.
More than... chocolate cake?
Mmm. It's a tough choice.
Or sand under your toes?
You feeling better?
Am I feeling better?
[footsteps]
ESME: Did you used to live here?
Once upon a time.
ESME: It's all super old.
ESME: What's this?
[gasp]
[ringing noise]
What?
Why are you looking
at me all weird?
Nothing, I just...
[ringing noise]
Yep.
Still a fever.
The doctor orders you to sleep!
HANNAH: Esme...
Sorry.
[whispers] I'll be quiet!
[whimpering]
[sniffling]
ESME: [echoey] Hannah!
Hannah!
Hannah!
HANNAH: Esme?
Esme?
[ominous music]
[scream]
[crying]
[wind]
HANNAH: Here. That's better.
ESME: I don't get it.
HANNAH: Get what?
ESME: Why did our family dig?
HANNAH: What do you mean?
ESME: It's weird.
HANNAH: No it's not!
It's fun. It's exciting.
You find things that have
no right to exist anymore.
Survivors.
It's still weird.
HANNAH: I just wish
we had more time.
ESME: You're being clingy.
HANNAH: You need
to let me, Esme.
ESME: Why?
You won't be my
little girl forever.
Isn't that a good thing?
I don't know.
[wind]
[chimes]
Did I tell you?
Like silver glass.
[canoe creaking]
HANNAH: There once
were two little girls.
They both were a lot like you.
And they were the
best of friends.
Sisters.
And they loved the forest.
A majestic forest.
Full of fish who
lived in the lake...
and birds who
lived in the sky...
and spirits who
lived in the trees.
The spirits of
their darkest fears.
And biggest dreams.
A forgotten world.
[birds chirping]
[chimes]
[thud]
HANNAH: Here we go.
Now we just gotta find a good
place to camp before the sun
goes down.
[ominous music]
HANNAH: You know,
Grandpa used to love-
[yelp]
[splash]
ESME: [scream] Hannah!
Hannah!
Help!
Hannah!
Mom!
[crash]
[ringing sound]
[eerie music]
[gasp]
[splash]
[music]
It's okay. It's okay.
[coughing]
HANNAH: We gotta
get you dry, okay?
Shh. It's okay.
Come here.
[panting]
[rustling]
[shivering]
[owl hooting]
Mom?
Shh.
Go back to sleep baby.
- But...
- It's alright.
Everything's gonna be alright.
[crickets]
Mom?
Shh.
It's okay baby.
Go back to sleep, Esme.
There's no hurry.
No hurry at all.
[music]
[laughs]
[playful music]
[heavy breathing]
[music, women humming]
[splash]
Well?
Well?!
[playful music]
Wait!
[door slams]
[laugh]
[ringing]
[gentle music]
[gravel crunching]
Mom?
Mom, where are you?
[digging sounds]
Mom!
Mom!
[eerie music]
Mom!
Mom, mom, mom!
[screaming]
- [panting]
- Shh.
Hey, everything's
gonna be okay now.
You're all better now.
You're gonna be okay, okay?
I see what to do,
baby. I see what to do.
[whispers] Hey, hey.
See?
For you, baby.
Esme, everything's perfect.
[sobbing]
[wind]
ESME: Are we going home?
HANNAH: No, no! There's so much
more to show you, so much to
learn.
ESME: What do you mean?
[eerie music]
HANNAH: We have to dig.
HANNAH: The world is
a strange place, Esme.
So confusing without guidance.
Without lamps to light our way.
[eerie music]
Our family's roots run deep.
Now, they're all but forgotten.
HANNAH: One, two,
three, four, five.
[digging sounds]
[clunk]
[gentle music]
[clanging of metal box opening]
What do you remember
about Grandma and Grandpa?
Emily and me.
We were inseparable.
I followed her everywhere
like... sunshine and her shadow
HANNAH: And one more...
Now who could that be, I wonder?
How quickly mothers fall in
love with their children.
Hey, but I was-
Do you know what this is?
This is a Saint
Christopher medal.
He watches over travelers
and he protects wanderers.
It's our family's
oldest possession.
Passed on from
generation to generation.
Always to the oldest daughter.
From your
great-great-grandmother to your
great-grandmother...
all the way down to Emily.
And now...
to you.
How about that?
Gotta keep moving. Can't sit
here dwelling on the past.
What's wrong?
HANNAH: Just need
to keep moving.
[music, women humming]
[water]
HANNAH: Come on, baby. Let's go.
ESME: [shivers] It's cold!
HANNAH: It's not too cold! Look!
HANNAH: Whoo!
[heavy breathing]
HANNAH: Come on, get in here!
[ominous music]
HANNAH: I think it's important
that we do this. She needs us!
[gasping]
HANNAH: Esme, come on!
[muffled voices]
- ESME: No, no
- HANNAH: One, two...
- HANNAH: Esme, listen to me-
- ESME: I can't swim! I'm gonna-
HANNAH: I know, baby. But
you can't let fear in!
[ringing noise]
[splash]
HANNAH: Esme! You
did baby. You did it!
ESME: I did it!
- ESME: It's cold. - HANNAH: Oh
you did so good, baby. Come
here.
- HANNAH: Okay...
- ESME: Mom!
- HANNAH: Okay, that's it!
HANNAH: All done.
It's all done now.
HANNAH: It's all better now.
[bird songs]
[splash]
[splash]
HANNAH: I thought for sure
someone woulda left something.
[splashing]
HANNAH: This is the life, huh?
Hannah, what are you doing?
I feel so much younger.
Better than I have in years.
The answers, they're
out here, calling to us.
Just tell me what you know.
[laughs]
And you...
you look so perfect. [laughs]
ESME: But when?
HANNAH: We're getting somewhere,
Esme. Why would you want to go
back?
ESME: This is taking forever.
Can't we just look at the
farmhouse again?
HANNAH: Stop whining.
[digging sounds]
[ringing sound]
[eerie music]
[panicked panting]
[panting]
[eerie music]
[heavy breathing]
[old piano notes]
[piano strings]
[jarring music]
[whisper] Jane Eyre.
[clears throat]
"I am not an angel,
I asserted...
and I will not be
one until I die...
I will be myself,
Mister Rochester."
"Today, I ate three crab
apples without getting sick...
it was lovely."
"There are no poems
as pretty as trees...
but this book
comes awful close."
"Darling Esme. Two months."
[digging sounds]
[ominous sounds]
[acoustic guitar]
Ah. No worry. We'll
eat soon. I promise.
[digging sounds]
[creaky footsteps]
ESME: "No sight so sad as a
naughty child, he began...
especially a naughty
little girl."
[digging sounds]
"Do you know where the
wicked go after death?"
[buzzing]
[digging noises]
ESME: "They go to hell."
[heavy breathing]
ESME: "And what must
you do you avoid it?"
"I deliberated a moment...
- "My answer when it did come
was objectionable." - [Hannah
panting and laughing]
"I must keep in good
health and not die."
[bang]
[rhythmic ringing]
[bang]
[rhythmic ringing]
"Everybody says she
looks just like me...
but I didn't see it until today,
in our reflection in the water."
[eerie music]
[laughs]
ESME: [whisper] I've realized
that this mirror is magic.
[haunting music]
ESME: Shoot.
Shoot, shoot, shoot!
[crickets]
[owl hooting]
HANNAH: The pie was still
warm on the windowsill.
That was the oddest part.
The woman dead as a doorknob...
and a crying baby covered
in its mother's blood.
It was locked from the
inside and the husband-
- I'm sorry, I'm late-
- Did you like that story?
Story?
HANNAH: That's the
scariest one I know.
- Are you alright? - Unless of
course you count the other one.
You didn't even realize.
The one about Emily.
ESME: Emily?
She died.
What?
HANNAH: She died horribly.
Blood oozing out of every pore.
Suffocating on her own bile.
It always starts with
the eyes, of course.
They glaze over and then they
turn white and you start to see
things.
You lose your mind, your
memory, your muscles.
Mom.
It eats you up from
the inside out.
Mom!
What a horrible family we have.
Our own personal
genetic mutation.
That's enough!
She said... how long
as Emily been dead?
- I don't understand. - Well we
were gonna meet her and-
Why are we even
here if she's dead?
[crescendoing eerie music]
[clanging]
HANNAH: What's wrong?
How can you even
ask that question?
I don't understand.
Everything's alright.
Everything's not alright,
or perfect, or wonderful.
What are you talking about?
We're not here on vacation! And
the person you want me to meet
is dead!
We still need to trust her.
Who? Emily?
She's speaking to us.
ESME: What do you mean?
She's dead. You just
told me she died!
The past it's never really
gone. It can be changed...
- fixed.
- Mom!
Don't you trust me?
For god's sake. I'm your mother.
So?
Fine.
ESME: Fine!
[animal noises]
[music, women humming]
[whisper] Esme, Esme.
[gasp]
[crickets]
"I've always liked sunrises.
My sister says sunsets
are prettier...
But there's no real
possibility in a sunset."
"When I hold her, I can feel
her heart beating so fast...
like a little mouse's."
HANNAH: Oh! Esme! Esme!
ESME: What? What?! What is it?
HANNAH: There was the most
beautiful little water snake!
I feel as if she was just about
to say something to me, you
know?
[ominous sounds]
"My sister, of course, is
the more natural athlete...
but I think I'm more graceful,
and I can climb much higher in
trees."
HANNAH: It was horrible watching
her writhe around in bed like
that.
She used to be such
a beautiful creature.
ESME: "Sometimes, I lie
awake at night and...
wonder what happens
to us when we die."
HANNAH: She had a real
grace to the way she moved.
ESME: "And I wonder about
my darling little girl...
My love."
HANNAH: But in the end
she got what she wanted.
ESME: "I am no bird...
and no net ensnares me.
I am a free human being."
HANNAH: She escaped.
ESME: "This book is
the property of...
Emily."
[haunting music]
ESME: "I could tell she was
hungry but I didn't know what to
feed her."
"I can see things that
no one else can see."
[chuckle]
HANNAH: You done yet?
Mom! What are you doing?
Hey, we don't have
much food left!
You call this garbage food?
Come on, Mom!
Uh, uh, uh. Mind your elders.
Come on, we have to go.
[shovel scrapping]
- This is mine.
- I know, I-
Let go.
- I know, I just-
- Let go!
Just calm down, Mom!
I said let go!
[glass shattering]
[ominous music]
Esme?
Esme, sweetie. Mommy didn't
mean that. I'm so sorry!
HANNAH: Esme, wait! Wait, baby
I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to
hurt you-
Come on, baby. I
can help fix it!
I'm sorry! I didn't mean to
hurt you. Please come out.
Esme, baby, I'm sorry!
Baby girl!
[slam]
[ringing noise]
[heavy breathing]
HANNAH: Baby, I'm sorry!
Baby, come on, I'm so sorry.
Esme?
Come on baby, mommy
didn't mean it.
[haunting music]
Esme, are you okay?
You need to tell me
what's really going on!
- Oh sweetie.
- No! Now!
You need to tell me why we're
here in this stupid forest!
- Esme, I told you. We came here
because- - No, no, stop lying!
We're almost out of food and
you're running around like a
lunatic!
- I am not running around- - You
need to wake up and take care of
me!
Oh, Esme.
That's exactly what I'm doing.
I'm doing all of this for you.
- No!
- To take care of you!
Everything is alright.
Everything's wonderful!
- Everything is not wonderful!
- There's so much to see.
There's so much to do.
- We can see the j- - Who's
Emily?! Who is she really?
And what is that stupid book!
What are you talking about?
This book! This book
that Emily wrote!
Where did you get this?
There's notes in the spaces.
There's notes from Emily,
there's notes about you, and
notes about me!
Emily's favorite book...
Who is Emily?!
Baby girl-
Tell me!
This is Emily.
[whimper]
How could, how could you-
Sweetie, I'm so
sorry. It's alright.
Hey, it's alright, baby.
Alright. It's okay.
[music]
Esme.
- What?!
- You have her eyes.
- How could you?
- She died a horrible death.
I wanted to save you
from a horrible death.
But now I know I don't
have to save you.
We have to save her.
- What?
- We have to save Emily.
We have to dig! The past
never really dies, right?
Come here.
HANNAH: Can't you feel that?
She's calling to us. She
needs us to find her.
She died! She's gone!
She hid.
Isn't that wonderful?
We're coming!
Wait, Mom!
[acoustic guitar]
Shit.
[thunder]
[digging noises]
[haunting music]
[groans, digging noises]
ESME: "Every atom of your
flesh is dear to me as my own."
[digging noises]
[groan]
ESME: "In pain and sickness
it would still be dear."
HANNAH: Find it. Find it.
[digging noises]
HANNAH: How can I abandon you?
[frantic digging]
How can I leave you behind?
[groans, digging]
Come on!
You're here, come on! Just dig!
[whisper] Esme
HANNAH: Agh, dig! Dig!
Esme.
My love.
[fire crackling]
[sniff]
HANNAH: [screaming] Come on!
Stop hiding! It's not funny
anymore!
[pages ripping]
[digging]
HANNAH & ESME: "The soul
fortunately has an
interpreter...
[ominous sounds]
unconscious but
faithful interpreter...
in the eye."
[loud ringing]
[haunting music]
[digging noises]
Mom?
[digging]
Mom?
Hannah?
She's here.
She's here.
[ringing]
You know, it's time to go home.
We need to leave.
- Hannah, it's time to go home.
- We are home.
- Hannah, we need to go home!
- We are home.
- Hannah!
- No!
[Esme screams]
[shovel bangs]
You can't make me, Emily.
You can't make me!
ESME: Wait!
[laughing]
[Esme screams]
- Isn't it wonderful? [laughs]
- Hannah!
[heavy breathing]
[Esme screams]
[whispered] She's here.
I found her. [laughs]
I can taste it.
She's here. I can taste it.
So very close.
[Esme screams]
Hannah!
[panicked breathing]
[Esme screams]
- She's here. [laughs]
She's here.
She's here.
She's here.
I found her. [laughs]
[screaming]
[ominous music]
[crickets]
[eerie music]
[heavy breathing]
Esme?
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, Esme.
HANNAH: Everything's
alright now, right?
Everything's okay.
ESME: Yeah. Everything's
alright now.
HANNAH: I found her.
You found her.
Yeah.
Yeah, I did.
HANNAH: [whisper]
Everything's wonderful.
[rustling]
[crickets]
[haunting music]
[panicked breathing]
[whimpering]
[ringing noise]
[gasp]
[panicked breathing]
[music, woman humming]
[ominous music]
[birds chirping, water]
[wind]
[acoustic guitar]
[water splashing]
[gentle music]
[wind]
[acoustic guitar]
VOCALIST: Lucky girl...
in a good neighborhood...
she doesn't care
about what she's got.
Lucky girl...
in a bad state of mind.
Walks around and tells people
I'm only killing time.
Lucky girl...
it's what they tell her she is.
Is that how they tell
her she should feel?
Come with me...
We'll be set free
We'll walk to Atlantis
On the bottom of the sea
Lucky girl...
walks through the streets
Streets of an endless nowhere
Lucky girl...
she can't look at anyone
without being stared
at like a stranger.
Lucky girl...
wraps herself in black
Every now and then she
thinks about turning back
Come with me
We'll be set free
We'll walk to Atlantis
on the bottom of the sea
We'll walk right
out of this town
Leave this world,
won't turn around
We'll walk right
out of the place
Won't turn back,
won't leave a trace
[humming]
Come with me
We'll be set free
W'll walk to Atlantis
on the bottom of the sea
We'll walk right
out of their lives.
[woman humming]
HANNAH: Where did
you learn that?
ESME: Something I
heard in a dream.
HANNAH: That's Emily's song.
ESME: Who's Emily?
[music]
ESME: You never told
me you had a sister.
HANNAH: No, I suppose not.
ESME: Hannah?
Hannah?
Hannah?
Mom!
HANNAH: Yes, love?
ESME: Where are we going?
How do you know where we are?
When are we going to get there?
I told you I feel fine.
I don't need fresh air.
HANNAH: Fresh air
will do you some good.
ESME: I don't feel sick. Really.
HANNAH: You'll see
the big rock...
the lake.
We're going to the farm.
[whispered voice] Esme.
ESME: But why?
HANNAH: I've wanted you to
see it for a very long time.
It's ah, it's where we're from.
ESME: I just want to go home.
I'm tired.
HANNAH: Esme?
I thought I had a little
more time to tell you this.
I thought...
we had a little more time.
[ominous music]
[car horn]
HANNAH: Esme?
Esme, you know
that... I love you.
ESME: I don't-
HANNAH: I love you, okay?
I love you and I would never,
never do anything to hurt you,
right?
Not on purpose. Not
if I didn't have-
ESME: Hannah!
That clingy thing!
HANNAH: [sigh] Yeah, well...
somethings that clingy
thing is important.
[car horn]
[tires skidding]
[banging noises]
[deep breathing]
[crickets]
[birds chirping]
[car engine revving]
[deep breaths]
[engine stops]
[birds chirping]
[deep breaths]
[rustling]
[car door opening]
Esme?
[eerie music]
[sneeze]
Bless you.
[birds chirping]
HANNAH: It's beautiful, right?
[yawns]
[eerie music]
HANNAH: All of this
used to be ours.
All of it.
Isn't it amazing?
ESME: I guess so.
Can you tell me about Emily?
HANNAH: Well, she
loves the forest...
and exploring.
Just like you.
That used to be her
mirror, you know?
ESME: Really?
HANNAH: She used to say it let
her see things for what they
really were.
ESME: What's that
supposed to mean?
HANNAH: Oh, I don't know.
ESME: Is it magic?
[music, women humming]
HANNAH: I don't know.
[music, women humming]
[acoustic guitar]
HANNAH: Emily used
to love trees.
ESME: Did she have a favorite?
HANNAH: Sycamores probably.
Those are the easiest to climb.
And ferns.
Those aren't trees but...
Emily loved ferns.
[running footsteps]
Is this a sycamore?
You should feel the
bark on this one!
It's really prickly.
ESME: I like our forest!
HANNAH: Esme, wait!
HANNAH: Funny, you think you
know a place and then it changes
on you.
Hey!
Esme!
Shh. It's okay. It's just...
you look so much like her.
So?
You know how important
you are to me, right?
ESME: Hannah,
you're being clingy.
- HANNAH: No, look, sorry.
It's just- - ESME: Hannah!
Mom.
Call me Mom.
Okay?
HANNAH: Let's go to the right.
[rustling]
ESME: Are we gonna
be there soon?
Look, I just need
you to be good, okay?
Just for today, please.
ESME: [mumbling] Just wanted to
know where we're gonna meet her.
HANNAH: It's far to the lake.
We're gonna need to
find a place to rest.
[wind blowing]
[music]
[fire crackling]
Hello there, sleepyhead.
[pot banging]
Can you show me the lake?
You'll see it soon.
Can you?
We have to keep moving.
Already?
[pot clanging]
Are we going home soon?
Are we going home soon?
Hannah?
[music crescendos]
Are we going home soon?
Hannah?
[yelp]
Ow!
[fire crackling]
HANNAH: You're so beautiful.
You're right. There's no hurry.
Not yet, anyway.
I can show you the
big rock today.
Would you like that?
[metal clanging]
[wind]
[birds chirp]
[atmospheric music]
Wow.
This is...
I haven't been here in years.
It's like looking
into yesterday.
But... the tree's in the way.
All this used to be
farmland, just fields...
And cows, mostly.
Big, fat cows.
Did you and Emily used
to come here a lot?
Yeah, we used to race
up the hill to get here.
Grandpa used to say that this
rock crowns the hillside.
Isn't that a nice phrase?
"This rock crowns the hillside."
Always very poetic, Grandpa.
It's nice how some
things last forever.
Except of course
without all the...
Esme?
Esme?
Esme?!
[atmospheric music]
[rustling]
[whispered voice] Esme.
[gasp] What did I say
about disappearing?
- I...
- You can't just wander off!
[crickets]
Esme, are you done?
ESME: No!
Well hurry up.
ESME: Well it's not my fault
Number Two takes so long!
[wood cracks]
ESME: Hannah?
What?
ESME: What's this?
[gasp] Oh my goodness!
This is a little garden shovel.
Did I ever tell you you come
from a family of diggers?
HANNAH: Okay.
This looks like a
good spot to dig.
It's usually better to dig
near existing structures.
ESME: Why?
There's a better chance
someone left something nearby.
See?
Here.
You try.
[crickets]
[buzzing fly]
ESME: Weren't you gonna
take me to the lake?
We can get to the lake later. I
want to show you something
first.
But why not after?
Come on! You'll like it.
[peaceful music]
Can we sail it?
Maybe.
Later?
It's beautiful, right?
[music, women humming]
[door opening]
HANNAH: This looks like
a good spot for digging.
[footsteps]
HANNAH: Help yourself.
Go ahead. Anywhere you like.
Go ahead.
It's fun.
[digging]
HANNAH: Whoa.
What is it?
That...
That's the bottle cap to
our family's milk bottle.
See?
The family logo?
Isn't it cool?
Don't you see?
It's like...
like a sign.
- Of what?
- It's like...
My past is connecting with us.
A tiny piece of something...
that doesn't exist anymore.
Okay?
- [whispers] We're not really
alone. - What?
Yeah! [laughs] We're
not alone, are we?
The past, the past
can speak to us.
- Change our minds, maybe even
change our plans- - Hannah!
Mom.
You call me Mom.
Take good care of it.
Make sure not to lose it.
[digging sounds]
HANNAH: No way.
They left some peaches!
ESME: Who did?
Grandma and Grandpa.
Oh, you're gonna love these.
Aren't they old?
Nah. Canned goods last forever.
[retching]
HANNAH: I'm so sorry, Esme.
- ESME: I really don't feel
good. - HANNAH: No, no, no.
[retching]
[rustling]
[floorboards creaking]
Esme?
Wait! [groans]
[creaking door]
[gags]
[acoustic guitar]
[rain]
[floorboards creaking]
[thunder]
ESME: Hannah, when
are we leaving?
Hannah?
Hannah!
[gasp]
[coughing]
[rustling]
[music fades]
Esme?
Hi!
Hey baby girl.
You know you're my
favorite thing, right?
Oh yeah?
Mmhmm.
More than... chocolate cake?
Mmm. It's a tough choice.
Or sand under your toes?
You feeling better?
Am I feeling better?
[footsteps]
ESME: Did you used to live here?
Once upon a time.
ESME: It's all super old.
ESME: What's this?
[gasp]
[ringing noise]
What?
Why are you looking
at me all weird?
Nothing, I just...
[ringing noise]
Yep.
Still a fever.
The doctor orders you to sleep!
HANNAH: Esme...
Sorry.
[whispers] I'll be quiet!
[whimpering]
[sniffling]
ESME: [echoey] Hannah!
Hannah!
Hannah!
HANNAH: Esme?
Esme?
[ominous music]
[scream]
[crying]
[wind]
HANNAH: Here. That's better.
ESME: I don't get it.
HANNAH: Get what?
ESME: Why did our family dig?
HANNAH: What do you mean?
ESME: It's weird.
HANNAH: No it's not!
It's fun. It's exciting.
You find things that have
no right to exist anymore.
Survivors.
It's still weird.
HANNAH: I just wish
we had more time.
ESME: You're being clingy.
HANNAH: You need
to let me, Esme.
ESME: Why?
You won't be my
little girl forever.
Isn't that a good thing?
I don't know.
[wind]
[chimes]
Did I tell you?
Like silver glass.
[canoe creaking]
HANNAH: There once
were two little girls.
They both were a lot like you.
And they were the
best of friends.
Sisters.
And they loved the forest.
A majestic forest.
Full of fish who
lived in the lake...
and birds who
lived in the sky...
and spirits who
lived in the trees.
The spirits of
their darkest fears.
And biggest dreams.
A forgotten world.
[birds chirping]
[chimes]
[thud]
HANNAH: Here we go.
Now we just gotta find a good
place to camp before the sun
goes down.
[ominous music]
HANNAH: You know,
Grandpa used to love-
[yelp]
[splash]
ESME: [scream] Hannah!
Hannah!
Help!
Hannah!
Mom!
[crash]
[ringing sound]
[eerie music]
[gasp]
[splash]
[music]
It's okay. It's okay.
[coughing]
HANNAH: We gotta
get you dry, okay?
Shh. It's okay.
Come here.
[panting]
[rustling]
[shivering]
[owl hooting]
Mom?
Shh.
Go back to sleep baby.
- But...
- It's alright.
Everything's gonna be alright.
[crickets]
Mom?
Shh.
It's okay baby.
Go back to sleep, Esme.
There's no hurry.
No hurry at all.
[music]
[laughs]
[playful music]
[heavy breathing]
[music, women humming]
[splash]
Well?
Well?!
[playful music]
Wait!
[door slams]
[laugh]
[ringing]
[gentle music]
[gravel crunching]
Mom?
Mom, where are you?
[digging sounds]
Mom!
Mom!
[eerie music]
Mom!
Mom, mom, mom!
[screaming]
- [panting]
- Shh.
Hey, everything's
gonna be okay now.
You're all better now.
You're gonna be okay, okay?
I see what to do,
baby. I see what to do.
[whispers] Hey, hey.
See?
For you, baby.
Esme, everything's perfect.
[sobbing]
[wind]
ESME: Are we going home?
HANNAH: No, no! There's so much
more to show you, so much to
learn.
ESME: What do you mean?
[eerie music]
HANNAH: We have to dig.
HANNAH: The world is
a strange place, Esme.
So confusing without guidance.
Without lamps to light our way.
[eerie music]
Our family's roots run deep.
Now, they're all but forgotten.
HANNAH: One, two,
three, four, five.
[digging sounds]
[clunk]
[gentle music]
[clanging of metal box opening]
What do you remember
about Grandma and Grandpa?
Emily and me.
We were inseparable.
I followed her everywhere
like... sunshine and her shadow
HANNAH: And one more...
Now who could that be, I wonder?
How quickly mothers fall in
love with their children.
Hey, but I was-
Do you know what this is?
This is a Saint
Christopher medal.
He watches over travelers
and he protects wanderers.
It's our family's
oldest possession.
Passed on from
generation to generation.
Always to the oldest daughter.
From your
great-great-grandmother to your
great-grandmother...
all the way down to Emily.
And now...
to you.
How about that?
Gotta keep moving. Can't sit
here dwelling on the past.
What's wrong?
HANNAH: Just need
to keep moving.
[music, women humming]
[water]
HANNAH: Come on, baby. Let's go.
ESME: [shivers] It's cold!
HANNAH: It's not too cold! Look!
HANNAH: Whoo!
[heavy breathing]
HANNAH: Come on, get in here!
[ominous music]
HANNAH: I think it's important
that we do this. She needs us!
[gasping]
HANNAH: Esme, come on!
[muffled voices]
- ESME: No, no
- HANNAH: One, two...
- HANNAH: Esme, listen to me-
- ESME: I can't swim! I'm gonna-
HANNAH: I know, baby. But
you can't let fear in!
[ringing noise]
[splash]
HANNAH: Esme! You
did baby. You did it!
ESME: I did it!
- ESME: It's cold. - HANNAH: Oh
you did so good, baby. Come
here.
- HANNAH: Okay...
- ESME: Mom!
- HANNAH: Okay, that's it!
HANNAH: All done.
It's all done now.
HANNAH: It's all better now.
[bird songs]
[splash]
[splash]
HANNAH: I thought for sure
someone woulda left something.
[splashing]
HANNAH: This is the life, huh?
Hannah, what are you doing?
I feel so much younger.
Better than I have in years.
The answers, they're
out here, calling to us.
Just tell me what you know.
[laughs]
And you...
you look so perfect. [laughs]
ESME: But when?
HANNAH: We're getting somewhere,
Esme. Why would you want to go
back?
ESME: This is taking forever.
Can't we just look at the
farmhouse again?
HANNAH: Stop whining.
[digging sounds]
[ringing sound]
[eerie music]
[panicked panting]
[panting]
[eerie music]
[heavy breathing]
[old piano notes]
[piano strings]
[jarring music]
[whisper] Jane Eyre.
[clears throat]
"I am not an angel,
I asserted...
and I will not be
one until I die...
I will be myself,
Mister Rochester."
"Today, I ate three crab
apples without getting sick...
it was lovely."
"There are no poems
as pretty as trees...
but this book
comes awful close."
"Darling Esme. Two months."
[digging sounds]
[ominous sounds]
[acoustic guitar]
Ah. No worry. We'll
eat soon. I promise.
[digging sounds]
[creaky footsteps]
ESME: "No sight so sad as a
naughty child, he began...
especially a naughty
little girl."
[digging sounds]
"Do you know where the
wicked go after death?"
[buzzing]
[digging noises]
ESME: "They go to hell."
[heavy breathing]
ESME: "And what must
you do you avoid it?"
"I deliberated a moment...
- "My answer when it did come
was objectionable." - [Hannah
panting and laughing]
"I must keep in good
health and not die."
[bang]
[rhythmic ringing]
[bang]
[rhythmic ringing]
"Everybody says she
looks just like me...
but I didn't see it until today,
in our reflection in the water."
[eerie music]
[laughs]
ESME: [whisper] I've realized
that this mirror is magic.
[haunting music]
ESME: Shoot.
Shoot, shoot, shoot!
[crickets]
[owl hooting]
HANNAH: The pie was still
warm on the windowsill.
That was the oddest part.
The woman dead as a doorknob...
and a crying baby covered
in its mother's blood.
It was locked from the
inside and the husband-
- I'm sorry, I'm late-
- Did you like that story?
Story?
HANNAH: That's the
scariest one I know.
- Are you alright? - Unless of
course you count the other one.
You didn't even realize.
The one about Emily.
ESME: Emily?
She died.
What?
HANNAH: She died horribly.
Blood oozing out of every pore.
Suffocating on her own bile.
It always starts with
the eyes, of course.
They glaze over and then they
turn white and you start to see
things.
You lose your mind, your
memory, your muscles.
Mom.
It eats you up from
the inside out.
Mom!
What a horrible family we have.
Our own personal
genetic mutation.
That's enough!
She said... how long
as Emily been dead?
- I don't understand. - Well we
were gonna meet her and-
Why are we even
here if she's dead?
[crescendoing eerie music]
[clanging]
HANNAH: What's wrong?
How can you even
ask that question?
I don't understand.
Everything's alright.
Everything's not alright,
or perfect, or wonderful.
What are you talking about?
We're not here on vacation! And
the person you want me to meet
is dead!
We still need to trust her.
Who? Emily?
She's speaking to us.
ESME: What do you mean?
She's dead. You just
told me she died!
The past it's never really
gone. It can be changed...
- fixed.
- Mom!
Don't you trust me?
For god's sake. I'm your mother.
So?
Fine.
ESME: Fine!
[animal noises]
[music, women humming]
[whisper] Esme, Esme.
[gasp]
[crickets]
"I've always liked sunrises.
My sister says sunsets
are prettier...
But there's no real
possibility in a sunset."
"When I hold her, I can feel
her heart beating so fast...
like a little mouse's."
HANNAH: Oh! Esme! Esme!
ESME: What? What?! What is it?
HANNAH: There was the most
beautiful little water snake!
I feel as if she was just about
to say something to me, you
know?
[ominous sounds]
"My sister, of course, is
the more natural athlete...
but I think I'm more graceful,
and I can climb much higher in
trees."
HANNAH: It was horrible watching
her writhe around in bed like
that.
She used to be such
a beautiful creature.
ESME: "Sometimes, I lie
awake at night and...
wonder what happens
to us when we die."
HANNAH: She had a real
grace to the way she moved.
ESME: "And I wonder about
my darling little girl...
My love."
HANNAH: But in the end
she got what she wanted.
ESME: "I am no bird...
and no net ensnares me.
I am a free human being."
HANNAH: She escaped.
ESME: "This book is
the property of...
Emily."
[haunting music]
ESME: "I could tell she was
hungry but I didn't know what to
feed her."
"I can see things that
no one else can see."
[chuckle]
HANNAH: You done yet?
Mom! What are you doing?
Hey, we don't have
much food left!
You call this garbage food?
Come on, Mom!
Uh, uh, uh. Mind your elders.
Come on, we have to go.
[shovel scrapping]
- This is mine.
- I know, I-
Let go.
- I know, I just-
- Let go!
Just calm down, Mom!
I said let go!
[glass shattering]
[ominous music]
Esme?
Esme, sweetie. Mommy didn't
mean that. I'm so sorry!
HANNAH: Esme, wait! Wait, baby
I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to
hurt you-
Come on, baby. I
can help fix it!
I'm sorry! I didn't mean to
hurt you. Please come out.
Esme, baby, I'm sorry!
Baby girl!
[slam]
[ringing noise]
[heavy breathing]
HANNAH: Baby, I'm sorry!
Baby, come on, I'm so sorry.
Esme?
Come on baby, mommy
didn't mean it.
[haunting music]
Esme, are you okay?
You need to tell me
what's really going on!
- Oh sweetie.
- No! Now!
You need to tell me why we're
here in this stupid forest!
- Esme, I told you. We came here
because- - No, no, stop lying!
We're almost out of food and
you're running around like a
lunatic!
- I am not running around- - You
need to wake up and take care of
me!
Oh, Esme.
That's exactly what I'm doing.
I'm doing all of this for you.
- No!
- To take care of you!
Everything is alright.
Everything's wonderful!
- Everything is not wonderful!
- There's so much to see.
There's so much to do.
- We can see the j- - Who's
Emily?! Who is she really?
And what is that stupid book!
What are you talking about?
This book! This book
that Emily wrote!
Where did you get this?
There's notes in the spaces.
There's notes from Emily,
there's notes about you, and
notes about me!
Emily's favorite book...
Who is Emily?!
Baby girl-
Tell me!
This is Emily.
[whimper]
How could, how could you-
Sweetie, I'm so
sorry. It's alright.
Hey, it's alright, baby.
Alright. It's okay.
[music]
Esme.
- What?!
- You have her eyes.
- How could you?
- She died a horrible death.
I wanted to save you
from a horrible death.
But now I know I don't
have to save you.
We have to save her.
- What?
- We have to save Emily.
We have to dig! The past
never really dies, right?
Come here.
HANNAH: Can't you feel that?
She's calling to us. She
needs us to find her.
She died! She's gone!
She hid.
Isn't that wonderful?
We're coming!
Wait, Mom!
[acoustic guitar]
Shit.
[thunder]
[digging noises]
[haunting music]
[groans, digging noises]
ESME: "Every atom of your
flesh is dear to me as my own."
[digging noises]
[groan]
ESME: "In pain and sickness
it would still be dear."
HANNAH: Find it. Find it.
[digging noises]
HANNAH: How can I abandon you?
[frantic digging]
How can I leave you behind?
[groans, digging]
Come on!
You're here, come on! Just dig!
[whisper] Esme
HANNAH: Agh, dig! Dig!
Esme.
My love.
[fire crackling]
[sniff]
HANNAH: [screaming] Come on!
Stop hiding! It's not funny
anymore!
[pages ripping]
[digging]
HANNAH & ESME: "The soul
fortunately has an
interpreter...
[ominous sounds]
unconscious but
faithful interpreter...
in the eye."
[loud ringing]
[haunting music]
[digging noises]
Mom?
[digging]
Mom?
Hannah?
She's here.
She's here.
[ringing]
You know, it's time to go home.
We need to leave.
- Hannah, it's time to go home.
- We are home.
- Hannah, we need to go home!
- We are home.
- Hannah!
- No!
[Esme screams]
[shovel bangs]
You can't make me, Emily.
You can't make me!
ESME: Wait!
[laughing]
[Esme screams]
- Isn't it wonderful? [laughs]
- Hannah!
[heavy breathing]
[Esme screams]
[whispered] She's here.
I found her. [laughs]
I can taste it.
She's here. I can taste it.
So very close.
[Esme screams]
Hannah!
[panicked breathing]
[Esme screams]
- She's here. [laughs]
She's here.
She's here.
She's here.
I found her. [laughs]
[screaming]
[ominous music]
[crickets]
[eerie music]
[heavy breathing]
Esme?
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, Esme.
HANNAH: Everything's
alright now, right?
Everything's okay.
ESME: Yeah. Everything's
alright now.
HANNAH: I found her.
You found her.
Yeah.
Yeah, I did.
HANNAH: [whisper]
Everything's wonderful.
[rustling]
[crickets]
[haunting music]
[panicked breathing]
[whimpering]
[ringing noise]
[gasp]
[panicked breathing]
[music, woman humming]
[ominous music]
[birds chirping, water]
[wind]
[acoustic guitar]
[water splashing]
[gentle music]
[wind]
[acoustic guitar]
VOCALIST: Lucky girl...
in a good neighborhood...
she doesn't care
about what she's got.
Lucky girl...
in a bad state of mind.
Walks around and tells people
I'm only killing time.
Lucky girl...
it's what they tell her she is.
Is that how they tell
her she should feel?
Come with me...
We'll be set free
We'll walk to Atlantis
On the bottom of the sea
Lucky girl...
walks through the streets
Streets of an endless nowhere
Lucky girl...
she can't look at anyone
without being stared
at like a stranger.
Lucky girl...
wraps herself in black
Every now and then she
thinks about turning back
Come with me
We'll be set free
We'll walk to Atlantis
on the bottom of the sea
We'll walk right
out of this town
Leave this world,
won't turn around
We'll walk right
out of the place
Won't turn back,
won't leave a trace
[humming]
Come with me
We'll be set free
W'll walk to Atlantis
on the bottom of the sea
We'll walk right
out of their lives.