Land of Shadows (2026) Movie Script
[gong]
[wind blowing]
[anxious music]
[man] I really need you to focus intently
on everything that you're hearing.
[loud banging]
[vibrations]
[creaking]
I'm looking for the exit.
[echo]
Could you help me?
Can you help me?
[metallic creaking]
[intriguing music]
[metallic clanking]
[hooting]
[wood cracking]
[scary music]
[creaking]
[phone ringing]
[the phone rings]
[creaking]
[troubling music]
[the phone rings]
[music stops]
[scary music]
[distorted voice on phone]
Are you ready, Bunny ?
Ready for what?
[echo]
[end call tone]
[music rises]
[music fades out]
[wind blowing]
[cracking]
[menacing music]
[music stops]
[intriguing music]
[sighing]
[anxious music]
[whispering]
[people walking outside]
[whistling]
[menacing music]
[music stops]
[woman, in French] Alice Chevalier,
your eighth and latest book,
Souvenir from Rhdae,
seems to interest a lot of people.
Why did you write
about Rennes-le-Chteau?
[in French] Rennes-le-Chteau is a place
that means a lot to me
because I spent many years there
with my father during my childhood and...
It's a place that is both magical
and full of legends,
-but above all, it's full of memories.
-Compared to your previous books,
you could say this one is personal,
intimate even.
Are you okay?
Yes, yes, sorry.
So, this is the first book you've written
since your husband passed away.
Would you say that this tragic event
has changed the way you write?
-[wind blowing]
-[metallic jingling]
[sighing]
Sorry, what were you saying?
I was wondering
whether your husband's passing
led you to write differently.
[blow]
[gloomy music]
-[blow]
-[whispering] Ulysse...
Ulysses passing...
-[wind blowing harder]
-[music intensifies]
[piano note]
[heavy breathing]
Can we stop here?
I'm sorry, I'm not feeling well.
I can't take it anymore.
[music fades out]
Hello, you've reached
Sara Dujour's voicemail.
I'm currently unavailable
but please leave me a message
and I'll get back to you
as soon as possible.
For urgent matters, you may contact
my assistant at the agency.
Thank you.
[church bell rings]
[suspenseful music]
[organ playing anxiously]
[Gregorian song]
[music rising]
-[door shuts]
-[music stops]
[Alice, in French] It's been a long time
since you and I last spoke.
Honestly, I still haven't forgiven you.
I miss him.
I miss him so much.
Anyway...
I think I'm losing my mind.
There's something inside me
that is eating me alive.
I think I need help.
I need help to move on.
I can't stay on meds my whole life.
[religious song]
I just need a sign.
Anything.
I just need a sign.
[music rises]
[mechanic machinery whirring]
[music fades out]
[opera song playing]
[music fades out]
[in English] This is crazy!
Absolutely insane.
When was the last time
we saw each other?
Eight years ago, I think.
Eight years, Jesus!
What are you doing here?
I thought you'd stay in London.
Yeah, yeah, I still live there,
but I was in France doing bookstores,
doing interviews
for the release of my new book.
But now I'm done
and I'll be back tomorrow.
Well, it sounds like
I'm in the presence of a star.
-That might be a big word.
-No, you're being modest.
Come on then, tell me,
what's this new book about?
-I don't want to bother you.
-You're not bothering me at all.
It's been eight years
since we've seen each other apparently.
So I want to know everything.
Everything?
Everything.
Okay, as you wish.
Absolutely.
So tell me, this new book?
So, it's called Souvenir from Rhdae.
It's about Rennes-le-Chteau, a small,
tiny village in the south of France,
full of mysteries and legends.
When I was a kid,
my father used to drive me there
once a year for a few days.
It was fantastic.
So the book, it's all about them.
But actually my publisher
plans to release an English version,
so when it's done,
I can totally send you a copy.
I would love that. Thank you.
So come on, you owe me an explanation.
I remember reading,
a couple of years ago, in an article
that you got married.
-To a French photographer, no less.
-[she clears her throat]
I was.
He died two years ago.
Oh my God, I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry to hear this.
What happened?
Maybe you don't want
to talk about it, but
You know what?
As my therapist always says,
"Talking about it
is the beginning of healing, so..."
His name was Ulysse,
and he was indeed a French photographer.
[gloomy music]
He had this little habit
of going out for a drive
every Sunday morning.
[creaking]
One day, he went too fast and crashed.
[keys jingling]
It's like,
I woke up next to him in the morning,
and by noon
I learned I'd never see him again.
This kind of shit
could happen to anyone, right?
How do you cope?
I spent a fortune on my therapist.
I immersed myself
in reading, writing, stuff like that.
But you know what?
Enough talking about me.
Let's talk about you.
What have you been up to?
-Still a sound engineer for the BBC?
-[he clears his throat]
No, not anymore, actually.
-I work for myself now.
-Oh, cool!
Thanks. Yeah.
We just opened up an office out there
in New York City.
What we do there
is specialize in sound hypnosis
-and out-of-body experiences.
-Out-of-body what?
[laughing]
"Out-of-body experiences."
But what is that?
What I'm about to say to you
might sound a bit crazy, a bit wild.
So just bear with me
and keep an open mind, Alice.
-Yeah, sure.
-Thank you.
Because I think...
maybe I can help you, actually.
Help me?
-Yeah.
-With what?
I can help you find peace, Alice.
Peace?
Yes.
Let me explain.
[exhaling]
In the '70s and in the '80s,
the CIA and the US military,
to name a few,
experimented a lot on the brain
and on human consciousness, Alice.
LSD, mushrooms, telepathy,
all this kind of thing.
One of their experiments involved
using precise sound frequencies
to open up human consciousness.
[anxious music]
You're talking about lucid dreams?
No, no, no.
What I've managed to do in my office
is create precise frequencies
that are so powerful,
so exact
that I can take anyone's consciousness
and connect it to other dimensions
in just a few minutes.
This is real?
Yeah, it's very real, believe me.
I tried the experience on myself
more than once.
Alice...
it's like nothing else. Nothing else.
What I've seen, what I've felt,
it's unimaginable,
unimaginable force and power.
[she exhales]
So...
[opera song on the radio]
What do you say?
[nervous laugh]
What do I say what?
Try the experience for yourself, Alice.
Just one journey. One.
To be honest, I don't see how
traveling with my mind could help me.
I understand,
but you're missing something here,
something big.
Once your mind is connected
to that vast unknown,
everything changes.
Your mind is filled with love,
with kindness.
It's like being reborn.
And not only that,
all the data supports it too.
What we're seeing from soldiers
coming back from war,
suffering with trauma,
and terminal-phase cancer patients...
Incredible results.
I really appreciate
what you're trying to do,
but I'm fine.
Sorry to tell you that your eyes
tell a different story, Alice.
[static crackling]
What time is it?
-Almost 2 p.m.
-Oh shit!
I have to go.
A guy I'm meeting this afternoon
is interested in funding the research.
-I need to leave now.
-Okay.
What I'm going to do
is I'm going to give you
my card, here.
What I need you to do is call me
tonight at nine,
and I'll give you the address.
I need an hour of your time.
Believe me, it will change your life
forever, I promise you.
I'll think about it.
Don't think about it. Do it.
You are a wonderful person, Alice.
Stop letting your fears control you.
There's no need to fear this.
Can't you see what's happening here?
This is a call from destiny.
All you've got to do is be brave enough
to answer it.
I'll think about it. I promise. Okay?
Good.
Alice, nine o'clock.
I'm counting on you.
[doorbell ringing]
[suspenseful music]
[clock striking]
[music stops]
[creaking]
[distorted voice] The rabbit is lost.
The rabbit is drowning.
The rabbit is...
dead.
[gasps]
[heavy breathing]
[suspenseful music]
[cellphone vibrating]
-Hello?
-[Alice] Hey.
So...
You know what? Let's do this.
Perfect.
Alice,
meet me at the 7th Street of du Roi.
-Okay.
-When you arrive, there's a first door.
Go through that,
and I'll come down and get you.
All right.
[end call tone]
[anxious music]
[crows cawing]
[music fades out]
[wind blowing]
[door creaking]
Thomas?
Thomas?
I'm here.
-Alice?
-[she gasps]
Hey, I'm sorry,
I didn't mean to scare you.
No, it's okay.
-Follow me, the apartment is upstairs.
-Yeah.
[anxious notes]
Hey.
What is this place?
-It's pretty cool, huh?
-Yeah.
You know, in the '40s,
this entire building
used to be a private theater.
[Alice] Wow!
Anyway, shall we?
Yeah, yeah.
Well, brace yourself, Alice.
This is my office for the next few days.
Cool.
Yeah, it's okay. It doesn't have the style
of the New York one, but...
I guess it's only temporary.
[Alice] And why is it so dark?
-Is it for the experience?
-[he laughs]
No, honey.
It's because of the French electrics.
Third bloody time tonight.
I'm going to go
and reset the power, all right?
-Sure.
-Can if I leave you alone for a minute?
-Yeah, no problem.
-Look around, I won't be long.
[thunder rumbling]
[rain falling on the roof]
Hey,
sorry about that.
It's okay.
I'm sure we'll be okay
for the rest of the evening.
Easy to find the place, Alice?
Oh yeah, it wasn't that far from my hotel.
I just walked a couple of minutes.
Perfect.
So...
What I need from you...
right now is
to just drink all of this for me.
-What is it?
-It's just water.
How was your appointment?
What do you think? It was perfect.
[piano notes]
So you're going to have the money?
Yeah, he's very interested
in funding the research.
Anyway,
ready to get started?
-Yeah.
-It's going to be okay.
Why don't you go lie down on the couch
for me?
I'm scared.
I know. I know you are.
But one thing I know about you
is that you're brave.
You always have been.
Trust me, this is your chance
to change everything.
You can do this.
Look at me.
You can do this.
[suspenseful music]
[thunder rumbling]
So, this is the machine?
This is the machine.
This is my invention
that I will use to send
all the special frequencies to you
throughout the entire process.
[static crackling]
So how does it work exactly?
How does it work?
You understand that it takes a genius
to figure out how all this works.
It's not important right now, Alice.
Plus...
I need you to relax.
Relax
Before we start,
I really wanted to apologize
for disappearing like I did back then.
I mean, when I moved to London,
you were the only one who took care of me.
Alice, it's in the past.
It doesn't matter anymore.
What's important
is what we're doing right here, right now,
in this moment.
Give me your hand.
I'm not gonna bite.
Plus,
I always knew you were a bitch.
Yeah...
I was a bitch.
You know,
seeing as we're sharing so openly,
you never even told me in the first place
why you moved to London.
I never really found my place in France.
Plus, my mom was from London, so...
I remember when I was a kid,
every time I spoke French
when my father wasn't around,
she always corrected me.
Always.
"Bunny, in English, please."
I miss her so much.
Moving to London
was a way
to reconnect with my roots, I think.
And I think it was the right choice.
Was it?
Yeah.
It was the right choice.
Perfect.
I'm ready.
Are you?
Yeah, I'm ready.
Good.
Alice, put on the helmet.
[intriguing music]
Any advice?
Yeah.
Enjoy the journey.
It's a privilege to be able to do this.
Every time I do this,
I always think of myself as an astronaut
discovering new planets.
I think you should do the same.
It can be jarring.
So when you first get there,
you might feel a little bit overwhelmed.
But if you do, then all I need you to do
is just breathe. Okay? Just...
breathe.
It'll calm you down.
Nothing and no one can hurt you.
All right.
If it gets too much
and you really need to come back,
then all you need to do
is say it out loud.
Don't worry.
It will be an incredible experience,
trust me.
Now
Close your eyes for me.
[static crackling]
Can you hear the sounds?
Yeah.
I really need you to focus intently
on everything that you're hearing.
I really need you to focus
on listening to the frequencies
playing in your ears right now.
You're doing great.
Just keep breathing calmly,
effortlessly.
Surrender to the experience.
Now I want you to imagine yourself
in a place that you love.
Can you tell me where you are?
[whispering] I'm in Rennes-le-Chteau.
What is it that you see?
I'm having a coffee
at Mary's Garden.
[birds singing]
There are some birds singing.
[gloomy music]
Good.
It's beautiful.
Enjoy this moment of peace.
I'm going to count to five.
By the time that I reach five,
your spirit will be free
to travel wherever it wants.
One.
I want you to feel your body lightening.
Two.
Your locks
unlock.
[echo]
Three.
You're now released
from your fears.
Four.
[distorted voice] Your mind is now ready.
Five.
Lift off!
[explosion]
[intriguing music]
[esoteric song]
[mysterious music]
[rumbling]
[mechanic machinery whirring]
[scary music]
[explosions]
[intense music]
-[heavy breathing]
-[music stops]
[thunder rumbling]
[creaking]
[Alice, whispering] Welcome.
[anxious music]
[menacing music]
[intriguing music]
[music fades out]
[creaking]
[wind blowing]
[in French] Hello?
[she sighs]
[rattling]
Is anyone there?
[echo]
My name is Alice.
[anxious music]
[wind blowing harder]
[floor creaking]
[music rising]
[creaking gets louder]
[music and creaking fade out]
[heavy breathing]
[the phone rings]
Hello?
Thomas?
[distorted voice, in English] No.
Who are you?
I am the one who observes.
[end call tone]
[static crackling]
[unintelligible dialogue of a radio host]
[in French] In today's news,
we sadly have to report the sudden death
of renowned photographer Ulysse Reynard.
Early reports indicate
that he may have been involved
in a car accident.
We'll let you know
as soon as new details emerge.
[unintelligible dialogue on radio]
[static crackling]
[radio switches off]
[wind blowing]
[scoffing]
[Thomas, in English]
I really wish I could stay there.
Spend every day learning,
experiencing...
all those other universes.
Think about it, Alice.
The limitlessness of it
stretches on forever.
We'll never see it all.
I wish we could.
[rumbling]
I really think
this is where we'll all end up.
In amongst the stars.
Just
stardust.
Everything and nothing.
Living and dead.
[anxious music]
[machine whirring]
[music continues]
[music intensifies]
[thunder rumbling]
[scary music]
[music fades out]
[distorted voice]
There's nowhere left to hide.
You're mine now,
Bunny.
[gloomy music]
Give up all hope.
Let Darkness in,
and feel her crawl
beneath your skin.
She's the only one
who can set you free now.
Let her take control.
[Alice, in English] I said enough!
[echo]
[suspenseful music]
[distorted voice groaning]
[music fades out]
[mysterious music]
[distorted voice] It was quite impressive.
[in French] Is anyone there?
[echo]
Who is this?
Come on, Bunny, you know who I am.
[in French] No.
No, no, no, I can't see you!
Where are you?
[echo]
[door shuts]
[female voice] In English,
please.
[typewriter clicking]
[anxious music]
What the hell is this?
[scary music]
[Dark Alice] Welcome, Bunny!
[in English] How?
[in French] I need to wake up.
I need to get out of here.
I'm going to wake up.
I need to wake up.
I need to get out of here.
[music fades out]
[Dark Alice, in English] We're going
to have so much fun together.
[anxious music]
[door shuts]
[mysterious music]
[clicking]
[static crackling]
[screeching]
[screeching stops]
[static crackling]
[anxious music]
[Thomas on the radio]
Alice, do you hear me?
Alice, this is Thomas.
Can you hear me?
[in English] Oh my God! Thomas!
I'm so happy to hear you.
Alice, listen to me carefully.
I don't know how long
the connection will last.
Alice, if you are stuck,
you can always get out on your own.
Just close your eyes
and focus.
Just close your eyes and fo...
What did you say?
[in French] Seriously?
[Thomas] It can be jarring.
So when you first get there,
you might feel a little bit overwhelmed.
But if you do, then all I need you to do
is just breathe. Okay?
[Alice and Thomas] Just breathe.
[Alice, in French] Breathe.
And get out of here by yourself.
Focus.
Breathe.
Get out of here by yourself.
[whispering] I can do this, I can do this.
[suspenseful music]
I got here on my own,
and I'll get out on my own.
Breathe...
Focus.
Breathe...
Close your eyes.
Focus.
[inaudible]
[mechanic machinery whirring]
[music stops]
[wind blowing]
[esoteric music]
[music fades out]
[vibrations]
[anxious music]
[mysterious music]
-[phone ringing]
-[clock striking]
[Dark Alice clicks her tongue]
[in English] You're cheating.
We don't need them.
[echo]
[in English] Them?
You know
No.
I know nothing.
I don't understand anything
that's happening to me.
You will.
[echo]
[end call tone]
[anxious music]
[music stops]
[low growl]
[distorted voice] In silent halls,
where no light dwells,
I weave my truth
through broken shells.
No sun,
no moon,
no breath,
just echoes
whispering your name.
You fear the dark.
The light you chase
is made of glass.
It cuts you each time.
But shadows
do not stab
or bleed.
They simply wait.
No prayer,
no final bell.
I am in the place
where silence fell.
Not death,
not life,
not wrong,
not right,
but something deeper
than the night.
Now,
take my hand, Bunny.
You will understand.
You will understand.
[music stops]
[clock striking]
-[creaking]
-[cutlery clanging]
[anxious music]
[distorted voice] Come...
and eat!
[creaking]
[in French] I'm Alice.
[in reverse] I'm Alice.
[echo]
[clock striking]
[clock striking]
[clock strikes echoing]
[silence]
[mysterious music]
[wind blowing]
[Dark Alice, in English]
I can hear your thoughts.
You think your dear Thomas
is going to save you.
But you should know,
never trust men.
[in English] What are you talking about?
[Dark Alice]
You've been used and abandoned
once again, Alice.
Thomas is not your friend.
He is a liar.
I don't believe you.
You don't believe me.
Well...
let me show you who he really is.
But hang on.
It's a little bit bumpy.
[music continues]
How does it work?
Like you could understand this.
I'm a fucking genius.
I'm a fucking genius.
I'm a fucking genius.
[music continues]
I always knew that you were a bitch.
Look at you, helpless little girl.
Did you really think you'd find peace?
Alice,
whatever happens,
you're safe.
[music stops]
[wind blowing]
I don't know what you're trying to do.
But I know that your words
are nothing but poison.
Thomas is my friend.
I know that
he's going to get me out of here.
But you're just afraid of that.
Hope
Hope
I love it.
You give me so much pleasure, Bunny.
Thank you.
[suspenseful music]
[thunder rumbling]
[woman singing]
Shadows stretched and shadows grew
Whispering secrets only she knew
Following dreams where rabbits fled
She tumbled down
Into the night
Stars that shone like fleeting dreams
Faded into silent streams
Now she sings beneath the moon
A haunting, melancholic tune
Lost like Alice
Far from home
Through the shadowed realms
She roamed
In this land, where dreams all break
Nothing matters for her sake
She is lost
In a land
Of shadows
[rumbling]
[in French] You shouldnt be here, Alice.
You know my name?
[echo]
Everyone's talking about you.
"She's special"...
You know, I was special too.
I was like you.
Unhappy, creating my own demons.
You still don't understand why?
I envy you, you know.
That innocence,
I miss it.
The ignorant are blessed.
[thunder rumbling]
Let me take a closer look at you.
-I thought I'd lost it forever.
-Is this yours?
A long time ago, yes.
You have beautiful eyes.
You're still connected to your body.
That must feel nice.
What's your name?
You can call me Abby.
Abby,
can you help me wake up?
I just want to go home.
But you are home.
-[wind blowing]
-[creaking]
-[whispering] Can you hear that?
-What?
[in English] He's coming.
Who?
The nasty one.
Who's that?
[in French] I'm sorry, Alice.
No, Abby,
I can't stay alone.
[scary music]
[muffled scream]
[music fades out]
[soft music]
[sighing]
[tongue clicking]
[Dark Alice] I'm disappointed.
Very disappointed.
Friend...
[dramatic music]
[music stops]
[thunder rumbling]
[anxious music]
[distorted voice] Come, my little Bunny.
Surrender.
It's the only way.
Ulysse is dead now.
Why continue?
[Alice, in English] Ulysse was
the best thing that ever happened to me.
[distorted voice] Surrender.
[Alice, crying] But life...
Life decided to take him away from me.
[distorted voice] Me,
I'll never leave you.
[Alice] Since that day,
I'm just surrounded by darkness!
[opera song]
[Thomas] Alice, welcome back.
-You okay?
-Is this real?
[laughing] Yeah, it's real.
You're back.
So tell me, how did it go?
-It's incredible, huh?
-Incredible?
I just had the most terrifying experience
of my life!
What?
What happened?
What happened?
What happened
is that I was trapped for months
with a fucked-up version of myself
as a tormentor.
-Months?
-It was horrible, Thomas.
I conducted experiences like this
on hundreds of people.
No one has ever come back
reporting a negative experience before.
Negative?
It wasn't negative.
It was hell.
You! You promised me
the most beautiful experience of my life.
That everything would be okay.
Do you really think
I needed this in my life?
-[crying] Why did you do this to me?
-Calm down.
You're here. You're safe.
-Why?
-Calm down.
It was so fucked up.
I don't understand
what could have happened.
I need you to stay calm
and explain it to me.
Tell me what happened.
I don't even understand it myself.
At first...
I felt beautiful things.
But then,
the clouds turned black
and it was...
-Ah, shit!
-No!
-It's just the power.
-No, no, no!
I can't stay in the dark. I can't.
It's just the power.
Here, take the flashlight.
Here you go.
Stay calm.
I will have to reset the electrics, okay?
Oh my God.
-I can't stay alone. You can't leave me.
-Shh...
I'll be right next door.
It's going to take me two minutes, okay?
-Promise?
-Yes, yes. Trust me.
Trust me. Relax.
[door closes]
[opera song continues]
Thomas!
Shit!
No!
[crying] Please...
[heavy breathing]
[in French] No!
No!
It's not possible.
No!
No! Oh no...
No!
-[scary music]
-[crying] No!
No!
[Dark Alice, in English] Hope...
Hope...
So delightful.
I truly believe
this is my favorite emotion,
my favorite fruit.
[Alice cries]
[music stops]
[Alice cries]
[intriguing music]
[chains clanging]
[mechanic machinery whirring]
[grandiose music]
[birds singing]
[music fades out]
[wind blowing]
-[thunder rumbling]
-[rain pouring]
-[Dark Alice, in English] So here we are?
-[in English] Yes.
Now you know everything?
I know enough.
[in French] There's no need
to speak in English anymore.
No need to use Mom anymore.
[in French] You think you're brave,
but you've always been weak.
Who do you think you are without me?
The little girl
who lost the love of her life?
[chains clanging]
You still want to create
the final act, Alice?
But let me remind you,
this theater,
this prison,
you're the one who built it.
Are you done?
You really want to forget me?
Then forget me.
But let me remind you...
There can be no light without darkness.
[thunder rumbling]
You'll never truly erase me.
Any last words?
Do you realize they're never going
to let you out of here?
Well,
that's for me to decide.
[in English] Goodbye...
[distorted voice] Bunny.
[in English] Goodbye,
old friend.
[intriguing music]
[soft music]
[beeping]
[water running]
[mysterious music]
[inaudible]
[clock striking]
[inaudible]
[birds singing]
[music continues]
[beeping]
[in French] Just a feeling.
But yeah.
Yeah, I'm okay.
[whispering, in English]
There are some birds singing.
[birds singing]
[intriguing music]
[unintelligible distorted voices]
[Thomas] Alice, whatever happens,
you're safe.
[snickers]
[metal music]
[anxious music]
[soft music]
[dramatic music]
[scary music]
[thumping]
Jonathan Dailler and Cline Ripolles
[wind blowing]
[anxious music]
[man] I really need you to focus intently
on everything that you're hearing.
[loud banging]
[vibrations]
[creaking]
I'm looking for the exit.
[echo]
Could you help me?
Can you help me?
[metallic creaking]
[intriguing music]
[metallic clanking]
[hooting]
[wood cracking]
[scary music]
[creaking]
[phone ringing]
[the phone rings]
[creaking]
[troubling music]
[the phone rings]
[music stops]
[scary music]
[distorted voice on phone]
Are you ready, Bunny ?
Ready for what?
[echo]
[end call tone]
[music rises]
[music fades out]
[wind blowing]
[cracking]
[menacing music]
[music stops]
[intriguing music]
[sighing]
[anxious music]
[whispering]
[people walking outside]
[whistling]
[menacing music]
[music stops]
[woman, in French] Alice Chevalier,
your eighth and latest book,
Souvenir from Rhdae,
seems to interest a lot of people.
Why did you write
about Rennes-le-Chteau?
[in French] Rennes-le-Chteau is a place
that means a lot to me
because I spent many years there
with my father during my childhood and...
It's a place that is both magical
and full of legends,
-but above all, it's full of memories.
-Compared to your previous books,
you could say this one is personal,
intimate even.
Are you okay?
Yes, yes, sorry.
So, this is the first book you've written
since your husband passed away.
Would you say that this tragic event
has changed the way you write?
-[wind blowing]
-[metallic jingling]
[sighing]
Sorry, what were you saying?
I was wondering
whether your husband's passing
led you to write differently.
[blow]
[gloomy music]
-[blow]
-[whispering] Ulysse...
Ulysses passing...
-[wind blowing harder]
-[music intensifies]
[piano note]
[heavy breathing]
Can we stop here?
I'm sorry, I'm not feeling well.
I can't take it anymore.
[music fades out]
Hello, you've reached
Sara Dujour's voicemail.
I'm currently unavailable
but please leave me a message
and I'll get back to you
as soon as possible.
For urgent matters, you may contact
my assistant at the agency.
Thank you.
[church bell rings]
[suspenseful music]
[organ playing anxiously]
[Gregorian song]
[music rising]
-[door shuts]
-[music stops]
[Alice, in French] It's been a long time
since you and I last spoke.
Honestly, I still haven't forgiven you.
I miss him.
I miss him so much.
Anyway...
I think I'm losing my mind.
There's something inside me
that is eating me alive.
I think I need help.
I need help to move on.
I can't stay on meds my whole life.
[religious song]
I just need a sign.
Anything.
I just need a sign.
[music rises]
[mechanic machinery whirring]
[music fades out]
[opera song playing]
[music fades out]
[in English] This is crazy!
Absolutely insane.
When was the last time
we saw each other?
Eight years ago, I think.
Eight years, Jesus!
What are you doing here?
I thought you'd stay in London.
Yeah, yeah, I still live there,
but I was in France doing bookstores,
doing interviews
for the release of my new book.
But now I'm done
and I'll be back tomorrow.
Well, it sounds like
I'm in the presence of a star.
-That might be a big word.
-No, you're being modest.
Come on then, tell me,
what's this new book about?
-I don't want to bother you.
-You're not bothering me at all.
It's been eight years
since we've seen each other apparently.
So I want to know everything.
Everything?
Everything.
Okay, as you wish.
Absolutely.
So tell me, this new book?
So, it's called Souvenir from Rhdae.
It's about Rennes-le-Chteau, a small,
tiny village in the south of France,
full of mysteries and legends.
When I was a kid,
my father used to drive me there
once a year for a few days.
It was fantastic.
So the book, it's all about them.
But actually my publisher
plans to release an English version,
so when it's done,
I can totally send you a copy.
I would love that. Thank you.
So come on, you owe me an explanation.
I remember reading,
a couple of years ago, in an article
that you got married.
-To a French photographer, no less.
-[she clears her throat]
I was.
He died two years ago.
Oh my God, I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry to hear this.
What happened?
Maybe you don't want
to talk about it, but
You know what?
As my therapist always says,
"Talking about it
is the beginning of healing, so..."
His name was Ulysse,
and he was indeed a French photographer.
[gloomy music]
He had this little habit
of going out for a drive
every Sunday morning.
[creaking]
One day, he went too fast and crashed.
[keys jingling]
It's like,
I woke up next to him in the morning,
and by noon
I learned I'd never see him again.
This kind of shit
could happen to anyone, right?
How do you cope?
I spent a fortune on my therapist.
I immersed myself
in reading, writing, stuff like that.
But you know what?
Enough talking about me.
Let's talk about you.
What have you been up to?
-Still a sound engineer for the BBC?
-[he clears his throat]
No, not anymore, actually.
-I work for myself now.
-Oh, cool!
Thanks. Yeah.
We just opened up an office out there
in New York City.
What we do there
is specialize in sound hypnosis
-and out-of-body experiences.
-Out-of-body what?
[laughing]
"Out-of-body experiences."
But what is that?
What I'm about to say to you
might sound a bit crazy, a bit wild.
So just bear with me
and keep an open mind, Alice.
-Yeah, sure.
-Thank you.
Because I think...
maybe I can help you, actually.
Help me?
-Yeah.
-With what?
I can help you find peace, Alice.
Peace?
Yes.
Let me explain.
[exhaling]
In the '70s and in the '80s,
the CIA and the US military,
to name a few,
experimented a lot on the brain
and on human consciousness, Alice.
LSD, mushrooms, telepathy,
all this kind of thing.
One of their experiments involved
using precise sound frequencies
to open up human consciousness.
[anxious music]
You're talking about lucid dreams?
No, no, no.
What I've managed to do in my office
is create precise frequencies
that are so powerful,
so exact
that I can take anyone's consciousness
and connect it to other dimensions
in just a few minutes.
This is real?
Yeah, it's very real, believe me.
I tried the experience on myself
more than once.
Alice...
it's like nothing else. Nothing else.
What I've seen, what I've felt,
it's unimaginable,
unimaginable force and power.
[she exhales]
So...
[opera song on the radio]
What do you say?
[nervous laugh]
What do I say what?
Try the experience for yourself, Alice.
Just one journey. One.
To be honest, I don't see how
traveling with my mind could help me.
I understand,
but you're missing something here,
something big.
Once your mind is connected
to that vast unknown,
everything changes.
Your mind is filled with love,
with kindness.
It's like being reborn.
And not only that,
all the data supports it too.
What we're seeing from soldiers
coming back from war,
suffering with trauma,
and terminal-phase cancer patients...
Incredible results.
I really appreciate
what you're trying to do,
but I'm fine.
Sorry to tell you that your eyes
tell a different story, Alice.
[static crackling]
What time is it?
-Almost 2 p.m.
-Oh shit!
I have to go.
A guy I'm meeting this afternoon
is interested in funding the research.
-I need to leave now.
-Okay.
What I'm going to do
is I'm going to give you
my card, here.
What I need you to do is call me
tonight at nine,
and I'll give you the address.
I need an hour of your time.
Believe me, it will change your life
forever, I promise you.
I'll think about it.
Don't think about it. Do it.
You are a wonderful person, Alice.
Stop letting your fears control you.
There's no need to fear this.
Can't you see what's happening here?
This is a call from destiny.
All you've got to do is be brave enough
to answer it.
I'll think about it. I promise. Okay?
Good.
Alice, nine o'clock.
I'm counting on you.
[doorbell ringing]
[suspenseful music]
[clock striking]
[music stops]
[creaking]
[distorted voice] The rabbit is lost.
The rabbit is drowning.
The rabbit is...
dead.
[gasps]
[heavy breathing]
[suspenseful music]
[cellphone vibrating]
-Hello?
-[Alice] Hey.
So...
You know what? Let's do this.
Perfect.
Alice,
meet me at the 7th Street of du Roi.
-Okay.
-When you arrive, there's a first door.
Go through that,
and I'll come down and get you.
All right.
[end call tone]
[anxious music]
[crows cawing]
[music fades out]
[wind blowing]
[door creaking]
Thomas?
Thomas?
I'm here.
-Alice?
-[she gasps]
Hey, I'm sorry,
I didn't mean to scare you.
No, it's okay.
-Follow me, the apartment is upstairs.
-Yeah.
[anxious notes]
Hey.
What is this place?
-It's pretty cool, huh?
-Yeah.
You know, in the '40s,
this entire building
used to be a private theater.
[Alice] Wow!
Anyway, shall we?
Yeah, yeah.
Well, brace yourself, Alice.
This is my office for the next few days.
Cool.
Yeah, it's okay. It doesn't have the style
of the New York one, but...
I guess it's only temporary.
[Alice] And why is it so dark?
-Is it for the experience?
-[he laughs]
No, honey.
It's because of the French electrics.
Third bloody time tonight.
I'm going to go
and reset the power, all right?
-Sure.
-Can if I leave you alone for a minute?
-Yeah, no problem.
-Look around, I won't be long.
[thunder rumbling]
[rain falling on the roof]
Hey,
sorry about that.
It's okay.
I'm sure we'll be okay
for the rest of the evening.
Easy to find the place, Alice?
Oh yeah, it wasn't that far from my hotel.
I just walked a couple of minutes.
Perfect.
So...
What I need from you...
right now is
to just drink all of this for me.
-What is it?
-It's just water.
How was your appointment?
What do you think? It was perfect.
[piano notes]
So you're going to have the money?
Yeah, he's very interested
in funding the research.
Anyway,
ready to get started?
-Yeah.
-It's going to be okay.
Why don't you go lie down on the couch
for me?
I'm scared.
I know. I know you are.
But one thing I know about you
is that you're brave.
You always have been.
Trust me, this is your chance
to change everything.
You can do this.
Look at me.
You can do this.
[suspenseful music]
[thunder rumbling]
So, this is the machine?
This is the machine.
This is my invention
that I will use to send
all the special frequencies to you
throughout the entire process.
[static crackling]
So how does it work exactly?
How does it work?
You understand that it takes a genius
to figure out how all this works.
It's not important right now, Alice.
Plus...
I need you to relax.
Relax
Before we start,
I really wanted to apologize
for disappearing like I did back then.
I mean, when I moved to London,
you were the only one who took care of me.
Alice, it's in the past.
It doesn't matter anymore.
What's important
is what we're doing right here, right now,
in this moment.
Give me your hand.
I'm not gonna bite.
Plus,
I always knew you were a bitch.
Yeah...
I was a bitch.
You know,
seeing as we're sharing so openly,
you never even told me in the first place
why you moved to London.
I never really found my place in France.
Plus, my mom was from London, so...
I remember when I was a kid,
every time I spoke French
when my father wasn't around,
she always corrected me.
Always.
"Bunny, in English, please."
I miss her so much.
Moving to London
was a way
to reconnect with my roots, I think.
And I think it was the right choice.
Was it?
Yeah.
It was the right choice.
Perfect.
I'm ready.
Are you?
Yeah, I'm ready.
Good.
Alice, put on the helmet.
[intriguing music]
Any advice?
Yeah.
Enjoy the journey.
It's a privilege to be able to do this.
Every time I do this,
I always think of myself as an astronaut
discovering new planets.
I think you should do the same.
It can be jarring.
So when you first get there,
you might feel a little bit overwhelmed.
But if you do, then all I need you to do
is just breathe. Okay? Just...
breathe.
It'll calm you down.
Nothing and no one can hurt you.
All right.
If it gets too much
and you really need to come back,
then all you need to do
is say it out loud.
Don't worry.
It will be an incredible experience,
trust me.
Now
Close your eyes for me.
[static crackling]
Can you hear the sounds?
Yeah.
I really need you to focus intently
on everything that you're hearing.
I really need you to focus
on listening to the frequencies
playing in your ears right now.
You're doing great.
Just keep breathing calmly,
effortlessly.
Surrender to the experience.
Now I want you to imagine yourself
in a place that you love.
Can you tell me where you are?
[whispering] I'm in Rennes-le-Chteau.
What is it that you see?
I'm having a coffee
at Mary's Garden.
[birds singing]
There are some birds singing.
[gloomy music]
Good.
It's beautiful.
Enjoy this moment of peace.
I'm going to count to five.
By the time that I reach five,
your spirit will be free
to travel wherever it wants.
One.
I want you to feel your body lightening.
Two.
Your locks
unlock.
[echo]
Three.
You're now released
from your fears.
Four.
[distorted voice] Your mind is now ready.
Five.
Lift off!
[explosion]
[intriguing music]
[esoteric song]
[mysterious music]
[rumbling]
[mechanic machinery whirring]
[scary music]
[explosions]
[intense music]
-[heavy breathing]
-[music stops]
[thunder rumbling]
[creaking]
[Alice, whispering] Welcome.
[anxious music]
[menacing music]
[intriguing music]
[music fades out]
[creaking]
[wind blowing]
[in French] Hello?
[she sighs]
[rattling]
Is anyone there?
[echo]
My name is Alice.
[anxious music]
[wind blowing harder]
[floor creaking]
[music rising]
[creaking gets louder]
[music and creaking fade out]
[heavy breathing]
[the phone rings]
Hello?
Thomas?
[distorted voice, in English] No.
Who are you?
I am the one who observes.
[end call tone]
[static crackling]
[unintelligible dialogue of a radio host]
[in French] In today's news,
we sadly have to report the sudden death
of renowned photographer Ulysse Reynard.
Early reports indicate
that he may have been involved
in a car accident.
We'll let you know
as soon as new details emerge.
[unintelligible dialogue on radio]
[static crackling]
[radio switches off]
[wind blowing]
[scoffing]
[Thomas, in English]
I really wish I could stay there.
Spend every day learning,
experiencing...
all those other universes.
Think about it, Alice.
The limitlessness of it
stretches on forever.
We'll never see it all.
I wish we could.
[rumbling]
I really think
this is where we'll all end up.
In amongst the stars.
Just
stardust.
Everything and nothing.
Living and dead.
[anxious music]
[machine whirring]
[music continues]
[music intensifies]
[thunder rumbling]
[scary music]
[music fades out]
[distorted voice]
There's nowhere left to hide.
You're mine now,
Bunny.
[gloomy music]
Give up all hope.
Let Darkness in,
and feel her crawl
beneath your skin.
She's the only one
who can set you free now.
Let her take control.
[Alice, in English] I said enough!
[echo]
[suspenseful music]
[distorted voice groaning]
[music fades out]
[mysterious music]
[distorted voice] It was quite impressive.
[in French] Is anyone there?
[echo]
Who is this?
Come on, Bunny, you know who I am.
[in French] No.
No, no, no, I can't see you!
Where are you?
[echo]
[door shuts]
[female voice] In English,
please.
[typewriter clicking]
[anxious music]
What the hell is this?
[scary music]
[Dark Alice] Welcome, Bunny!
[in English] How?
[in French] I need to wake up.
I need to get out of here.
I'm going to wake up.
I need to wake up.
I need to get out of here.
[music fades out]
[Dark Alice, in English] We're going
to have so much fun together.
[anxious music]
[door shuts]
[mysterious music]
[clicking]
[static crackling]
[screeching]
[screeching stops]
[static crackling]
[anxious music]
[Thomas on the radio]
Alice, do you hear me?
Alice, this is Thomas.
Can you hear me?
[in English] Oh my God! Thomas!
I'm so happy to hear you.
Alice, listen to me carefully.
I don't know how long
the connection will last.
Alice, if you are stuck,
you can always get out on your own.
Just close your eyes
and focus.
Just close your eyes and fo...
What did you say?
[in French] Seriously?
[Thomas] It can be jarring.
So when you first get there,
you might feel a little bit overwhelmed.
But if you do, then all I need you to do
is just breathe. Okay?
[Alice and Thomas] Just breathe.
[Alice, in French] Breathe.
And get out of here by yourself.
Focus.
Breathe.
Get out of here by yourself.
[whispering] I can do this, I can do this.
[suspenseful music]
I got here on my own,
and I'll get out on my own.
Breathe...
Focus.
Breathe...
Close your eyes.
Focus.
[inaudible]
[mechanic machinery whirring]
[music stops]
[wind blowing]
[esoteric music]
[music fades out]
[vibrations]
[anxious music]
[mysterious music]
-[phone ringing]
-[clock striking]
[Dark Alice clicks her tongue]
[in English] You're cheating.
We don't need them.
[echo]
[in English] Them?
You know
No.
I know nothing.
I don't understand anything
that's happening to me.
You will.
[echo]
[end call tone]
[anxious music]
[music stops]
[low growl]
[distorted voice] In silent halls,
where no light dwells,
I weave my truth
through broken shells.
No sun,
no moon,
no breath,
just echoes
whispering your name.
You fear the dark.
The light you chase
is made of glass.
It cuts you each time.
But shadows
do not stab
or bleed.
They simply wait.
No prayer,
no final bell.
I am in the place
where silence fell.
Not death,
not life,
not wrong,
not right,
but something deeper
than the night.
Now,
take my hand, Bunny.
You will understand.
You will understand.
[music stops]
[clock striking]
-[creaking]
-[cutlery clanging]
[anxious music]
[distorted voice] Come...
and eat!
[creaking]
[in French] I'm Alice.
[in reverse] I'm Alice.
[echo]
[clock striking]
[clock striking]
[clock strikes echoing]
[silence]
[mysterious music]
[wind blowing]
[Dark Alice, in English]
I can hear your thoughts.
You think your dear Thomas
is going to save you.
But you should know,
never trust men.
[in English] What are you talking about?
[Dark Alice]
You've been used and abandoned
once again, Alice.
Thomas is not your friend.
He is a liar.
I don't believe you.
You don't believe me.
Well...
let me show you who he really is.
But hang on.
It's a little bit bumpy.
[music continues]
How does it work?
Like you could understand this.
I'm a fucking genius.
I'm a fucking genius.
I'm a fucking genius.
[music continues]
I always knew that you were a bitch.
Look at you, helpless little girl.
Did you really think you'd find peace?
Alice,
whatever happens,
you're safe.
[music stops]
[wind blowing]
I don't know what you're trying to do.
But I know that your words
are nothing but poison.
Thomas is my friend.
I know that
he's going to get me out of here.
But you're just afraid of that.
Hope
Hope
I love it.
You give me so much pleasure, Bunny.
Thank you.
[suspenseful music]
[thunder rumbling]
[woman singing]
Shadows stretched and shadows grew
Whispering secrets only she knew
Following dreams where rabbits fled
She tumbled down
Into the night
Stars that shone like fleeting dreams
Faded into silent streams
Now she sings beneath the moon
A haunting, melancholic tune
Lost like Alice
Far from home
Through the shadowed realms
She roamed
In this land, where dreams all break
Nothing matters for her sake
She is lost
In a land
Of shadows
[rumbling]
[in French] You shouldnt be here, Alice.
You know my name?
[echo]
Everyone's talking about you.
"She's special"...
You know, I was special too.
I was like you.
Unhappy, creating my own demons.
You still don't understand why?
I envy you, you know.
That innocence,
I miss it.
The ignorant are blessed.
[thunder rumbling]
Let me take a closer look at you.
-I thought I'd lost it forever.
-Is this yours?
A long time ago, yes.
You have beautiful eyes.
You're still connected to your body.
That must feel nice.
What's your name?
You can call me Abby.
Abby,
can you help me wake up?
I just want to go home.
But you are home.
-[wind blowing]
-[creaking]
-[whispering] Can you hear that?
-What?
[in English] He's coming.
Who?
The nasty one.
Who's that?
[in French] I'm sorry, Alice.
No, Abby,
I can't stay alone.
[scary music]
[muffled scream]
[music fades out]
[soft music]
[sighing]
[tongue clicking]
[Dark Alice] I'm disappointed.
Very disappointed.
Friend...
[dramatic music]
[music stops]
[thunder rumbling]
[anxious music]
[distorted voice] Come, my little Bunny.
Surrender.
It's the only way.
Ulysse is dead now.
Why continue?
[Alice, in English] Ulysse was
the best thing that ever happened to me.
[distorted voice] Surrender.
[Alice, crying] But life...
Life decided to take him away from me.
[distorted voice] Me,
I'll never leave you.
[Alice] Since that day,
I'm just surrounded by darkness!
[opera song]
[Thomas] Alice, welcome back.
-You okay?
-Is this real?
[laughing] Yeah, it's real.
You're back.
So tell me, how did it go?
-It's incredible, huh?
-Incredible?
I just had the most terrifying experience
of my life!
What?
What happened?
What happened?
What happened
is that I was trapped for months
with a fucked-up version of myself
as a tormentor.
-Months?
-It was horrible, Thomas.
I conducted experiences like this
on hundreds of people.
No one has ever come back
reporting a negative experience before.
Negative?
It wasn't negative.
It was hell.
You! You promised me
the most beautiful experience of my life.
That everything would be okay.
Do you really think
I needed this in my life?
-[crying] Why did you do this to me?
-Calm down.
You're here. You're safe.
-Why?
-Calm down.
It was so fucked up.
I don't understand
what could have happened.
I need you to stay calm
and explain it to me.
Tell me what happened.
I don't even understand it myself.
At first...
I felt beautiful things.
But then,
the clouds turned black
and it was...
-Ah, shit!
-No!
-It's just the power.
-No, no, no!
I can't stay in the dark. I can't.
It's just the power.
Here, take the flashlight.
Here you go.
Stay calm.
I will have to reset the electrics, okay?
Oh my God.
-I can't stay alone. You can't leave me.
-Shh...
I'll be right next door.
It's going to take me two minutes, okay?
-Promise?
-Yes, yes. Trust me.
Trust me. Relax.
[door closes]
[opera song continues]
Thomas!
Shit!
No!
[crying] Please...
[heavy breathing]
[in French] No!
No!
It's not possible.
No!
No! Oh no...
No!
-[scary music]
-[crying] No!
No!
[Dark Alice, in English] Hope...
Hope...
So delightful.
I truly believe
this is my favorite emotion,
my favorite fruit.
[Alice cries]
[music stops]
[Alice cries]
[intriguing music]
[chains clanging]
[mechanic machinery whirring]
[grandiose music]
[birds singing]
[music fades out]
[wind blowing]
-[thunder rumbling]
-[rain pouring]
-[Dark Alice, in English] So here we are?
-[in English] Yes.
Now you know everything?
I know enough.
[in French] There's no need
to speak in English anymore.
No need to use Mom anymore.
[in French] You think you're brave,
but you've always been weak.
Who do you think you are without me?
The little girl
who lost the love of her life?
[chains clanging]
You still want to create
the final act, Alice?
But let me remind you,
this theater,
this prison,
you're the one who built it.
Are you done?
You really want to forget me?
Then forget me.
But let me remind you...
There can be no light without darkness.
[thunder rumbling]
You'll never truly erase me.
Any last words?
Do you realize they're never going
to let you out of here?
Well,
that's for me to decide.
[in English] Goodbye...
[distorted voice] Bunny.
[in English] Goodbye,
old friend.
[intriguing music]
[soft music]
[beeping]
[water running]
[mysterious music]
[inaudible]
[clock striking]
[inaudible]
[birds singing]
[music continues]
[beeping]
[in French] Just a feeling.
But yeah.
Yeah, I'm okay.
[whispering, in English]
There are some birds singing.
[birds singing]
[intriguing music]
[unintelligible distorted voices]
[Thomas] Alice, whatever happens,
you're safe.
[snickers]
[metal music]
[anxious music]
[soft music]
[dramatic music]
[scary music]
[thumping]
Jonathan Dailler and Cline Ripolles