Our Girls (2025) Movie Script
Don't look at mommy.
That looks so tasty.
Can you bake another sand cookie?
Hello.
- Is it okay if my daughter joins in?
- Of course.
- What's your name?
- Madelon.
- Can Madelon play with you, Elise?
- No.
Of course she can. Don't be silly.
Go ahead, Madelon.
Go on, sweetie.
We've seen each other before, haven't we?
- Last year. At the swimming pool.
- At the swimming pool.
- Where are you staying?
- In Jochberg. An apartment. You?
Nearby. The Post Hotel.
In the direction of... what's it called?
Where that house is up for sale?
- That house up on that mountain.
- The modern one.
That's all by itself.
- Yes, on that mountain road.
- Incredible, right?
Too bad about the price.
- Far too high.
- For sure.
But I did make an appointment
to check the place out.
You're kidding. Seriously?
- That's great.
- Just for the fun of it.
- Can I take a few pics of the kids?
- Of course.
- Would you like to come along tomorrow?
- To see the house?
No harm in looking, right?
Look at mommy.
Don't look so sad, sweetie.
Oh Madelon is baking such a tasty cookie.
Elise, look at Madelon.
Yummy, Madelon, that looks...
Danny.
Danny, are you coming? Breakfast is ready.
Good morning, my darlings.
Did you and Danny stay up late?
Did you have fun?
I've missed this so much, Erik.
The way we set the table
and then you straighten the cutlery.
So sweet.
I mean it.
You hear that?
She missed you.
Madelon, sit up straight. Phone away.
Well, enjoy your meal, everyone.
Bon apptit.
Danny, hurry up now.
Flashy outfit.
Fancy glasses, too.
Nice, isn't it?
- New?
- Carbon. Full Suspension.
Light as a feather.
Electric?
Electric is the beginning
of the end, Danny.
- So, where's everyone?
- At the lake.
The girls wanted to take a ride
on Ralphie's quad.
Who's that?
Little Ralphie, the one from the kayaks.
We're back again, girls.
Are you really going to follow us?
That's unnecessary and embarrassing.
- Honey, we just want to see that moped.
- It's not a moped.
I'm going to kiss him big time.
- Yeah, right.
- I really will.
Ralph.
Elise. Madelon.
Wow.
Cool.
- Well?
- Very cool.
Is that "little Ralphie"?
- We speak English, right?
- Yes, bitte.
Gosh.
Yes?
Do you remember
where we bought that fishing rod?
Somewhere at the lake on the way to...
What's it called, Altenwiese, right?
That fishing rod.
- Hello?
- Danny, what do you want?
Well, I wanted to buy
a new rod for Madelon.
Then we can go fishing together.
To connect with her a bit.
Fishing? With Madelon? Seriously?
Yeah, she loves it.
She joined you once in ten years.
Once. And she was six.
Yes, and she loved it then.
Danny, I'll call you later, okay?
- Bye, mom.
- Bye, girls.
- Does he even have a license?
- Probably.
What about helmets?
They won't be on the main road.
The boy seems alright.
- I don't know about this.
- Let them live a little.
We're on vacation.
- And they won't join us again anyway.
- What do you mean?
Next year they'll want to go camping
in Zeeland, and we'll have lost them.
Nonsense. Madelon isn't ready for that.
No? You just watch.
Come, Anouk.
Let's have a glass at a caf.
Catch up with a drink.
- It's ten thirty in the morning.
- So? You missed that, right?
- Hello.
- Good day.
Hi dad.
Come.
Cool, man.
What are you doing?
Jesus, Madelon, what the fuck?
Mr. and Mrs. Reekers and Van Eeden
from the Netherlands,
the parents of Elise and...
Madelon?
Do you speak German? English?
- German.
- German, good.
First Elise.
She has several bruises,
a few broken ribs.
She briefly lost consciousness
when she fell.
We'll observe her for a night.
But that's nothing for you to worry about.
Unfortunately, with Madelon we found
that she has a severe skull fracture.
An operation relieved
the pressure on the skull, but
- the first research results show that...
- No, that's not right.
- Sorry?
- That's not Madelon, but Elise, right?
Well, of course you are right. Elise.
I'm very sorry.
So, Elise.
The first tests have shown
that her brain was without oxygen
for an indefinite time.
That could have several causes,
and depending on the gravity of it,
we need to wait a few days
before we can form an image, but
it doesn't look good.
Will she die?
She's in a coma.
But you can visit her.
My assistant will show you
where the ICU is.
Please.
Please.
- And Madelon?
- Please, come with me.
We've given her morphine,
but you can talk to her.
The second door on the left.
What is this?
- Erik.
- Be careful.
- This isn't right.
- Don't.
This isn't right. Too tight.
- Careful. Don't.
- Way too tight.
- Do something. It's far too tight.
- Leave it.
Hey.
How is it going here? Pain?
Tired.
Just a question about Elise, Madelon.
Did Elise do anything weird,
reckless or foolish?
I mean, we all know what she's
like sometimes. And who she got it from.
So Madelon, if anything happened,
you can just tell me.
Did Elise do something?
No.
Really?
I don't remember.
Madelon momentarily lost consciousness
after the accident.
You really don't know?
It was an accident, Gwen.
How's Elise?
Fine.
Yeah, she'll be fine.
- Tell me, did Elise pull some stunt?
- I told you, I don't know.
Hey Gwen?
Oh, dear sweetie.
Give me a minute.
Yeah, okay.
Two minutes, Danny.
The police were here.
Do they know what happened?
They want us to come by tomorrow.
Have some sleep.
That's wise.
Listen, when we pick up Madelon tomorrow,
we're going straight home.
Home? We just got here.
Madelon needs to get out of here.
So do we.
- Why?
- Because Elise is there, and Madelon here.
Elise is in a coma,
Madelon doesn't have a scratch.
That's way too uneven.
It's going to cause tension.
This will spiral out of control.
Jesus, Danny. They're our friends.
- Yes, and I'd like to keep it that way.
- Gwen needs me. Erik needs you.
- We need to be there for them now.
- Not at all.
They need peace.
We should leave them alone.
You don't want to leave them alone.
You want to run away. But that's
not going to happen. We're staying.
We're staying.
I have a bad feeling about this.
Danny. We're paying.
We're all together.
Fried fish.
Fried schnitzel.
Fried chicken.
Fried broccoli.
I hardly dare say it, but...
I can really recommend this. Delicious.
If you guys relieve us tomorrow,
we can have a decent breakfast at home.
- I'm going for a smoke.
- No.
- Seriously?
- Yeah, good idea.
We talked about this, right?
I'm going to check upstairs.
Anouk says you want to leave.
What?
No, of course not.
We just don't want to be in your way,
that's all.
Did you think I wanted to leave?
I don't want to leave.
Not at all.
What's wrong?
Your daughter's bandages need replacement.
Don't worry, it's routine.
She's getting new bandages.
We should probably wait here.
This is guestroom one.
Wow.
And next to it is number two. Go ahead.
Oh, you can't open the window.
Because of the air conditioning.
Of course.
Some fresh air in a hospital.
Imagine that.
- I'm staying with Elise.
- No, that's not allowed.
What do I care?
That's not possible, Gwen.
You can't sleep there.
- I won't let you out of my sight.
- Anouk.
I am sleeping with Elise.
"Coma. The facts lined up..."
That doctor, Maier, happens to be
highly regarded here.
- "...17 to 18 percent never wake up."
- Sixty-five percent wakes up, and...
"Eighteen percent die."
Sixty-five percent. Not only do they
wake up, they also recover.
These are probably old statistics.
Nowadays it's likely more.
"Maier. Felber Klinikum".
- "Professor Doctor Neurosurgeon."
- Yeah, you should read that.
Apparently our dear friend
is quite a brilliant brain surgeon.
But not mixing up our daughters' names
turned out to be
too big of a challenge for him.
"Oh, I'm very sorry."
Okay, he's an asshole,
but he happens to be a top specialist.
You're likely better off here
than in the Netherlands.
The Professor Doctor is very sorry.
Here. This will make you feel better.
Do you know what the best day
of my life was?
The day Gwen turned out
to be pregnant with Elise.
Not just because I was going to be a dad,
but because I knew she'd stay with me.
And she did.
Even though everyone said
she wasn't meant for me.
"Forget it, boy.
She's way out of your league."
"You can't have her."
She stayed with me.
Not with him, or him.
Or him over there.
And not with you, Danny.
With me.
Mrs. Van Eeden, I wanted to let you know
that my colleague will take over.
My daughter feels so cold to the touch.
That's quite normal.
To prevent further tissue damage
and stimulate the recovery,
we keep the body temperature low.
The doctor can explain that better,
but
these 35,5 degrees is just right.
- Do you have a guestroom yet?
- Yes.
Then you can go to sleep at ease.
When the cat's away...
When Anouk is away.
Gwen allows us to piss
wherever we want as much as we want.
Anouk...
The way she looks at me.
The way you both look at me.
You're laughing.
You're laughing at me.
No, we're not laughing at you.
You're really funny sometimes.
You think I don't know
how you whisper behind my back?
You think I'm ridiculous.
With my neat manners, my ironed shirts.
My big flashy car.
And with my funny little accent.
And my way too beautiful wife.
Right? Or not?
Calm down.
Calm down.
Keep laughing, Danny.
I am proud.
Proud of who I am.
Of what I do and what I have.
Amen.
Goodbye, and good riddance.
Sleep well.
So ten years ago your wives met
at the Hintersee playground,
and that same holiday you decided
to buy a house together.
Correct.
That's quite unusual.
I mean, you
didn't really know each other.
But that's not a crime, right?
Ever since, you've been going away
together in summer and winter?
Just one week a year.
It's become a tradition.
The house isn't big,
so we always take turns,
but once a year...
You have some quality time together
in this beautiful area.
And in the meantime
you have become good friends.
That's none
of his damn business, Erik.
Pardon?
Yes, we're good friends.
What's your occupation?
I work in the insurance sector.
- Insurance?
- Yes.
And you?
I work in... how shall I put it
offshore business.
Oil rigs and such?
And such, yes.
I don't know about you, Erik,
but I need a break.
Apologies, I...
Anyway.
About the results of our investigation
into the tragic accident
of your daughter Elise.
Of course I feel for you.
Yes. So about this Ralph...
Our Ralph, yes.
Ralph Schfer, 16 years old.
Father is a respected councilor,
mother is a teacher.
Ralph goes to grammar school
and is an exemplary student.
All-in-all I'd say he's a very decent boy.
But he's guilty.
Sorry?
He's responsible for the accident.
What do you mean?
What do...
- He drove way too fast.
- There are no grounds for this assumption.
- He's going to get away with it.
- What?
That boy. As if he had no part in this.
"It's a tragic accident, Mr. Van Eeden."
But this is no accident.
Something happened, Danny.
Accident?
My ass.
Mr. and Mrs. Reekers. I fear
that Madelon has to stay a bit longer.
- We thought she could go home today.
- I understand.
But the pressure on her chest is too high.
- Why?
- Because of the broken ribs, but
we can take care of her at home.
It's probably nothing serious,
but we don't want to take any risks.
No, no.
- We don't want that either, Danny.
- No. Well, congratulations, Madelon.
Pardon me?
Tomorrow is my birthday.
Oh, right.
I'm sure you'll get better news
tomorrow, then.
- Madelon has to stay another night.
- Why?
They want to check
the pressure on her chest.
Madelon came to see Elise last night.
I feel like she's hiding something.
Listen, Gwen. If Madelon says
Elise didn't do anything, that's true.
Madelon is protecting Elise.
- Madelon doesn't lie.
- She wants to protect Elise.
Gwen, Madelon doesn't lie.
"Madelon doesn't lie."
"Madelon doesn't lie, Gwen."
"Elise lies sometimes.
But Madelon never lies."
Apologies. I texted Danny
that we're taking an hour off.
But I don't want to.
Sweetheart. Erik is with Elise.
Danny is with Madelon and we need a break
or we're going to lose it.
Mom said you're not
reading her books anymore.
Neither do you.
- Not a bad picture, though.
- Gwen took it.
The series is being translated
into Spanish.
- Oh? Into French, I thought.
- Yes, and now into Spanish as well.
If this keeps up, she can buy out
Gwen and Erik,
and then the house will be all ours.
Say...
Do you remember that time we went fishing?
Just you and me?
- Fishing?
- Yes. We went fishing once.
Me? Fishing?
We went fishing once, right?
I don't think so.
- Do you want us to go fishing?
- What?
Do you want us to go fishing?
It's fine with me.
How are things here?
She's still a bit tired and breathless,
but okay.
I heard that some test results
came in about Elise. I thought
perhaps you could come along?
Mr. Van Eeden, Mr. Reekers,
please sit down.
- It's the other way around.
- Sorry?
The reverse: Mr. Van Eeden, Mr. Reekers.
What goes around,
comes around, Danny.
Mr. Van Eeden just attempted a joke.
Right.
Mr. Van Eeden, about your daughter...
You saw that we did some tests
this morning.
The most important finding
is that some brain activity
can be detected, but...
Brain activity?
That's good, right?
But it's very little.
The chance of permanent brain damage
is unfortunately very high.
As soon as the swelling
in her head diminishes,
we'll repeat the tests
in the next few days
to be better able to determine...
Whether this brain activity is improving.
Because it can still improve.
Right?
In theory, yes.
- But it's highly unlikely.
- But the possibility exists. Right?
Yes.
That is good news.
That's really good news, Danny.
Brain activity.
Thank you very much, Doctor Maier.
We'll talk again next time.
HARDLY ANY BRAIN ACTIVITY,
LITTLE HOPE FOR IMPROVEMEN"Great news: Brain activity Elise.
May improve in the coming days."
See, didn't I tell you?
I told you so.
- "Brain activity."
- That means Elise isn't giving up.
Elise wants to live and get better.
Mr. Van Eeden.
It's better not to use your phone in here.
Indeed.
I've always known something terrible
would happen to me.
Until Erik, of all people,
got me pregnant with Elise
in one drunken, hopeless one-night stand.
Then I realized I had to stay with him.
Because with him nothing bad would happen.
Erik, the insurance guy.
- You went for the safety.
- And for the sex.
You think Erik is too autistic for that.
On the contrary. Men with autistic traits
find it very important
to do everything very precisely.
Very thoroughly and exactly right.
Gosh.
Hello.
Mr. Reekers.
Am I interrupting?
I was just going to leave.
But I wanted to say that I'm very sorry
about what happened to Madelon.
And also to Elise, of course.
I'm honestly very sorry.
Please tell Mr. Van Eeden that.
Mr. Van Eeden visited you this morning.
I wasn't there.
I know that.
I'll be going, then.
- Bye.
- Bye.
Oh, shit.
Stop running.
Cut it out. Stop it.
Cut it out. Stop it.
Calm down. Hey.
Erik just had an intense conversation
with Ralphie.
- No way.
- Yeah, I didn't know he had it in him.
Erik has unexpected skills, Danny.
Oh, you poor thing.
What happened?
Do be careful with him now, Danny.
Look what I've got, sweetie.
We're going to brighten things up
for you for tomorrow.
Hi, how are you?
- Tired.
- Still?
What's this?
The doctor put them on.
- When?
- This afternoon.
- It's for my heart.
- Your heart? Why?
- Does Dad know about this?
- I don't know. He was away for a bit.
Perhaps you should call Danny.
Meanwhile, I already have something
for your birthday.
Patches.
Patches on her chest with wires.
They're connected to some device.
I don't know...
Sometime this afternoon.
You were with Erik, damn it.
I don't know, Danny. There's no one here.
This doesn't feel right at all.
Look.
In the original colors.
Really cool.
This is how you close it.
It's from me, Erik and Elise.
And it was her idea.
How is she?
Not good.
Is she going to die?
I don't know.
What happened, Madelon?
Just tell me.
I won't get angry. You can just tell me.
Madelon?
- Madelon?
- Madelon.
Patches attached?
Step away from the patient.
Mr. and Mrs. Reekers?
Please.
Is she sleeping?
We put her to sleep to relieve her heart.
Her heart? Why?
The cardiac arrest from just now
is related
to earlier heart damage
sustained in the accident
that we failed to notice before.
When she fell off the quad,
your daughter didn't just break her ribs.
Her heart was also damaged.
So that requires an operation.
That's not possible.
Your daughter needs a new heart.
What?
Your daughter needs a new heart.
I suggest we go to the room next door
so I can explain this.
Okay, A-flat. Yes.
Isn't it beautiful, Daddy?
- Where are they?
- In their bedroom.
Did they eat anything?
What are we going to do now?
Have another drink, I guess?
With Anouk and Danny.
We'll support them.
Just like they support us.
We'll try and support each other.
What else can we do?
Don't you see where this is going?
Where what is going?
Madelon needs a donor heart.
Yes, I know.
Not just any donor heart. A child's heart.
From someone her own size,
or it won't fit.
I hear you, but...
Madelon and Elise have
the same blood type.
So what do you think
is going to happen now?
My parents called. They're in Germany.
- They want to come by tomorrow night.
- Jesus Christ.
I don't want them here.
Tell them it's inconvenient.
I said it wasn't necessary,
but they insisted.
I don't want them here.
The situation with our Elise
has nothing to do with Madelon's.
Absolutely nothing.
Danny.
Say something.
Why did you stop speaking?
- We can't ask them that.
- I know that.
I don't want to ask them at all. Jesus.
I'm just saying:
What if there's no other way?
- Then what?
- It's not necessary.
There's lots of time.
Madelon is at the top
of the waiting list. Right?
She's not at the top of the list
because there's lots of time.
- I know we can't wait forever, but...
- The average wait is almost a year.
Madelon needs a new heart
very soon, or she'll die.
- So if it's the only solution, then...
- It's not the only solution.
Listen.
I will do anything to
save Madelon, anything.
But we have to keep our wits about us.
Can we agree on that?
Can we please agree on that?
Danny. I want you to talk to Erik.
How do you picture that?
Just talk.
Calmly.
- Calmly.
- Yes.
Calmly and gently.
Not too pushy.
And definitely not too specific.
Not too specific.
So not like: "Erik, isn't it
about time you pull the plug?"
Do you even care
about what's happening here?
You don't have to ask him anything.
Not a single thing.
I just want to know where he stands.
That's all.
Hey, man.
May I?
I started to wonder when you'd show up.
What?
You want something, right?
I have something you really want.
In fact, you'd kill for it.
Voil.
I brought it especially for you.
The very last chocolate dessert.
We're facing strange times, Danny.
I was just discussing it with Gwen.
We might have to start
all over with Elise.
She might have to learn everything again.
Step by step, just like a newborn baby.
And that will be hard.
But also very
very beautiful.
We see it as a new beginning.
A beautiful gift
that we welcome with open arms.
Found anything?
No.
No. I thought I had a lead.
There are artificial hearts,
but not for children.
- It's quite tricky and experimental.
- Don't give up, Danny.
Those who seek shall find.
Doctor Frei?
- Can I speak with you?
- Yes.
WE HAVE TO TALK
Gwen.
Erik.
Madelon needs your help.
And I want to make
one thing clear upfront.
We're not going to ask you
to give up Elise.
We're going to ask you to save Madelon.
That amounts
to the same thing, doesn't it?
No, it's quite different.
Madelon can still be saved.
And Elise is still alive.
She could still wake up.
That chance is realistic.
- I don't have an opinion about that, Erik.
- No?
No.
"Little brain activity
with little hope for improvement."
Not my opinion.
It's the diagnosis from Doctor Maier.
Danny was there.
Sorry, Gwen.
According to Madelon's cardiologist
the chance of a successful transplant
is larger than 65 percent.
Sixty-five percent for Madelon
versus almost no chance
of improvement for Elise.
Those aren't my words.
Those aren't Danny's words.
Those are the facts.
Anouk.
Danny.
We're extremely sorry
about what's happened to Madelon.
Extremely sorry. Both of us.
But we can't solve this for you.
Yes, you can.
You can do that better than anyone else.
- And I understand how hard it is...
- Anouk.
- Don't be naive, Erik. These are facts...
- Anouk.
Yes, Danny?
I think Erik made it clear how he feels.
I'm sorry.
Great. End of meeting.
Erik? Let's go.
I'm very sorry. Truly.
Gwen.
Gwen.
What would Elise want?
If Elise knew she could save Madelon?
What would she want?
What would Elise want?
Elise wants to live.
Her brain activity indicates
she wants to live and get better.
- Well, I wonder if that's really true...
- Those are your words, Anouk.
"Elise wants to live and get better."
You said so yesterday.
To give you courage.
Against better judgement.
What else could I say?
Your words.
Okay.
So I said that, yes.
And who said
they didn't need to wear helmets?
You said that.
But did I mention that?
Did you hear me say
you saw no need for them to wear helmets?
Did any of you hear me say
she said they didn't need to wear helmets?
I thought the quad ride was a bad idea
from the get-go,
so let's not start blaming each other
for who said what.
Erik? Listen.
I understand all too well
that I'm asking the impossible.
Elise means everything to you and more.
And I...
And we love her just as much.
We love her dearly...
No, no. That's not true.
You don't love Elise at all. From day one.
From day one, you thought
Elise was a selfish, spoiled brat.
- That has never changed.
- Why'd you say that?
"A shitty brat. A spoiled shitty brat".
You said that countless times here.
"Oh, it's so nice here. So pleasant.
Too bad about that shitty brat."
Where is this coming from?
I don't understand this at all.
I've never said that. Not ever.
The walls are thin in there, Anouk.
Very thin.
Gwen. If I've hurt you, I'm sorry.
But that's not what this is about.
What this is about, is that you and I are
in a difficult situation...
Where you wouldn't mind too much
if my shitty brat died.
Okay. Cut it out now.
Are we done here?
Gwen, are we done?
Yes.
Anouk. Are we done?
Yes.
We're done.
We'll leave it at that.
That's that, then.
We do nothing.
Then Madelon will die.
And then Elise will die.
And that will be that.
Is that what we want?
Is that what we want?
- We're not giving up on Elise, Anouk.
- Of course not.
Of course you won't give up on her.
That's impossible.
It's much too soon for that.
Much too soon.
But there's no time. There's no time.
And I don't want to ask,
but I have to ask. Gwen.
If the roles were reversed...
If it were the other way around,
what would you do in my place?
The question isn't
what I would do in your place,
but what you would do in my place.
What would you do if I asked you
to give up your child? To give up Madelon?
Then I would do it.
Oh, yeah?
- Yes. I would do that.
- I'm not so sure about that.
We would, of course, have a painful,
open conversation about it.
- But then I would do it, yes.
- And I wouldn't.
Okay, Danny, maybe you wouldn't.
But I would.
It would be the only meaningful way
to salvage anything from this situation.
Erik.
Gwen.
Elise has a chance to live on.
To live on meaningfully
inside of Madelon.
Because if Madelon dies and Elise dies,
then no one gains anything. No one.
So please, take this opportunity
and give this situation some meaning.
That's all I'm asking. Please.
Please, please.
- Please.
- Now listen very carefully.
Erik and Gwen have no intention
of letting their child die for us.
- Very unfortunate, but they won't do it.
- Gwen.
You're my best friend.
Erik.
If you don't want to do it for Danny,
do it for me.
- I'm one of your best friends.
- Stop it.
- Stop it.
- One of your best friends.
Sorry, guys. This was one big mistake.
As big a mistake
as buying this damn house together.
Shit, my parents
will be here in two hours.
Jesus Christ. Not now.
My parents want to see their grandchild.
Take them to the hospital,
then a restaurant and then a hotel.
They're not coming here.
They paid for half the house,
for God's sake.
I don't give a damn.
They are not coming here.
Okay, okay.
Time-out.
Time-out.
Let's say no more.
Not me. Not you. Not anybody. Time-out.
I've just reserved our annual table
at Gasthof Alte Wacht...
- God almighty.
- because at Gasthof Alte Wacht
we celebrate Madelon's birthday
every year.
Plus the fact that Gwen and I
first met each other at the mountain lake.
And the rest is history.
And tomorrow night we'll eat there,
just like every year
- to see what our friendship is worth...
- Seems pretty clear now.
Until tomorrow night
we keep our mouths shut
and our thoughts to ourselves.
All of us, all day.
And then we tell each other one more time,
respectfully and calmly, where we stand.
What nonsense.
- I know where I stand. That won't change.
- Fine, Erik.
If you still feel that way tomorrow,
then you tell us and we'll respect that.
Gwen, the same goes for you.
But in the meantime
we'll leave each other alone.
Danny, I'll be staying
at the hospital tonight.
Do whatever you please.
Sorry, but Gwen has a migraine attack.
Very annoying.
I'll go with you to the hospital now.
Damn.
Let me see.
It's nothing.
Come.
Good morning, Mr. Reekers.
- Is your wife not with you?
- I thought she was here already.
Please go in.
Mr. and Mrs. Van Eeden,
we examined your daughter several times
and a relatively consistent picture
is taking shape.
It's true that Elise breathes,
but her pupils do not respond to light.
When we move her head,
the eyes don't move along.
There's also no corneal reflex.
That means that her eyes don't close
when we touch her cornea
with a cotton swab.
What does that mean?
We will continue the therapy for a while,
even though the treatment seems futile.
All that remains
for the next days is hope.
Even though it's not realistic.
And how big is
the possibility that she
awakens from the coma
and that her brain function...
- Will somehow return?
- Yes?
The chance of her waking up is very slim.
And besides that,
I'm about 99,9 percent certain
that Elise's brain has sustained
irreparable damage.
No, no. One moment, please.
One moment.
One moment.
Take a look at this.
A wonderful picture.
Of our daughter.
- A pretty girl.
- Exactly.
I want him to know
that it's not a thing, but our Elise.
Not some object.
So, Doctor Maier
have a good look at this.
What do you see here? What do you see?
Mr. Van Eeden, I understand
your grief completely.
But we have to face the facts.
- I need you.
- What?
Come.
- Is it there?
- Up there.
Are you coming?
To do what?
To see if there's a way
to persuade Erik and Gwen
to save our daughter's life.
That's not up to us, Anouk, but to them.
Is that why you haven't lifted
a finger for Madelon?
Because it's not up to us?
Weakling.
- I'm doing my best.
- You've done nothing.
- I do what I can.
- You're going to do nothing.
- I'm doing it my way...
- Because you fucked her.
Pardon?
You're doing nothing
because you slept with Gwen.
When was this? Six, seven years ago?
She had a burnout.
You remodeled the kitchen.
You slept with her then, right?
Gosh, I always had my doubts.
But now I'm sure.
Not that it matters to me.
I have other worries now.
Whatever happened between me and Gwen
years ago...
Doesn't interest me.
That has nothing to do with this.
- Was it just once, or the whole week?
- I thought you weren't interested.
I'm not.
What interests me, is that your Gwen
still thinks Elise caused this accident.
"My Gwen"?
Elise did something here.
Something stupid or dangerous.
Gwen knows that.
She doesn't know what, exactly,
- but when she does know...
- Then what?
Then she'll give up on Elise.
- What? Out of guilt?
- Yes, out of guilt.
And because she knows, as of this morning,
that there's a zero percent chance
that Elise's condition will improve
even the slightest bit.
Well, then it's a pity
Elise didn't do anything.
- You don't know that.
- I do.
No, you don't. Nobody knows
what happened here...
So you are going to make that up now?
Is that it?
Do you have a better idea?
- Do you have a better idea?
- You can't...
I saw them.
I saw Elise and Madelon on that quad
when I bought that fishing rod.
I saw them drive by.
Just before the accident.
And if anyone is to blame,
it's not Elise, but Madelon.
That's bullshit.
Our Madelon
sat backwards on the handlebars
of that quad.
Yelling like a headless chicken,
- her legs wide open in front of that boy.
- Bullshit.
Why do you think I wanted to leave?
Why do you think I wanted
to take Madelon back home?
- No idea.
- To protect her.
You don't believe me.
Well, here.
Here.
Here.
Look.
Look.
- Well, are you coming? Or are you staying?
- I'm coming.
Well, let's go.
Jesus, Madelon. What the fuck?
I'm sorry.
Maybe I should never have brought it up.
What?
What I saw.
On the contrary.
On the contrary.
That's the solution, Danny.
And now everything will be fine,
as always. Thanks to you.
If you hadn't bought that rod,
you wouldn't have seen Elise
sitting on the front.
- It was Madelon.
- Elise, Danny.
Elise was on the front.
And you'll tell them that.
That's how you'll save
your daughter's life.
Darlings, we really appreciate
you being here.
Please sit down.
Mr. and Mrs. Reekers and Van Eeden.
We're happy to see you again.
- What would you like to drink?
- A white wine, please. Veltliner.
- A bottle, no matter which one.
- I'll get the wine list.
No, you won't. You will bring us a bottle.
Of course.
Well.
And shall I wait with the menu
until the children are here?
Fine.
Well.
Here we are.
A lot has been said already,
and I think no one wants
to repeat that here.
Hear, hear.
But some things have remained unsaid.
- A few very important things.
- Such as?
On the morning of the accident
Danny saw something.
Something important
that he wants to tell you.
But first,
I want to confess something myself.
That you were eavesdropping on us
this morning?
- Desperate times, desperate measures.
- Right.
Are we going to get anything
to drink, or what?
Don't, honey.
Continue.
I want to say something
on behalf of Madelon.
Danny and I barely managed
to get Madelon to come this year.
Just like last year
and the year before that.
And the reason she no longer
wanted to come here
is Elise.
Elise, who always gets all the attention.
Who's always the forerunner.
Who always comes first.
Always.
From day one until now.
It was always Elise first,
and then Madelon.
So?
So
isn't it high time
that Madelon gets her turn?
Not Elise, but Madelon.
Is this true, Danny?
Or is she making it up?
No, Madelon no longer wanted to come here.
- And I was fine with that.
- But I did force her to join us,
and I wish that I...
But I can't undo that now.
Okay. Is that it?
As far as I'm concerned, yes.
But Danny has something to say.
Danny?
Just tell them, Danny.
What?
That's why Madelon sat
at the front of the quad.
Because she felt it was her turn for once.
I didn't understand at first.
Sitting on that quad like that
is so unlike Madelon.
But now I understand.
Madelon felt it was her turn.
Asshole.
- You told her.
- No.
He didn't.
- What's this about?
- Then how do you know this?
How did you get her phone?
- Shameless.
- Desperate times, desperate measures.
Who saw what on whose phone?
And may I see that, too?
That's no longer possible, Erik.
Gwen, it was an accident. Okay?
An accident.
It's not Madelon's fault.
And it's certainly not
Elise's fault, right?
It's nobody's fault.
But you can save her.
Please.
- You have to save Madelon.
- We can't.
- You can.
- I'm sorry.
Yes, you can.
You have to give up Elise...
Just one more thing, Erik.
Your Gwen slept with my Danny.
Yes, indeed.
Six, seven years ago
when she supposedly had a burnout
and Danny renovated the kitchen.
She fucked him then.
I thought you should know that.
What?
When you had
a burnout
you guys...?
Yes.
And also last night, while you were
in the hospital with your parents.
Damn you, Danny.
Prick.
- Mr. Reekers, shall we call a taxi?
- No, thank you.
Can I offer anyone a drink?
We're not going to make it, Erik.
I've lost you, haven't I?
You never had me.
And we can't do this.
We can't take her in.
Not as she is now. I can't do it. And I...
I'm ashamed of that. But...
I can't do it.
And I think you can't do it, either.
I just wanted to say I'm sorry.
No, I am the one that's sorry, Erik.
I'm sorry.
I said horrible things
and behaved terribly.
I'm sorry.
Maybe I would have done the same
in your place.
I don't think so.
Neither do I, to be honest.
It's weird. We've been coming here
for ten years,
but I don't think
we've ever sat down for a chat.
- True.
- Is that on me?
You're a man's man, Erik.
- A man's man?
- Yeah.
- I barely talk to Danny, either.
- That's right.
- Danny is a real...
- Ladies' man.
So I found out, yes.
We're giving up Elise.
I wish I could say it's for you
and for Madelon.
To save her. But that's not true.
We're doing it for ourselves.
Gwen just called the hospital.
We have to be there very early.
Aside from the preparation and anesthesia,
the transplantation
will take six to eight hours.
It may often take longer.
The chest of both the donor
and the receiver
will be opened
with a vertical cut of 18 inches long
and a quarter inch deep.
Then we will decide
whether the chest needs to be
sawed open even more.
After the donor heart is removed,
all the life support will be turned off,
as oxygen will no longer be needed.
The chest will be sewed up,
and the body will be taken to the morgue.
We'll take good care of her.
I promise you that.
You were of no help to me, Danny.
None at all.
Gwen.
Gwen.
I don't want it.
- I don't want it.
- Gwen.
I don't want it, Danny.
- No. I don't want it. Go away.
- No, no.
I don't want it anymore. I don't want it.
- I don't want it.
- Gwen.
No. I don't want it anymore.
Let go of me. I am her mother.
Let go of me. Danny.
Danny. I don't want it. No.
My little girl.
Let me go to my little girl.
- Danny. No. No.
- Gwen.
You look lovely.
You look different.
It suits you.
A bit more relaxed. A bit less formal.
Not always the same thing,
as you often said.
Things can be different.
And who knows,
maybe I can also be different with you...
Don't, Erik.
Don't.
I just called your lawyer
and told him that I agree
to all of your proposals
and that I don't see any issues.
That's good.
I thought I'd tell you that in person.
I dreamt about Elise last night.
She was much older, but you were the same.
You looked exactly the same.
And she had a boyfriend.
And I hated that.
But you liked him.
And she was happy.
And that's what matters, of course.
That she's happy.
I've had that dream many times now.
I bought a book.
Dad.
My girl. How are you?
I've missed you. You know that?
I've missed you too. A lot.
Is that who I think it is?
I'll see you later, Dad.
That looks so tasty.
Can you bake another sand cookie?
Hello.
- Is it okay if my daughter joins in?
- Of course.
- What's your name?
- Madelon.
- Can Madelon play with you, Elise?
- No.
Of course she can. Don't be silly.
Go ahead, Madelon.
Go on, sweetie.
We've seen each other before, haven't we?
- Last year. At the swimming pool.
- At the swimming pool.
- Where are you staying?
- In Jochberg. An apartment. You?
Nearby. The Post Hotel.
In the direction of... what's it called?
Where that house is up for sale?
- That house up on that mountain.
- The modern one.
That's all by itself.
- Yes, on that mountain road.
- Incredible, right?
Too bad about the price.
- Far too high.
- For sure.
But I did make an appointment
to check the place out.
You're kidding. Seriously?
- That's great.
- Just for the fun of it.
- Can I take a few pics of the kids?
- Of course.
- Would you like to come along tomorrow?
- To see the house?
No harm in looking, right?
Look at mommy.
Don't look so sad, sweetie.
Oh Madelon is baking such a tasty cookie.
Elise, look at Madelon.
Yummy, Madelon, that looks...
Danny.
Danny, are you coming? Breakfast is ready.
Good morning, my darlings.
Did you and Danny stay up late?
Did you have fun?
I've missed this so much, Erik.
The way we set the table
and then you straighten the cutlery.
So sweet.
I mean it.
You hear that?
She missed you.
Madelon, sit up straight. Phone away.
Well, enjoy your meal, everyone.
Bon apptit.
Danny, hurry up now.
Flashy outfit.
Fancy glasses, too.
Nice, isn't it?
- New?
- Carbon. Full Suspension.
Light as a feather.
Electric?
Electric is the beginning
of the end, Danny.
- So, where's everyone?
- At the lake.
The girls wanted to take a ride
on Ralphie's quad.
Who's that?
Little Ralphie, the one from the kayaks.
We're back again, girls.
Are you really going to follow us?
That's unnecessary and embarrassing.
- Honey, we just want to see that moped.
- It's not a moped.
I'm going to kiss him big time.
- Yeah, right.
- I really will.
Ralph.
Elise. Madelon.
Wow.
Cool.
- Well?
- Very cool.
Is that "little Ralphie"?
- We speak English, right?
- Yes, bitte.
Gosh.
Yes?
Do you remember
where we bought that fishing rod?
Somewhere at the lake on the way to...
What's it called, Altenwiese, right?
That fishing rod.
- Hello?
- Danny, what do you want?
Well, I wanted to buy
a new rod for Madelon.
Then we can go fishing together.
To connect with her a bit.
Fishing? With Madelon? Seriously?
Yeah, she loves it.
She joined you once in ten years.
Once. And she was six.
Yes, and she loved it then.
Danny, I'll call you later, okay?
- Bye, mom.
- Bye, girls.
- Does he even have a license?
- Probably.
What about helmets?
They won't be on the main road.
The boy seems alright.
- I don't know about this.
- Let them live a little.
We're on vacation.
- And they won't join us again anyway.
- What do you mean?
Next year they'll want to go camping
in Zeeland, and we'll have lost them.
Nonsense. Madelon isn't ready for that.
No? You just watch.
Come, Anouk.
Let's have a glass at a caf.
Catch up with a drink.
- It's ten thirty in the morning.
- So? You missed that, right?
- Hello.
- Good day.
Hi dad.
Come.
Cool, man.
What are you doing?
Jesus, Madelon, what the fuck?
Mr. and Mrs. Reekers and Van Eeden
from the Netherlands,
the parents of Elise and...
Madelon?
Do you speak German? English?
- German.
- German, good.
First Elise.
She has several bruises,
a few broken ribs.
She briefly lost consciousness
when she fell.
We'll observe her for a night.
But that's nothing for you to worry about.
Unfortunately, with Madelon we found
that she has a severe skull fracture.
An operation relieved
the pressure on the skull, but
- the first research results show that...
- No, that's not right.
- Sorry?
- That's not Madelon, but Elise, right?
Well, of course you are right. Elise.
I'm very sorry.
So, Elise.
The first tests have shown
that her brain was without oxygen
for an indefinite time.
That could have several causes,
and depending on the gravity of it,
we need to wait a few days
before we can form an image, but
it doesn't look good.
Will she die?
She's in a coma.
But you can visit her.
My assistant will show you
where the ICU is.
Please.
Please.
- And Madelon?
- Please, come with me.
We've given her morphine,
but you can talk to her.
The second door on the left.
What is this?
- Erik.
- Be careful.
- This isn't right.
- Don't.
This isn't right. Too tight.
- Careful. Don't.
- Way too tight.
- Do something. It's far too tight.
- Leave it.
Hey.
How is it going here? Pain?
Tired.
Just a question about Elise, Madelon.
Did Elise do anything weird,
reckless or foolish?
I mean, we all know what she's
like sometimes. And who she got it from.
So Madelon, if anything happened,
you can just tell me.
Did Elise do something?
No.
Really?
I don't remember.
Madelon momentarily lost consciousness
after the accident.
You really don't know?
It was an accident, Gwen.
How's Elise?
Fine.
Yeah, she'll be fine.
- Tell me, did Elise pull some stunt?
- I told you, I don't know.
Hey Gwen?
Oh, dear sweetie.
Give me a minute.
Yeah, okay.
Two minutes, Danny.
The police were here.
Do they know what happened?
They want us to come by tomorrow.
Have some sleep.
That's wise.
Listen, when we pick up Madelon tomorrow,
we're going straight home.
Home? We just got here.
Madelon needs to get out of here.
So do we.
- Why?
- Because Elise is there, and Madelon here.
Elise is in a coma,
Madelon doesn't have a scratch.
That's way too uneven.
It's going to cause tension.
This will spiral out of control.
Jesus, Danny. They're our friends.
- Yes, and I'd like to keep it that way.
- Gwen needs me. Erik needs you.
- We need to be there for them now.
- Not at all.
They need peace.
We should leave them alone.
You don't want to leave them alone.
You want to run away. But that's
not going to happen. We're staying.
We're staying.
I have a bad feeling about this.
Danny. We're paying.
We're all together.
Fried fish.
Fried schnitzel.
Fried chicken.
Fried broccoli.
I hardly dare say it, but...
I can really recommend this. Delicious.
If you guys relieve us tomorrow,
we can have a decent breakfast at home.
- I'm going for a smoke.
- No.
- Seriously?
- Yeah, good idea.
We talked about this, right?
I'm going to check upstairs.
Anouk says you want to leave.
What?
No, of course not.
We just don't want to be in your way,
that's all.
Did you think I wanted to leave?
I don't want to leave.
Not at all.
What's wrong?
Your daughter's bandages need replacement.
Don't worry, it's routine.
She's getting new bandages.
We should probably wait here.
This is guestroom one.
Wow.
And next to it is number two. Go ahead.
Oh, you can't open the window.
Because of the air conditioning.
Of course.
Some fresh air in a hospital.
Imagine that.
- I'm staying with Elise.
- No, that's not allowed.
What do I care?
That's not possible, Gwen.
You can't sleep there.
- I won't let you out of my sight.
- Anouk.
I am sleeping with Elise.
"Coma. The facts lined up..."
That doctor, Maier, happens to be
highly regarded here.
- "...17 to 18 percent never wake up."
- Sixty-five percent wakes up, and...
"Eighteen percent die."
Sixty-five percent. Not only do they
wake up, they also recover.
These are probably old statistics.
Nowadays it's likely more.
"Maier. Felber Klinikum".
- "Professor Doctor Neurosurgeon."
- Yeah, you should read that.
Apparently our dear friend
is quite a brilliant brain surgeon.
But not mixing up our daughters' names
turned out to be
too big of a challenge for him.
"Oh, I'm very sorry."
Okay, he's an asshole,
but he happens to be a top specialist.
You're likely better off here
than in the Netherlands.
The Professor Doctor is very sorry.
Here. This will make you feel better.
Do you know what the best day
of my life was?
The day Gwen turned out
to be pregnant with Elise.
Not just because I was going to be a dad,
but because I knew she'd stay with me.
And she did.
Even though everyone said
she wasn't meant for me.
"Forget it, boy.
She's way out of your league."
"You can't have her."
She stayed with me.
Not with him, or him.
Or him over there.
And not with you, Danny.
With me.
Mrs. Van Eeden, I wanted to let you know
that my colleague will take over.
My daughter feels so cold to the touch.
That's quite normal.
To prevent further tissue damage
and stimulate the recovery,
we keep the body temperature low.
The doctor can explain that better,
but
these 35,5 degrees is just right.
- Do you have a guestroom yet?
- Yes.
Then you can go to sleep at ease.
When the cat's away...
When Anouk is away.
Gwen allows us to piss
wherever we want as much as we want.
Anouk...
The way she looks at me.
The way you both look at me.
You're laughing.
You're laughing at me.
No, we're not laughing at you.
You're really funny sometimes.
You think I don't know
how you whisper behind my back?
You think I'm ridiculous.
With my neat manners, my ironed shirts.
My big flashy car.
And with my funny little accent.
And my way too beautiful wife.
Right? Or not?
Calm down.
Calm down.
Keep laughing, Danny.
I am proud.
Proud of who I am.
Of what I do and what I have.
Amen.
Goodbye, and good riddance.
Sleep well.
So ten years ago your wives met
at the Hintersee playground,
and that same holiday you decided
to buy a house together.
Correct.
That's quite unusual.
I mean, you
didn't really know each other.
But that's not a crime, right?
Ever since, you've been going away
together in summer and winter?
Just one week a year.
It's become a tradition.
The house isn't big,
so we always take turns,
but once a year...
You have some quality time together
in this beautiful area.
And in the meantime
you have become good friends.
That's none
of his damn business, Erik.
Pardon?
Yes, we're good friends.
What's your occupation?
I work in the insurance sector.
- Insurance?
- Yes.
And you?
I work in... how shall I put it
offshore business.
Oil rigs and such?
And such, yes.
I don't know about you, Erik,
but I need a break.
Apologies, I...
Anyway.
About the results of our investigation
into the tragic accident
of your daughter Elise.
Of course I feel for you.
Yes. So about this Ralph...
Our Ralph, yes.
Ralph Schfer, 16 years old.
Father is a respected councilor,
mother is a teacher.
Ralph goes to grammar school
and is an exemplary student.
All-in-all I'd say he's a very decent boy.
But he's guilty.
Sorry?
He's responsible for the accident.
What do you mean?
What do...
- He drove way too fast.
- There are no grounds for this assumption.
- He's going to get away with it.
- What?
That boy. As if he had no part in this.
"It's a tragic accident, Mr. Van Eeden."
But this is no accident.
Something happened, Danny.
Accident?
My ass.
Mr. and Mrs. Reekers. I fear
that Madelon has to stay a bit longer.
- We thought she could go home today.
- I understand.
But the pressure on her chest is too high.
- Why?
- Because of the broken ribs, but
we can take care of her at home.
It's probably nothing serious,
but we don't want to take any risks.
No, no.
- We don't want that either, Danny.
- No. Well, congratulations, Madelon.
Pardon me?
Tomorrow is my birthday.
Oh, right.
I'm sure you'll get better news
tomorrow, then.
- Madelon has to stay another night.
- Why?
They want to check
the pressure on her chest.
Madelon came to see Elise last night.
I feel like she's hiding something.
Listen, Gwen. If Madelon says
Elise didn't do anything, that's true.
Madelon is protecting Elise.
- Madelon doesn't lie.
- She wants to protect Elise.
Gwen, Madelon doesn't lie.
"Madelon doesn't lie."
"Madelon doesn't lie, Gwen."
"Elise lies sometimes.
But Madelon never lies."
Apologies. I texted Danny
that we're taking an hour off.
But I don't want to.
Sweetheart. Erik is with Elise.
Danny is with Madelon and we need a break
or we're going to lose it.
Mom said you're not
reading her books anymore.
Neither do you.
- Not a bad picture, though.
- Gwen took it.
The series is being translated
into Spanish.
- Oh? Into French, I thought.
- Yes, and now into Spanish as well.
If this keeps up, she can buy out
Gwen and Erik,
and then the house will be all ours.
Say...
Do you remember that time we went fishing?
Just you and me?
- Fishing?
- Yes. We went fishing once.
Me? Fishing?
We went fishing once, right?
I don't think so.
- Do you want us to go fishing?
- What?
Do you want us to go fishing?
It's fine with me.
How are things here?
She's still a bit tired and breathless,
but okay.
I heard that some test results
came in about Elise. I thought
perhaps you could come along?
Mr. Van Eeden, Mr. Reekers,
please sit down.
- It's the other way around.
- Sorry?
The reverse: Mr. Van Eeden, Mr. Reekers.
What goes around,
comes around, Danny.
Mr. Van Eeden just attempted a joke.
Right.
Mr. Van Eeden, about your daughter...
You saw that we did some tests
this morning.
The most important finding
is that some brain activity
can be detected, but...
Brain activity?
That's good, right?
But it's very little.
The chance of permanent brain damage
is unfortunately very high.
As soon as the swelling
in her head diminishes,
we'll repeat the tests
in the next few days
to be better able to determine...
Whether this brain activity is improving.
Because it can still improve.
Right?
In theory, yes.
- But it's highly unlikely.
- But the possibility exists. Right?
Yes.
That is good news.
That's really good news, Danny.
Brain activity.
Thank you very much, Doctor Maier.
We'll talk again next time.
HARDLY ANY BRAIN ACTIVITY,
LITTLE HOPE FOR IMPROVEMEN"Great news: Brain activity Elise.
May improve in the coming days."
See, didn't I tell you?
I told you so.
- "Brain activity."
- That means Elise isn't giving up.
Elise wants to live and get better.
Mr. Van Eeden.
It's better not to use your phone in here.
Indeed.
I've always known something terrible
would happen to me.
Until Erik, of all people,
got me pregnant with Elise
in one drunken, hopeless one-night stand.
Then I realized I had to stay with him.
Because with him nothing bad would happen.
Erik, the insurance guy.
- You went for the safety.
- And for the sex.
You think Erik is too autistic for that.
On the contrary. Men with autistic traits
find it very important
to do everything very precisely.
Very thoroughly and exactly right.
Gosh.
Hello.
Mr. Reekers.
Am I interrupting?
I was just going to leave.
But I wanted to say that I'm very sorry
about what happened to Madelon.
And also to Elise, of course.
I'm honestly very sorry.
Please tell Mr. Van Eeden that.
Mr. Van Eeden visited you this morning.
I wasn't there.
I know that.
I'll be going, then.
- Bye.
- Bye.
Oh, shit.
Stop running.
Cut it out. Stop it.
Cut it out. Stop it.
Calm down. Hey.
Erik just had an intense conversation
with Ralphie.
- No way.
- Yeah, I didn't know he had it in him.
Erik has unexpected skills, Danny.
Oh, you poor thing.
What happened?
Do be careful with him now, Danny.
Look what I've got, sweetie.
We're going to brighten things up
for you for tomorrow.
Hi, how are you?
- Tired.
- Still?
What's this?
The doctor put them on.
- When?
- This afternoon.
- It's for my heart.
- Your heart? Why?
- Does Dad know about this?
- I don't know. He was away for a bit.
Perhaps you should call Danny.
Meanwhile, I already have something
for your birthday.
Patches.
Patches on her chest with wires.
They're connected to some device.
I don't know...
Sometime this afternoon.
You were with Erik, damn it.
I don't know, Danny. There's no one here.
This doesn't feel right at all.
Look.
In the original colors.
Really cool.
This is how you close it.
It's from me, Erik and Elise.
And it was her idea.
How is she?
Not good.
Is she going to die?
I don't know.
What happened, Madelon?
Just tell me.
I won't get angry. You can just tell me.
Madelon?
- Madelon?
- Madelon.
Patches attached?
Step away from the patient.
Mr. and Mrs. Reekers?
Please.
Is she sleeping?
We put her to sleep to relieve her heart.
Her heart? Why?
The cardiac arrest from just now
is related
to earlier heart damage
sustained in the accident
that we failed to notice before.
When she fell off the quad,
your daughter didn't just break her ribs.
Her heart was also damaged.
So that requires an operation.
That's not possible.
Your daughter needs a new heart.
What?
Your daughter needs a new heart.
I suggest we go to the room next door
so I can explain this.
Okay, A-flat. Yes.
Isn't it beautiful, Daddy?
- Where are they?
- In their bedroom.
Did they eat anything?
What are we going to do now?
Have another drink, I guess?
With Anouk and Danny.
We'll support them.
Just like they support us.
We'll try and support each other.
What else can we do?
Don't you see where this is going?
Where what is going?
Madelon needs a donor heart.
Yes, I know.
Not just any donor heart. A child's heart.
From someone her own size,
or it won't fit.
I hear you, but...
Madelon and Elise have
the same blood type.
So what do you think
is going to happen now?
My parents called. They're in Germany.
- They want to come by tomorrow night.
- Jesus Christ.
I don't want them here.
Tell them it's inconvenient.
I said it wasn't necessary,
but they insisted.
I don't want them here.
The situation with our Elise
has nothing to do with Madelon's.
Absolutely nothing.
Danny.
Say something.
Why did you stop speaking?
- We can't ask them that.
- I know that.
I don't want to ask them at all. Jesus.
I'm just saying:
What if there's no other way?
- Then what?
- It's not necessary.
There's lots of time.
Madelon is at the top
of the waiting list. Right?
She's not at the top of the list
because there's lots of time.
- I know we can't wait forever, but...
- The average wait is almost a year.
Madelon needs a new heart
very soon, or she'll die.
- So if it's the only solution, then...
- It's not the only solution.
Listen.
I will do anything to
save Madelon, anything.
But we have to keep our wits about us.
Can we agree on that?
Can we please agree on that?
Danny. I want you to talk to Erik.
How do you picture that?
Just talk.
Calmly.
- Calmly.
- Yes.
Calmly and gently.
Not too pushy.
And definitely not too specific.
Not too specific.
So not like: "Erik, isn't it
about time you pull the plug?"
Do you even care
about what's happening here?
You don't have to ask him anything.
Not a single thing.
I just want to know where he stands.
That's all.
Hey, man.
May I?
I started to wonder when you'd show up.
What?
You want something, right?
I have something you really want.
In fact, you'd kill for it.
Voil.
I brought it especially for you.
The very last chocolate dessert.
We're facing strange times, Danny.
I was just discussing it with Gwen.
We might have to start
all over with Elise.
She might have to learn everything again.
Step by step, just like a newborn baby.
And that will be hard.
But also very
very beautiful.
We see it as a new beginning.
A beautiful gift
that we welcome with open arms.
Found anything?
No.
No. I thought I had a lead.
There are artificial hearts,
but not for children.
- It's quite tricky and experimental.
- Don't give up, Danny.
Those who seek shall find.
Doctor Frei?
- Can I speak with you?
- Yes.
WE HAVE TO TALK
Gwen.
Erik.
Madelon needs your help.
And I want to make
one thing clear upfront.
We're not going to ask you
to give up Elise.
We're going to ask you to save Madelon.
That amounts
to the same thing, doesn't it?
No, it's quite different.
Madelon can still be saved.
And Elise is still alive.
She could still wake up.
That chance is realistic.
- I don't have an opinion about that, Erik.
- No?
No.
"Little brain activity
with little hope for improvement."
Not my opinion.
It's the diagnosis from Doctor Maier.
Danny was there.
Sorry, Gwen.
According to Madelon's cardiologist
the chance of a successful transplant
is larger than 65 percent.
Sixty-five percent for Madelon
versus almost no chance
of improvement for Elise.
Those aren't my words.
Those aren't Danny's words.
Those are the facts.
Anouk.
Danny.
We're extremely sorry
about what's happened to Madelon.
Extremely sorry. Both of us.
But we can't solve this for you.
Yes, you can.
You can do that better than anyone else.
- And I understand how hard it is...
- Anouk.
- Don't be naive, Erik. These are facts...
- Anouk.
Yes, Danny?
I think Erik made it clear how he feels.
I'm sorry.
Great. End of meeting.
Erik? Let's go.
I'm very sorry. Truly.
Gwen.
Gwen.
What would Elise want?
If Elise knew she could save Madelon?
What would she want?
What would Elise want?
Elise wants to live.
Her brain activity indicates
she wants to live and get better.
- Well, I wonder if that's really true...
- Those are your words, Anouk.
"Elise wants to live and get better."
You said so yesterday.
To give you courage.
Against better judgement.
What else could I say?
Your words.
Okay.
So I said that, yes.
And who said
they didn't need to wear helmets?
You said that.
But did I mention that?
Did you hear me say
you saw no need for them to wear helmets?
Did any of you hear me say
she said they didn't need to wear helmets?
I thought the quad ride was a bad idea
from the get-go,
so let's not start blaming each other
for who said what.
Erik? Listen.
I understand all too well
that I'm asking the impossible.
Elise means everything to you and more.
And I...
And we love her just as much.
We love her dearly...
No, no. That's not true.
You don't love Elise at all. From day one.
From day one, you thought
Elise was a selfish, spoiled brat.
- That has never changed.
- Why'd you say that?
"A shitty brat. A spoiled shitty brat".
You said that countless times here.
"Oh, it's so nice here. So pleasant.
Too bad about that shitty brat."
Where is this coming from?
I don't understand this at all.
I've never said that. Not ever.
The walls are thin in there, Anouk.
Very thin.
Gwen. If I've hurt you, I'm sorry.
But that's not what this is about.
What this is about, is that you and I are
in a difficult situation...
Where you wouldn't mind too much
if my shitty brat died.
Okay. Cut it out now.
Are we done here?
Gwen, are we done?
Yes.
Anouk. Are we done?
Yes.
We're done.
We'll leave it at that.
That's that, then.
We do nothing.
Then Madelon will die.
And then Elise will die.
And that will be that.
Is that what we want?
Is that what we want?
- We're not giving up on Elise, Anouk.
- Of course not.
Of course you won't give up on her.
That's impossible.
It's much too soon for that.
Much too soon.
But there's no time. There's no time.
And I don't want to ask,
but I have to ask. Gwen.
If the roles were reversed...
If it were the other way around,
what would you do in my place?
The question isn't
what I would do in your place,
but what you would do in my place.
What would you do if I asked you
to give up your child? To give up Madelon?
Then I would do it.
Oh, yeah?
- Yes. I would do that.
- I'm not so sure about that.
We would, of course, have a painful,
open conversation about it.
- But then I would do it, yes.
- And I wouldn't.
Okay, Danny, maybe you wouldn't.
But I would.
It would be the only meaningful way
to salvage anything from this situation.
Erik.
Gwen.
Elise has a chance to live on.
To live on meaningfully
inside of Madelon.
Because if Madelon dies and Elise dies,
then no one gains anything. No one.
So please, take this opportunity
and give this situation some meaning.
That's all I'm asking. Please.
Please, please.
- Please.
- Now listen very carefully.
Erik and Gwen have no intention
of letting their child die for us.
- Very unfortunate, but they won't do it.
- Gwen.
You're my best friend.
Erik.
If you don't want to do it for Danny,
do it for me.
- I'm one of your best friends.
- Stop it.
- Stop it.
- One of your best friends.
Sorry, guys. This was one big mistake.
As big a mistake
as buying this damn house together.
Shit, my parents
will be here in two hours.
Jesus Christ. Not now.
My parents want to see their grandchild.
Take them to the hospital,
then a restaurant and then a hotel.
They're not coming here.
They paid for half the house,
for God's sake.
I don't give a damn.
They are not coming here.
Okay, okay.
Time-out.
Time-out.
Let's say no more.
Not me. Not you. Not anybody. Time-out.
I've just reserved our annual table
at Gasthof Alte Wacht...
- God almighty.
- because at Gasthof Alte Wacht
we celebrate Madelon's birthday
every year.
Plus the fact that Gwen and I
first met each other at the mountain lake.
And the rest is history.
And tomorrow night we'll eat there,
just like every year
- to see what our friendship is worth...
- Seems pretty clear now.
Until tomorrow night
we keep our mouths shut
and our thoughts to ourselves.
All of us, all day.
And then we tell each other one more time,
respectfully and calmly, where we stand.
What nonsense.
- I know where I stand. That won't change.
- Fine, Erik.
If you still feel that way tomorrow,
then you tell us and we'll respect that.
Gwen, the same goes for you.
But in the meantime
we'll leave each other alone.
Danny, I'll be staying
at the hospital tonight.
Do whatever you please.
Sorry, but Gwen has a migraine attack.
Very annoying.
I'll go with you to the hospital now.
Damn.
Let me see.
It's nothing.
Come.
Good morning, Mr. Reekers.
- Is your wife not with you?
- I thought she was here already.
Please go in.
Mr. and Mrs. Van Eeden,
we examined your daughter several times
and a relatively consistent picture
is taking shape.
It's true that Elise breathes,
but her pupils do not respond to light.
When we move her head,
the eyes don't move along.
There's also no corneal reflex.
That means that her eyes don't close
when we touch her cornea
with a cotton swab.
What does that mean?
We will continue the therapy for a while,
even though the treatment seems futile.
All that remains
for the next days is hope.
Even though it's not realistic.
And how big is
the possibility that she
awakens from the coma
and that her brain function...
- Will somehow return?
- Yes?
The chance of her waking up is very slim.
And besides that,
I'm about 99,9 percent certain
that Elise's brain has sustained
irreparable damage.
No, no. One moment, please.
One moment.
One moment.
Take a look at this.
A wonderful picture.
Of our daughter.
- A pretty girl.
- Exactly.
I want him to know
that it's not a thing, but our Elise.
Not some object.
So, Doctor Maier
have a good look at this.
What do you see here? What do you see?
Mr. Van Eeden, I understand
your grief completely.
But we have to face the facts.
- I need you.
- What?
Come.
- Is it there?
- Up there.
Are you coming?
To do what?
To see if there's a way
to persuade Erik and Gwen
to save our daughter's life.
That's not up to us, Anouk, but to them.
Is that why you haven't lifted
a finger for Madelon?
Because it's not up to us?
Weakling.
- I'm doing my best.
- You've done nothing.
- I do what I can.
- You're going to do nothing.
- I'm doing it my way...
- Because you fucked her.
Pardon?
You're doing nothing
because you slept with Gwen.
When was this? Six, seven years ago?
She had a burnout.
You remodeled the kitchen.
You slept with her then, right?
Gosh, I always had my doubts.
But now I'm sure.
Not that it matters to me.
I have other worries now.
Whatever happened between me and Gwen
years ago...
Doesn't interest me.
That has nothing to do with this.
- Was it just once, or the whole week?
- I thought you weren't interested.
I'm not.
What interests me, is that your Gwen
still thinks Elise caused this accident.
"My Gwen"?
Elise did something here.
Something stupid or dangerous.
Gwen knows that.
She doesn't know what, exactly,
- but when she does know...
- Then what?
Then she'll give up on Elise.
- What? Out of guilt?
- Yes, out of guilt.
And because she knows, as of this morning,
that there's a zero percent chance
that Elise's condition will improve
even the slightest bit.
Well, then it's a pity
Elise didn't do anything.
- You don't know that.
- I do.
No, you don't. Nobody knows
what happened here...
So you are going to make that up now?
Is that it?
Do you have a better idea?
- Do you have a better idea?
- You can't...
I saw them.
I saw Elise and Madelon on that quad
when I bought that fishing rod.
I saw them drive by.
Just before the accident.
And if anyone is to blame,
it's not Elise, but Madelon.
That's bullshit.
Our Madelon
sat backwards on the handlebars
of that quad.
Yelling like a headless chicken,
- her legs wide open in front of that boy.
- Bullshit.
Why do you think I wanted to leave?
Why do you think I wanted
to take Madelon back home?
- No idea.
- To protect her.
You don't believe me.
Well, here.
Here.
Here.
Look.
Look.
- Well, are you coming? Or are you staying?
- I'm coming.
Well, let's go.
Jesus, Madelon. What the fuck?
I'm sorry.
Maybe I should never have brought it up.
What?
What I saw.
On the contrary.
On the contrary.
That's the solution, Danny.
And now everything will be fine,
as always. Thanks to you.
If you hadn't bought that rod,
you wouldn't have seen Elise
sitting on the front.
- It was Madelon.
- Elise, Danny.
Elise was on the front.
And you'll tell them that.
That's how you'll save
your daughter's life.
Darlings, we really appreciate
you being here.
Please sit down.
Mr. and Mrs. Reekers and Van Eeden.
We're happy to see you again.
- What would you like to drink?
- A white wine, please. Veltliner.
- A bottle, no matter which one.
- I'll get the wine list.
No, you won't. You will bring us a bottle.
Of course.
Well.
And shall I wait with the menu
until the children are here?
Fine.
Well.
Here we are.
A lot has been said already,
and I think no one wants
to repeat that here.
Hear, hear.
But some things have remained unsaid.
- A few very important things.
- Such as?
On the morning of the accident
Danny saw something.
Something important
that he wants to tell you.
But first,
I want to confess something myself.
That you were eavesdropping on us
this morning?
- Desperate times, desperate measures.
- Right.
Are we going to get anything
to drink, or what?
Don't, honey.
Continue.
I want to say something
on behalf of Madelon.
Danny and I barely managed
to get Madelon to come this year.
Just like last year
and the year before that.
And the reason she no longer
wanted to come here
is Elise.
Elise, who always gets all the attention.
Who's always the forerunner.
Who always comes first.
Always.
From day one until now.
It was always Elise first,
and then Madelon.
So?
So
isn't it high time
that Madelon gets her turn?
Not Elise, but Madelon.
Is this true, Danny?
Or is she making it up?
No, Madelon no longer wanted to come here.
- And I was fine with that.
- But I did force her to join us,
and I wish that I...
But I can't undo that now.
Okay. Is that it?
As far as I'm concerned, yes.
But Danny has something to say.
Danny?
Just tell them, Danny.
What?
That's why Madelon sat
at the front of the quad.
Because she felt it was her turn for once.
I didn't understand at first.
Sitting on that quad like that
is so unlike Madelon.
But now I understand.
Madelon felt it was her turn.
Asshole.
- You told her.
- No.
He didn't.
- What's this about?
- Then how do you know this?
How did you get her phone?
- Shameless.
- Desperate times, desperate measures.
Who saw what on whose phone?
And may I see that, too?
That's no longer possible, Erik.
Gwen, it was an accident. Okay?
An accident.
It's not Madelon's fault.
And it's certainly not
Elise's fault, right?
It's nobody's fault.
But you can save her.
Please.
- You have to save Madelon.
- We can't.
- You can.
- I'm sorry.
Yes, you can.
You have to give up Elise...
Just one more thing, Erik.
Your Gwen slept with my Danny.
Yes, indeed.
Six, seven years ago
when she supposedly had a burnout
and Danny renovated the kitchen.
She fucked him then.
I thought you should know that.
What?
When you had
a burnout
you guys...?
Yes.
And also last night, while you were
in the hospital with your parents.
Damn you, Danny.
Prick.
- Mr. Reekers, shall we call a taxi?
- No, thank you.
Can I offer anyone a drink?
We're not going to make it, Erik.
I've lost you, haven't I?
You never had me.
And we can't do this.
We can't take her in.
Not as she is now. I can't do it. And I...
I'm ashamed of that. But...
I can't do it.
And I think you can't do it, either.
I just wanted to say I'm sorry.
No, I am the one that's sorry, Erik.
I'm sorry.
I said horrible things
and behaved terribly.
I'm sorry.
Maybe I would have done the same
in your place.
I don't think so.
Neither do I, to be honest.
It's weird. We've been coming here
for ten years,
but I don't think
we've ever sat down for a chat.
- True.
- Is that on me?
You're a man's man, Erik.
- A man's man?
- Yeah.
- I barely talk to Danny, either.
- That's right.
- Danny is a real...
- Ladies' man.
So I found out, yes.
We're giving up Elise.
I wish I could say it's for you
and for Madelon.
To save her. But that's not true.
We're doing it for ourselves.
Gwen just called the hospital.
We have to be there very early.
Aside from the preparation and anesthesia,
the transplantation
will take six to eight hours.
It may often take longer.
The chest of both the donor
and the receiver
will be opened
with a vertical cut of 18 inches long
and a quarter inch deep.
Then we will decide
whether the chest needs to be
sawed open even more.
After the donor heart is removed,
all the life support will be turned off,
as oxygen will no longer be needed.
The chest will be sewed up,
and the body will be taken to the morgue.
We'll take good care of her.
I promise you that.
You were of no help to me, Danny.
None at all.
Gwen.
Gwen.
I don't want it.
- I don't want it.
- Gwen.
I don't want it, Danny.
- No. I don't want it. Go away.
- No, no.
I don't want it anymore. I don't want it.
- I don't want it.
- Gwen.
No. I don't want it anymore.
Let go of me. I am her mother.
Let go of me. Danny.
Danny. I don't want it. No.
My little girl.
Let me go to my little girl.
- Danny. No. No.
- Gwen.
You look lovely.
You look different.
It suits you.
A bit more relaxed. A bit less formal.
Not always the same thing,
as you often said.
Things can be different.
And who knows,
maybe I can also be different with you...
Don't, Erik.
Don't.
I just called your lawyer
and told him that I agree
to all of your proposals
and that I don't see any issues.
That's good.
I thought I'd tell you that in person.
I dreamt about Elise last night.
She was much older, but you were the same.
You looked exactly the same.
And she had a boyfriend.
And I hated that.
But you liked him.
And she was happy.
And that's what matters, of course.
That she's happy.
I've had that dream many times now.
I bought a book.
Dad.
My girl. How are you?
I've missed you. You know that?
I've missed you too. A lot.
Is that who I think it is?
I'll see you later, Dad.