Self-Help (2025) Movie Script
1
Whoa! It's big!
All right, everybody,
say, "Cheese!"
High five!
Down low! Two slow!
Hoo-hoo! Hello!
Hi! Hello!
Special delivery.
Hello!
You guys the parents?
Yeah. Hi.
Got that credit card
for me?
- Yeah, I paid already.
- No comprendo, muchacho.
I got an open invoice
at the register.
Are you serious?
Look at me.
I'm always serious.
- Where's your manager?
- Oh.
Ho, ho!
Of course.
Brian,
just give him the card.
I don't like the way
he's talking to me.
This your woman, Brian?
- My wife. Yes.
- Mm-mm.
Punchin' above your weight,
amigo.
What'd you say?
- Dad, can we open more presents?
- Daddy's a little busy
-right now, hun--
-Hey, look at me. Hey.
- You don't talk to her, okay?
- Brian?
Why don't you
take off the mask?
- A-hooga!
- What is wrong with you?
I'll handle this.
- You stay with Olivia.
- You!
- I am fine.
- She's fine, Brian!
Let's go. Where's the office?
You stay here.
All right, why don't you, uh,
play with your toy swing?
And we'll have pizza.
Sound good?
Dig in!
You know what?
Yeah, we got it.
Under the wrong last name.
Hubby will be thrilled.
I am so sorry for him.
He hates these places.
- Sometimes I just--
- Unicorn, please!
- A unicorn?
- Yeah!
Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho!
You know what?
I don't know
what I think.
Trouble in paradise?
Paradise?
You should've cut me off
- several glasses ago.
- Oh, well...
I'll inform the manager.
Hey, Livvy.
Have you seen your mom anywhere?
No. I have to use the bathroom.
Can you save my spot?
Sure.
- Oh, my God.
- Mm.
Mommy?
Olivia?
Oh, fuck!
Hey! Shut the fuck up, dude!
Olivia.
Look at me, look at me.
It's going to be okay.
It's going to be okay.
We, uh... we can't tell anyone
about this.
- Livvy?
- No, no, no.
Okay? Okay?
-Olivia?
-Okay.
Okay. Good girl.
You're such a good girl.
Thank you.
Aw! Good girl.
- Boo!
- Asshole.
Wow. You're, like, actually
a really good kisser.
-Oh, thank you.
-Uh, wait.
-What was your name again?
-Um, Olivia.
-Yeah.
-Time's up, Hercules.
Oh, shit. Oh, you got two
for the price of one?
You know I'm down.
Oh, you wish.
Come on, Liv, let's go.
Come on, what,
is community college girl
too good for me?
Yes. And I bet money
that that's the only time
you'll hear a girl
say that word to you tonight.
- Bye, Derek.
- No-- Come on, come on!
All right. You know what?
Find me later.
-Girl.
-Come on! He's nice.
Didn't you, like,
just meet him?
Yeah, but I just met you
like a month ago
-and we're like best friends
-That's different.
Um, your mom says,
"Bring layers and leave early."
What? Sophie, how did you get
-my mom's number?
-She called the store last week
after you clocked out. I--
I gave her my number 'cause I--
I feel
like you never answer her.
She's... she's always doing
this shit, it's really weird.
Honestly, I think
she's just worried
about
the flight tomorrow.
There's one plane,
so we have to make it.
Why are you so worried
about this,
-and why are you texting my mom?
-I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
I didn't think
it was a big deal. Okay?
It is a big deal.
I'm sorry. I'm honestly--
I'm just trying
to keep you
out of your own way. Okay?
-Okay. Okay.
-Okay? I'm sorry.
- No, it's fine.
- I'm sorry.
It's okay.
Sophie.
One more drink? Then bed?
-Maybe two?
-Two. Please.
Okay. Bye.
I have her location, Derek.
I know she's in there.
Never said that she wasn't.
The plane literally leaves
in an hour, Liv.
I know, Soph,
I'm sorry.
I'm coming. I just have to
go back and grab my--
I already did.
The Uber is waiting.
Now, please.
Ready.
Text me?
New match.
- What?
- New match.
Oh.
She's not gonna say this
so I will.
-Fuck you, Derek.
-Yeah, anytime you want.
Wish I would have
let you stop me.
Maybe you saw
something in him I didn't?
-Not to sound like your mom...
-No, no, trust me.
Sophie, you sound nothing
like my mother,
she's seriously insane
-I hope you realize that.
-Look at me, okay?
Avoiding just makes it worse.
Okay? Always has for me.
That's our car. Let's go.
I swear, if this is some sort of
silent meditation retreat,
-we're going right back home.
-Fingers crossed for Ayahuasca.
Boarding doors for Gate 3
-are now closed.
-Shit.
Excuse me? Sir? Hi! Hi!
Hi.
Sorry, ma'am, I can't.
No, no, no, no!
But you just said on the speaker
-we had two minutes. That was--
-Three minutes ago?
Okay, well, I...
I can still see people boarding.
Ma'am, I'm gonna need you
to calm down, please.
Did you just swear
at me, sir?
- Oh, my God.
- What? What?
Liv, can you believe
this man attacking us like this?
-Sir, I'm sorry.
-This is ridiculous.
-No, he's not.
-Do you want to say that again,
-sir?
-Oh, my God.
So that everybody can hear?
It was worth a shot.
-What?
-GPS says eight hours.
Bet I can make it in seven.
I don't want to get pulled over.
Oh, come on, Liv.
I have the faith for the rental.
You have the dead dad money
for speeding tickets.
- I'm sorry, that was...
- Uh, it's her.
Olivia...
uh, just making sure
you're on your way.
I told him
I wasn't going to do this
unless you were here too...
...so, um...
please be here.
Listen, uh, I-- I know
this is supposed to be
just for me, but, uh...
I want it to be for us.
When was
the last time you saw her?
- In person?
- Yeah.
I think
when she dropped me off
- freshman year.
- Really?
It was right after
my dad died.
I saw other families crying,
but she just drove away.
Those never worked
for me.
"Cleansing breaths"?
My dad thinks they're bullshit.
Lotta shrinks do.
Does he...
have any other suggestions?
Tell me...
five things you see.
- Really?
- Don't think, just say.
Um...
The clock, the steering wheel...
that creepy building.
Good. Two more.
Uh, your necklace.
And...
I think that's a scarecrow.
Three things you hear.
Uh, the car heater,
the radio, your voice.
One thing you smell.
Orange blossom.
That's impressive.
How do you feel?
I'm almost ready.
Have the courage
to have the conflict.
You steal that one
from your dad too?
- He got it from me.
- Hmm.
No shit.
Sit.
Good evening, friends.
Welcome to our first
in person gathering
and the first day
of the rest of your lives.
You've all demonstrated
incredible commitment
and even more
incredible potential.
But after traveling
all this way,
I think it would do us all well
to remember
why we're here
in the first place.
Hey, uh... I've--
I've never really done
anything like this before, uh,
but I... I have something
that I want to share.
I was depressed.
I was paralyzed.
I was a little down.
Sort of in a dark place.
Felt like I was trapped.
I was suffocating.
I was scared
and I was looking for anything.
And then I find this guy online,
calls himself
the Truth Ambassador.
The Truth Ambassador.
The Truth Ambassador
on the internet.
You know I'm religious,
but he's not really religious
in that sense.
He has this thing
that can help you
find your purpose
to find out who you really are.
The way he reframes everything,
the generosity.
I know where I need
to be in life.
My life is turned
into a dip in this pool
and it's every day like this.
This shit is for real, y'all.
He helped me find me.
He helped me help myself.
A whole different part of myself
that I never knew existed.
And it's working.
Find the Truth Ambassador.
While these people
made tremendous strides,
our journey this weekend
is unprecedented.
I implore you all
to choose yourselves
in ways
you never thought possible.
Remember, I am not the Messiah.
You are.
You all know
my alter ego.
And in that way...
you may think
you already know me.
But we are here
for the next three days
to peel away the pretense...
to shed our skin.
My name is Curtis Clark.
And what a pleasure it is
to meet you.
What was that?
I'm sorry.
There's no photography.
Sorry, I--
I didn't turn the flash off.
You signed
the agreement.
- I-- I know.
- Hand it to me.
It's okay.
It's okay. Come on.
What are you doing?
- Destroying your phone.
- Uh--
All right.
It's time to go.
- What?
- Out the door.
Do not come back.
You just smashed my phone.
There's a bus stop
about a mile down the road.
Next one's
in 14 minutes if you run.
You're kicking me out?
I'm-- I'm paying you
everything I've had.
We all know what you're paying.
I can't.
I-- I can't go back.
Wh... what... what do I do?
Only you can answer that.
No, no.
Please, please.
I'm sorry.
I've never met anyone
who gets it like you do.
I worship you.
-I worship you.
-And that's your first mistake.
I am not God.
I hope you find
the truth you seek.
But it will not be with me.
What about them?
They showed up late.
They're not even wearing masks.
They are not
your concern.
You made your choice.
I want my money back.
I suggest you think
very carefully...
about your next one.
Bus leaves in 13.
Misplaced trust.
There is nothing more dangerous.
But, of course,
you all know that far too well.
Your lives, until now,
have been defined and betrayed
by a school, hospital, family.
Yes?
What about you?
A cult.
Now...
as you're all aware,
we are in the midst
of the witching season.
And while those around us
may be putting their masks on,
we have gathered here
to take ours off.
Pumpkin.
Hello, Pumpkin. Please stand.
Now, in a moment,
I want you
to please take off your mask
share your chosen name,
and in a single word,
describe what you hope to glean
from our time here together.
You understand?
All right, on you go.
Well...
My name is Andy now,
and my word is "perspective."
Thank you, Andy.
Soon you will see.
Dog.
Owen.
- Truth.
- Truth.
Sit.
But not as a dog.
As Owen.
Sit.
Oh, careful. Watch your step.
Owen.
Truth.
Ghost.
Joanne.
Courage.
It's closer than you think.
Thank you, Joanne.
Sheep.
When you're ready.
Rebecca.
- Freedom.
- Freedom!
Thank you, Rebecca.
Olivia, will you come join
your mother and me up here?
- Um...
- Liv, please.
I have to see this.
Come, come.
- Olivia, now.
- Welcome, Olivia.
Welcome, Olivia.
There we go.
There we go.
Was that so hard?
My friends,
it is my profound honor
to introduce you
to my beautiful step daughter...
Olivia.
I'm s-- I'm sorry,
what did you just say?
This. This is my chosen family.
Oh, my--
Ah, all this pageantry tonight.
This pageantry tonight,
this... this is a symbol.
A shackles society has used
to immobilize us.
But this weekend...
you can achieve something more.
I am talking about...
"Radical Autonomy."
None of you asked to be born.
-No.
-Right? No one asked to be born.
But you can choose
to be born again.
You can finally help yourselves.
You can all be gods.
No more cults.
No more cults. No more cults.
No more cults!
No more cults!
No more cults! No more cults!
No more cults! No more cults!
No more cults!
It's a fucking cult.
Not gonna lie,
step daddy's kinda hot.
Ew. I'm gonna kill myself.
That's, like,
classic cult behavior, Liv.
I told you
I didn't wanna come here.
She's always spending
my dad's money on this bullshit.
This is weird, right?
They're all sleeping
in the backyard.
Girls.
We're about to do
the mask burning.
Uh, Sophie, could you give us
a minute, please?
I know you must have
a lot of questions.
Are you actually married?
-Mom?
-I know it seems unusual.
How long have you known him?
And your middle name's Rebecca.
Why are you using it?
A fresh start.
Settling in all right?
Sweetheart...
...I know that we have
a lot to talk about,
but I really feel good
about this, for both of us.
For the first time
in a very long time--
What's expected of me here?
It's pretty intense.
Well, it's not supposed
to be easy.
You're just auditing.
I want you to see
the work he does.
How it changes people.
What kind of change?
Well, it's up to them.
Isn't that what you want?
We all chose a mask
representing
a personal shortcoming.
I chose, well...
But I'm taking control now.
Rebecca?
Hey, what's your shortcoming?
-Sophie.
-It's a long story.
Uh, it's not really my business,
but... you guys
seemed surprised by the ring.
Yeah, um, I didn't even know
he existed, so...
And, uh, apparently
the internet doesn't either.
I've been Googling
Curtis Clarks
and there's a ton of them,
but none that look like him.
Sorry...
...about my friend.
She's paranoid.
That's all good.
Good to do your research.
So, have you, like, met
all these people before or...?
I can't.
I... I... I... I... I... I...
I don't--
I don't think I can do this.
- Of course you can.
- I-- I-- I don't think
-I can do this. No, no, no.
-Yes, you can.
- Yes, you can.
- I have to call him.
He needs to know where I am.
C-- Call who--
Who, Joanne?
My son, Charlie.
He had a baby.
He just had one
and I wasn't there.
My baby had a baby
and I wasn't there!
Just listen. Listen to me.
Listen to me.
Joanne doesn't have children.
Joanne is a newborn herself.
I'm Lisa.
Now, you stop that right now.
You... are... Joanne.
You are joyful. Joyful Joanne.
Beautiful,
joyful, jubilant.
Judgment-free Joanne.
I have to go back,
I have to go back!
There is nowhere to go back to.
You left all that behind.
- I made a mistake.
- Yes, you did.
You made a mistake for 60 years.
Living a lie,
keeping Joanne in the shadows.
But you're free.
Now, you're free.
Andy, tell her.
-You're so brave, Joanne.
-Rebecca.
We see you. Break the cycle.
You are seen.
Owen!
I want to go home.
- And you... you're almost there.
- I want to go home.
You... You were so on your way.
You told me yourself, right?
What did you tell me?
What did you tell me?
You said
you weren't abandoning anyone.
-You didn't abandon anyone.
-No.
You wouldn't
abandon anyone.
- No.
- But why? Why?
- Because of...
- Because?
Yes... Because...
They abandoned me!
I'm so proud of you.
I'm so proud of you.
We have just witnessed
something extraordinary.
This is... this is an act.
A gesture of defiance.
Of a woman claiming herself.
Over the course
of this retreat, you too may...
you may feel drawn
to a gesture of your own.
A moment may present itself.
A... an impulse may arise.
You follow it.
You follow it.
There is nothing more pitiful
than the unlived life.
You did it.
No one else.
- I did it.
- You did it.
I did it.
Remember, friends.
I'm only here to hold your hand
as you journey to find the self
you don't remember forgetting.
Now, close your eyes.
Breath in.
Venture into the shadows with me
and ask yourself,
who are you
when no one is watching?
What sound do you make
in the forest
when no-one is there
to hear it?
Sorry, I didn't mean
to startle you.
Um, mind if I join you?
I know that was a lot tonight.
What part?
All of it.
They expect
a little theatricality.
Hmm.
Whether they
admit to it or not.
Right.
Is that why you...
have a cartoon in your videos?
Oh, I'm just camera shy.
Were you really in a cult?
Aren't we all?
Isn't that
what all this is?
No. Cults want people to stay.
I want them to...
I want them to move on.
I love your mom, Olivia.
I know it's probably hard
for you to believe.
What do you love about her?
-Her curiosity. Her conviction.
-Doesn't sound like my mom.
Well, you're just
not looking at it
from the right angle.
-Rebecca--
-That's not her name.
It is now.
She tells me that you struggle
with decision paralysis.
Is that right?
I'd like to help you.
Like I'm helping her.
Is that why I'm here?
Well, how much of your life
has been chosen by you, Olivia?
I...
I don't... I don't--
Or are you just a bystander?
One domino after another.
-Listen, that woman tonight--
-She made a choice.
Sometimes you have to do
whatever it takes
to become who you are.
This weekend is an opportunity
for you and your mom
to choose who you are
to each other.
Not because
you were born into it,
but because it is born
out of you.
All right, well...
think about it.
Do it. Do it.
Sophie, do you hear that?
Mom?
Mom?
Oh, my God.
You are your sheep.
Sheep.
Oh, my God!
Mom! What the fuck?
"Good morning.
"I want to commend you
on taking these first steps.
"Stripping yourself
of your mask is very difficult.
"But necessary.
Please don't just
sit there. Eat."
"By now,
you have noticed
"that I'm not here this morning.
"That's because this weekend
isn't about me.
It's about you."
I'm sorry.
Oh, oh!
Take your space, Rebecca.
Thank you.
"Today, um...
"you will all be leading
the workshops yourselves,
"exerting your agency.
"I will return tonight,
anticipating your progress.
To expansion and liberation,
Curtis Clark."
Mm.
That's my man.
All right, well, um...
maybe we start
with, um, setting an intention
for the day.
Something that we want
to improve on from yesterday.
I am going to use my voice.
I'm going to lean into fear.
Hmm.
- Joanne, are you injured?
- No. Healing.
No more reminders of before.
Mm-hmm.
-Are you feeling--
-Much better. Thank you.
Like myself.
Girls, do you wanna
give it a try?
Oh, no. I-- I thought
we were just auditing, so...
Oh, no, please.
We'd all love to hear.
Mm-hmm.
I think...
I'm gonna knock on doors
before I open them.
-Sophie?
-No, no.
She's right.
-We should talk about it.
-Mom.
We're all adults here, Olivia.
And it's perfectly natural.
Please stop,
I don't wanna talk--
Olivia walked in on Curtis
having sex with me last night.
-Oh, my God.
-It was a power exercise.
A... an exercise
in granting status.
And what it feels like
to take it back for yourself.
Sounds incredible.
It was.
It's exactly what I needed.
Jesus fucking Christ.
Uh. Excuse me.
Olivia?
I knew this would happen.
I fucking called it.
I knew this would
fucking happen.
Where are you going?
Can we drive? Come on.
No. Liv, just stop.
Let me help you, please.
You can't fucking
help me, Sophie!
She's been this way
since I was a kid.
She's fucking manic, you know?
One day she's, like, flirting
with all my fucking guy friends
and it's fucking weird.
And then the next day,
she's like,
"I'm gonna sell this skincare
and this Ponzi scheme.
- It's gonna be amazing."
- Okay.
- Fuck.
- Hang on.
- Wh-- Where are my keys?
- Just hang on.
-Do you have my keys?
-Just a second. Just let me--
Just breathe. It's okay
- I'm sick of it.
- I know.
Look, Liv. My dad.
We never really connected
growing up,
and I kept thinking that
I would just wake up one day
and he would be the dad that...
I thought he should be, and...
I just... I had to meet him
where he was.
-I've tried so many times.
-I know, I know, Liv but...
Has she ever hurt you?
Like, hit me? No.
Has she ever lied to you?
I don't think so.
So, what has she done?
Um...
She always lies to herself.
And just, like, doesn't deal
with her own shit.
Exactly. Yes, her shit.
Do I still think
it's kind of a cult?
Yes, absolutely.
But so is... religion
and the military,
Mary Kay.
-Big one.
-Big one.
I just want her
to be normal.
What do you think she wants?
Listen to your senses.
You know where
you're supposed to go.
-I don't.
-Olivia.
Come on, Liv.
-Uh...
-Now toward the river.
Yeah. I-- I don't even--
I don't even know
what direction I'm facing.
Just feel it.
All right. You're almost there.
-Yup.
-You got this.
A little bit more. You got it.
Oh. Yup, you're good.
Drown out all the noise.
Listen to your voice,
not theirs.
Right there, right there.
Yes!
Nice, Olivia.
Well done.
- Did you all see that?
- Mm-hmm.
-That burst of self-assurance?
-Yes, it was beautiful!
Imagine this out in the world.
Imagine ourselves, unencumbered.
Our voices unmuffled.
-I want to go next!
-Hmm.
I need to go next!
Okay, Owen, um,
set him up at the tree line.
And... and we'll reset the ring.
On it.
How do you feel?
Um, good.
Powerful.
That's what I want
for you.
I'm not sorry that it happened,
but I am sorry that you saw.
If you want
to talk about it, I'm--
No, I'm-- No, I'm good.
He's ready.
Damn it!
No, no! Don't help me!
No, no, no!
Damn it!
Fuck! Am I close?
No.
No blindfold.
No blindfold, I... I...
It's not real, I--
I-- I need it to be real!
Andy, the exercise--
I know, but...
I need something else.
Does anybody
still have their masks?
Maybe we can black out the eyes.
No, no.
I-- I'm not going backwards.
So, what do you want to do?
"No more reminders of before."
Andy?
-Wait.
-Rebecca?
Don't interrupt.
There's no stopping it.
It's not a matter of if,
it's a matter of when.
-Mom, you can't let him do this.
-This is not my choice.
-I decide!
-Are you sure?
-Yes!
-Then we are here for you.
-No. He can go to a doctor.
-No.
They'll just put me on a list!
They don't know what it's like.
Nobody knows what it's like!
-Andy!
-Fuck!
No!
Let me go! Let me go!
Let me go! No!
It's all right.
I can't believe he did that.
It's not fair.
He didn't have to do that.
It's not fair. It's not fair.
Why did he do that?
He didn't have to do that.
The poor guy!
Andy?
Give me your hand.
What the fuck? What was that?
He made a choice.
That was his gesture.
-It's not our place...
-Mom.
...to decide what--
You can't actually believe that.
Oliv-- Yes.
I do believe that, Olivia.
Mom, mom, he tried
to cut his fucking eyes out!
He took control.
Like I'm taking control
-of my life, of my future, of--
-You're not taking control.
You're just doing whatever
this creep wants you to do.
-And he's making you think...
-Don't you dare talk about him
-like that!
-...it's all your decisions!
At least
when you cheated on Dad,
it was
your own decision--
Bitch.
Liv?
Why did you do that?
- Do what?
- At the river. You stopped me.
I didn't want you
to get hurt.
Sophie, do you see
what's happening here?
What these people are doing?
He has a disease, Olivia.
He's... he's--
Okay. Yeah.
I take back whatever I said.
You sound exactly
like my mother.
Well, maybe
that's not such a bad thing.
Sophie, are you okay with this?
I don't know.
Olivia, wait!
I'm sorry, I don't want you
to think that I'm--
- Olivia.
- What are you doing?
I know
what it looks like.
- Is that my mom's?
- Yes. Quiet. Please.
- Why are you in here?
- She's in trouble.
-How... how do you know that?
-He got my mom too.
I was still in high school.
He called himself
something else then.
"The Ascension Emissary."
It's a different character,
different socials.
But it's all the same shit.
What happened to her?
I don't know.
One night,
she just never came home.
A few weeks later,
I found some burner accounts.
Stuff like this.
Go to the bottom.
He drained our accounts.
Everything my mom
had her name on.
I wanted to tell you yesterday,
but I wasn't sure.
You can trust me.
Okay, I've been recording
everything I can.
It's all on this.
But I don't want to get
your mom in trouble.
What do you mean?
I saw her lacing the tea
this morning.
Before breakfast.
- Is that why--
- Yeah.
She told us it would make us
more impulsive,
but I don't know
if she was gonna tell you guys--
Porch lights are off too.
Looks like the whole house.
Um, we should get downstairs.
What are you doing
in our room?
Oh, um... Uh, I was...
Oh, I see.
-Uh, no. We were just--
-If fucking my stepdaughter
in my marital bed
is your gesture, Owen,
then by all means...
Okay, uh-- Uh, we were just--
We were just talking and--
Oh, right. Yeah, I see. Okay.
Hey, Olivia,
will you go check the breaker?
Yeah. Um, is there a...
Uh, uh... utility shed.
Metal barn out front.
We'll go together.
That's all right.
You stay here. I got...
I got some lanterns on
that we can take down together.
- Okay.
- Sure.
- All right, downstairs.
- Right.
All right.
How's the weekend been working
for you so far, Owen?
You feel like you moving
closer to your... your truth?
Curtis said
you freed yourselves.
-Your new lives start tonight.
-W... what does that mean?
- Where are we going?
- That's not our business.
But can we choose to stay?
I often wonder
if your mother
would have made more progress
had we met in person.
You do look so much like her.
Your brother too.
At least that's what I imagine
he would've looked like.
Had you not... you know?
She never told me
if he died instantly.
-It was an accident.
-If that's your truth.
- Fuck you.
- What did you say?
- Fuck... you.
- It's time.
Take a step, take a step.
It's okay.
Yeah, right here.
Big step, big step.
What did it feel like
when you realized
that you hadn't just
taken that step...
I didn't see him!
I didn't know
he'd crawled down--
...you wouldn't have crushed
your baby brother's skull?
How was that?
I'm gonna tell you
how it was for your mom.
I guided her through the grief
as long as she allowed me in.
Until it just became too much.
What hap...
what happened to her?
Oh, I don't know.
Your guess is as good as mine.
She didn't want the world
to know that you were a...
I don't... I don't think
"murderer" fair,
but... what would you call it?
Don't scream.
Or move.
Nod, "Yes."
I figured they'd send
somebody out to fix it.
And I was hoping it'd be you.
Who are you?
- Nobody.
- Not anymore.
Who are you?
And a better question,
what does he want with you?
I... I... I don't know--
'Cause I committed
my life, my soul to this work.
- And you?
- You... ...show up.
Get a front row seat
without knowing
the first thing about him.
What makes you so special?
It's all bullshit.
It's... it's... it's not real.
It's--
That's what I'm talking about.
See, disrespect.
ignorance. How dare you?
And you think
I'm stupid.
You think I'm crazy.
- No.
- I'm not.
I didn't throw
my whole life away
on some fucking whim.
I believe in this.
I believe in myself.
T... t... tell him,
not... not me.
He's... he's right...
he's right in there.
Words don't mean shit.
I have to show him.
My gesture of defiance.
- Please don't.
- Please don't. No!
This is a test.
It has to be.
After everything I've invested!
Everything I've left behind!
I'm special.
Sophie?
Help! Somebody help, please!
Help! Help me!
You know,
I never killed anybody before.
I have.
Olivia, that was unbelievable.
Truly. I mean, wow!
W... w... why didn't you
help me?
You had to help yourself.
He was gonna kill me.
And look
what it unleashed in you.
Liv, I've never seen you
like that.
Sophie, sweetheart...
I'm so proud of you.
Your dad would be too.
Did you set this all up?
Olivia, the world presented you
with an obstacle,
as it always will,
and you overcame.
Mom, listen, okay?
I-- I-- I know I shouldn't have
slapped you earlier.
- That wasn't--
- No, no, no.
That was your truth.
We said more to each other
in that moment
than we have in years.
Owen! Owen!
-Owen has elected to leave us.
-No. No. No.
No, no, no, no, no. Fuck!
Fuck!
It's just a sedative.
Derek?
What's up, Allison?
I have her location,
Derek! I know she's in there.
I never said
that she wasn't.
The plane literally
leaves in an hour, Liv.
You ready for Round 2?
New match.
Do you even like me?
What? Um, yeah.
Yeah, you're, uh... fine.
New match.
Keep asking yourself
what you're feeling
in your body.
We don't have time.
If you're not down...
I kinda got shit to do, so...
How do you react
when things don't turn out
the way you want them to?
Are you even in here?
Liv, are you...
are you even hearing me?
Are you listening? Hello?
- New match.
- Olivia! And you wonder
why your mom doesn't wanna
fucking talk to you.
You ever wonder why your mom
doesn't fucking like you?
What instincts
are you suppressing?
New match.
Breathe into it.
Release.
God fucking dammit!
You always fucking do this!
Every fucking time!
- You... are... enough.
- Every fucking--
She called the store last week
after you clocked out.
I-- I gave her my number
'cause you, like, never answer.
What emotions
do you suppress?
...one plane
and we have to make it.
What would happen
if you allowed yourself...
I'm just trying to keep you
out of your own way.
- ...to feel them?
- Okay?
Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it!
Do it! Do it! Do it!
Oh, yeah.
- No.
- Oh, my God.
No, no, no, no, no.
What is something
your younger self needed...
Shit. Shit, shit,
shit, shit, shit.
...but never received?
Mommy?
Olivia.
No, it's okay.
Uh, baby, look at me.
Look at me.
It's going to be okay.
It's good, okay?
It's going to be okay.
We can't tell anyone
about this.
We can't tell anyone
about this, okay?
This is going to be
our big girl secret.
It's between me and you, okay?
- Okay? Okay! Okay? Okay!
- Uh-oh!
Okay.
Okay.
Let me see where you're hurt.
Please?
I want to feel it too.
What has your shadow
always wanted?
Tell me, Livvy.
Did you love dad?
No.
Do you love me?
I used to.
I want to.
This is a second chance, Olivia.
A new father.
A new family.
They have been very good for us.
You... you said they--
Avoiding just makes it worse.
Sophie and I
were disconnected
for a long time
since she was a little girl.
But we found common ground--
In conning people.
In helping people
help themselves.
You don't see it now,
but it's a very, very good thing
that he does for people.
Whatever you need,
I'll receive it.
- I want to go home.
- Liv, I'm sorry.
Don't say anything
that you don't mean.
Dad, please, please.
-We haven't talked about--
-No. You know better.
Mom, please.
This is my home now, Olivia.
It can be your home too.
He's... he's using you.
This is my choice.
You're pathetic.
Maybe.
But I'm working on it.
-I thought you said that she--
-Give her time.
-I'll open yours.
-Oh, okay.
You have a passport
and a bus ticket to...
I'm ready
to move on, Joanne.
- Uh, can I help you?
- Jesus!
Can you turn off the vacuum?
Did my husband call you?
No. This is just
when I'm scheduled.
- By?
- By the property owner.
Right. My husband.
Sure. If your husband's name
is Patricia.
I think there must be
some mistake.
Yeah, I'd say so.
Check-out's
supposed to be 10:00 a.m.
You have the wrong house!
Ma'am...
I have been cleaning this place
for Patty for six years.
I think you're the one
who has the wrong--
- Curtis?
- Oh, yeah, Curtis.
That was the name
on the reservation.
Yo!
What are you up to
on this evening?
Okay? I'll... text you?
You know, you're kinda scary.
Kinda hot.
Trick or treat!
Happy Halloween!
Trick or treat.
Take some of these ones.
Hmm, that's the big one.
Everyone taking the big one.
Whoa!
You scared me.
Happy Halloween, little ones.
- Happy Halloween!
- Bye!
-Are you going out?
-There's a concert downtown.
- Oh, anyone I'd like?
- I don't think so, Gary.
-I thought that we could--
-Maybe later.
You know,
Madison, you used to--
Don't take it personally.
Ha! We have...
I'm sorry. Did that hurt?
Okay, let's breathe, breathe.
Oh, my God.
Okay, it's Olivia, right?
All right.
Hey, listen. Listen, I want to--
Ow! Fuck!
It's just a sedative.
Okay. Oh, yes. All right, okay.
Hello, Olivia.
Hello, Olivia. Uh, I, uh...
I get it you're not here
on behalf of your mother.
- You two still married?
- Oh, we never were.
Uh, you know
how credulous she can be.
I just wanted to help.
Bullshit.
I told you,
they want theatricality.
Do I lie? Yes, I have to.
That's the only way they find--
God damn it, Olivia!
Will you knock that off?
These people
need a stake in it,
so that they can subscribe
to their new selves.
They are better off
for being gotten the better of.
It's not work
I can do in my practice,
but I believe in it.
Candidly, Olivia.
I was... I was so thrilled
with the work we did together.
Few things take me
by surprise, but... you did.
And that final gesture,
the child abandoning the mother,
that is true autonomy.
Where's the money?
Huh.
-How much do you want?
-All of it.
That's a little selfish,
don't you think?
Isn't that what you preach?
Well, it's a little more
complicated than you think.
There are accounts.
Transfers take time.
You seem like the kind of guy
who would have cash
in the house.
Five duffel bags is a lot
to launder in a couple days.
Well, you murdered someone.
I was a witness,
and now you're kidnapping.
You know what?
I completely forgot to show you
the video that's gonna be posted
when all this is live.
Over the course of this retreat,
you may feel drawn to a gesture.
That's only some of it,
but you get the point.
The world has presented you
with an obstacle,
as it always will.
How do you react...
when things don't turn out
the way you wanted?
Upstairs.
Guest room to the left.
Safe in the closet.
Passcode, 8-2-6-1.
Turn it off!
Turn it off, Olivia.
Turn it off. I made my choice!
"Choice"?
Five seconds 'til you're live.
Olivia!
Olivia!
How did you find us?
I... I-- I still have
your location.
Hmm
Knew I forgot something.
Thought you were going downtown.
I saw the rental car
parked at the gas station.
Thought you would have
returned that by now.
Hmm.
Yeah, I forgot something.
Did you get what you came for?
Mostly.
Were we ever really friends?
I think we could've have been.
What's next?
Um...
I think another workshop
after Christmas.
"New Year, New You."
I'm sorry
you got dragged into this.
You're not.
Think I made it out
better than anyone.
You don't need him.
It's not that easy, Olivia.
Could be.
Just... trying to get you
out of your own way.
Hey, Liv.
Happy birthday.
Whoa! It's big!
All right, everybody,
say, "Cheese!"
High five!
Down low! Two slow!
Hoo-hoo! Hello!
Hi! Hello!
Special delivery.
Hello!
You guys the parents?
Yeah. Hi.
Got that credit card
for me?
- Yeah, I paid already.
- No comprendo, muchacho.
I got an open invoice
at the register.
Are you serious?
Look at me.
I'm always serious.
- Where's your manager?
- Oh.
Ho, ho!
Of course.
Brian,
just give him the card.
I don't like the way
he's talking to me.
This your woman, Brian?
- My wife. Yes.
- Mm-mm.
Punchin' above your weight,
amigo.
What'd you say?
- Dad, can we open more presents?
- Daddy's a little busy
-right now, hun--
-Hey, look at me. Hey.
- You don't talk to her, okay?
- Brian?
Why don't you
take off the mask?
- A-hooga!
- What is wrong with you?
I'll handle this.
- You stay with Olivia.
- You!
- I am fine.
- She's fine, Brian!
Let's go. Where's the office?
You stay here.
All right, why don't you, uh,
play with your toy swing?
And we'll have pizza.
Sound good?
Dig in!
You know what?
Yeah, we got it.
Under the wrong last name.
Hubby will be thrilled.
I am so sorry for him.
He hates these places.
- Sometimes I just--
- Unicorn, please!
- A unicorn?
- Yeah!
Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho!
You know what?
I don't know
what I think.
Trouble in paradise?
Paradise?
You should've cut me off
- several glasses ago.
- Oh, well...
I'll inform the manager.
Hey, Livvy.
Have you seen your mom anywhere?
No. I have to use the bathroom.
Can you save my spot?
Sure.
- Oh, my God.
- Mm.
Mommy?
Olivia?
Oh, fuck!
Hey! Shut the fuck up, dude!
Olivia.
Look at me, look at me.
It's going to be okay.
It's going to be okay.
We, uh... we can't tell anyone
about this.
- Livvy?
- No, no, no.
Okay? Okay?
-Olivia?
-Okay.
Okay. Good girl.
You're such a good girl.
Thank you.
Aw! Good girl.
- Boo!
- Asshole.
Wow. You're, like, actually
a really good kisser.
-Oh, thank you.
-Uh, wait.
-What was your name again?
-Um, Olivia.
-Yeah.
-Time's up, Hercules.
Oh, shit. Oh, you got two
for the price of one?
You know I'm down.
Oh, you wish.
Come on, Liv, let's go.
Come on, what,
is community college girl
too good for me?
Yes. And I bet money
that that's the only time
you'll hear a girl
say that word to you tonight.
- Bye, Derek.
- No-- Come on, come on!
All right. You know what?
Find me later.
-Girl.
-Come on! He's nice.
Didn't you, like,
just meet him?
Yeah, but I just met you
like a month ago
-and we're like best friends
-That's different.
Um, your mom says,
"Bring layers and leave early."
What? Sophie, how did you get
-my mom's number?
-She called the store last week
after you clocked out. I--
I gave her my number 'cause I--
I feel
like you never answer her.
She's... she's always doing
this shit, it's really weird.
Honestly, I think
she's just worried
about
the flight tomorrow.
There's one plane,
so we have to make it.
Why are you so worried
about this,
-and why are you texting my mom?
-I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
I didn't think
it was a big deal. Okay?
It is a big deal.
I'm sorry. I'm honestly--
I'm just trying
to keep you
out of your own way. Okay?
-Okay. Okay.
-Okay? I'm sorry.
- No, it's fine.
- I'm sorry.
It's okay.
Sophie.
One more drink? Then bed?
-Maybe two?
-Two. Please.
Okay. Bye.
I have her location, Derek.
I know she's in there.
Never said that she wasn't.
The plane literally leaves
in an hour, Liv.
I know, Soph,
I'm sorry.
I'm coming. I just have to
go back and grab my--
I already did.
The Uber is waiting.
Now, please.
Ready.
Text me?
New match.
- What?
- New match.
Oh.
She's not gonna say this
so I will.
-Fuck you, Derek.
-Yeah, anytime you want.
Wish I would have
let you stop me.
Maybe you saw
something in him I didn't?
-Not to sound like your mom...
-No, no, trust me.
Sophie, you sound nothing
like my mother,
she's seriously insane
-I hope you realize that.
-Look at me, okay?
Avoiding just makes it worse.
Okay? Always has for me.
That's our car. Let's go.
I swear, if this is some sort of
silent meditation retreat,
-we're going right back home.
-Fingers crossed for Ayahuasca.
Boarding doors for Gate 3
-are now closed.
-Shit.
Excuse me? Sir? Hi! Hi!
Hi.
Sorry, ma'am, I can't.
No, no, no, no!
But you just said on the speaker
-we had two minutes. That was--
-Three minutes ago?
Okay, well, I...
I can still see people boarding.
Ma'am, I'm gonna need you
to calm down, please.
Did you just swear
at me, sir?
- Oh, my God.
- What? What?
Liv, can you believe
this man attacking us like this?
-Sir, I'm sorry.
-This is ridiculous.
-No, he's not.
-Do you want to say that again,
-sir?
-Oh, my God.
So that everybody can hear?
It was worth a shot.
-What?
-GPS says eight hours.
Bet I can make it in seven.
I don't want to get pulled over.
Oh, come on, Liv.
I have the faith for the rental.
You have the dead dad money
for speeding tickets.
- I'm sorry, that was...
- Uh, it's her.
Olivia...
uh, just making sure
you're on your way.
I told him
I wasn't going to do this
unless you were here too...
...so, um...
please be here.
Listen, uh, I-- I know
this is supposed to be
just for me, but, uh...
I want it to be for us.
When was
the last time you saw her?
- In person?
- Yeah.
I think
when she dropped me off
- freshman year.
- Really?
It was right after
my dad died.
I saw other families crying,
but she just drove away.
Those never worked
for me.
"Cleansing breaths"?
My dad thinks they're bullshit.
Lotta shrinks do.
Does he...
have any other suggestions?
Tell me...
five things you see.
- Really?
- Don't think, just say.
Um...
The clock, the steering wheel...
that creepy building.
Good. Two more.
Uh, your necklace.
And...
I think that's a scarecrow.
Three things you hear.
Uh, the car heater,
the radio, your voice.
One thing you smell.
Orange blossom.
That's impressive.
How do you feel?
I'm almost ready.
Have the courage
to have the conflict.
You steal that one
from your dad too?
- He got it from me.
- Hmm.
No shit.
Sit.
Good evening, friends.
Welcome to our first
in person gathering
and the first day
of the rest of your lives.
You've all demonstrated
incredible commitment
and even more
incredible potential.
But after traveling
all this way,
I think it would do us all well
to remember
why we're here
in the first place.
Hey, uh... I've--
I've never really done
anything like this before, uh,
but I... I have something
that I want to share.
I was depressed.
I was paralyzed.
I was a little down.
Sort of in a dark place.
Felt like I was trapped.
I was suffocating.
I was scared
and I was looking for anything.
And then I find this guy online,
calls himself
the Truth Ambassador.
The Truth Ambassador.
The Truth Ambassador
on the internet.
You know I'm religious,
but he's not really religious
in that sense.
He has this thing
that can help you
find your purpose
to find out who you really are.
The way he reframes everything,
the generosity.
I know where I need
to be in life.
My life is turned
into a dip in this pool
and it's every day like this.
This shit is for real, y'all.
He helped me find me.
He helped me help myself.
A whole different part of myself
that I never knew existed.
And it's working.
Find the Truth Ambassador.
While these people
made tremendous strides,
our journey this weekend
is unprecedented.
I implore you all
to choose yourselves
in ways
you never thought possible.
Remember, I am not the Messiah.
You are.
You all know
my alter ego.
And in that way...
you may think
you already know me.
But we are here
for the next three days
to peel away the pretense...
to shed our skin.
My name is Curtis Clark.
And what a pleasure it is
to meet you.
What was that?
I'm sorry.
There's no photography.
Sorry, I--
I didn't turn the flash off.
You signed
the agreement.
- I-- I know.
- Hand it to me.
It's okay.
It's okay. Come on.
What are you doing?
- Destroying your phone.
- Uh--
All right.
It's time to go.
- What?
- Out the door.
Do not come back.
You just smashed my phone.
There's a bus stop
about a mile down the road.
Next one's
in 14 minutes if you run.
You're kicking me out?
I'm-- I'm paying you
everything I've had.
We all know what you're paying.
I can't.
I-- I can't go back.
Wh... what... what do I do?
Only you can answer that.
No, no.
Please, please.
I'm sorry.
I've never met anyone
who gets it like you do.
I worship you.
-I worship you.
-And that's your first mistake.
I am not God.
I hope you find
the truth you seek.
But it will not be with me.
What about them?
They showed up late.
They're not even wearing masks.
They are not
your concern.
You made your choice.
I want my money back.
I suggest you think
very carefully...
about your next one.
Bus leaves in 13.
Misplaced trust.
There is nothing more dangerous.
But, of course,
you all know that far too well.
Your lives, until now,
have been defined and betrayed
by a school, hospital, family.
Yes?
What about you?
A cult.
Now...
as you're all aware,
we are in the midst
of the witching season.
And while those around us
may be putting their masks on,
we have gathered here
to take ours off.
Pumpkin.
Hello, Pumpkin. Please stand.
Now, in a moment,
I want you
to please take off your mask
share your chosen name,
and in a single word,
describe what you hope to glean
from our time here together.
You understand?
All right, on you go.
Well...
My name is Andy now,
and my word is "perspective."
Thank you, Andy.
Soon you will see.
Dog.
Owen.
- Truth.
- Truth.
Sit.
But not as a dog.
As Owen.
Sit.
Oh, careful. Watch your step.
Owen.
Truth.
Ghost.
Joanne.
Courage.
It's closer than you think.
Thank you, Joanne.
Sheep.
When you're ready.
Rebecca.
- Freedom.
- Freedom!
Thank you, Rebecca.
Olivia, will you come join
your mother and me up here?
- Um...
- Liv, please.
I have to see this.
Come, come.
- Olivia, now.
- Welcome, Olivia.
Welcome, Olivia.
There we go.
There we go.
Was that so hard?
My friends,
it is my profound honor
to introduce you
to my beautiful step daughter...
Olivia.
I'm s-- I'm sorry,
what did you just say?
This. This is my chosen family.
Oh, my--
Ah, all this pageantry tonight.
This pageantry tonight,
this... this is a symbol.
A shackles society has used
to immobilize us.
But this weekend...
you can achieve something more.
I am talking about...
"Radical Autonomy."
None of you asked to be born.
-No.
-Right? No one asked to be born.
But you can choose
to be born again.
You can finally help yourselves.
You can all be gods.
No more cults.
No more cults. No more cults.
No more cults!
No more cults!
No more cults! No more cults!
No more cults! No more cults!
No more cults!
It's a fucking cult.
Not gonna lie,
step daddy's kinda hot.
Ew. I'm gonna kill myself.
That's, like,
classic cult behavior, Liv.
I told you
I didn't wanna come here.
She's always spending
my dad's money on this bullshit.
This is weird, right?
They're all sleeping
in the backyard.
Girls.
We're about to do
the mask burning.
Uh, Sophie, could you give us
a minute, please?
I know you must have
a lot of questions.
Are you actually married?
-Mom?
-I know it seems unusual.
How long have you known him?
And your middle name's Rebecca.
Why are you using it?
A fresh start.
Settling in all right?
Sweetheart...
...I know that we have
a lot to talk about,
but I really feel good
about this, for both of us.
For the first time
in a very long time--
What's expected of me here?
It's pretty intense.
Well, it's not supposed
to be easy.
You're just auditing.
I want you to see
the work he does.
How it changes people.
What kind of change?
Well, it's up to them.
Isn't that what you want?
We all chose a mask
representing
a personal shortcoming.
I chose, well...
But I'm taking control now.
Rebecca?
Hey, what's your shortcoming?
-Sophie.
-It's a long story.
Uh, it's not really my business,
but... you guys
seemed surprised by the ring.
Yeah, um, I didn't even know
he existed, so...
And, uh, apparently
the internet doesn't either.
I've been Googling
Curtis Clarks
and there's a ton of them,
but none that look like him.
Sorry...
...about my friend.
She's paranoid.
That's all good.
Good to do your research.
So, have you, like, met
all these people before or...?
I can't.
I... I... I... I... I... I...
I don't--
I don't think I can do this.
- Of course you can.
- I-- I-- I don't think
-I can do this. No, no, no.
-Yes, you can.
- Yes, you can.
- I have to call him.
He needs to know where I am.
C-- Call who--
Who, Joanne?
My son, Charlie.
He had a baby.
He just had one
and I wasn't there.
My baby had a baby
and I wasn't there!
Just listen. Listen to me.
Listen to me.
Joanne doesn't have children.
Joanne is a newborn herself.
I'm Lisa.
Now, you stop that right now.
You... are... Joanne.
You are joyful. Joyful Joanne.
Beautiful,
joyful, jubilant.
Judgment-free Joanne.
I have to go back,
I have to go back!
There is nowhere to go back to.
You left all that behind.
- I made a mistake.
- Yes, you did.
You made a mistake for 60 years.
Living a lie,
keeping Joanne in the shadows.
But you're free.
Now, you're free.
Andy, tell her.
-You're so brave, Joanne.
-Rebecca.
We see you. Break the cycle.
You are seen.
Owen!
I want to go home.
- And you... you're almost there.
- I want to go home.
You... You were so on your way.
You told me yourself, right?
What did you tell me?
What did you tell me?
You said
you weren't abandoning anyone.
-You didn't abandon anyone.
-No.
You wouldn't
abandon anyone.
- No.
- But why? Why?
- Because of...
- Because?
Yes... Because...
They abandoned me!
I'm so proud of you.
I'm so proud of you.
We have just witnessed
something extraordinary.
This is... this is an act.
A gesture of defiance.
Of a woman claiming herself.
Over the course
of this retreat, you too may...
you may feel drawn
to a gesture of your own.
A moment may present itself.
A... an impulse may arise.
You follow it.
You follow it.
There is nothing more pitiful
than the unlived life.
You did it.
No one else.
- I did it.
- You did it.
I did it.
Remember, friends.
I'm only here to hold your hand
as you journey to find the self
you don't remember forgetting.
Now, close your eyes.
Breath in.
Venture into the shadows with me
and ask yourself,
who are you
when no one is watching?
What sound do you make
in the forest
when no-one is there
to hear it?
Sorry, I didn't mean
to startle you.
Um, mind if I join you?
I know that was a lot tonight.
What part?
All of it.
They expect
a little theatricality.
Hmm.
Whether they
admit to it or not.
Right.
Is that why you...
have a cartoon in your videos?
Oh, I'm just camera shy.
Were you really in a cult?
Aren't we all?
Isn't that
what all this is?
No. Cults want people to stay.
I want them to...
I want them to move on.
I love your mom, Olivia.
I know it's probably hard
for you to believe.
What do you love about her?
-Her curiosity. Her conviction.
-Doesn't sound like my mom.
Well, you're just
not looking at it
from the right angle.
-Rebecca--
-That's not her name.
It is now.
She tells me that you struggle
with decision paralysis.
Is that right?
I'd like to help you.
Like I'm helping her.
Is that why I'm here?
Well, how much of your life
has been chosen by you, Olivia?
I...
I don't... I don't--
Or are you just a bystander?
One domino after another.
-Listen, that woman tonight--
-She made a choice.
Sometimes you have to do
whatever it takes
to become who you are.
This weekend is an opportunity
for you and your mom
to choose who you are
to each other.
Not because
you were born into it,
but because it is born
out of you.
All right, well...
think about it.
Do it. Do it.
Sophie, do you hear that?
Mom?
Mom?
Oh, my God.
You are your sheep.
Sheep.
Oh, my God!
Mom! What the fuck?
"Good morning.
"I want to commend you
on taking these first steps.
"Stripping yourself
of your mask is very difficult.
"But necessary.
Please don't just
sit there. Eat."
"By now,
you have noticed
"that I'm not here this morning.
"That's because this weekend
isn't about me.
It's about you."
I'm sorry.
Oh, oh!
Take your space, Rebecca.
Thank you.
"Today, um...
"you will all be leading
the workshops yourselves,
"exerting your agency.
"I will return tonight,
anticipating your progress.
To expansion and liberation,
Curtis Clark."
Mm.
That's my man.
All right, well, um...
maybe we start
with, um, setting an intention
for the day.
Something that we want
to improve on from yesterday.
I am going to use my voice.
I'm going to lean into fear.
Hmm.
- Joanne, are you injured?
- No. Healing.
No more reminders of before.
Mm-hmm.
-Are you feeling--
-Much better. Thank you.
Like myself.
Girls, do you wanna
give it a try?
Oh, no. I-- I thought
we were just auditing, so...
Oh, no, please.
We'd all love to hear.
Mm-hmm.
I think...
I'm gonna knock on doors
before I open them.
-Sophie?
-No, no.
She's right.
-We should talk about it.
-Mom.
We're all adults here, Olivia.
And it's perfectly natural.
Please stop,
I don't wanna talk--
Olivia walked in on Curtis
having sex with me last night.
-Oh, my God.
-It was a power exercise.
A... an exercise
in granting status.
And what it feels like
to take it back for yourself.
Sounds incredible.
It was.
It's exactly what I needed.
Jesus fucking Christ.
Uh. Excuse me.
Olivia?
I knew this would happen.
I fucking called it.
I knew this would
fucking happen.
Where are you going?
Can we drive? Come on.
No. Liv, just stop.
Let me help you, please.
You can't fucking
help me, Sophie!
She's been this way
since I was a kid.
She's fucking manic, you know?
One day she's, like, flirting
with all my fucking guy friends
and it's fucking weird.
And then the next day,
she's like,
"I'm gonna sell this skincare
and this Ponzi scheme.
- It's gonna be amazing."
- Okay.
- Fuck.
- Hang on.
- Wh-- Where are my keys?
- Just hang on.
-Do you have my keys?
-Just a second. Just let me--
Just breathe. It's okay
- I'm sick of it.
- I know.
Look, Liv. My dad.
We never really connected
growing up,
and I kept thinking that
I would just wake up one day
and he would be the dad that...
I thought he should be, and...
I just... I had to meet him
where he was.
-I've tried so many times.
-I know, I know, Liv but...
Has she ever hurt you?
Like, hit me? No.
Has she ever lied to you?
I don't think so.
So, what has she done?
Um...
She always lies to herself.
And just, like, doesn't deal
with her own shit.
Exactly. Yes, her shit.
Do I still think
it's kind of a cult?
Yes, absolutely.
But so is... religion
and the military,
Mary Kay.
-Big one.
-Big one.
I just want her
to be normal.
What do you think she wants?
Listen to your senses.
You know where
you're supposed to go.
-I don't.
-Olivia.
Come on, Liv.
-Uh...
-Now toward the river.
Yeah. I-- I don't even--
I don't even know
what direction I'm facing.
Just feel it.
All right. You're almost there.
-Yup.
-You got this.
A little bit more. You got it.
Oh. Yup, you're good.
Drown out all the noise.
Listen to your voice,
not theirs.
Right there, right there.
Yes!
Nice, Olivia.
Well done.
- Did you all see that?
- Mm-hmm.
-That burst of self-assurance?
-Yes, it was beautiful!
Imagine this out in the world.
Imagine ourselves, unencumbered.
Our voices unmuffled.
-I want to go next!
-Hmm.
I need to go next!
Okay, Owen, um,
set him up at the tree line.
And... and we'll reset the ring.
On it.
How do you feel?
Um, good.
Powerful.
That's what I want
for you.
I'm not sorry that it happened,
but I am sorry that you saw.
If you want
to talk about it, I'm--
No, I'm-- No, I'm good.
He's ready.
Damn it!
No, no! Don't help me!
No, no, no!
Damn it!
Fuck! Am I close?
No.
No blindfold.
No blindfold, I... I...
It's not real, I--
I-- I need it to be real!
Andy, the exercise--
I know, but...
I need something else.
Does anybody
still have their masks?
Maybe we can black out the eyes.
No, no.
I-- I'm not going backwards.
So, what do you want to do?
"No more reminders of before."
Andy?
-Wait.
-Rebecca?
Don't interrupt.
There's no stopping it.
It's not a matter of if,
it's a matter of when.
-Mom, you can't let him do this.
-This is not my choice.
-I decide!
-Are you sure?
-Yes!
-Then we are here for you.
-No. He can go to a doctor.
-No.
They'll just put me on a list!
They don't know what it's like.
Nobody knows what it's like!
-Andy!
-Fuck!
No!
Let me go! Let me go!
Let me go! No!
It's all right.
I can't believe he did that.
It's not fair.
He didn't have to do that.
It's not fair. It's not fair.
Why did he do that?
He didn't have to do that.
The poor guy!
Andy?
Give me your hand.
What the fuck? What was that?
He made a choice.
That was his gesture.
-It's not our place...
-Mom.
...to decide what--
You can't actually believe that.
Oliv-- Yes.
I do believe that, Olivia.
Mom, mom, he tried
to cut his fucking eyes out!
He took control.
Like I'm taking control
-of my life, of my future, of--
-You're not taking control.
You're just doing whatever
this creep wants you to do.
-And he's making you think...
-Don't you dare talk about him
-like that!
-...it's all your decisions!
At least
when you cheated on Dad,
it was
your own decision--
Bitch.
Liv?
Why did you do that?
- Do what?
- At the river. You stopped me.
I didn't want you
to get hurt.
Sophie, do you see
what's happening here?
What these people are doing?
He has a disease, Olivia.
He's... he's--
Okay. Yeah.
I take back whatever I said.
You sound exactly
like my mother.
Well, maybe
that's not such a bad thing.
Sophie, are you okay with this?
I don't know.
Olivia, wait!
I'm sorry, I don't want you
to think that I'm--
- Olivia.
- What are you doing?
I know
what it looks like.
- Is that my mom's?
- Yes. Quiet. Please.
- Why are you in here?
- She's in trouble.
-How... how do you know that?
-He got my mom too.
I was still in high school.
He called himself
something else then.
"The Ascension Emissary."
It's a different character,
different socials.
But it's all the same shit.
What happened to her?
I don't know.
One night,
she just never came home.
A few weeks later,
I found some burner accounts.
Stuff like this.
Go to the bottom.
He drained our accounts.
Everything my mom
had her name on.
I wanted to tell you yesterday,
but I wasn't sure.
You can trust me.
Okay, I've been recording
everything I can.
It's all on this.
But I don't want to get
your mom in trouble.
What do you mean?
I saw her lacing the tea
this morning.
Before breakfast.
- Is that why--
- Yeah.
She told us it would make us
more impulsive,
but I don't know
if she was gonna tell you guys--
Porch lights are off too.
Looks like the whole house.
Um, we should get downstairs.
What are you doing
in our room?
Oh, um... Uh, I was...
Oh, I see.
-Uh, no. We were just--
-If fucking my stepdaughter
in my marital bed
is your gesture, Owen,
then by all means...
Okay, uh-- Uh, we were just--
We were just talking and--
Oh, right. Yeah, I see. Okay.
Hey, Olivia,
will you go check the breaker?
Yeah. Um, is there a...
Uh, uh... utility shed.
Metal barn out front.
We'll go together.
That's all right.
You stay here. I got...
I got some lanterns on
that we can take down together.
- Okay.
- Sure.
- All right, downstairs.
- Right.
All right.
How's the weekend been working
for you so far, Owen?
You feel like you moving
closer to your... your truth?
Curtis said
you freed yourselves.
-Your new lives start tonight.
-W... what does that mean?
- Where are we going?
- That's not our business.
But can we choose to stay?
I often wonder
if your mother
would have made more progress
had we met in person.
You do look so much like her.
Your brother too.
At least that's what I imagine
he would've looked like.
Had you not... you know?
She never told me
if he died instantly.
-It was an accident.
-If that's your truth.
- Fuck you.
- What did you say?
- Fuck... you.
- It's time.
Take a step, take a step.
It's okay.
Yeah, right here.
Big step, big step.
What did it feel like
when you realized
that you hadn't just
taken that step...
I didn't see him!
I didn't know
he'd crawled down--
...you wouldn't have crushed
your baby brother's skull?
How was that?
I'm gonna tell you
how it was for your mom.
I guided her through the grief
as long as she allowed me in.
Until it just became too much.
What hap...
what happened to her?
Oh, I don't know.
Your guess is as good as mine.
She didn't want the world
to know that you were a...
I don't... I don't think
"murderer" fair,
but... what would you call it?
Don't scream.
Or move.
Nod, "Yes."
I figured they'd send
somebody out to fix it.
And I was hoping it'd be you.
Who are you?
- Nobody.
- Not anymore.
Who are you?
And a better question,
what does he want with you?
I... I... I don't know--
'Cause I committed
my life, my soul to this work.
- And you?
- You... ...show up.
Get a front row seat
without knowing
the first thing about him.
What makes you so special?
It's all bullshit.
It's... it's... it's not real.
It's--
That's what I'm talking about.
See, disrespect.
ignorance. How dare you?
And you think
I'm stupid.
You think I'm crazy.
- No.
- I'm not.
I didn't throw
my whole life away
on some fucking whim.
I believe in this.
I believe in myself.
T... t... tell him,
not... not me.
He's... he's right...
he's right in there.
Words don't mean shit.
I have to show him.
My gesture of defiance.
- Please don't.
- Please don't. No!
This is a test.
It has to be.
After everything I've invested!
Everything I've left behind!
I'm special.
Sophie?
Help! Somebody help, please!
Help! Help me!
You know,
I never killed anybody before.
I have.
Olivia, that was unbelievable.
Truly. I mean, wow!
W... w... why didn't you
help me?
You had to help yourself.
He was gonna kill me.
And look
what it unleashed in you.
Liv, I've never seen you
like that.
Sophie, sweetheart...
I'm so proud of you.
Your dad would be too.
Did you set this all up?
Olivia, the world presented you
with an obstacle,
as it always will,
and you overcame.
Mom, listen, okay?
I-- I-- I know I shouldn't have
slapped you earlier.
- That wasn't--
- No, no, no.
That was your truth.
We said more to each other
in that moment
than we have in years.
Owen! Owen!
-Owen has elected to leave us.
-No. No. No.
No, no, no, no, no. Fuck!
Fuck!
It's just a sedative.
Derek?
What's up, Allison?
I have her location,
Derek! I know she's in there.
I never said
that she wasn't.
The plane literally
leaves in an hour, Liv.
You ready for Round 2?
New match.
Do you even like me?
What? Um, yeah.
Yeah, you're, uh... fine.
New match.
Keep asking yourself
what you're feeling
in your body.
We don't have time.
If you're not down...
I kinda got shit to do, so...
How do you react
when things don't turn out
the way you want them to?
Are you even in here?
Liv, are you...
are you even hearing me?
Are you listening? Hello?
- New match.
- Olivia! And you wonder
why your mom doesn't wanna
fucking talk to you.
You ever wonder why your mom
doesn't fucking like you?
What instincts
are you suppressing?
New match.
Breathe into it.
Release.
God fucking dammit!
You always fucking do this!
Every fucking time!
- You... are... enough.
- Every fucking--
She called the store last week
after you clocked out.
I-- I gave her my number
'cause you, like, never answer.
What emotions
do you suppress?
...one plane
and we have to make it.
What would happen
if you allowed yourself...
I'm just trying to keep you
out of your own way.
- ...to feel them?
- Okay?
Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it!
Do it! Do it! Do it!
Oh, yeah.
- No.
- Oh, my God.
No, no, no, no, no.
What is something
your younger self needed...
Shit. Shit, shit,
shit, shit, shit.
...but never received?
Mommy?
Olivia.
No, it's okay.
Uh, baby, look at me.
Look at me.
It's going to be okay.
It's good, okay?
It's going to be okay.
We can't tell anyone
about this.
We can't tell anyone
about this, okay?
This is going to be
our big girl secret.
It's between me and you, okay?
- Okay? Okay! Okay? Okay!
- Uh-oh!
Okay.
Okay.
Let me see where you're hurt.
Please?
I want to feel it too.
What has your shadow
always wanted?
Tell me, Livvy.
Did you love dad?
No.
Do you love me?
I used to.
I want to.
This is a second chance, Olivia.
A new father.
A new family.
They have been very good for us.
You... you said they--
Avoiding just makes it worse.
Sophie and I
were disconnected
for a long time
since she was a little girl.
But we found common ground--
In conning people.
In helping people
help themselves.
You don't see it now,
but it's a very, very good thing
that he does for people.
Whatever you need,
I'll receive it.
- I want to go home.
- Liv, I'm sorry.
Don't say anything
that you don't mean.
Dad, please, please.
-We haven't talked about--
-No. You know better.
Mom, please.
This is my home now, Olivia.
It can be your home too.
He's... he's using you.
This is my choice.
You're pathetic.
Maybe.
But I'm working on it.
-I thought you said that she--
-Give her time.
-I'll open yours.
-Oh, okay.
You have a passport
and a bus ticket to...
I'm ready
to move on, Joanne.
- Uh, can I help you?
- Jesus!
Can you turn off the vacuum?
Did my husband call you?
No. This is just
when I'm scheduled.
- By?
- By the property owner.
Right. My husband.
Sure. If your husband's name
is Patricia.
I think there must be
some mistake.
Yeah, I'd say so.
Check-out's
supposed to be 10:00 a.m.
You have the wrong house!
Ma'am...
I have been cleaning this place
for Patty for six years.
I think you're the one
who has the wrong--
- Curtis?
- Oh, yeah, Curtis.
That was the name
on the reservation.
Yo!
What are you up to
on this evening?
Okay? I'll... text you?
You know, you're kinda scary.
Kinda hot.
Trick or treat!
Happy Halloween!
Trick or treat.
Take some of these ones.
Hmm, that's the big one.
Everyone taking the big one.
Whoa!
You scared me.
Happy Halloween, little ones.
- Happy Halloween!
- Bye!
-Are you going out?
-There's a concert downtown.
- Oh, anyone I'd like?
- I don't think so, Gary.
-I thought that we could--
-Maybe later.
You know,
Madison, you used to--
Don't take it personally.
Ha! We have...
I'm sorry. Did that hurt?
Okay, let's breathe, breathe.
Oh, my God.
Okay, it's Olivia, right?
All right.
Hey, listen. Listen, I want to--
Ow! Fuck!
It's just a sedative.
Okay. Oh, yes. All right, okay.
Hello, Olivia.
Hello, Olivia. Uh, I, uh...
I get it you're not here
on behalf of your mother.
- You two still married?
- Oh, we never were.
Uh, you know
how credulous she can be.
I just wanted to help.
Bullshit.
I told you,
they want theatricality.
Do I lie? Yes, I have to.
That's the only way they find--
God damn it, Olivia!
Will you knock that off?
These people
need a stake in it,
so that they can subscribe
to their new selves.
They are better off
for being gotten the better of.
It's not work
I can do in my practice,
but I believe in it.
Candidly, Olivia.
I was... I was so thrilled
with the work we did together.
Few things take me
by surprise, but... you did.
And that final gesture,
the child abandoning the mother,
that is true autonomy.
Where's the money?
Huh.
-How much do you want?
-All of it.
That's a little selfish,
don't you think?
Isn't that what you preach?
Well, it's a little more
complicated than you think.
There are accounts.
Transfers take time.
You seem like the kind of guy
who would have cash
in the house.
Five duffel bags is a lot
to launder in a couple days.
Well, you murdered someone.
I was a witness,
and now you're kidnapping.
You know what?
I completely forgot to show you
the video that's gonna be posted
when all this is live.
Over the course of this retreat,
you may feel drawn to a gesture.
That's only some of it,
but you get the point.
The world has presented you
with an obstacle,
as it always will.
How do you react...
when things don't turn out
the way you wanted?
Upstairs.
Guest room to the left.
Safe in the closet.
Passcode, 8-2-6-1.
Turn it off!
Turn it off, Olivia.
Turn it off. I made my choice!
"Choice"?
Five seconds 'til you're live.
Olivia!
Olivia!
How did you find us?
I... I-- I still have
your location.
Hmm
Knew I forgot something.
Thought you were going downtown.
I saw the rental car
parked at the gas station.
Thought you would have
returned that by now.
Hmm.
Yeah, I forgot something.
Did you get what you came for?
Mostly.
Were we ever really friends?
I think we could've have been.
What's next?
Um...
I think another workshop
after Christmas.
"New Year, New You."
I'm sorry
you got dragged into this.
You're not.
Think I made it out
better than anyone.
You don't need him.
It's not that easy, Olivia.
Could be.
Just... trying to get you
out of your own way.
Hey, Liv.
Happy birthday.