The Absence of Milk in the Mouths of the Lost (2023) Movie Script
1
[tape hiss]
[phone rings, keyboard clicking]
[medical device beeping]
[haunting melody over noise]
- [man] Dr Miller, dial 216.
- [woman speaking indistinctly]
[beeping frequency increases]
[wet sounds, crying]
[indistinct talking over noise]
[crying]
- [Maria] My beautiful baby girl.
- [Maria] Ill never let you go.
[noise becomes dissonant and distorted]
[Raging Bull by Bedwetter]
I wave my selfish wand
No private industry
You shave your raging bull
And wear its fur to sleep, but youre happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
[indistinct echoing womans voice]
[indistinct echoing mans voice]
I organized your files
I built your big machine
Protester take a swim
I swear the waters clean, and Im happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
[beeping resumes]
Happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
[song ends, beeping continues]
[birds twittering over ambient noise]
[haunting melody repeats]
[distant indistinct voices]
[footfalls]
[light knocking]
[louder knocking]
[knocking]
[loud knocking]
[loud knocking]
[vehicle starts and drives away]
[new melody rises out of noise]
[liquid dripping]
[melody distorts and breaks apart]
[new noise arises]
[birds twittering]
[low, menacing melody rises]
[low, menacing melody returns]
[new melody develops]
[low, menacing melody returns]
[low, menacing melody gets louder]
[ethereal ambience]
[foreboding loud noises]
[flies buzzing over foreboding loud noises]
[looping, siren-like noise rises]
[noises cut out]
[birds twittering]
Wheres Jessica?
- I dont know.
We should throw a birthday
party for her today.
Yeah, she's probably
having a hard time today..
[tape unsticking]
[other-worldly, garbled sounds]
I hope you're having a good day,
sweetheart.
I'm just catching up on some things
around the house.
I have some good news.
Turns out your favorite dog
never actually ran away.
I found him this morning under
the porch, curled up, still and cold.
He was probably just waiting for you
to come home. Isnt that funny?
He must have been there for
a long time, and I had no idea.
I watched the clouds part this morning
and a couple of tears fell out of them,
so I'm happy they are feeling something,
because I can't say I have been.
Tonight, your bowl of ice cream is left out in
case you want to join me for dessert tonight.
If you get home late, just make sure
to wake me and tell me youre back.
[droning noise over distant sounds of children playing]
[echoing, deflated melody]
[droning noise over distant sounds of children playing]
[fast, looping, high-pitched sounds]
[main theme emerges from under noise]
[noise level drops and droning returns]
[uneasy peaceful tone rises out of droning]
[droning ends]
[brittle ambient park sounds]
Feels good to have a
second to yourself, right?
Im Sasha, by the way.
Maria.
Which ones yours?
Oh... it's just me, today.
Having a break, right?
We all need a break.
Cant live with 'em, cant
live without 'em, right?
My daughter is...
turning eleven today.
- Oh my gosh!
Wow. They grow up so fast.
Next thing you know,
youre going to be saying goodbye
to her as she goes off to college.
[laughs] Walking her down the
aisle on her wedding day.
- Mommy, mommy, theres a monster.
- Theres a monster?
Well you better run away from it!
Was it scary?
Oh, no! I'll protect you, dont worry.
Well, we gotta go. But it was nice meeting you.
And tell your daughter happy birthday.
OK, ready? Lets go!
Nice to meet you.
- Yeah! Lets go, lets go!
[hissy, droning noise]
[child laughing in distance]
[childs laughter]
Do you want to hear a joke?
- Sure.
So what does a cake
say when he got into a fight?
What?
- You want a piece of me?
[all giggling]
That's the best joke cause were having cake!
- Mmm-hmm.
How is the cake?
- I havent tried it.
- Mines all right.
[dissonant overlapping noises]
[Maria] I'm so proud of you, Jessica.
The more you grow up,
the more I hope you do marvelous things.
I have so much faith in you,
my sweet angel.
You will move mountains.
Right now, and every day,
I want you to be brave.
Things right now are scary
and they will continue to be scary.
But I'm watching over you.
I may not be around, but I love you
more than you could ever know.
Remember that film
we used to watch together?
Second star to the right
and straight on until morning.
I will look for you there.
Today, all I ask of you, Jessica,
is to have a special birthday.
Because even if we never see each other again,
you live inside my heart forever.
I love you,
my Jessica.
Mommy's got you... shhh.
Mommy has you.
Ill never let you go.
My beautiful baby.
Very nice, I like this.
- I love all the food.
I think we did a great job.
- Mmm-hmm.
- I hope Jessica turns up soon.
Yeah, where is she, actually?
We havent seen her all morning.
- Mmm-hmm, yeah.
- Maybe shes busy.
Yeah.
- Yeah.
- But she hasn't been going out.
Yeah.
- Well, we should do a cheers for her.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
Cheers to Jessica's.
[low, menacing melody]
[noise ends]
I can't wait to go there again.
It was super fun.
Hey, you guys -- do you smell that?
Yeah, I smell that.
- It smells gross.
Do you think something went bad?
Uh... maybe.
- Maybe.
It doesnt smell like the food.
- No.
[low, menacing melody returns]
[tinkling sounds emerge from low, menacing melody]
[demons grunting] - Run!
- Run!
[low, menacing melody returns]
[distorted screams]
[distorted screams]
[whack]
[distorted screams]
[whack]
[distorted screams]
[whack]
[screams fade out]
[whack]
[other-worldly sounds]
[garbled noises]
I don't know, Doctor. It's getting worse.
It's getting much worse.
Something or someone is inside my head
and controlling my thoughts.
I know this isn't me.
If I don't even see my face
when I look in the mirror anymore,
how can I expect anyone else to?
How can I even be sure it's me looking back?
I can't even remember what day it is.
I'll do it.
I'll cut my face off if it meant I could wear
anyone else's for only one day.
If it meant I didn't have to
feel this anymore.
If it meant I could spend the time with
the people who love me without hurting them
or feeling hurt.
If it meant I can protect one thing
I love in this world
without it slipping away forever.
Another cold night. I'm a ghost.
I've been gone for a long time
Only empty laughs.
A house with an empty bed.
I'm still thinking about
clawing my eyes out.
So, do you think you can pencil me in
for next week again, Doctor?
Hey, Jessica...
why weren't you at your birthday party?
I don't know. I guess...
I kind of buried a bird today,
and I'm kind of missing my mother.
How are you?
Today was good.
I haven't seen you in a while.
Yeah [sniffles]
we've been kind of distant.
[running water]
[fire burning]
[running water]
[static hum]
[knocking]
Maria, you're earlier than I expected.
You want to come in?
Yeah. Or I can go.
- No, no, no.
Come in, please.
Oh, hi, Maria.
Its so good to see you.
[stammering] How have you been today?
- [Maria] Im good.
- Good.
Um, what have you been up to?
Nothing much.
OK, um... well, how have you been feeling?
I'm fine.
- Good.
[Diane clears throat]
So, how's Cotton Candy Princess?
[Diane sighs]
She passed away.
But... she's in our hearts,
every single day.
Im sorry to hear that.
- Yeah.
Oh.
Well, um... it is so --
We're so happy to have you here tonight,
and it's just
a treat. A real treat to see you.
Can I use your bathroom?
Yeah. Of course. It's the first door on your right.
[Diane] Honey, does she seem off to you?
[Mark] When did she ever not seem off?
[Diane] I know -- I know its a hard day for her, but
I swear, sometimes it's like
speaking to a brick wall.
[Mark] Diana, you know she's not doing well.
[Diane] Well, you need help me with
this because I can't do it alone.
[Mark] I need to be there for her.
Shes going through unimaginable pain.
Especially today. I cant believe
youre acting like this.
[Diane] I dont know. I don't know, Mark.
She's just been weird.
I even recognize her anymore.
[Mark] Yeah, I don't either.
But who does she have anymore?
Nobody.
[Diane clears throat]
Sorry.
I think I need to leave.
Maria, are you sure?
Dinner's almost ready.
Yes, I'm sure.
[Mark] I'll call her in the morning.
[droning music rises]
[engine turns over]
[deflated melody under noise]
[looping industrial sound over noise]
[sad, echoing melody]
[industrial noise loop slows and fades out]
[echoing clang loop begins]
[melancholy melody emerges]
[noise fades into outdoor ambience]
You can leave the milk there. Thank you.
Can I help you?
I think I need to come in.
Are you okay?
- Yes.
Come in.
[clock ticking]
Your daughter is missing, isn't she?
Excuse me?
Your daughter went missing, didn't she?
Yes, she is.
How did you know that?
You aren't yourself anymore, are you?
Do I know you from somewhere?
I know where your daughter is.
I'm sorry.
I'm going to have to ask you to leave.
Her name is Jessica,
and she loves you very much.
It's been one year...
on her birthday, last year...
we were at the park in the middle of the day.
She ran after ball. I was looking in my purse.
And I didn't see her.
I watched a white van drive away
All alone, I birthed a beautiful daughter.
I never did anything,
until I made my Jessica.
Ive loved her since before I was born.
Now I have nothing. [sobbing]
There are demons out there
and there are also angels.
And which are you?
I can take you to her.
I think I know you are.
Please take me to her
Drink this, Maria.
[clock stops ticking]
[outdoor ambience]
[Ill Fly Away by Jamie Stewart]
Some glad morning
when this life is over
Ill...
fly away
to a home
on Gods celestial shore
Ill...
fly away
Ill...
fly away
O Glory
Ill...
fly away
When I die, Hallelujah
by and by
Ill...
fly away
When the shadows
of this life are gone
Ill...
fly away
Like a bird
from prison bars has flown
Ill...
fly away
Ill...
fly away
O Glory
Ill...
fly away
When I die, Hallelujah
by and by
Ill...
fly away
Just a few more
weary days and then
Ill...
fly away
to a land
where joy will never end
Ill...
fly away
Ill...
fly away
O Glory
Ill...
fly away
[cow lows]
When I die, Hallelujah
[cow lows]
by and by
Ill...
fly away
When I die, Hallelujah
by and by
Ill...
fly away
[medical beep resumes]
[Mark sighs]
[all sound ends]
[tape hiss]
[phone rings, keyboard clicking]
[medical device beeping]
[haunting melody over noise]
- [man] Dr Miller, dial 216.
- [woman speaking indistinctly]
[beeping frequency increases]
[wet sounds, crying]
[indistinct talking over noise]
[crying]
- [Maria] My beautiful baby girl.
- [Maria] Ill never let you go.
[noise becomes dissonant and distorted]
[Raging Bull by Bedwetter]
I wave my selfish wand
No private industry
You shave your raging bull
And wear its fur to sleep, but youre happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
[indistinct echoing womans voice]
[indistinct echoing mans voice]
I organized your files
I built your big machine
Protester take a swim
I swear the waters clean, and Im happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
[beeping resumes]
Happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
[song ends, beeping continues]
[birds twittering over ambient noise]
[haunting melody repeats]
[distant indistinct voices]
[footfalls]
[light knocking]
[louder knocking]
[knocking]
[loud knocking]
[loud knocking]
[vehicle starts and drives away]
[new melody rises out of noise]
[liquid dripping]
[melody distorts and breaks apart]
[new noise arises]
[birds twittering]
[low, menacing melody rises]
[low, menacing melody returns]
[new melody develops]
[low, menacing melody returns]
[low, menacing melody gets louder]
[ethereal ambience]
[foreboding loud noises]
[flies buzzing over foreboding loud noises]
[looping, siren-like noise rises]
[noises cut out]
[birds twittering]
Wheres Jessica?
- I dont know.
We should throw a birthday
party for her today.
Yeah, she's probably
having a hard time today..
[tape unsticking]
[other-worldly, garbled sounds]
I hope you're having a good day,
sweetheart.
I'm just catching up on some things
around the house.
I have some good news.
Turns out your favorite dog
never actually ran away.
I found him this morning under
the porch, curled up, still and cold.
He was probably just waiting for you
to come home. Isnt that funny?
He must have been there for
a long time, and I had no idea.
I watched the clouds part this morning
and a couple of tears fell out of them,
so I'm happy they are feeling something,
because I can't say I have been.
Tonight, your bowl of ice cream is left out in
case you want to join me for dessert tonight.
If you get home late, just make sure
to wake me and tell me youre back.
[droning noise over distant sounds of children playing]
[echoing, deflated melody]
[droning noise over distant sounds of children playing]
[fast, looping, high-pitched sounds]
[main theme emerges from under noise]
[noise level drops and droning returns]
[uneasy peaceful tone rises out of droning]
[droning ends]
[brittle ambient park sounds]
Feels good to have a
second to yourself, right?
Im Sasha, by the way.
Maria.
Which ones yours?
Oh... it's just me, today.
Having a break, right?
We all need a break.
Cant live with 'em, cant
live without 'em, right?
My daughter is...
turning eleven today.
- Oh my gosh!
Wow. They grow up so fast.
Next thing you know,
youre going to be saying goodbye
to her as she goes off to college.
[laughs] Walking her down the
aisle on her wedding day.
- Mommy, mommy, theres a monster.
- Theres a monster?
Well you better run away from it!
Was it scary?
Oh, no! I'll protect you, dont worry.
Well, we gotta go. But it was nice meeting you.
And tell your daughter happy birthday.
OK, ready? Lets go!
Nice to meet you.
- Yeah! Lets go, lets go!
[hissy, droning noise]
[child laughing in distance]
[childs laughter]
Do you want to hear a joke?
- Sure.
So what does a cake
say when he got into a fight?
What?
- You want a piece of me?
[all giggling]
That's the best joke cause were having cake!
- Mmm-hmm.
How is the cake?
- I havent tried it.
- Mines all right.
[dissonant overlapping noises]
[Maria] I'm so proud of you, Jessica.
The more you grow up,
the more I hope you do marvelous things.
I have so much faith in you,
my sweet angel.
You will move mountains.
Right now, and every day,
I want you to be brave.
Things right now are scary
and they will continue to be scary.
But I'm watching over you.
I may not be around, but I love you
more than you could ever know.
Remember that film
we used to watch together?
Second star to the right
and straight on until morning.
I will look for you there.
Today, all I ask of you, Jessica,
is to have a special birthday.
Because even if we never see each other again,
you live inside my heart forever.
I love you,
my Jessica.
Mommy's got you... shhh.
Mommy has you.
Ill never let you go.
My beautiful baby.
Very nice, I like this.
- I love all the food.
I think we did a great job.
- Mmm-hmm.
- I hope Jessica turns up soon.
Yeah, where is she, actually?
We havent seen her all morning.
- Mmm-hmm, yeah.
- Maybe shes busy.
Yeah.
- Yeah.
- But she hasn't been going out.
Yeah.
- Well, we should do a cheers for her.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
Cheers to Jessica's.
[low, menacing melody]
[noise ends]
I can't wait to go there again.
It was super fun.
Hey, you guys -- do you smell that?
Yeah, I smell that.
- It smells gross.
Do you think something went bad?
Uh... maybe.
- Maybe.
It doesnt smell like the food.
- No.
[low, menacing melody returns]
[tinkling sounds emerge from low, menacing melody]
[demons grunting] - Run!
- Run!
[low, menacing melody returns]
[distorted screams]
[distorted screams]
[whack]
[distorted screams]
[whack]
[distorted screams]
[whack]
[screams fade out]
[whack]
[other-worldly sounds]
[garbled noises]
I don't know, Doctor. It's getting worse.
It's getting much worse.
Something or someone is inside my head
and controlling my thoughts.
I know this isn't me.
If I don't even see my face
when I look in the mirror anymore,
how can I expect anyone else to?
How can I even be sure it's me looking back?
I can't even remember what day it is.
I'll do it.
I'll cut my face off if it meant I could wear
anyone else's for only one day.
If it meant I didn't have to
feel this anymore.
If it meant I could spend the time with
the people who love me without hurting them
or feeling hurt.
If it meant I can protect one thing
I love in this world
without it slipping away forever.
Another cold night. I'm a ghost.
I've been gone for a long time
Only empty laughs.
A house with an empty bed.
I'm still thinking about
clawing my eyes out.
So, do you think you can pencil me in
for next week again, Doctor?
Hey, Jessica...
why weren't you at your birthday party?
I don't know. I guess...
I kind of buried a bird today,
and I'm kind of missing my mother.
How are you?
Today was good.
I haven't seen you in a while.
Yeah [sniffles]
we've been kind of distant.
[running water]
[fire burning]
[running water]
[static hum]
[knocking]
Maria, you're earlier than I expected.
You want to come in?
Yeah. Or I can go.
- No, no, no.
Come in, please.
Oh, hi, Maria.
Its so good to see you.
[stammering] How have you been today?
- [Maria] Im good.
- Good.
Um, what have you been up to?
Nothing much.
OK, um... well, how have you been feeling?
I'm fine.
- Good.
[Diane clears throat]
So, how's Cotton Candy Princess?
[Diane sighs]
She passed away.
But... she's in our hearts,
every single day.
Im sorry to hear that.
- Yeah.
Oh.
Well, um... it is so --
We're so happy to have you here tonight,
and it's just
a treat. A real treat to see you.
Can I use your bathroom?
Yeah. Of course. It's the first door on your right.
[Diane] Honey, does she seem off to you?
[Mark] When did she ever not seem off?
[Diane] I know -- I know its a hard day for her, but
I swear, sometimes it's like
speaking to a brick wall.
[Mark] Diana, you know she's not doing well.
[Diane] Well, you need help me with
this because I can't do it alone.
[Mark] I need to be there for her.
Shes going through unimaginable pain.
Especially today. I cant believe
youre acting like this.
[Diane] I dont know. I don't know, Mark.
She's just been weird.
I even recognize her anymore.
[Mark] Yeah, I don't either.
But who does she have anymore?
Nobody.
[Diane clears throat]
Sorry.
I think I need to leave.
Maria, are you sure?
Dinner's almost ready.
Yes, I'm sure.
[Mark] I'll call her in the morning.
[droning music rises]
[engine turns over]
[deflated melody under noise]
[looping industrial sound over noise]
[sad, echoing melody]
[industrial noise loop slows and fades out]
[echoing clang loop begins]
[melancholy melody emerges]
[noise fades into outdoor ambience]
You can leave the milk there. Thank you.
Can I help you?
I think I need to come in.
Are you okay?
- Yes.
Come in.
[clock ticking]
Your daughter is missing, isn't she?
Excuse me?
Your daughter went missing, didn't she?
Yes, she is.
How did you know that?
You aren't yourself anymore, are you?
Do I know you from somewhere?
I know where your daughter is.
I'm sorry.
I'm going to have to ask you to leave.
Her name is Jessica,
and she loves you very much.
It's been one year...
on her birthday, last year...
we were at the park in the middle of the day.
She ran after ball. I was looking in my purse.
And I didn't see her.
I watched a white van drive away
All alone, I birthed a beautiful daughter.
I never did anything,
until I made my Jessica.
Ive loved her since before I was born.
Now I have nothing. [sobbing]
There are demons out there
and there are also angels.
And which are you?
I can take you to her.
I think I know you are.
Please take me to her
Drink this, Maria.
[clock stops ticking]
[outdoor ambience]
[Ill Fly Away by Jamie Stewart]
Some glad morning
when this life is over
Ill...
fly away
to a home
on Gods celestial shore
Ill...
fly away
Ill...
fly away
O Glory
Ill...
fly away
When I die, Hallelujah
by and by
Ill...
fly away
When the shadows
of this life are gone
Ill...
fly away
Like a bird
from prison bars has flown
Ill...
fly away
Ill...
fly away
O Glory
Ill...
fly away
When I die, Hallelujah
by and by
Ill...
fly away
Just a few more
weary days and then
Ill...
fly away
to a land
where joy will never end
Ill...
fly away
Ill...
fly away
O Glory
Ill...
fly away
[cow lows]
When I die, Hallelujah
[cow lows]
by and by
Ill...
fly away
When I die, Hallelujah
by and by
Ill...
fly away
[medical beep resumes]
[Mark sighs]
[all sound ends]