The Darkening Hour (2024) Movie Script
(projector whirs and clicks)
(ominous music)
(distant chanting)
(dark orchestral music)
(distant chanting)
(chanting in foreign language)
(dark music continues)
(dark music continues)
(dog barks)
(dog barks)
(birds chirp)
(suspenseful music)
(crow caws)
Mr. Westover.
(Rod chuckles)
Come on, call me Rod.
You're in the country now.
[Jeffery] This is my wife Louise.
(crows caw)
(eerie music)
Uh...
So, here are your keys.
(Rod chuckles)
- A crystal?
[Rod] Yeah, my wife thinks...
[Jeffery] She a collector?
We, um, had the cabin cleaned,
and stocked, just as you requested.
Thank you.
You know, I was really
surprised it was available
with the holiday and all.
Rod?
(eerie music continues)
No, I'm, I'm sorry.
It's all right.
If you need anything else,
we're just up the street a bit.
Just give a call.
Uh, one more thing.
It's probably nothing, really, but um...
Ms. Daughton...
You know what? It's, uh...
It's nothing.
What about her?
(Rod sighs)
She, um...
She likes to stir things up around here.
Especially with new people, so,
if she comes around, just ignore her.
Don't listen to anything she says. It's...
She's getting up in years.
She's a bit bat crazy,
really. (Chuckles) So...
[Jeffery] Oh, and happy new year, Rod.
Yeah, uh, happy new year.
(dark music)
(car door slams)
(car starts)
(crow caws)
(birds chirp)
Look. He didn't...
Come on. Let's see what we
have waiting in the cabin.
(door creaks)
Didn't I tell you? It's nice, isn't it?
(chuckles) It's really nice, Jeffery.
You'll see. A couple weeks
here is just the thing.
Everything's gonna be fine
from now on. (Chuckles)
(dark music continues)
So, how'd it go?
Hey, baby.
Oh, you know. The usual.
Can I grab a cup, please?
- Yeah.
City couple get settled in okay?
[Rod] Yeah, a little
late, but they got here.
And nice folks?
He seems friendly enough. Um...
Something about the wife, though.
How's that?
It's really, it's nothing.
So, he's a writer?
Yeah, that's what he said
when he called to reserve.
Writes for magazine. Or, uh...
Maybe it was a newspaper. Doesn't matter.
So, did you tell 'em?
(dark music)
I mean, what tonight is?
I know what you mean.
Caroline, they came here
for some peace. Okay, baby?
(Caroline sighs)
Let's leave 'em be.
(dark music continues)
(bottle cap clicks)
You'll see. Nature's just what you need.
It's what we both need.
(dark music)
(crickets chirp)
Ready?
- Mm-hm.
(cork pops)
(both chuckle)
- Happy new year.
- Happy new year.
(both chuckle)
(dark music continues)
(crickets chirp)
(muffled footsteps approach)
(dramatic orchestral music)
- Jeff!
- What's wrong?
- There's someone outside!
- What?
[Louise] Out there! Outside!
Wait here.
(door slams)
Someone out there?
Hello?
Hey, I have a gun!
Who's there?
Listen, I have a gun!
(eerie tones)
Hello?
Is there anybody out there?
(hurried footsteps patter)
(crickets chirp)
(door rattles)
(eerie tones)
Hey. Hey, hey, hey.
Come on. Everything's fine.
Hey, look at me. Hey, look at me.
No one's out there. It's
just the wind, okay?
- I saw someone.
- Hey, shh, shh, shh.
It's okay.
Look.
What do you say first thing
after breakfast we go on a walk?
Get familiar with the area, right?
Right?
Yeah. Okay.
That's my girl.
(leaves rustle)
(crickets chirp)
Thank you, Jeffery.
What's this about?
I mean, last night.
And this place. Everything.
I love you. More than anything.
[Louise] It's just that I
know I haven't been much of a-
Shh, shh, shh, shh.
Look.
We agreed.
You got the treatment you
needed and you're better now.
But...
We're together.
That's all that matters.
You ready for that walk?
- (chuckles) Sounds good.
No, that sounds great.
(Jeffery chuckles)
I say we walk a mile for
every pancake you fed me.
(Louise chuckles)
(phone keypad bleeps)
[Intercom] Dr. Messer?
Could you please call down to pharmacy
and check to see if Mr. Vandenberg
picked up his wife's refills
when she was discharged?
[Intercom] Right away, Doctor.
(upbeat music)
(phone rings)
[Intercom] Dr. Messer?
- Yes?
- [Intercom] No, Doctor.
[Intercom] Pharmacy filled it, but
he never picked it up.
(ominous music)
- Okay, thank you.
- - [Intercom] You're welcome.
[Jeffery] What?
What?
Did you hear that?
Yeah, the quiet.
It's great, isn't it?
No. Someone talking.
Honey. It's just the
wind, or some small animal.
[Louise] Someone...
There's no one out here.
We're just here to shake
off some of the city, right?
(dark music)
- Here you go, Doctor.
- Thank you.
(phone keypad clicks)
(phone rings)
Mr. Vandenberg, this is Dr. Messer.
I checked with the pharmacy
and it seems you have failed
to pick up your wife's refills
when she was discharged.
I know you'll be leaving town for a while
and I'm looking at her chart
and she'll be running out of
her medications within a week.
Please give the pharmacy
a call as soon as you can
and let us know when you'll
be by to pick them up.
Good day.
(phone clacks)
[Jeffery] Well?
It was really nice.
(door handle rattles)
(eerie music)
You city folk.
(rucksack unzips)
(rucksack zips)
[Jeffery] Everything okay?
I promised I would leave it behind
when we hit the great outdoors.
I think I like that plan.
I think I like this man.
[Jeffery] Oh, well, in that case,
I better make something
impressive for lunch, then.
(Louise chuckles)
And go take your meds.
I'm off to the kitchen.
(dramatic orchestral music)
(muffled laughter)
(pills rattle)
(bottle cap clicks)
(crickets chirp)
(keyboard clacks)
Did you get the deadline
extension you asked for?
Yeah.
Still moving a little slowly, though.
Harry says I have three months
before it has to hit the editing desk.
Because of me?
No. Not because of you.
Will you stop it?
It's because he wants this one
to be a little bit more edgy.
(Louise chuckles)
But at this rate, it...
Well, it's fiction.
Can't you just make it up?
Yeah, sure, but fiction
still has some basis
in real things that happen to real people.
So?
So, maybe this writer needs
a little bit more edginess to him.
(chuckles) What do you think?
You have anything edgy in there
that'll get my characters going?
I'm not ready yet.
It's been months now.
I know, but do you
remember before I went?
Okay.
Okay.
All that matters is
that you're better now.
I'm gonna go to bed.
I'll leave you to your
make-believe people. (Chuckles)
Sure. Who knows what
they'll do to me tonight.
(Jeffery sighs)
(gentle synth music)
(keyboard clacks)
(Louise moans)
(dark music)
(Louise moans)
(Louise moans)
(Louise moans)
(Louise moans)
(Louise moans)
(Louise pants and moans)
(dark music continues)
(dramatic orchestral music)
(Louise pants and moans)
(Louise pants and moans)
(Louise pants and moans)
(suspenseful music)
(muffled moans and pants)
(switch clicks)
(muffled moans and pants)
(door creaks)
(Louise pants and moans)
(Louise pants and moans)
(door creaks)
(Louise pants and moans)
(crickets chirp)
(eerie music)
(entity speaks foreign language)
(birds chirp)
- Hey. Mornin'.
- Hey.
You sleep okay?
Yeah, I suppose.
About as good as I can. (Chuckles)
Uh, coffee looks good.
(Jeffery clears his throat)
How'd the writing go last night?
Mm.
Fine.
It went fine.
- You okay?
- Yeah.
Yeah, I'm good.
Wanna go for a walk this morning?
Look, uh, why don't
you go by yourself today?
I need to get another chapter done
and it might be good for
you to have some alone time.
- But I thought-
- Come on.
You, mother nature.
It might be exactly what
you need, and then tonight-
Tonight what?
Tonight, nothing.
Nothing.
Come on. Go get out there.
Okay. (Chuckles)
Don't forget.
I know. I'll take 'em.
(dark music)
Myrtis.
Rod.
Give you a lift somewhere?
No. Just out for a walk.
(crow caws)
A walk, huh?
Meet the new visitors?
Visitors?
Couple staying at the Kavanaugh cabin.
Uh, no.
You have a good day now.
(car starts)
(keyboard clacks)
(brooding synth music)
(pen scribbles)
(brooding synth music continues)
(keyboard clacks)
(cicadas chirp)
Louise!
(suspenseful music)
Louise!
(crickets chirp)
Louise?
Louise!
Louise, honey, you out here?
(tense string music)
Louise!
(crickets chirp)
Louise?
(dramatic orchestral music)
You! Louise, it's me!
- Get away from me!
- Honey, it's me!
It's Jeffery!
- Jeffery?
- Yeah.
Jeffery.
Are you okay?
What?
Am I what?
Honey, let's go back to the cabin.
- The cabin?
- The cabin, come on.
Let's go.
Get some sleep.
I'll be in the other room working.
I'll check on you in a little bit.
Okay.
(kiss sound)
(ominous music)
(pills rattle)
(crickets chirp)
(Louise screams)
Help!
Help!
(Louise grunts)
(siren wails)
Oh.
(Louise sobs)
You got lucky this time, you crazy bitch.
(siren wails)
(Louise sobs)
(car door slams)
Did she stop taking her
antipsychotic medication?
She fights me sometimes.
(eerie tones)
(suspenseful music)
(entity cackles)
Louise?
Louise.
You wanna fuck me, don't you?
Come on, fuck me.
- Louise.
- Fuck me, just fuck me.
Just fuck me! Fuck me!
Fuck!
(hand slaps)
Jeffery?
Louise.
What are you doing?
Honey, I'm not doing anything to you.
Why you?
After everything.
How could you do this to me?
Please just listen to me carefully.
I didn't do anything.
You did this to yourself.
No.
No, you're just saying that
because you wanna send me back.
Don't you?
Don't you?
Stop!
That's not what I want.
(Louise pants)
That's why you wanted me to walk
in the woods alone, isn't it?
So something would happen to me.
You're not even making any sense!
Just put on your bathrobe
and go to the kitchen,
and I will make you some tea.
(sighs) Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Then get your robe and I'll
meet you in the kitchen.
(Louise sniffles)
(dark music continues)
Do you want to tell me
what's going on with you?
Maybe it's this place.
This place is fine, Louise.
It's not the place.
It's that woman.
Again? With the woman?
Look, I have told you.
We're all alone and
there's no one out there!
There's a woman at
the window, every night!
There is no fucking woman at the window!
Okay?
You know what?
Maybe you do need to go back.
(ominous music)
Look.
I'm sorry.
And I didn't mean that.
No, of course you did.
I mean, that's what you want, isn't it?
No. No, that's not what I want, Louise.
What I want is for you to get better.
Goodnight.
(spectacles clatter)
(Jeffery sighs)
(crickets chirp)
(Jeffery sighs)
(eerie ethereal music)
(distant footsteps patter)
(Louise moans)
(crickets chirp)
(eerie ethereal music)
[Jeffery] Hey, you. Hey, lady!
Stop! Hey!
Let me go. You're hurting me.
Who are and what are
you doing on my property?
Your property? Well,
you don't know much.
I asked you a question.
Now, who are you?
Myrtis Daughton.
You. Mr. Westover warned me about you.
He warned you about me, did he?
Did he also warn you about this place?
Your property?
This property belongs to the past,
and you might not let it stay there.
The hell are you talking about?
And why are you spying on my wife?
It's you she's seeing at night, isn't it?
Isn't it, you sick voyeuristic bastard?
(chuckles) I don't give
a damn about your wife.
Or you, for that matter.
You're lying, and if I
catch you around here again,
I'll call the police.
You hear me?
Oh, I hear you, but you better hear me.
You go. You go see the police.
You might wanna ask 'em what
they know about this place.
Westover should've told
you about this place
when you got here.
You would have left already.
No, it's not me after dark.
I don't have much night vision.
It's not safe for me to
walk around after dinner.
And if it's not me at
night, it's that Armon girl.
That's who's peeping on your wife.
(Myrtis laughs)
That's who's peeping
on your wife. (Laughs)
That's who's peeping on your wife.
- Hey.
- Hey.
[Louise] Were you talking to someone?
Yeah, I think I found out
who's been looking through
our window at night.
[Louise] Who?
That old lady Westover warned us about.
- What does she want?
- Trouble, if you ask me.
Nevermind. I took care of it.
Going for that walk?
(dark music)
(patient laughs)
[Nick] Hail, Caesar! (Laughs)
Give to Caesar what is Caesar's
Loyal subjects!
I, your trusted ruler, was
descended from Jupiter himself!
God of Gods!
(patient grunts)
You! Damn, release me!
Get your hands off me!
Release me, you vile dogs!
I'll have your tongues ripped
from your face! (Laughs)
What's he up to today?
[Orderly Mel] Today, he is Caesar!
Yesterday, he was the president.
He's moving up in the world.
Same dose as yesterday, Doctor?
Yes, let's give it a few more days
before we consider upping it.
- Very good.
- Settle.
No, no, no.
Son of a bitch!
(patient pants)
Oh, could you check one
more time with the pharmacy
on the Vandenberg woman?
See if the husband picked up the refills.
- Right away, Doctor.
- Thank you.
No, no, no.
(groans) No.
Come on. No, come on.
(grunts) Come on!
I just want to watch the World Series.
(crow caws)
(gentle music)
It's beautiful out here, isn't it?
You were right again.
About?
Coming here.
Fresh air.
Starting over.
Look, I know we don't talk about it.
That night.
But I mean, it was worst night of my life,
seeing you like that.
I'm trying not to think
about it. (Chuckles)
You can't remember
anything about the man?
I mean, he attacked you.
What he looked like, what he was wearing?
No! I told you, Jeffery.
We've been through this with
the police, with Dr. Messer.
It's just that knowing
he's still out there.
Well, I said I don't remember.
Why would I want to?
Why would you want me to?
Vandenberg, Louise.
Really?
Okay.
I'll give them a call.
Thanks.
(phone clacks)
(phone keypad clicks)
(phone rings)
(tapping)
(distorted thuds)
(door creaks)
Hey.
How about you and I
snuggle up on the couch
and pig out on some junk food?
Nothing healthy.
Okay, okay. I'm still upset with you.
Okay. Maybe we'll
have a food fight, then.
(Louise chuckles)
Too late to be cute.
Meds, please.
(dark music)
(pill clatters)
- Shit.
Damn it.
(bottle cap clicks)
I'm gonna need more than
three months, Harry,
on top of the six month extension.
(Jeffery sighs)
(water splashes)
(brooding music)
(Louise moans)
Louise?
Louise?
(mirror cracks)
Louise.
(tense music)
- No, no.
- Louise!
- Take as much as you want.
- Louise!
What you've been waiting for. How long?
[Jeffery] Louise, stop it!
What're you doing?
Stop! Get off of me!
Leave me alone! Leave me alone!
(crickets chirp)
(dark music)
(birds chirp)
(crow caws)
You going somewhere?
Coffee's done.
Jeffery?
Look, I, I need to go
into town this morning.
Listen, last night, I
think I had a weird reaction
to my medication or something.
Just stay inside until I get home, okay?
Jeffery.
Just stay inside, okay?
(car door slams)
(car starts)
(engine revs)
(Jeffery sighs)
Come on, come on.
(phone rings)
Pick up.
(suspenseful music)
(phone rings)
So, how about it?
(phone rings)
- Maybe.
(phone rings)
Filing room's probably
quiet, this time of morning.
(phone rings)
Oh, I can do some filing.
I bet you could.
(phone rings)
(phone rings)
Let's see.
Does it begin with the letter A?
(phone rings)
(phone rings)
Or maybe...
(phone rings)
Letter B?
(phone rings)
You tried the letter C?
Mm!
C? (Laughs)
(door closes)
(Belinda yelps)
(phone rings)
Jesus Christ.
What kinda hospital
doesn't answer their phone?
(phone rings)
(dark music)
(photo frame clatters)
(muffled siren wails)
[Officer Minick] Can I help you?
[Jeffery] Hi.
My wife and I are staying at the cabin
at the end of Traverse Dirt Road.
Oh.
Give me a minute.
[Officer Hetzel] You're
staying at the Kavanaugh place?
My wife and I.
Why do you say it like that?
Well, when most people hear about it,
they usually ask for a different cabin.
I don't understand.
What're you talking about?
Tell him.
Tell me what?
Give me a minute.
Tell me what?
Renata Armon.
And attractive to a fault.
Liked to party in town and
especially down by the lake.
Also, quite married.
Husband was some high finance guy.
Much older than Renata.
He knew about the rumors.
It seems Mrs. Armon was bisexual.
Had a taste for the ladies
more than the husband.
Story was, she'd be
gone for days at a time.
Her old man tolerated it for a while,
but finally had enough.
People talking and everything.
He followed her one night
and caught the two of them
going at it in the girlfriend's cabin.
Took a shotgun to them.
(eerie tones)
To me, a cabin's a cabin.
[Jeffery] What about the Daughton woman?
Myrtis?
Town snoop?
She's harmless.
Has she been bothering you?
I found her...
No.
Nevermind. She's not been bothering us.
Look, thanks for the info.
May I ask why you stopped in here?
It's nothin'.
Thanks again.
Did you tell him?
Well, I hope it's not starting up again.
Well, the town certainly
doesn't need that.
No.
Oh.
Easy, girl.
(eerie music)
(Louise giggles)
(Louise giggles)
Hello there, gorgeous.
Aren't you the looker?
(eerie music continues)
[Officer] Renata Armon.
Seems Mrs. Armon was bisexual.
Had a take taste for the ladies.
[Messer] Did she stop taking
her antipsychotic medication?
[Myrtis] Your property.
This property belongs to the past,
and you might not let it stay there.
You go. You go to the police.
You might wanna ask them what
they know about this place.
No, it's not me after dark.
It's that Armon girl. That's
who's peeping on your wife.
(Myrtis laughs)
That's who's peeping on your wife.
[Officer] Took a shotgun to 'em.
(Jeffery sighs)
Come on, come on. Pick up.
We were told that we could visit him.
[Belinda] I'm sorry, but
he's on the restricted ward.
Please. We came all this way.
I'm sorry.
(phone rings)
(tires screech)
God damn it! What is happening?
Hiltaman Hospi...
Oh. They hung up.
(muffled engine revs)
(footsteps approach)
(eerie music)
(Louise giggles)
(Louise giggles)
(Louise giggles)
Well, hello there!
How are you? (Giggles)
Hello?
Well, hello there!
How are you?
I am new to the area. (Giggles)
Hey.
Hello?
I'm coming.
(mellow country music)
What can I get ya?
[Jeffery] Just a beer.
Domestic okay?
[Jeffery] Yeah, sure.
Need a glass with that?
Passing through?
No, uh, my wife and I are staying
at the old cabin on Traverse Dirt Road.
(glass clatters)
[Alton] Sorry.
Can I help you?
The Kavanaugh place, huh?
Drop it, old man.
I'm just makin' small
talk with the nice man.
Is he bothering you?
No.
What is it with everybody
in this God damn town
and that cabin?
(Alton chuckles)
- You don't know.
- Alton.
That's enough. Go home now.
- But I'm just-
- Alton!
Out!
Ah, I'm goin'.
Renata Armon.
[Jack] On me.
Thanks.
How concerned should I be?
I mean, I've heard all the stories.
Everything that happened there.
Small town, big mouths.
That's all.
Besides, that was years ago.
(phone rings)
Be right back.
(eerie music)
[Alton] Renata Armon.
[Officer] Took a shotgun to 'em.
[Myrtis] It's that Armon girl.
That's who's peeping
on your wife. (Laughs)
(dramatic orchestral music)
It's you.
Back off, asshole!
Is there a problem here?
No problem.
Right, asshole?
No, uh, no problem.
I'm sorry. I thought
you were someone else.
It's okay.
Let's call it a night, mister.
Yeah. Yeah, okay.
Look, get 'em a round on me.
What can I get ya?
(phone rings)
(phone rings)
[Louise] This is Louise.
Please leave a message.
Hey. It's me.
I'm headed back. I'll be there soon.
Louise, I'm back!
(door closes)
Louise?
Louise?
God damn it.
(eerie music)
(rumbling)
What the fuck?
(objects thud and shatter)
(crickets chirp)
(eerie music continues)
Louise!
(Louise whispers indistinctly)
Trust me. I can handle it.
He won't be here for long.
I know. I have a plan.
No.
I promise.
(crickets chirp)
(wind howls)
(distant cackling)
(hurried footsteps patter)
Louise!
We'll be together forever. I promise.
Louise.
It'll be just like before.
I'm telling you.
- Louise, wake up!
Louise, wake up!
Come on.
Let's go home.
- I am home.
(eerie music)
(door handle rattles)
(door thuds)
Jeffery.
(door slams)
- Better?
- Mm-hm.
I'm gonna be in the other room working.
Just try to get some sleep, okay?
[Louise] Okay.
(brooding music)
Look.
I've been thinking and maybe we should
just leave at the end of the week.
No, we're not leaving!
[Jeffery] Honey, you're out
of your meds and you've had
way too many of whatever
the hell these episodes are.
No, I'm not leaving her!
I'm, I'm not leaving here.
I don't even know how
to help you anymore.
You're not safe and neither is this place.
We'll talk about it in the morning.
(brooding music continues)
(paper rustles)
(Renata chuckles)
(dark music)
(kissing)
(Renata cackles)
[Louise] Hey.
Hey. You coming to bed or what?
What?
[Louise] Bed. Come to bed.
Yeah. Yeah, okay.
[Louise] (chuckles)
Must've been some night.
- What the hell?
- Your friends?
What?
[Louise] Your book. Your characters?
Yeah.
(dark music)
(birds chirp)
(wood clatters)
Morning.
Mornin'.
Just, uh, wanna stop
by and see how things
are coming along for ya.
Just fine.
It is beautiful country out here.
[Jeffery] Something I can help you with?
It's probably trivial,
(chuckles) but um...
Caroline, that's my wife.
Caroline was at the diner, the other day,
and she overheard some
policemen talking and, uh...
Now, mind you, Caroline's not the type to
share stories and all, but-
Mr. Westover.
Rod. (Chuckles)
Rod.
Look, I don't mean to be rude, but,
what does any of that have to do with us?
Yeah.
Sorry.
They mentioned that you were
asking about this place.
Yeah.
Yeah, I was.
Turns out it was nothin'.
(Rod chuckles)
That's what I told Caroline.
"Nothing."
Morning!
[Rod] Ma'am.
Something wrong?
Rod was just being neighborly.
Yeah, I was actually
just telling your husband,
my wife was in-
Honey, would you mind
grabbing Rod a cup of coffee?
Would you like a cup of coffee?
You know, actually,
I've gotta get into town.
Oh, it's no trouble.
No. Some other time. (Chuckles)
Almost forgot. Um... (clears throat)
Caroline wanted me to
invite you two to dinner.
Now, I told her you were probably-
No, we'd love to come.
Actually, we were
thinking of leaving soon.
No, we're not.
Honey, this is something
we can talk about after-
Tomorrow night all right?
Sure. Yeah, tomorrow night's fine.
Say seven?
Seven.
(crow caws)
Uh...
Till then. (Chuckles)
(Jeffery clears his throat)
I thought we were gonna talk about this.
What's there to talk about?
What's there to talk about?
Well, I don't know.
I find you in the middle of the
night, wandering the forest,
talking to trees, imaginary
people, or whatever else.
It's the fresh air.
(chuckles) "It's the fresh air."
Was it the fresh air
when you saw that woman
at the window all those nights?
Was it the fresh air that
made you trash the bathroom?
Besides, your meds are out.
So?
So, do you remember the
last time you went this long
without taking them?
Do you even recall what
happened that night?
Oh, yeah. I remember.
That was your fault.
I mean, this place is all
I need. I can feel it.
Louise!
Louise, for God's sake!
(ax thuds)
(door creaks)
(door closes)
(door rattles)
(sighs) Fuck this place.
Louise, open the God damn door!
(door slams)
(crickets chirp)
What's that place I'm thinking of?
How could it remind you of anywhere
if we've never been here before?
No, I'm sure of it.
Listen. Just try to make
it through the night, okay?
And if you start feeling a little-
- A little what?
- [Rod] Honey, they're here!
- [Caroline] Be right there!
- Hey.
- Are we early?
- No, not at all.
Right on time.
Some fresh flowers for the table.
Hi. I'm Caroline.
Hi. Jeffery.
Hey, and honey, this is Jeffery's wife.
(glass shatters)
Caroline?
- Is everything all right?
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
Forgive me. I'm so sorry.
- No, no, no.
Honey, no, stop. Stop.
Forget it.
Hey, uh, the table's already set.
Why don't you guys just go have a seat?
We'll be right there.
[Jeffery] Come on.
(dark music)
Honey? Caroline.
You okay, hon?
Yeah.
Okay. Here, watch out
for the glass, come here.
Walk this way.
You all right?
Would anyone like more?
[Jeffery] Please.
Thank you.
So, Rod says you're a writer?
Yeah. I write fiction novels.
He's working on a thriller
right now. Aren't you, honey?
A thriller.
I see.
I'm not really sure
that's how it'll end up.
My editor wants me to take
it in a different direction.
"Edgy". That's the
word Harry used, right?
Harry's my editor.
(Rod chuckles)
Can't say I read much
of that. No offense.
No, it's okay. It's an
acquired taste for most people.
Well, it sounds interesting.
You know, I find this house interesting.
Strange, but...
Familiar.
Well, thank you.
I think.
Louise sees patterns.
It's her art background.
Sometimes, she sees
patterns that aren't there.
It's because most
people never see things
below the surface.
The way they really are.
Oh.
So, art background.
Now, that sounds-
What?
Sounds what?
Louise.
So, Jeffery, how does your story end?
Somebody dies.
(chuckles) Somebody always dies.
But somebody finds true love.
So, a happy ending.
Louise, for God's sake.
I'm 20 pages into it.
I have no idea how it ends.
Could I get another glass of wine?
Yeah. Uh...
Just gonna top you off.
(dark music)
Thank you. We had a great evening.
It was very nice meeting you both.
Goodnight.
Hey, uh, Jeffery.
Can you stick around for a second?
Um...
Hey.
Listen, I'm sorry if things
got a little awkward tonight.
Caroline doesn't see many
new faces in town and, uh...
Just don't take it personally.
I understand.
Yeah. You know, um...
What do you say we grab a cup
of coffee tomorrow morning?
- Look, I told Louise-
- One cup!
8:00 AM?
Okay. Eight.
All right.
Every once in a while...
Every once in a while,
you need a little man to man talk, right?
- I'll see you at eight.
- All right.
Get home safe.
(thunder rumbles)
[Louise] (sighs) I think I'm
gonna turn in early tonight.
Yeah, okay.
I think I'm gonna stay
up a little bit longer
and work on the story.
It's not really going anywhere.
Hey.
(muffled thunder claps)
Can we at least talk about leaving early?
I just really think it's for the best.
Plus, my brother has a cabin
and he's been dying to see us.
(muffled thunder claps)
It's true, you know. (Chuckles)
[Jeffery] What're you talking about?
How your story ends.
(thunder claps)
(eerie music)
(thunder claps)
(thunder claps)
(eerie music continues)
(thunder claps)
(thunder claps)
(thunder claps)
(thunder claps)
(thunder claps)
(thunder claps)
[Renata] Trista!
(thunder claps)
(eerie music continues)
(knocks on door)
[Jeffery] I'll get it.
Oh, Christ.
(knocks on door)
Did you forget about me?
No. Sorry, come in.
(door creaks)
Did you, uh, did you get the number?
What number?
The number of the
truck that hit you, man.
(Jeffery chuckles)
You look like hell.
Did you have a rough night?
- Yeah, I was working late.
Come on in. I'll grab the coffee.
Yeah.
Louise is still sleeping,
so we can talk here.
What is it you wanted to see me about?
I know you found out some things.
Visit to the police station.
Yeah.
But like I told you, it
didn't mean anything.
I should've told you
when you first arrived.
It doesn't matter.
(Rod chuckles)
I know.
I know. (Chuckles)
(Rod sighs)
Ah...
How do I say this?
This is a small town.
If one person knows
something, everybody knows it.
Yeah, okay.
So, you know about the murder, right?
Renata Armon?
Yeah.
She had a girlfriend
lover, a rich husband.
He caught 'em both and shot 'em.
Sounds like a novel, huh?
Maybe when I'm done with
the one I'm working on,
or supposed to be working on.
The, uh...
The girlfriend lover?
Trista Kavanaugh.
Yeah. Trista.
I know that name.
Why do I know that name?
Trista Kavanaugh.
Jesus fucking Christ.
Yeah, that's what had Caroline
freaked out the other night.
Now you understand.
- That's Louise.
- Yeah.
Louise.
Party without me?
Morning.
Uh...
I just stopped by for coffee
and your husband and I were-
Give me.
It's just an old photo that-
Give me the God damn picture.
Okay.
So?
So nothing.
It's just an old photo.
I should, I should go.
Sit down.
Who is she?
Trista Kavanaugh.
Local gal.
She was a local gal.
Going for a walk.
- But-
- Alone.
- See you later.
- I doubt it.
Louise!
Um...
I'm gonna get going. I, uh...
God, I...
I didn't mean to stir things up, man.
I just, uh...
I thought you should know.
Know what?
That some dead girl looks like my wife?
(Rod sighs)
Yeah.
Well, then I'll see myself out.
You know...
It's...
It's not so much that a dead
girl looks like your wife.
It's your wife
looks like a dead girl.
(door creaks)
(door slams)
(dark music)
Christ.
(keyboard clacks)
(eerie tones)
What the fuck? (Sighs)
(paper clatters)
Louise!
Louise!
Louise!
(Jeffery gasps)
- [Jenna] Halo, hey, easy.
Easy.
I'm so sorry, mister.
We usually don't receive many people
walking in these parts of the woods.
[Jeffery] That's okay.
Are you lost or something?
[Jeffery] No, I'm not lost.
Not in the way you mean, at least.
Sorry?
My wife and I are staying
at the cabin over there.
The Kavanaugh place?
Jeffery. Jeffery Vandenberg.
My wife Louise is out
here walking somewhere,
so I was just looking for her.
Jenna.
[Jeffery] It's nice to meet you, Jenna.
- Yeah, you too.
- Are you on this road?
No, no, no. I'm a few
roads over that way.
But Halo here needs to burn
up some energy. (Chuckles)
Otherwise, he's barking
at the door all day.
Likes his freedom.
[Jeffery] Don't we all.
Don't usually see many people walking
in these part of the woods.
That's why I take him on his run here.
[Jeffery] It makes sense,
with the stories and all.
And they don't bother you?
Why should they?
(Jenna chuckles)
Exactly. They're just stories, right?
Well, I've gotta get back to the cabin
and get some work done.
It was great to meet you.
If you see my wife Louise out,
just tell her to come back in.
Yeah, sure thing.
Maybe I'll see you again.
And maybe this guy will be a
little more friendly next time.
Come on!
Good boy, Halo.
(brooding music)
[Renata] Trista.
(crickets chirp)
Nice walk?
(door opens)
(door slams)
Louise!
(door slams)
- What?
- What do you mean, what?
Where have you been all day?
Out, about. Exploring nature.
Isn't that what you said I needed?
- Will you stop it?
- Stop What?
This! Pretending like you're fine!
Like nothing's happened to you!
But I am fine. I'd say
I'm better than fine.
(door slams)
Louise!
Louise!
You know what? Fuck it and fuck you!
(door opens)
(dark music)
(crickets chirp)
Hello?
Hello?
(chuckles) Shit, they'll
be locking me up next.
(logs clatter)
Louise?
(hand slaps window)
Louise?
(hand slaps window)
Louise!
(hand slaps window)
Louise!
(door rattles)
Louise?
(door rattles)
Louise!
Louise!
(hand slaps window)
Louise!
Louise! Louise!
(hand slaps window)
(dramatic orchestral music)
(body thumps)
(eerie music)
(door rattles)
(tense music)
Get out.
You're not wanted here.
(birds chirp)
(eerie music)
Louise!
Louise!
Is that some kind of sick joke?
What the hell did you do to yourself?
[Louise] (chuckles) Hello, Jeffery.
How's the story coming along?
The story? Look at yourself!
Why did you do that? Look at yourself!
(sighs) Does this top
look too big for me?
I mean, a girl's gotta impress.
That's it. We're leaving,
first thing tomorrow morning.
Why did you do this?
Do what?
Change my work, write over my notes!
I don't do anything to your
stupid silly-ass little notes.
Really? 'Cause there's two
fucking handwritings on it.
You better snap out of it.
(ominous music)
And you better remember
your place around my house!
Where are you going?
Uh...
Kavanaugh place.
Had an accident. Broke the mirror.
- Will you be gone long?
- (chuckles) Probably not.
They're not big talkers.
Well, be careful, okay?
It's, it's a mirror, Caroline.
(both chuckle)
It's just a mirror.
I know, but you know where-
I'll be right back.
Be safe.
(door opens)
(engine hums)
(suspenseful music)
(gentle acoustic guitar music)
[Myrtis] Oh, thank you so much.
- Myrtis!
- Oh, Caroline.
How've you been? Haven't
seen you in some time.
Fine. Nerves are pushing me to my grave.
Sorry to hear.
Have you met the folks
at the Kavanaugh place?
Oh, no, not yet, but I
heard they're rather odd.
Why wouldn't they be?
- What do you mean?
- Well, I mean, really.
You wouldn't catch me
in a place like that.
It's evil in the walls, I tell you.
It's evil in the walls!
- Now, Myrtis.
She's still there. That's
what people don't understand.
Who's there?
Renata Armon.
Myrtis.
She waits for a lover
and then she stays there
in that place, until the lover returns.
Oh, Jeffery!
[Jeffery] And how the
hell do you know this?
Because I've seen her.
(eerie music)
(door creaks)
(knocks on door)
Jeffery?
Rod Westover.
Got that mirror for ya!
(door slams)
(dark music)
Jeffery, Louise!
It's Rod!
Jeffery!
Rod Westover! I've got your mirror!
(door creaks)
(dark music continues)
Uh...
Jeffery, Louise!
Rod Westover. You guys back here?
(door slams)
How do you break a mirror?
Ah. It's like brand new.
(dramatic orchestral music)
(Rod screams)
(thud)
(dark music)
(Rod groans)
(groans) God.
(handbrake clicks)
(seat belt clicks)
Louise?
Rod?
(door creaks)
What happened?
- Uh...
Uh, I'm fine.
Yeah, I just, uh...
Just a little bump on the ol' noggin.
I replaced that mirror for you.
Where's Louise?
(Rod sighs)
I gotta get home.
[Jeffery] Where's my wife?
The place was empty when I
got here. The door was open.
I thought you guys were in town. I...
I gotta get outta here.
- Thanks for the mirror!
- Yeah.
(car starts)
(engine revs)
(suspenseful music)
Louise!
Louise?
(suspenseful music continues)
(footsteps patter)
(dramatic orchestral music)
(Myrtis whimpers)
(suspenseful music)
(Myrtis whimpers)
(Myrtis whimpers)
(suspenseful music continues)
(eerie tones)
(ominous tones)
[Louise] Hey.
Hey.
[Louise] Been walking all day.
You know, clearing my head. (Chuckles)
Clearing your head?
Yeah.
I feel changed here.
This place.
And?
(chuckles) You were right.
Nature, fresh air.
I think it's just what I needed.
Yeah.
Okay. Don't sound interested.
No. Go on.
So, I was thinking,
maybe we should stay here, you know?
Like forever.
You can write anywhere.
We're leaving this place,
as soon as we pack up in the morning.
You'll never take her from me.
(eerie music)
(dark music)
(mouse pad clicks)
(mouse pad clicks)
(mouse pad clicks)
[Harry] Listen, Jeffery.
You've been showing up late for work
for six God damn months now.
I understand the situation with Louise,
but I got a company to run.
[Messer] Did she stop taking
her antipsychotic medication?
(dark music continues)
Look, I changed my mind. Call it off.
[Thug] Hey. We have a contract.
I don't care, you sick
fuck. Just call it off!
[Thug] Listen.
You're the sick son of
a bitch that hired me.
I'm keeping the 10 grand.
I don't care! Just call it off!
[Thug] Maybe I'll do her, just for fun.
Call it off.
Call it off!
Call it off!
(Jeffery sobs)
(dark music)
(hand thuds)
(Jeffery pants)
(objects clatter)
(Jeffery sobs)
(crickets chirp)
(dark music continues)
(Jeffery sighs)
(water splashes)
(intense orchestral music)
(water splashes)
(water splashes)
(water splashes)
(Jeffery pants and coughs)
(dark music)
(Jeffery pants)
(door opens)
(door creaks)
Louise?
- Oh, hey there!
- Hi.
Aww, see? (Giggles)
There. Friends for life.
He's registered your
scent and you're good.
Good boy.
Are you okay?
You don't look too well.
Is everything okay?
No. Actually, I'm not.
It's my wife.
You know, actually, it's this place.
It's okay.
Nothing's really been
the same since we got here.
(chuckles) Come on. Not the town curse.
It's just...
Maybe, maybe it's true.
Maybe there is something about this place.
What? Evil?
Look, I...
I never really believed in it, but,
I'm not so sure anymore.
You haven't been listening to old lady
Daughton's tale, have you?
What do you mean?
That the only way the
spirit of the dead Armon girl
will leave is if her lover returns?
(laughs) Spooky, huh?
Apparently, Renata Armon was a Wicca.
You know, practiced a
kind of earth religion,
spirituality kind of a thing.
As the story goes,
the week before she and her
girlfriend were murdered,
she performed a Yule Sabbat.
- A what?
- A Sabbat.
It's a Wiccan ceremony.
The Yule Sabbat takes place
during the winter solstice.
Like yuletide. Get it? (Chuckles)
Anyway, according to the Wicca,
it's a time of birth, you know?
Of life and light.
But apparently, the Armon
lady was into black Wicca.
Magick. (Chuckles)
Scary, right?
She put some kind of protective spell
that New Year's Eve night over her lover.
Trista?
Right, Trista.
You see, it seems that she
was afraid if her husband
found out about them that
he was gonna harm her.
She put some kind of energy around Trista,
locking her away with
a talisman that night.
You know, locals around here
actually call New Year's
Eve the Darkening Hour now.
A talisman?
It's, uh, it's like
a good luck artifact.
Use it to conjure up her lover's rebirth.
Like a photo, maybe?
Beats me. Something to release Trista.
Until then, Renata
Armon wanders the woods,
searching for her lover.
(Jenna laughs)
See? It's a small town,
small curse. (Chuckles)
Say, would you like a cup of coffee?
Yeah.
Yeah, a little energy buzz to keep up
with this one would be good, thanks.
- Just give me a minute.
- Okay.
(door creaks)
(suspenseful music)
(bottle cap clicks)
(pills rattle)
(door creaks)
(door closes)
Thank you.
How'd I do?
Good. Yeah, no, it tastes good.
Thank you.
(Jeffery sighs)
It's beautiful country out here.
Mm.
Yeah, sure is.
(Jenna breathes deeply)
You know, I have family going
back two generations here.
You understand why, once you visit.
Do you live out here with your parents?
Mm. I'm sorry, what?
Your, uh, your parents.
Do you live out here with your parents?
Um...
My mom. (Chuckles)
Ah, uh...
I got a couple cousins, the uh...
Town.
Oof.
(sinister music)
(Halo pants)
(Halo whimpers)
(Jenna screams)
(Jenna whimpers)
(Jenna pants)
(Jenna screams)
(Halo whimpers)
- Shh.
(Jenna screams)
(Jenna sobs)
(Halo whimpers)
Shh!
(Jenna screams)
(Jenna pants)
(Halo whimpers)
(Halo barks)
(Jenna screams)
(shovel thuds)
(Halo whines)
(Jenna whimpers)
(Jenna pants)
(sinister music continues)
(bones crunch)
(Jenna screams)
(door closes)
Hey.
Hey.
Listen. I was thinking we
could go to town tonight.
There's a bar nearby.
Grab a drink. Maybe a little dancing?
Okay, and?
And nothing.
No more talk of leaving?
Let's just try to
forget about everything.
Just go out and enjoy ourselves.
So we're not leaving?
Go get freshened up.
Let's meet some new people.
Okay. (Chuckles)
(dark music)
You know, I think you're right.
I mean, if we're gonna stay,
we should meet more people.
(car starts)
Yeah, uh...
Yeah.
Sure.
No.
We're not leaving.
Louise, I never said that.
No, you said it. I
said we're not leaving!
Will you just fucking stop it?
This place is a madhouse!
And we're leaving, as soon
as she leaves us alone!
What have you done?
I did what I had to do.
For us.
For you.
You pathetic little man.
You really think you can stop us?
(dramatic orchestral music)
(car locks click)
Louise, I did it for you!
I did it for you! (Sobs)
Please stop!
God, please stop! (Sobs)
Louise, I did it for you!
I did it for you!
(sinister music)
Please stop! (Sobs)
For God's sake, stop!
(car locks click)
(tense music)
Touch my stuff again and you'll end up
like that bitch and her dog.
(sinister music)
[Jeffery] Louise?
Open the fucking door!
Louise!
This ends tonight!
Louise?
Louise, God damn you!
(crickets chirp)
(tense music)
(Louise pants)
Louise!
Honey, are you out here?
(Louise pants)
(Jeffery laughs manically)
Louise!
(Jeffery chuckles menacingly)
(Jeffery chuckles)
Louise, honey!
I just wanna play!
(ax thuds)
(thunder claps)
(eerie tones)
(wind howls)
(thunder claps)
(thunder claps)
You know, I never forgave myself
for what happened to you
the night on Broadmoor.
I actually thought we
could make a fresh start.
What're you talking about?
You never even thought to
ask what happened that night?
How you ended up in that part of town,
delirious, raped, nearly lifeless?
So, it was you.
You bastard!
All those months,
watching you in the ward
dissolve into nothingness!
My career dissolving, right alongside you.
(thunder claps)
"Hey, Jeffery! When's the
next bestseller coming out?
Well, you're not turning
into a one hit wonder,
are you, Jeffery?"
Maybe this place just brought
everything into focus.
You were never going to get better!
(thunder claps)
I'll never leave!
Oh, you'll be leaving.
Just not the way you think.
Let me write the ending for you.
In a psychotic break, the
husband's wife kills a local girl.
Still delusional, she
sets sights on her husband
for some imaginary lover!
She chases him deep into the woods.
In a moment of confusion, she trips!
(thunder claps)
And falls to her death.
How do you like it?
Didn't you say someone always dies?
And somebody finds true love.
What?
I told you.
I'll never leave this place.
I'll never leave her!
Who?
(Jeffery gasps)
(Jeffery grunts)
(body thumps)
(thunder claps)
(dark music)
(thunder claps)
(thunder claps)
Uh, she's been like that
since I called you guys.
Yeah.
What happened?
Uh...
You're gonna want to
check the shed over there.
I'll check the perimeter first.
Ma'am?
Ma'am.
Ma'am, where's your husband?
Ms. Vandenberg, your-
Who?
[Officer] Ms. Vandenberg,
your husband, Mr. Vandenberg.
Where is he?
(Louise chuckles)
I think you have the wrong cabin.
[Officer] Hold her here.
I'm gonna check inside.
- Hey, we'll-
- No sign of him outside.
We'll stay with her and
we'll make sure she's okay.
[Caroline] Don't worry,
dear. Everything will be okay.
(motor whirs)
(ambulance doors slam)
Just like I said.
Somebody always dies.
Somebody finds true love.
Happy ending.
[Officer Nusbaum] Come on, lady.
(Hetzel scoffs)
Hey! Take a look at this.
[Minick] Huh.
Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
Yeah, I think we have a writer
who decided to carry out his own story.
(chuckles) Too bad for
him he got the wrong ending.
What a sick fuck.
(officer chuckles)
(eerie music)
Hello, Mrs. Vandenberg.
So good to see you again.
You must be new here.
Why no, dear. I've been
on this floor for 12 years.
A new face to me.
I'm the one they're locking up?
Come now, Mrs. Vandenberg.
We've got your room
just the way I like it.
Sign here.
(pen scribbles)
You'll earn your pay with that one.
We do, every day.
Forensics came back.
DNA matches the Tinley girl.
Wife must've gotten
bloody picking up the dog.
And Daughton woman? Heart attack?
Mm-hm.
Nothing good comes
with the Kavanaugh place.
I tell you.
Well, maybe old lady Daughton was right.
Nothing but evil in them walls.
Oh, yeah.
(birds chirp)
(eerie whispering tones)
(birds chirp)
(dark music)
- Quiet night?
- [Orderly Trent] Yeah.
Other than the normal
moaning coming from 117.
The Vandenberg woman? Heard of her.
Yeah.
That one's a real trip.
The stories are true?
This is a nut ward.
All the stories are true.
- Right.
- Yeah.
Well, hope your first night
shift on the ward goes...
How should I say? Enlightening? (Chuckles)
Have fun.
- Wow.
(pen scribbles)
(eerie music)
We'll get outta here soon.
I know how to handle the staff.
Got out once, didn't I?
(eerie music continues)
We're together again.
(brooding synth music)
Hear your whispered calling
Feel your breath upon me
You know my name but
you're just a stranger
I don't know you
So why's my heart beating
All control fades away
Then darkness falls
And I hear
Your voice call me
And I fall
To yesterday
The darkening hour
Brings you back
Brings you back to me
In love's destiny
(brooding synth music continues)
Pictures on the wall of me
Now this spell awakens
Returns me to the life
I once knew
Unbroken love now yearning
And in your arms, returning
Burning fire, desire for you
Then darkness falls
And I hear
Your voice call me
And I fall
To yesterday
The darkening hour
Brings you back
Brings you back to me
In love's destiny
So let this dream now awaken
All that stirs in me returning
Ever burning
And in the light of darkness
Be with me
From the earth below
To the stars above
Calling
Then darkness falls
And I hear
Your voice call me
And I fall
To yesterday
The darkening hour
Brings you back
Brings you back to me
In love's destiny
And I fall
And I fall
And I fall
And I fall
(ominous music)
(distant chanting)
(dark orchestral music)
(distant chanting)
(chanting in foreign language)
(dark music continues)
(dark music continues)
(dog barks)
(dog barks)
(birds chirp)
(suspenseful music)
(crow caws)
Mr. Westover.
(Rod chuckles)
Come on, call me Rod.
You're in the country now.
[Jeffery] This is my wife Louise.
(crows caw)
(eerie music)
Uh...
So, here are your keys.
(Rod chuckles)
- A crystal?
[Rod] Yeah, my wife thinks...
[Jeffery] She a collector?
We, um, had the cabin cleaned,
and stocked, just as you requested.
Thank you.
You know, I was really
surprised it was available
with the holiday and all.
Rod?
(eerie music continues)
No, I'm, I'm sorry.
It's all right.
If you need anything else,
we're just up the street a bit.
Just give a call.
Uh, one more thing.
It's probably nothing, really, but um...
Ms. Daughton...
You know what? It's, uh...
It's nothing.
What about her?
(Rod sighs)
She, um...
She likes to stir things up around here.
Especially with new people, so,
if she comes around, just ignore her.
Don't listen to anything she says. It's...
She's getting up in years.
She's a bit bat crazy,
really. (Chuckles) So...
[Jeffery] Oh, and happy new year, Rod.
Yeah, uh, happy new year.
(dark music)
(car door slams)
(car starts)
(crow caws)
(birds chirp)
Look. He didn't...
Come on. Let's see what we
have waiting in the cabin.
(door creaks)
Didn't I tell you? It's nice, isn't it?
(chuckles) It's really nice, Jeffery.
You'll see. A couple weeks
here is just the thing.
Everything's gonna be fine
from now on. (Chuckles)
(dark music continues)
So, how'd it go?
Hey, baby.
Oh, you know. The usual.
Can I grab a cup, please?
- Yeah.
City couple get settled in okay?
[Rod] Yeah, a little
late, but they got here.
And nice folks?
He seems friendly enough. Um...
Something about the wife, though.
How's that?
It's really, it's nothing.
So, he's a writer?
Yeah, that's what he said
when he called to reserve.
Writes for magazine. Or, uh...
Maybe it was a newspaper. Doesn't matter.
So, did you tell 'em?
(dark music)
I mean, what tonight is?
I know what you mean.
Caroline, they came here
for some peace. Okay, baby?
(Caroline sighs)
Let's leave 'em be.
(dark music continues)
(bottle cap clicks)
You'll see. Nature's just what you need.
It's what we both need.
(dark music)
(crickets chirp)
Ready?
- Mm-hm.
(cork pops)
(both chuckle)
- Happy new year.
- Happy new year.
(both chuckle)
(dark music continues)
(crickets chirp)
(muffled footsteps approach)
(dramatic orchestral music)
- Jeff!
- What's wrong?
- There's someone outside!
- What?
[Louise] Out there! Outside!
Wait here.
(door slams)
Someone out there?
Hello?
Hey, I have a gun!
Who's there?
Listen, I have a gun!
(eerie tones)
Hello?
Is there anybody out there?
(hurried footsteps patter)
(crickets chirp)
(door rattles)
(eerie tones)
Hey. Hey, hey, hey.
Come on. Everything's fine.
Hey, look at me. Hey, look at me.
No one's out there. It's
just the wind, okay?
- I saw someone.
- Hey, shh, shh, shh.
It's okay.
Look.
What do you say first thing
after breakfast we go on a walk?
Get familiar with the area, right?
Right?
Yeah. Okay.
That's my girl.
(leaves rustle)
(crickets chirp)
Thank you, Jeffery.
What's this about?
I mean, last night.
And this place. Everything.
I love you. More than anything.
[Louise] It's just that I
know I haven't been much of a-
Shh, shh, shh, shh.
Look.
We agreed.
You got the treatment you
needed and you're better now.
But...
We're together.
That's all that matters.
You ready for that walk?
- (chuckles) Sounds good.
No, that sounds great.
(Jeffery chuckles)
I say we walk a mile for
every pancake you fed me.
(Louise chuckles)
(phone keypad bleeps)
[Intercom] Dr. Messer?
Could you please call down to pharmacy
and check to see if Mr. Vandenberg
picked up his wife's refills
when she was discharged?
[Intercom] Right away, Doctor.
(upbeat music)
(phone rings)
[Intercom] Dr. Messer?
- Yes?
- [Intercom] No, Doctor.
[Intercom] Pharmacy filled it, but
he never picked it up.
(ominous music)
- Okay, thank you.
- - [Intercom] You're welcome.
[Jeffery] What?
What?
Did you hear that?
Yeah, the quiet.
It's great, isn't it?
No. Someone talking.
Honey. It's just the
wind, or some small animal.
[Louise] Someone...
There's no one out here.
We're just here to shake
off some of the city, right?
(dark music)
- Here you go, Doctor.
- Thank you.
(phone keypad clicks)
(phone rings)
Mr. Vandenberg, this is Dr. Messer.
I checked with the pharmacy
and it seems you have failed
to pick up your wife's refills
when she was discharged.
I know you'll be leaving town for a while
and I'm looking at her chart
and she'll be running out of
her medications within a week.
Please give the pharmacy
a call as soon as you can
and let us know when you'll
be by to pick them up.
Good day.
(phone clacks)
[Jeffery] Well?
It was really nice.
(door handle rattles)
(eerie music)
You city folk.
(rucksack unzips)
(rucksack zips)
[Jeffery] Everything okay?
I promised I would leave it behind
when we hit the great outdoors.
I think I like that plan.
I think I like this man.
[Jeffery] Oh, well, in that case,
I better make something
impressive for lunch, then.
(Louise chuckles)
And go take your meds.
I'm off to the kitchen.
(dramatic orchestral music)
(muffled laughter)
(pills rattle)
(bottle cap clicks)
(crickets chirp)
(keyboard clacks)
Did you get the deadline
extension you asked for?
Yeah.
Still moving a little slowly, though.
Harry says I have three months
before it has to hit the editing desk.
Because of me?
No. Not because of you.
Will you stop it?
It's because he wants this one
to be a little bit more edgy.
(Louise chuckles)
But at this rate, it...
Well, it's fiction.
Can't you just make it up?
Yeah, sure, but fiction
still has some basis
in real things that happen to real people.
So?
So, maybe this writer needs
a little bit more edginess to him.
(chuckles) What do you think?
You have anything edgy in there
that'll get my characters going?
I'm not ready yet.
It's been months now.
I know, but do you
remember before I went?
Okay.
Okay.
All that matters is
that you're better now.
I'm gonna go to bed.
I'll leave you to your
make-believe people. (Chuckles)
Sure. Who knows what
they'll do to me tonight.
(Jeffery sighs)
(gentle synth music)
(keyboard clacks)
(Louise moans)
(dark music)
(Louise moans)
(Louise moans)
(Louise moans)
(Louise moans)
(Louise moans)
(Louise pants and moans)
(dark music continues)
(dramatic orchestral music)
(Louise pants and moans)
(Louise pants and moans)
(Louise pants and moans)
(suspenseful music)
(muffled moans and pants)
(switch clicks)
(muffled moans and pants)
(door creaks)
(Louise pants and moans)
(Louise pants and moans)
(door creaks)
(Louise pants and moans)
(crickets chirp)
(eerie music)
(entity speaks foreign language)
(birds chirp)
- Hey. Mornin'.
- Hey.
You sleep okay?
Yeah, I suppose.
About as good as I can. (Chuckles)
Uh, coffee looks good.
(Jeffery clears his throat)
How'd the writing go last night?
Mm.
Fine.
It went fine.
- You okay?
- Yeah.
Yeah, I'm good.
Wanna go for a walk this morning?
Look, uh, why don't
you go by yourself today?
I need to get another chapter done
and it might be good for
you to have some alone time.
- But I thought-
- Come on.
You, mother nature.
It might be exactly what
you need, and then tonight-
Tonight what?
Tonight, nothing.
Nothing.
Come on. Go get out there.
Okay. (Chuckles)
Don't forget.
I know. I'll take 'em.
(dark music)
Myrtis.
Rod.
Give you a lift somewhere?
No. Just out for a walk.
(crow caws)
A walk, huh?
Meet the new visitors?
Visitors?
Couple staying at the Kavanaugh cabin.
Uh, no.
You have a good day now.
(car starts)
(keyboard clacks)
(brooding synth music)
(pen scribbles)
(brooding synth music continues)
(keyboard clacks)
(cicadas chirp)
Louise!
(suspenseful music)
Louise!
(crickets chirp)
Louise?
Louise!
Louise, honey, you out here?
(tense string music)
Louise!
(crickets chirp)
Louise?
(dramatic orchestral music)
You! Louise, it's me!
- Get away from me!
- Honey, it's me!
It's Jeffery!
- Jeffery?
- Yeah.
Jeffery.
Are you okay?
What?
Am I what?
Honey, let's go back to the cabin.
- The cabin?
- The cabin, come on.
Let's go.
Get some sleep.
I'll be in the other room working.
I'll check on you in a little bit.
Okay.
(kiss sound)
(ominous music)
(pills rattle)
(crickets chirp)
(Louise screams)
Help!
Help!
(Louise grunts)
(siren wails)
Oh.
(Louise sobs)
You got lucky this time, you crazy bitch.
(siren wails)
(Louise sobs)
(car door slams)
Did she stop taking her
antipsychotic medication?
She fights me sometimes.
(eerie tones)
(suspenseful music)
(entity cackles)
Louise?
Louise.
You wanna fuck me, don't you?
Come on, fuck me.
- Louise.
- Fuck me, just fuck me.
Just fuck me! Fuck me!
Fuck!
(hand slaps)
Jeffery?
Louise.
What are you doing?
Honey, I'm not doing anything to you.
Why you?
After everything.
How could you do this to me?
Please just listen to me carefully.
I didn't do anything.
You did this to yourself.
No.
No, you're just saying that
because you wanna send me back.
Don't you?
Don't you?
Stop!
That's not what I want.
(Louise pants)
That's why you wanted me to walk
in the woods alone, isn't it?
So something would happen to me.
You're not even making any sense!
Just put on your bathrobe
and go to the kitchen,
and I will make you some tea.
(sighs) Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
Then get your robe and I'll
meet you in the kitchen.
(Louise sniffles)
(dark music continues)
Do you want to tell me
what's going on with you?
Maybe it's this place.
This place is fine, Louise.
It's not the place.
It's that woman.
Again? With the woman?
Look, I have told you.
We're all alone and
there's no one out there!
There's a woman at
the window, every night!
There is no fucking woman at the window!
Okay?
You know what?
Maybe you do need to go back.
(ominous music)
Look.
I'm sorry.
And I didn't mean that.
No, of course you did.
I mean, that's what you want, isn't it?
No. No, that's not what I want, Louise.
What I want is for you to get better.
Goodnight.
(spectacles clatter)
(Jeffery sighs)
(crickets chirp)
(Jeffery sighs)
(eerie ethereal music)
(distant footsteps patter)
(Louise moans)
(crickets chirp)
(eerie ethereal music)
[Jeffery] Hey, you. Hey, lady!
Stop! Hey!
Let me go. You're hurting me.
Who are and what are
you doing on my property?
Your property? Well,
you don't know much.
I asked you a question.
Now, who are you?
Myrtis Daughton.
You. Mr. Westover warned me about you.
He warned you about me, did he?
Did he also warn you about this place?
Your property?
This property belongs to the past,
and you might not let it stay there.
The hell are you talking about?
And why are you spying on my wife?
It's you she's seeing at night, isn't it?
Isn't it, you sick voyeuristic bastard?
(chuckles) I don't give
a damn about your wife.
Or you, for that matter.
You're lying, and if I
catch you around here again,
I'll call the police.
You hear me?
Oh, I hear you, but you better hear me.
You go. You go see the police.
You might wanna ask 'em what
they know about this place.
Westover should've told
you about this place
when you got here.
You would have left already.
No, it's not me after dark.
I don't have much night vision.
It's not safe for me to
walk around after dinner.
And if it's not me at
night, it's that Armon girl.
That's who's peeping on your wife.
(Myrtis laughs)
That's who's peeping
on your wife. (Laughs)
That's who's peeping on your wife.
- Hey.
- Hey.
[Louise] Were you talking to someone?
Yeah, I think I found out
who's been looking through
our window at night.
[Louise] Who?
That old lady Westover warned us about.
- What does she want?
- Trouble, if you ask me.
Nevermind. I took care of it.
Going for that walk?
(dark music)
(patient laughs)
[Nick] Hail, Caesar! (Laughs)
Give to Caesar what is Caesar's
Loyal subjects!
I, your trusted ruler, was
descended from Jupiter himself!
God of Gods!
(patient grunts)
You! Damn, release me!
Get your hands off me!
Release me, you vile dogs!
I'll have your tongues ripped
from your face! (Laughs)
What's he up to today?
[Orderly Mel] Today, he is Caesar!
Yesterday, he was the president.
He's moving up in the world.
Same dose as yesterday, Doctor?
Yes, let's give it a few more days
before we consider upping it.
- Very good.
- Settle.
No, no, no.
Son of a bitch!
(patient pants)
Oh, could you check one
more time with the pharmacy
on the Vandenberg woman?
See if the husband picked up the refills.
- Right away, Doctor.
- Thank you.
No, no, no.
(groans) No.
Come on. No, come on.
(grunts) Come on!
I just want to watch the World Series.
(crow caws)
(gentle music)
It's beautiful out here, isn't it?
You were right again.
About?
Coming here.
Fresh air.
Starting over.
Look, I know we don't talk about it.
That night.
But I mean, it was worst night of my life,
seeing you like that.
I'm trying not to think
about it. (Chuckles)
You can't remember
anything about the man?
I mean, he attacked you.
What he looked like, what he was wearing?
No! I told you, Jeffery.
We've been through this with
the police, with Dr. Messer.
It's just that knowing
he's still out there.
Well, I said I don't remember.
Why would I want to?
Why would you want me to?
Vandenberg, Louise.
Really?
Okay.
I'll give them a call.
Thanks.
(phone clacks)
(phone keypad clicks)
(phone rings)
(tapping)
(distorted thuds)
(door creaks)
Hey.
How about you and I
snuggle up on the couch
and pig out on some junk food?
Nothing healthy.
Okay, okay. I'm still upset with you.
Okay. Maybe we'll
have a food fight, then.
(Louise chuckles)
Too late to be cute.
Meds, please.
(dark music)
(pill clatters)
- Shit.
Damn it.
(bottle cap clicks)
I'm gonna need more than
three months, Harry,
on top of the six month extension.
(Jeffery sighs)
(water splashes)
(brooding music)
(Louise moans)
Louise?
Louise?
(mirror cracks)
Louise.
(tense music)
- No, no.
- Louise!
- Take as much as you want.
- Louise!
What you've been waiting for. How long?
[Jeffery] Louise, stop it!
What're you doing?
Stop! Get off of me!
Leave me alone! Leave me alone!
(crickets chirp)
(dark music)
(birds chirp)
(crow caws)
You going somewhere?
Coffee's done.
Jeffery?
Look, I, I need to go
into town this morning.
Listen, last night, I
think I had a weird reaction
to my medication or something.
Just stay inside until I get home, okay?
Jeffery.
Just stay inside, okay?
(car door slams)
(car starts)
(engine revs)
(Jeffery sighs)
Come on, come on.
(phone rings)
Pick up.
(suspenseful music)
(phone rings)
So, how about it?
(phone rings)
- Maybe.
(phone rings)
Filing room's probably
quiet, this time of morning.
(phone rings)
Oh, I can do some filing.
I bet you could.
(phone rings)
(phone rings)
Let's see.
Does it begin with the letter A?
(phone rings)
(phone rings)
Or maybe...
(phone rings)
Letter B?
(phone rings)
You tried the letter C?
Mm!
C? (Laughs)
(door closes)
(Belinda yelps)
(phone rings)
Jesus Christ.
What kinda hospital
doesn't answer their phone?
(phone rings)
(dark music)
(photo frame clatters)
(muffled siren wails)
[Officer Minick] Can I help you?
[Jeffery] Hi.
My wife and I are staying at the cabin
at the end of Traverse Dirt Road.
Oh.
Give me a minute.
[Officer Hetzel] You're
staying at the Kavanaugh place?
My wife and I.
Why do you say it like that?
Well, when most people hear about it,
they usually ask for a different cabin.
I don't understand.
What're you talking about?
Tell him.
Tell me what?
Give me a minute.
Tell me what?
Renata Armon.
And attractive to a fault.
Liked to party in town and
especially down by the lake.
Also, quite married.
Husband was some high finance guy.
Much older than Renata.
He knew about the rumors.
It seems Mrs. Armon was bisexual.
Had a taste for the ladies
more than the husband.
Story was, she'd be
gone for days at a time.
Her old man tolerated it for a while,
but finally had enough.
People talking and everything.
He followed her one night
and caught the two of them
going at it in the girlfriend's cabin.
Took a shotgun to them.
(eerie tones)
To me, a cabin's a cabin.
[Jeffery] What about the Daughton woman?
Myrtis?
Town snoop?
She's harmless.
Has she been bothering you?
I found her...
No.
Nevermind. She's not been bothering us.
Look, thanks for the info.
May I ask why you stopped in here?
It's nothin'.
Thanks again.
Did you tell him?
Well, I hope it's not starting up again.
Well, the town certainly
doesn't need that.
No.
Oh.
Easy, girl.
(eerie music)
(Louise giggles)
(Louise giggles)
Hello there, gorgeous.
Aren't you the looker?
(eerie music continues)
[Officer] Renata Armon.
Seems Mrs. Armon was bisexual.
Had a take taste for the ladies.
[Messer] Did she stop taking
her antipsychotic medication?
[Myrtis] Your property.
This property belongs to the past,
and you might not let it stay there.
You go. You go to the police.
You might wanna ask them what
they know about this place.
No, it's not me after dark.
It's that Armon girl. That's
who's peeping on your wife.
(Myrtis laughs)
That's who's peeping on your wife.
[Officer] Took a shotgun to 'em.
(Jeffery sighs)
Come on, come on. Pick up.
We were told that we could visit him.
[Belinda] I'm sorry, but
he's on the restricted ward.
Please. We came all this way.
I'm sorry.
(phone rings)
(tires screech)
God damn it! What is happening?
Hiltaman Hospi...
Oh. They hung up.
(muffled engine revs)
(footsteps approach)
(eerie music)
(Louise giggles)
(Louise giggles)
(Louise giggles)
Well, hello there!
How are you? (Giggles)
Hello?
Well, hello there!
How are you?
I am new to the area. (Giggles)
Hey.
Hello?
I'm coming.
(mellow country music)
What can I get ya?
[Jeffery] Just a beer.
Domestic okay?
[Jeffery] Yeah, sure.
Need a glass with that?
Passing through?
No, uh, my wife and I are staying
at the old cabin on Traverse Dirt Road.
(glass clatters)
[Alton] Sorry.
Can I help you?
The Kavanaugh place, huh?
Drop it, old man.
I'm just makin' small
talk with the nice man.
Is he bothering you?
No.
What is it with everybody
in this God damn town
and that cabin?
(Alton chuckles)
- You don't know.
- Alton.
That's enough. Go home now.
- But I'm just-
- Alton!
Out!
Ah, I'm goin'.
Renata Armon.
[Jack] On me.
Thanks.
How concerned should I be?
I mean, I've heard all the stories.
Everything that happened there.
Small town, big mouths.
That's all.
Besides, that was years ago.
(phone rings)
Be right back.
(eerie music)
[Alton] Renata Armon.
[Officer] Took a shotgun to 'em.
[Myrtis] It's that Armon girl.
That's who's peeping
on your wife. (Laughs)
(dramatic orchestral music)
It's you.
Back off, asshole!
Is there a problem here?
No problem.
Right, asshole?
No, uh, no problem.
I'm sorry. I thought
you were someone else.
It's okay.
Let's call it a night, mister.
Yeah. Yeah, okay.
Look, get 'em a round on me.
What can I get ya?
(phone rings)
(phone rings)
[Louise] This is Louise.
Please leave a message.
Hey. It's me.
I'm headed back. I'll be there soon.
Louise, I'm back!
(door closes)
Louise?
Louise?
God damn it.
(eerie music)
(rumbling)
What the fuck?
(objects thud and shatter)
(crickets chirp)
(eerie music continues)
Louise!
(Louise whispers indistinctly)
Trust me. I can handle it.
He won't be here for long.
I know. I have a plan.
No.
I promise.
(crickets chirp)
(wind howls)
(distant cackling)
(hurried footsteps patter)
Louise!
We'll be together forever. I promise.
Louise.
It'll be just like before.
I'm telling you.
- Louise, wake up!
Louise, wake up!
Come on.
Let's go home.
- I am home.
(eerie music)
(door handle rattles)
(door thuds)
Jeffery.
(door slams)
- Better?
- Mm-hm.
I'm gonna be in the other room working.
Just try to get some sleep, okay?
[Louise] Okay.
(brooding music)
Look.
I've been thinking and maybe we should
just leave at the end of the week.
No, we're not leaving!
[Jeffery] Honey, you're out
of your meds and you've had
way too many of whatever
the hell these episodes are.
No, I'm not leaving her!
I'm, I'm not leaving here.
I don't even know how
to help you anymore.
You're not safe and neither is this place.
We'll talk about it in the morning.
(brooding music continues)
(paper rustles)
(Renata chuckles)
(dark music)
(kissing)
(Renata cackles)
[Louise] Hey.
Hey. You coming to bed or what?
What?
[Louise] Bed. Come to bed.
Yeah. Yeah, okay.
[Louise] (chuckles)
Must've been some night.
- What the hell?
- Your friends?
What?
[Louise] Your book. Your characters?
Yeah.
(dark music)
(birds chirp)
(wood clatters)
Morning.
Mornin'.
Just, uh, wanna stop
by and see how things
are coming along for ya.
Just fine.
It is beautiful country out here.
[Jeffery] Something I can help you with?
It's probably trivial,
(chuckles) but um...
Caroline, that's my wife.
Caroline was at the diner, the other day,
and she overheard some
policemen talking and, uh...
Now, mind you, Caroline's not the type to
share stories and all, but-
Mr. Westover.
Rod. (Chuckles)
Rod.
Look, I don't mean to be rude, but,
what does any of that have to do with us?
Yeah.
Sorry.
They mentioned that you were
asking about this place.
Yeah.
Yeah, I was.
Turns out it was nothin'.
(Rod chuckles)
That's what I told Caroline.
"Nothing."
Morning!
[Rod] Ma'am.
Something wrong?
Rod was just being neighborly.
Yeah, I was actually
just telling your husband,
my wife was in-
Honey, would you mind
grabbing Rod a cup of coffee?
Would you like a cup of coffee?
You know, actually,
I've gotta get into town.
Oh, it's no trouble.
No. Some other time. (Chuckles)
Almost forgot. Um... (clears throat)
Caroline wanted me to
invite you two to dinner.
Now, I told her you were probably-
No, we'd love to come.
Actually, we were
thinking of leaving soon.
No, we're not.
Honey, this is something
we can talk about after-
Tomorrow night all right?
Sure. Yeah, tomorrow night's fine.
Say seven?
Seven.
(crow caws)
Uh...
Till then. (Chuckles)
(Jeffery clears his throat)
I thought we were gonna talk about this.
What's there to talk about?
What's there to talk about?
Well, I don't know.
I find you in the middle of the
night, wandering the forest,
talking to trees, imaginary
people, or whatever else.
It's the fresh air.
(chuckles) "It's the fresh air."
Was it the fresh air
when you saw that woman
at the window all those nights?
Was it the fresh air that
made you trash the bathroom?
Besides, your meds are out.
So?
So, do you remember the
last time you went this long
without taking them?
Do you even recall what
happened that night?
Oh, yeah. I remember.
That was your fault.
I mean, this place is all
I need. I can feel it.
Louise!
Louise, for God's sake!
(ax thuds)
(door creaks)
(door closes)
(door rattles)
(sighs) Fuck this place.
Louise, open the God damn door!
(door slams)
(crickets chirp)
What's that place I'm thinking of?
How could it remind you of anywhere
if we've never been here before?
No, I'm sure of it.
Listen. Just try to make
it through the night, okay?
And if you start feeling a little-
- A little what?
- [Rod] Honey, they're here!
- [Caroline] Be right there!
- Hey.
- Are we early?
- No, not at all.
Right on time.
Some fresh flowers for the table.
Hi. I'm Caroline.
Hi. Jeffery.
Hey, and honey, this is Jeffery's wife.
(glass shatters)
Caroline?
- Is everything all right?
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
Forgive me. I'm so sorry.
- No, no, no.
Honey, no, stop. Stop.
Forget it.
Hey, uh, the table's already set.
Why don't you guys just go have a seat?
We'll be right there.
[Jeffery] Come on.
(dark music)
Honey? Caroline.
You okay, hon?
Yeah.
Okay. Here, watch out
for the glass, come here.
Walk this way.
You all right?
Would anyone like more?
[Jeffery] Please.
Thank you.
So, Rod says you're a writer?
Yeah. I write fiction novels.
He's working on a thriller
right now. Aren't you, honey?
A thriller.
I see.
I'm not really sure
that's how it'll end up.
My editor wants me to take
it in a different direction.
"Edgy". That's the
word Harry used, right?
Harry's my editor.
(Rod chuckles)
Can't say I read much
of that. No offense.
No, it's okay. It's an
acquired taste for most people.
Well, it sounds interesting.
You know, I find this house interesting.
Strange, but...
Familiar.
Well, thank you.
I think.
Louise sees patterns.
It's her art background.
Sometimes, she sees
patterns that aren't there.
It's because most
people never see things
below the surface.
The way they really are.
Oh.
So, art background.
Now, that sounds-
What?
Sounds what?
Louise.
So, Jeffery, how does your story end?
Somebody dies.
(chuckles) Somebody always dies.
But somebody finds true love.
So, a happy ending.
Louise, for God's sake.
I'm 20 pages into it.
I have no idea how it ends.
Could I get another glass of wine?
Yeah. Uh...
Just gonna top you off.
(dark music)
Thank you. We had a great evening.
It was very nice meeting you both.
Goodnight.
Hey, uh, Jeffery.
Can you stick around for a second?
Um...
Hey.
Listen, I'm sorry if things
got a little awkward tonight.
Caroline doesn't see many
new faces in town and, uh...
Just don't take it personally.
I understand.
Yeah. You know, um...
What do you say we grab a cup
of coffee tomorrow morning?
- Look, I told Louise-
- One cup!
8:00 AM?
Okay. Eight.
All right.
Every once in a while...
Every once in a while,
you need a little man to man talk, right?
- I'll see you at eight.
- All right.
Get home safe.
(thunder rumbles)
[Louise] (sighs) I think I'm
gonna turn in early tonight.
Yeah, okay.
I think I'm gonna stay
up a little bit longer
and work on the story.
It's not really going anywhere.
Hey.
(muffled thunder claps)
Can we at least talk about leaving early?
I just really think it's for the best.
Plus, my brother has a cabin
and he's been dying to see us.
(muffled thunder claps)
It's true, you know. (Chuckles)
[Jeffery] What're you talking about?
How your story ends.
(thunder claps)
(eerie music)
(thunder claps)
(thunder claps)
(eerie music continues)
(thunder claps)
(thunder claps)
(thunder claps)
(thunder claps)
(thunder claps)
(thunder claps)
[Renata] Trista!
(thunder claps)
(eerie music continues)
(knocks on door)
[Jeffery] I'll get it.
Oh, Christ.
(knocks on door)
Did you forget about me?
No. Sorry, come in.
(door creaks)
Did you, uh, did you get the number?
What number?
The number of the
truck that hit you, man.
(Jeffery chuckles)
You look like hell.
Did you have a rough night?
- Yeah, I was working late.
Come on in. I'll grab the coffee.
Yeah.
Louise is still sleeping,
so we can talk here.
What is it you wanted to see me about?
I know you found out some things.
Visit to the police station.
Yeah.
But like I told you, it
didn't mean anything.
I should've told you
when you first arrived.
It doesn't matter.
(Rod chuckles)
I know.
I know. (Chuckles)
(Rod sighs)
Ah...
How do I say this?
This is a small town.
If one person knows
something, everybody knows it.
Yeah, okay.
So, you know about the murder, right?
Renata Armon?
Yeah.
She had a girlfriend
lover, a rich husband.
He caught 'em both and shot 'em.
Sounds like a novel, huh?
Maybe when I'm done with
the one I'm working on,
or supposed to be working on.
The, uh...
The girlfriend lover?
Trista Kavanaugh.
Yeah. Trista.
I know that name.
Why do I know that name?
Trista Kavanaugh.
Jesus fucking Christ.
Yeah, that's what had Caroline
freaked out the other night.
Now you understand.
- That's Louise.
- Yeah.
Louise.
Party without me?
Morning.
Uh...
I just stopped by for coffee
and your husband and I were-
Give me.
It's just an old photo that-
Give me the God damn picture.
Okay.
So?
So nothing.
It's just an old photo.
I should, I should go.
Sit down.
Who is she?
Trista Kavanaugh.
Local gal.
She was a local gal.
Going for a walk.
- But-
- Alone.
- See you later.
- I doubt it.
Louise!
Um...
I'm gonna get going. I, uh...
God, I...
I didn't mean to stir things up, man.
I just, uh...
I thought you should know.
Know what?
That some dead girl looks like my wife?
(Rod sighs)
Yeah.
Well, then I'll see myself out.
You know...
It's...
It's not so much that a dead
girl looks like your wife.
It's your wife
looks like a dead girl.
(door creaks)
(door slams)
(dark music)
Christ.
(keyboard clacks)
(eerie tones)
What the fuck? (Sighs)
(paper clatters)
Louise!
Louise!
Louise!
(Jeffery gasps)
- [Jenna] Halo, hey, easy.
Easy.
I'm so sorry, mister.
We usually don't receive many people
walking in these parts of the woods.
[Jeffery] That's okay.
Are you lost or something?
[Jeffery] No, I'm not lost.
Not in the way you mean, at least.
Sorry?
My wife and I are staying
at the cabin over there.
The Kavanaugh place?
Jeffery. Jeffery Vandenberg.
My wife Louise is out
here walking somewhere,
so I was just looking for her.
Jenna.
[Jeffery] It's nice to meet you, Jenna.
- Yeah, you too.
- Are you on this road?
No, no, no. I'm a few
roads over that way.
But Halo here needs to burn
up some energy. (Chuckles)
Otherwise, he's barking
at the door all day.
Likes his freedom.
[Jeffery] Don't we all.
Don't usually see many people walking
in these part of the woods.
That's why I take him on his run here.
[Jeffery] It makes sense,
with the stories and all.
And they don't bother you?
Why should they?
(Jenna chuckles)
Exactly. They're just stories, right?
Well, I've gotta get back to the cabin
and get some work done.
It was great to meet you.
If you see my wife Louise out,
just tell her to come back in.
Yeah, sure thing.
Maybe I'll see you again.
And maybe this guy will be a
little more friendly next time.
Come on!
Good boy, Halo.
(brooding music)
[Renata] Trista.
(crickets chirp)
Nice walk?
(door opens)
(door slams)
Louise!
(door slams)
- What?
- What do you mean, what?
Where have you been all day?
Out, about. Exploring nature.
Isn't that what you said I needed?
- Will you stop it?
- Stop What?
This! Pretending like you're fine!
Like nothing's happened to you!
But I am fine. I'd say
I'm better than fine.
(door slams)
Louise!
Louise!
You know what? Fuck it and fuck you!
(door opens)
(dark music)
(crickets chirp)
Hello?
Hello?
(chuckles) Shit, they'll
be locking me up next.
(logs clatter)
Louise?
(hand slaps window)
Louise?
(hand slaps window)
Louise!
(hand slaps window)
Louise!
(door rattles)
Louise?
(door rattles)
Louise!
Louise!
(hand slaps window)
Louise!
Louise! Louise!
(hand slaps window)
(dramatic orchestral music)
(body thumps)
(eerie music)
(door rattles)
(tense music)
Get out.
You're not wanted here.
(birds chirp)
(eerie music)
Louise!
Louise!
Is that some kind of sick joke?
What the hell did you do to yourself?
[Louise] (chuckles) Hello, Jeffery.
How's the story coming along?
The story? Look at yourself!
Why did you do that? Look at yourself!
(sighs) Does this top
look too big for me?
I mean, a girl's gotta impress.
That's it. We're leaving,
first thing tomorrow morning.
Why did you do this?
Do what?
Change my work, write over my notes!
I don't do anything to your
stupid silly-ass little notes.
Really? 'Cause there's two
fucking handwritings on it.
You better snap out of it.
(ominous music)
And you better remember
your place around my house!
Where are you going?
Uh...
Kavanaugh place.
Had an accident. Broke the mirror.
- Will you be gone long?
- (chuckles) Probably not.
They're not big talkers.
Well, be careful, okay?
It's, it's a mirror, Caroline.
(both chuckle)
It's just a mirror.
I know, but you know where-
I'll be right back.
Be safe.
(door opens)
(engine hums)
(suspenseful music)
(gentle acoustic guitar music)
[Myrtis] Oh, thank you so much.
- Myrtis!
- Oh, Caroline.
How've you been? Haven't
seen you in some time.
Fine. Nerves are pushing me to my grave.
Sorry to hear.
Have you met the folks
at the Kavanaugh place?
Oh, no, not yet, but I
heard they're rather odd.
Why wouldn't they be?
- What do you mean?
- Well, I mean, really.
You wouldn't catch me
in a place like that.
It's evil in the walls, I tell you.
It's evil in the walls!
- Now, Myrtis.
She's still there. That's
what people don't understand.
Who's there?
Renata Armon.
Myrtis.
She waits for a lover
and then she stays there
in that place, until the lover returns.
Oh, Jeffery!
[Jeffery] And how the
hell do you know this?
Because I've seen her.
(eerie music)
(door creaks)
(knocks on door)
Jeffery?
Rod Westover.
Got that mirror for ya!
(door slams)
(dark music)
Jeffery, Louise!
It's Rod!
Jeffery!
Rod Westover! I've got your mirror!
(door creaks)
(dark music continues)
Uh...
Jeffery, Louise!
Rod Westover. You guys back here?
(door slams)
How do you break a mirror?
Ah. It's like brand new.
(dramatic orchestral music)
(Rod screams)
(thud)
(dark music)
(Rod groans)
(groans) God.
(handbrake clicks)
(seat belt clicks)
Louise?
Rod?
(door creaks)
What happened?
- Uh...
Uh, I'm fine.
Yeah, I just, uh...
Just a little bump on the ol' noggin.
I replaced that mirror for you.
Where's Louise?
(Rod sighs)
I gotta get home.
[Jeffery] Where's my wife?
The place was empty when I
got here. The door was open.
I thought you guys were in town. I...
I gotta get outta here.
- Thanks for the mirror!
- Yeah.
(car starts)
(engine revs)
(suspenseful music)
Louise!
Louise?
(suspenseful music continues)
(footsteps patter)
(dramatic orchestral music)
(Myrtis whimpers)
(suspenseful music)
(Myrtis whimpers)
(Myrtis whimpers)
(suspenseful music continues)
(eerie tones)
(ominous tones)
[Louise] Hey.
Hey.
[Louise] Been walking all day.
You know, clearing my head. (Chuckles)
Clearing your head?
Yeah.
I feel changed here.
This place.
And?
(chuckles) You were right.
Nature, fresh air.
I think it's just what I needed.
Yeah.
Okay. Don't sound interested.
No. Go on.
So, I was thinking,
maybe we should stay here, you know?
Like forever.
You can write anywhere.
We're leaving this place,
as soon as we pack up in the morning.
You'll never take her from me.
(eerie music)
(dark music)
(mouse pad clicks)
(mouse pad clicks)
(mouse pad clicks)
[Harry] Listen, Jeffery.
You've been showing up late for work
for six God damn months now.
I understand the situation with Louise,
but I got a company to run.
[Messer] Did she stop taking
her antipsychotic medication?
(dark music continues)
Look, I changed my mind. Call it off.
[Thug] Hey. We have a contract.
I don't care, you sick
fuck. Just call it off!
[Thug] Listen.
You're the sick son of
a bitch that hired me.
I'm keeping the 10 grand.
I don't care! Just call it off!
[Thug] Maybe I'll do her, just for fun.
Call it off.
Call it off!
Call it off!
(Jeffery sobs)
(dark music)
(hand thuds)
(Jeffery pants)
(objects clatter)
(Jeffery sobs)
(crickets chirp)
(dark music continues)
(Jeffery sighs)
(water splashes)
(intense orchestral music)
(water splashes)
(water splashes)
(water splashes)
(Jeffery pants and coughs)
(dark music)
(Jeffery pants)
(door opens)
(door creaks)
Louise?
- Oh, hey there!
- Hi.
Aww, see? (Giggles)
There. Friends for life.
He's registered your
scent and you're good.
Good boy.
Are you okay?
You don't look too well.
Is everything okay?
No. Actually, I'm not.
It's my wife.
You know, actually, it's this place.
It's okay.
Nothing's really been
the same since we got here.
(chuckles) Come on. Not the town curse.
It's just...
Maybe, maybe it's true.
Maybe there is something about this place.
What? Evil?
Look, I...
I never really believed in it, but,
I'm not so sure anymore.
You haven't been listening to old lady
Daughton's tale, have you?
What do you mean?
That the only way the
spirit of the dead Armon girl
will leave is if her lover returns?
(laughs) Spooky, huh?
Apparently, Renata Armon was a Wicca.
You know, practiced a
kind of earth religion,
spirituality kind of a thing.
As the story goes,
the week before she and her
girlfriend were murdered,
she performed a Yule Sabbat.
- A what?
- A Sabbat.
It's a Wiccan ceremony.
The Yule Sabbat takes place
during the winter solstice.
Like yuletide. Get it? (Chuckles)
Anyway, according to the Wicca,
it's a time of birth, you know?
Of life and light.
But apparently, the Armon
lady was into black Wicca.
Magick. (Chuckles)
Scary, right?
She put some kind of protective spell
that New Year's Eve night over her lover.
Trista?
Right, Trista.
You see, it seems that she
was afraid if her husband
found out about them that
he was gonna harm her.
She put some kind of energy around Trista,
locking her away with
a talisman that night.
You know, locals around here
actually call New Year's
Eve the Darkening Hour now.
A talisman?
It's, uh, it's like
a good luck artifact.
Use it to conjure up her lover's rebirth.
Like a photo, maybe?
Beats me. Something to release Trista.
Until then, Renata
Armon wanders the woods,
searching for her lover.
(Jenna laughs)
See? It's a small town,
small curse. (Chuckles)
Say, would you like a cup of coffee?
Yeah.
Yeah, a little energy buzz to keep up
with this one would be good, thanks.
- Just give me a minute.
- Okay.
(door creaks)
(suspenseful music)
(bottle cap clicks)
(pills rattle)
(door creaks)
(door closes)
Thank you.
How'd I do?
Good. Yeah, no, it tastes good.
Thank you.
(Jeffery sighs)
It's beautiful country out here.
Mm.
Yeah, sure is.
(Jenna breathes deeply)
You know, I have family going
back two generations here.
You understand why, once you visit.
Do you live out here with your parents?
Mm. I'm sorry, what?
Your, uh, your parents.
Do you live out here with your parents?
Um...
My mom. (Chuckles)
Ah, uh...
I got a couple cousins, the uh...
Town.
Oof.
(sinister music)
(Halo pants)
(Halo whimpers)
(Jenna screams)
(Jenna whimpers)
(Jenna pants)
(Jenna screams)
(Halo whimpers)
- Shh.
(Jenna screams)
(Jenna sobs)
(Halo whimpers)
Shh!
(Jenna screams)
(Jenna pants)
(Halo whimpers)
(Halo barks)
(Jenna screams)
(shovel thuds)
(Halo whines)
(Jenna whimpers)
(Jenna pants)
(sinister music continues)
(bones crunch)
(Jenna screams)
(door closes)
Hey.
Hey.
Listen. I was thinking we
could go to town tonight.
There's a bar nearby.
Grab a drink. Maybe a little dancing?
Okay, and?
And nothing.
No more talk of leaving?
Let's just try to
forget about everything.
Just go out and enjoy ourselves.
So we're not leaving?
Go get freshened up.
Let's meet some new people.
Okay. (Chuckles)
(dark music)
You know, I think you're right.
I mean, if we're gonna stay,
we should meet more people.
(car starts)
Yeah, uh...
Yeah.
Sure.
No.
We're not leaving.
Louise, I never said that.
No, you said it. I
said we're not leaving!
Will you just fucking stop it?
This place is a madhouse!
And we're leaving, as soon
as she leaves us alone!
What have you done?
I did what I had to do.
For us.
For you.
You pathetic little man.
You really think you can stop us?
(dramatic orchestral music)
(car locks click)
Louise, I did it for you!
I did it for you! (Sobs)
Please stop!
God, please stop! (Sobs)
Louise, I did it for you!
I did it for you!
(sinister music)
Please stop! (Sobs)
For God's sake, stop!
(car locks click)
(tense music)
Touch my stuff again and you'll end up
like that bitch and her dog.
(sinister music)
[Jeffery] Louise?
Open the fucking door!
Louise!
This ends tonight!
Louise?
Louise, God damn you!
(crickets chirp)
(tense music)
(Louise pants)
Louise!
Honey, are you out here?
(Louise pants)
(Jeffery laughs manically)
Louise!
(Jeffery chuckles menacingly)
(Jeffery chuckles)
Louise, honey!
I just wanna play!
(ax thuds)
(thunder claps)
(eerie tones)
(wind howls)
(thunder claps)
(thunder claps)
You know, I never forgave myself
for what happened to you
the night on Broadmoor.
I actually thought we
could make a fresh start.
What're you talking about?
You never even thought to
ask what happened that night?
How you ended up in that part of town,
delirious, raped, nearly lifeless?
So, it was you.
You bastard!
All those months,
watching you in the ward
dissolve into nothingness!
My career dissolving, right alongside you.
(thunder claps)
"Hey, Jeffery! When's the
next bestseller coming out?
Well, you're not turning
into a one hit wonder,
are you, Jeffery?"
Maybe this place just brought
everything into focus.
You were never going to get better!
(thunder claps)
I'll never leave!
Oh, you'll be leaving.
Just not the way you think.
Let me write the ending for you.
In a psychotic break, the
husband's wife kills a local girl.
Still delusional, she
sets sights on her husband
for some imaginary lover!
She chases him deep into the woods.
In a moment of confusion, she trips!
(thunder claps)
And falls to her death.
How do you like it?
Didn't you say someone always dies?
And somebody finds true love.
What?
I told you.
I'll never leave this place.
I'll never leave her!
Who?
(Jeffery gasps)
(Jeffery grunts)
(body thumps)
(thunder claps)
(dark music)
(thunder claps)
(thunder claps)
Uh, she's been like that
since I called you guys.
Yeah.
What happened?
Uh...
You're gonna want to
check the shed over there.
I'll check the perimeter first.
Ma'am?
Ma'am.
Ma'am, where's your husband?
Ms. Vandenberg, your-
Who?
[Officer] Ms. Vandenberg,
your husband, Mr. Vandenberg.
Where is he?
(Louise chuckles)
I think you have the wrong cabin.
[Officer] Hold her here.
I'm gonna check inside.
- Hey, we'll-
- No sign of him outside.
We'll stay with her and
we'll make sure she's okay.
[Caroline] Don't worry,
dear. Everything will be okay.
(motor whirs)
(ambulance doors slam)
Just like I said.
Somebody always dies.
Somebody finds true love.
Happy ending.
[Officer Nusbaum] Come on, lady.
(Hetzel scoffs)
Hey! Take a look at this.
[Minick] Huh.
Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
Yeah, I think we have a writer
who decided to carry out his own story.
(chuckles) Too bad for
him he got the wrong ending.
What a sick fuck.
(officer chuckles)
(eerie music)
Hello, Mrs. Vandenberg.
So good to see you again.
You must be new here.
Why no, dear. I've been
on this floor for 12 years.
A new face to me.
I'm the one they're locking up?
Come now, Mrs. Vandenberg.
We've got your room
just the way I like it.
Sign here.
(pen scribbles)
You'll earn your pay with that one.
We do, every day.
Forensics came back.
DNA matches the Tinley girl.
Wife must've gotten
bloody picking up the dog.
And Daughton woman? Heart attack?
Mm-hm.
Nothing good comes
with the Kavanaugh place.
I tell you.
Well, maybe old lady Daughton was right.
Nothing but evil in them walls.
Oh, yeah.
(birds chirp)
(eerie whispering tones)
(birds chirp)
(dark music)
- Quiet night?
- [Orderly Trent] Yeah.
Other than the normal
moaning coming from 117.
The Vandenberg woman? Heard of her.
Yeah.
That one's a real trip.
The stories are true?
This is a nut ward.
All the stories are true.
- Right.
- Yeah.
Well, hope your first night
shift on the ward goes...
How should I say? Enlightening? (Chuckles)
Have fun.
- Wow.
(pen scribbles)
(eerie music)
We'll get outta here soon.
I know how to handle the staff.
Got out once, didn't I?
(eerie music continues)
We're together again.
(brooding synth music)
Hear your whispered calling
Feel your breath upon me
You know my name but
you're just a stranger
I don't know you
So why's my heart beating
All control fades away
Then darkness falls
And I hear
Your voice call me
And I fall
To yesterday
The darkening hour
Brings you back
Brings you back to me
In love's destiny
(brooding synth music continues)
Pictures on the wall of me
Now this spell awakens
Returns me to the life
I once knew
Unbroken love now yearning
And in your arms, returning
Burning fire, desire for you
Then darkness falls
And I hear
Your voice call me
And I fall
To yesterday
The darkening hour
Brings you back
Brings you back to me
In love's destiny
So let this dream now awaken
All that stirs in me returning
Ever burning
And in the light of darkness
Be with me
From the earth below
To the stars above
Calling
Then darkness falls
And I hear
Your voice call me
And I fall
To yesterday
The darkening hour
Brings you back
Brings you back to me
In love's destiny
And I fall
And I fall
And I fall
And I fall