The Devil is a Liar (2026) Movie Script
1
(tense music)
(soft music)
(soft music continues)
(soft music continues) (door creaks)
(Uncle Charles panting)
(soft music continues)
(tense music) (woman screams)
[Preacher] There's a war being waged,
and it's not in the streets,
not in the courts,
in our mind,
in our memory,
in the places we stopped talking about it
because it was too hard to say out loud.
Now the devil knows your name,
knows your history,
and his greatest weapon
is not your enemy,
it's your silence.
Turn your Bibles to 2 Corinthians 10:4
where it says,
"The weapons we fight with
are not the weapons of the world.
On the contrary,
they have a divine power
to demolish strongholds,
and only God has the power
"to tear it down."
(tense music)
(soft music)
I was so vulnerable as a girl.
I didn't care how I was seen.
I did everything so fearlessly.
(soft music continues)
There was no thin line between my goals
and my fears.
I made orders without questioning authority,
I walked in confidence,
so unafraid of the whole world.
I took everything by its horns.
A woman now,
I can't face who I really am.
It hurts to be real because the world has torn me apart
by so many cuts,
so I built a wall.
(soft music continues)
I built a wall so tall that God himself would have
to knock it down to get to my core.
Okay, girls,
time to clean up.
Your mom be here in a few.
Are you okay, auntie?
Yeah, baby.
Why you ask?
You're bleeding.
(soft music continues) (birds chirping)
[Regina] My mom always told me,
"The devil was a liar",
I just always struggled to figure out who he really was.
Was he my father when he left us?
Was he my mother when she left me with him?
Or was I the devil?
They say in the Bible,
the biggest lie is that he's the truth,
a deceiver, a thief of joy.
I just feel like when you bring your children into that.
- Yeah.
- And you're in
that domestic violence situation.
Carol, it is a pleasure to see you.
Any new pain or discomfort?
Mm,
mostly tired
and my cough is getting to me too.
Are you still smoking?
I'm doing better.
You have to stop, Carol.
Look, I'm going to go ahead
and place an order for a full panel of blood work
and imaging as soon as possible.
Do you think it came back?
Lord gets the rest of me
I think that we should get the test done
before we jump to conclusions, young lady.
I'll get to him next week.
[Dr. Rodd] Thank you.
Let's hear what you all have
for the state of now topic.
Martin,
how about you go?
Okay.
Ain't none of them questions gonna matter to your fate.
Them three women and children
that you hurt gonna need some justice.
You got it all wrong, man.
I paid those people.
I took care of them.
They wanted me, they came after me.
Good old wolf in sheep clothing,
just leaving everybody your own pit of hell.
I'ma keep it short.
Today's your lucky day,
and I'm happy to serve as the Lord's Shepherd.
Now you can yell, scream, pray,
do whatever you think you want to do,
but just know that everybody
who say my daddy name ain't gonna enter
the kingdom of heaven.
You know that, right?
[Victim] Man, you got it all wrong.
(victim screams)
[Regina] My mom always told me, "The devil was a liar."
I've just always struggled to figure out who he really was.
Was he my father when he left us?
Was he my mother when she left me with him?
Or was I the devil?
They say in the Bible,
the biggest lie is that he's the truth,
a deceiver, a thief of joy.
Am I this way because my reflection reigns true
or is it deception that won't tell me what to do?
I'm having a hard time reconciling
the different parts of you, Regina.
Which parts?
Well, there's a part that's brilliant
and creative and gold,
but there's a part that's afraid to walk in your purpose.
It's like you're waiting on something
or someone to tell you
that it's simply okay to be who you are.
Something that happened to me
when I was a teenager shouldn't still be haunting me.
But it does,
because you've built a wall
that keeps you from vulnerability.
Regina, you can't heal if you don't acknowledge
that there's a scar to begin with.
What's therapeutic about this?
I'm just trying to understand,
but I can't do that if you don't let me in.
(Therapist sighs)
I can recommend you to a different specialist.
No,
I just...
I just...
I just need more time.
I know it's been three months.
That's okay.
You can take all the time that you need.
However, I can't release you to your family
unless you give me something.
I need to go.
See me tomorrow.
Gina,
use your journal.
Write down your thoughts,
it'll help you process better.
(soft music)
[Dr. Rodd Reception] Hi, Mrs. Horace,
this is Dr. Rodd's office.
We're calling because we received your recent test results.
It's important you give us a call back,
as the results indicate more of a serious matter
than Dr. Rodd anticipated.
It's important you give us a call back.
(soft music continues)
Mom, you're back.
Mom, you're mask.
My babies.
How are you?
You're the best part of my day.
Baby, I though I was the best part of your day.
Yeah, and then we had kids.
(Cassie and Brian chuckle)
Okay, you two go and get ready for bed, okay?
You're right,
but you think we got them?
- Mm.
- Hmm?
You looking like a snack
and we wanting a bite.
Mm-hmm.
Ooh,
stop it.
You playing too much.
You know.
Did the girls eat already?
Oh, yes.
La chicken nuggets.
(Brian laughs)
My girls got me wrapped around their finger.
And we love you for it.
Okay.
Oh,
how was work, baby?
Come on, stop,
come sit with me.
Let's see,
work was long.
Now, my pre-AP students are making real progress
with their poems
and the afternoon group is doing really good too.
I just...
I miss our in-person sessions, you know?
- Yeah.
- I felt like I got
so much more out of them like that way.
What about you, baby?
Works is the same old BS at the office with Tony.
He wants me to do this digital campaign
that's gonna support Thomas passing this racist bill.
You know, I never like Thomas.
Real stank attitude.
Right.
(Briand and Cassie laugh)
I'm happy your off for you, babe.
Mm, me too.
You still want to do that trip thing
with your mom and Gina?
Yeah.
You know, I haven't heard from mommy all week.
Oh, she called.
She didn't sound too good.
You need to call her, baby.
I will.
I'll call her in the morning.
I'm too tired for that right now.
I'm glad it's the weekend.
Ever tell you how beautiful you are?
Even when you're tired,
it's like my whole word...
(soft music)
(tense music)
(birds chirping) (tense music continues)
(Enoch grunting) (tense music continues)
(Enoch grunting) (tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(upbeat music)
Hey, Gina,
how you feeling today?
Haven't felt anything lately.
Mm, you know,
I think I might have a little something to cheer you up.
Is it a get out of jail free card?
Have you ever read one of these?
I didn't know they paid you to be a comedian up here too.
I need to use the phone.
I'm serious.
You know, it's some good stuff in here.
Need to use the phone.
Okay.
But you got 10 minutes, all right?
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
(soft music)
[Reggie] What up though?
Who's this?
Reggie, give mama the phone.
[Reggie] Hello to you too, big sis.
Boy, I ain't got time to play with you.
Give mama the phone.
[Reggie] All right, man,
hey, mama.
It's Regina, she's on the phone.
She wanna talk to you.
Hey, how you doing though?
I ain't dead.
[Reggie] Yeah, just cynical.
(indistinct chatter)
[Carol] Hi, Regina.
Hey, mama.
I was calling about our trip to the lake house.
[Carol] Okay.
What's going on?
I mean, am I still going?
Who's picking me up?
[Carol] Regina, that is entirely up to you.
Will they even allow you to leave?
Reggie will probably go this year.
Mama, are you serious?
It's a girl's trip.
You can't let Reggie go in my place.
They gave me clearance.
Call your moral for details.
(soft music)
Are you going somewhere?
I'm getting the hell out of here
just for the weekend.
Hmm,
I don't see your name on the schedule though.
Mind your business kid.
(upbeat music)
You forgetting your book.
(upbeat music continues)
(upbeat music continues)
(Uncle Charles panting)
(Uncle Charles panting)
(insidious music)
(suspenseful music) (Regina panting)
(Regina sighs)
(tense music)
I can sit here all day.
It's actually my job,
so,
whenever you want to talk.
I'm just...
Just what?
Talked to my mom yesterday,
she's just so invulnerable.
As in uptight?
Exactly.
Shrewd.
Regina,
let's talk about the real problem.
What do you mean?
I mean, we've been here for months.
You barely share your day-to-day with me,
you've had your journal for quite some time now.
You can't move forward unless you're willing to voice
and acknowledge what the issue is.
Feels like I raised myself.
Mama was at school most of the time.
My uncle,
he used to live with us,
and she left me with him all the time.
[Therapist] And how was that relationship?
He's dead,
but still feels so alive in my mind,
you know?
There were some good parts of...
Good parts about him.
And since I can't get him
or what he did, out of my mind,
I just try to control what I remember.
He bought me candy all the time
and used to take me on long walks to the store.
It was a...
Like a five mile walk
from that lake house we stayed in,
but,
he used to tell jokes
and,
play little games.
It wasn't until I got older
that his jokes weren't funny anymore.
And the bad parts?
I honestly don't want to talk about it.
Okay.
Yeah,
some sick part of him liked to see me scared.
[Therapist] How?
Little things.
Like one time he chased me around the house,
acting like he was the devil.
I'm sorry you experienced that.
That's not a little thing.
How old were you?
I don't know.
I was in middle school,
went on till I was a teenager.
We finally didn't come back one summer.
I'm sorry.
It was minor.
It just stuck with me for some reason.
And, you know,
I never felt worthy.
I tried to tell mom a few times I didn't want
to stay with him.
She...
But she never took me serious,
said I was being too dramatic.
Can we be done?
Regina,
I want you to know that what you experienced
was not minor.
I know you want to compare your pain to others,
but God made us all very different.
And what happened to you was very wrong.
I'll see you next week.
Next week?
You approving me for the trip?
Hey, I got something out of you.
You're got to trust more.
Wow.
Thank you, I need this.
Perhaps you do,
we'll see.
Hey, Gina.
Whatever did happen to your Uncle Charles?
Nobody knows what happened to him.
My mama got a call one day,
said that they found him dead out back by the lake house.
No signs of suicide,
no signs of homicide
or anybody else was at the scene of the crime.
It was like he was just sitting
by the lake house waiting for his last breath.
(soft music)
(soft music continues)
Morning.
Must have been really tired.
Yeah.
What time is it?
Noon.
What? And you didn't wake me?
Where are the girls?
Took them to school already, you were tired.
What are you even doing here?
I took half a day.
Look, I got to be at the rehab center at one
and then to pick up mama.
Baby, I took a half a day
so we could have breakfast together.
I don't have time right now.
I'm sorry, babe.
Never have time.
[Cassie] Huh?
I said, it's fine, I'll...
I'll fix you something for the road.
(soft music)
Mom, I could take you.
No,
your sisters need to be together.
This trip is like family therapy.
More like you gonna need therapy when you get back.
(Reggie and Carol laugh)
But I'll be here for you, mama.
(mellow music)
(mellow music continues)
He whispers soft in the Eden shade
Hey, Gina,
your sister's here for you.
You want me to help you with your bags?
No, I've only got the one.
Thank you though.
Okay.
But all it did was feed the lies
He's a serpent in disguise
Trading truth for alibis
The devil is a liar
He burns, but he won't inspire
He'll twist your dreams like the fire
But the devil
Oh, the devil is a liar
40 days in the desert seen
[Preacher] He saw what God's people refused to confront,
and he acted.
The word says that,
his zeal made atonement for Israel.
Church, there are those among us
whom God is equipped not just to pray,
but to move,
to be the answer to somebody else's prayer.
God is on my side
Opened up my eyes
Devil is a liar Deil is a liar
Victim of my pride
Running all my life
Every day I try
Everyday I try
God is on my side
Evil in disguise
Devil is a liar Devil is a liar
Oh, falling for you
Oh my God.
And you know you the rudest person I ever met.
- Reggie.
- Regina,
I cannot believe mama named me after you,
Reggie and Regina like we twins.
Mom, why you name me after this girl?
- Hi baby.
- Gina.
Hey, mama.
Quiet, Reggie.
Like I said, ma, just one phone call.
Just one phone call away if these two start acting up.
Mm-hmm, don't eat all my food.
[Reggie] I'm not.
Don't be bringing your little girlfriend.
- Oh, ma.
- Over here.
I promise I won't.
Seatbelt, mama.
Like I said, take care of my mama.
- Take care of my mama.
- Bye.
All right everybody,
here we go.
(car engine revving)
(phone notification)
(mellow music)
(fire crackling)
And, that was my ex.
I mean,
I just want somebody who is nice,
who has a car,
has savings, a job,
you know, generous,
but I don't get that
or I don't attract it.
But you,
you're the kind of guy that I like.
(Ms. Kelly chuckles)
You know how to treat a lady right.
(Ms. Kelly chuckles)
Mm,
mm.
Did I tell you though that student who had the nerve
to tell me that I was gonna be single forever?
The little asshole.
See, that's exactly why...
(tense music)
(fire crackling)
You and me
Eyes like canvas, they communicate
A language spoken with no fear, the world fades
It's just us two
(ominous music)
Right beside me, we shine bright
Turning late nights into a high life
Every move calculated
Watch me sing, Texas on my mind
Ain't no pretend, feel the heat
My kids at school love this crap.
I don't know how they listen to it.
I mean, literally, it sounds like robots.
TikTok era, you know?
Seriously,
I mean, it's nothing like the music we used to jam to.
Remember our first concert?
You mean that one time Kirk Franklin
came to our church for free?
Oh, no.
I meant...
You remember when you won those tickets
to the IAMX concert?
Still can't believe you brought me.
It was the only way mommy would let me go.
And even then,
we left the house covered in so much holy oil.
Okay.
Man, those were the days.
Pretty good sister.
You were a pain in the butt.
So,
have you been taking your pills?
Are they giving you anything new in there?
I don't need you checking up on me now, Cassie.
Look, I'm just asking.
Why now?
I've been in that hospital for 90 days,
three months,
you haven't called, sent a letter.
Hell, you ain't even come to visit.
Do you really even care
unless I'm doing something to benefit you?
Do you know how hard it was to walk away from that moment
and come out alone?
Pull over.
- What?
- Pull over, Cassie.
Mommy, we're one mile away from the next gas station.
I don't feel good, baby.
Please, pull over.
Okay, okay, okay.
(tense music) (insects hissing)
[Enoch] Young heathen is awake.
You sick bastard.
What are you doing?
(tense music continues)
Untie me.
You demons sure is cocking nowadays.
I'm a demon?
Damn right!
A murderous demon!
Didn't think nobody was gonna find out about you,
did you?
Them three children you killed,
all 'cause you wanted to drink and drive.
Your little hit and run.
(tense music continues)
Please.
Please,
it was an accident.
I'm a good person, I'm...
I'm a good person.
I believe you, okay?
I believe you, Ms. Kelly.
But for you to sit here
and have the audacity
to hate and mock them children,
them innocent children.
Mm-mm.
I know, I know.
Innocent children,
ain't right.
Matthew 18,
"If anyone shall cause one of the little ones,"
those who believeth in me, to stumble,
it will be better for them
to have a large millstone hung around their neck
"and to be drowned by the depths of the sea."
No, no no, no, no, no, no.
Now listen to me,
I may not have all the proper tools.
I done already talked to my daddy
and asked him for forgiveness
because this will be done in his name.
(soft music)
(insidious music)
No, please.
(tense music)
(Carol barfing)
Mommy,
are you sure you don't want to just turn around?
Look, you can get some rest
and we'll just do this some other time.
No, I can rest when we get there.
No sense in turning back now.
It's just car sickness.
Anyway, we're halfway there.
You can't smoke that in my car.
I thought you said you were quitting.
Let's go.
Get me a water from the trunk,
I'm good now.
(car doors thud)
(soft music)
No, you loved those when you were a girl.
And your mama couldn't stop eating them when she was...
When I was pregnant with you.
Funny enough, everyone always said
if you're having a girl,
then I'd love the sweets.
But,
this was different.
It was savory and sweet.
These are a perfect blend,
yet different enough
for not everyone to like them.
I knew you would shake my world up.
I didn't have much of a purpose aside
from being a housewife to your father
until you came along.
(groovy music)
Out of the trap
Came from hell and back
Thank you or Jesus, think they'll cut me slack
No way
I speak the truth, that's a matter fact
That's a matter fact
We see the devil, make him do the dash
Oh-Oh-Oh
People do anything for some racks
People do anything for a plaque
These rappers do anything for the clout
Forget all this selling out
(soft music)
That be all?
Yep.
It's a 4.99.
Enoch?
(Regina chuckles)
It's me, Regina.
Regina?
(Enoch chuckles)
Man, I ain't seen that pretty smile of yours
in about 30 years since you ran out of town.
It's good to see you.
Same.
I'm surprised you still work here.
And you're the sheriff?
Yeah, I...
I own the place now.
Yeah,
Old Bill passed away back in 09
and he left it all to me.
I come on the weekend
'cause I ain't much else to do around here.
You...
You in town for a bit
or you just passing through?
We'll be in town for a while.
Okay.
Well,
maybe we can catch up before you leave me again.
Mm,
we'll see.
All right.
Well, it's good to see you,
beauty.
You too,
beast.
(soft music continues)
(car door thuds)
Here, mommy.
Oh.
(door thuds)
You know, I don't remember this place being so cute.
Nothing is cute about this shack.
All the memories in this place are the best thing about it.
At least it's quiet.
I'll get plenty of work done.
(Cassie taps window)
You coming?
I'm right behind you.
Okay, girl.
Come on, mommy.
(tense music)
[Uncle Charles] Gina, get out here now.
Look what I found,
your favorite, remember?
We used to play this all the time.
Gina?
Gina!
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(Cassie knocks)
Gina?
Let me help.
I'm fine, thank you.
(water splashing)
(tense music continues)
You know, you're not the only one
that had it hard around here.
It's always been about you.
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(piano playing)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(soft music)
(soft music continues)
(Regina crying)
Dandelion?
What for?
Your tears.
What happened in there?
Nothing.
Thank you.
But I don't need some fuzzy old plant.
I just need to get away most days.
No, don't be stubborn.
Just make a wish.
Don't believe in wishes.
Or pray.
(Regina scoffs)
You think you know me.
Only a little bit.
(Regina sighs)
What'd you pray?
For God to save me from myself.
What if God send me to save you?
(Regina chuckles)
Yeah, right.
We're both doomed.
He hurt you again?
I'm fine.
- What is this?
- You know what it is.
I'm my own monster.
You're a beauty,
I'm the beast.
(birds chirping)
(indistinct) time I turn my turn around,
they just keep getting worse and worse.
Daddy, I'm telling you I'm sick of these heathens.
Sick of it.
(soft music) (birds chirping)
Every time I turn around,
there's something (indistinct).
Dammit bitch.
(Enoch grunting) (soft music continues)
(Enoch grunting) (soft music continues)
(phone buzzing)
- Hey, baby.
- Hey, babe.
Me and the kids, we miss you.
I miss you too.
Don't worry, I'll be home before you know it.
I wish we had a little more time before you left.
I know,
and I've been meaning to give you a call.
It's just,
it's been so crazy here.
I mean, this place is kind of creepy,
but also cute.
What does that even mean, babe?
What? You want me to...
No.
What?
Babe,
you still there?
Yeah, I'm...
I'm here, I'm sorry, I just...
I thought I saw something.
You know what?
I'm going to call you right back, okay?
Girls.
(cupboard doors thud)
(cupboard doors thud)
Am I the only one hungry?
I knew we forgot something on the way here.
- Mm-hmm.
- Grocery run.
I'll go.
Mama, you can't drive.
It's 15 minutes out.
I can and I will,
it's still daylight out.
Besides, y'all will just hold me up.
Well, excuse me, Martha Stewart.
I know what to get.
$5 say she get lost.
Yeah, well, she better not find her way
to a pack of cigarettes and all that.
(Caroline coughs)
(car door thuds)
I'm sorry, ma'am, but we closed.
What happened here?
One of our employees had a little accident.
(phone buzzing)
Son,
hello.
Ms. Carol.
Do you remember me?
All them summers, me and Gina?
Little Enoch?
Old Bill's son.
Goodness, you've grown into a man.
How is your old daddy, Bill.
Surprised y'all still living around here.
Well, unfortunately,
my father, he passed away some time ago.
You know I saw Gina the other day.
She told me y'all was in town for a bit.
Yeah, I'm so sorry to hear that.
You know, I haven't been around here in ages.
It's crazy because everything still looks the same,
except for you.
Tell you what,
how about you drop by
and visit with me and my girls?
Yeah, you ain't gotta tell me twice.
I most definitely will, Ms. Carol.
I tell you what,
you can go ahead, go in there,
get whatever you like, all right?
I'll take care of it for a fine young woman like yourself.
Oh, you always were a little charmer.
I'll get the stuff,
and you be sure, and drop by.
Will do.
(tense music)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
I know, I know, I know I know, I know.
Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop.
Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay.
Okay, okay, okay, okay,
okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay,
okay, okay, okay, okay,
okay,
okay,
(Uncle Charles panting)
okay.
(Uncle Charles whimpering)
Okay,
Sh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no!
Sh,
sh.
Okay.
(Uncle Charles whimpering)
Sh, stay.
(Uncle Charles crying)
stay, stay, stay,
stay.
(Uncle Charles panting)
(tense music)
What the hell?
[Brian] Finally missing your man?
Brian?
[Brian] Yes, my love.
Are you drunk?
Look, why is our account in a negative?
Have you talked to the bank?
Hello,
Brian, what is going on?
[Brian] Lost everything.
- How?
- I invested.
Wait, what do you mean?
[Brian] Baby, look I...
Not again with these damn investments.
Look, we have two kids,
tuition, a mortgage,
and a whole lot of other bullshit that didn't call for this.
Why didn't you tell me?
[Brian] It was supposed to help us.
Do you know how hard it's been and get your attention?
Of course, things go wrong
and I just thought you would see me.
Look, we're adults, Brian, grow up.
You know what? I don't have time for this.
(footsteps thud)
Are you okay?
You look like you just seen a ghost.
Oh,
just memories.
I couldn't find any cups.
Let's just get dinner started.
(tense music)
(insects chirping)
I'll do dishes tonight.
I'll help you.
Mommy, she gets some rest.
I'm good.
Gina, it's okay.
Look, I don't mind.
I do.
Plus, it's kind of peaceful to do it alone, so...
(dishes clanking)
(water splashing)
(tense music)
Shit, ma!
You scared the hell out of me.
Why do you do this?
Now I'm bleeding.
It's common for you.
(ominous music)
(ominous music continues)
Just leave me, Carrie,
enough for me to look after my own.
- Yes, but Charles.
- What?
You got to work, don't you?
You ain't no better than me, Carrie.
You know how you get.
Where's your medication?
No, don't you mind that,
I've been good for months.
Ask Old Billy down the station, he'll tell you.
Yeah, I ain't been in a while, he'll tell you,
- he'll tell you.
- Well, I don't know.
She needs more than this.
Look, the letter says it all.
- She's my baby.
- No,
no, no, you done lost your baby.
Reggie gone.
Now you just want to come here
and you want to take what's mine.
That's my blood money do her veins,
and you just dot get it, do you Carrie?
Shit, she look just like a mama now, huh?
Legally, I can't leave her, Charles.
You know how this works.
We agreed,
I adopt her so you can see her.
I know I'm not her blood mama,
but she's still my niece.
I'm going to raise her like my own.
I take good care of her, Charlie.
I know,
I know you miss her mother,
and the accident was unfair.
You took everything,
you took my wife
and you want to come in, you want to take my baby, huh?
- I got rights, Carrie.
- Charles.
- I got rights, she's mine.
- This is not...
She's mine, she's mine too, Carrie,
I got rights, you hear me?
You're right Charles, it's not right.
I know your pain.
We both know your pain,
but you cannot turn it into love without healing.
You live her with me,
she's the only (indistinct) I gotta take care of,
you hear me?
You live her with me.
(Uncle Charles panting)
She'll be all right in the morning.
- Mommy.
- What is it?
Mommy, leave it for tomorrow.
Come on, let's get some rest.
(thunder rumbling)
(rain sputtering)
(Uncle Charles humming)
(Uncle Charles continues humming)
(Uncle Charlie continues humming)
Charlie.
(Uncle Charles continues humming)
Charlie.
(Uncle Charlie continues humming)
Give me the baby.
(ominous music)
Charlie.
(ominous music continues)
(ominous music continues)
(tense music)
It'll be over
In the morning
God's gonna trouble the water
(serene music) (birds chirping)
Oh, you got that dipping spirit from your father.
Now, mama, what is a dipping spirit?
It means, you just can't help but get into something.
(Cassie laughs)
Here you go with your Southern theories.
I'm serious.
Mm-hmm.
(Carol laughs)
No invite to breakfast?
Oh, Regina, we though we'd let you sleep in.
Don't let me stop the fun.
(tense music)
(lighter flickers) (tense music continues)
What are you doing here?
You okay, ma?
(somber music)
Your sisters...
Yeah,
they get on my nerves too.
Reginald,
I want to tell you something.
Yeah, sure, you can tell me anything.
Why you look so serious?
Because, son.
What?
You dying or something?
Lord gets the rest of me
What's the plan?
[Brian] We go to that marriage retreat again.
With what money?
[Brian] Look, I'll make it up to you, I promise.
You still love me?
Yes, Brian.
I love you, but...
[Brian] But?
Look, I'm your wife.
Sometimes...
Sometimes I wonder if we just...
If we went too fast.
[Brian] I know I have my flaws, baby,
screw ups, different schemes,
but I'll always show up for you.
Look, I don't doubt that,
but sometimes you make me wonder what if.
[Brian] While you're out there,
there's something that encourages you to do the same thing.
Brian, let me call you back.
(soft music)
(soft music continues)
(soft music continues)
Reggie.
(soft music continues)
(soft music continues)
How about we say grace?
Father God.
(Enoch knocking)
I think I know who this is.
[Enoch] Wow,
it looks so good too.
Girls,
you remember Enoch?
Old Bill's son from down the road.
[Cassie] Mama, let me find out you got
a sugar baby around here.
That's right.
You were away at your camps
while we were here for the summer.
This is Enoch,
your sister's old friend from around the way.
- Enoch.
- Yep.
You're here.
Absolutely,
I wouldn't let nothing stop me in the world
from having a good night with some old friends.
Plus, I ain't had nothing on my stomach all day.
I'm hungry.
Ms. Carol,
you got it smelling and looking real good in there.
It's a good time
Ooh time, ooh in the mind
So Enoch,
what was it like growing up around here?
I guess you could say,
peaceful, mostly quiet though.
In other words,
boring as hell.
Come on now, I wouldn't go so far to say all that.
We had some fun summers together, beauty.
I know you remember.
Anyways,
you were the lucky one, Cassie,
always at those bougie summer camps.
I could tell you were the favorite.
Mm-mm,
there are no favorites around here.
I loved everyone the same.
We all know what your love looks like, ma.
You're drunk, Gina.
Shut up, perfect patty.
Everything always has to be about you, doesn't it?
You, you, you.
Did you ever stop and think
that maybe we're going through hell too?
And that maybe we don't want to sit around stuck
and depressed in yours?
Cassie,
what have you ever seen?
Hmm?
You got everything.
You went to college,
you do what you love,
you got a kiss ass husband.
Mommy who loves the hell out of you,
two beautiful children.
I'm sorry if I can't feel bad for you.
You couldn't begin to know what real pain is.
Leave me!
I'm going to excuse myself and go to the bathroom, okay?
(soft music)
You really need to check yourself, Gina.
You don't know shit about me.
No wonder your crazy ass ended up in a mental hospital.
What Black person cuts anyway?
And that's your big age,
really?
I'll have you know that nothing I have came easy.
Yes, I went to college,
but I had to work my ass off to make sure I graduated
so that I didn't waste our parents' money.
And yes, I have a husband who loves me
after I was rejected by every man
that I ever liked up until him.
And yes,
I have two beautiful children
after trying for years
because I had an abortion in high school,
just so I could have what I have now.
(soft music continues)
(soft music continues)
(soft music continues)
(soft music continues)
(soft music continues)
(soft music continues)
(soft music continues)
You girls are the best thing
that ever happened to me.
I never wanted any of this for you.
It's what we got.
You need to stick together,
that's why I brought you all here.
This place is haunted, ma,
and you left me here night after night,
every summer with that horrible man,
and for the longest,
you acted like you didn't know what was going on.
What?
That man tortured me!
Uncle Charles was the devil himself
and you know it.
Sometimes I think you wanted to punish me,
that's why you brought me here in the summer.
No,
your Uncle Charles had his issues,
but you never liked him
and this is the first time hearing of this.
You never wanted to listen.
Every time I spoke,
there was always something or someone more important.
I always listened to you, Regina.
Lies.
You protected him, not me.
Your daughter.
He was peculiar
he had some differences.
[Regina] Differences?
Baby.
What about my challenges?
There's just some things you don't know, Gina.
You are a sorry ass excuse for mother.
Charles was your father, Regina.
- What?
- Yeah.
He was unstable, he was young,
I was willing.
With your brother?
No,
with your mother
who died in an accident around here
right after you were born.
And your father, he couldn't take care of you for long,
but he wanted...
He needed to keep you close.
So you kept this from us?
Baby, I don't have a lot of time.
My time is short, baby.
I can't do this.
The cancer came back.
Mommy.
(soft music)
Gina.
(somber music)
(Carol sighs)
(somber music)
(door creaks)
(somber music continues)
(somber music continues)
(door creaks)
They leave a bad taste in your mouth,
but they always calm my nerves.
Lung cancer,
that's what she has.
Plus I hate to smell.
So, no.
(Enoch sighs)
People always trying to forget,
but,
the past don't make it okay.
Nothing about this place is okay,
but I needed to come here.
I know this might sound a little selfish of me,
but,
I'm glad you did.
That man made me feel worthless
in the most gruesome way.
I mean,
why me?
I was...
A child.
You just so happened to be his child,
but you was innocent.
You didn't deserve that.
They never protected me.
She lied.
I know you saying all this stuff
because your heart probably hurting,
but,
you was always well protected.
I know, I was there.
Mm, what do you mean?
I came by to visit you one night
and I saw what he did to you.
I hadn't seen you all day,
so I stopped by.
I knocked on the door but ain't nobody answered.
I stood there for a moment
because I thought I heard you yelling.
That's when I went around the back
and saw him standing over you.
(tense music)
(tense music continues)
(ominous music)
(ominous music continues)
(soft music)
That's the day I found out who I really was.
(soft music continues)
I felt like a little old coward
just watching what he was doing to you.
I knew my daddy wasn't gonna look at me the same
unless I made it right.
So, that summer you ain't come...
Enoch.
(soft music continues)
Is she telling the truth?
Did you know about Uncle Charles and didn't do anything?
I wasn't the perfect mother, I know.
So you knew?
How could you let that happen?
Charles was messed up.
You keep saying that like that makes it any better.
It happened to me too
in this house
when I was a girl.
I just moved on.
You just live through that kind of thing.
He was my brother.
She was your daughter.
You were supposed to protect her.
Cassie, I can't...
You can't what?
I adopted her.
You left her there.
(soft music continues)
He was her father.
(Carol coughs)
Mommy, are you okay?
Mommy,
come on, let's get you to the room.
(ominous music)
(dog barking) (ominous music continues)
(Uncle Charles mumbling) (ominous music continues)
(Uncle Charles laughing)
(ominous music continues) (dog barking)
(tense music)
(Uncle Charles screaming)
(ominous music continues) (dog barking)
Old Bill found out about it and told Ms. Carol,
and they both just made her disappear.
(soft music) (fire crackling)
(soft music continues)
Call 911!
(Carol coughs)
Do something.
(soft music continues) (fire crackling)
The biggest lie they say is that the devil is the truth.
(soft music continues) (fire crackling)
My long sleeve shirts
that covered my deeply inflicted wounds,
ashes now.
What once haunted me daily now remained hard.
(sirens wailing)
It'll be over
In the morning
[Regina] They say the biggest lie
is that the devil is the truth.
(soft music)
It was all a lie.
[Radio presenter] Friends, family.
We honor Carol Horace, a loving mother,
sister, and friend.
The Bible assures us,
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted."
Psalm 34:18.
Carol filled our lives with light, strength,
and boundless love.
She taught us grace and resilience.
Though our hearts ache,
we trust she is at peace.
Think she'll be okay?
The ones at odds always take it the worst.
Regina will be okay, babe.
You know, strangely,
I think you're right.
I think this is going to help her get better.
I'm going to miss mama,
but,
I think I can be at peace after this too.
Grief doesn't hit us all the same.
You know, it was the weirdest thing back at the house.
Gina and mama kept bringing up our little brother,
Reggie.
They were like talking to him.
- Really?
- Yeah, like he was there.
I just ignored it,
and I was thinking mama with her old age
and Gina being Gina.
But I never thought about the fact that,
we didn't have one family photo
with him before he passed.
Maybe it helped the transition.
Maybe.
Look,
I know this may be off topic or on.
I just want you to know that
no matter what goes wrong or how crazy life gets,
I'll be right here.
(soft music)
(soft music continues)
She never stopped smoking.
I know the passing of your mother has been very hard.
In the end,
at least we made peace,
and in her death,
I can live with that.
So with all these new discoveries about yourself
and family,
feel like it's defined anything for you?
The truth will set you free.
(mellow music)
I swore I saw the sign poles
Felt a compass in my palm
Walked the line daily
Missed you in there, beauty.
Oh, yeah?
Sure do.
(door thuds)
know you got to be hungry.
[Regina] Oh, yeah.
The sooner we get out of here, the better.
(car door thuds)
(car engine revving)
Oh, I missed the mark, Lord
Chasing shadows in the night
Thought I held your promise
But it was just a mistake
I build on truth on the DL
A beautiful convenient life
(ominous music)
(indistinct chatter)
I want to show you something.
(tense music)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(dramatic music)
(mellow music)
He whispers soft in the Eden shade
Promised gold where shadows played
Said the fruit will make me wise
But all it did was feed the lies
He's a serpent in disguise
Trading truth for alibis
The devil is a liar
He burns, but he won't inspire
He'll twist your dreams like the fire
But the devil
Oh, the devil is alive
40 days in the desert sin
He offered kingdom's power
And
But men won't live on pride alone
The word is where I set my throne
Yeah, he'll tempt you with the fleeting glow
But I see through his shadow show
The devil is a liar
He burns, but he won't inspire
He'll twist your dreams like the fire
Oh, but the devil
Oh, the devil is a liar
He burns, but he won't inspire
He'll twist your dreams like the fire
But the devil
Oh, the devil is a liar
(mellow music)
(mellow music continues)
(tense music)
(soft music)
(soft music continues)
(soft music continues) (door creaks)
(Uncle Charles panting)
(soft music continues)
(tense music) (woman screams)
[Preacher] There's a war being waged,
and it's not in the streets,
not in the courts,
in our mind,
in our memory,
in the places we stopped talking about it
because it was too hard to say out loud.
Now the devil knows your name,
knows your history,
and his greatest weapon
is not your enemy,
it's your silence.
Turn your Bibles to 2 Corinthians 10:4
where it says,
"The weapons we fight with
are not the weapons of the world.
On the contrary,
they have a divine power
to demolish strongholds,
and only God has the power
"to tear it down."
(tense music)
(soft music)
I was so vulnerable as a girl.
I didn't care how I was seen.
I did everything so fearlessly.
(soft music continues)
There was no thin line between my goals
and my fears.
I made orders without questioning authority,
I walked in confidence,
so unafraid of the whole world.
I took everything by its horns.
A woman now,
I can't face who I really am.
It hurts to be real because the world has torn me apart
by so many cuts,
so I built a wall.
(soft music continues)
I built a wall so tall that God himself would have
to knock it down to get to my core.
Okay, girls,
time to clean up.
Your mom be here in a few.
Are you okay, auntie?
Yeah, baby.
Why you ask?
You're bleeding.
(soft music continues) (birds chirping)
[Regina] My mom always told me,
"The devil was a liar",
I just always struggled to figure out who he really was.
Was he my father when he left us?
Was he my mother when she left me with him?
Or was I the devil?
They say in the Bible,
the biggest lie is that he's the truth,
a deceiver, a thief of joy.
I just feel like when you bring your children into that.
- Yeah.
- And you're in
that domestic violence situation.
Carol, it is a pleasure to see you.
Any new pain or discomfort?
Mm,
mostly tired
and my cough is getting to me too.
Are you still smoking?
I'm doing better.
You have to stop, Carol.
Look, I'm going to go ahead
and place an order for a full panel of blood work
and imaging as soon as possible.
Do you think it came back?
Lord gets the rest of me
I think that we should get the test done
before we jump to conclusions, young lady.
I'll get to him next week.
[Dr. Rodd] Thank you.
Let's hear what you all have
for the state of now topic.
Martin,
how about you go?
Okay.
Ain't none of them questions gonna matter to your fate.
Them three women and children
that you hurt gonna need some justice.
You got it all wrong, man.
I paid those people.
I took care of them.
They wanted me, they came after me.
Good old wolf in sheep clothing,
just leaving everybody your own pit of hell.
I'ma keep it short.
Today's your lucky day,
and I'm happy to serve as the Lord's Shepherd.
Now you can yell, scream, pray,
do whatever you think you want to do,
but just know that everybody
who say my daddy name ain't gonna enter
the kingdom of heaven.
You know that, right?
[Victim] Man, you got it all wrong.
(victim screams)
[Regina] My mom always told me, "The devil was a liar."
I've just always struggled to figure out who he really was.
Was he my father when he left us?
Was he my mother when she left me with him?
Or was I the devil?
They say in the Bible,
the biggest lie is that he's the truth,
a deceiver, a thief of joy.
Am I this way because my reflection reigns true
or is it deception that won't tell me what to do?
I'm having a hard time reconciling
the different parts of you, Regina.
Which parts?
Well, there's a part that's brilliant
and creative and gold,
but there's a part that's afraid to walk in your purpose.
It's like you're waiting on something
or someone to tell you
that it's simply okay to be who you are.
Something that happened to me
when I was a teenager shouldn't still be haunting me.
But it does,
because you've built a wall
that keeps you from vulnerability.
Regina, you can't heal if you don't acknowledge
that there's a scar to begin with.
What's therapeutic about this?
I'm just trying to understand,
but I can't do that if you don't let me in.
(Therapist sighs)
I can recommend you to a different specialist.
No,
I just...
I just...
I just need more time.
I know it's been three months.
That's okay.
You can take all the time that you need.
However, I can't release you to your family
unless you give me something.
I need to go.
See me tomorrow.
Gina,
use your journal.
Write down your thoughts,
it'll help you process better.
(soft music)
[Dr. Rodd Reception] Hi, Mrs. Horace,
this is Dr. Rodd's office.
We're calling because we received your recent test results.
It's important you give us a call back,
as the results indicate more of a serious matter
than Dr. Rodd anticipated.
It's important you give us a call back.
(soft music continues)
Mom, you're back.
Mom, you're mask.
My babies.
How are you?
You're the best part of my day.
Baby, I though I was the best part of your day.
Yeah, and then we had kids.
(Cassie and Brian chuckle)
Okay, you two go and get ready for bed, okay?
You're right,
but you think we got them?
- Mm.
- Hmm?
You looking like a snack
and we wanting a bite.
Mm-hmm.
Ooh,
stop it.
You playing too much.
You know.
Did the girls eat already?
Oh, yes.
La chicken nuggets.
(Brian laughs)
My girls got me wrapped around their finger.
And we love you for it.
Okay.
Oh,
how was work, baby?
Come on, stop,
come sit with me.
Let's see,
work was long.
Now, my pre-AP students are making real progress
with their poems
and the afternoon group is doing really good too.
I just...
I miss our in-person sessions, you know?
- Yeah.
- I felt like I got
so much more out of them like that way.
What about you, baby?
Works is the same old BS at the office with Tony.
He wants me to do this digital campaign
that's gonna support Thomas passing this racist bill.
You know, I never like Thomas.
Real stank attitude.
Right.
(Briand and Cassie laugh)
I'm happy your off for you, babe.
Mm, me too.
You still want to do that trip thing
with your mom and Gina?
Yeah.
You know, I haven't heard from mommy all week.
Oh, she called.
She didn't sound too good.
You need to call her, baby.
I will.
I'll call her in the morning.
I'm too tired for that right now.
I'm glad it's the weekend.
Ever tell you how beautiful you are?
Even when you're tired,
it's like my whole word...
(soft music)
(tense music)
(birds chirping) (tense music continues)
(Enoch grunting) (tense music continues)
(Enoch grunting) (tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(upbeat music)
Hey, Gina,
how you feeling today?
Haven't felt anything lately.
Mm, you know,
I think I might have a little something to cheer you up.
Is it a get out of jail free card?
Have you ever read one of these?
I didn't know they paid you to be a comedian up here too.
I need to use the phone.
I'm serious.
You know, it's some good stuff in here.
Need to use the phone.
Okay.
But you got 10 minutes, all right?
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
(soft music)
[Reggie] What up though?
Who's this?
Reggie, give mama the phone.
[Reggie] Hello to you too, big sis.
Boy, I ain't got time to play with you.
Give mama the phone.
[Reggie] All right, man,
hey, mama.
It's Regina, she's on the phone.
She wanna talk to you.
Hey, how you doing though?
I ain't dead.
[Reggie] Yeah, just cynical.
(indistinct chatter)
[Carol] Hi, Regina.
Hey, mama.
I was calling about our trip to the lake house.
[Carol] Okay.
What's going on?
I mean, am I still going?
Who's picking me up?
[Carol] Regina, that is entirely up to you.
Will they even allow you to leave?
Reggie will probably go this year.
Mama, are you serious?
It's a girl's trip.
You can't let Reggie go in my place.
They gave me clearance.
Call your moral for details.
(soft music)
Are you going somewhere?
I'm getting the hell out of here
just for the weekend.
Hmm,
I don't see your name on the schedule though.
Mind your business kid.
(upbeat music)
You forgetting your book.
(upbeat music continues)
(upbeat music continues)
(Uncle Charles panting)
(Uncle Charles panting)
(insidious music)
(suspenseful music) (Regina panting)
(Regina sighs)
(tense music)
I can sit here all day.
It's actually my job,
so,
whenever you want to talk.
I'm just...
Just what?
Talked to my mom yesterday,
she's just so invulnerable.
As in uptight?
Exactly.
Shrewd.
Regina,
let's talk about the real problem.
What do you mean?
I mean, we've been here for months.
You barely share your day-to-day with me,
you've had your journal for quite some time now.
You can't move forward unless you're willing to voice
and acknowledge what the issue is.
Feels like I raised myself.
Mama was at school most of the time.
My uncle,
he used to live with us,
and she left me with him all the time.
[Therapist] And how was that relationship?
He's dead,
but still feels so alive in my mind,
you know?
There were some good parts of...
Good parts about him.
And since I can't get him
or what he did, out of my mind,
I just try to control what I remember.
He bought me candy all the time
and used to take me on long walks to the store.
It was a...
Like a five mile walk
from that lake house we stayed in,
but,
he used to tell jokes
and,
play little games.
It wasn't until I got older
that his jokes weren't funny anymore.
And the bad parts?
I honestly don't want to talk about it.
Okay.
Yeah,
some sick part of him liked to see me scared.
[Therapist] How?
Little things.
Like one time he chased me around the house,
acting like he was the devil.
I'm sorry you experienced that.
That's not a little thing.
How old were you?
I don't know.
I was in middle school,
went on till I was a teenager.
We finally didn't come back one summer.
I'm sorry.
It was minor.
It just stuck with me for some reason.
And, you know,
I never felt worthy.
I tried to tell mom a few times I didn't want
to stay with him.
She...
But she never took me serious,
said I was being too dramatic.
Can we be done?
Regina,
I want you to know that what you experienced
was not minor.
I know you want to compare your pain to others,
but God made us all very different.
And what happened to you was very wrong.
I'll see you next week.
Next week?
You approving me for the trip?
Hey, I got something out of you.
You're got to trust more.
Wow.
Thank you, I need this.
Perhaps you do,
we'll see.
Hey, Gina.
Whatever did happen to your Uncle Charles?
Nobody knows what happened to him.
My mama got a call one day,
said that they found him dead out back by the lake house.
No signs of suicide,
no signs of homicide
or anybody else was at the scene of the crime.
It was like he was just sitting
by the lake house waiting for his last breath.
(soft music)
(soft music continues)
Morning.
Must have been really tired.
Yeah.
What time is it?
Noon.
What? And you didn't wake me?
Where are the girls?
Took them to school already, you were tired.
What are you even doing here?
I took half a day.
Look, I got to be at the rehab center at one
and then to pick up mama.
Baby, I took a half a day
so we could have breakfast together.
I don't have time right now.
I'm sorry, babe.
Never have time.
[Cassie] Huh?
I said, it's fine, I'll...
I'll fix you something for the road.
(soft music)
Mom, I could take you.
No,
your sisters need to be together.
This trip is like family therapy.
More like you gonna need therapy when you get back.
(Reggie and Carol laugh)
But I'll be here for you, mama.
(mellow music)
(mellow music continues)
He whispers soft in the Eden shade
Hey, Gina,
your sister's here for you.
You want me to help you with your bags?
No, I've only got the one.
Thank you though.
Okay.
But all it did was feed the lies
He's a serpent in disguise
Trading truth for alibis
The devil is a liar
He burns, but he won't inspire
He'll twist your dreams like the fire
But the devil
Oh, the devil is a liar
40 days in the desert seen
[Preacher] He saw what God's people refused to confront,
and he acted.
The word says that,
his zeal made atonement for Israel.
Church, there are those among us
whom God is equipped not just to pray,
but to move,
to be the answer to somebody else's prayer.
God is on my side
Opened up my eyes
Devil is a liar Deil is a liar
Victim of my pride
Running all my life
Every day I try
Everyday I try
God is on my side
Evil in disguise
Devil is a liar Devil is a liar
Oh, falling for you
Oh my God.
And you know you the rudest person I ever met.
- Reggie.
- Regina,
I cannot believe mama named me after you,
Reggie and Regina like we twins.
Mom, why you name me after this girl?
- Hi baby.
- Gina.
Hey, mama.
Quiet, Reggie.
Like I said, ma, just one phone call.
Just one phone call away if these two start acting up.
Mm-hmm, don't eat all my food.
[Reggie] I'm not.
Don't be bringing your little girlfriend.
- Oh, ma.
- Over here.
I promise I won't.
Seatbelt, mama.
Like I said, take care of my mama.
- Take care of my mama.
- Bye.
All right everybody,
here we go.
(car engine revving)
(phone notification)
(mellow music)
(fire crackling)
And, that was my ex.
I mean,
I just want somebody who is nice,
who has a car,
has savings, a job,
you know, generous,
but I don't get that
or I don't attract it.
But you,
you're the kind of guy that I like.
(Ms. Kelly chuckles)
You know how to treat a lady right.
(Ms. Kelly chuckles)
Mm,
mm.
Did I tell you though that student who had the nerve
to tell me that I was gonna be single forever?
The little asshole.
See, that's exactly why...
(tense music)
(fire crackling)
You and me
Eyes like canvas, they communicate
A language spoken with no fear, the world fades
It's just us two
(ominous music)
Right beside me, we shine bright
Turning late nights into a high life
Every move calculated
Watch me sing, Texas on my mind
Ain't no pretend, feel the heat
My kids at school love this crap.
I don't know how they listen to it.
I mean, literally, it sounds like robots.
TikTok era, you know?
Seriously,
I mean, it's nothing like the music we used to jam to.
Remember our first concert?
You mean that one time Kirk Franklin
came to our church for free?
Oh, no.
I meant...
You remember when you won those tickets
to the IAMX concert?
Still can't believe you brought me.
It was the only way mommy would let me go.
And even then,
we left the house covered in so much holy oil.
Okay.
Man, those were the days.
Pretty good sister.
You were a pain in the butt.
So,
have you been taking your pills?
Are they giving you anything new in there?
I don't need you checking up on me now, Cassie.
Look, I'm just asking.
Why now?
I've been in that hospital for 90 days,
three months,
you haven't called, sent a letter.
Hell, you ain't even come to visit.
Do you really even care
unless I'm doing something to benefit you?
Do you know how hard it was to walk away from that moment
and come out alone?
Pull over.
- What?
- Pull over, Cassie.
Mommy, we're one mile away from the next gas station.
I don't feel good, baby.
Please, pull over.
Okay, okay, okay.
(tense music) (insects hissing)
[Enoch] Young heathen is awake.
You sick bastard.
What are you doing?
(tense music continues)
Untie me.
You demons sure is cocking nowadays.
I'm a demon?
Damn right!
A murderous demon!
Didn't think nobody was gonna find out about you,
did you?
Them three children you killed,
all 'cause you wanted to drink and drive.
Your little hit and run.
(tense music continues)
Please.
Please,
it was an accident.
I'm a good person, I'm...
I'm a good person.
I believe you, okay?
I believe you, Ms. Kelly.
But for you to sit here
and have the audacity
to hate and mock them children,
them innocent children.
Mm-mm.
I know, I know.
Innocent children,
ain't right.
Matthew 18,
"If anyone shall cause one of the little ones,"
those who believeth in me, to stumble,
it will be better for them
to have a large millstone hung around their neck
"and to be drowned by the depths of the sea."
No, no no, no, no, no, no.
Now listen to me,
I may not have all the proper tools.
I done already talked to my daddy
and asked him for forgiveness
because this will be done in his name.
(soft music)
(insidious music)
No, please.
(tense music)
(Carol barfing)
Mommy,
are you sure you don't want to just turn around?
Look, you can get some rest
and we'll just do this some other time.
No, I can rest when we get there.
No sense in turning back now.
It's just car sickness.
Anyway, we're halfway there.
You can't smoke that in my car.
I thought you said you were quitting.
Let's go.
Get me a water from the trunk,
I'm good now.
(car doors thud)
(soft music)
No, you loved those when you were a girl.
And your mama couldn't stop eating them when she was...
When I was pregnant with you.
Funny enough, everyone always said
if you're having a girl,
then I'd love the sweets.
But,
this was different.
It was savory and sweet.
These are a perfect blend,
yet different enough
for not everyone to like them.
I knew you would shake my world up.
I didn't have much of a purpose aside
from being a housewife to your father
until you came along.
(groovy music)
Out of the trap
Came from hell and back
Thank you or Jesus, think they'll cut me slack
No way
I speak the truth, that's a matter fact
That's a matter fact
We see the devil, make him do the dash
Oh-Oh-Oh
People do anything for some racks
People do anything for a plaque
These rappers do anything for the clout
Forget all this selling out
(soft music)
That be all?
Yep.
It's a 4.99.
Enoch?
(Regina chuckles)
It's me, Regina.
Regina?
(Enoch chuckles)
Man, I ain't seen that pretty smile of yours
in about 30 years since you ran out of town.
It's good to see you.
Same.
I'm surprised you still work here.
And you're the sheriff?
Yeah, I...
I own the place now.
Yeah,
Old Bill passed away back in 09
and he left it all to me.
I come on the weekend
'cause I ain't much else to do around here.
You...
You in town for a bit
or you just passing through?
We'll be in town for a while.
Okay.
Well,
maybe we can catch up before you leave me again.
Mm,
we'll see.
All right.
Well, it's good to see you,
beauty.
You too,
beast.
(soft music continues)
(car door thuds)
Here, mommy.
Oh.
(door thuds)
You know, I don't remember this place being so cute.
Nothing is cute about this shack.
All the memories in this place are the best thing about it.
At least it's quiet.
I'll get plenty of work done.
(Cassie taps window)
You coming?
I'm right behind you.
Okay, girl.
Come on, mommy.
(tense music)
[Uncle Charles] Gina, get out here now.
Look what I found,
your favorite, remember?
We used to play this all the time.
Gina?
Gina!
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(Cassie knocks)
Gina?
Let me help.
I'm fine, thank you.
(water splashing)
(tense music continues)
You know, you're not the only one
that had it hard around here.
It's always been about you.
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(piano playing)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(soft music)
(soft music continues)
(Regina crying)
Dandelion?
What for?
Your tears.
What happened in there?
Nothing.
Thank you.
But I don't need some fuzzy old plant.
I just need to get away most days.
No, don't be stubborn.
Just make a wish.
Don't believe in wishes.
Or pray.
(Regina scoffs)
You think you know me.
Only a little bit.
(Regina sighs)
What'd you pray?
For God to save me from myself.
What if God send me to save you?
(Regina chuckles)
Yeah, right.
We're both doomed.
He hurt you again?
I'm fine.
- What is this?
- You know what it is.
I'm my own monster.
You're a beauty,
I'm the beast.
(birds chirping)
(indistinct) time I turn my turn around,
they just keep getting worse and worse.
Daddy, I'm telling you I'm sick of these heathens.
Sick of it.
(soft music) (birds chirping)
Every time I turn around,
there's something (indistinct).
Dammit bitch.
(Enoch grunting) (soft music continues)
(Enoch grunting) (soft music continues)
(phone buzzing)
- Hey, baby.
- Hey, babe.
Me and the kids, we miss you.
I miss you too.
Don't worry, I'll be home before you know it.
I wish we had a little more time before you left.
I know,
and I've been meaning to give you a call.
It's just,
it's been so crazy here.
I mean, this place is kind of creepy,
but also cute.
What does that even mean, babe?
What? You want me to...
No.
What?
Babe,
you still there?
Yeah, I'm...
I'm here, I'm sorry, I just...
I thought I saw something.
You know what?
I'm going to call you right back, okay?
Girls.
(cupboard doors thud)
(cupboard doors thud)
Am I the only one hungry?
I knew we forgot something on the way here.
- Mm-hmm.
- Grocery run.
I'll go.
Mama, you can't drive.
It's 15 minutes out.
I can and I will,
it's still daylight out.
Besides, y'all will just hold me up.
Well, excuse me, Martha Stewart.
I know what to get.
$5 say she get lost.
Yeah, well, she better not find her way
to a pack of cigarettes and all that.
(Caroline coughs)
(car door thuds)
I'm sorry, ma'am, but we closed.
What happened here?
One of our employees had a little accident.
(phone buzzing)
Son,
hello.
Ms. Carol.
Do you remember me?
All them summers, me and Gina?
Little Enoch?
Old Bill's son.
Goodness, you've grown into a man.
How is your old daddy, Bill.
Surprised y'all still living around here.
Well, unfortunately,
my father, he passed away some time ago.
You know I saw Gina the other day.
She told me y'all was in town for a bit.
Yeah, I'm so sorry to hear that.
You know, I haven't been around here in ages.
It's crazy because everything still looks the same,
except for you.
Tell you what,
how about you drop by
and visit with me and my girls?
Yeah, you ain't gotta tell me twice.
I most definitely will, Ms. Carol.
I tell you what,
you can go ahead, go in there,
get whatever you like, all right?
I'll take care of it for a fine young woman like yourself.
Oh, you always were a little charmer.
I'll get the stuff,
and you be sure, and drop by.
Will do.
(tense music)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
I know, I know, I know I know, I know.
Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop.
Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay.
Okay, okay, okay, okay,
okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay,
okay, okay, okay, okay,
okay,
okay,
(Uncle Charles panting)
okay.
(Uncle Charles whimpering)
Okay,
Sh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no!
Sh,
sh.
Okay.
(Uncle Charles whimpering)
Sh, stay.
(Uncle Charles crying)
stay, stay, stay,
stay.
(Uncle Charles panting)
(tense music)
What the hell?
[Brian] Finally missing your man?
Brian?
[Brian] Yes, my love.
Are you drunk?
Look, why is our account in a negative?
Have you talked to the bank?
Hello,
Brian, what is going on?
[Brian] Lost everything.
- How?
- I invested.
Wait, what do you mean?
[Brian] Baby, look I...
Not again with these damn investments.
Look, we have two kids,
tuition, a mortgage,
and a whole lot of other bullshit that didn't call for this.
Why didn't you tell me?
[Brian] It was supposed to help us.
Do you know how hard it's been and get your attention?
Of course, things go wrong
and I just thought you would see me.
Look, we're adults, Brian, grow up.
You know what? I don't have time for this.
(footsteps thud)
Are you okay?
You look like you just seen a ghost.
Oh,
just memories.
I couldn't find any cups.
Let's just get dinner started.
(tense music)
(insects chirping)
I'll do dishes tonight.
I'll help you.
Mommy, she gets some rest.
I'm good.
Gina, it's okay.
Look, I don't mind.
I do.
Plus, it's kind of peaceful to do it alone, so...
(dishes clanking)
(water splashing)
(tense music)
Shit, ma!
You scared the hell out of me.
Why do you do this?
Now I'm bleeding.
It's common for you.
(ominous music)
(ominous music continues)
Just leave me, Carrie,
enough for me to look after my own.
- Yes, but Charles.
- What?
You got to work, don't you?
You ain't no better than me, Carrie.
You know how you get.
Where's your medication?
No, don't you mind that,
I've been good for months.
Ask Old Billy down the station, he'll tell you.
Yeah, I ain't been in a while, he'll tell you,
- he'll tell you.
- Well, I don't know.
She needs more than this.
Look, the letter says it all.
- She's my baby.
- No,
no, no, you done lost your baby.
Reggie gone.
Now you just want to come here
and you want to take what's mine.
That's my blood money do her veins,
and you just dot get it, do you Carrie?
Shit, she look just like a mama now, huh?
Legally, I can't leave her, Charles.
You know how this works.
We agreed,
I adopt her so you can see her.
I know I'm not her blood mama,
but she's still my niece.
I'm going to raise her like my own.
I take good care of her, Charlie.
I know,
I know you miss her mother,
and the accident was unfair.
You took everything,
you took my wife
and you want to come in, you want to take my baby, huh?
- I got rights, Carrie.
- Charles.
- I got rights, she's mine.
- This is not...
She's mine, she's mine too, Carrie,
I got rights, you hear me?
You're right Charles, it's not right.
I know your pain.
We both know your pain,
but you cannot turn it into love without healing.
You live her with me,
she's the only (indistinct) I gotta take care of,
you hear me?
You live her with me.
(Uncle Charles panting)
She'll be all right in the morning.
- Mommy.
- What is it?
Mommy, leave it for tomorrow.
Come on, let's get some rest.
(thunder rumbling)
(rain sputtering)
(Uncle Charles humming)
(Uncle Charles continues humming)
(Uncle Charlie continues humming)
Charlie.
(Uncle Charles continues humming)
Charlie.
(Uncle Charlie continues humming)
Give me the baby.
(ominous music)
Charlie.
(ominous music continues)
(ominous music continues)
(tense music)
It'll be over
In the morning
God's gonna trouble the water
(serene music) (birds chirping)
Oh, you got that dipping spirit from your father.
Now, mama, what is a dipping spirit?
It means, you just can't help but get into something.
(Cassie laughs)
Here you go with your Southern theories.
I'm serious.
Mm-hmm.
(Carol laughs)
No invite to breakfast?
Oh, Regina, we though we'd let you sleep in.
Don't let me stop the fun.
(tense music)
(lighter flickers) (tense music continues)
What are you doing here?
You okay, ma?
(somber music)
Your sisters...
Yeah,
they get on my nerves too.
Reginald,
I want to tell you something.
Yeah, sure, you can tell me anything.
Why you look so serious?
Because, son.
What?
You dying or something?
Lord gets the rest of me
What's the plan?
[Brian] We go to that marriage retreat again.
With what money?
[Brian] Look, I'll make it up to you, I promise.
You still love me?
Yes, Brian.
I love you, but...
[Brian] But?
Look, I'm your wife.
Sometimes...
Sometimes I wonder if we just...
If we went too fast.
[Brian] I know I have my flaws, baby,
screw ups, different schemes,
but I'll always show up for you.
Look, I don't doubt that,
but sometimes you make me wonder what if.
[Brian] While you're out there,
there's something that encourages you to do the same thing.
Brian, let me call you back.
(soft music)
(soft music continues)
(soft music continues)
Reggie.
(soft music continues)
(soft music continues)
How about we say grace?
Father God.
(Enoch knocking)
I think I know who this is.
[Enoch] Wow,
it looks so good too.
Girls,
you remember Enoch?
Old Bill's son from down the road.
[Cassie] Mama, let me find out you got
a sugar baby around here.
That's right.
You were away at your camps
while we were here for the summer.
This is Enoch,
your sister's old friend from around the way.
- Enoch.
- Yep.
You're here.
Absolutely,
I wouldn't let nothing stop me in the world
from having a good night with some old friends.
Plus, I ain't had nothing on my stomach all day.
I'm hungry.
Ms. Carol,
you got it smelling and looking real good in there.
It's a good time
Ooh time, ooh in the mind
So Enoch,
what was it like growing up around here?
I guess you could say,
peaceful, mostly quiet though.
In other words,
boring as hell.
Come on now, I wouldn't go so far to say all that.
We had some fun summers together, beauty.
I know you remember.
Anyways,
you were the lucky one, Cassie,
always at those bougie summer camps.
I could tell you were the favorite.
Mm-mm,
there are no favorites around here.
I loved everyone the same.
We all know what your love looks like, ma.
You're drunk, Gina.
Shut up, perfect patty.
Everything always has to be about you, doesn't it?
You, you, you.
Did you ever stop and think
that maybe we're going through hell too?
And that maybe we don't want to sit around stuck
and depressed in yours?
Cassie,
what have you ever seen?
Hmm?
You got everything.
You went to college,
you do what you love,
you got a kiss ass husband.
Mommy who loves the hell out of you,
two beautiful children.
I'm sorry if I can't feel bad for you.
You couldn't begin to know what real pain is.
Leave me!
I'm going to excuse myself and go to the bathroom, okay?
(soft music)
You really need to check yourself, Gina.
You don't know shit about me.
No wonder your crazy ass ended up in a mental hospital.
What Black person cuts anyway?
And that's your big age,
really?
I'll have you know that nothing I have came easy.
Yes, I went to college,
but I had to work my ass off to make sure I graduated
so that I didn't waste our parents' money.
And yes, I have a husband who loves me
after I was rejected by every man
that I ever liked up until him.
And yes,
I have two beautiful children
after trying for years
because I had an abortion in high school,
just so I could have what I have now.
(soft music continues)
(soft music continues)
(soft music continues)
(soft music continues)
(soft music continues)
(soft music continues)
(soft music continues)
You girls are the best thing
that ever happened to me.
I never wanted any of this for you.
It's what we got.
You need to stick together,
that's why I brought you all here.
This place is haunted, ma,
and you left me here night after night,
every summer with that horrible man,
and for the longest,
you acted like you didn't know what was going on.
What?
That man tortured me!
Uncle Charles was the devil himself
and you know it.
Sometimes I think you wanted to punish me,
that's why you brought me here in the summer.
No,
your Uncle Charles had his issues,
but you never liked him
and this is the first time hearing of this.
You never wanted to listen.
Every time I spoke,
there was always something or someone more important.
I always listened to you, Regina.
Lies.
You protected him, not me.
Your daughter.
He was peculiar
he had some differences.
[Regina] Differences?
Baby.
What about my challenges?
There's just some things you don't know, Gina.
You are a sorry ass excuse for mother.
Charles was your father, Regina.
- What?
- Yeah.
He was unstable, he was young,
I was willing.
With your brother?
No,
with your mother
who died in an accident around here
right after you were born.
And your father, he couldn't take care of you for long,
but he wanted...
He needed to keep you close.
So you kept this from us?
Baby, I don't have a lot of time.
My time is short, baby.
I can't do this.
The cancer came back.
Mommy.
(soft music)
Gina.
(somber music)
(Carol sighs)
(somber music)
(door creaks)
(somber music continues)
(somber music continues)
(door creaks)
They leave a bad taste in your mouth,
but they always calm my nerves.
Lung cancer,
that's what she has.
Plus I hate to smell.
So, no.
(Enoch sighs)
People always trying to forget,
but,
the past don't make it okay.
Nothing about this place is okay,
but I needed to come here.
I know this might sound a little selfish of me,
but,
I'm glad you did.
That man made me feel worthless
in the most gruesome way.
I mean,
why me?
I was...
A child.
You just so happened to be his child,
but you was innocent.
You didn't deserve that.
They never protected me.
She lied.
I know you saying all this stuff
because your heart probably hurting,
but,
you was always well protected.
I know, I was there.
Mm, what do you mean?
I came by to visit you one night
and I saw what he did to you.
I hadn't seen you all day,
so I stopped by.
I knocked on the door but ain't nobody answered.
I stood there for a moment
because I thought I heard you yelling.
That's when I went around the back
and saw him standing over you.
(tense music)
(tense music continues)
(ominous music)
(ominous music continues)
(soft music)
That's the day I found out who I really was.
(soft music continues)
I felt like a little old coward
just watching what he was doing to you.
I knew my daddy wasn't gonna look at me the same
unless I made it right.
So, that summer you ain't come...
Enoch.
(soft music continues)
Is she telling the truth?
Did you know about Uncle Charles and didn't do anything?
I wasn't the perfect mother, I know.
So you knew?
How could you let that happen?
Charles was messed up.
You keep saying that like that makes it any better.
It happened to me too
in this house
when I was a girl.
I just moved on.
You just live through that kind of thing.
He was my brother.
She was your daughter.
You were supposed to protect her.
Cassie, I can't...
You can't what?
I adopted her.
You left her there.
(soft music continues)
He was her father.
(Carol coughs)
Mommy, are you okay?
Mommy,
come on, let's get you to the room.
(ominous music)
(dog barking) (ominous music continues)
(Uncle Charles mumbling) (ominous music continues)
(Uncle Charles laughing)
(ominous music continues) (dog barking)
(tense music)
(Uncle Charles screaming)
(ominous music continues) (dog barking)
Old Bill found out about it and told Ms. Carol,
and they both just made her disappear.
(soft music) (fire crackling)
(soft music continues)
Call 911!
(Carol coughs)
Do something.
(soft music continues) (fire crackling)
The biggest lie they say is that the devil is the truth.
(soft music continues) (fire crackling)
My long sleeve shirts
that covered my deeply inflicted wounds,
ashes now.
What once haunted me daily now remained hard.
(sirens wailing)
It'll be over
In the morning
[Regina] They say the biggest lie
is that the devil is the truth.
(soft music)
It was all a lie.
[Radio presenter] Friends, family.
We honor Carol Horace, a loving mother,
sister, and friend.
The Bible assures us,
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted."
Psalm 34:18.
Carol filled our lives with light, strength,
and boundless love.
She taught us grace and resilience.
Though our hearts ache,
we trust she is at peace.
Think she'll be okay?
The ones at odds always take it the worst.
Regina will be okay, babe.
You know, strangely,
I think you're right.
I think this is going to help her get better.
I'm going to miss mama,
but,
I think I can be at peace after this too.
Grief doesn't hit us all the same.
You know, it was the weirdest thing back at the house.
Gina and mama kept bringing up our little brother,
Reggie.
They were like talking to him.
- Really?
- Yeah, like he was there.
I just ignored it,
and I was thinking mama with her old age
and Gina being Gina.
But I never thought about the fact that,
we didn't have one family photo
with him before he passed.
Maybe it helped the transition.
Maybe.
Look,
I know this may be off topic or on.
I just want you to know that
no matter what goes wrong or how crazy life gets,
I'll be right here.
(soft music)
(soft music continues)
She never stopped smoking.
I know the passing of your mother has been very hard.
In the end,
at least we made peace,
and in her death,
I can live with that.
So with all these new discoveries about yourself
and family,
feel like it's defined anything for you?
The truth will set you free.
(mellow music)
I swore I saw the sign poles
Felt a compass in my palm
Walked the line daily
Missed you in there, beauty.
Oh, yeah?
Sure do.
(door thuds)
know you got to be hungry.
[Regina] Oh, yeah.
The sooner we get out of here, the better.
(car door thuds)
(car engine revving)
Oh, I missed the mark, Lord
Chasing shadows in the night
Thought I held your promise
But it was just a mistake
I build on truth on the DL
A beautiful convenient life
(ominous music)
(indistinct chatter)
I want to show you something.
(tense music)
(tense music continues)
(tense music continues)
(dramatic music)
(mellow music)
He whispers soft in the Eden shade
Promised gold where shadows played
Said the fruit will make me wise
But all it did was feed the lies
He's a serpent in disguise
Trading truth for alibis
The devil is a liar
He burns, but he won't inspire
He'll twist your dreams like the fire
But the devil
Oh, the devil is alive
40 days in the desert sin
He offered kingdom's power
And
But men won't live on pride alone
The word is where I set my throne
Yeah, he'll tempt you with the fleeting glow
But I see through his shadow show
The devil is a liar
He burns, but he won't inspire
He'll twist your dreams like the fire
Oh, but the devil
Oh, the devil is a liar
He burns, but he won't inspire
He'll twist your dreams like the fire
But the devil
Oh, the devil is a liar
(mellow music)
(mellow music continues)