The Green Monster (2026) Movie Script
1
(dramatic rumbling music)
(electricity buzzing)
(flames roaring)
(ominous instrumental music)
(foliage rustling)
(cicadas screeching)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
- Not this year, dear friend.
This year, I write
your final chapter.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(cicadas screeching)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(cicadas screeching)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(cicadas screeching)
(footsteps plodding on stairs)
(Arthur scoffing)
(birds chirping)
(cicadas screeching)
Not tonight.
(cicadas screeching)
(footsteps plodding on floor)
(door clicking)
(ominous instrumental music)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Arthur sighing)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(blood squishing)
(paper rustling)
No.
No.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Arthur whimpering)
I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
(Arthur sobbing)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
No! No!
God!
He's done it again.
(dramatic instrumental music)
(Arthur sobbing)
(vocalist harmonizing)
Come on, show yourself.
(vocalist harmonizing continues)
Come on.
(door thudding)
(dramatic action music)
(door clicking)
(Green Monster growling)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Green Monster growling)
(Arthur exclaiming)
(dramatic action
music continues)
How nice of you to turn up
with a guest at my house,
only,
I've run out of honey.
Tea and jaffa cakes?
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Arthur laughing)
(Arthur exclaiming)
(Green Monster groaning)
Yeah, I was right wasn't I?
Yeah.
(Green Monster moaning)
I researched and combed
the village for years
and questioned everyone I knew,
the postman, the bakerman,
the milkman, the
village neighbor,
the policeman, finally tracked
this down to a pawnbroker.
(Green Monster groaning)
This belonged to your
mother, didn't it?
(Green Monster whimpering)
Everything I'd ever written
these years wasn't fiction.
The only thing that can thaw
a monster's heart
is a mother's love.
(Green Monster moaning)
Go.
This ends tonight.
(Green Monster whining)
Go!
This ends tonight.
(Green Monster whining)
Go.
(Green Monster whining)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(cicadas screeching)
(somber instrumental music)
(cicadas screeching)
(crickets chirping)
(Arthur sighing)
(stream trickling)
(somber instrumental
music continues)
(stream trickling)
(Arthur sighing)
(somber instrumental
music continues)
(water splashing)
(stream trickling)
(Arthur sighing)
The spell is broken.
The power's gone.
(Arthur smirking)
No need for that anymore.
(stream trickling)
(somber instrumental
music continues)
I kept my promise.
I kept my promise, Margaret.
(stream trickling)
(somber instrumental
music continues)
(Arthur whimpering)
(stream trickling)
(somber instrumental
music continues)
(Arthur smirking)
Even a green demon like
that once had a mother
and a father,
long dead in these cold woods.
Bless them both.
(stream trickling)
(cicadas screeching)
(somber instrumental
music continues)
Rest, Margaret.
Rest, you poor woman.
Margaret, my love.
Margaret.
(somber instrumental
music continues)
(Arthur sighing)
(stream trickling)
(somber instrumental
music continues)
(cicadas screeching)
(stream trickling)
(somber instrumental
music continues)
(door banging)
(Arthur sighing)
(somber instrumental
music continues)
We shall never know
the pact that boy made
with those dark forces.
(Arthur smirking)
We shall never know.
(ominous rumbling music)
I'll write my thoughts.
(vocalist harmonizing)
Tomorrow.
(ominous rumbling
music continues)
(vocalist harmonizing continues)
(dramatic action music)
(Green Monster groaning)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Green Monster groaning)
You just keep coming
back, don't you?
(dramatic action
music continues)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Green Monster growling)
(nails slitting)
(Arthur exclaiming)
(Arthur whimpering)
(Green Monster growling)
(nails slitting)
(Arthur exclaiming)
(Arthur whimpering)
(Green Monster laughing)
(Arthur thudding on couch)
(Green Monster growling)
(dramatic action music)
(Green Monster growling)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(birds chirping)
- Welcome back to Dead Words
where we exhume the weirdest
graves in the literary world.
- And tell you
all the juicy bits
your English
teacher never would.
- Today marked the year since
Arthur Green's unusual death.
He was the author of
"Her Heart's Last Beat",
a literary sensation
and a bestseller,
and a mystery no one's
been able to discover.
- Arthur Green, the
one book wonder,
part poet, part recluse, part-
- Monster Hunter.
- Allegedly.
(Ashlee chuckling)
- Everything about
him was alleged.
He didn't do interviews.
He lived in a restored mill
in the country for decades,
walking these woods.
- And telling a
select few locals
that he was tracking something
big, something dangerous.
(birds chirping)
- The Green Monster
- For new listeners,
the Green Monster is
our area's own cryptid.
Seven feet tall,
glowing yellow eyes,
smells like rottening pine,
sent to hunt hearts, literally.
- Which brings us
onto Arthur Green's,
"Her Heart's Last Beat".
On the surface,
a tragic romance about
the mysterious death
of his wife 20 years before.
Underneath, a breadcrumb trail.
- But a breadcrumb
trail to what?
- The Green Monster
and his wife,
the first victim.
Check out the opening
poem to the novel.
(birds chirping)
A boy did wait by
hearth's dim light
for a father lost
in winter's night.
The winds did wail.
The drifts did rise.
No lantern's glow
met frozen skies.
The village slept
while all alone.
The boy grew cold
to skin and bone.
His father lost,
lay still a stone.
The woods took both
to claim their own.
Yet, in the night
a heartbeat came.
Not human now and not the same."
Brilliant start, hey?
- Some heavy stuff, Ash.
What did he mean?
(Ashlee sighing)
- A woodcutter went
out on Christmas Eve
and had an accident in the woods
and froze to death
before the boy could get
the villagers interested
in the search party.
The legend has it the boy's
heart froze that night
and then he sold his soul
to the devil to get revenge,
costing his humanity.
- And his mother died
of sadness, they said.
(birds chirping)
Very (indistinct) vibe.
(Ashlee chuckling)
- And then there's
a whole weird thing
where Arthur Green did the
whole murder-abilia route
and spent decades
collecting belongings
of the alleged family.
He kind of lost
his mind over it.
The villagers were selling
him all kinds of shait,
but you never know.
(ominous instrumental music)
(tree creaking)
- Please tell me
that's just wind?
(tree creaking)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
- Let's stop recording.
It's kind of shait anyway.
- How so?
(Ashlee smirking)
- You got scared when you
heard wind in the trees.
We're recording the
true crime podcast.
You have to at least
pretend to be brave.
- I'm brave when the
scary stuff is in a book.
(birds chirping)
(Ashlee sighing)
(Green Monster laughing evilly)
(birds chirping)
(dramatic rumbling music)
(foliage rustling)
- Hand me the shotgun mic.
(birds chirping)
(Green Monster growling)
(tree branch snapping)
(birds chirping)
- Ashlee?
- It's pecking something up.
(birds chirping)
- I don't like this.
- This is the good stuff.
(birds chirping)
(Ashlee sighing)
- I think we should go.
- We should look.
We'll pod over here for a bit
because the roads were
getting bad anyway.
If we leave now,
we'll always wonder.
- You, maybe.
(birds chirping)
(foliage rustling)
See that?
- Yeah.
(birds chirping)
(vehicle door clicking)
(ominous instrumental music)
- [Ashlee] Just to the edge
of the trees, two minutes.
(vehicle door banging)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(vehicle door clicking)
(birds chirping)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
(vehicle door banging)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
- Come on. Two minutes.
Come on. It's fine.
(stream trickling)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
Arthur Green walked this trail.
He composed a book about the
Green Monster right along here.
- Yeah, and then he died.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(object banging)
- It's just some
kids taking the piss.
Come.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(foliage rustling)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
- Ashlee, why would
anyone decorate out here?
(Ashlee smirking)
(birds chirping)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(foliage rustling)
(birds chirping)
- [Ashlee] What's in there?
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
- That's kind of weird.
(birds chirping)
(plastic rustling)
Oh my God. Drop it.
(organs splatting)
(plastic rustling)
(birds chirping)
- That's not a decoration.
- That's fucking disgusting.
(Ashlee smirking)
(birds chirping)
- What's that smell?
(Ashlee groaning)
What is that?
- Hot cider.
(birds chirping)
- It can't be.
(Ashlee groaning)
(birds chirping)
(stream trickling)
(birds chirping)
(stream trickling)
(gas fire puffing)
(birds chirping)
(gas fire puffing)
- Is that a party then?
- Well, where is everyone?
(dramatic instrumental music)
- Don't mind me.
(vocalist harmonizing)
(birds chirping)
(vocalist harmonizing continues)
(dramatic action music)
(Green Monster groaning)
(candy cane thudding)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Green Monster laughing)
(Green Monster growling)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Green Monster growling)
(Andi screaming)
(Andi gurgling)
(Andi gurgling)
(Green Monster growling)
(ominous instrumental music)
(vocalist harmonizing)
(birds chirping)
(Green Monster laughing evilly)
(dramatic instrumental music)
(Andi thudding on ground)
(birds chirping)
(vehicle engine humming)
(stream trickling)
- No signal.
- Wait, what?
No, I'm not doing this.
I need signal.
- You'll survive, one week,
no screens, no distractions.
No deadlines.
A real Christmas.
(Craig chuckling)
- Mind you, this is gonna turn
into a right Donner Party unless
we can find somewhere soon.
There must be
something around here.
(birds chirping)
(frogs croaking)
(vehicle engine humming)
God, this is real Daphne
du Maurier sort of country.
It looks like an inn.
- Well, let's give it a go.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
Girls, stay here.
(crickets chirping)
(vehicle door clicking)
(vehicle doors banging)
(birds chirping)
(crickets chirping)
(door clapper clicking)
(frogs croaking)
- Hi. Sorry.
We're being chased by a storm
and wondered if you had
a room for the night?
We're hoping this is an inn.
(Craig chuckling)
- It is, or it will be.
Those are our girls
in the car back there.
- Hi.
- Christmas together.
(Craig chuckling)
- Come on in.
- Come on, girls.
- Thank you.
(Craig shivering)
(ominous instrumental music)
(vehicle doors clicking)
(vehicle doors banging)
(foliage rustling)
(Green Monster breathing)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Green Monster growling)
- This is beautiful.
- Yeah.
- Thank you.
I inherited it last year
from my father after
he passed away.
- I'm sorry.
- It's okay.
I'd always wanted to open
an inn so I moved back
and started doing everything up.
And we were gonna be ready
to go after Christmas
but a few days early won't hurt.
(Jae chuckling)
- Well, we'd be happy
to pay for tonight.
- Well, it's the holiday season.
Anyway, a dry run will
be good for me I think.
- We'd be grateful.
(Jae smirking)
Craig, is that okay with you?
- Sure. Sure thing.
You know, there's something
familiar about this place.
- Oh.
- I'll leave you
to get settled in.
(crickets chirping)
(stream trickling)
- You could've stayed
in the car, you know.
It's warmer in there.
- Where's the fun in that?
It's the holidays.
Perfect time for
little tradition.
- What, freezing your toes off?
- Telling the tale.
You ever heard about
the Green Monster?
- Only that you keep
banging on about it.
- Right, well you didn't
grow up around here,
but every Christmas
someone vanishes.
They say the Green
Monster takes their heart.
(crickets chirping)
(stream trickling)
This woodcutter froze
to death in the woods
after getting lost
one Christmas.
And his son wanted to
set up a search party
but the odd kids in the village
refused to look for him.
Months later when
he found the body,
he called them heartless
and offed himself.
And then the killings began,
just hearts torn out.
Get it?
Heartless.
(branch snapping)
- For fuck sake.
I know what you're after
and you could've had the
same result taking me
to a scary movie and slipping
your arm around my shoulders.
- Who, me?
They say he's as
green as pine needles
and his eyes like lanterns.
And he can slip through
the trees without a sound.
(ominous instrumental music)
(foliage rustling)
- Baby.
- See, it can't be him.
It's too noisy.
It could be a fox.
But we're not here for
monsters anyway, right?
- Here we go,
just as I thought.
(crickets chirping)
(stream trickling)
You heard that?
- Sure. Sure.
(person chuckling)
- I'm not taking
any clothes off.
You have to make do.
- Okay.
Do you wanna go back to the car?
- No promises, we'll see
how good the heater works.
- Okay.
(crickets chirping)
(soil crunching under shoes)
- Is this okay for the girls?
I've just about got
things sorted in her.
- Oh, it's lovely. Thanks.
So did you live
here with your dad?
- No. Gosh, no.
(Jae smirking)
We weren't close at all.
In fact, I hadn't seen him
for a while before he died.
- Oh, I'm sorry.
- It's okay, my mum
died when I was little
and I left the first
chance that I got.
So Dad became a bit of
a recluse by the end,
to be honest.
- Your mum as well,
I'm sorry to hear that.
- It's okay, it
was a long time ago
when all of this started.
- When what started?
- Never mind that.
Let's make this a Christmas
that the girls are really
gonna remember, shall we?
(Jae chuckling)
- Yeah.
(ominous rumbling music)
(Green Monster growling)
- Is it still there?
(indistinct)
(person thudding on ground)
(ominous rumbling music)
(vocalist harmonizing)
(person breathing heavily)
- Davy?
(Green Monster growling)
(ominous rumbling
music continues)
(vocalist harmonizing continues)
(dramatic action music)
(person breathing heavily)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(person whimpering)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(stream trickling)
(vocalist harmonizing continues)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(vocalist harmonizing continues)
(stream trickling)
(Green Monster growling)
(person gasping)
(dramatic instrumental
music continues)
(dramatic instrumental
music continues)
(Green Monster growling)
(nails slitting)
(person gurgling)
(person gasping)
(person coughing)
(blood squishing)
(person breathing heavily)
(vocalist harmonizing)
(Green Monster laughing evilly)
(skin ripping)
(ominous instrumental music)
(person gasping)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(heart squishing)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(person gasping)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(person thudding on knees)
(person breathing gasping)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(crickets chirping)
(stream trickling)
(crickets chirping)
(stream trickling)
(upbeat dance music)
- When we get to the cottage,
we gotta find the
little key box.
There's a little password.
- I know.
- Bloody farmers.
There you go.
(upbeat dance music continues)
Ta.
Ta.
(upbeat dance music continues)
(vehicle humming by)
(upbeat dance music continues)
- It's very bumpy.
(vehicle thudding)
- Shit, we've hit something.
(upbeat dance music continues)
(Ben sighing)
(handbrake clicking)
We have (indistinct).
- Let's go have a look.
- And the car is
not coming back on.
(Ben thudding dashboard)
- Great.
- It's not the place you
wanna get stuck, is it?
(Ben sighing)
How far away are we from
where we're meant to be?
- About 20 minutes, I think.
(Ben chuckling)
- I will check and see if
there's anything wrong.
(vehicle door clicking)
It's cold.
(Ben groaning)
(birds chirping)
(vehicle doors banging)
For fuck sake.
- What is it?
(birds chirping)
(Ben thudding on tire)
(birds chirping)
- Who the fuck builds
these fucking roads?
(birds chirping)
- A shard must've stuck in.
Where's your phone?
- We lost signal
back in (indistinct).
Fuck this fucking country.
- How long will it
take to change it?
(birds chirping)
- My love, dear darling,
no, I took the spare out.
- What the fuck, Ben?
- We had a lot to pack.
(Sara sighing)
- Like your guitar?
(birds chirping)
- Yeah.
I'll head that way.
A rescue lorry and you
just stay in the car.
Stay warm, okay.
- No.
I'm coming with.
(birds chirping)
(footsteps plodding on road)
- Yeah, are you warm enough?
- Yeah. You?
- I'm fucking freezing.
(ominous instrumental music)
- You're not gonna be
able to find anyone.
- We are going to find signal,
otherwise we're gonna have
to set up a camp right there.
Cuddle up under the trees.
Got some romantic stuff.
Just me and you
in the night sky.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Ben exclaiming)
(crickets chirping)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
Hey.
Shelter.
- Oh yeah.
- We will check it out.
I hope they're not murderers
or something even worse.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
God.
It's music.
(Green Monster growling)
- Did you hear that?
Are you sure you
didn't hear that?
- I can go and
investigate for you, love.
- No, it's okay.
- Save you from a deer.
(Sara smirking)
Or a sheep.
- Shut up.
- A Welsh local.
- Let's go.
Here we are.
- Yeah.
- [Sara] I hope someone's home.
- Oh my God. Imagine if not.
(vocalist harmonizing)
(birds chirping)
(Niamh humming)
(vocalist harmonizing)
- Mr. Grinny is
stitched up green.
Keeps the monsters
locked within.
- Oh my God.
Do you ever just shut up?
Shut your mouth,
you little creep.
Come on, I wanna see
what this place is like.
(birds chirping)
(door clapper clicking)
(door clapper clicking)
(door clicking)
- Hello.
- Hi.
- Come in. Come in.
Come in. Quick, quick.
- Thanks.
- God, it's cold out there.
- Hi, sorry.
We've got a flat tire
just down the way.
It's gone to shit
with this storm.
- Yeah, hoping we
can use a phone.
Our mobile's gone dead.
- Of course.
Follow me.
- Cheers.
(Ben sighing)
- Hello, mate.
- Hello.
- The storm on
your side as well?
- Yeah, something like that.
(Craig chuckling)
- So there's a
landline downstairs
but I'm not sure who
you're gonna reach
at this hour, though.
- I'll give it a go.
- Well, if you can't,
you're more than
welcome to stay here.
We open as an inn
on January 1st,
so I've already got
these guys staying.
The more the merrier.
- It sounds like a party then.
(Sara and Ben chuckling)
(birds chirping)
(stream trickling)
(birds chirping)
(vehicle engine humming)
(keys jingling)
(crickets chirping)
(stream trickling)
(vehicle door banging)
- Is this it, yeah?
- Yeah, I think so.
(crickets chirping)
(stream trickling)
It's very quiet.
- Let's just hope there's
something out there, hey.
(vehicle door banging)
- I'm sure we're gonna
catch something, right?
- I bloody hope so, mate.
(Fowler chuckling)
Which way is it?
- I think it's this way.
- All right, let's go.
(crickets chirping)
(stream trickling)
(cicadas screeching)
- And hunt your rabbits.
- [Fowler] Mate, I was
hoping more for Bambi's mum.
- [Everett] What?
- Deer.
- What the fuck you on about?
- Bambi's mum is a deer.
(Everett smirking)
- Come on, mate.
- What?
(cicadas screeching)
(stream trickling)
(ominous instrumental music)
- Funny boy Fowler.
(Everett chuckling)
- [Fowler] What, mate?
I mean, I thought it was funny.
- [Everett] Clearly
not, though, mate.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Fowler sighing)
- Well, I'll try harder yeah?
- Yeah, please do.
- Thanks, mate.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
- Is there a wall?
(Everett chuckling)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Fowler sighing)
- It's a bit of a drop
down there, ain't it?
- [Fowler] Yeah, it is a bit.
- I'm gonna say shall
we climb up there?
- Do we have to?
- Come on, mate.
Come on, you got it in you.
Come on.
- This way is flat.
- [Everett] No,
let's do this way.
(Fowler groaning)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
- The wardens are out.
I heard their ATVs this morning.
- Let them be.
We stay quiet and move quiet
and they'll never smell us.
(bush rustling)
- Shit, what was that?
(cicadas screeching)
- Don't be so nervy.
(Everett chuckling)
It's just the wind taking
ice from the trees.
(Everett chuckling)
- Maybe we pack this in, yeah?
(cicadas screeching)
- What?
Be tough guy. Stop crying.
How many pints you
had today, pal?
Come on, hey.
- Let's just leave, yeah?
- What's up with you, Fowler?
Come on.
- I just don't feel right.
- Stop crying.
It's all right.
Let's go. Come on.
Come on.
- All right.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(vocalist harmonizing)
- Deer tracks.
- Yeah. Great.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Green Monster growling)
(dramatic action music)
(Green Monster growling)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(dramatic action
music continues)
- Shit. Shit.
Shit. Shit.
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Christmas decorations clanging)
Shit. Shit.
(Green Monster growling)
(Christmas decorations clanging)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Christmas decoration clanging)
(vocalist harmonizing)
(fist thudding)
(blood squishing)
(Green Monster groaning)
(vocalist harmonizing)
(heart swishing)
(Green Monster laughing evilly)
- [Sara] What is it?
- Static wind.
- The line's not working?
- I can't get through.
- We've tried our phones.
- I'll tell you what.
Why don't I turn down
some beds for you
and you can try again with
the phone in the morning.
Follow me.
(telephone receiver clicking)
(footsteps plodding on stairs)
(stream trickling)
(crickets chirping)
- What are you doing out
here again, it's cold?
(relaxing instrumental music)
(Leah sighing)
- I don't know.
(Craig sighing)
Just looking for
inspiration, I suppose.
- Finding any?
- Do you know,
for a remote inn,
it's fucking busy here.
(Leah chuckling)
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
- It might be a good setting
for a new "Brass Buttons
Boy Detective" novel.
(Craig smirking)
- Perhaps I should just
send him on a killing spree
and end the whole series.
- You don't mean that.
- Do you really think my
dwindling reading audience
would even notice?
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
Wait a minute.
A novel.
(Leah humming)
I have seen this place before.
(Leah smirking)
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
(stream trickling)
(crickets chirping)
Your father is Arthur
Green, isn't it?
- What?
- The author, Arthur Green?
- Yes, he is. Yeah.
How did you know that?
- I just felt like I
recognized this place.
I realize I do.
I've read about it.
I mean, I've read
that a dozen times.
(Jae smirking)
- So you're a fan of my
father's lone novel, are you?
- Craig's an author as well.
- It's not just a book.
"Her Heart's Last Beat",
it's one of the greatest
novels of the 20th century.
I mean, he wrote
it here didn't he?
- Yeah, after my mother died,
I think it was his way
of working things out.
- Brilliant.
- And Margaret, that's
based on your mother?
- Maybe Jae wouldn't
like to talk about that.
- Yeah. Sorry.
- It's okay.
My dad had a really hard
time after my mother died
and lots of people say
that the positive thing
to come out of it was that
he got to publish his book.
(Craig smirking)
- It inspired me
to become a writer.
- [Jae] I'm glad.
- Can I help you here?
- Sure, I'd love a hand.
(cutlery clanging)
- This Christmas sucks.
(Niamh humming)
- Mr. Grinny is
so soft, so small.
Hear the footsteps in the hall.
Wrap him warm and keep him near
and he will chase away the fear.
(Siobhan sighing)
- Right, you stay here
and wait for somebody
to come get you
for dinner, okay.
(Siobhan sighing)
(Siobhan thudding on floor)
Weirdo.
(door clicking)
- We can make a night
out of it, can't we?
Even though the pub we
passed is a few miles back.
We've always been able
to make the road fun.
And this will help.
- This as well.
- Ben, there's a family
just down the hall.
- Yeah, the whole
place looks like
it was carved out of stone.
They won't hear or see us.
- You're ridiculous.
- Festive, you mean.
(glasses clinking)
Go on, Santa won't be
the only thing coming.
(alcohol trickling)
(bottle lid clinking)
And there goes your resistance.
- Don't be clever.
(Ben chuckling)
(dress ruffling)
(lips smacking)
(Ben exclaiming)
- Be careful, I might
be antique wood.
- You aren't antique wood.
(Ben chuckling)
(nails scraping)
Did you hear that?
(item thudding)
(ominous instrumental music)
(lips smacking)
- It's storming.
Snow is falling down the roof.
(lips smacking)
Trees are scratching the walls.
It's just a big old scary sound.
I'll keep you safe.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(cicadas screeching)
(stream trickling)
(ominous instrumental music)
(Green Monster growling)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(crickets chirping)
(stream trickling)
(Green Monster groaning)
(stream trickling)
(Green Monster groaning)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(item thudding)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
- Your heart.
(Green Monster groaning)
(Siobhan screaming)
- What's going on?
(Siobhan breathing heavily)
- Window.
- What was there?
- This massive green thing.
- Siobhan, just remember we're
here to support your father.
I've come to get you for dinner.
(footsteps thudding on stairs)
(wooden stairs creaking)
Come on.
Good. Come on.
You go in there.
Where's that other couple?
(footsteps thudding on stairs)
(wooden stairs creaking)
(Ben chuckling)
(Sara chuckling)
- Here we are.
- Look at that.
- God, I was expecting
a pack of crisps.
Look at this.
- It looks great, Jae.
- A nice surprise.
- I do wish I got a
Christmas pudding, though.
I'm just gonna get
the vegetables.
- Okay.
- I'm famished.
(relaxing instrumental music)
(cutlery clanging)
So Craig, mate,
what's your line of work?
- Me, I write
young adult novels.
- Anything I might've read?
- "Brass Buttons Boy Detective".
- I used to love those.
(Craig chuckling)
- Yeah, well everyone used to.
But this place,
this is where a great
novelist once lived
and wrote magnificent
"Her Heart's Last Beat".
(Craig smirking)
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
- I haven't heard of it.
- You haven't heard of it?
- No.
- It's one of the greatest
books of the 20th century.
- Is there a movie?
- No.
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
- You dodgy little brat.
I wonder where
you got that from?
- Here we go.
(Jae smirking)
- Where did you get that?
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
- To be fair,
it's not entirely her fault.
You can blame me.
I found it by the river.
- Siobhan, that
belongs to somebody.
- It's nothing, it doesn't
belong to anyone anymore.
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
Towards the end
my father spent a lot of
time tracking down things
that he thought belonged
to a local family
whose father had died.
The son committed suicide
and for some reason
he thought it was all
connected to my mum.
But I don't know why.
- Niamh, please leave that
on the table after
dinner, thank you.
- Well, Christmas
blessings upon this house.
May joy fill the corridors
and no dark shadows
cross the threshold.
- [Craig] Absolutely.
- May the hearth
keep our hearts warm
and the spirits of the season
watch kindly over us all.
- [Leah] Agreed.
- It might be a makeshift
Christmas gathering
but it is a Christmas
gathering nonetheless.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
(ominous instrumental music)
(metal squeaking)
(footsteps plodding on stairs)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
- What was this to you, Dad?
What did you think it could do?
(pensive instrumental music)
(pensive instrumental
music continues)
(Jae exclaiming)
Sorry, puppet.
I didn't hear you.
Do you need a glass of milk?
I'll tell you what,
it's not really a holiday
without cookies, is it?
It's a bit late now,
but how about tomorrow
morning you come up here
and help me make
cookies for everyone?
Yeah?
Awesome. Let's do it.
Go and find your mum now.
She'll be looking for you.
Go on.
(ominous instrumental music)
(Green Monster groaning)
(dramatic instrumental music)
(Green Monster groaning)
(ominous instrumental music)
(Green Monster groaning)
(door clicking)
(items rustling)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(zipper zooming)
(paper rustling)
(zipper zooming)
(cupboard doors clicking)
- Go on then.
(handles squeaking)
Yeah.
- Oh yes.
- You've not got a hope.
- Oh no.
(Craig and Leah laughing)
- Yeah.
(Craig and Leah laughing)
- Yeah.
- Craig.
- Yeah.
- I remember you said
you thought a lot
of my father's book.
(Craig smirking)
- More than a lot.
- I thought you might
like to look at this.
- What is it?
- It was my father's.
I think he was working
on something when he died
but I've never read it.
(zipper zooming)
But I thought it
might interest you.
- Is this his handwriting?
- Yeah.
- So he kept writing?
Never published,
but kept writing.
- Yeah, it was his obsession.
(Jae smirking)
- His obsession was his art.
(paper rustling)
"Once in the shadow
of the River Dee
where the snow
never seemed to melt
and the church bells
told as if for the dead,
there crept a thing the
villagers dare not name.
They said it came
each Christmas,
padding silent
through the drifts,
hunting for the warmest
heart in the village.
If it found you,
it would pluck that beating
gift from your chest
and carry it away in its sack,
leaving only frost and
stillness in your bed.
Although the elders
warned the children
to stay close to the fire,
there was always one who
would peek beyond the windows,
curious to see the green
shape against the moon
and never be seen again."
- Well, don't stop.
It's a banger.
- Shut up.
(Ben chuckling)
- Could I read this tonight?
- Of course, that's
why I brought it down.
I can't read it myself,
but you go ahead.
(nails scraping)
- What was that?
(Ben questioning)
- Icicle falling from the roof.
- It didn't sound like ice.
- A flake falling from the roof.
- Why don't you
just go and check?
(Ben sighing)
(silence)
- Yeah, just ice.
(Jae chuckling)
- Just ice.
Off to bed with us.
Thank you for looking after us.
- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.
- Night.
- Night night.
- And you, Craig?
- No.
You go on up.
I'll do the lights.
(silence)
(paper rustling)
- I've checked on the girls.
Are you coming?
Craig.
It's a family holiday.
- What?
(Jae sighing)
- I know you facing
burnout with your writing,
but your family life
needs attention too,
especially at this time of year.
- Yeah, and that's
where you're wrong Leah.
All I'm thinking
about is the family.
This manuscript is the answer.
- What do you mean?
- I mean, this is just
a brilliant novel.
It's about a Green Monster,
but it's just an allegory.
There's a holy king,
a green widow,
a magical little
girl called Moss.
(adventurous instrumental music)
- How does that help us, though?
- Because I'm gonna tell
my publisher it's mine.
- No.
That's madness.
(relaxing instrumental music)
- Look, you know
the daughter said
she'd never even looked
in at the (indistinct).
- Oh, you don't think
she'll recognize
her own family's story?
- Look, if she does,
which I don't think she will,
I'll just say I was inspired
by what happened out here.
- That will never work, Craig.
You'll get found out.
(Craig sighing)
- Okay, 'cause I'm not as good
as the great Arthur Green, hey?
Yes, they'll think it's
far too good to be me.
- It's not that.
- Then what is it, Leah?
- It's dishonest, that's what.
(Craig sighing)
- Look, I'm just trying to
get past this writer's block.
The next will all be me.
- No, Craig.
- Great, so you want
our family to fail then?
- Craig, what's going on?
- You want me to
be a great author.
Well, I'm putting
an end to this,
the one Arthur Green
never got to write.
- What are you on about?
- The answer is out there.
Somewhere, tonight,
I'm gonna find it
and I'm gonna write
that last chapter
that he never did.
Then it will all be mine.
(Jae sighing)
(door banging)
(birds chirping)
(crickets chirping)
(foliage rustling)
(soil crunching under shoes)
(Craig blowing through hands)
(ominous instrumental music)
(foliage rustling)
(birds chirping)
(Craig blowing through hands)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(dog barking in distance)
(foliage rustling)
(birds chirping)
(stream trickling)
(foliage rustling)
- Come on.
Come on, show yourself.
Where are you, you bastard?
I'm gonna finish the book
that Arthur Green never could
and then it will be mine.
(Craig laughing)
Mine.
So come on.
Come on, show
yourself, you bastard.
Come on.
(Green Monster groaning)
(Craig screaming)
(dramatic action music)
(Craig screaming)
(Green Monster growling)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(bag thudding on tree)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(bag thudding in foliage)
(birds chirping)
(Niamh humming)
- Little hands so
quick, so light.
Find the gold that's
hid from sight.
(ominous instrumental music)
(vocalist harmonizing)
(dramatic instrumental music)
(vocalist harmonizing)
Mr. Grinny, soft and small
Here's the footsteps
in the hall
Wrap him warm
and keep him near
He will chase away the fear
Tip toe, tip toe
(vocalist harmonizing)
The green one found
two while they asleep
(dramatic instrumental
music continues)
She made a promise,
gentle and true
A heart for the lives
of the parents she knew
A list was written,
names in red
Naughty, nice, they all
as they all lie dead
One year gone, the
snow falls thin
But call his name
He comes again
(ominous instrumental music)
Tip toe, tip toe
Shadows creep
- This place is creeping me out
and that weird little girl
isn't making it any better.
- She ain't that bad.
She is a kid and kids are weird.
(Ben flopping on bed)
(lips smacking)
- Don't tell me you're
ready for another go?
- I have had a big
Christmas dinner.
(Sara smirking)
(electricity buzzing)
(lips smacking)
It's just the electricity.
The electricity in
this place is like
a hamster running
around in a wheel.
(object thudding)
- No, did you hear that?
- Yeah, it's an old house.
- No, please can
you just check that?
- I am so comfortable.
- [Sara] Please?
(Ben sighing)
- Fine, I can't say no to you.
Fine.
Keep yourself safe in
the meantime, okay.
No monsters in here.
(lips smacking)
Back in a sec.
- Okay.
- Watch out for the monsters.
(door clicking)
(silence)
(ominous instrumental music)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Green Monster growling)
(fist thudding)
(Ben thudding on floor)
(Ben groaning)
(Ben screaming)
Sara! Sara!
Sara! No!
(dramatic action music)
(Ben groaning)
(Ben whimpering)
(Ben groaning)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Green Monster fist thudding)
(blood squishing)
(Ben groaning)
(ominous instrumental music)
- Ben?
(door clicking)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Sara gasping)
Ben!
(Green Monster groaning)
(dramatic action music)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(relaxing instrumental music)
Tip toe, tip toe
Don't make a peep
The green one found you
while they were asleep
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
- You little sneak.
I can't deal with this.
Mum can deal with
you in the morning.
I'm going to bed.
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
- It won't be long now, come on.
(refrigerator door clicking)
(egg cracking)
(Jae sighing)
(ominous instrumental music)
(wooden floor creaking)
(Jae gasping)
(Green Monster growling)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Green Monster
thudding on stairs)
I did what you asked.
(Green Monster laughing)
I gathered you some hearts.
It's your choice now.
All I want is what you promised,
mum and dad back.
Hearts for hearts.
(Green Monster groaning)
And I found something,
your mother's amulet.
My father told me that
that was the only thing
that could destroy you,
the only thing that
could warm your heart,
warm your heart and
destroy the beast inside.
But it's okay.
Show me how to destroy it?
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(drawer rumbling)
I've put it here.
(cutlery clanging)
It was right here.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Jae breathing heavily)
(drawer thudding)
The little girl.
The little girl,
she must've seen me and
taken it back again.
(Green Monster groaning)
The thief.
(Green Monster
groaning continues)
I'll still help you.
I'll help you.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
No. No.
(Jae gasping)
(Green Monster laughing)
(Green Monster growling)
(cookie cutter slitting)
(blood squishing)
(Green Monster growling)
(fists thudding)
(Green Monster growling)
(cookie cutter slitting)
(Green Monster growling)
(dramatic action music)
(cookie cutter slitting)
(Green Monster groaning)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Green Monster
groaning continues)
(cookie cutter clanging)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Jae coughing)
(Jae breathing heavily)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(blood squishing)
(Jae coughing)
(Jae breathing heavily)
(dramatic action
music continues)
She made a promise
so gentle and true
The heart brought the
light, the parents she knew
- Shut
up
now.
(Siobhan sighing)
(silence)
(plate clanging)
- Craig?
(silence)
(book thudding on floor)
(Leah sighing)
Better get my coat on then.
Oh, that's nice.
(Leah humming)
(ominous instrumental music)
(Leah groaning)
(Leah coughing)
What the hell?
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
Jae?
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Green Monster groaning)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Leah shouting)
(Green Monster groaning)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(vocalist harmonizing)
(Green Monster growling)
(dramatic action music)
(Leah gasping)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Leah breathing heavily)
(fist thudding)
(blood squishing)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Green Monster groaning)
(vocalist harmonizing)
(paper rustling)
- What's this?
- Niamh, Mr. Grinny, Siobhan?
Wow, you even listed
below your stupid doll.
(paper rustling)
(Siobhan sighing)
Niamh?
(paper rustling)
Tell your Mr. Grinny
this handwriting sucks.
(Siobhan sighing)
- Keys and doors
won't help you hide.
Come outside. Come outside.
- Are you mental or something?
It's the middle of the night.
(Siobhan sighing)
(ominous instrumental music)
(Green Monster groaning)
(Siobhan smirking)
Okay. Yeah.
Let's go.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
See.
(door clicking)
(door clicking)
(door creaking)
Let's go. Let's go.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(footsteps plodding on stairs)
(Green Monster groaning)
Go. Go.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(footsteps plodding
on wooden floor)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Siobhan gasping)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
Niamh, don't look.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(footsteps plodding on stairs)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(door creaking)
(children breathing heavily)
(vehicle door clicking)
(vehicle door banging)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(vehicle door banging)
I've done a lot of backseat
driving in my life.
(Niamh coughing)
(Siobhan sighing)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
Please work.
(Siobhan thudding
steering wheel)
It's not gonna work.
(Siobhan thudding on wheel)
Hey.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Green Monster groaning)
Yeah, go. Go, now.
(vehicle doors banging)
(Niamh whimpering)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(tree branch snapping)
(ominous rumbling music)
(ominous instrumental music)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Siobhan whimpering)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
This really is the
worst Christmas ever.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
- Face the beast
or lose your head.
It will take your heart
and leave you dead.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
- Maybe it's time to start
listening to Mr. Grinny.
(Siobhan sighing)
Right, come on. Come on, Niamh.
(Siobhan sighing)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Green Monster growling)
(Green Monster laughing evilly)
Look, you can do
whatever you want to me.
You are not touching my sister,
you hear me?
(Green Monster growling)
(Siobhan screaming)
(fist thudding)
(Green Monster growling)
(dramatic action music)
- Through pine and briar
and over frozen streams
they followed tracks
in the lantern's green
until in a pale
hollow with frost
they found the man
they thought was lost.
They wrapped him warm
and brought him near
to hearth and home
and sun so dear.
And sun so dear.
(Green Monster whimpering)
(Green Monster
whimpering continues)
(dramatic action music)
(Green Monster
whimpering continues)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Siobhan coughing)
(ominous instrumental music)
(rain trickling)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
- What about Mr. Grinny?
- There's a new story now.
Rest. Go home.
He doesn't need it anymore.
- Yes, then let's go.
(rain trickling)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
(stream trickling)
- What do you
reckon then, Ollie?
So we gotta try and find
a pine tree up there
that's gonna be
the best pine tree
we could put in the house.
(Ollie humming)
Do you wanna keep looking
and see if you an find one?
- Yeah.
- Help dad find one?
(birds chirping)
(relaxing instrumental music)
(birds chirping)
(stream trickling)
What about this one?
Is that one any good?
- Yeah.
- It looks nice.
We'll go back around and
see if we can find it.
(birds chirping)
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
All I'm after is that
one perfect pine.
- All I'm after
is my intact toes.
I'm freezing here.
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
- In the snow,
in the pine
someone's watching
all the time.
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
- There are no pine
trees around here.
- Yeah, you might be right,
to be honest with you.
But I think we should
still keep looking
'cause I am desperate
to use this thing.
I really am.
- Oh my God.
Where is Ollie?
- You weren't watching him?
- Yes, I was.
- Come on.
- Ollie!
- Ollie!
- Where is he?
- Ollie, where are you?
- Ollie!
- Ollie!
(birds chirping)
He's there.
- Ollie.
Where have you been?
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
- Hey buddy, did you find
yourself a new friend there?
- [Ollie] He's my own protector.
- It looks like he's been
attacked by the mice, pal.
- [Nina] Guess we can
toss it in the wash.
- Come on, guys.
I think we should go.
- Yeah, let's go.
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
- A list was
written, all in red,
naughty, nice,
they all are dead.
One year gone.
The snow falls thin,
but call his name,
(Green Monster growling)
he comes again.
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
- Maybe less screen time, dear.
(Green Monster laughing evilly)
(birds chirping)
(ominous instrumental music)
(Green Monster laughing evilly)
What do you want from me
(vocalist harmonizing)
What do you want
(vocalist harmonizing)
What do you want from me
(vocalist harmonizing)
What do you want from me
(Green Monster laughing evilly)
(heavy rock music)
Shall I wrap my empathy
And put it under the tree
Won't you tell me
What do you want
The suspense is killing me
What do you want from me
Do you want my chivalry
My sympathy
I'll put them under the tree
(Green Monster laughing evilly)
(dramatic rumbling music)
(electricity buzzing)
(flames roaring)
(dramatic rumbling music)
(electricity buzzing)
(flames roaring)
(ominous instrumental music)
(foliage rustling)
(cicadas screeching)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
- Not this year, dear friend.
This year, I write
your final chapter.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(cicadas screeching)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(cicadas screeching)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(cicadas screeching)
(footsteps plodding on stairs)
(Arthur scoffing)
(birds chirping)
(cicadas screeching)
Not tonight.
(cicadas screeching)
(footsteps plodding on floor)
(door clicking)
(ominous instrumental music)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Arthur sighing)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(blood squishing)
(paper rustling)
No.
No.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Arthur whimpering)
I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
(Arthur sobbing)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
No! No!
God!
He's done it again.
(dramatic instrumental music)
(Arthur sobbing)
(vocalist harmonizing)
Come on, show yourself.
(vocalist harmonizing continues)
Come on.
(door thudding)
(dramatic action music)
(door clicking)
(Green Monster growling)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Green Monster growling)
(Arthur exclaiming)
(dramatic action
music continues)
How nice of you to turn up
with a guest at my house,
only,
I've run out of honey.
Tea and jaffa cakes?
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Arthur laughing)
(Arthur exclaiming)
(Green Monster groaning)
Yeah, I was right wasn't I?
Yeah.
(Green Monster moaning)
I researched and combed
the village for years
and questioned everyone I knew,
the postman, the bakerman,
the milkman, the
village neighbor,
the policeman, finally tracked
this down to a pawnbroker.
(Green Monster groaning)
This belonged to your
mother, didn't it?
(Green Monster whimpering)
Everything I'd ever written
these years wasn't fiction.
The only thing that can thaw
a monster's heart
is a mother's love.
(Green Monster moaning)
Go.
This ends tonight.
(Green Monster whining)
Go!
This ends tonight.
(Green Monster whining)
Go.
(Green Monster whining)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(cicadas screeching)
(somber instrumental music)
(cicadas screeching)
(crickets chirping)
(Arthur sighing)
(stream trickling)
(somber instrumental
music continues)
(stream trickling)
(Arthur sighing)
(somber instrumental
music continues)
(water splashing)
(stream trickling)
(Arthur sighing)
The spell is broken.
The power's gone.
(Arthur smirking)
No need for that anymore.
(stream trickling)
(somber instrumental
music continues)
I kept my promise.
I kept my promise, Margaret.
(stream trickling)
(somber instrumental
music continues)
(Arthur whimpering)
(stream trickling)
(somber instrumental
music continues)
(Arthur smirking)
Even a green demon like
that once had a mother
and a father,
long dead in these cold woods.
Bless them both.
(stream trickling)
(cicadas screeching)
(somber instrumental
music continues)
Rest, Margaret.
Rest, you poor woman.
Margaret, my love.
Margaret.
(somber instrumental
music continues)
(Arthur sighing)
(stream trickling)
(somber instrumental
music continues)
(cicadas screeching)
(stream trickling)
(somber instrumental
music continues)
(door banging)
(Arthur sighing)
(somber instrumental
music continues)
We shall never know
the pact that boy made
with those dark forces.
(Arthur smirking)
We shall never know.
(ominous rumbling music)
I'll write my thoughts.
(vocalist harmonizing)
Tomorrow.
(ominous rumbling
music continues)
(vocalist harmonizing continues)
(dramatic action music)
(Green Monster groaning)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Green Monster groaning)
You just keep coming
back, don't you?
(dramatic action
music continues)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Green Monster growling)
(nails slitting)
(Arthur exclaiming)
(Arthur whimpering)
(Green Monster growling)
(nails slitting)
(Arthur exclaiming)
(Arthur whimpering)
(Green Monster laughing)
(Arthur thudding on couch)
(Green Monster growling)
(dramatic action music)
(Green Monster growling)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(birds chirping)
- Welcome back to Dead Words
where we exhume the weirdest
graves in the literary world.
- And tell you
all the juicy bits
your English
teacher never would.
- Today marked the year since
Arthur Green's unusual death.
He was the author of
"Her Heart's Last Beat",
a literary sensation
and a bestseller,
and a mystery no one's
been able to discover.
- Arthur Green, the
one book wonder,
part poet, part recluse, part-
- Monster Hunter.
- Allegedly.
(Ashlee chuckling)
- Everything about
him was alleged.
He didn't do interviews.
He lived in a restored mill
in the country for decades,
walking these woods.
- And telling a
select few locals
that he was tracking something
big, something dangerous.
(birds chirping)
- The Green Monster
- For new listeners,
the Green Monster is
our area's own cryptid.
Seven feet tall,
glowing yellow eyes,
smells like rottening pine,
sent to hunt hearts, literally.
- Which brings us
onto Arthur Green's,
"Her Heart's Last Beat".
On the surface,
a tragic romance about
the mysterious death
of his wife 20 years before.
Underneath, a breadcrumb trail.
- But a breadcrumb
trail to what?
- The Green Monster
and his wife,
the first victim.
Check out the opening
poem to the novel.
(birds chirping)
A boy did wait by
hearth's dim light
for a father lost
in winter's night.
The winds did wail.
The drifts did rise.
No lantern's glow
met frozen skies.
The village slept
while all alone.
The boy grew cold
to skin and bone.
His father lost,
lay still a stone.
The woods took both
to claim their own.
Yet, in the night
a heartbeat came.
Not human now and not the same."
Brilliant start, hey?
- Some heavy stuff, Ash.
What did he mean?
(Ashlee sighing)
- A woodcutter went
out on Christmas Eve
and had an accident in the woods
and froze to death
before the boy could get
the villagers interested
in the search party.
The legend has it the boy's
heart froze that night
and then he sold his soul
to the devil to get revenge,
costing his humanity.
- And his mother died
of sadness, they said.
(birds chirping)
Very (indistinct) vibe.
(Ashlee chuckling)
- And then there's
a whole weird thing
where Arthur Green did the
whole murder-abilia route
and spent decades
collecting belongings
of the alleged family.
He kind of lost
his mind over it.
The villagers were selling
him all kinds of shait,
but you never know.
(ominous instrumental music)
(tree creaking)
- Please tell me
that's just wind?
(tree creaking)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
- Let's stop recording.
It's kind of shait anyway.
- How so?
(Ashlee smirking)
- You got scared when you
heard wind in the trees.
We're recording the
true crime podcast.
You have to at least
pretend to be brave.
- I'm brave when the
scary stuff is in a book.
(birds chirping)
(Ashlee sighing)
(Green Monster laughing evilly)
(birds chirping)
(dramatic rumbling music)
(foliage rustling)
- Hand me the shotgun mic.
(birds chirping)
(Green Monster growling)
(tree branch snapping)
(birds chirping)
- Ashlee?
- It's pecking something up.
(birds chirping)
- I don't like this.
- This is the good stuff.
(birds chirping)
(Ashlee sighing)
- I think we should go.
- We should look.
We'll pod over here for a bit
because the roads were
getting bad anyway.
If we leave now,
we'll always wonder.
- You, maybe.
(birds chirping)
(foliage rustling)
See that?
- Yeah.
(birds chirping)
(vehicle door clicking)
(ominous instrumental music)
- [Ashlee] Just to the edge
of the trees, two minutes.
(vehicle door banging)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(vehicle door clicking)
(birds chirping)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
(vehicle door banging)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
- Come on. Two minutes.
Come on. It's fine.
(stream trickling)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
Arthur Green walked this trail.
He composed a book about the
Green Monster right along here.
- Yeah, and then he died.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(object banging)
- It's just some
kids taking the piss.
Come.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(foliage rustling)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
- Ashlee, why would
anyone decorate out here?
(Ashlee smirking)
(birds chirping)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(foliage rustling)
(birds chirping)
- [Ashlee] What's in there?
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
- That's kind of weird.
(birds chirping)
(plastic rustling)
Oh my God. Drop it.
(organs splatting)
(plastic rustling)
(birds chirping)
- That's not a decoration.
- That's fucking disgusting.
(Ashlee smirking)
(birds chirping)
- What's that smell?
(Ashlee groaning)
What is that?
- Hot cider.
(birds chirping)
- It can't be.
(Ashlee groaning)
(birds chirping)
(stream trickling)
(birds chirping)
(stream trickling)
(gas fire puffing)
(birds chirping)
(gas fire puffing)
- Is that a party then?
- Well, where is everyone?
(dramatic instrumental music)
- Don't mind me.
(vocalist harmonizing)
(birds chirping)
(vocalist harmonizing continues)
(dramatic action music)
(Green Monster groaning)
(candy cane thudding)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Green Monster laughing)
(Green Monster growling)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Green Monster growling)
(Andi screaming)
(Andi gurgling)
(Andi gurgling)
(Green Monster growling)
(ominous instrumental music)
(vocalist harmonizing)
(birds chirping)
(Green Monster laughing evilly)
(dramatic instrumental music)
(Andi thudding on ground)
(birds chirping)
(vehicle engine humming)
(stream trickling)
- No signal.
- Wait, what?
No, I'm not doing this.
I need signal.
- You'll survive, one week,
no screens, no distractions.
No deadlines.
A real Christmas.
(Craig chuckling)
- Mind you, this is gonna turn
into a right Donner Party unless
we can find somewhere soon.
There must be
something around here.
(birds chirping)
(frogs croaking)
(vehicle engine humming)
God, this is real Daphne
du Maurier sort of country.
It looks like an inn.
- Well, let's give it a go.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
Girls, stay here.
(crickets chirping)
(vehicle door clicking)
(vehicle doors banging)
(birds chirping)
(crickets chirping)
(door clapper clicking)
(frogs croaking)
- Hi. Sorry.
We're being chased by a storm
and wondered if you had
a room for the night?
We're hoping this is an inn.
(Craig chuckling)
- It is, or it will be.
Those are our girls
in the car back there.
- Hi.
- Christmas together.
(Craig chuckling)
- Come on in.
- Come on, girls.
- Thank you.
(Craig shivering)
(ominous instrumental music)
(vehicle doors clicking)
(vehicle doors banging)
(foliage rustling)
(Green Monster breathing)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Green Monster growling)
- This is beautiful.
- Yeah.
- Thank you.
I inherited it last year
from my father after
he passed away.
- I'm sorry.
- It's okay.
I'd always wanted to open
an inn so I moved back
and started doing everything up.
And we were gonna be ready
to go after Christmas
but a few days early won't hurt.
(Jae chuckling)
- Well, we'd be happy
to pay for tonight.
- Well, it's the holiday season.
Anyway, a dry run will
be good for me I think.
- We'd be grateful.
(Jae smirking)
Craig, is that okay with you?
- Sure. Sure thing.
You know, there's something
familiar about this place.
- Oh.
- I'll leave you
to get settled in.
(crickets chirping)
(stream trickling)
- You could've stayed
in the car, you know.
It's warmer in there.
- Where's the fun in that?
It's the holidays.
Perfect time for
little tradition.
- What, freezing your toes off?
- Telling the tale.
You ever heard about
the Green Monster?
- Only that you keep
banging on about it.
- Right, well you didn't
grow up around here,
but every Christmas
someone vanishes.
They say the Green
Monster takes their heart.
(crickets chirping)
(stream trickling)
This woodcutter froze
to death in the woods
after getting lost
one Christmas.
And his son wanted to
set up a search party
but the odd kids in the village
refused to look for him.
Months later when
he found the body,
he called them heartless
and offed himself.
And then the killings began,
just hearts torn out.
Get it?
Heartless.
(branch snapping)
- For fuck sake.
I know what you're after
and you could've had the
same result taking me
to a scary movie and slipping
your arm around my shoulders.
- Who, me?
They say he's as
green as pine needles
and his eyes like lanterns.
And he can slip through
the trees without a sound.
(ominous instrumental music)
(foliage rustling)
- Baby.
- See, it can't be him.
It's too noisy.
It could be a fox.
But we're not here for
monsters anyway, right?
- Here we go,
just as I thought.
(crickets chirping)
(stream trickling)
You heard that?
- Sure. Sure.
(person chuckling)
- I'm not taking
any clothes off.
You have to make do.
- Okay.
Do you wanna go back to the car?
- No promises, we'll see
how good the heater works.
- Okay.
(crickets chirping)
(soil crunching under shoes)
- Is this okay for the girls?
I've just about got
things sorted in her.
- Oh, it's lovely. Thanks.
So did you live
here with your dad?
- No. Gosh, no.
(Jae smirking)
We weren't close at all.
In fact, I hadn't seen him
for a while before he died.
- Oh, I'm sorry.
- It's okay, my mum
died when I was little
and I left the first
chance that I got.
So Dad became a bit of
a recluse by the end,
to be honest.
- Your mum as well,
I'm sorry to hear that.
- It's okay, it
was a long time ago
when all of this started.
- When what started?
- Never mind that.
Let's make this a Christmas
that the girls are really
gonna remember, shall we?
(Jae chuckling)
- Yeah.
(ominous rumbling music)
(Green Monster growling)
- Is it still there?
(indistinct)
(person thudding on ground)
(ominous rumbling music)
(vocalist harmonizing)
(person breathing heavily)
- Davy?
(Green Monster growling)
(ominous rumbling
music continues)
(vocalist harmonizing continues)
(dramatic action music)
(person breathing heavily)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(person whimpering)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(stream trickling)
(vocalist harmonizing continues)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(vocalist harmonizing continues)
(stream trickling)
(Green Monster growling)
(person gasping)
(dramatic instrumental
music continues)
(dramatic instrumental
music continues)
(Green Monster growling)
(nails slitting)
(person gurgling)
(person gasping)
(person coughing)
(blood squishing)
(person breathing heavily)
(vocalist harmonizing)
(Green Monster laughing evilly)
(skin ripping)
(ominous instrumental music)
(person gasping)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(heart squishing)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(person gasping)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(person thudding on knees)
(person breathing gasping)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(crickets chirping)
(stream trickling)
(crickets chirping)
(stream trickling)
(upbeat dance music)
- When we get to the cottage,
we gotta find the
little key box.
There's a little password.
- I know.
- Bloody farmers.
There you go.
(upbeat dance music continues)
Ta.
Ta.
(upbeat dance music continues)
(vehicle humming by)
(upbeat dance music continues)
- It's very bumpy.
(vehicle thudding)
- Shit, we've hit something.
(upbeat dance music continues)
(Ben sighing)
(handbrake clicking)
We have (indistinct).
- Let's go have a look.
- And the car is
not coming back on.
(Ben thudding dashboard)
- Great.
- It's not the place you
wanna get stuck, is it?
(Ben sighing)
How far away are we from
where we're meant to be?
- About 20 minutes, I think.
(Ben chuckling)
- I will check and see if
there's anything wrong.
(vehicle door clicking)
It's cold.
(Ben groaning)
(birds chirping)
(vehicle doors banging)
For fuck sake.
- What is it?
(birds chirping)
(Ben thudding on tire)
(birds chirping)
- Who the fuck builds
these fucking roads?
(birds chirping)
- A shard must've stuck in.
Where's your phone?
- We lost signal
back in (indistinct).
Fuck this fucking country.
- How long will it
take to change it?
(birds chirping)
- My love, dear darling,
no, I took the spare out.
- What the fuck, Ben?
- We had a lot to pack.
(Sara sighing)
- Like your guitar?
(birds chirping)
- Yeah.
I'll head that way.
A rescue lorry and you
just stay in the car.
Stay warm, okay.
- No.
I'm coming with.
(birds chirping)
(footsteps plodding on road)
- Yeah, are you warm enough?
- Yeah. You?
- I'm fucking freezing.
(ominous instrumental music)
- You're not gonna be
able to find anyone.
- We are going to find signal,
otherwise we're gonna have
to set up a camp right there.
Cuddle up under the trees.
Got some romantic stuff.
Just me and you
in the night sky.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Ben exclaiming)
(crickets chirping)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
Hey.
Shelter.
- Oh yeah.
- We will check it out.
I hope they're not murderers
or something even worse.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
God.
It's music.
(Green Monster growling)
- Did you hear that?
Are you sure you
didn't hear that?
- I can go and
investigate for you, love.
- No, it's okay.
- Save you from a deer.
(Sara smirking)
Or a sheep.
- Shut up.
- A Welsh local.
- Let's go.
Here we are.
- Yeah.
- [Sara] I hope someone's home.
- Oh my God. Imagine if not.
(vocalist harmonizing)
(birds chirping)
(Niamh humming)
(vocalist harmonizing)
- Mr. Grinny is
stitched up green.
Keeps the monsters
locked within.
- Oh my God.
Do you ever just shut up?
Shut your mouth,
you little creep.
Come on, I wanna see
what this place is like.
(birds chirping)
(door clapper clicking)
(door clapper clicking)
(door clicking)
- Hello.
- Hi.
- Come in. Come in.
Come in. Quick, quick.
- Thanks.
- God, it's cold out there.
- Hi, sorry.
We've got a flat tire
just down the way.
It's gone to shit
with this storm.
- Yeah, hoping we
can use a phone.
Our mobile's gone dead.
- Of course.
Follow me.
- Cheers.
(Ben sighing)
- Hello, mate.
- Hello.
- The storm on
your side as well?
- Yeah, something like that.
(Craig chuckling)
- So there's a
landline downstairs
but I'm not sure who
you're gonna reach
at this hour, though.
- I'll give it a go.
- Well, if you can't,
you're more than
welcome to stay here.
We open as an inn
on January 1st,
so I've already got
these guys staying.
The more the merrier.
- It sounds like a party then.
(Sara and Ben chuckling)
(birds chirping)
(stream trickling)
(birds chirping)
(vehicle engine humming)
(keys jingling)
(crickets chirping)
(stream trickling)
(vehicle door banging)
- Is this it, yeah?
- Yeah, I think so.
(crickets chirping)
(stream trickling)
It's very quiet.
- Let's just hope there's
something out there, hey.
(vehicle door banging)
- I'm sure we're gonna
catch something, right?
- I bloody hope so, mate.
(Fowler chuckling)
Which way is it?
- I think it's this way.
- All right, let's go.
(crickets chirping)
(stream trickling)
(cicadas screeching)
- And hunt your rabbits.
- [Fowler] Mate, I was
hoping more for Bambi's mum.
- [Everett] What?
- Deer.
- What the fuck you on about?
- Bambi's mum is a deer.
(Everett smirking)
- Come on, mate.
- What?
(cicadas screeching)
(stream trickling)
(ominous instrumental music)
- Funny boy Fowler.
(Everett chuckling)
- [Fowler] What, mate?
I mean, I thought it was funny.
- [Everett] Clearly
not, though, mate.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Fowler sighing)
- Well, I'll try harder yeah?
- Yeah, please do.
- Thanks, mate.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
- Is there a wall?
(Everett chuckling)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Fowler sighing)
- It's a bit of a drop
down there, ain't it?
- [Fowler] Yeah, it is a bit.
- I'm gonna say shall
we climb up there?
- Do we have to?
- Come on, mate.
Come on, you got it in you.
Come on.
- This way is flat.
- [Everett] No,
let's do this way.
(Fowler groaning)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
- The wardens are out.
I heard their ATVs this morning.
- Let them be.
We stay quiet and move quiet
and they'll never smell us.
(bush rustling)
- Shit, what was that?
(cicadas screeching)
- Don't be so nervy.
(Everett chuckling)
It's just the wind taking
ice from the trees.
(Everett chuckling)
- Maybe we pack this in, yeah?
(cicadas screeching)
- What?
Be tough guy. Stop crying.
How many pints you
had today, pal?
Come on, hey.
- Let's just leave, yeah?
- What's up with you, Fowler?
Come on.
- I just don't feel right.
- Stop crying.
It's all right.
Let's go. Come on.
Come on.
- All right.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(vocalist harmonizing)
- Deer tracks.
- Yeah. Great.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Green Monster growling)
(dramatic action music)
(Green Monster growling)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(dramatic action
music continues)
- Shit. Shit.
Shit. Shit.
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Christmas decorations clanging)
Shit. Shit.
(Green Monster growling)
(Christmas decorations clanging)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Christmas decoration clanging)
(vocalist harmonizing)
(fist thudding)
(blood squishing)
(Green Monster groaning)
(vocalist harmonizing)
(heart swishing)
(Green Monster laughing evilly)
- [Sara] What is it?
- Static wind.
- The line's not working?
- I can't get through.
- We've tried our phones.
- I'll tell you what.
Why don't I turn down
some beds for you
and you can try again with
the phone in the morning.
Follow me.
(telephone receiver clicking)
(footsteps plodding on stairs)
(stream trickling)
(crickets chirping)
- What are you doing out
here again, it's cold?
(relaxing instrumental music)
(Leah sighing)
- I don't know.
(Craig sighing)
Just looking for
inspiration, I suppose.
- Finding any?
- Do you know,
for a remote inn,
it's fucking busy here.
(Leah chuckling)
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
- It might be a good setting
for a new "Brass Buttons
Boy Detective" novel.
(Craig smirking)
- Perhaps I should just
send him on a killing spree
and end the whole series.
- You don't mean that.
- Do you really think my
dwindling reading audience
would even notice?
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
Wait a minute.
A novel.
(Leah humming)
I have seen this place before.
(Leah smirking)
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
(stream trickling)
(crickets chirping)
Your father is Arthur
Green, isn't it?
- What?
- The author, Arthur Green?
- Yes, he is. Yeah.
How did you know that?
- I just felt like I
recognized this place.
I realize I do.
I've read about it.
I mean, I've read
that a dozen times.
(Jae smirking)
- So you're a fan of my
father's lone novel, are you?
- Craig's an author as well.
- It's not just a book.
"Her Heart's Last Beat",
it's one of the greatest
novels of the 20th century.
I mean, he wrote
it here didn't he?
- Yeah, after my mother died,
I think it was his way
of working things out.
- Brilliant.
- And Margaret, that's
based on your mother?
- Maybe Jae wouldn't
like to talk about that.
- Yeah. Sorry.
- It's okay.
My dad had a really hard
time after my mother died
and lots of people say
that the positive thing
to come out of it was that
he got to publish his book.
(Craig smirking)
- It inspired me
to become a writer.
- [Jae] I'm glad.
- Can I help you here?
- Sure, I'd love a hand.
(cutlery clanging)
- This Christmas sucks.
(Niamh humming)
- Mr. Grinny is
so soft, so small.
Hear the footsteps in the hall.
Wrap him warm and keep him near
and he will chase away the fear.
(Siobhan sighing)
- Right, you stay here
and wait for somebody
to come get you
for dinner, okay.
(Siobhan sighing)
(Siobhan thudding on floor)
Weirdo.
(door clicking)
- We can make a night
out of it, can't we?
Even though the pub we
passed is a few miles back.
We've always been able
to make the road fun.
And this will help.
- This as well.
- Ben, there's a family
just down the hall.
- Yeah, the whole
place looks like
it was carved out of stone.
They won't hear or see us.
- You're ridiculous.
- Festive, you mean.
(glasses clinking)
Go on, Santa won't be
the only thing coming.
(alcohol trickling)
(bottle lid clinking)
And there goes your resistance.
- Don't be clever.
(Ben chuckling)
(dress ruffling)
(lips smacking)
(Ben exclaiming)
- Be careful, I might
be antique wood.
- You aren't antique wood.
(Ben chuckling)
(nails scraping)
Did you hear that?
(item thudding)
(ominous instrumental music)
(lips smacking)
- It's storming.
Snow is falling down the roof.
(lips smacking)
Trees are scratching the walls.
It's just a big old scary sound.
I'll keep you safe.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(cicadas screeching)
(stream trickling)
(ominous instrumental music)
(Green Monster growling)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(crickets chirping)
(stream trickling)
(Green Monster groaning)
(stream trickling)
(Green Monster groaning)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(item thudding)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
- Your heart.
(Green Monster groaning)
(Siobhan screaming)
- What's going on?
(Siobhan breathing heavily)
- Window.
- What was there?
- This massive green thing.
- Siobhan, just remember we're
here to support your father.
I've come to get you for dinner.
(footsteps thudding on stairs)
(wooden stairs creaking)
Come on.
Good. Come on.
You go in there.
Where's that other couple?
(footsteps thudding on stairs)
(wooden stairs creaking)
(Ben chuckling)
(Sara chuckling)
- Here we are.
- Look at that.
- God, I was expecting
a pack of crisps.
Look at this.
- It looks great, Jae.
- A nice surprise.
- I do wish I got a
Christmas pudding, though.
I'm just gonna get
the vegetables.
- Okay.
- I'm famished.
(relaxing instrumental music)
(cutlery clanging)
So Craig, mate,
what's your line of work?
- Me, I write
young adult novels.
- Anything I might've read?
- "Brass Buttons Boy Detective".
- I used to love those.
(Craig chuckling)
- Yeah, well everyone used to.
But this place,
this is where a great
novelist once lived
and wrote magnificent
"Her Heart's Last Beat".
(Craig smirking)
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
- I haven't heard of it.
- You haven't heard of it?
- No.
- It's one of the greatest
books of the 20th century.
- Is there a movie?
- No.
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
- You dodgy little brat.
I wonder where
you got that from?
- Here we go.
(Jae smirking)
- Where did you get that?
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
- To be fair,
it's not entirely her fault.
You can blame me.
I found it by the river.
- Siobhan, that
belongs to somebody.
- It's nothing, it doesn't
belong to anyone anymore.
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
Towards the end
my father spent a lot of
time tracking down things
that he thought belonged
to a local family
whose father had died.
The son committed suicide
and for some reason
he thought it was all
connected to my mum.
But I don't know why.
- Niamh, please leave that
on the table after
dinner, thank you.
- Well, Christmas
blessings upon this house.
May joy fill the corridors
and no dark shadows
cross the threshold.
- [Craig] Absolutely.
- May the hearth
keep our hearts warm
and the spirits of the season
watch kindly over us all.
- [Leah] Agreed.
- It might be a makeshift
Christmas gathering
but it is a Christmas
gathering nonetheless.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
(ominous instrumental music)
(metal squeaking)
(footsteps plodding on stairs)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
- What was this to you, Dad?
What did you think it could do?
(pensive instrumental music)
(pensive instrumental
music continues)
(Jae exclaiming)
Sorry, puppet.
I didn't hear you.
Do you need a glass of milk?
I'll tell you what,
it's not really a holiday
without cookies, is it?
It's a bit late now,
but how about tomorrow
morning you come up here
and help me make
cookies for everyone?
Yeah?
Awesome. Let's do it.
Go and find your mum now.
She'll be looking for you.
Go on.
(ominous instrumental music)
(Green Monster groaning)
(dramatic instrumental music)
(Green Monster groaning)
(ominous instrumental music)
(Green Monster groaning)
(door clicking)
(items rustling)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(zipper zooming)
(paper rustling)
(zipper zooming)
(cupboard doors clicking)
- Go on then.
(handles squeaking)
Yeah.
- Oh yes.
- You've not got a hope.
- Oh no.
(Craig and Leah laughing)
- Yeah.
(Craig and Leah laughing)
- Yeah.
- Craig.
- Yeah.
- I remember you said
you thought a lot
of my father's book.
(Craig smirking)
- More than a lot.
- I thought you might
like to look at this.
- What is it?
- It was my father's.
I think he was working
on something when he died
but I've never read it.
(zipper zooming)
But I thought it
might interest you.
- Is this his handwriting?
- Yeah.
- So he kept writing?
Never published,
but kept writing.
- Yeah, it was his obsession.
(Jae smirking)
- His obsession was his art.
(paper rustling)
"Once in the shadow
of the River Dee
where the snow
never seemed to melt
and the church bells
told as if for the dead,
there crept a thing the
villagers dare not name.
They said it came
each Christmas,
padding silent
through the drifts,
hunting for the warmest
heart in the village.
If it found you,
it would pluck that beating
gift from your chest
and carry it away in its sack,
leaving only frost and
stillness in your bed.
Although the elders
warned the children
to stay close to the fire,
there was always one who
would peek beyond the windows,
curious to see the green
shape against the moon
and never be seen again."
- Well, don't stop.
It's a banger.
- Shut up.
(Ben chuckling)
- Could I read this tonight?
- Of course, that's
why I brought it down.
I can't read it myself,
but you go ahead.
(nails scraping)
- What was that?
(Ben questioning)
- Icicle falling from the roof.
- It didn't sound like ice.
- A flake falling from the roof.
- Why don't you
just go and check?
(Ben sighing)
(silence)
- Yeah, just ice.
(Jae chuckling)
- Just ice.
Off to bed with us.
Thank you for looking after us.
- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.
- Night.
- Night night.
- And you, Craig?
- No.
You go on up.
I'll do the lights.
(silence)
(paper rustling)
- I've checked on the girls.
Are you coming?
Craig.
It's a family holiday.
- What?
(Jae sighing)
- I know you facing
burnout with your writing,
but your family life
needs attention too,
especially at this time of year.
- Yeah, and that's
where you're wrong Leah.
All I'm thinking
about is the family.
This manuscript is the answer.
- What do you mean?
- I mean, this is just
a brilliant novel.
It's about a Green Monster,
but it's just an allegory.
There's a holy king,
a green widow,
a magical little
girl called Moss.
(adventurous instrumental music)
- How does that help us, though?
- Because I'm gonna tell
my publisher it's mine.
- No.
That's madness.
(relaxing instrumental music)
- Look, you know
the daughter said
she'd never even looked
in at the (indistinct).
- Oh, you don't think
she'll recognize
her own family's story?
- Look, if she does,
which I don't think she will,
I'll just say I was inspired
by what happened out here.
- That will never work, Craig.
You'll get found out.
(Craig sighing)
- Okay, 'cause I'm not as good
as the great Arthur Green, hey?
Yes, they'll think it's
far too good to be me.
- It's not that.
- Then what is it, Leah?
- It's dishonest, that's what.
(Craig sighing)
- Look, I'm just trying to
get past this writer's block.
The next will all be me.
- No, Craig.
- Great, so you want
our family to fail then?
- Craig, what's going on?
- You want me to
be a great author.
Well, I'm putting
an end to this,
the one Arthur Green
never got to write.
- What are you on about?
- The answer is out there.
Somewhere, tonight,
I'm gonna find it
and I'm gonna write
that last chapter
that he never did.
Then it will all be mine.
(Jae sighing)
(door banging)
(birds chirping)
(crickets chirping)
(foliage rustling)
(soil crunching under shoes)
(Craig blowing through hands)
(ominous instrumental music)
(foliage rustling)
(birds chirping)
(Craig blowing through hands)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(dog barking in distance)
(foliage rustling)
(birds chirping)
(stream trickling)
(foliage rustling)
- Come on.
Come on, show yourself.
Where are you, you bastard?
I'm gonna finish the book
that Arthur Green never could
and then it will be mine.
(Craig laughing)
Mine.
So come on.
Come on, show
yourself, you bastard.
Come on.
(Green Monster groaning)
(Craig screaming)
(dramatic action music)
(Craig screaming)
(Green Monster growling)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(bag thudding on tree)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(bag thudding in foliage)
(birds chirping)
(Niamh humming)
- Little hands so
quick, so light.
Find the gold that's
hid from sight.
(ominous instrumental music)
(vocalist harmonizing)
(dramatic instrumental music)
(vocalist harmonizing)
Mr. Grinny, soft and small
Here's the footsteps
in the hall
Wrap him warm
and keep him near
He will chase away the fear
Tip toe, tip toe
(vocalist harmonizing)
The green one found
two while they asleep
(dramatic instrumental
music continues)
She made a promise,
gentle and true
A heart for the lives
of the parents she knew
A list was written,
names in red
Naughty, nice, they all
as they all lie dead
One year gone, the
snow falls thin
But call his name
He comes again
(ominous instrumental music)
Tip toe, tip toe
Shadows creep
- This place is creeping me out
and that weird little girl
isn't making it any better.
- She ain't that bad.
She is a kid and kids are weird.
(Ben flopping on bed)
(lips smacking)
- Don't tell me you're
ready for another go?
- I have had a big
Christmas dinner.
(Sara smirking)
(electricity buzzing)
(lips smacking)
It's just the electricity.
The electricity in
this place is like
a hamster running
around in a wheel.
(object thudding)
- No, did you hear that?
- Yeah, it's an old house.
- No, please can
you just check that?
- I am so comfortable.
- [Sara] Please?
(Ben sighing)
- Fine, I can't say no to you.
Fine.
Keep yourself safe in
the meantime, okay.
No monsters in here.
(lips smacking)
Back in a sec.
- Okay.
- Watch out for the monsters.
(door clicking)
(silence)
(ominous instrumental music)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Green Monster growling)
(fist thudding)
(Ben thudding on floor)
(Ben groaning)
(Ben screaming)
Sara! Sara!
Sara! No!
(dramatic action music)
(Ben groaning)
(Ben whimpering)
(Ben groaning)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Green Monster fist thudding)
(blood squishing)
(Ben groaning)
(ominous instrumental music)
- Ben?
(door clicking)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Sara gasping)
Ben!
(Green Monster groaning)
(dramatic action music)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(relaxing instrumental music)
Tip toe, tip toe
Don't make a peep
The green one found you
while they were asleep
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
- You little sneak.
I can't deal with this.
Mum can deal with
you in the morning.
I'm going to bed.
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
- It won't be long now, come on.
(refrigerator door clicking)
(egg cracking)
(Jae sighing)
(ominous instrumental music)
(wooden floor creaking)
(Jae gasping)
(Green Monster growling)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Green Monster
thudding on stairs)
I did what you asked.
(Green Monster laughing)
I gathered you some hearts.
It's your choice now.
All I want is what you promised,
mum and dad back.
Hearts for hearts.
(Green Monster groaning)
And I found something,
your mother's amulet.
My father told me that
that was the only thing
that could destroy you,
the only thing that
could warm your heart,
warm your heart and
destroy the beast inside.
But it's okay.
Show me how to destroy it?
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(drawer rumbling)
I've put it here.
(cutlery clanging)
It was right here.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Jae breathing heavily)
(drawer thudding)
The little girl.
The little girl,
she must've seen me and
taken it back again.
(Green Monster groaning)
The thief.
(Green Monster
groaning continues)
I'll still help you.
I'll help you.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
No. No.
(Jae gasping)
(Green Monster laughing)
(Green Monster growling)
(cookie cutter slitting)
(blood squishing)
(Green Monster growling)
(fists thudding)
(Green Monster growling)
(cookie cutter slitting)
(Green Monster growling)
(dramatic action music)
(cookie cutter slitting)
(Green Monster groaning)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Green Monster
groaning continues)
(cookie cutter clanging)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Jae coughing)
(Jae breathing heavily)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(blood squishing)
(Jae coughing)
(Jae breathing heavily)
(dramatic action
music continues)
She made a promise
so gentle and true
The heart brought the
light, the parents she knew
- Shut
up
now.
(Siobhan sighing)
(silence)
(plate clanging)
- Craig?
(silence)
(book thudding on floor)
(Leah sighing)
Better get my coat on then.
Oh, that's nice.
(Leah humming)
(ominous instrumental music)
(Leah groaning)
(Leah coughing)
What the hell?
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
Jae?
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Green Monster groaning)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Leah shouting)
(Green Monster groaning)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(vocalist harmonizing)
(Green Monster growling)
(dramatic action music)
(Leah gasping)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Leah breathing heavily)
(fist thudding)
(blood squishing)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Green Monster groaning)
(vocalist harmonizing)
(paper rustling)
- What's this?
- Niamh, Mr. Grinny, Siobhan?
Wow, you even listed
below your stupid doll.
(paper rustling)
(Siobhan sighing)
Niamh?
(paper rustling)
Tell your Mr. Grinny
this handwriting sucks.
(Siobhan sighing)
- Keys and doors
won't help you hide.
Come outside. Come outside.
- Are you mental or something?
It's the middle of the night.
(Siobhan sighing)
(ominous instrumental music)
(Green Monster groaning)
(Siobhan smirking)
Okay. Yeah.
Let's go.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
See.
(door clicking)
(door clicking)
(door creaking)
Let's go. Let's go.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(footsteps plodding on stairs)
(Green Monster groaning)
Go. Go.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(footsteps plodding
on wooden floor)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Siobhan gasping)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
Niamh, don't look.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(footsteps plodding on stairs)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(door creaking)
(children breathing heavily)
(vehicle door clicking)
(vehicle door banging)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(vehicle door banging)
I've done a lot of backseat
driving in my life.
(Niamh coughing)
(Siobhan sighing)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
Please work.
(Siobhan thudding
steering wheel)
It's not gonna work.
(Siobhan thudding on wheel)
Hey.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Green Monster groaning)
Yeah, go. Go, now.
(vehicle doors banging)
(Niamh whimpering)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(tree branch snapping)
(ominous rumbling music)
(ominous instrumental music)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Siobhan whimpering)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
This really is the
worst Christmas ever.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
- Face the beast
or lose your head.
It will take your heart
and leave you dead.
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
- Maybe it's time to start
listening to Mr. Grinny.
(Siobhan sighing)
Right, come on. Come on, Niamh.
(Siobhan sighing)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(Green Monster growling)
(Green Monster laughing evilly)
Look, you can do
whatever you want to me.
You are not touching my sister,
you hear me?
(Green Monster growling)
(Siobhan screaming)
(fist thudding)
(Green Monster growling)
(dramatic action music)
- Through pine and briar
and over frozen streams
they followed tracks
in the lantern's green
until in a pale
hollow with frost
they found the man
they thought was lost.
They wrapped him warm
and brought him near
to hearth and home
and sun so dear.
And sun so dear.
(Green Monster whimpering)
(Green Monster
whimpering continues)
(dramatic action music)
(Green Monster
whimpering continues)
(dramatic action
music continues)
(Siobhan coughing)
(ominous instrumental music)
(rain trickling)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
- What about Mr. Grinny?
- There's a new story now.
Rest. Go home.
He doesn't need it anymore.
- Yes, then let's go.
(rain trickling)
(ominous instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
(stream trickling)
- What do you
reckon then, Ollie?
So we gotta try and find
a pine tree up there
that's gonna be
the best pine tree
we could put in the house.
(Ollie humming)
Do you wanna keep looking
and see if you an find one?
- Yeah.
- Help dad find one?
(birds chirping)
(relaxing instrumental music)
(birds chirping)
(stream trickling)
What about this one?
Is that one any good?
- Yeah.
- It looks nice.
We'll go back around and
see if we can find it.
(birds chirping)
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
All I'm after is that
one perfect pine.
- All I'm after
is my intact toes.
I'm freezing here.
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
- In the snow,
in the pine
someone's watching
all the time.
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
- There are no pine
trees around here.
- Yeah, you might be right,
to be honest with you.
But I think we should
still keep looking
'cause I am desperate
to use this thing.
I really am.
- Oh my God.
Where is Ollie?
- You weren't watching him?
- Yes, I was.
- Come on.
- Ollie!
- Ollie!
- Where is he?
- Ollie, where are you?
- Ollie!
- Ollie!
(birds chirping)
He's there.
- Ollie.
Where have you been?
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
- Hey buddy, did you find
yourself a new friend there?
- [Ollie] He's my own protector.
- It looks like he's been
attacked by the mice, pal.
- [Nina] Guess we can
toss it in the wash.
- Come on, guys.
I think we should go.
- Yeah, let's go.
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
- A list was
written, all in red,
naughty, nice,
they all are dead.
One year gone.
The snow falls thin,
but call his name,
(Green Monster growling)
he comes again.
(relaxing instrumental
music continues)
(birds chirping)
- Maybe less screen time, dear.
(Green Monster laughing evilly)
(birds chirping)
(ominous instrumental music)
(Green Monster laughing evilly)
What do you want from me
(vocalist harmonizing)
What do you want
(vocalist harmonizing)
What do you want from me
(vocalist harmonizing)
What do you want from me
(Green Monster laughing evilly)
(heavy rock music)
Shall I wrap my empathy
And put it under the tree
Won't you tell me
What do you want
The suspense is killing me
What do you want from me
Do you want my chivalry
My sympathy
I'll put them under the tree
(Green Monster laughing evilly)
(dramatic rumbling music)
(electricity buzzing)
(flames roaring)