The Haunting of Hollywood (2024) Movie Script
1
- I'm Skyler Thompson.
Reading for the, um...
The Stylin' Sexy commercial.
The Stylin' Sexy commercial?
- Um, my name is...
- Hi, this
is Jennifer Morrison.
- Casting man!
A new line of Stylin' Sexy shampoos
made just for you.
- So I say my name and
then start the audition?
- The new line of...
Sorry, I keep doing that
when I think of the line.
Ha, ha.
- Hi, I'm Harakay--
- Look at me.
- Okay.
- The new style.
The new Stylin' Sexy shampoo
is made just for you.
- No time to do your hair?
Late for a casting?
- The solution is, just use it.
- Do your styling and sexy
and let your hair dry out.
- You will be delighted with yourself.
- Hollywood, here I...
- Here I come.
- Here I come, ha!
- Here I come.
- Here I come.
- James!
You're ruining the tape.
Don't make any noise.
Okay.
I'm going again.
Hi, Richie.
This is Olivia, remember me?
Olivia Donovan.
From Newberry Springs.
I'd always come to Hollywood
with my white clunker.
Jesus, ha!
I know!
Um, yeah, well...
But remember then I got pregnant.
But you always said I could come back.
Hello?
Richie?
Damn it.
Oh, I thought I lost you.
James!
Hurry up, we've got something
really important to do.
Ready?
Okay, so you do it just
the way mommy said.
And whatever you do,
don't cut my head off.
This is.
This is gonna get us outta this place.
You know, if this works, we're gonna get
a really nice place in Hollywood.
Okay.
- Three.
Two.
One.
- You know, they need
to see my whole face.
Ha, ha.
You know, this is our big shot.
Okay, Mr. DeMille.
- Yeah, you look great.
- It's gotta look good.
If we're gonna get outta here,
it's gotta look really good.
You know, this is our big shot.
Oh my god, just imagine that.
You and I in Hollywood.
Okay.
I'm ready for my close up.
I can't believe it's finally mine.
Look how it sparkles.
- You're my girl.
Forever.
You'll see.
- Ugh!
You didn't even look!
You should be paying attention.
This could be for your girl one day.
I know, you're still too weird
and awkward to have a girlfriend.
Hold on, James.
Bring me a piece of paper and a pen now.
What... what's the address again?
You know, son.
This sign has been here for awhile.
An East Coast publisher came in 1923
and built this $21,000
billboard to advertise
his upscale real estate development.
And he named it...
Hollywood Land.
- Hollywood Land.
- Isn't that a beautiful name?
And its message remains
the same over the years.
Here is where magic is possible.
Where dreams come true.
But remember, James.
Dream big.
And never forget.
You must always give it your all.
If you're not gonna give me the part.
I'll give myself the part.
I'll give myself the starring role.
Wait until you see what I can do.
- Okay, so, let's just go
over some things for tomorrow.
I just want you to be yourself.
I just want you to be you.
- Mm-hm.
- I kinda just want to
film you and me and Casey
just kind of doing our thing.
- Okay.
- Being just ourselves.
Hey, what up?
- Freak!
Freaking bullshit!
Freaking bullshit, man!
One day you're gonna beg for me to play!
You're gonna beg and that
shit ain't happening!
- You okay?
- Yeah, I'm fine.
The place is not for rent anymore.
All right, we lost it.
- Casey, we're driving already, man.
We have the whole car packed up.
- Don't get mad at me.
It's not my fault.
- Then whose is it?
You were supposed to be there earlier.
- Sorry, Skyler.
I got held up at the venue
trying to get a gig there.
- Let's just go home.
- No, come on.
There's gotta be another way, right?
- James, watch out! For Christ sake!
What the hell are you doing?
This is not okay.
We don't have a place to stay tonight.
- Yeah, we do.
I got a backup.
6289 Hollywood Boulevard.
It's um...
Closer to the sign, too.
Where we're filming tomorrow.
- How do you know about this place?
- Yes, I've got it.
6289 Hollywood Boulevard.
- So you're just not gonna tell me?
- Sometimes you gotta trust
in the unknown, Skyler.
I got a plan for us.
You'll see.
- I sure can't
wait to find out what it is.
- If you listen.
You can hear the call.
There is a place called Hollywood.
- Swept on forever.
In the worlds underneath the sun.
- Are you looking for trouble, bro?
- Are you chicken?
You got a dollar for me?
- Does it look like I got a dollar?
- I saw you find your way
in the venue back there.
It's not gonna happen like that.
I tried there for many years.
Now I am who I am.
People always call me pretty boy.
I guess dressing up for pictures will do.
She always had it in her.
She just had gotten a
part on this soap opera.
Then she got pregnant with me and...
Just before things
started working for her.
- Oh James, it went so good.
And then the casting director said,
he liked my dress.
Isn't that nice?
- I wish I got the chance
to know her better.
- I got the apartment.
- But...
- Oh, don't worry, darling.
I'll send for you very, very soon.
This is supposed to be the one.
I could feel it.
I could feel it in the
audition, this was the one.
They said they liked it.
- Mom, you're
taking everything with you.
- Not this.
- Your ring?
Are you sure?
- Yes, because now you know
I would never leave this ring.
It's just me and you, kid.
Nothing's gonna break us.
Trust me.
I'm so sick of waiting.
- I love you, Mom.
- Ring.
You need to ring.
- Do you think you got the place?
- Oh yeah.
He didn't call, so I'm
sure everything's fine.
What?
- Well, you know
he's not been fine lately.
- What, Alice told you something?
- Let's just say
it's not looking good for him.
- What?
- Just don't
say anything, please.
Please.
- I hope he's not mad we're late.
- It's Casey, ha.
He's just playing his guitar.
- Dude, I thought you
guys would never make it.
- Me too.
- Let's eat.
- This is the thing
that's gonna fix everything.
This is what gets us
out of this stupid dump!
- You can't
push me around like this.
- I'm gonna go grab some
boxes from downstairs.
- I'm coming with.
- Richie, why do
you always do this to me?
You said you were gonna call.
And I fell for you again, god damn it!
- Wow.
She really did move to LA.
- At least call me, damn it!
- What's that?
- God.
It's just worse.
- Hey, turn that thing off!
- Hey, you guys okay?
- Yeah, we're fine.
- It's time for some pizza.
Let's all chill out, I'm tired.
- I wish we had a TV so that
we could watch something.
- I got you, babe.
You want a show?
I'll give you one.
Whatever you want.
- James, oh my god.
- Dude, stop.
It's not even funny.
- Stop!
Stop, oh my god.
It's the worst show I've ever seen.
- Do you have the acid tabs?
- Hey, Dad.
Yeah, we just got here.
Can I call you later?
- You got your phone?
- Yes.
- Where is it?
- It's right in here.
- Call us as soon as you get there, okay?
Promise?
- Yeah.
- Promise?
- Yes.
- All right, okay.
- James, don't forget, oil.
- Yes, sir.
- Okay, bye, bye, bye.
I'll call you when I get there.
- I'm not crazy about that kid.
- I know.
- What did he want?
- Nothing.
- Are you sure?
- He just worries.
- About what?
- My college thing.
I have to do it soon.
- There's nothing to worry about.
Life in LA is gonna be good for you.
When you get a job as an actress.
I'm gonna do my film.
Everything's gonna be great.
- Do you really think I can
get a job in the movies?
- Absolutely.
Not.
You're terrible.
I'm joking, yes, of course, Skyler.
And tomorrow is gonna
be the test, you see.
It's gonna be your perfect opportunity
to showcase your talents.
And start everything off with a big bam.
- Hold up.
Are you talking about your shoot tomorrow?
I'm sorry, man. I can't make it.
Something came up.
Um, I actually landed my first LA gig.
- Dude.
You got your first gig in LA.
- Congrats, man.
- Yeah.
You know, it's...
It's not what I expected,
but it's something.
- Okay, all right, well don't
keep us in suspense, where at?
- It's just a Mexican
joint down the street.
I mean, after the venue blew me off.
I don't know, I just walked by and saw it.
I just went in, asked
them, and they said, okay.
I don't know, it's something.
Until I'm playing stadiums.
- Right, you gotta start somewhere.
- Maybe a Hollywood producer
will be there and see you.
- Well...
- That's what they say, right?
You never know who's gonna be there.
- I think that's a bit of a myth.
You're cute, though.
- Okay.
- It would have been great
to have you there, though.
- Yeah, I'm sorry, man.
I just can't make it this time.
- I need you there.
- Are we expecting someone?
- I even talked to this
really nice manager
of an apartment building
on Hollywood Boulevard.
- Wow.
- I love you.
Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!
I knew you'd understand.
You know how hard it is for us.
This is so perfect.
- Good evening.
- Uh... hey.
You are?
- Oh my neighbors.
Do not be afraid of what
destiny has planned for you.
- What'd you say?
- I suppose.
I'm allowed?
And I've come in.
I've come here to greet them.
To welcome the new tenants.
And to make sure that
you'll have a lovely stay.
- Uh...
Thanks for... for leaving the key.
Uh...
You know, I thought we were
supposed to meet tomorrow.
- Tomorrow?
No.
No.
No, she wanted me to come greet you.
Tonight.
To welcome you.
To welcome you back home again.
- Uh...
You sounded different on the phone.
- Different?
- You sound the same.
- And who are you?
- I'm Skyler.
- Oh.
How nice.
And so...
An actress.
A musician.
And you...
- I came here to make a movie
about the Hollywood sign.
- Shh.
You don't need to explain yourself.
If your heart is in Hollywood.
It's always been in Hollywood.
- We can really get to the sign.
We did.
And it's the highest
landmark in Hollywood.
- Excuse me.
- It's the perfect place.
- I have to go.
- They'll see me now.
I'll show them.
James.
Get up.
Sleepy boy, wakey wakey.
Come on, we're gonna be late.
You better hold the camera properly today.
- Now remember what I said.
Get a really nice frame and
make sure it's in focus, okay?
- You look great.
- Don't cut my head.
Whatever you do, don't cut my head off.
You know.
They need to see my whole face, ha, ha.
- Three.
Two.
- Wow, you know, if
you do this really well
you could be a director one day.
This is our real big shot now.
From here to Hollywood.
If you do this right.
- Damn.
- Huh?
- Uh...
I don't think you did it right.
I don't think you were recording.
Huh.
Damn.
Do you even know how to
use a camera, Skyler?
Ugh, one second.
- You know, we could do this together.
And wouldn't that be fun?
Imagine that.
The two of us in Hollywood together.
I'm a big star and you're my big director.
- Casey?
Where'd you go, man?
Casey?
Your girlfriend's texting you!
Did you hear me calling you?
- I was in the bathroom for Christ sake.
- Oh my god.
- Okay, is it necessary
to film all of this?
- Yeah it is, man!
- Can I have my phone, please?
- All right, we've got everything we need?
- I've got headlights, water bottles
and threw a vodka bottle
in there, just in case.
- Nice job.
- Also, I might have
added some magic in it.
Also...
- Uh-huh?
- Um...
First aid kit.
An extra pair of socks.
Lighter and...
Glow sticks.
- Glow sticks?
- My dad gave them to
me for safety purposes.
- Ah, of course.
Yeah.
Yeah, I think we're fine.
Hey.
Are you okay?
- They canceled my gig.
- Why?
- I don't know.
I was so excited.
- We're just.
Little cockroaches.
Not for long, though, all right?
- No, I don't wanna be a cockroach.
Man, I'm gonna be a star.
- We all want that, Casey.
- And it's official.
She doesn't want to be with me anymore.
- Maybe it's for the best.
Now you both have time
to work on your careers.
- But you and James make it work somehow.
- We try.
- Well come on, man.
We can't have you just
moping around here all day.
All right?
Why don't you come along.
- Nah, I'd rather just stay here.
- Uh...
Um.
Hey, yeah, it's good, perfect.
Here, I have an extra GoPro, dude.
You can be my second cameraman.
- I'm not a cameraman, I don't wanna film.
- It's super easy, man.
You just put, I gotta fold-a-rig.
Put it on there.
It'll get ya outta the house.
Come on.
You gotta come with, buddy, okay?
I can't... I can't leave you like this.
- Fine.
Whatever.
I mean, do we even have
directions and all that stuff?
- Hell yeah.
We got it on the smart phone.
Smart phones.
A smart phone?
- No, if we're going up in the woods,
we're gonna need a backup.
- Yeah, I can't disagree with you here.
- All right, well, I go
draw up a good old map.
Come on, you got nothing to worry about.
Okay, it's gonna be fun.
- Move your ass.
- I'm coming, hold on.
- Good morning, ma'am.
What the hell was that?
- Not the exact welcoming I imagined
from our new neighbors.
- Everyone is weird around here, man.
- Maybe they're just scared.
From the tenants before us.
- I wonder who these people are.
- They're just like us.
Dreamers.
- Big dreams.
- Bigger nightmares.
- Olivia
Donovan of Newberry Springs
committed suicide last night.
She jumped from the top
of the Hollywood sign
on what was the coldest night
in Los Angeles weather history.
Her snow covered body was found beneath
the sign O this morning.
The single mother leaves
behind a 15-year-old son.
Will Olivia be the last
victim of the Hollywood dream?
- Dance, dance!
Oh come on, don't be shy! Dance with me.
- James!
Who are you talking to?
- The old man who just ran in front of us.
- There's no one in the street.
- Pretty sure there was.
- You've been staring at that old man.
- Skyler.
- Yeah?
- Stay here.
Sunny day, isn't it?
Never rains here.
Sort of like a dream place to be, huh?
Could you take a look at this for me?
Sir?
- Did you not already ask
me a couple of days ago?
- Have you seen this woman before?
- Leave her alone.
Will you leave that alone, Jim?
This town is not a place
for people like your mother.
This town is full of jokers and monsters.
Leave.
Take your girlfriend and
marry her someplace nice.
Have a good life away from this madness.
- Let's get outta here.
- What was that all about?
- That guy, uh...
- What?
Did you interview him
for your documentary?
- I talked to him about my mom.
- Hey.
- Why?
- If I tell you, do you
promise not to freak out?
I just need to see her again, you know.
- Here?
- If her spirit was
anywhere, it'd be here.
She chases this Hollywood
dream as much as we do.
I just wanna see if we're alike.
- To think we were coming here to shoot
one of your goofy ass videos.
- We're still making something.
We're still making something, Case.
Do you trust me?
- For the most part, yeah. Ha!
- Good.
Good.
Good.
- Can we even make it up there by sunset?
- Dude, I don't think we should park here.
- Hopefully the car's still
here when we get back.
This goes here.
There you go.
- Oh.
- Yup.
Just.
Like.
This.
- Sick, bro.
Yee, hee!
- Oh!
- That was sick, bro.
- Good shit.
- Thanks, G.
- I think I've seen this before.
- This was in the Batman movie.
- What Batman are we talking about?
- What's so funny?
- Hey, everybody's
crazed up on movies, bro.
- You guys heading up to the sign?
- Yeah, we're going right now.
- The sun is coming down.
- That's fine, man.
We want to see it at night.
You guys ever been up there?
- Nah, we normally stay down here,
steady to the ground, a
couple inches off of it, ha.
- How come?
- We don't want any trouble, man.
- We never go there, bro.
- Yeah, especially after dark.
- Let's watch that footage.
- Let's go, man.
- Oh, sugar, sugar.
- Boom!
- Be careful up there, bro!
- Olivia Donovan.
- Donovan, Donovan.
Uh... no, I don't have you on the list.
Sorry, thank you.
- But my agent said that...
- Yeah, your
agent said. Who's your agent?
- Richie Cal--
- Yeah, it
really doesn't matter.
I'm not adding anybody to the list, sorry.
- But...
- That's not
how Hollywood works.
That's the problem.
Everybody thinks they deserve a shot.
- But isn't your job
to see everyone for the role?
- Maybe you're
not hearing me, Olivia.
It's not happening.
- But just this
once, because I learned--
- Thank you, next.
- And I'm ready.
Can't--
- Goodbye.
- It feels so chilly.
- We're really down on this hike.
It feels like I'm climbing a mountain.
- This is a mountain.
This used to be real estate heaven.
A publisher came around
here from the East Coast
in 1923, and he built this for $21,000.
Designed for a new real estate
development project titled.
- Hollywood Land.
- It was all just an
advertisement for selling homes?
- And it just never went out of business.
- Its message remains
the same 'til this day.
This is the place where dreams come true.
Where magic happens.
A little strange, though.
Feels a bit cold.
- Stop staring
at me, little creep.
- Mom, I missed school today.
- You have two legs, don't you?
- Mom, are you sure
you don't need anything?
- How about you bring me
a bottle of vodka and a cup of ice?
- Richie is gonna call.
- I didn't ask you.
Now, let's go.
- It's hot outside.
- Don't make me wait.
I said, I'm ready.
Okay, I'm ready for my close up.
You're shaking the camera.
Okay.
You're shaking the camera!
It's not good enough, James.
You're gonna look back at this day
and you're gonna remember.
When I'm up there and my name's in lights,
you're gonna remember, you
couldn't even hold the camera.
You couldn't even do the
one thing I asked you.
It's like I'm working against all you men.
You're just like your father.
- This camera's old and it's heavy.
- Don't talk back to me.
I've said that enough times already.
No dinner for you.
No dinner, no toys, and you
can kiss those goggles goodbye.
And if you say one more word,
I swear to god.
I don't know what else you're gonna lose,
but you're gonna lose it.
Now take the camera and do what I said.
- I'm trying.
- Try harder.
You're not gonna stop me becoming a star.
- You know, I used to go
out auditioning with my mom.
- Really?
- Did you uh, one of those silly little
commercial auditions or something, right?
- Yeah, nothing major, but I loved it.
I loved it when she took me
with her to her auditions.
Ah, I remember it used to be the best days
when casting went well.
And she eventually rented
a little place here in Hollywood.
I had to stay back at the trailer park,
because, you know, I had school and stuff.
Until one day, she just never returned.
And you know, eventually,
it just made sense to move out here too.
Out here I really realized just how hard
it is to chase a dream.
Just fighting for
something you really want.
Just over and over.
Just getting the same result.
Never getting a break.
It's just really defeating.
- I blew it.
You bombed.
You knew the part.
I'm never get a call back.
- How did it go?
Mom, it's okay, they're gonna
call us back, I know it.
- What do you know?
You don't know anything.
We will always be some
little cockroaches for them.
Tiny cockroaches getting
squished under their shoes.
Is that what you want?
You want to be a little
cockroach your whole life?
What are you doing?
What is wrong with you?
Why are you shaking?
Weak, weak, weak.
I can't stand this anymore.
Spineless little boy.
If you scream, what good is that?
Ah!
How do you like it?
How do you like it?
Stop screaming!
- Was she ever in a movie?
- Um...
There was this one role that
she really, really wanted.
She uh...
We just practiced for it all the time.
- Okay, Mr. DeMille.
Oh my god, just imagine that.
You and I in Hollywood.
Okay.
- You guys want a sip?
- Oh, ho!
- No, I said a sip!
That's the acid.
- Am I gonna see things now?
- Not really.
- I left my phone at the car.
Can we go get it?
- Skyler!
- You know my dad wants me to
check in with him everyday.
There's no service.
- Are you serious?
Ugh.
- Look.
- I'm... I'm excited for you, man.
When are you thinking about asking her?
- You're trying to ask her on this hike?
- Why are you saying that
like I'm crazy or something?
- I'm just looking out for you, man.
- I think it'd be beautiful.
I think she's gonna love it.
All this beauty around us, you know.
- Yeah, no.
Everything's good.
Yeah, I will, I will.
- I lost one of the most
important women of my life.
I can't lose the other.
- All right.
I support it.
- Dude, thank you.
- Okay, don't get sentimental on me, man.
That's for her.
Save it for the sign.
- James.
- Hey.
Hey, what happened?
- It happened so fast.
I don't know what hit me.
- Holy shit.
- It's okay, it's okay.
It's okay, it's okay.
It's gonna be okay, it's okay.
It's okay.
- Somebody... somebody's out there.
James.
- You're good, come on, come on, come on.
Let's go, come on, come on.
Come on, come on!
Skyler, Skyler, come on.
Come on. This way.
Come on, come on.
Skyler, come on.
Go, go, go.
Keep going.
- James.
- We're safe here.
I knew it.
We're not lost here.
You hear that, Skyler?
We're safe here.
We're not lost here.
- What the fuck?
- James!
- Are you there?
- It's an emergency.
- We've gotta get to the sign.
We should stay close to the trail.
And walk along it.
- I heard them.
- Where are they?
- We've gotta turn back.
Someone's after us.
- You heard it?
- Yo.
Where the hell is that noise coming from?
- Be quiet.
- Where the hell
is that voice coming from?
- Who's there!
- James.
- I'm not sure this is such a good idea.
- How are we gonna know how to get back?
- James...
- Just trust me.
- Did I just see that?
Was it real?
- Oh my god.
Oh my god! Was that real?
Yo, whoever... whoever that is,
this is some messed up shit.
You hear me? Y'all are fucked up!
- Oh my god, where are we?
I don't even know which way to go now.
- Yo, we have to turn back.
- We're never going
to make it to the sign.
- Hello?
- I don't
wanna keep going, James!
- Skyler.
We can't go back until we get to the sign.
- We're not welcome here, James.
- James.
- I don't
wanna keep going, James.
- It's okay, we can't go back
until we get to the sign.
- James...
- You still
want to take us there?
We have to call the police!
There's a dead person hanging!
- We can't call the
police, there's no service.
- Dude, we have to tell
someone about the dead body.
- Guys, I know we need to tell somebody!
I know, okay!
My phone's not fucking working!
Is your phones working?
- James.
- I never thought anything
would harm us coming here.
- James.
- I didn't think anything
would harm us coming here.
- What are you talking about?
- James, what are you talking about?
- I'm just trying to find my mom.
I'm just trying to find my mom.
Skyler.
- James.
- Would you just trust me?
Let's go.
Come on.
- James.
- It's gonna be okay.
Let's just get to the sign.
- James.
James...
James...
- Guys, you realize this
is the same tree, right?
- James, the sticks,
someone picked them up.
- James, I'm waiting for you.
I'm waiting for you to come film me.
- Mom?
- It's the acid talking.
It's just a hallucination.
Don't listen to the voices
inside your head, it's not real.
- You know, this is our big shot.
- It's fear
screaming inside your brain.
Just let it go and move on.
She did this to herself.
You don't have to go, James.
Let's go home.
- Hey Mom, would you
play video games with me?
- Don't you see,
I'm learning my lines
for my audition!
- Let it go.
- This place haunts people.
- I don't wanna die, James.
- She'll never love you
like you deserve to be loved.
- We need help, James.
- This place is haunted.
- I really think this
trip should end here.
I mean, you still have to tell
me what you haven't told me.
- Skyler.
- I don't know about you all,
but I'm done, okay?
I'm going home.
- James.
- I didn't think she'd let us get hurt.
I didn't think she'd let
us get hurt. Casey! Casey!
Wait!
- James, she's not here!
She wouldn't do this to us.
- I have to! I have to go and film it.
This is my art!
This is what I care about!
Casey, this is...
- James, this whole thing is stupid!
You don't make a movie
about your dead mother!
- This is something I have
to do. Please, come with me.
Please, come with me.
- James, come back another time.
- Skyler, why are you doing this?
- James...
- I'm trying to save you.
- I don't need you to save me.
I need you to come with me.
- Don't let them ruin you.
- Is this what
Hollywood makes of us?
- Don't let them ruin this.
- We turn into these obsessed people
who don't care about each other?
- No.
- James...
- Listen, it's me and you.
I'm not gonna let anything break us.
- He has a little surprise for you.
- Shut up.
- No, tell her.
Just get it over with.
- You fucking ruined it, Casey.
- You're not fucking keeping me up here!
- They don't love you.
- James.
James!
James!
- James...
James...
James, what if we make it, for real?
- I know you can do it, Mom.
- What if I
can't, James, then what?
- It's impossible,
you're the best.
- This has been one of
the best days of my life.
Last one.
One day we'll be on the stars.
Imagine that!
- I can be your director, maybe.
- We'll have to try to get
two sidewalk spaces together.
Ah, ha!
Oh, let's do it!
Aw!
Look at all the lights!
Don't you love Hollywood? Look!
- James.
James!
James.
Where's James?
- James!
- Where are you?
- Wait, wait, maybe he ran for help.
- He was just here.
What happened?
- I'm sure he went for help.
All right, we need to go right now.
Okay, we can't stay a minute longer.
- He would never leave us behind.
He wanted us to go up there.
- But Skyler, he
went to call for help.
Okay, let's follow him.
All right, let's... let's
go back the way we came.
All right?
Come on.
- No!
I can't leave without him.
James!
- Skyler, wait.
- I wish I could
ask you one last thing.
- He's not here, Skyler.
Skyler.
Let's go.
All right, he...
He's probably already
back at the apartment.
- You're my girl.
Forever.
- We should go.
- James.
James.
- I knew it.
We're safe here.
I told you.
We're not lost.
I told you.
We're not lost here.
I told you, Skyler.
We're safe here, I knew it.
We're not lost here.
I knew it.
We're not lost here.
- James...
- I knew it.
We're almost there.
We're not lost here.
- Keep going, James.
Good boy.
Keep going, further up.
Almost there.
Come on, I'm waiting.
They didn't deserve me,
now I won't let them have anything of me.
- Mom?
Mom?
Mom?
Mom!
Mom.
Mom!
Mom?
- You're shaking the camera.
You're shaking the camera!
It's not good enough, James.
They're never gonna let me.
- I promised to try.
It wasn't good enough.
I tried, I really tried.
- Take those stupid goggles off!
You're not taking this seriously at all.
You wanna live here forever?
Are you trying to ruin
my career, is that it?
You don't want me to be a star?
You're just like your father.
A dumb freak.
- I promise, I tried.
It wasn't good enough.
I wasn't.
So, I tried.
And I tried, and I tried.
But you were gone.
So I tried and I try.
I promise, I tried.
- No, James, you didn't.
It's not good enough until
you give it your all.
- I tried.
- Oh don't, with your pitiful,
"I tried, Mom."
- It wasn't good enough.
- Now.
I'm gonna count to three.
And I'm gonna breathe and
calm all this down again.
I'm not gonna let you ruin my chance.
You take the camera.
One, two, three.
Everything is good again.
James.
You finally made it here, my love.
- I'm sorry, Mom.
- You really made me wait.
- Don't leave me now.
- You're shaking the camera.
- Why'd you do it?
- When you're down and defeated.
When you gave it your all and
there's nothing left to give.
- I tried, I tried.
I tried, I tried, I tried!
- Then...
Follow me.
This is the way.
This way.
- I wasn't good enough for you.
- James.
Let's make your beautiful film together.
- Mom! Stop!
Don't leave me now.
- Come, James.
- No!
- Follow me.
- I've had enough!
- This way.
They will watch it.
They will know.
Come, James.
Trust me.
Trust me.
Trust me.
Now count to five.
- But Mom...
I love you.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
I just wanted you to love me.
Wait.
Mom!
Oh my god!
- Wait until
you see what I can do.
You'll pay attention to me then.
Oh yes, you will.
Everybody's gonna pay attention.
And you're gonna know what you missed.
- Oh shit, you're the new tenants?
- Uh...
- I'm early.
For the apartment, sorry,
but early bird gets the worm.
- Didn't we...
Didn't we talk last night?
The night before, I mean.
- Uh, yeah, we did.
And then this nice lady called
and said that you kids needed a lease.
So I put the keys under the door.
Did you find everything all right?
I normally don't rent to people
until I meet 'em in person.
She was worried about you too.
I have no idea why, but.
So, I decided to make an exception.
Your lucky day.
- Did she say who she was?
- I assumed she was James' mother.
Are you James?
Well, she was a nice woman.
A very nice woman.
Are you guys all right?
- Hey.
Are you sure we haven't met before?
- I don't think I'm losing my memory.
I'm not that old.
But I don't recall ever
meeting you before.
- It's okay.
We're confusing you with someone else.
- All right, well, I'll let you to it.
Sign that lease, huh?
Put it in my mailbox.
- There might not actually
be a need for that.
- Welcome.
- Oh, hello!
- Hi!
- I've gotta
switch battery in a second.
- Quiet on set.
- Set.
- All right, places.
All right, sound.
- Cool.
- Okay, and action.
- Dreams.
Or nightmares.
Sanity or madness.
I'm not sure what life is supposed to be.
- Jackson O'Neill,
Los Angeles, California.
- Hollywood.
- Here we come.
- You're still here.
Go on, get out.
There's nothing more for you to look at.
Stop staring.
- I'm Skyler Thompson.
Reading for the, um...
The Stylin' Sexy commercial.
The Stylin' Sexy commercial?
- Um, my name is...
- Hi, this
is Jennifer Morrison.
- Casting man!
A new line of Stylin' Sexy shampoos
made just for you.
- So I say my name and
then start the audition?
- The new line of...
Sorry, I keep doing that
when I think of the line.
Ha, ha.
- Hi, I'm Harakay--
- Look at me.
- Okay.
- The new style.
The new Stylin' Sexy shampoo
is made just for you.
- No time to do your hair?
Late for a casting?
- The solution is, just use it.
- Do your styling and sexy
and let your hair dry out.
- You will be delighted with yourself.
- Hollywood, here I...
- Here I come.
- Here I come, ha!
- Here I come.
- Here I come.
- James!
You're ruining the tape.
Don't make any noise.
Okay.
I'm going again.
Hi, Richie.
This is Olivia, remember me?
Olivia Donovan.
From Newberry Springs.
I'd always come to Hollywood
with my white clunker.
Jesus, ha!
I know!
Um, yeah, well...
But remember then I got pregnant.
But you always said I could come back.
Hello?
Richie?
Damn it.
Oh, I thought I lost you.
James!
Hurry up, we've got something
really important to do.
Ready?
Okay, so you do it just
the way mommy said.
And whatever you do,
don't cut my head off.
This is.
This is gonna get us outta this place.
You know, if this works, we're gonna get
a really nice place in Hollywood.
Okay.
- Three.
Two.
One.
- You know, they need
to see my whole face.
Ha, ha.
You know, this is our big shot.
Okay, Mr. DeMille.
- Yeah, you look great.
- It's gotta look good.
If we're gonna get outta here,
it's gotta look really good.
You know, this is our big shot.
Oh my god, just imagine that.
You and I in Hollywood.
Okay.
I'm ready for my close up.
I can't believe it's finally mine.
Look how it sparkles.
- You're my girl.
Forever.
You'll see.
- Ugh!
You didn't even look!
You should be paying attention.
This could be for your girl one day.
I know, you're still too weird
and awkward to have a girlfriend.
Hold on, James.
Bring me a piece of paper and a pen now.
What... what's the address again?
You know, son.
This sign has been here for awhile.
An East Coast publisher came in 1923
and built this $21,000
billboard to advertise
his upscale real estate development.
And he named it...
Hollywood Land.
- Hollywood Land.
- Isn't that a beautiful name?
And its message remains
the same over the years.
Here is where magic is possible.
Where dreams come true.
But remember, James.
Dream big.
And never forget.
You must always give it your all.
If you're not gonna give me the part.
I'll give myself the part.
I'll give myself the starring role.
Wait until you see what I can do.
- Okay, so, let's just go
over some things for tomorrow.
I just want you to be yourself.
I just want you to be you.
- Mm-hm.
- I kinda just want to
film you and me and Casey
just kind of doing our thing.
- Okay.
- Being just ourselves.
Hey, what up?
- Freak!
Freaking bullshit!
Freaking bullshit, man!
One day you're gonna beg for me to play!
You're gonna beg and that
shit ain't happening!
- You okay?
- Yeah, I'm fine.
The place is not for rent anymore.
All right, we lost it.
- Casey, we're driving already, man.
We have the whole car packed up.
- Don't get mad at me.
It's not my fault.
- Then whose is it?
You were supposed to be there earlier.
- Sorry, Skyler.
I got held up at the venue
trying to get a gig there.
- Let's just go home.
- No, come on.
There's gotta be another way, right?
- James, watch out! For Christ sake!
What the hell are you doing?
This is not okay.
We don't have a place to stay tonight.
- Yeah, we do.
I got a backup.
6289 Hollywood Boulevard.
It's um...
Closer to the sign, too.
Where we're filming tomorrow.
- How do you know about this place?
- Yes, I've got it.
6289 Hollywood Boulevard.
- So you're just not gonna tell me?
- Sometimes you gotta trust
in the unknown, Skyler.
I got a plan for us.
You'll see.
- I sure can't
wait to find out what it is.
- If you listen.
You can hear the call.
There is a place called Hollywood.
- Swept on forever.
In the worlds underneath the sun.
- Are you looking for trouble, bro?
- Are you chicken?
You got a dollar for me?
- Does it look like I got a dollar?
- I saw you find your way
in the venue back there.
It's not gonna happen like that.
I tried there for many years.
Now I am who I am.
People always call me pretty boy.
I guess dressing up for pictures will do.
She always had it in her.
She just had gotten a
part on this soap opera.
Then she got pregnant with me and...
Just before things
started working for her.
- Oh James, it went so good.
And then the casting director said,
he liked my dress.
Isn't that nice?
- I wish I got the chance
to know her better.
- I got the apartment.
- But...
- Oh, don't worry, darling.
I'll send for you very, very soon.
This is supposed to be the one.
I could feel it.
I could feel it in the
audition, this was the one.
They said they liked it.
- Mom, you're
taking everything with you.
- Not this.
- Your ring?
Are you sure?
- Yes, because now you know
I would never leave this ring.
It's just me and you, kid.
Nothing's gonna break us.
Trust me.
I'm so sick of waiting.
- I love you, Mom.
- Ring.
You need to ring.
- Do you think you got the place?
- Oh yeah.
He didn't call, so I'm
sure everything's fine.
What?
- Well, you know
he's not been fine lately.
- What, Alice told you something?
- Let's just say
it's not looking good for him.
- What?
- Just don't
say anything, please.
Please.
- I hope he's not mad we're late.
- It's Casey, ha.
He's just playing his guitar.
- Dude, I thought you
guys would never make it.
- Me too.
- Let's eat.
- This is the thing
that's gonna fix everything.
This is what gets us
out of this stupid dump!
- You can't
push me around like this.
- I'm gonna go grab some
boxes from downstairs.
- I'm coming with.
- Richie, why do
you always do this to me?
You said you were gonna call.
And I fell for you again, god damn it!
- Wow.
She really did move to LA.
- At least call me, damn it!
- What's that?
- God.
It's just worse.
- Hey, turn that thing off!
- Hey, you guys okay?
- Yeah, we're fine.
- It's time for some pizza.
Let's all chill out, I'm tired.
- I wish we had a TV so that
we could watch something.
- I got you, babe.
You want a show?
I'll give you one.
Whatever you want.
- James, oh my god.
- Dude, stop.
It's not even funny.
- Stop!
Stop, oh my god.
It's the worst show I've ever seen.
- Do you have the acid tabs?
- Hey, Dad.
Yeah, we just got here.
Can I call you later?
- You got your phone?
- Yes.
- Where is it?
- It's right in here.
- Call us as soon as you get there, okay?
Promise?
- Yeah.
- Promise?
- Yes.
- All right, okay.
- James, don't forget, oil.
- Yes, sir.
- Okay, bye, bye, bye.
I'll call you when I get there.
- I'm not crazy about that kid.
- I know.
- What did he want?
- Nothing.
- Are you sure?
- He just worries.
- About what?
- My college thing.
I have to do it soon.
- There's nothing to worry about.
Life in LA is gonna be good for you.
When you get a job as an actress.
I'm gonna do my film.
Everything's gonna be great.
- Do you really think I can
get a job in the movies?
- Absolutely.
Not.
You're terrible.
I'm joking, yes, of course, Skyler.
And tomorrow is gonna
be the test, you see.
It's gonna be your perfect opportunity
to showcase your talents.
And start everything off with a big bam.
- Hold up.
Are you talking about your shoot tomorrow?
I'm sorry, man. I can't make it.
Something came up.
Um, I actually landed my first LA gig.
- Dude.
You got your first gig in LA.
- Congrats, man.
- Yeah.
You know, it's...
It's not what I expected,
but it's something.
- Okay, all right, well don't
keep us in suspense, where at?
- It's just a Mexican
joint down the street.
I mean, after the venue blew me off.
I don't know, I just walked by and saw it.
I just went in, asked
them, and they said, okay.
I don't know, it's something.
Until I'm playing stadiums.
- Right, you gotta start somewhere.
- Maybe a Hollywood producer
will be there and see you.
- Well...
- That's what they say, right?
You never know who's gonna be there.
- I think that's a bit of a myth.
You're cute, though.
- Okay.
- It would have been great
to have you there, though.
- Yeah, I'm sorry, man.
I just can't make it this time.
- I need you there.
- Are we expecting someone?
- I even talked to this
really nice manager
of an apartment building
on Hollywood Boulevard.
- Wow.
- I love you.
Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!
I knew you'd understand.
You know how hard it is for us.
This is so perfect.
- Good evening.
- Uh... hey.
You are?
- Oh my neighbors.
Do not be afraid of what
destiny has planned for you.
- What'd you say?
- I suppose.
I'm allowed?
And I've come in.
I've come here to greet them.
To welcome the new tenants.
And to make sure that
you'll have a lovely stay.
- Uh...
Thanks for... for leaving the key.
Uh...
You know, I thought we were
supposed to meet tomorrow.
- Tomorrow?
No.
No.
No, she wanted me to come greet you.
Tonight.
To welcome you.
To welcome you back home again.
- Uh...
You sounded different on the phone.
- Different?
- You sound the same.
- And who are you?
- I'm Skyler.
- Oh.
How nice.
And so...
An actress.
A musician.
And you...
- I came here to make a movie
about the Hollywood sign.
- Shh.
You don't need to explain yourself.
If your heart is in Hollywood.
It's always been in Hollywood.
- We can really get to the sign.
We did.
And it's the highest
landmark in Hollywood.
- Excuse me.
- It's the perfect place.
- I have to go.
- They'll see me now.
I'll show them.
James.
Get up.
Sleepy boy, wakey wakey.
Come on, we're gonna be late.
You better hold the camera properly today.
- Now remember what I said.
Get a really nice frame and
make sure it's in focus, okay?
- You look great.
- Don't cut my head.
Whatever you do, don't cut my head off.
You know.
They need to see my whole face, ha, ha.
- Three.
Two.
- Wow, you know, if
you do this really well
you could be a director one day.
This is our real big shot now.
From here to Hollywood.
If you do this right.
- Damn.
- Huh?
- Uh...
I don't think you did it right.
I don't think you were recording.
Huh.
Damn.
Do you even know how to
use a camera, Skyler?
Ugh, one second.
- You know, we could do this together.
And wouldn't that be fun?
Imagine that.
The two of us in Hollywood together.
I'm a big star and you're my big director.
- Casey?
Where'd you go, man?
Casey?
Your girlfriend's texting you!
Did you hear me calling you?
- I was in the bathroom for Christ sake.
- Oh my god.
- Okay, is it necessary
to film all of this?
- Yeah it is, man!
- Can I have my phone, please?
- All right, we've got everything we need?
- I've got headlights, water bottles
and threw a vodka bottle
in there, just in case.
- Nice job.
- Also, I might have
added some magic in it.
Also...
- Uh-huh?
- Um...
First aid kit.
An extra pair of socks.
Lighter and...
Glow sticks.
- Glow sticks?
- My dad gave them to
me for safety purposes.
- Ah, of course.
Yeah.
Yeah, I think we're fine.
Hey.
Are you okay?
- They canceled my gig.
- Why?
- I don't know.
I was so excited.
- We're just.
Little cockroaches.
Not for long, though, all right?
- No, I don't wanna be a cockroach.
Man, I'm gonna be a star.
- We all want that, Casey.
- And it's official.
She doesn't want to be with me anymore.
- Maybe it's for the best.
Now you both have time
to work on your careers.
- But you and James make it work somehow.
- We try.
- Well come on, man.
We can't have you just
moping around here all day.
All right?
Why don't you come along.
- Nah, I'd rather just stay here.
- Uh...
Um.
Hey, yeah, it's good, perfect.
Here, I have an extra GoPro, dude.
You can be my second cameraman.
- I'm not a cameraman, I don't wanna film.
- It's super easy, man.
You just put, I gotta fold-a-rig.
Put it on there.
It'll get ya outta the house.
Come on.
You gotta come with, buddy, okay?
I can't... I can't leave you like this.
- Fine.
Whatever.
I mean, do we even have
directions and all that stuff?
- Hell yeah.
We got it on the smart phone.
Smart phones.
A smart phone?
- No, if we're going up in the woods,
we're gonna need a backup.
- Yeah, I can't disagree with you here.
- All right, well, I go
draw up a good old map.
Come on, you got nothing to worry about.
Okay, it's gonna be fun.
- Move your ass.
- I'm coming, hold on.
- Good morning, ma'am.
What the hell was that?
- Not the exact welcoming I imagined
from our new neighbors.
- Everyone is weird around here, man.
- Maybe they're just scared.
From the tenants before us.
- I wonder who these people are.
- They're just like us.
Dreamers.
- Big dreams.
- Bigger nightmares.
- Olivia
Donovan of Newberry Springs
committed suicide last night.
She jumped from the top
of the Hollywood sign
on what was the coldest night
in Los Angeles weather history.
Her snow covered body was found beneath
the sign O this morning.
The single mother leaves
behind a 15-year-old son.
Will Olivia be the last
victim of the Hollywood dream?
- Dance, dance!
Oh come on, don't be shy! Dance with me.
- James!
Who are you talking to?
- The old man who just ran in front of us.
- There's no one in the street.
- Pretty sure there was.
- You've been staring at that old man.
- Skyler.
- Yeah?
- Stay here.
Sunny day, isn't it?
Never rains here.
Sort of like a dream place to be, huh?
Could you take a look at this for me?
Sir?
- Did you not already ask
me a couple of days ago?
- Have you seen this woman before?
- Leave her alone.
Will you leave that alone, Jim?
This town is not a place
for people like your mother.
This town is full of jokers and monsters.
Leave.
Take your girlfriend and
marry her someplace nice.
Have a good life away from this madness.
- Let's get outta here.
- What was that all about?
- That guy, uh...
- What?
Did you interview him
for your documentary?
- I talked to him about my mom.
- Hey.
- Why?
- If I tell you, do you
promise not to freak out?
I just need to see her again, you know.
- Here?
- If her spirit was
anywhere, it'd be here.
She chases this Hollywood
dream as much as we do.
I just wanna see if we're alike.
- To think we were coming here to shoot
one of your goofy ass videos.
- We're still making something.
We're still making something, Case.
Do you trust me?
- For the most part, yeah. Ha!
- Good.
Good.
Good.
- Can we even make it up there by sunset?
- Dude, I don't think we should park here.
- Hopefully the car's still
here when we get back.
This goes here.
There you go.
- Oh.
- Yup.
Just.
Like.
This.
- Sick, bro.
Yee, hee!
- Oh!
- That was sick, bro.
- Good shit.
- Thanks, G.
- I think I've seen this before.
- This was in the Batman movie.
- What Batman are we talking about?
- What's so funny?
- Hey, everybody's
crazed up on movies, bro.
- You guys heading up to the sign?
- Yeah, we're going right now.
- The sun is coming down.
- That's fine, man.
We want to see it at night.
You guys ever been up there?
- Nah, we normally stay down here,
steady to the ground, a
couple inches off of it, ha.
- How come?
- We don't want any trouble, man.
- We never go there, bro.
- Yeah, especially after dark.
- Let's watch that footage.
- Let's go, man.
- Oh, sugar, sugar.
- Boom!
- Be careful up there, bro!
- Olivia Donovan.
- Donovan, Donovan.
Uh... no, I don't have you on the list.
Sorry, thank you.
- But my agent said that...
- Yeah, your
agent said. Who's your agent?
- Richie Cal--
- Yeah, it
really doesn't matter.
I'm not adding anybody to the list, sorry.
- But...
- That's not
how Hollywood works.
That's the problem.
Everybody thinks they deserve a shot.
- But isn't your job
to see everyone for the role?
- Maybe you're
not hearing me, Olivia.
It's not happening.
- But just this
once, because I learned--
- Thank you, next.
- And I'm ready.
Can't--
- Goodbye.
- It feels so chilly.
- We're really down on this hike.
It feels like I'm climbing a mountain.
- This is a mountain.
This used to be real estate heaven.
A publisher came around
here from the East Coast
in 1923, and he built this for $21,000.
Designed for a new real estate
development project titled.
- Hollywood Land.
- It was all just an
advertisement for selling homes?
- And it just never went out of business.
- Its message remains
the same 'til this day.
This is the place where dreams come true.
Where magic happens.
A little strange, though.
Feels a bit cold.
- Stop staring
at me, little creep.
- Mom, I missed school today.
- You have two legs, don't you?
- Mom, are you sure
you don't need anything?
- How about you bring me
a bottle of vodka and a cup of ice?
- Richie is gonna call.
- I didn't ask you.
Now, let's go.
- It's hot outside.
- Don't make me wait.
I said, I'm ready.
Okay, I'm ready for my close up.
You're shaking the camera.
Okay.
You're shaking the camera!
It's not good enough, James.
You're gonna look back at this day
and you're gonna remember.
When I'm up there and my name's in lights,
you're gonna remember, you
couldn't even hold the camera.
You couldn't even do the
one thing I asked you.
It's like I'm working against all you men.
You're just like your father.
- This camera's old and it's heavy.
- Don't talk back to me.
I've said that enough times already.
No dinner for you.
No dinner, no toys, and you
can kiss those goggles goodbye.
And if you say one more word,
I swear to god.
I don't know what else you're gonna lose,
but you're gonna lose it.
Now take the camera and do what I said.
- I'm trying.
- Try harder.
You're not gonna stop me becoming a star.
- You know, I used to go
out auditioning with my mom.
- Really?
- Did you uh, one of those silly little
commercial auditions or something, right?
- Yeah, nothing major, but I loved it.
I loved it when she took me
with her to her auditions.
Ah, I remember it used to be the best days
when casting went well.
And she eventually rented
a little place here in Hollywood.
I had to stay back at the trailer park,
because, you know, I had school and stuff.
Until one day, she just never returned.
And you know, eventually,
it just made sense to move out here too.
Out here I really realized just how hard
it is to chase a dream.
Just fighting for
something you really want.
Just over and over.
Just getting the same result.
Never getting a break.
It's just really defeating.
- I blew it.
You bombed.
You knew the part.
I'm never get a call back.
- How did it go?
Mom, it's okay, they're gonna
call us back, I know it.
- What do you know?
You don't know anything.
We will always be some
little cockroaches for them.
Tiny cockroaches getting
squished under their shoes.
Is that what you want?
You want to be a little
cockroach your whole life?
What are you doing?
What is wrong with you?
Why are you shaking?
Weak, weak, weak.
I can't stand this anymore.
Spineless little boy.
If you scream, what good is that?
Ah!
How do you like it?
How do you like it?
Stop screaming!
- Was she ever in a movie?
- Um...
There was this one role that
she really, really wanted.
She uh...
We just practiced for it all the time.
- Okay, Mr. DeMille.
Oh my god, just imagine that.
You and I in Hollywood.
Okay.
- You guys want a sip?
- Oh, ho!
- No, I said a sip!
That's the acid.
- Am I gonna see things now?
- Not really.
- I left my phone at the car.
Can we go get it?
- Skyler!
- You know my dad wants me to
check in with him everyday.
There's no service.
- Are you serious?
Ugh.
- Look.
- I'm... I'm excited for you, man.
When are you thinking about asking her?
- You're trying to ask her on this hike?
- Why are you saying that
like I'm crazy or something?
- I'm just looking out for you, man.
- I think it'd be beautiful.
I think she's gonna love it.
All this beauty around us, you know.
- Yeah, no.
Everything's good.
Yeah, I will, I will.
- I lost one of the most
important women of my life.
I can't lose the other.
- All right.
I support it.
- Dude, thank you.
- Okay, don't get sentimental on me, man.
That's for her.
Save it for the sign.
- James.
- Hey.
Hey, what happened?
- It happened so fast.
I don't know what hit me.
- Holy shit.
- It's okay, it's okay.
It's okay, it's okay.
It's gonna be okay, it's okay.
It's okay.
- Somebody... somebody's out there.
James.
- You're good, come on, come on, come on.
Let's go, come on, come on.
Come on, come on!
Skyler, Skyler, come on.
Come on. This way.
Come on, come on.
Skyler, come on.
Go, go, go.
Keep going.
- James.
- We're safe here.
I knew it.
We're not lost here.
You hear that, Skyler?
We're safe here.
We're not lost here.
- What the fuck?
- James!
- Are you there?
- It's an emergency.
- We've gotta get to the sign.
We should stay close to the trail.
And walk along it.
- I heard them.
- Where are they?
- We've gotta turn back.
Someone's after us.
- You heard it?
- Yo.
Where the hell is that noise coming from?
- Be quiet.
- Where the hell
is that voice coming from?
- Who's there!
- James.
- I'm not sure this is such a good idea.
- How are we gonna know how to get back?
- James...
- Just trust me.
- Did I just see that?
Was it real?
- Oh my god.
Oh my god! Was that real?
Yo, whoever... whoever that is,
this is some messed up shit.
You hear me? Y'all are fucked up!
- Oh my god, where are we?
I don't even know which way to go now.
- Yo, we have to turn back.
- We're never going
to make it to the sign.
- Hello?
- I don't
wanna keep going, James!
- Skyler.
We can't go back until we get to the sign.
- We're not welcome here, James.
- James.
- I don't
wanna keep going, James.
- It's okay, we can't go back
until we get to the sign.
- James...
- You still
want to take us there?
We have to call the police!
There's a dead person hanging!
- We can't call the
police, there's no service.
- Dude, we have to tell
someone about the dead body.
- Guys, I know we need to tell somebody!
I know, okay!
My phone's not fucking working!
Is your phones working?
- James.
- I never thought anything
would harm us coming here.
- James.
- I didn't think anything
would harm us coming here.
- What are you talking about?
- James, what are you talking about?
- I'm just trying to find my mom.
I'm just trying to find my mom.
Skyler.
- James.
- Would you just trust me?
Let's go.
Come on.
- James.
- It's gonna be okay.
Let's just get to the sign.
- James.
James...
James...
- Guys, you realize this
is the same tree, right?
- James, the sticks,
someone picked them up.
- James, I'm waiting for you.
I'm waiting for you to come film me.
- Mom?
- It's the acid talking.
It's just a hallucination.
Don't listen to the voices
inside your head, it's not real.
- You know, this is our big shot.
- It's fear
screaming inside your brain.
Just let it go and move on.
She did this to herself.
You don't have to go, James.
Let's go home.
- Hey Mom, would you
play video games with me?
- Don't you see,
I'm learning my lines
for my audition!
- Let it go.
- This place haunts people.
- I don't wanna die, James.
- She'll never love you
like you deserve to be loved.
- We need help, James.
- This place is haunted.
- I really think this
trip should end here.
I mean, you still have to tell
me what you haven't told me.
- Skyler.
- I don't know about you all,
but I'm done, okay?
I'm going home.
- James.
- I didn't think she'd let us get hurt.
I didn't think she'd let
us get hurt. Casey! Casey!
Wait!
- James, she's not here!
She wouldn't do this to us.
- I have to! I have to go and film it.
This is my art!
This is what I care about!
Casey, this is...
- James, this whole thing is stupid!
You don't make a movie
about your dead mother!
- This is something I have
to do. Please, come with me.
Please, come with me.
- James, come back another time.
- Skyler, why are you doing this?
- James...
- I'm trying to save you.
- I don't need you to save me.
I need you to come with me.
- Don't let them ruin you.
- Is this what
Hollywood makes of us?
- Don't let them ruin this.
- We turn into these obsessed people
who don't care about each other?
- No.
- James...
- Listen, it's me and you.
I'm not gonna let anything break us.
- He has a little surprise for you.
- Shut up.
- No, tell her.
Just get it over with.
- You fucking ruined it, Casey.
- You're not fucking keeping me up here!
- They don't love you.
- James.
James!
James!
- James...
James...
James, what if we make it, for real?
- I know you can do it, Mom.
- What if I
can't, James, then what?
- It's impossible,
you're the best.
- This has been one of
the best days of my life.
Last one.
One day we'll be on the stars.
Imagine that!
- I can be your director, maybe.
- We'll have to try to get
two sidewalk spaces together.
Ah, ha!
Oh, let's do it!
Aw!
Look at all the lights!
Don't you love Hollywood? Look!
- James.
James!
James.
Where's James?
- James!
- Where are you?
- Wait, wait, maybe he ran for help.
- He was just here.
What happened?
- I'm sure he went for help.
All right, we need to go right now.
Okay, we can't stay a minute longer.
- He would never leave us behind.
He wanted us to go up there.
- But Skyler, he
went to call for help.
Okay, let's follow him.
All right, let's... let's
go back the way we came.
All right?
Come on.
- No!
I can't leave without him.
James!
- Skyler, wait.
- I wish I could
ask you one last thing.
- He's not here, Skyler.
Skyler.
Let's go.
All right, he...
He's probably already
back at the apartment.
- You're my girl.
Forever.
- We should go.
- James.
James.
- I knew it.
We're safe here.
I told you.
We're not lost.
I told you.
We're not lost here.
I told you, Skyler.
We're safe here, I knew it.
We're not lost here.
I knew it.
We're not lost here.
- James...
- I knew it.
We're almost there.
We're not lost here.
- Keep going, James.
Good boy.
Keep going, further up.
Almost there.
Come on, I'm waiting.
They didn't deserve me,
now I won't let them have anything of me.
- Mom?
Mom?
Mom?
Mom!
Mom.
Mom!
Mom?
- You're shaking the camera.
You're shaking the camera!
It's not good enough, James.
They're never gonna let me.
- I promised to try.
It wasn't good enough.
I tried, I really tried.
- Take those stupid goggles off!
You're not taking this seriously at all.
You wanna live here forever?
Are you trying to ruin
my career, is that it?
You don't want me to be a star?
You're just like your father.
A dumb freak.
- I promise, I tried.
It wasn't good enough.
I wasn't.
So, I tried.
And I tried, and I tried.
But you were gone.
So I tried and I try.
I promise, I tried.
- No, James, you didn't.
It's not good enough until
you give it your all.
- I tried.
- Oh don't, with your pitiful,
"I tried, Mom."
- It wasn't good enough.
- Now.
I'm gonna count to three.
And I'm gonna breathe and
calm all this down again.
I'm not gonna let you ruin my chance.
You take the camera.
One, two, three.
Everything is good again.
James.
You finally made it here, my love.
- I'm sorry, Mom.
- You really made me wait.
- Don't leave me now.
- You're shaking the camera.
- Why'd you do it?
- When you're down and defeated.
When you gave it your all and
there's nothing left to give.
- I tried, I tried.
I tried, I tried, I tried!
- Then...
Follow me.
This is the way.
This way.
- I wasn't good enough for you.
- James.
Let's make your beautiful film together.
- Mom! Stop!
Don't leave me now.
- Come, James.
- No!
- Follow me.
- I've had enough!
- This way.
They will watch it.
They will know.
Come, James.
Trust me.
Trust me.
Trust me.
Now count to five.
- But Mom...
I love you.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
I just wanted you to love me.
Wait.
Mom!
Oh my god!
- Wait until
you see what I can do.
You'll pay attention to me then.
Oh yes, you will.
Everybody's gonna pay attention.
And you're gonna know what you missed.
- Oh shit, you're the new tenants?
- Uh...
- I'm early.
For the apartment, sorry,
but early bird gets the worm.
- Didn't we...
Didn't we talk last night?
The night before, I mean.
- Uh, yeah, we did.
And then this nice lady called
and said that you kids needed a lease.
So I put the keys under the door.
Did you find everything all right?
I normally don't rent to people
until I meet 'em in person.
She was worried about you too.
I have no idea why, but.
So, I decided to make an exception.
Your lucky day.
- Did she say who she was?
- I assumed she was James' mother.
Are you James?
Well, she was a nice woman.
A very nice woman.
Are you guys all right?
- Hey.
Are you sure we haven't met before?
- I don't think I'm losing my memory.
I'm not that old.
But I don't recall ever
meeting you before.
- It's okay.
We're confusing you with someone else.
- All right, well, I'll let you to it.
Sign that lease, huh?
Put it in my mailbox.
- There might not actually
be a need for that.
- Welcome.
- Oh, hello!
- Hi!
- I've gotta
switch battery in a second.
- Quiet on set.
- Set.
- All right, places.
All right, sound.
- Cool.
- Okay, and action.
- Dreams.
Or nightmares.
Sanity or madness.
I'm not sure what life is supposed to be.
- Jackson O'Neill,
Los Angeles, California.
- Hollywood.
- Here we come.
- You're still here.
Go on, get out.
There's nothing more for you to look at.
Stop staring.