The Observance (2026) Movie Script
1
[FANFARE]
[DARK FANFARE]
[BRIGHT FANFARE]
[INSECTS CHIRPING]]
-[MAN PANTING]
-[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[TENSE MUSIC]
[MAN GASPS]
[WATER RUSHING]
[UNSETTLING MUSIC]
[CAR APPROACHES]
Ugh.
-Hey.
-Hey.
-Megan baked you some cookies.
-Oh, really?
Yeah, yeah.
Megan. Megan is baking now.
Yeah, she bakes,
she cooks, she cleans,
homeschooling the kids. [LAUGH]
Just wish it was her idea,
not the church's, but whatever.
Wanted me to tell
you that she's praying for you.
-How nice.
-Yeah.
Say, did you wanna
join me and Gabe for lunch?
No, no, no, no,
you guys go ahead.
Plus there's a hot plate of
jambalaya I wanna get to know.
[LAUGH]
[MUSIC]
Thank you, Myra. Um...
I'll do my best.
Okay. Bye.
Did you eat already?
That was Myra Kennington.
Okay.
Guess who's doing
the Jean Nouvelle interview
for Architectural Digest.
Great, when's the interview?
5 PM, tonight.
Tonight is my awards dinner.
Calm down, I know, I know.
We're not gonna miss
your little ceremony, okay?
It's phone interview,
30 minutes max.
We'll make it to
the event in time for the award,
I promise you.
Okay, now I'm so sorry,
but I need to go prep.
Okay, all right.
I'll make it up
to you tonight, okay?
Fine.
-I love you.
-I love you too.
[MUSIC]
[SIGHS]
[MUSIC]
BILLY: Good afternoon, Madison.
How are you today?
Are you sure you don't
wanna reconsider our offer?
I don't know if
you are a deaf, dumb, or both.
So I'm only gonna
say this one last time.
I am never, ever, gonna give
my farm away to your group.
So stop asking.
[MUSIC]
I saw you listed your family's
land for housing development.
Just this morning.
[MUSIC]
Listen here, you little prick.
-Hey.
-Keep your nose out of my business.
Otherwise, I'm gonna sue
you and all of your cronies
for every grimy nickel you have.
Okay, okay, come on.
We're praying for you.
Selling your daddy's farm
off to land developers, are you?
That's a new low,
even for you, girly.
[MUSIC]
That greedy bitch is
gonna sell off this entire town
right out from under our noses.
I'm headed back to the office.
Hey, hey, Maddie, look,
I understand you're upset, but
they were gonna
find out sooner or later,
so don't sweat it, okay?
Look, that land has
been barren for what, 30 years?
It's not good for
farming or anything,
and at least now it'll be
put to good use for families.
Can you make sure that you
finish the Payne paperwork before
you head home for the night?
Yeah, sure.
Thanks.
[ROLLING THUNDER]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Well, this is a nice surprise.
I've been waiting
for you to get home, Mom.
Okay, so, what do we have here?
Do you like it?
It's really good, all this.
Yeah, thanks.
It's taken a while.
Proud of you, kiddo.
Wait, have
you showed this to Dad yet?
No.
Well, you know what?
I think we should go show him.
-It's too good not to share.
-Okay.
Okay.
-Hey.
Hey.
Look at what Nia did.
Yeah, that's lovely.
Sweetheart, it's...
-[DOOR SLAMS]
-Could you just...
Are you almost done?
You know, the awards
dinner starts in about...
Yeah, yeah, I got it.
Worst case,
we just drive separate.
Fine.
Announcer:
A Controversial Religious group
is in the news tonight,
A bizarre funeral ritual...
[TV CLICKS OFF]
Aw, thank you, baby.
I'm sorry I was short
with you earlier. Okay?
Your drawing was really good.
And I'm proud of you.
Let's go.
We better get going
before Mama gets mad.
[PHONE RINGING]
Hey, Myra, how's it going?
[MUTTERS]
[DOOR SLAMS]
Yeah, sure. Yeah, I can talk.
[HEAVY RAIN]
[PHONE RINGS]
GABE: Hey, sorry. I just had to
get that article out of the way.
GABE: So
you gonna speak to me or...
What do you want me to say?
Don't you understand how
important this is for my career?
Gabriel,
I think you really need to just
focus on finding a real job
that actually pays money.
Really getting tired of
supporting this family all by myself.
Just, okay, just wait a minute.
Do you think I really
wanted to sell my land?
That's not fair and you know it.
I don't want to do
this right now. Okay?
Please don't be like this.
-So, can we just not?
-[HORN BLARES]
I'm not interested in...
[CRASH]
[CAR HORN HONKING]
[CAR HORN FADES]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC RISES]
[HEARTBEAT MONITOR BEEPS]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[CRESCENDO]
Welcome back, Madison.
[DRAMATIC IMPACT]
[MOURNFUL MUSIC]
Five years?
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
I can't... I can't breathe.
Why don't we call Gabriel?
No, please.
Not yet.
[MUSIC]
DR. ROTHWELL: I've been reading
about the effects of Delphatrex
on coma patients for a while now.
There's actually six
others that have been revived
within the last 18
months with this medication.
Your seizures forced the issue.
So how does it work?
Patients are awakened
with small
regulated doses in the daytime.
And at night?
They slip back
into a partial coma.
So this is what
I have to look forward to?
What happens if I miss a dose?
You could lapse into a full coma.
Permanently.
Let's call Gabriel now, okay?
[SAD MUSIC]
MADISON [V.O.]: Why
haven't the scars faded?
DR. ROTHWELL
[V.O.]:They're hypertrophic.
MADISON
[V.O.]:What's that mean?
DR. ROTHWELL: A buildup
of collagen and fibrinogen
under the wound means
they can stay red and inflamed
or an abnormally long time.
MADISON [V.O.]:How long?
DR. ROTHWELL [V.O.]:
They may never fully heal.
[DOOR OPENS]
[SAD MUSIC]
Hey...
No, no...
[SOBS]
Hey... C'mon...
[SOBBING]
It's been a long time.
You got old.
I can't. No, no, no, hey, no.
Hey, look at me.
Come on.
I've seen this face every day.
It's not that.
I swear.
It's just, I mean,
I haven't held you in five years.
It feels...
Sinful.
Where's Nia?
God has answered all my prayers.
[MUSIC]
NURSE: So this
injector patch will administer
all your required doses
of Delphatrex during the day.
[INJECTION NOISE]
[BEEP]
It will inject you every
four hours and stop at 8 p.m.
These are backup pens,
in case your patch malfunctions.
It's very easy to break the vials and
the needles if you're rough with them.
DR. ROTHWELL: We all good here?
All set.
-Good luck.
-Thank you.
No driving, okay?
You're under the influence
of sleep medication.
Elevated adrenaline combined with Delphatrex
has been known to cause blackouts.
I'll have a nurse call Gabriel.
No.
I want to surprise him.
[DOOR SLAM]
[SOFT MUSIC]
0[DISTURBING MUSIC]
Gabe?
[DISTURBING MUSIC]
Hey, I'm home.
[DISTURBING MUSIC]
Gabe?
[MUSIC RISES]
[DRAMATIC HIT]
Madison.
[TENSE MUSIC]
She's here.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Madison,
it is so nice
to finally meet you.
I'm Jonah.
Would you come on inside,
we'll fetch Gabriel.
[DOOR SHUTS ]
How you feeling, Madison?
I feel fine.
Do you?
What is this?
Where did you say Gabriel was?
Oh, I didn't.
You must be very anxious
after being
disconnected from Gabriel
and Nia for all these years.
What are you talking about?
It worries you that you've
been asleep for all that time.
I was in a coma.
Look, I just want to
know where my husband is.
I did not mean to upset you.
You didn't. I'm not upset.
It's okay to be upset, Madison.
You have been through a lot.
I am not upset.
Y'know, going
through a trauma like yours
makes one think about how
hollow life can be, doesn't it?
I mean, without faith.
What? I...
Do you believe that God has given
you a second chance, Madison?
Do you believe
that our Master has saved you?
Sorry, did Gabe sell you my farm?
I mean,
what is that barn outside?
Gabriel would never think
of selling your family farm.
Do you wonder if he and Nia
came to see you while you slept?
Why are you in my home?
[TENSE MUSIC]
Gabriel is on his way.
[TENSE MUSIC]
You have beautiful hair, Madison.
Why are you in my home?
[MUSIC]
We live here now.
What?!
We love this house and
your family, as our own.
Do you worry that Gabriel
was unfaithful while you slept?
I told you I wasn't asleep.
What are you saying?
It must scare you though.
The things that may have
happened while you were asleep.
I was in a coma.
Stop saying I was asleep.
You would never.
Who the hell do
you think you are?
Where's Gabe?
Gabriel's in
our temple at a prayer vigil.
Prayer vigil?
Drink.
[TENSE MUSIC]
You have to understand, Madison.
I'm only looking out
for Gabriel and Nia here.
It has been five years and frankly,
I have a responsibility to them.
Who are you?
Why is any of this
your responsibility?
Why the hell are you in my house?
Madison.
This house is yours.
[DOOR OPENS]
Gabe. I don't...
Wait.
Who are these...
Dr. Rothwell said he was going
to keep you at least another week.
What's happened to Gabe?
Why did you build that barn?
Who are those people?
Why are they in our home?
We're going home.
What car is this?
What are you saying? What is...
You need to rest.
Shit.
[DOOR OPENS]
GABE: Nia?
Your mother's home.
Nia!
Oh my God.
Look at you, you're so...
Why did you bring her here?
We don't need her.
It's still me.
Don't touch me.
I don't even know you.
Nia, come on.
-What? I can't...
-Wait.
Wait. Easy.
She's...
All right.
You've been gone a long time.
Did she ever come
visit me in the hospital?
Jonah felt it best she didn't.
Who IS he, Gabe?
[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]
[CHILDLIKE WHISPERS]
[SOFT FOOTSTEPS OUTSIDE DOOR]
[UNSETTLING SOUNDS]
[UNSETTLING AMBIENCE]
[UNSETTLING MUSIC RISES]
[WHISPERING]
WHISPER: Don't look at it.
WHISPER: Don't Go
WHISPER: You won't like it
[DARK MUSIC RISES]
WHISPER: Go!
WHISPER: Go!
WHISPER: It's you. Don't.
[DARK MUSIC RISES TO CRESCENDO]
[SCREAMING]
[INJECTOR BEEPS]
Hey.
You OK?
Bad dream.
[SCHOOL BUS HORN]
The bus is here.
Have a good day.
Whoa!
Don't forget that!
[DOOR SHUTS]
Teenagers hate
everything and everyone, OK?
Especially parents.
How is she finding St. Mary's?
Um, Nia goes to
the Observance school now.
It opened up
about three years ago.
The Observance?
Yeah.
That's where Nia goes now.
Jonah was actually
able to get her a scholarship.
Why would Nia need a scholarship?
-You and Nia should have been set for life.
-Look, the important thing...
You still have the money,
right, Gabriel?
-Hey, are you OK?
-No, I'm not OK.
I just found out my
daughter's a charity case.
It's not like that, OK?
-We love this place.
-I loved my farm.
But why were you selling it?
Because at least ONE of us
needed to provide for our family.
I'm assuming that you're still
waiting on that big writing break.
-A lot has happened.
-What happened to the money? Gabriel?
I know it's hard for
someone like you to see,
but it's all for the
Observance's blessed purpose.
Someone like me?
A non-believer.
What the hell is happening?
Whoa, hey. Whoa.
Hey.
That should help you feel better.
Jonah said that this transition
would be difficult for you.
My transition is
none of his business.
He's our pastor.
-YOUR pastor.
-Look, he just wants to help.
You know, I asked Richard Abernathy
to look into the tax records on the house.
It's still in our name.
Of course it's still in
our name. It's still our house.
Then what
the hell is going on here?
Jonah will explain everything.
Then I guess I'd
better go ask him then.
Uh, no, no.
You shouldn't be driving.
It's my house and my family farm.
I want it back.
You can't just kick them out.
Watch me.
[TRANQUIL MUSIC]
[SINISTER MUSIC]
JONAH: God lives on
your land now, Madison.
What did you do?
I Prayed. Our church.
Prayed. All of us.
We knew that this was the right
place for us to build our church. Here.
My land.
I don't expect you to understand
all of this right now.
Could you just kick me
and my family off their...
[GASPS IN PAIN]
Madison,
this has been hard on you.
I don't think you can
see the whole picture yet.
I can see that your
'Observance' Coerced my husband
in to paying off our mortgage
with my insurance money.
Getting him to
sign over our farm...
I had a vision from God
that he wanted to
provide us with this habitation.
This beautiful sanctuary.
Come inside.
JONAH: You have to
understand, Madison,
that the Observance of us moving
in and sanctifying this habitation
is to us
a beautiful and holy ceremony.
Not unlike
the covenant of marriage.
[TEARING]
Those are yours to
do with as you please.
The originals are safe This
wasn't Gabe's home to give you.
THAT'S ENOUGH!!!
Gabriel has been a good
and faithful husband to you.
He is the man of your family
and it is not
your place to criticize him.
My place is to say anything
I damn well please. And if...
Gabriel signed over
the living rights to this house
because it was
ordained by the Lord.
And as you would have seen
in the habitation documents,
our Lord, our Master, has sanctified
and entrusted this home to me
and if I believe
it has been defiled,
I am entitled to
burn it to the ground.
Unless I'm dead.
At which point, under the
contract, it will be returned to you
with the Observance's blessing.
It's for you.
Pick it up.
-[SLAMS TABLE]
-PICK IT UP!!!
We will even make
it easy on you, Madison.
Then you'll have your farm back
and you'll have
your marriage back
and everything will be
back to normal, right, Madison?
You're both insane.
I'm not afraid to die.
[COCKS GUN]
[SCREAMS] Stop!
Would Gabriel will be willing to sign an
affidavit claiming he was under duress?
How can these
freaks get away with this?
Ezekiel 15 law.
That's Ezekiel from the Bible.
"And I shall put
my face against it."
He shall go forth
from one house of fire
and be consumed by another fire
"and they will know
my name is the Lord."
According to the Observance
'afire 'apparently
means house afire.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
-Mr. Abernathy?
-Yes?
That person you've
been expecting has arrived.
Oh, oh, send her right in please.
[SLAMS DOOR]
I'm sorry, what is this?
The Observance
church started in a small
town in North Carolina
eight years ago.
It spread to
Georgia a year later.
It's grown fast.
It's a strict, counter-biblical
alternative group.
What does that even mean?
First of all, they don't
believe in the Trinity
and they believe that Jesus was
only a high prophet, like Elijah.
Apparently their current high prophet
is some kind of modern day Messiah.
The Master's voice on earth.
Yeah, well, when did the master's
voice start stealing people's homes?
From the very beginning.
When the new trespass
laws are passed in their favor,
they burn them
down when challenged.
How can they do that?
Well, apparently when
these contracts are signed,
they are
ironclad and bulletproof.
Fine, I will just
claim it on my fire insurance.
No. No insurance company will
touch an Observance habitation.
A Observance habitation?
You're making my farm sound like
it's like the local cult headquarters.
For them, burning your house down is
as legal as a priest giving communion.
Fine, I will burn it down then.
AGENT TOWNSEND:
I don't wanna hear this shit!
I will try to help you.
But if you make
a single move out of line,
you're on your own.
Please explain
it to Sleeping Beauty here.
[DOOR SLAMS]
Well, it makes
you feel any better.
Her bite is worse than her bark.
Bide your time, okay? I need
some time to pull the case together
while you ease back in
to Nia and Gabriel's lives.
What am I supposed to do?
Just shut up and
become Jonah's bitch?
How would you feel
if you lost your family?
Let's meet next Tuesday.
Hopefully Agent Townsend will
have something for us by then.
Sounds like you might need this.
Okay, my number's
already programmed in.
Is this all just been a lot.
-Thank you so much, Richard!
-Oh, okay.
Okay You are not alone.
Sally, would you call Mrs.
Neubauer a taxi, please?
Right away, Richard.
What happened to you, Gabe?
-What happened to me?
-You're a smart man.
How'd you get
suckered in by all this crap?
Do you have any idea
what the night of
your accident was like?
Driving up and
finding you lying there,
bleeding to death
in a tangle of metal.
[SOFT MUSIC]
I couldn't even get to you.
You were mangled, Maddie.
Your arms and legs
were bent the wrong way.
And your leg was hanging off.
I thought you were dead.
[SOB]
And when I tried to call 911
It took me three times
because my hands
were shaking so bad.
And when they got there,
they didn't think they could
get you out of the wreck.
Do you know what they told me?
They told me that the metal was
all that was holding you together.
You know what
that's like to hear?
And then,
then the guilt came.
Because I knew...
that you lying in
that coma was all my fault.
If I'd just made
you wait five more minutes.
Or if I would have
left with you on time,
30 seconds either side,
that truck misses you.
30 seconds.
I didn't know if
you were still in there.
Or if you'd even come back.
But Jonah
and the church,
they were there for me.
Because I was all alone.
Totally alone.
I couldn't cope.
But they brought me back.
From the darkest
moment of my life.
And they gave me hope.
They gave me faith.
I found God.
And I came back.
So don't you dare
stand there and judge me.
Don't you dare.
When you ask me
what happened to me,
the answer, Maddie, is you.
You happened to me.
I'm so sorry.
I was so caught up in
what happened, what I missed...
I wasn't even thinking
about what you've been through.
[DOOR SLAMS]
[CAR STARTS]
[BEEPING]
[INJECTOR NOISE]
[BEEPING]
NIA: Why did
you have to come back?
You upset me.
Dad.
Everyone in town hates you.
You don't belong here.
So why don't you just go?
I really wish that I could
change what happened.
And I wish you'd never woken up.
[SAD MUSIC]
[CRYING]
Let me guess.
I hate her so much.
I told her I wish she was dead.
Don't be ashamed
of those feelings, Nia.
There is a purity to
your rage, your anger.
It cleanses you, focuses you,
gives you purpose, meaning.
Very few are able to truly embrace
the pleasure of those feelings.
The weak, they demonize those
emotions because they're afraid of them.
They make you strong.
Are you going to
be a strong woman, Nia?
Or are you going
to be weak and afraid?
[SINISTER MUSIC RISES]
It's good to see
you praying, here, brother.
For forgiveness, I trust?
-I'm sorry.
-Shh.
I'm sorry.
Our Master will
not reward the weak.
He's a God of second chances.
You've heard me say that many
times, haven't you, Billy?
However,
second chances mean nothing
unless we learn
from our mistakes.
Wouldn't you agree?
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[BILLY GASPS IN PAIN]
Our testimony says
that in order to learn,
we need something to
remind us of our mistakes.
Something that never lets us
forget that we have failed him.
Brother, our scars are what
remind us of our mistakes.
What push us into
being what we are meant
to be in the eyes of God.
They are mark upon us,
so others may know
what we have found.
And so we may
never forget our failures.
[BILLY SOBS]
Open your eyes...
[LAUGHS]
[IMPACT OF KNIFE ON BONE]
[BILLY SCREAMING]
[I GUITAR PLAYS SOFTLY]
Hey, um, how's Gabriel doing?
It's like he's
been body snatched.
I mean, these
freaks have completely
scrambled his brain.
Is he taking anything?
No, not that I know.
Hmm.
Hmm, what?
Look, when are we going to
hear from Townsend again?
I don't feel comfortable
talking about that here,
uh, with the current weirdo
quotient being what it is.
But don't you worry.
We won't let
the creepy cultys get you.
Come on.
[DOOR CREAKS SHUT]
GABE: Did you get my text?
I... I just had some stuff to do.
You know, you should really let
the Observance into your life, Maddie.
We can help.
Like they helped
themselves to our house?
Ezra Kelly went crazy
tonight at the game.
[LAUGHS] He hit Frank with his baseball
bat and started cussing at everybody.
I hate to think what
Frank's going to say to him.
He needs punishment, not talk.
Ezra clearly needs help.
And not Frank's
punishment either.
Then who?
Our Master's.
[SOUND OF WATER RUSHING]
You know
that water's 180 feet deep?
[WATER CHURNS]
What makes her so special?
She's alone.
She needs help and, uh,
she doesn't have anybody else.
You know, I used to know
somebody a lot like that.
I'm out on a limb here.
I know.
Good seeing you again, Helena.
Be careful.
Please.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
[SOMBER MUSIC]
[SINGING] Richard Aber-nathy!
[LAUGHS]
[RECORDING BEEPS ON]
Gee, I didn't know
the circus was in town.
I would've brought peanuts.
You've been delving
into our business,
naughty.
Naughty.
Who do you think you are?
You're meddling,
where you don't belong.
You fucking gigolo.
Yeah, I heard
I was good, so thanks.
Enough with the jokes, funny man.
We know you slept
with the Neubauer woman.
Look, listen to me.
Morons.
If you're trying to
intimidate me, you suck at it.
You are just a sad old man
having an affair
with the local whore.
You'd be better off dead.
Oh, that was a threat.
You know, here in Georgia, we
have a stand-your-ground law.
That means if you take
one more step towards me,
I can legally
shoot you in the dick.
Ugh, Keep it on.
[SOFT SNICK]
[SOUND OF KNIFE
BEING PULLED OUT]
[SOMBER MUSIC]
[GASPS]
-[KNIFE SLICING]
-[GASPS]
[GUN FALLS]
[STABBING NOISE]
[STABBING NOISE]
[STABBING NOISE]
[MOANS IN PAIN]
[ATHALIAH LAUGHS]
ATHALIAH: You were never
going to save her, old man.
[GASPS IN PAIN]
[ATHALIAH LAUGHS]
[FRENZIED STABBLING]
[DELETION BEEP]
[SOMBER MUSIC]
[ZIPPER CLOSES]
AGENT CALLAGHAN: Thank you.
Hey. You need to see this.
Well, shit.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[RHYTHMIC CLAPPING]
Children, obey your parents.
And what does
our testimony say of
disobedient children? Hmm?
What indeed?
They are the sons of Belial.
They are wicked.
They are the spawn of the demon.
That is what they are become.
What are they?
CLERGY: WICKED!!!
What are they?
CLERGY: WICKED!!!
Our Lord, to whom
blood and vengeance belong,
hath told us, he says,
"Fix your eyes upon the path,
for all the rest is but thorns,
and I will burn them away."
Burn them.
Burn them away.
Does that sound
peaceful to you, friends?
No.
Our God has not come to
bring peace
but a sword.
You, oh God, you have told us
that he that works deceit shall
not dwell within your house,
and those that tell lies
shall not tarry in our sight.
For blood and
vengeance are yours,
and we are but
your vessels of repayment.
So we ask you,
we pray, give us strength.
Fill us with your strength, God,
the strength we need
to punish the wicked,
to crush them with your
righteous and holy might.
Make us wise, God.
Make us know that it is
not for us to question
your divine and holy ways,
but to trust in your judgment
and to know that you are God.
Amen.
CLERGY: So Shall it be.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
I'm glad you came, Maddie.
Thank you.
I'll see you soon.
Madison,
I'm surprised to see you.
Gabriel tells me you're
reluctant to embrace our faith.
Did he?
He meant no harm.
He just worries for you.
We all worry for you.
I'm glad you're here.
I hear you've been
burning the midnight oil.
Well, I have a lot to
figure out, don't I?
Hey, we should get going.
Sleep deprivation can just
wreak havoc on your health.
-You should get some rest.
-You are always welcome, Nia.
You know, I think Jonah's right.
I am feeling a little tired.
All right, let's go. Let's go.
Let's go. Take care.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-OFFICER: Madison Neubauer?
-Yes.
We'd like to bring in
for questioning regarding
the death of Richard Abernathy.
What? Richard is dead?
Listen, you can
come with us voluntarily
or we can arrest you,
it's your choice.
Sorry, what is happening?
Come on, let's go.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Oh, thank God.
They told me
that Richard was murdered.
Somehow they think
that I'm involved.
If you hadn't
dragged him into this,
he'd still be alive right now.
Richard was stabbed 28 times.
The chest, spine,
stomach... The groin.
Oh my God.
No.
No. This isn't true.
So you deny you killed him?
Because he refused to resume
your pre-accident affairs?
That's utter bullshit.
Richard was almost old enough
to be my father.
There was never
anything between us.
It's a fucking lie.
I've been doing this long enough,
I know a setup when I see it.
What is wrong with you?
Come on, Madison.
Don't disappoint me.
You're smarter than that.
I gave Richard
a dossier last night.
It wasn't with
him when we found him.
Don't you guys
already have enough?
Why can't you take
these bastards down?
We don't have
anything yet, but we will.
-The man is dead!
-We don't have time for these emotional outbursts.
This was their first mistake
in over three years.
We can't afford
a single foot wrong here.
When we take them down,
it has to be watertight.
-That's where you come in.
-Me?
You don't think I actually
had you pulled in here
because I thought
you murdered Richard.
They wanted
you to think it was me.
Clever girl.
Now they think things
are going their way.
You're free to go.
What was in the dossier
that you gave Richard?
I always thought that
Richard was invincible.
He had a lot to help me
when I was starting out.
I didn't expect this.
Yet you knew that they
might still target him,
and you still
sent him into a trap.
Richard was a direct threat
to them, and they responded.
It's regrettable.
TOWNSEND: But it's not
like they're running around
killing everyone
who disagrees with them!
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
This is a glorious event.
Fix your eyes upon him.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[SOBBING]
[MOURNFUL MUSIC]
[CRASH IMPACT]
[HEAVY RAIN]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[PAINFUL GASPING]
[PAINFUL GASPING]
[ATHALIAH LAUGHING]
-[CRUNCHING]
-[PAINFUL SCREAM]
[DESPERATE SHRIEKING]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[SCREAMING]
[SLICING]
[BLOOD DRIPPING]
[SCREAMING][
[CHOKING]
[GASPS]
[PANTING]
[SOFT MUSIC]
[KNOCK]
I forgot. I need to go.
I've got an appointment
at the hospital today.
Do you want me to drop you
off on the way to Temple?
No. Uh, I already called a car.
OK.
All right.
[SOFT MUSIC]
WOMAN: It's an iron aluminum
silicate hydroxide mineral.
But there's traces of something
else here. I don't know what that is.
I'm going to get
this down to the lab
and have them do
a full breakdown for us.
The only thing I can think of
with that mineral composition
is Staurolite.
Staurolite?
That's that fairy stone
that's shaped like a cross.
We have that stuff
all over the farm.
Yeah, but not normal Staurolite.
This is Staurolite 4S.
It's a hard to
make mineral hybrid
that's being used in some
antidepressant medications
that are being tested
on the market now.
[TEXT BEEP]
Shit. I gotta go.
OK.
Well, I'll call you when
I get the analysis back.
Thank you, Teresa. And can
you just keep this between us?
Thank you.
Who am I going to tell?
I got your message.
OK, Townsend.
Use this to call me from now on.
What do we do now?
This is a man who's wife is
being harassed by the Observance.
I want you to go see
what you can find out.
Why me?
Well, if I go out there, they could
find out we're investigating them,
and we could lose years of work.
Hold on. These people killed Richard
and Ezra Kelly. Aren't they going
to come after me if I all of a sudden
start sticking my nose into their business?
How badly do
you want your life back?
Hey.
[CAR KEYS JINGLING]
I don't have my driver's license.
Well, if you hit
something, jump out and run.
-[PHONE RINGING]
-TERESA:Hello.
MADDIE: Hey.
Good timing. I just got the test
results back on that substance
from Gabriel's shirt.
And?
The minerals are from
Staurolite 4S, as I thought.
But it's been
processed and mixed with
a bunch of powerful narcotics.
It also has some
significant traces of something
called Buradanga -
devil's breath.
That sounds appropriate.
It's derived from the
flower of the burrocero shrub.
It can cause hallucinations,
frightening images,
and get this,
a lack of free will.
It renders the victims
extremely open to suggestion.
-Mind control?
-Worse.
When it's mixed
with narcotics and
Staurolite minerals,
it's highly addictive.
And this version has been
suspended in a liquid form.
Ezra had a quantity of it
in his stomach when he died.
I've looked back, several
other recent deaths as well
had traces of the
substance in their bodies.
The wine...
What?
Theresa,
I'm going to call you back.
Please, just keep this safe.
Don't tell anyone.
You can't trust anyone.
You're worrying me, Madison.
Just promise me, please.
OK, I promise.
Thanks.
[TENSE MUSIC]
[NIGHT INSECTS]
[SLAM]
Mr. Rhodes.
What do you want?
I'm... I'm Madison Nueba...
[COCKS RIFLE]
I... I'm Madison Neubauer.
I'm the one who called.
Stay right there.
How do I know you're not one of
those assholes from the church?
Please, sir, please. I just
need five minutes of your time.
Five minutes of your time.
Five minutes.
[CLOCK TICKING]
So your husband signed your
farm over these freaks, huh?
Yes.
It was a few months after my...
I was... I was in an accident.
These scumbags just
seem to have a sixth sense
about that kind
of thing, you know?
My wife's sister,
she drowned three months ago.
The next day,
the Observance is right here.
They're like flies to roadkill.
I mean, one day later,
they come in and they
offer comfort to my wife
and salvation
for her dead sister.
So they wanted you to
sign over at this house?
They came right to the
damn door and asked for it.
And she let him in.
They came to my property
and dug these up.
He said that...
This was proof
that their master wanted them
to have this property.
Staurolite? The fairy stones?
It's common as dirt around here.
I have it all over my farm, too.
Well, this is my farm.
This is my place.
And they can't have it!
I... I understand.
You understand.
What exactly do you understand?
I mean, you were up here selling
real estate not too long ago.
I mean, you're talking
about development
and taking properties and turning
them into weekend getaways.
You know, we're not doing that.
Not here. This place is mine.
And I won't give it up.
Do you understand?
Mr. Rhodes,
where's your wife, sir?
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
She's upstairs.
She's sleeping.
[EXHALES DEEPLY]
[FEARFUL SIGH]
[SLAMS PHONE ON HOOK]
[PHONE RINGING]
It never stops.
From dusk till dawn,
it never stops.
[PHONE RINGING]
Damn!
[PHONE RINGING]
[TENSE MUSIC]
You've got to get out of here.
Yeah!
No, not that way. Go there.
You don't want them to see you.
[MUSIC RISES]
All right, god damn it.
[DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES]
Don't come any further.
I'll blow your damn brains out.
RHODES: Stop right there.
[TENSE MUSIC]
I know you feel
pain and anguish, Paul.
It is only natural.
Believe it or not, I understand.
I understand you felt
you had no alternative.
But brother, what you have done
is a sin in the eyes of our Master.
I am here to help
you seek forgiveness.
This is my land,
and you can't have it.
It's mine!
It already belongs to God.
Time to let go.
No. That's impossible.
She came to us
in fear for her life
and asked us to set her free.
No. No.
In fear of you, Paul,
of what you might do.
And she had every
right to, didn't she?
Do not fear, for I am with you.
I am your master.
It is time to repent, brother.
We know that our sister,
your wife,
lies cold and still
on your marriage bed.
[RHODES]I didn't...
I didn't mean to hurt her.
I didn't want to hurt her.
I just wanted her to stop.
I just... I just
wanted her to stop.
I know. I know.
"And Ahithophel saddled his horse
and set out for his hometown.
He put his house in order.
And then he hanged himself.
"And was buried in
his father's tomb."
[SINISTER MUSIC]
We will return tomorrow
to claim what is God's.
[HYPNOTIC BEAT]
Athaliah!
[HYPNOTIC BEAT]
-[GUNSHOT]
-[CRUNCHING]
[HYPNOTIC BEAT]
[INJECTOR ALARM BEEP]
God...
[WHIMPER]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[GASPING]
[CRYING IN FEAR]
[WHIMPER]
Jonah! You...
Easy now, Madison.
We don't want to
wake the other patients.
[MUFFLED SCREAM]
Just breathe, Maddie.
Can I call you Maddie?
I feel like I know you now.
Why are you doing this?
Shh.
Inside voice.
Since you woke up,
you have become an
irritation to me, to us,
making up for
lost time, I suppose.
What do you really want?
[SCOFFS]
I'll be honest.
I'm a little disappointed.
You know, if I would have
known how little you really see,
I wouldn't have wasted my
time coming here tonight.
You can't do this.
I am the only
one who can do this.
You know what you are?
You are an ant,
an insect on the wood pile.
Do you know what happens
when an ant starts behaving
outside of the colony hierarchy?
Well, first, the other ants
try and pull the rogue ant
back into line, literally.
They drag him back to his post
and try to get him
to resume his old ways.
But if the ant
continues to go rogue,
if he continues to stray,
the colony dismantles him.
They set upon him,
and they pull his legs off.
Then they separate his
thorax from his abdomen.
And finally,
they remove his head.
They all turn on him,
ripping him to pieces
until nothing's left.
This... this is your last chance
to get back
on the wood pile, Maddie.
I'm going to take that as a yes.
I believe in you.
Oh, be careful with those meds.
A Delphatrex overdose can be
destructive to the liver.
No, no, no!
[SHOUTING FOR HELP]
[EERIE MUSIC]
[BREATHES IN DEEPLY]
Hey.
How could you?
Suicide is for cowards.
Suicide?
What?
I wouldn't! I didn't try to...
Don't lie to me.
What, did you think
that was your only way out?
Hm? After all of the damage
that you've caused?
What are you talking about?
Jonah told me everything.
I know what you've been doing.
What I've been doing is
trying to get us out of this mess.
Those people,
Jonah? They're a cult, Gabe!
-Oh, stop it, Madison.
-No, they are crazy.
-I had Richard Abernathy...
-Oh, Richard Abernathy, hmm?
I bet that's not all he
was doing for you, is it?
What the hell does that mean?
How long's that been going on?
Oh, come on. You can't
think that this is it.
You were so keen to get back to
him once you woke up, weren't you?
That isn't what was happening.
Then what were
you doing with him?
I was trying to
save you, Gabriel.
Richard Abernathy is dead.
Your prophets
stabbed him 28 times.
Stop lying!
The only people lying here
are the killers
in your precious cult.
They set me up.
Wake up, Gabe.
Jonah was right.
But I believed you.
I was so stupid, so gullible.
All that time
that I spent and wasted
mourning you and
being faithful to you.
No, this isn't...
Gabriel,
just wait. Hold on just...
-[LOUD THUD]
-[PAINFUL CRY]
Those that work in deceit
shall not dwell
within your house.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Our family is under
discipline because of you.
We're all excommunicated.
My friends aren't even
allowed to speak to me.
-You don't...
-Why couldn't you just DIE?
[PHONE RINGS]
AGENT TOWNSEND: Get your
ass over to the office right now.
I can buy us a few minutes
before I have to call in a SWAand this all goes to shit.
-Oh, my God.
-Frank needs your help!
Of course, yeah.
I'll be right there.
He's inside,
like I said he asked for you.
You have seven minutes.
Townsend?!
Don't get yourself killed.
Or it's my head.
Frank?
FRANK: [QUIETLY] No! No!
[TENSE MUSIC]
NO! NO!
Frank, please don't do this.
-You were drugged, Frank, okay? You weren't thinking straight.
-No, no.
-It would have been hard even if...
-I knew, I knew.
When Ezra came home
with that cut - the mark of Cain.
That was it.
And I ignored it.
I deserve to die.
Frank, no, you don't, okay?
Please listen to me.
You didn't kill him.
-They did.
-I lost my baby boy.
[SOB]
-No, no, no, Frank.
-There's nowhere to hide...
They're like Gods. I just...
No, do not.
Do not give them that power.
All right, they're a
bunch of thugs and bullies.
They are the ones who drugged
your son and drowned him.
They are responsible.
Not you.
Okay.
What are you saying?
I am saying
that they murdered your son.
And I can prove it.
[SAD MUSIC]
[SOBBING]
[SOMBER MUSIC]
[SOBBBING]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
I have a...
I have a message for you.
No man is an island
entire of himself
each is a piece of the continent.
[MUMBLES]
Same as if the promontory...
as if the same...
[MADISON GASPS]
[DRAMATIC HIT]
DETECTIVE: You're sure you have no idea
where she could have taken your daughter?
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Your wife,
she's been acting erratically
since she was
discharged from the hospital.
And how do you know that?
We always know.
Call me if you hear anything.
We're praying for you.
Thank you.
Frank, I, uh,
I'm sorry about...
Are you okay?
Yeah.
Now that I'm no longer
fed that liquid crap
by your so-called church,
I'm beginning to see
things a lot more clearly.
It's not a good time, Frank.
It is if you want to
see your daughter again.
[HEROIC MUSIC SWELLS]
[DOOR OPENS]
GABE: Where is she? Huh?
FRANK: Hey.
GABE: Is she inside?
What did you do to her?
Frank, now!
There we go. There we go.
I gotcha. I gotcha.
TERESA: I'll check
on him again tomorrow.
But call me if he gets a fever.
I will.
Thank you, Teresa.
[MUMBLES]
How are you doing?
Broken.
Like the rest of us.
At least we have
sanctuary for a while, right?
And how about Megan?
I, uh, I haven't
spoken to her since...
Uh, Nia's sleeping.
She's doing
a little bit better today.
Actually even managed
a few sarcastic comments.
Well, considering all that crap
they were forcing down her throat,
I'm glad she can
keep anything down.
This is everything that I could
put together about the drugs
that the Observance is
using to control people.
There's samples, evidence.
There's been over 15 suspicious
deaths in the last six years alone.
Thank you.
Hey.
TERESA: I hope
you know what you're doing.
So do I.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
I'm afraid, Dad.
Hey. I'm not.
And you don't need to be either.
Not anymore.
Okay.
Thank you.
I'm sorry.
For everything you went through.
Nia, none of this is on you.
All I was told was
how you abandoned me.
It's still so
hard to let go of it.
And I see now
that it was all lies.
It's in my head, Mom,
and I can't get it out.
I was so afraid.
All the time,
I don't even know
what I was afraid of.
You were in deep.
Baby, that's how
they controlled you.
Both of you.
It's like I can't
think for myself anymore.
My brain isn't
working like it used to.
I don't know who I am, Mom.
And I'm scared I'm
never gonna know again.
[EMOTIONAL MUSIC]
It was never you.
I've always
loved you so much, Nia.
And I am so proud of
the woman you've become.
I missed you so much, Mom.
[MUSIC SWELLS]
[CRYING]
How are you feeling?
Like I'm the one that
just woke up from a coma.
Remember that time
up in Big Bear when we
rented that cabin
before the wedding?
I remember the rattlesnake.
[BOTH LAUGH]
Oh, you literally picked me up
and threw me out of the way.
I'll always save
you from the snakes.
But, If it was a bear,
statistically, the odds aren't good.
It's just...
How long can
we stay here like this?
We're gonna need to
find some other place.
Far from here.
You actually think they're
gonna try to hunt us down?
After everything
that they've done?
I'm not gonna take that risk.
Would you?
No.
-Be careful, it's hot.
-Thank you.
Thanks
[KNOCK]
TOWNSEND: Open up!
It's fine It's fine.
It's fine.
Damn you are hard to find.
You need to put that down.
I think it's time we
gave you some answers.
Please sit down.
We know that the Observance Church is
amassing land, wealth, and political control
over every
region that it operates in.
They're gaining a lot
of influence quickly.
People are suffering these
days, looking for easy answers.
That's what this
cult is, isn't it?
Just sit back, relax, and
we'll take care of everything.
Such a simple solution
for an apathetic world.
We know that their leaders
recently started reaching out
to several pharmaceutical
companies.
-We're not sure why, but...
-I know why.
Look at this.
The communion wine.
Now imagine that narcotic
in the hands of a bad actor!
Jesus.
That's how they're doing it.
Maddy...
Your accident.
Richard, Ezra,
all of these innocent
people over the years.
You told me
they hadn't killed anyone.
You didn't need to know.
Why the fuck
aren't you doing something?
You have all of
this evidence, right?
They have killed innocent people.
-My son.
-Children!
They have tried to
kill me, my daughter.
They have taken everything
from me, and you knew.
You knew.
How do you live with yourself?
[DRAMATIC HIT]
They're here.
Well, it's about damn time.
You wanted them to
find us, didn't you?
Everyone get out of view.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[GASOLINE SPLASHES]
Now would be a really good time.
Go, go, go.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[LIGHTER IGNITES]
Sherrif's office.
Get on the ground.
Sherrif's office.
Get on the ground.
Sherrif's office. Get down!
Sherrif's, get down!
-[YELLS]!
-[FIRES GUN]
[GUN FIRE]
[GUNFIRE
[BILLY FALLS]
Don't be a fool.
Wanna play catch?
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
FREEZE!
[FIRES GUN]
[CLICK]
You used my family as bait.
Ah!
You think this is just about you?
Your situation gave us
the perfect opportunity
for them to expose themselves.
We were always watching.
Your risk was limited.
Like Richard's was.
When do we get our house back?
We've just pulled a thread here.
There's still a lot to unravel
before we can take them down.
Due process takes years.
Hey, what are you gonna do?
Finish this.
Let 'em go.
Seriously?
Uhhh.
Hey, Jonah is the church.
All right, he's gonna do
everything he can to stop you.
Well then, Jonah can burn in
hell right alongside the farm.
All right. I'm with you.
[ENGINE STARTS]
Hey, hey, hey!
What the hell? You're just
gonna let them walk away?
All we have here
are a few henchmen.
The church will disavow them
in a heartbeat. We need more.
Right now, that woman is the
most motivated bloodhound we have.
We've loosened her leash, so...
Let's see what she digs up.
Take mine, okay?
Okay, okay. Where are you going?
Dad, you can barely
walk, much less drive.
Come on.
What if she gets
herself and her family killed?
Then our case suddenly
gets a whole lot easier.
Hey.
You two, fuck off.
SWAT OFFICER: Hey,
Agent Townsend.
She's gone.
[POUNDING BEAT]
[GASOLINE SPLASHING]
[GASOLINE SPLASHING]
Hey there, Maddy.
[BRAKES SCREECH]
You stay right here, okay?
You're overexerting
yourself. It's not good for you.
It's over, Jonah.
I know exactly what you're doing,
and by now,
so do the authorities.
I don't matter.
You don't matter.
Only the Observance matters.
[EXCITING MUSIC]
Your church is a cult.
Your faith a sham,
you and all of your
prophets are nothing but a
bunch of money-hungry murderers.
All of this is
just a front to turn
millions into addicts.
Brother, I had begun to
think you left us for good.
[FERAL SCREAM]
[IMPACT]
He doesn't have
a hold on you anymore.
Remember who she is, Gabriel.
Remember how
small she made you feel.
Don't listen to him,
Gabe. Please.
She emasculated you, Brother.
She belittled you.
She cuckolded
you with that old man.
Is that really
the life you want back?
He's lying to you,
Gabriel. He's lying.
Just don't listen to him.
You don't deserve me.
Do you know why everyone comes
to the Observance in the end, Maddie?
Why people spend the
rest of their lives here?
It's not love or forgiveness.
It's fear.
God is fear.
The fear of retribution.
If you turn your back on him,
"For if you speak out against me,
I will rip out your tongue.
And if your eye offends me,
"I will pluck it out."
Fear is beautiful, Maddie.
And pure and holy.
Fear is what keeps order
above all things, Maddie.
Fear is what makes it all work.
God is fear.
I'm gonna remove
your head now, Madison.
I will place it on my altar.
So you will always be with us.
I'll
always save you from snakes.
[HEROIC MUSIC]
[BLOODY SLASHING]
[FIGHTING STRUGGLES]
[GRUNTING]
[BLOODY STAB]
[GASP]
Gabe!
[GASPING IN PAIN]
[BLOOD RUNNING]
Why art thou angry, brother?
Why is thy countenance fallen?
He was always weak...
[THUD]
[GASPING IN PAIN]
[MACHETE FLIES THROUGH AIR]
[THUD]
[THUD]
[IMPACT]
[GRUNTING]
You can't win.
My mission is ordained by God.
[SICKLE WOOSH]
Why are you still fighting?
Look at your world.
It is broken and full of evil.
[SICKLE WOOSH]
And apathy,
and wicked, wicked souls.
[SICKLE WOOSH]
The Observance is the
only one that can save them.
I am the only one
who can save them.
I can save them all!
You're fucking crazy!
[GASPING]
And you are a heathen.
"Pride goes before destruction."
[BLOODY IMPACT]
[GASPING] [BLOOD SPRAYING]
Do you know that
Bible verse, you asshole?
[FERAL SCREAM]
[STABBING NOISE]
[PITCHFORK BEING PULLED OUT]
[BODY FALLS]
[PAINFUL GASPING]
[SOBBING]
[ATHALIAH WHISPERING]
[LABORED BREATHING]
MADISON: No... no...
[GABRIEL STOPS BREATHING]
[SOBBING]
[SOBBING]
[SOBBING]
[ATHALIAH GROWLING]
[LIGHTER IGNITES]
[FIRE IGNITES]
[ATHALIAH SCREAMING]
[END TITLE MUSIC PLAYING]
[FANFARE]
[DARK FANFARE]
[BRIGHT FANFARE]
[INSECTS CHIRPING]]
-[MAN PANTING]
-[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[TENSE MUSIC]
[MAN GASPS]
[WATER RUSHING]
[UNSETTLING MUSIC]
[CAR APPROACHES]
Ugh.
-Hey.
-Hey.
-Megan baked you some cookies.
-Oh, really?
Yeah, yeah.
Megan. Megan is baking now.
Yeah, she bakes,
she cooks, she cleans,
homeschooling the kids. [LAUGH]
Just wish it was her idea,
not the church's, but whatever.
Wanted me to tell
you that she's praying for you.
-How nice.
-Yeah.
Say, did you wanna
join me and Gabe for lunch?
No, no, no, no,
you guys go ahead.
Plus there's a hot plate of
jambalaya I wanna get to know.
[LAUGH]
[MUSIC]
Thank you, Myra. Um...
I'll do my best.
Okay. Bye.
Did you eat already?
That was Myra Kennington.
Okay.
Guess who's doing
the Jean Nouvelle interview
for Architectural Digest.
Great, when's the interview?
5 PM, tonight.
Tonight is my awards dinner.
Calm down, I know, I know.
We're not gonna miss
your little ceremony, okay?
It's phone interview,
30 minutes max.
We'll make it to
the event in time for the award,
I promise you.
Okay, now I'm so sorry,
but I need to go prep.
Okay, all right.
I'll make it up
to you tonight, okay?
Fine.
-I love you.
-I love you too.
[MUSIC]
[SIGHS]
[MUSIC]
BILLY: Good afternoon, Madison.
How are you today?
Are you sure you don't
wanna reconsider our offer?
I don't know if
you are a deaf, dumb, or both.
So I'm only gonna
say this one last time.
I am never, ever, gonna give
my farm away to your group.
So stop asking.
[MUSIC]
I saw you listed your family's
land for housing development.
Just this morning.
[MUSIC]
Listen here, you little prick.
-Hey.
-Keep your nose out of my business.
Otherwise, I'm gonna sue
you and all of your cronies
for every grimy nickel you have.
Okay, okay, come on.
We're praying for you.
Selling your daddy's farm
off to land developers, are you?
That's a new low,
even for you, girly.
[MUSIC]
That greedy bitch is
gonna sell off this entire town
right out from under our noses.
I'm headed back to the office.
Hey, hey, Maddie, look,
I understand you're upset, but
they were gonna
find out sooner or later,
so don't sweat it, okay?
Look, that land has
been barren for what, 30 years?
It's not good for
farming or anything,
and at least now it'll be
put to good use for families.
Can you make sure that you
finish the Payne paperwork before
you head home for the night?
Yeah, sure.
Thanks.
[ROLLING THUNDER]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Well, this is a nice surprise.
I've been waiting
for you to get home, Mom.
Okay, so, what do we have here?
Do you like it?
It's really good, all this.
Yeah, thanks.
It's taken a while.
Proud of you, kiddo.
Wait, have
you showed this to Dad yet?
No.
Well, you know what?
I think we should go show him.
-It's too good not to share.
-Okay.
Okay.
-Hey.
Hey.
Look at what Nia did.
Yeah, that's lovely.
Sweetheart, it's...
-[DOOR SLAMS]
-Could you just...
Are you almost done?
You know, the awards
dinner starts in about...
Yeah, yeah, I got it.
Worst case,
we just drive separate.
Fine.
Announcer:
A Controversial Religious group
is in the news tonight,
A bizarre funeral ritual...
[TV CLICKS OFF]
Aw, thank you, baby.
I'm sorry I was short
with you earlier. Okay?
Your drawing was really good.
And I'm proud of you.
Let's go.
We better get going
before Mama gets mad.
[PHONE RINGING]
Hey, Myra, how's it going?
[MUTTERS]
[DOOR SLAMS]
Yeah, sure. Yeah, I can talk.
[HEAVY RAIN]
[PHONE RINGS]
GABE: Hey, sorry. I just had to
get that article out of the way.
GABE: So
you gonna speak to me or...
What do you want me to say?
Don't you understand how
important this is for my career?
Gabriel,
I think you really need to just
focus on finding a real job
that actually pays money.
Really getting tired of
supporting this family all by myself.
Just, okay, just wait a minute.
Do you think I really
wanted to sell my land?
That's not fair and you know it.
I don't want to do
this right now. Okay?
Please don't be like this.
-So, can we just not?
-[HORN BLARES]
I'm not interested in...
[CRASH]
[CAR HORN HONKING]
[CAR HORN FADES]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC RISES]
[HEARTBEAT MONITOR BEEPS]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[CRESCENDO]
Welcome back, Madison.
[DRAMATIC IMPACT]
[MOURNFUL MUSIC]
Five years?
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
I can't... I can't breathe.
Why don't we call Gabriel?
No, please.
Not yet.
[MUSIC]
DR. ROTHWELL: I've been reading
about the effects of Delphatrex
on coma patients for a while now.
There's actually six
others that have been revived
within the last 18
months with this medication.
Your seizures forced the issue.
So how does it work?
Patients are awakened
with small
regulated doses in the daytime.
And at night?
They slip back
into a partial coma.
So this is what
I have to look forward to?
What happens if I miss a dose?
You could lapse into a full coma.
Permanently.
Let's call Gabriel now, okay?
[SAD MUSIC]
MADISON [V.O.]: Why
haven't the scars faded?
DR. ROTHWELL
[V.O.]:They're hypertrophic.
MADISON
[V.O.]:What's that mean?
DR. ROTHWELL: A buildup
of collagen and fibrinogen
under the wound means
they can stay red and inflamed
or an abnormally long time.
MADISON [V.O.]:How long?
DR. ROTHWELL [V.O.]:
They may never fully heal.
[DOOR OPENS]
[SAD MUSIC]
Hey...
No, no...
[SOBS]
Hey... C'mon...
[SOBBING]
It's been a long time.
You got old.
I can't. No, no, no, hey, no.
Hey, look at me.
Come on.
I've seen this face every day.
It's not that.
I swear.
It's just, I mean,
I haven't held you in five years.
It feels...
Sinful.
Where's Nia?
God has answered all my prayers.
[MUSIC]
NURSE: So this
injector patch will administer
all your required doses
of Delphatrex during the day.
[INJECTION NOISE]
[BEEP]
It will inject you every
four hours and stop at 8 p.m.
These are backup pens,
in case your patch malfunctions.
It's very easy to break the vials and
the needles if you're rough with them.
DR. ROTHWELL: We all good here?
All set.
-Good luck.
-Thank you.
No driving, okay?
You're under the influence
of sleep medication.
Elevated adrenaline combined with Delphatrex
has been known to cause blackouts.
I'll have a nurse call Gabriel.
No.
I want to surprise him.
[DOOR SLAM]
[SOFT MUSIC]
0[DISTURBING MUSIC]
Gabe?
[DISTURBING MUSIC]
Hey, I'm home.
[DISTURBING MUSIC]
Gabe?
[MUSIC RISES]
[DRAMATIC HIT]
Madison.
[TENSE MUSIC]
She's here.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Madison,
it is so nice
to finally meet you.
I'm Jonah.
Would you come on inside,
we'll fetch Gabriel.
[DOOR SHUTS ]
How you feeling, Madison?
I feel fine.
Do you?
What is this?
Where did you say Gabriel was?
Oh, I didn't.
You must be very anxious
after being
disconnected from Gabriel
and Nia for all these years.
What are you talking about?
It worries you that you've
been asleep for all that time.
I was in a coma.
Look, I just want to
know where my husband is.
I did not mean to upset you.
You didn't. I'm not upset.
It's okay to be upset, Madison.
You have been through a lot.
I am not upset.
Y'know, going
through a trauma like yours
makes one think about how
hollow life can be, doesn't it?
I mean, without faith.
What? I...
Do you believe that God has given
you a second chance, Madison?
Do you believe
that our Master has saved you?
Sorry, did Gabe sell you my farm?
I mean,
what is that barn outside?
Gabriel would never think
of selling your family farm.
Do you wonder if he and Nia
came to see you while you slept?
Why are you in my home?
[TENSE MUSIC]
Gabriel is on his way.
[TENSE MUSIC]
You have beautiful hair, Madison.
Why are you in my home?
[MUSIC]
We live here now.
What?!
We love this house and
your family, as our own.
Do you worry that Gabriel
was unfaithful while you slept?
I told you I wasn't asleep.
What are you saying?
It must scare you though.
The things that may have
happened while you were asleep.
I was in a coma.
Stop saying I was asleep.
You would never.
Who the hell do
you think you are?
Where's Gabe?
Gabriel's in
our temple at a prayer vigil.
Prayer vigil?
Drink.
[TENSE MUSIC]
You have to understand, Madison.
I'm only looking out
for Gabriel and Nia here.
It has been five years and frankly,
I have a responsibility to them.
Who are you?
Why is any of this
your responsibility?
Why the hell are you in my house?
Madison.
This house is yours.
[DOOR OPENS]
Gabe. I don't...
Wait.
Who are these...
Dr. Rothwell said he was going
to keep you at least another week.
What's happened to Gabe?
Why did you build that barn?
Who are those people?
Why are they in our home?
We're going home.
What car is this?
What are you saying? What is...
You need to rest.
Shit.
[DOOR OPENS]
GABE: Nia?
Your mother's home.
Nia!
Oh my God.
Look at you, you're so...
Why did you bring her here?
We don't need her.
It's still me.
Don't touch me.
I don't even know you.
Nia, come on.
-What? I can't...
-Wait.
Wait. Easy.
She's...
All right.
You've been gone a long time.
Did she ever come
visit me in the hospital?
Jonah felt it best she didn't.
Who IS he, Gabe?
[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]
[CHILDLIKE WHISPERS]
[SOFT FOOTSTEPS OUTSIDE DOOR]
[UNSETTLING SOUNDS]
[UNSETTLING AMBIENCE]
[UNSETTLING MUSIC RISES]
[WHISPERING]
WHISPER: Don't look at it.
WHISPER: Don't Go
WHISPER: You won't like it
[DARK MUSIC RISES]
WHISPER: Go!
WHISPER: Go!
WHISPER: It's you. Don't.
[DARK MUSIC RISES TO CRESCENDO]
[SCREAMING]
[INJECTOR BEEPS]
Hey.
You OK?
Bad dream.
[SCHOOL BUS HORN]
The bus is here.
Have a good day.
Whoa!
Don't forget that!
[DOOR SHUTS]
Teenagers hate
everything and everyone, OK?
Especially parents.
How is she finding St. Mary's?
Um, Nia goes to
the Observance school now.
It opened up
about three years ago.
The Observance?
Yeah.
That's where Nia goes now.
Jonah was actually
able to get her a scholarship.
Why would Nia need a scholarship?
-You and Nia should have been set for life.
-Look, the important thing...
You still have the money,
right, Gabriel?
-Hey, are you OK?
-No, I'm not OK.
I just found out my
daughter's a charity case.
It's not like that, OK?
-We love this place.
-I loved my farm.
But why were you selling it?
Because at least ONE of us
needed to provide for our family.
I'm assuming that you're still
waiting on that big writing break.
-A lot has happened.
-What happened to the money? Gabriel?
I know it's hard for
someone like you to see,
but it's all for the
Observance's blessed purpose.
Someone like me?
A non-believer.
What the hell is happening?
Whoa, hey. Whoa.
Hey.
That should help you feel better.
Jonah said that this transition
would be difficult for you.
My transition is
none of his business.
He's our pastor.
-YOUR pastor.
-Look, he just wants to help.
You know, I asked Richard Abernathy
to look into the tax records on the house.
It's still in our name.
Of course it's still in
our name. It's still our house.
Then what
the hell is going on here?
Jonah will explain everything.
Then I guess I'd
better go ask him then.
Uh, no, no.
You shouldn't be driving.
It's my house and my family farm.
I want it back.
You can't just kick them out.
Watch me.
[TRANQUIL MUSIC]
[SINISTER MUSIC]
JONAH: God lives on
your land now, Madison.
What did you do?
I Prayed. Our church.
Prayed. All of us.
We knew that this was the right
place for us to build our church. Here.
My land.
I don't expect you to understand
all of this right now.
Could you just kick me
and my family off their...
[GASPS IN PAIN]
Madison,
this has been hard on you.
I don't think you can
see the whole picture yet.
I can see that your
'Observance' Coerced my husband
in to paying off our mortgage
with my insurance money.
Getting him to
sign over our farm...
I had a vision from God
that he wanted to
provide us with this habitation.
This beautiful sanctuary.
Come inside.
JONAH: You have to
understand, Madison,
that the Observance of us moving
in and sanctifying this habitation
is to us
a beautiful and holy ceremony.
Not unlike
the covenant of marriage.
[TEARING]
Those are yours to
do with as you please.
The originals are safe This
wasn't Gabe's home to give you.
THAT'S ENOUGH!!!
Gabriel has been a good
and faithful husband to you.
He is the man of your family
and it is not
your place to criticize him.
My place is to say anything
I damn well please. And if...
Gabriel signed over
the living rights to this house
because it was
ordained by the Lord.
And as you would have seen
in the habitation documents,
our Lord, our Master, has sanctified
and entrusted this home to me
and if I believe
it has been defiled,
I am entitled to
burn it to the ground.
Unless I'm dead.
At which point, under the
contract, it will be returned to you
with the Observance's blessing.
It's for you.
Pick it up.
-[SLAMS TABLE]
-PICK IT UP!!!
We will even make
it easy on you, Madison.
Then you'll have your farm back
and you'll have
your marriage back
and everything will be
back to normal, right, Madison?
You're both insane.
I'm not afraid to die.
[COCKS GUN]
[SCREAMS] Stop!
Would Gabriel will be willing to sign an
affidavit claiming he was under duress?
How can these
freaks get away with this?
Ezekiel 15 law.
That's Ezekiel from the Bible.
"And I shall put
my face against it."
He shall go forth
from one house of fire
and be consumed by another fire
"and they will know
my name is the Lord."
According to the Observance
'afire 'apparently
means house afire.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
-Mr. Abernathy?
-Yes?
That person you've
been expecting has arrived.
Oh, oh, send her right in please.
[SLAMS DOOR]
I'm sorry, what is this?
The Observance
church started in a small
town in North Carolina
eight years ago.
It spread to
Georgia a year later.
It's grown fast.
It's a strict, counter-biblical
alternative group.
What does that even mean?
First of all, they don't
believe in the Trinity
and they believe that Jesus was
only a high prophet, like Elijah.
Apparently their current high prophet
is some kind of modern day Messiah.
The Master's voice on earth.
Yeah, well, when did the master's
voice start stealing people's homes?
From the very beginning.
When the new trespass
laws are passed in their favor,
they burn them
down when challenged.
How can they do that?
Well, apparently when
these contracts are signed,
they are
ironclad and bulletproof.
Fine, I will just
claim it on my fire insurance.
No. No insurance company will
touch an Observance habitation.
A Observance habitation?
You're making my farm sound like
it's like the local cult headquarters.
For them, burning your house down is
as legal as a priest giving communion.
Fine, I will burn it down then.
AGENT TOWNSEND:
I don't wanna hear this shit!
I will try to help you.
But if you make
a single move out of line,
you're on your own.
Please explain
it to Sleeping Beauty here.
[DOOR SLAMS]
Well, it makes
you feel any better.
Her bite is worse than her bark.
Bide your time, okay? I need
some time to pull the case together
while you ease back in
to Nia and Gabriel's lives.
What am I supposed to do?
Just shut up and
become Jonah's bitch?
How would you feel
if you lost your family?
Let's meet next Tuesday.
Hopefully Agent Townsend will
have something for us by then.
Sounds like you might need this.
Okay, my number's
already programmed in.
Is this all just been a lot.
-Thank you so much, Richard!
-Oh, okay.
Okay You are not alone.
Sally, would you call Mrs.
Neubauer a taxi, please?
Right away, Richard.
What happened to you, Gabe?
-What happened to me?
-You're a smart man.
How'd you get
suckered in by all this crap?
Do you have any idea
what the night of
your accident was like?
Driving up and
finding you lying there,
bleeding to death
in a tangle of metal.
[SOFT MUSIC]
I couldn't even get to you.
You were mangled, Maddie.
Your arms and legs
were bent the wrong way.
And your leg was hanging off.
I thought you were dead.
[SOB]
And when I tried to call 911
It took me three times
because my hands
were shaking so bad.
And when they got there,
they didn't think they could
get you out of the wreck.
Do you know what they told me?
They told me that the metal was
all that was holding you together.
You know what
that's like to hear?
And then,
then the guilt came.
Because I knew...
that you lying in
that coma was all my fault.
If I'd just made
you wait five more minutes.
Or if I would have
left with you on time,
30 seconds either side,
that truck misses you.
30 seconds.
I didn't know if
you were still in there.
Or if you'd even come back.
But Jonah
and the church,
they were there for me.
Because I was all alone.
Totally alone.
I couldn't cope.
But they brought me back.
From the darkest
moment of my life.
And they gave me hope.
They gave me faith.
I found God.
And I came back.
So don't you dare
stand there and judge me.
Don't you dare.
When you ask me
what happened to me,
the answer, Maddie, is you.
You happened to me.
I'm so sorry.
I was so caught up in
what happened, what I missed...
I wasn't even thinking
about what you've been through.
[DOOR SLAMS]
[CAR STARTS]
[BEEPING]
[INJECTOR NOISE]
[BEEPING]
NIA: Why did
you have to come back?
You upset me.
Dad.
Everyone in town hates you.
You don't belong here.
So why don't you just go?
I really wish that I could
change what happened.
And I wish you'd never woken up.
[SAD MUSIC]
[CRYING]
Let me guess.
I hate her so much.
I told her I wish she was dead.
Don't be ashamed
of those feelings, Nia.
There is a purity to
your rage, your anger.
It cleanses you, focuses you,
gives you purpose, meaning.
Very few are able to truly embrace
the pleasure of those feelings.
The weak, they demonize those
emotions because they're afraid of them.
They make you strong.
Are you going to
be a strong woman, Nia?
Or are you going
to be weak and afraid?
[SINISTER MUSIC RISES]
It's good to see
you praying, here, brother.
For forgiveness, I trust?
-I'm sorry.
-Shh.
I'm sorry.
Our Master will
not reward the weak.
He's a God of second chances.
You've heard me say that many
times, haven't you, Billy?
However,
second chances mean nothing
unless we learn
from our mistakes.
Wouldn't you agree?
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[BILLY GASPS IN PAIN]
Our testimony says
that in order to learn,
we need something to
remind us of our mistakes.
Something that never lets us
forget that we have failed him.
Brother, our scars are what
remind us of our mistakes.
What push us into
being what we are meant
to be in the eyes of God.
They are mark upon us,
so others may know
what we have found.
And so we may
never forget our failures.
[BILLY SOBS]
Open your eyes...
[LAUGHS]
[IMPACT OF KNIFE ON BONE]
[BILLY SCREAMING]
[I GUITAR PLAYS SOFTLY]
Hey, um, how's Gabriel doing?
It's like he's
been body snatched.
I mean, these
freaks have completely
scrambled his brain.
Is he taking anything?
No, not that I know.
Hmm.
Hmm, what?
Look, when are we going to
hear from Townsend again?
I don't feel comfortable
talking about that here,
uh, with the current weirdo
quotient being what it is.
But don't you worry.
We won't let
the creepy cultys get you.
Come on.
[DOOR CREAKS SHUT]
GABE: Did you get my text?
I... I just had some stuff to do.
You know, you should really let
the Observance into your life, Maddie.
We can help.
Like they helped
themselves to our house?
Ezra Kelly went crazy
tonight at the game.
[LAUGHS] He hit Frank with his baseball
bat and started cussing at everybody.
I hate to think what
Frank's going to say to him.
He needs punishment, not talk.
Ezra clearly needs help.
And not Frank's
punishment either.
Then who?
Our Master's.
[SOUND OF WATER RUSHING]
You know
that water's 180 feet deep?
[WATER CHURNS]
What makes her so special?
She's alone.
She needs help and, uh,
she doesn't have anybody else.
You know, I used to know
somebody a lot like that.
I'm out on a limb here.
I know.
Good seeing you again, Helena.
Be careful.
Please.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
[SOMBER MUSIC]
[SINGING] Richard Aber-nathy!
[LAUGHS]
[RECORDING BEEPS ON]
Gee, I didn't know
the circus was in town.
I would've brought peanuts.
You've been delving
into our business,
naughty.
Naughty.
Who do you think you are?
You're meddling,
where you don't belong.
You fucking gigolo.
Yeah, I heard
I was good, so thanks.
Enough with the jokes, funny man.
We know you slept
with the Neubauer woman.
Look, listen to me.
Morons.
If you're trying to
intimidate me, you suck at it.
You are just a sad old man
having an affair
with the local whore.
You'd be better off dead.
Oh, that was a threat.
You know, here in Georgia, we
have a stand-your-ground law.
That means if you take
one more step towards me,
I can legally
shoot you in the dick.
Ugh, Keep it on.
[SOFT SNICK]
[SOUND OF KNIFE
BEING PULLED OUT]
[SOMBER MUSIC]
[GASPS]
-[KNIFE SLICING]
-[GASPS]
[GUN FALLS]
[STABBING NOISE]
[STABBING NOISE]
[STABBING NOISE]
[MOANS IN PAIN]
[ATHALIAH LAUGHS]
ATHALIAH: You were never
going to save her, old man.
[GASPS IN PAIN]
[ATHALIAH LAUGHS]
[FRENZIED STABBLING]
[DELETION BEEP]
[SOMBER MUSIC]
[ZIPPER CLOSES]
AGENT CALLAGHAN: Thank you.
Hey. You need to see this.
Well, shit.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[RHYTHMIC CLAPPING]
Children, obey your parents.
And what does
our testimony say of
disobedient children? Hmm?
What indeed?
They are the sons of Belial.
They are wicked.
They are the spawn of the demon.
That is what they are become.
What are they?
CLERGY: WICKED!!!
What are they?
CLERGY: WICKED!!!
Our Lord, to whom
blood and vengeance belong,
hath told us, he says,
"Fix your eyes upon the path,
for all the rest is but thorns,
and I will burn them away."
Burn them.
Burn them away.
Does that sound
peaceful to you, friends?
No.
Our God has not come to
bring peace
but a sword.
You, oh God, you have told us
that he that works deceit shall
not dwell within your house,
and those that tell lies
shall not tarry in our sight.
For blood and
vengeance are yours,
and we are but
your vessels of repayment.
So we ask you,
we pray, give us strength.
Fill us with your strength, God,
the strength we need
to punish the wicked,
to crush them with your
righteous and holy might.
Make us wise, God.
Make us know that it is
not for us to question
your divine and holy ways,
but to trust in your judgment
and to know that you are God.
Amen.
CLERGY: So Shall it be.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
I'm glad you came, Maddie.
Thank you.
I'll see you soon.
Madison,
I'm surprised to see you.
Gabriel tells me you're
reluctant to embrace our faith.
Did he?
He meant no harm.
He just worries for you.
We all worry for you.
I'm glad you're here.
I hear you've been
burning the midnight oil.
Well, I have a lot to
figure out, don't I?
Hey, we should get going.
Sleep deprivation can just
wreak havoc on your health.
-You should get some rest.
-You are always welcome, Nia.
You know, I think Jonah's right.
I am feeling a little tired.
All right, let's go. Let's go.
Let's go. Take care.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-OFFICER: Madison Neubauer?
-Yes.
We'd like to bring in
for questioning regarding
the death of Richard Abernathy.
What? Richard is dead?
Listen, you can
come with us voluntarily
or we can arrest you,
it's your choice.
Sorry, what is happening?
Come on, let's go.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Oh, thank God.
They told me
that Richard was murdered.
Somehow they think
that I'm involved.
If you hadn't
dragged him into this,
he'd still be alive right now.
Richard was stabbed 28 times.
The chest, spine,
stomach... The groin.
Oh my God.
No.
No. This isn't true.
So you deny you killed him?
Because he refused to resume
your pre-accident affairs?
That's utter bullshit.
Richard was almost old enough
to be my father.
There was never
anything between us.
It's a fucking lie.
I've been doing this long enough,
I know a setup when I see it.
What is wrong with you?
Come on, Madison.
Don't disappoint me.
You're smarter than that.
I gave Richard
a dossier last night.
It wasn't with
him when we found him.
Don't you guys
already have enough?
Why can't you take
these bastards down?
We don't have
anything yet, but we will.
-The man is dead!
-We don't have time for these emotional outbursts.
This was their first mistake
in over three years.
We can't afford
a single foot wrong here.
When we take them down,
it has to be watertight.
-That's where you come in.
-Me?
You don't think I actually
had you pulled in here
because I thought
you murdered Richard.
They wanted
you to think it was me.
Clever girl.
Now they think things
are going their way.
You're free to go.
What was in the dossier
that you gave Richard?
I always thought that
Richard was invincible.
He had a lot to help me
when I was starting out.
I didn't expect this.
Yet you knew that they
might still target him,
and you still
sent him into a trap.
Richard was a direct threat
to them, and they responded.
It's regrettable.
TOWNSEND: But it's not
like they're running around
killing everyone
who disagrees with them!
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
This is a glorious event.
Fix your eyes upon him.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[SOBBING]
[MOURNFUL MUSIC]
[CRASH IMPACT]
[HEAVY RAIN]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[PAINFUL GASPING]
[PAINFUL GASPING]
[ATHALIAH LAUGHING]
-[CRUNCHING]
-[PAINFUL SCREAM]
[DESPERATE SHRIEKING]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[SCREAMING]
[SLICING]
[BLOOD DRIPPING]
[SCREAMING][
[CHOKING]
[GASPS]
[PANTING]
[SOFT MUSIC]
[KNOCK]
I forgot. I need to go.
I've got an appointment
at the hospital today.
Do you want me to drop you
off on the way to Temple?
No. Uh, I already called a car.
OK.
All right.
[SOFT MUSIC]
WOMAN: It's an iron aluminum
silicate hydroxide mineral.
But there's traces of something
else here. I don't know what that is.
I'm going to get
this down to the lab
and have them do
a full breakdown for us.
The only thing I can think of
with that mineral composition
is Staurolite.
Staurolite?
That's that fairy stone
that's shaped like a cross.
We have that stuff
all over the farm.
Yeah, but not normal Staurolite.
This is Staurolite 4S.
It's a hard to
make mineral hybrid
that's being used in some
antidepressant medications
that are being tested
on the market now.
[TEXT BEEP]
Shit. I gotta go.
OK.
Well, I'll call you when
I get the analysis back.
Thank you, Teresa. And can
you just keep this between us?
Thank you.
Who am I going to tell?
I got your message.
OK, Townsend.
Use this to call me from now on.
What do we do now?
This is a man who's wife is
being harassed by the Observance.
I want you to go see
what you can find out.
Why me?
Well, if I go out there, they could
find out we're investigating them,
and we could lose years of work.
Hold on. These people killed Richard
and Ezra Kelly. Aren't they going
to come after me if I all of a sudden
start sticking my nose into their business?
How badly do
you want your life back?
Hey.
[CAR KEYS JINGLING]
I don't have my driver's license.
Well, if you hit
something, jump out and run.
-[PHONE RINGING]
-TERESA:Hello.
MADDIE: Hey.
Good timing. I just got the test
results back on that substance
from Gabriel's shirt.
And?
The minerals are from
Staurolite 4S, as I thought.
But it's been
processed and mixed with
a bunch of powerful narcotics.
It also has some
significant traces of something
called Buradanga -
devil's breath.
That sounds appropriate.
It's derived from the
flower of the burrocero shrub.
It can cause hallucinations,
frightening images,
and get this,
a lack of free will.
It renders the victims
extremely open to suggestion.
-Mind control?
-Worse.
When it's mixed
with narcotics and
Staurolite minerals,
it's highly addictive.
And this version has been
suspended in a liquid form.
Ezra had a quantity of it
in his stomach when he died.
I've looked back, several
other recent deaths as well
had traces of the
substance in their bodies.
The wine...
What?
Theresa,
I'm going to call you back.
Please, just keep this safe.
Don't tell anyone.
You can't trust anyone.
You're worrying me, Madison.
Just promise me, please.
OK, I promise.
Thanks.
[TENSE MUSIC]
[NIGHT INSECTS]
[SLAM]
Mr. Rhodes.
What do you want?
I'm... I'm Madison Nueba...
[COCKS RIFLE]
I... I'm Madison Neubauer.
I'm the one who called.
Stay right there.
How do I know you're not one of
those assholes from the church?
Please, sir, please. I just
need five minutes of your time.
Five minutes of your time.
Five minutes.
[CLOCK TICKING]
So your husband signed your
farm over these freaks, huh?
Yes.
It was a few months after my...
I was... I was in an accident.
These scumbags just
seem to have a sixth sense
about that kind
of thing, you know?
My wife's sister,
she drowned three months ago.
The next day,
the Observance is right here.
They're like flies to roadkill.
I mean, one day later,
they come in and they
offer comfort to my wife
and salvation
for her dead sister.
So they wanted you to
sign over at this house?
They came right to the
damn door and asked for it.
And she let him in.
They came to my property
and dug these up.
He said that...
This was proof
that their master wanted them
to have this property.
Staurolite? The fairy stones?
It's common as dirt around here.
I have it all over my farm, too.
Well, this is my farm.
This is my place.
And they can't have it!
I... I understand.
You understand.
What exactly do you understand?
I mean, you were up here selling
real estate not too long ago.
I mean, you're talking
about development
and taking properties and turning
them into weekend getaways.
You know, we're not doing that.
Not here. This place is mine.
And I won't give it up.
Do you understand?
Mr. Rhodes,
where's your wife, sir?
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
She's upstairs.
She's sleeping.
[EXHALES DEEPLY]
[FEARFUL SIGH]
[SLAMS PHONE ON HOOK]
[PHONE RINGING]
It never stops.
From dusk till dawn,
it never stops.
[PHONE RINGING]
Damn!
[PHONE RINGING]
[TENSE MUSIC]
You've got to get out of here.
Yeah!
No, not that way. Go there.
You don't want them to see you.
[MUSIC RISES]
All right, god damn it.
[DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES]
Don't come any further.
I'll blow your damn brains out.
RHODES: Stop right there.
[TENSE MUSIC]
I know you feel
pain and anguish, Paul.
It is only natural.
Believe it or not, I understand.
I understand you felt
you had no alternative.
But brother, what you have done
is a sin in the eyes of our Master.
I am here to help
you seek forgiveness.
This is my land,
and you can't have it.
It's mine!
It already belongs to God.
Time to let go.
No. That's impossible.
She came to us
in fear for her life
and asked us to set her free.
No. No.
In fear of you, Paul,
of what you might do.
And she had every
right to, didn't she?
Do not fear, for I am with you.
I am your master.
It is time to repent, brother.
We know that our sister,
your wife,
lies cold and still
on your marriage bed.
[RHODES]I didn't...
I didn't mean to hurt her.
I didn't want to hurt her.
I just wanted her to stop.
I just... I just
wanted her to stop.
I know. I know.
"And Ahithophel saddled his horse
and set out for his hometown.
He put his house in order.
And then he hanged himself.
"And was buried in
his father's tomb."
[SINISTER MUSIC]
We will return tomorrow
to claim what is God's.
[HYPNOTIC BEAT]
Athaliah!
[HYPNOTIC BEAT]
-[GUNSHOT]
-[CRUNCHING]
[HYPNOTIC BEAT]
[INJECTOR ALARM BEEP]
God...
[WHIMPER]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[GASPING]
[CRYING IN FEAR]
[WHIMPER]
Jonah! You...
Easy now, Madison.
We don't want to
wake the other patients.
[MUFFLED SCREAM]
Just breathe, Maddie.
Can I call you Maddie?
I feel like I know you now.
Why are you doing this?
Shh.
Inside voice.
Since you woke up,
you have become an
irritation to me, to us,
making up for
lost time, I suppose.
What do you really want?
[SCOFFS]
I'll be honest.
I'm a little disappointed.
You know, if I would have
known how little you really see,
I wouldn't have wasted my
time coming here tonight.
You can't do this.
I am the only
one who can do this.
You know what you are?
You are an ant,
an insect on the wood pile.
Do you know what happens
when an ant starts behaving
outside of the colony hierarchy?
Well, first, the other ants
try and pull the rogue ant
back into line, literally.
They drag him back to his post
and try to get him
to resume his old ways.
But if the ant
continues to go rogue,
if he continues to stray,
the colony dismantles him.
They set upon him,
and they pull his legs off.
Then they separate his
thorax from his abdomen.
And finally,
they remove his head.
They all turn on him,
ripping him to pieces
until nothing's left.
This... this is your last chance
to get back
on the wood pile, Maddie.
I'm going to take that as a yes.
I believe in you.
Oh, be careful with those meds.
A Delphatrex overdose can be
destructive to the liver.
No, no, no!
[SHOUTING FOR HELP]
[EERIE MUSIC]
[BREATHES IN DEEPLY]
Hey.
How could you?
Suicide is for cowards.
Suicide?
What?
I wouldn't! I didn't try to...
Don't lie to me.
What, did you think
that was your only way out?
Hm? After all of the damage
that you've caused?
What are you talking about?
Jonah told me everything.
I know what you've been doing.
What I've been doing is
trying to get us out of this mess.
Those people,
Jonah? They're a cult, Gabe!
-Oh, stop it, Madison.
-No, they are crazy.
-I had Richard Abernathy...
-Oh, Richard Abernathy, hmm?
I bet that's not all he
was doing for you, is it?
What the hell does that mean?
How long's that been going on?
Oh, come on. You can't
think that this is it.
You were so keen to get back to
him once you woke up, weren't you?
That isn't what was happening.
Then what were
you doing with him?
I was trying to
save you, Gabriel.
Richard Abernathy is dead.
Your prophets
stabbed him 28 times.
Stop lying!
The only people lying here
are the killers
in your precious cult.
They set me up.
Wake up, Gabe.
Jonah was right.
But I believed you.
I was so stupid, so gullible.
All that time
that I spent and wasted
mourning you and
being faithful to you.
No, this isn't...
Gabriel,
just wait. Hold on just...
-[LOUD THUD]
-[PAINFUL CRY]
Those that work in deceit
shall not dwell
within your house.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Our family is under
discipline because of you.
We're all excommunicated.
My friends aren't even
allowed to speak to me.
-You don't...
-Why couldn't you just DIE?
[PHONE RINGS]
AGENT TOWNSEND: Get your
ass over to the office right now.
I can buy us a few minutes
before I have to call in a SWAand this all goes to shit.
-Oh, my God.
-Frank needs your help!
Of course, yeah.
I'll be right there.
He's inside,
like I said he asked for you.
You have seven minutes.
Townsend?!
Don't get yourself killed.
Or it's my head.
Frank?
FRANK: [QUIETLY] No! No!
[TENSE MUSIC]
NO! NO!
Frank, please don't do this.
-You were drugged, Frank, okay? You weren't thinking straight.
-No, no.
-It would have been hard even if...
-I knew, I knew.
When Ezra came home
with that cut - the mark of Cain.
That was it.
And I ignored it.
I deserve to die.
Frank, no, you don't, okay?
Please listen to me.
You didn't kill him.
-They did.
-I lost my baby boy.
[SOB]
-No, no, no, Frank.
-There's nowhere to hide...
They're like Gods. I just...
No, do not.
Do not give them that power.
All right, they're a
bunch of thugs and bullies.
They are the ones who drugged
your son and drowned him.
They are responsible.
Not you.
Okay.
What are you saying?
I am saying
that they murdered your son.
And I can prove it.
[SAD MUSIC]
[SOBBING]
[SOMBER MUSIC]
[SOBBBING]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
I have a...
I have a message for you.
No man is an island
entire of himself
each is a piece of the continent.
[MUMBLES]
Same as if the promontory...
as if the same...
[MADISON GASPS]
[DRAMATIC HIT]
DETECTIVE: You're sure you have no idea
where she could have taken your daughter?
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Your wife,
she's been acting erratically
since she was
discharged from the hospital.
And how do you know that?
We always know.
Call me if you hear anything.
We're praying for you.
Thank you.
Frank, I, uh,
I'm sorry about...
Are you okay?
Yeah.
Now that I'm no longer
fed that liquid crap
by your so-called church,
I'm beginning to see
things a lot more clearly.
It's not a good time, Frank.
It is if you want to
see your daughter again.
[HEROIC MUSIC SWELLS]
[DOOR OPENS]
GABE: Where is she? Huh?
FRANK: Hey.
GABE: Is she inside?
What did you do to her?
Frank, now!
There we go. There we go.
I gotcha. I gotcha.
TERESA: I'll check
on him again tomorrow.
But call me if he gets a fever.
I will.
Thank you, Teresa.
[MUMBLES]
How are you doing?
Broken.
Like the rest of us.
At least we have
sanctuary for a while, right?
And how about Megan?
I, uh, I haven't
spoken to her since...
Uh, Nia's sleeping.
She's doing
a little bit better today.
Actually even managed
a few sarcastic comments.
Well, considering all that crap
they were forcing down her throat,
I'm glad she can
keep anything down.
This is everything that I could
put together about the drugs
that the Observance is
using to control people.
There's samples, evidence.
There's been over 15 suspicious
deaths in the last six years alone.
Thank you.
Hey.
TERESA: I hope
you know what you're doing.
So do I.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
I'm afraid, Dad.
Hey. I'm not.
And you don't need to be either.
Not anymore.
Okay.
Thank you.
I'm sorry.
For everything you went through.
Nia, none of this is on you.
All I was told was
how you abandoned me.
It's still so
hard to let go of it.
And I see now
that it was all lies.
It's in my head, Mom,
and I can't get it out.
I was so afraid.
All the time,
I don't even know
what I was afraid of.
You were in deep.
Baby, that's how
they controlled you.
Both of you.
It's like I can't
think for myself anymore.
My brain isn't
working like it used to.
I don't know who I am, Mom.
And I'm scared I'm
never gonna know again.
[EMOTIONAL MUSIC]
It was never you.
I've always
loved you so much, Nia.
And I am so proud of
the woman you've become.
I missed you so much, Mom.
[MUSIC SWELLS]
[CRYING]
How are you feeling?
Like I'm the one that
just woke up from a coma.
Remember that time
up in Big Bear when we
rented that cabin
before the wedding?
I remember the rattlesnake.
[BOTH LAUGH]
Oh, you literally picked me up
and threw me out of the way.
I'll always save
you from the snakes.
But, If it was a bear,
statistically, the odds aren't good.
It's just...
How long can
we stay here like this?
We're gonna need to
find some other place.
Far from here.
You actually think they're
gonna try to hunt us down?
After everything
that they've done?
I'm not gonna take that risk.
Would you?
No.
-Be careful, it's hot.
-Thank you.
Thanks
[KNOCK]
TOWNSEND: Open up!
It's fine It's fine.
It's fine.
Damn you are hard to find.
You need to put that down.
I think it's time we
gave you some answers.
Please sit down.
We know that the Observance Church is
amassing land, wealth, and political control
over every
region that it operates in.
They're gaining a lot
of influence quickly.
People are suffering these
days, looking for easy answers.
That's what this
cult is, isn't it?
Just sit back, relax, and
we'll take care of everything.
Such a simple solution
for an apathetic world.
We know that their leaders
recently started reaching out
to several pharmaceutical
companies.
-We're not sure why, but...
-I know why.
Look at this.
The communion wine.
Now imagine that narcotic
in the hands of a bad actor!
Jesus.
That's how they're doing it.
Maddy...
Your accident.
Richard, Ezra,
all of these innocent
people over the years.
You told me
they hadn't killed anyone.
You didn't need to know.
Why the fuck
aren't you doing something?
You have all of
this evidence, right?
They have killed innocent people.
-My son.
-Children!
They have tried to
kill me, my daughter.
They have taken everything
from me, and you knew.
You knew.
How do you live with yourself?
[DRAMATIC HIT]
They're here.
Well, it's about damn time.
You wanted them to
find us, didn't you?
Everyone get out of view.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[GASOLINE SPLASHES]
Now would be a really good time.
Go, go, go.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[LIGHTER IGNITES]
Sherrif's office.
Get on the ground.
Sherrif's office.
Get on the ground.
Sherrif's office. Get down!
Sherrif's, get down!
-[YELLS]!
-[FIRES GUN]
[GUN FIRE]
[GUNFIRE
[BILLY FALLS]
Don't be a fool.
Wanna play catch?
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
FREEZE!
[FIRES GUN]
[CLICK]
You used my family as bait.
Ah!
You think this is just about you?
Your situation gave us
the perfect opportunity
for them to expose themselves.
We were always watching.
Your risk was limited.
Like Richard's was.
When do we get our house back?
We've just pulled a thread here.
There's still a lot to unravel
before we can take them down.
Due process takes years.
Hey, what are you gonna do?
Finish this.
Let 'em go.
Seriously?
Uhhh.
Hey, Jonah is the church.
All right, he's gonna do
everything he can to stop you.
Well then, Jonah can burn in
hell right alongside the farm.
All right. I'm with you.
[ENGINE STARTS]
Hey, hey, hey!
What the hell? You're just
gonna let them walk away?
All we have here
are a few henchmen.
The church will disavow them
in a heartbeat. We need more.
Right now, that woman is the
most motivated bloodhound we have.
We've loosened her leash, so...
Let's see what she digs up.
Take mine, okay?
Okay, okay. Where are you going?
Dad, you can barely
walk, much less drive.
Come on.
What if she gets
herself and her family killed?
Then our case suddenly
gets a whole lot easier.
Hey.
You two, fuck off.
SWAT OFFICER: Hey,
Agent Townsend.
She's gone.
[POUNDING BEAT]
[GASOLINE SPLASHING]
[GASOLINE SPLASHING]
Hey there, Maddy.
[BRAKES SCREECH]
You stay right here, okay?
You're overexerting
yourself. It's not good for you.
It's over, Jonah.
I know exactly what you're doing,
and by now,
so do the authorities.
I don't matter.
You don't matter.
Only the Observance matters.
[EXCITING MUSIC]
Your church is a cult.
Your faith a sham,
you and all of your
prophets are nothing but a
bunch of money-hungry murderers.
All of this is
just a front to turn
millions into addicts.
Brother, I had begun to
think you left us for good.
[FERAL SCREAM]
[IMPACT]
He doesn't have
a hold on you anymore.
Remember who she is, Gabriel.
Remember how
small she made you feel.
Don't listen to him,
Gabe. Please.
She emasculated you, Brother.
She belittled you.
She cuckolded
you with that old man.
Is that really
the life you want back?
He's lying to you,
Gabriel. He's lying.
Just don't listen to him.
You don't deserve me.
Do you know why everyone comes
to the Observance in the end, Maddie?
Why people spend the
rest of their lives here?
It's not love or forgiveness.
It's fear.
God is fear.
The fear of retribution.
If you turn your back on him,
"For if you speak out against me,
I will rip out your tongue.
And if your eye offends me,
"I will pluck it out."
Fear is beautiful, Maddie.
And pure and holy.
Fear is what keeps order
above all things, Maddie.
Fear is what makes it all work.
God is fear.
I'm gonna remove
your head now, Madison.
I will place it on my altar.
So you will always be with us.
I'll
always save you from snakes.
[HEROIC MUSIC]
[BLOODY SLASHING]
[FIGHTING STRUGGLES]
[GRUNTING]
[BLOODY STAB]
[GASP]
Gabe!
[GASPING IN PAIN]
[BLOOD RUNNING]
Why art thou angry, brother?
Why is thy countenance fallen?
He was always weak...
[THUD]
[GASPING IN PAIN]
[MACHETE FLIES THROUGH AIR]
[THUD]
[THUD]
[IMPACT]
[GRUNTING]
You can't win.
My mission is ordained by God.
[SICKLE WOOSH]
Why are you still fighting?
Look at your world.
It is broken and full of evil.
[SICKLE WOOSH]
And apathy,
and wicked, wicked souls.
[SICKLE WOOSH]
The Observance is the
only one that can save them.
I am the only one
who can save them.
I can save them all!
You're fucking crazy!
[GASPING]
And you are a heathen.
"Pride goes before destruction."
[BLOODY IMPACT]
[GASPING] [BLOOD SPRAYING]
Do you know that
Bible verse, you asshole?
[FERAL SCREAM]
[STABBING NOISE]
[PITCHFORK BEING PULLED OUT]
[BODY FALLS]
[PAINFUL GASPING]
[SOBBING]
[ATHALIAH WHISPERING]
[LABORED BREATHING]
MADISON: No... no...
[GABRIEL STOPS BREATHING]
[SOBBING]
[SOBBING]
[SOBBING]
[ATHALIAH GROWLING]
[LIGHTER IGNITES]
[FIRE IGNITES]
[ATHALIAH SCREAMING]
[END TITLE MUSIC PLAYING]