The Surrender (2025) Movie Script
(The Human Beinz, "Of You")
You are here with me
Though you're far, far away
(gurgling, crackling)
And I'll be still
Till you're here,
here to stay
I need you here
To fill the emptiness
I feel inside
(music stops abruptly)
(labored breathing)
Oh, excuse me.
(breathing shakily)
(panting)
(yelling) Fuck!
(breathing shakily)
(tense music)
(lighter flicks)
(sighs)
God damn it.
Where were you?
I went for a walk.
(sighs) Nice.
Well, he had to go
to the bathroom,
and you weren't there
to help me lift him.
I thought Nikki showed
you how to do it yourself.
Oh, yeah.
You try doing it yourself.
It's not that easy.
I'm sorry, I just...
I did not sleep very
much last night.
- Go take a nap.
- No.
Yeah, Mom.
Mom, I got it.
(labored breathing)
(sighs)
(ominous music)
(gasps)
(gasps)
(water running)
(rattling)
- Barbara!
- Dad.
- I'm here, Dad.
- Barbara!
Dad, do you need something?
I can do it.
Oh!
Agh!
Okay, all right.
Mom, he's calling for you.
Okay.
Hi, honey.
Barbara!
I'm here, I'm here, I'm here.
Hi, sweetheart.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
Okay.
All right.
Just...
Let me... let me just...
- The morphine.
- What?
On the nightstand.
Pass me the morphine.
Okay.
Yeah, that's fine.
All right.
Thank you.
Okay, here we go.
Barbara!
Okay, we'll do half.
Only half.
Okay.
Okay, here we go.
Here we go.
Here you go, sweetheart.
Here we go, here we go.
Okay, there you go.
Drink it up.
There we go.
Okay.
(grunting)
Shh.
Here we go.
Here we go.
There you go.
Is he... is he...
No.
I should have
come back sooner.
Yeah, you should have.
What did you do?
Mom, it's fine!
I didn't... No, I didn't
throw anything away.
They're in the night...
Well, what about this?
Well... well, it's...
It smelled like shit
and had human teeth inside.
Where do you even get teeth, Ma?
You know what?
I really don't want to know.
It's a medicine bag.
Well, it's disgusting.
When did you start
believing in voodoo?
When did you become
a cultural chauvinist?
I've always had
a spiritual side.
You went on a yoga
retreat once 20 years ago.
I'd hardly call that being
spiritually enlightened.
Well, Deb says
that all experiences
have meaning and value.
Oh.
Well, if Deb says it,
then it must be true.
They don't just let anyone
become a yoga instructor.
Get out.
What?
He doesn't need this negative
energy weighing him down.
Mom, I'm...
Go, go.
Just go.
Fine.
Jesus.
Any changes in the medication?
Uh, he's not eating, so we
stopped the Ondansetron
and (inaudible).
That's to be
expected at this point.
You should talk with his doctor.
You may be able to stop
the dexamethasone tablets and
the Thorazine, and just
stick with the mirtazapine
and oxycodone.
Has he been responding
to the morphine?
Yes.
Oh, he doesn't need that much.
That's the recommended amount.
No, but he... he doesn't
like taking that much.
It clouds his mind.
I think he's beyond that.
Clearly, he's in pain.
You need to be giving
him the full dose.
Mom, come on.
We should.
Okay.
(gulps)
Thank you so much
for your time.
(sighs)
You need to make
sure he's getting
his full dose of morphine.
It's important to stay
ahead of the pain.
Okay.
I see this happen
all the time.
She's withholding it because it
makes her feel needed.
I'm sure she already
feels pretty needed.
He calls out for her
all the time.
He calls out for her
because he's in pain,
not because he wants her.
If she gave him the correct
dosage, he wouldn't call out.
Oh.
(eerie music)
(phone pings)
Almost there.
Okay.
Come on, honey.
Yep.
Here we go.
Here we go.
This will be much easier than
getting you to the bathroom.
Mom.
Yeah.
Um, do you remember that thing
Dad and I were working on?
What thing?
The... um, the nonprofit.
The scholarship program?
The...
Oh, the one
to help ethnic kids.
Low-income, Mom.
Jesus Christ.
Is that still a thing?
Yeah, we definitely don't
call people "ethnic" anymore.
No, I meant
the scholarship program.
Oh, yeah.
Yeah.
Uh, that's the hope.
Dad said that if... if the grant
didn't come through, that he
would pay to contribute to...
No.
What do you mean, no?
The answer is no.
Can we have a conversation
about it, please?
We can't afford it right now.
Can I ask why?
Medical expenses.
I thought insurance was
covering the medical costs.
It's not that.
Look, I would not ask
if we had any other options,
but we were counting
on that money.
Why are you always
borrowing money?
I'm not always
borrowing money.
And it's not for me.
It's for the kids.
What a martyr.
Mom, I'm not a martyr.
- Mom!
- You know what?
Is this something
you even wanted,
or are you just
doing this for him?
Of course I want to do this.
Of course.
Because if you really
wanted to do this,
you would have applied
for more grants.
What was the backup plan?
He was the backup plan.
What?
You cannot rely on us forever!
(phone alarm rings)
Oh, God damn it.
Where are my glasses?
Mom, your alarm.
Yes, I know, I know.
But I can't read the Goddamn
spreadsheet without my glasses.
- Mom?
- Where are they?
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
What!
They're right there.
Sorry.
Sorry, sorry, sorry,
sorry, sorry, sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm
sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry,
I'm sorry.
Let me give him his meds.
Let me do it.
Let me do it.
I'll do it.
- Yeah.
- Yes, fine.
Do it.
(clears throat)
Why don't we
take the night off?
All right?
We deserve a break.
I can't leave him alone.
It wouldn't have
to be for long.
I... no, we...
We can just go to dinner.
I... I can't.
I'll call Nikki,
and she can come over.
- No.
- You trust Nikki.
That is... no, that
is out of the question.
Then you go, and I
will stay here with him.
What if something happens?
What if... what if he
stops breathing?
I'll call you.
I got it.
I got it.
How's it going?
It's the same.
I honestly don't know how much
longer we can keep this up.
(sighs) I'm sorry.
It's fine, it's fine.
I mean, it's not, but I finally
convinced her to take a night
off, so that's something.
Hey, really?
What's she doing?
Going to dinner
with friends, I think.
Maybe a movie.
I don't know.
Wow.
I mean, that's
a big step for her.
Yeah.
She hasn't taken a night
off since Dad got sick.
Look, I know this is terrible
timing, but did you ask
her about... d working on it.
I'll get the money.
(eerie music)
(scrambling noise)
(scrambling noise)
(thud)
(gasps)
Barbara!
Agh!
It's okay.
It's okay.
I'm here.
Do you want some water?
Barb... Barbara!
She's not here, Dad.
It's just me.
Oh, Barbara.
(struggling)
Dad, um...
What can I...
Oh!
(groaning)
(gurgling) Barbara!
(crying)
Barbara!
Barbara!
Barbara!
(groaning)
- Barbara!
- I'm coming, Dad!
I'm coming, I'm coming!
(choking, gargling)
(yelling)
Oh, Dad!
Dad!
Here we go, here we go.
Open, open!
Ah!
(crying)
(crying) There you go.
There you go.
It's okay.
It's okay.
I got you.
It's all right.
(eerie music)
Dad?
What's wrong with it?
I think he's dead.
Can you fix him?
No, sweetheart.
When something dies,
they can't come back.
Why not?
Oh, it's just the way it is.
All you can do is let him go.
Do people die?
Yeah.
Everything dies eventually.
Will you and Mommy die?
Yeah.
But not for a very long time.
I don't want you to die!
It's okay.
Hey, hey.
I know.
Death isn't anything
to be afraid of.
It's natural.
Death is what makes
life so special.
You know what the funny
thing about death is?
Even when someone dies,
they don't really go away.
They don't?
No.
As long as you remember
them and love them,
they'll always be with you.
You know what that means, right?
You are stuck with me forever!
(screaming, laughing)
(gasps)
Dad?
Dad?
Dad, let's get you
back to bed. (Gasps)
They're watching.
What?
Come on.
(water running)
(breathing deeply)
(door closes)
(sighs)
Oh, it's okay.
I already gave him his morphine.
What?
What?
He was in pain, so I gave
it to him a little early.
You can't just give him his
medication whenever you like.
There's a schedule in place.
There's a set time.
All right, I'm sorry.
I will not do it again.
I'm so sorry, Mom,
but he's fine.
Look, he's fine.
What's the big deal?
I just gave
Robert his morphine.
What?
Why?
Why would you walk in the door
and immediately give
it to him without checking in?
Because my alarm went off.
Oh, my God, the fucking alarm.
It's not my fault.
Oh, so it's my fault?
Should we call somebody?
Should we take him
to the hospital?
I don't know.
He's on one of those DNR things.
I don't think they would
allow us to help him.
Is two doses lethal?
I don't know.
What do we do?
(scratching noise)
Do you hear that?
What?
That scratching sound.
It's just the rats.
Rats?
We've had them for years.
They get in through the roof.
It was Robert's job
to call the exterminator
when things got really bad.
I think it's time
to call the exterminator.
(light switch clicks)
(birds chirping)
(gasps)
(crying) Mom... Mom.
Mom.
When do you think he...
I don't know.
He's already cold.
I thought the end would
be different somehow.
Some final moment.
We weren't even awake.
It doesn't feel right.
- Oh, no.
- What?
What?
We need to close his eyes
and mouth before the rigor
mortis sets in.
Okay.
Okay.
All right.
Um...
Okay.
- Oh, it's stuck.
- We waited too long.
Push harder.
I don't want to hurt him.
It's a little late for that.
(laughter)
Try.
Give it another try.
Okay, here we go.
(cracking)
Oh, God.
Close his eyes.
They won't stay down.
That'll have to do.
It doesn't feel real.
No.
(whispering) Mom.
Mom.
(sobbing)
(somber music)
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, it just happened.
Okay, I don't... all right,
I don't really know.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, no, um...
Mom?
No, I...
- Mom, Mom.
- Okay.
What the hell?
Mom?
(door slams)
The fuck?
I understand.
All right.
Thank you.
What the hell was that?
What?
What... why were you running
away from me like that?
I wasn't running away.
Were you talking
to the funeral home?
No.
Well, who... what are you doing?
We need to keep the body cold.
Why?
To stop it decomposing.
We need to keep it cold so it
stays fresh through tomorrow.
You want to keep
him here overnight?
Yes.
Well, are we
allowed to do that?
Alexa, play "Of You."
Here's "Of You"
by Human Beinz.
(kettle whistling)
(The Human Beinz, "of you")
Are you okay?
Alexa, stop.
Alexa, play.
Alexa, stop.
Mom, just tell me.
What's going on?
I didn't mention
it before, because I
didn't think you'd approve.
Approve of what?
Deb recommended him.
Recommended who?
He doesn't have a name.
I mean, she gave me his number.
I mean, not his number, but...
They sent me a list.
Things we have to prepare
before his arrival.
Mom, who is coming over?
The man Deb recommended.
Recommended for what?
To bring Robert back.
From where?
Oh.
(laughs)
- You don't know.
- Oh, Mom.
- No, he's...
- Um...
Deborah said he's...
He's done it before.
Listen, will you...
Will you just let me...
I always...
I always let you.
When the chemo
stopped working, I
went along with the crystals and
the herbal teas
and the smudging and
all the other bullshit
that didn't work.
Well, maybe it
didn't work because you
didn't believe that it would.
Oh, yeah, sure.
It's my fault that
incense can't cure cancer.
The point is, I let you try it.
But this?
Mom.
Mom, this is fucking crazy.
Well, luckily,
it's not up to you.
Alexa, play!
Mom, wait!
I can't seem
to find "Mom, Wait."
Alexa, shut the fuck up!
Look, I know, I
know we don't always
see eye to eye
on everything, but
I really need you to just
take a minute, take a minute,
and really think about this.
Okay?
Do you honestly believe
that some random guy
can bring Dad back?
Yes.
See, this is why
I didn't tell you.
Mom, you're a smart woman.
How can you possibly
believe that?
Deborah said.
Fuck Deborah!
Deborah still thinks
vaccinations cause autism!
You cannot listen to her.
But what if she's right?
What if he can
bring Robert back?
We... we can't just sit
around and do nothing!
You have no idea what it's like.
You're not the only
one who lost someone.
Actually, it is not the same!
It is not the same.
40 years.
I don't know who I am
without him anymore.
(door shuts)
Alexa, play "Of You."
Here's "Of You"
by Human Beinz.
(The Human Beinz, "of you")
(exhales)
(quietly) Fuck.
(sighs)
Hey, kiddo.
I don't know what to do.
Your mother's grieving.
You gotta be patient with her.
But she's...
If you fight her
on this, she's just going
to dig her heels in more.
What would you do?
Oh, well, if you
don't let her try this,
then you're the bad guy.
She'll resent you and always
wonder if it could have worked.
But if you go along with
it and it doesn't work,
then what's-his-name is
the bad guy, not you.
I hate when you're right.
(fading chuckles)
(The Human Beinz, "of you")
... Are here with me
Though you're far, far away
Alexa, turn down the volume.
Have you been smoking?
Have you been drinking?
(sighs)
I need you here
To fill the emptiness...
Where do you want to start?
I feel inside
We need to gather all
his precious objects.
Anything that holds the most
memories of him, things he
most loved.
We really have
to clear this all out?
It has to be a blank slate.
If you know what
it's like to be alone
Then you know
that it's true
All I do is sit around
Sit around, thinking of you
Turn, turn.
Here we go.
Turn, turn.
Okay.
Okay.
(ominous music)
(strident chord, gasp)
(sighs) I'm insane.
(gasps)
Oh, my God.
Okay, Okay.
Can't we just burn one thing?
We have to burn everything.
It's just stuff.
It's not him.
It's all we have left, Mom.
Do you think keeping
a watch is gonna help you
remember your father better?
No, that's not what I mean.
Because none of this matters.
It just doesn't matter.
It's the memories,
that's what's important.
I love that photo of you two.
It's my favorite.
You were such
a good little dancer.
Couldn't get enough of it.
It was so sad when
he made you give it up.
What are you talking about?
You don't remember?
Robert thought that
dancing was a distraction,
so he took you out
of your classes.
That doesn't sound like him.
It was exactly like him.
It's what he did.
He molded people.
That's why you ended up
in chess club instead.
Well, that's not
how I remember it.
You always had a glorified
image of your father.
You never saw him clearly.
Oh, and you did?
People save the worst
parts of themselves
for their spouses.
That's terrible.
Yeah, sometimes it was.
If you were so unhappy,
why didn't you just leave?
Because he also saved
the best part for me, too.
Robert wasn't perfect.
Nobody is.
Loving the best part
of someone is easy.
It's seeing their flaws
and accepting them and knowing
they do the same for you.
That's love.
Come on, honey.
I know it's just best.
Mom, one photo will
not make a difference.
Please, give it to me.
- Oh, no, no, no, no.
- No!
No!
No phones, no phones.
Look, you will
thank me tomorrow.
Now, let's... let's
get cleaned up.
Is this really necessary?
Ow!
What's wrong?
I lost my place.
I've lost my place.
I don't know if I should
start at the beginning,
or if I should go pick
up from where I left off.
Mom.
It's okay.
Okay.
I'm here with you, okay?
Okay.
Okay.
Okay, tilt your head back.
(sighs)
(tense music)
Don't start.
I didn't say anything.
I think you should slow down.
It's not too late to back out.
I can't back out.
He's not even here yet.
We could just call and say
we changed our minds.
I'm not changing my mind.
Jesus, when did you
get so stubborn?
Okay, Mom.
My mother always
said the punishment
of having a daughter was
they turn out just like you.
I'm not...
Oh, yes, you are.
I mean, you blame me
for all your shortcomings
- while your father...
- Can we not?
Please?
I think you should slow down.
Good for you.
Okay, I'm not trying
to talk you out of anything.
I just think it seems like
you're a little stressed.
That's all.
I'm here for you.
Okay?
I'm just saying, I'm here for
you, whatever you want to do.
(crying)
Are you okay?
Mom?
We both know that you
just don't want to be here.
I just said, I'm here for you.
You know, I just... you'll
ruin everything if you stay.
What?
I'm ruining...
Honey, I want you to go.
I want you to go.
What is going on?
I'm not gonna leave...
Just go!
It's what you do best!
That is not fair.
You knew he was sick,
and you left anyway.
And then, you didn't come
back until it was too late.
I did not leave
because Dad got sick.
Yes, you did.
Yes, you did!
Your precious life in New
York was more important to you
than your dad!
No, Mom, I left
because of you.
Me?
Yes!
You were so controlling.
You were breathing down my neck.
You were micromanaging
everything
I did, everything he did.
Well, what was
I supposed to do?
I mean, how was he supposed
to take care of himself?
I could have helped, but you
treated me like a child
- that was getting in the way.
- Oh, fine.
It's my fault that you left?
Is that what you're saying?
Fine.
Then it is my fault.
No, it is your fault
that you stayed away so long!
You should have
come back sooner.
You should have come back
when he was coherent enough
to recognize you!
I didn't know how bad it was!
You just kept saying
he was doing fine!
Nobody says those
kind of things!
It's... I couldn't go
into every excruciating detail!
The weight loss, the vomiting!
You should have told me!
You knew he was sick.
And you just didn't
want to deal with it.
No, you didn't
want to deal with it.
He wanted to die in peace
without the chemo,
but you forced him
into treatment,
even though the doctor said
it wasn't gonna save him!
But it didn't matter
what he wanted.
And it didn't matter
what I wanted.
Because the only thing
that ever fucking
matters is what you want!
(banging on door)
(tense music)
Go.
Go.
Hello.
Thank you for coming.
I... I hope you didn't have
any trouble finding the place.
This is Megan.
Mom?
Mom?
Oh...
Mom?
(shuddering) Mom!
Mom!
Mom.
Mom.
Mom!
Mom?
Are you okay?
Yeah, I'm fine.
I'm fine.
Take those off.
We cleared everything out.
I got the incense
and candles you requested.
The crystals have been
hanging for three weeks now.
Oh.
Of course.
You... you want us to prepare
the body first, right?
Um... so we'll get started.
Would you help me?
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
All right. (Clears throat)
(grunting)
Good.
Great.
Is that really necessary?
He's supposed to be
naked for the ritual.
What are you doing?
I told you...
He can have a little modesty
until the ritual starts.
Is that all right?
See?
It's fine.
What is that?
It's a witch's
ladder for protection.
Is that your hair?
Oh, my God.
(non-English speech)
What was that?
(non-English speech)
Ashes.
(gasps)
Oh, my...
Here are the ashes.
Mom!
(non-English speech)
He wants us to put
Robert in the circle.
How are we going to...
Just do it.
I'm gonna get
under him right here.
Okay, 1, 2, 3.
(grunting)
Okay.
(groans)
(grunting)
Uh... oh!
Shh, shh!
(gasps) Mom, can
we talk for a second?
Not now.
Yes, now.
How much are you
paying him for this?
- None of your business.
- Mom.
Mom?
There was a lot
of money in that bag.
How much are you paying him?
The deal is done.
Mom, Mom, this
conversation is not over.
How much?
Everything.
What does that mean?
All of it.
But you still have your
savings and your 401(k), yeah?
All of it.
Mom!
Mom, Mom, tell me.
Tell me you didn't.
Tell me you didn't.
I had to.
Oh, my God.
It's worth it.
- Oh, my God!
- Shh!
Oh, my God!
Mom!
Mom, what are you... what are
you... what are you doing!
What are you doing?
You're supposed
to be the pragmatist!
You've been squirreling
away money your whole life.
How... how could you...
How could you do this?
How could you... how
could you be so reckless?
What happened?
It's a calculated risk.
Undo it.
I can't.
It's too late to turn back now.
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
What are you going to... what
are you going to live on?
I can't support you.
- I can't.
- Doesn't matter.
Of course it matters.
Of course it matters.
Okay, Mom.
Mom, okay, Mom.
Imagine you're actually
able to bring Dad back.
What are you going to live on?
Did you ever think about that?
It doesn't matter.
Oh, for fuck's sake, Mom!
How could you do this to me?
That wasn't just your money!
That's not fair!
It wasn't just your money!
Did you think about me
for a fucking second!
Leave.
I'll do the ritual myself.
Mom!
Shit.
Don't be so hard
on your mother.
She's trying her best.
I... I can't.
I... I can't.
You know you can't
leave her alone with him.
Fuck.
I wish you were here.
Take care of her.
You're all she has left now.
(tense music)
Where is it?
Where is it?
What did you do with it?
What did you do with it!
Megan.
(breathing shakily)
What is that?
What's that for?
Protection.
Protection from what?
Once the circle is
sealed, we cannot leave
until the ritual is complete.
Okay?
(non-English speech)
We have to do exactly what
he says, or things could get...
What?
Once we prepare the body,
we'll do the second surrender
and perform the spell
to take us to the other side.
The other side?
Then we'll summon Robert's
spirit back to his body.
And the third surrender
will bring us home.
Are you ready?
(exhales shakily) Yes.
(non-English speech)
(tense music)
What's that for?
Cry.
Cry?
Mom?
Well?
I can't just cry on command.
Your father just died.
I'm sorry.
I...
You know what
that means, right?
You're stuck with me forever!
(squealing, laughter)
Honey?
Rob?
Robert!
There you are.
What are you doing?
We're gonna be late.
Is that what you're wearing?
I thought you
liked this dress.
I do.
It's fine to wear when
we go see your friends.
We never go see my friends.
I just don't think
it's appropriate
for dinner at the dean's.
That's all.
This is
reinvigorating my career.
I would be back before
the semester even started.
Five weeks is a long time.
You left for three months
during your sabbatical.
It's not the same.
No, it's not, because you
would be the one
left alone here with Megan.
That's not my...
It's not the right time.
Maybe in a few years.
Hey, kiddo!
This is ridiculous.
Robert, you're overreacting.
I knew this was a mistake.
I should have never let
you talk me into this.
It's not a mistake.
She loves dancing.
Well, it's a distraction.
She should be focusing
on her studies.
Robert, she's seven years old.
Yeah, you have to start good
habits when they're young.
All she said was that
Megan should be in a more
advanced dance class.
What could possibly
be wrong with that?
Because it's not
just a dance class!
It's starting her
down a path, and
if she goes too far down
it, she could end up like...
(non-English incantations)
(crunching)
(crunching)
Swallow.
I don't feel so good.
Shh.
I can't feel my legs.
Mom?
(non-English incantations)
Mom?
Mom?
(screaming) Mom!
Mom!
(moaning, gasping)
(crying) Oh, no!
Oh, God!
(sobbing)
(groaning, crying)
(non-English incantations)
Oh, no, no, no!
No, no, no!
I can't!
Oh, no!
Please stop!
Please stop!
No, no! (Screaming)
Please, stop!
I can't!
(sobbing)
Please stop! (Screaming)
(non-English incantations)
(humming)
What did you do?
The second surrender.
(whimpers)
No, Mom.
No, I don't want
to do this anymore.
We're so close.
(crying)
(breathing deeply)
Okay.
Okay.
(tense music)
(non-English incantations)
(repeats incantations)
(non-English incantations)
(repeats incantations)
(non-English incantations)
(repeats incantations)
(non-English incantations)
(repeats incantations)
(incanting loudly)
(rattling on windows)
(incantations continue)
(all yelling)
(yelling)
Was that supposed to happen?
(crackling, gurgling)
What was that?
(screams)
Where is he?
- Where is he?
- Where is he?
- Mom!
- Where is he?
Mom!
Where did he go?
Where did he go?
Where is he?
Where is he!
(ominous music)
(gasping)
(gurgling, choking)
(screaming)
Oh, my God!
(screaming)
(sobbing)
I don't understand.
The circle was
supposed to protect us.
Why isn't it working?
How could this have happened?
How could this have happened?
What's that?
What?
How did you?
We burned that!
I...
(chomping, snarling)
(screaming)
Burn it.
Seal the circle.
What?
Mom!
Quick!
Megan!
Do it!
I'm trying!
Do it!
Do it!
(chomping, snarling)
(pattering footsteps retreating)
Dad?
Dad!
Do you see him?
No.
Where is he?
Robert?
Robert?
We're here, Robert.
Follow my voice.
Where are we?
Robert.
We need to get out of here.
I'm not going
anywhere without him.
Robert.
Didn't you say there's
a... a... a summoning
spell we're supposed to do?
The spell summons
the spirit back to the body,
but it won't work if we
don't have his body.
We need to get it back.
Robert?
Robert.
Shh, shh, shh.
(crackling)
(gasps)
(eerie music)
(gasps)
Robert.
(gasps) I don't
think that's him.
Of course it is.
No, look at his body.
That's not him.
If we can get him
back into the circle,
we can summon his spirit.
What about whatever
is inside his body now?
(bones crackling)
Oh, Mom.
Mom, we have to go home.
This is clearly not where
we're supposed to be.
No, no, no, no.
We can't leave him here.
That is not Dad.
We don't know where he is.
He might not even be here.
- We should just go home.
- We're not going to leave.
- Why?
- Because we can't.
- Why not?
- Because I don't know how.
You don't know
how to get back?
Of course not.
That's what he was for.
- But you said...
- No, no, no.
No, no, no.
I know we're supposed
to summon his spirit,
and then do the third
surrender to take us home.
But you don't
know what that is.
No, I don't.
Okay, first... first,
we need to get
his body back into the circle.
And then we need to figure out
a way to summon the spirit.
And then, once
we're all reunited,
we need to find
a way to get home.
All right?
Okay.
Robert?
Robert?
Robert, come here.
Why isn't he coming?
I...
We have to find a way.
We have to find a way.
Okay.
Robert.
Robert, come here.
Come here.
Robert?
You want this?
You want this?
Here you go!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
- Mom, what are you doing?
- I'm fine.
No!
I'm fine.
(screaming)
(breathing heavily)
You want this?
No, no.
Come here.
It's okay.
Maybe we could... maybe
we could pull him in.
No, no, no, Mom, no.
Robert.
Robert, please.
Please.
One more step.
Robert.
One more step.
Please?
Ah!
No!
No, no!
No!
No!
No, don't do that!
No, don't.
Come on.
Look!
Robert!
Robert!
Mom!
Robert, no! (Screaming)
(crack)
(sobbing) Oh, God!
Oh, God!
No!
Mom!
No, Mom!
(gasping)
Oh, no, Mom!
Mom!
No!
Oh, no!
No!
No, Mom!
Stop!
No!
(dramatic music)
(sobbing)
No!
No, no!
(sobbing)
Oh, no!
No, Mom!
(somber music)
Please, God.
I don't know if you
can hear me, but...
If you're out there, I...
I could really use your help.
Please.
If there's anybody out there
who can hear me, please,
please help me.
Please help me.
Please, please.
(disembodied laughter)
Please, please.
I don't belong here.
I just want to go.
(laughter continues)
(shuffling noises)
(ominous music)
Hello?
Hello!
Help me!
Help me!
Please!
Help me!
How do I get out of here?
(gasps)
No, wait!
Wait!
No!
Come back!
Please!
No, don't leave!
Don't leave me, please!
Dad, please come back.
Please help me.
(snarling)
(gasps)
Shut up!
Just shut up!
(loud growling)
Go away.
(rumbling)
Go away!
(gasping)
(yells)
The third surrender
will bring us home.
(whimpers)
(tense music)
(screaming)
Oh!
Fuck!
Fuck!
(gasping in pain)
(sobbing)
No.
Fuck it.
(screams)
(singing indistinctly)
(singing shakily)
Then you know it's true
All I do is sit around
Sit around
Thinking of you
Do you know what
it's like to be alone
Do you know that it's true?
(faint chirping)
(chirping continues)
(grunting)
(gasps)
(grunting)
(grunting)
(gasps)
(sobbing laughter)
(crying)
Come on!
(grunting)
(heavy breathing, laughter)
(grunting)
(grunting)
(grunting)
(crying, laughter)
Hello?
Hello?
Do people die?
Well, yeah.
Everything dies eventually.
Will you and Mommy die?
Dad?
- Yeah.
- Dad!
But not in a very long time.
I don't want you to die!
Dad!
Dad!
Death isn't anything
to be afraid of.
Dad!
It's me.
Dad!
Dad!
Dad!
Dad!
Dad!
Dad!
Dad!
It's me, please!
Please, Dad!
Yes, even when someone dies,
they never really go away.
They don't?
No.
As long as you love
them and remember them,
they'll always be with you.
You know what that means, right?
You're stuck with me forever!
(squealing, laughter)
Dad!
Dad!
Dad!
Dad!
No!
Oh, no!
Oh, God!
Dad!
What's wrong with it?
I think he's dead.
Can you fix him?
No, sweetheart.
When something dies,
they can't come back.
Why not?
It's just the way it is.
All you can do is let him go.
Do people die?
Well, yeah.
Everything dies eventually.
Sorry, Dad.
Will you and Mommy die?
Yeah.
But not for a very long time.
(The Human Beinz, "of you")
If you know what
it's like to be alone
Then you know
that it's true
All I do is sit around
Sit around, thinking of you
(sobbing)
Weeks turn into years
My childish tears
will fade away
Because I miss you so
It's not a hobby!
(muffled arguing)
I'm nothing without you
You left for three months
during your sabbatical.
It's not the same thing.
No, it's not,
because you would be
the one taking care of Megan.
That's not...
What?
I don't know what I'd do
Probably spend
my time sitting around
Sitting around,
thinking of you
(grunting softly)
Mom?
Look at you.
How could you do this?
How could you die like that?
I know it's not really you.
I know.
But I need you
to be her for now.
I always had this
image of you in...
In my head, of who
you both were.
It stopped me from really
seeing either of you.
Maybe... maybe if I had, none
of this would have happened.
(somber music)
I'm tired of fighting.
You're stubborn,
and you're selfish.
And you drive me fucking nuts.
But I do love you.
All of you.
I'm sorry I didn't
say that more.
Goodbye, Mom.
(serene music)
You are here with me
Though you're far, far away
(gurgling, crackling)
And I'll be still
Till you're here,
here to stay
I need you here
To fill the emptiness
I feel inside
(music stops abruptly)
(labored breathing)
Oh, excuse me.
(breathing shakily)
(panting)
(yelling) Fuck!
(breathing shakily)
(tense music)
(lighter flicks)
(sighs)
God damn it.
Where were you?
I went for a walk.
(sighs) Nice.
Well, he had to go
to the bathroom,
and you weren't there
to help me lift him.
I thought Nikki showed
you how to do it yourself.
Oh, yeah.
You try doing it yourself.
It's not that easy.
I'm sorry, I just...
I did not sleep very
much last night.
- Go take a nap.
- No.
Yeah, Mom.
Mom, I got it.
(labored breathing)
(sighs)
(ominous music)
(gasps)
(gasps)
(water running)
(rattling)
- Barbara!
- Dad.
- I'm here, Dad.
- Barbara!
Dad, do you need something?
I can do it.
Oh!
Agh!
Okay, all right.
Mom, he's calling for you.
Okay.
Hi, honey.
Barbara!
I'm here, I'm here, I'm here.
Hi, sweetheart.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
Okay.
All right.
Just...
Let me... let me just...
- The morphine.
- What?
On the nightstand.
Pass me the morphine.
Okay.
Yeah, that's fine.
All right.
Thank you.
Okay, here we go.
Barbara!
Okay, we'll do half.
Only half.
Okay.
Okay, here we go.
Here we go.
Here you go, sweetheart.
Here we go, here we go.
Okay, there you go.
Drink it up.
There we go.
Okay.
(grunting)
Shh.
Here we go.
Here we go.
There you go.
Is he... is he...
No.
I should have
come back sooner.
Yeah, you should have.
What did you do?
Mom, it's fine!
I didn't... No, I didn't
throw anything away.
They're in the night...
Well, what about this?
Well... well, it's...
It smelled like shit
and had human teeth inside.
Where do you even get teeth, Ma?
You know what?
I really don't want to know.
It's a medicine bag.
Well, it's disgusting.
When did you start
believing in voodoo?
When did you become
a cultural chauvinist?
I've always had
a spiritual side.
You went on a yoga
retreat once 20 years ago.
I'd hardly call that being
spiritually enlightened.
Well, Deb says
that all experiences
have meaning and value.
Oh.
Well, if Deb says it,
then it must be true.
They don't just let anyone
become a yoga instructor.
Get out.
What?
He doesn't need this negative
energy weighing him down.
Mom, I'm...
Go, go.
Just go.
Fine.
Jesus.
Any changes in the medication?
Uh, he's not eating, so we
stopped the Ondansetron
and (inaudible).
That's to be
expected at this point.
You should talk with his doctor.
You may be able to stop
the dexamethasone tablets and
the Thorazine, and just
stick with the mirtazapine
and oxycodone.
Has he been responding
to the morphine?
Yes.
Oh, he doesn't need that much.
That's the recommended amount.
No, but he... he doesn't
like taking that much.
It clouds his mind.
I think he's beyond that.
Clearly, he's in pain.
You need to be giving
him the full dose.
Mom, come on.
We should.
Okay.
(gulps)
Thank you so much
for your time.
(sighs)
You need to make
sure he's getting
his full dose of morphine.
It's important to stay
ahead of the pain.
Okay.
I see this happen
all the time.
She's withholding it because it
makes her feel needed.
I'm sure she already
feels pretty needed.
He calls out for her
all the time.
He calls out for her
because he's in pain,
not because he wants her.
If she gave him the correct
dosage, he wouldn't call out.
Oh.
(eerie music)
(phone pings)
Almost there.
Okay.
Come on, honey.
Yep.
Here we go.
Here we go.
This will be much easier than
getting you to the bathroom.
Mom.
Yeah.
Um, do you remember that thing
Dad and I were working on?
What thing?
The... um, the nonprofit.
The scholarship program?
The...
Oh, the one
to help ethnic kids.
Low-income, Mom.
Jesus Christ.
Is that still a thing?
Yeah, we definitely don't
call people "ethnic" anymore.
No, I meant
the scholarship program.
Oh, yeah.
Yeah.
Uh, that's the hope.
Dad said that if... if the grant
didn't come through, that he
would pay to contribute to...
No.
What do you mean, no?
The answer is no.
Can we have a conversation
about it, please?
We can't afford it right now.
Can I ask why?
Medical expenses.
I thought insurance was
covering the medical costs.
It's not that.
Look, I would not ask
if we had any other options,
but we were counting
on that money.
Why are you always
borrowing money?
I'm not always
borrowing money.
And it's not for me.
It's for the kids.
What a martyr.
Mom, I'm not a martyr.
- Mom!
- You know what?
Is this something
you even wanted,
or are you just
doing this for him?
Of course I want to do this.
Of course.
Because if you really
wanted to do this,
you would have applied
for more grants.
What was the backup plan?
He was the backup plan.
What?
You cannot rely on us forever!
(phone alarm rings)
Oh, God damn it.
Where are my glasses?
Mom, your alarm.
Yes, I know, I know.
But I can't read the Goddamn
spreadsheet without my glasses.
- Mom?
- Where are they?
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
What!
They're right there.
Sorry.
Sorry, sorry, sorry,
sorry, sorry, sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm
sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry,
I'm sorry.
Let me give him his meds.
Let me do it.
Let me do it.
I'll do it.
- Yeah.
- Yes, fine.
Do it.
(clears throat)
Why don't we
take the night off?
All right?
We deserve a break.
I can't leave him alone.
It wouldn't have
to be for long.
I... no, we...
We can just go to dinner.
I... I can't.
I'll call Nikki,
and she can come over.
- No.
- You trust Nikki.
That is... no, that
is out of the question.
Then you go, and I
will stay here with him.
What if something happens?
What if... what if he
stops breathing?
I'll call you.
I got it.
I got it.
How's it going?
It's the same.
I honestly don't know how much
longer we can keep this up.
(sighs) I'm sorry.
It's fine, it's fine.
I mean, it's not, but I finally
convinced her to take a night
off, so that's something.
Hey, really?
What's she doing?
Going to dinner
with friends, I think.
Maybe a movie.
I don't know.
Wow.
I mean, that's
a big step for her.
Yeah.
She hasn't taken a night
off since Dad got sick.
Look, I know this is terrible
timing, but did you ask
her about... d working on it.
I'll get the money.
(eerie music)
(scrambling noise)
(scrambling noise)
(thud)
(gasps)
Barbara!
Agh!
It's okay.
It's okay.
I'm here.
Do you want some water?
Barb... Barbara!
She's not here, Dad.
It's just me.
Oh, Barbara.
(struggling)
Dad, um...
What can I...
Oh!
(groaning)
(gurgling) Barbara!
(crying)
Barbara!
Barbara!
Barbara!
(groaning)
- Barbara!
- I'm coming, Dad!
I'm coming, I'm coming!
(choking, gargling)
(yelling)
Oh, Dad!
Dad!
Here we go, here we go.
Open, open!
Ah!
(crying)
(crying) There you go.
There you go.
It's okay.
It's okay.
I got you.
It's all right.
(eerie music)
Dad?
What's wrong with it?
I think he's dead.
Can you fix him?
No, sweetheart.
When something dies,
they can't come back.
Why not?
Oh, it's just the way it is.
All you can do is let him go.
Do people die?
Yeah.
Everything dies eventually.
Will you and Mommy die?
Yeah.
But not for a very long time.
I don't want you to die!
It's okay.
Hey, hey.
I know.
Death isn't anything
to be afraid of.
It's natural.
Death is what makes
life so special.
You know what the funny
thing about death is?
Even when someone dies,
they don't really go away.
They don't?
No.
As long as you remember
them and love them,
they'll always be with you.
You know what that means, right?
You are stuck with me forever!
(screaming, laughing)
(gasps)
Dad?
Dad?
Dad, let's get you
back to bed. (Gasps)
They're watching.
What?
Come on.
(water running)
(breathing deeply)
(door closes)
(sighs)
Oh, it's okay.
I already gave him his morphine.
What?
What?
He was in pain, so I gave
it to him a little early.
You can't just give him his
medication whenever you like.
There's a schedule in place.
There's a set time.
All right, I'm sorry.
I will not do it again.
I'm so sorry, Mom,
but he's fine.
Look, he's fine.
What's the big deal?
I just gave
Robert his morphine.
What?
Why?
Why would you walk in the door
and immediately give
it to him without checking in?
Because my alarm went off.
Oh, my God, the fucking alarm.
It's not my fault.
Oh, so it's my fault?
Should we call somebody?
Should we take him
to the hospital?
I don't know.
He's on one of those DNR things.
I don't think they would
allow us to help him.
Is two doses lethal?
I don't know.
What do we do?
(scratching noise)
Do you hear that?
What?
That scratching sound.
It's just the rats.
Rats?
We've had them for years.
They get in through the roof.
It was Robert's job
to call the exterminator
when things got really bad.
I think it's time
to call the exterminator.
(light switch clicks)
(birds chirping)
(gasps)
(crying) Mom... Mom.
Mom.
When do you think he...
I don't know.
He's already cold.
I thought the end would
be different somehow.
Some final moment.
We weren't even awake.
It doesn't feel right.
- Oh, no.
- What?
What?
We need to close his eyes
and mouth before the rigor
mortis sets in.
Okay.
Okay.
All right.
Um...
Okay.
- Oh, it's stuck.
- We waited too long.
Push harder.
I don't want to hurt him.
It's a little late for that.
(laughter)
Try.
Give it another try.
Okay, here we go.
(cracking)
Oh, God.
Close his eyes.
They won't stay down.
That'll have to do.
It doesn't feel real.
No.
(whispering) Mom.
Mom.
(sobbing)
(somber music)
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, it just happened.
Okay, I don't... all right,
I don't really know.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, no, um...
Mom?
No, I...
- Mom, Mom.
- Okay.
What the hell?
Mom?
(door slams)
The fuck?
I understand.
All right.
Thank you.
What the hell was that?
What?
What... why were you running
away from me like that?
I wasn't running away.
Were you talking
to the funeral home?
No.
Well, who... what are you doing?
We need to keep the body cold.
Why?
To stop it decomposing.
We need to keep it cold so it
stays fresh through tomorrow.
You want to keep
him here overnight?
Yes.
Well, are we
allowed to do that?
Alexa, play "Of You."
Here's "Of You"
by Human Beinz.
(kettle whistling)
(The Human Beinz, "of you")
Are you okay?
Alexa, stop.
Alexa, play.
Alexa, stop.
Mom, just tell me.
What's going on?
I didn't mention
it before, because I
didn't think you'd approve.
Approve of what?
Deb recommended him.
Recommended who?
He doesn't have a name.
I mean, she gave me his number.
I mean, not his number, but...
They sent me a list.
Things we have to prepare
before his arrival.
Mom, who is coming over?
The man Deb recommended.
Recommended for what?
To bring Robert back.
From where?
Oh.
(laughs)
- You don't know.
- Oh, Mom.
- No, he's...
- Um...
Deborah said he's...
He's done it before.
Listen, will you...
Will you just let me...
I always...
I always let you.
When the chemo
stopped working, I
went along with the crystals and
the herbal teas
and the smudging and
all the other bullshit
that didn't work.
Well, maybe it
didn't work because you
didn't believe that it would.
Oh, yeah, sure.
It's my fault that
incense can't cure cancer.
The point is, I let you try it.
But this?
Mom.
Mom, this is fucking crazy.
Well, luckily,
it's not up to you.
Alexa, play!
Mom, wait!
I can't seem
to find "Mom, Wait."
Alexa, shut the fuck up!
Look, I know, I
know we don't always
see eye to eye
on everything, but
I really need you to just
take a minute, take a minute,
and really think about this.
Okay?
Do you honestly believe
that some random guy
can bring Dad back?
Yes.
See, this is why
I didn't tell you.
Mom, you're a smart woman.
How can you possibly
believe that?
Deborah said.
Fuck Deborah!
Deborah still thinks
vaccinations cause autism!
You cannot listen to her.
But what if she's right?
What if he can
bring Robert back?
We... we can't just sit
around and do nothing!
You have no idea what it's like.
You're not the only
one who lost someone.
Actually, it is not the same!
It is not the same.
40 years.
I don't know who I am
without him anymore.
(door shuts)
Alexa, play "Of You."
Here's "Of You"
by Human Beinz.
(The Human Beinz, "of you")
(exhales)
(quietly) Fuck.
(sighs)
Hey, kiddo.
I don't know what to do.
Your mother's grieving.
You gotta be patient with her.
But she's...
If you fight her
on this, she's just going
to dig her heels in more.
What would you do?
Oh, well, if you
don't let her try this,
then you're the bad guy.
She'll resent you and always
wonder if it could have worked.
But if you go along with
it and it doesn't work,
then what's-his-name is
the bad guy, not you.
I hate when you're right.
(fading chuckles)
(The Human Beinz, "of you")
... Are here with me
Though you're far, far away
Alexa, turn down the volume.
Have you been smoking?
Have you been drinking?
(sighs)
I need you here
To fill the emptiness...
Where do you want to start?
I feel inside
We need to gather all
his precious objects.
Anything that holds the most
memories of him, things he
most loved.
We really have
to clear this all out?
It has to be a blank slate.
If you know what
it's like to be alone
Then you know
that it's true
All I do is sit around
Sit around, thinking of you
Turn, turn.
Here we go.
Turn, turn.
Okay.
Okay.
(ominous music)
(strident chord, gasp)
(sighs) I'm insane.
(gasps)
Oh, my God.
Okay, Okay.
Can't we just burn one thing?
We have to burn everything.
It's just stuff.
It's not him.
It's all we have left, Mom.
Do you think keeping
a watch is gonna help you
remember your father better?
No, that's not what I mean.
Because none of this matters.
It just doesn't matter.
It's the memories,
that's what's important.
I love that photo of you two.
It's my favorite.
You were such
a good little dancer.
Couldn't get enough of it.
It was so sad when
he made you give it up.
What are you talking about?
You don't remember?
Robert thought that
dancing was a distraction,
so he took you out
of your classes.
That doesn't sound like him.
It was exactly like him.
It's what he did.
He molded people.
That's why you ended up
in chess club instead.
Well, that's not
how I remember it.
You always had a glorified
image of your father.
You never saw him clearly.
Oh, and you did?
People save the worst
parts of themselves
for their spouses.
That's terrible.
Yeah, sometimes it was.
If you were so unhappy,
why didn't you just leave?
Because he also saved
the best part for me, too.
Robert wasn't perfect.
Nobody is.
Loving the best part
of someone is easy.
It's seeing their flaws
and accepting them and knowing
they do the same for you.
That's love.
Come on, honey.
I know it's just best.
Mom, one photo will
not make a difference.
Please, give it to me.
- Oh, no, no, no, no.
- No!
No!
No phones, no phones.
Look, you will
thank me tomorrow.
Now, let's... let's
get cleaned up.
Is this really necessary?
Ow!
What's wrong?
I lost my place.
I've lost my place.
I don't know if I should
start at the beginning,
or if I should go pick
up from where I left off.
Mom.
It's okay.
Okay.
I'm here with you, okay?
Okay.
Okay.
Okay, tilt your head back.
(sighs)
(tense music)
Don't start.
I didn't say anything.
I think you should slow down.
It's not too late to back out.
I can't back out.
He's not even here yet.
We could just call and say
we changed our minds.
I'm not changing my mind.
Jesus, when did you
get so stubborn?
Okay, Mom.
My mother always
said the punishment
of having a daughter was
they turn out just like you.
I'm not...
Oh, yes, you are.
I mean, you blame me
for all your shortcomings
- while your father...
- Can we not?
Please?
I think you should slow down.
Good for you.
Okay, I'm not trying
to talk you out of anything.
I just think it seems like
you're a little stressed.
That's all.
I'm here for you.
Okay?
I'm just saying, I'm here for
you, whatever you want to do.
(crying)
Are you okay?
Mom?
We both know that you
just don't want to be here.
I just said, I'm here for you.
You know, I just... you'll
ruin everything if you stay.
What?
I'm ruining...
Honey, I want you to go.
I want you to go.
What is going on?
I'm not gonna leave...
Just go!
It's what you do best!
That is not fair.
You knew he was sick,
and you left anyway.
And then, you didn't come
back until it was too late.
I did not leave
because Dad got sick.
Yes, you did.
Yes, you did!
Your precious life in New
York was more important to you
than your dad!
No, Mom, I left
because of you.
Me?
Yes!
You were so controlling.
You were breathing down my neck.
You were micromanaging
everything
I did, everything he did.
Well, what was
I supposed to do?
I mean, how was he supposed
to take care of himself?
I could have helped, but you
treated me like a child
- that was getting in the way.
- Oh, fine.
It's my fault that you left?
Is that what you're saying?
Fine.
Then it is my fault.
No, it is your fault
that you stayed away so long!
You should have
come back sooner.
You should have come back
when he was coherent enough
to recognize you!
I didn't know how bad it was!
You just kept saying
he was doing fine!
Nobody says those
kind of things!
It's... I couldn't go
into every excruciating detail!
The weight loss, the vomiting!
You should have told me!
You knew he was sick.
And you just didn't
want to deal with it.
No, you didn't
want to deal with it.
He wanted to die in peace
without the chemo,
but you forced him
into treatment,
even though the doctor said
it wasn't gonna save him!
But it didn't matter
what he wanted.
And it didn't matter
what I wanted.
Because the only thing
that ever fucking
matters is what you want!
(banging on door)
(tense music)
Go.
Go.
Hello.
Thank you for coming.
I... I hope you didn't have
any trouble finding the place.
This is Megan.
Mom?
Mom?
Oh...
Mom?
(shuddering) Mom!
Mom!
Mom.
Mom.
Mom!
Mom?
Are you okay?
Yeah, I'm fine.
I'm fine.
Take those off.
We cleared everything out.
I got the incense
and candles you requested.
The crystals have been
hanging for three weeks now.
Oh.
Of course.
You... you want us to prepare
the body first, right?
Um... so we'll get started.
Would you help me?
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
All right. (Clears throat)
(grunting)
Good.
Great.
Is that really necessary?
He's supposed to be
naked for the ritual.
What are you doing?
I told you...
He can have a little modesty
until the ritual starts.
Is that all right?
See?
It's fine.
What is that?
It's a witch's
ladder for protection.
Is that your hair?
Oh, my God.
(non-English speech)
What was that?
(non-English speech)
Ashes.
(gasps)
Oh, my...
Here are the ashes.
Mom!
(non-English speech)
He wants us to put
Robert in the circle.
How are we going to...
Just do it.
I'm gonna get
under him right here.
Okay, 1, 2, 3.
(grunting)
Okay.
(groans)
(grunting)
Uh... oh!
Shh, shh!
(gasps) Mom, can
we talk for a second?
Not now.
Yes, now.
How much are you
paying him for this?
- None of your business.
- Mom.
Mom?
There was a lot
of money in that bag.
How much are you paying him?
The deal is done.
Mom, Mom, this
conversation is not over.
How much?
Everything.
What does that mean?
All of it.
But you still have your
savings and your 401(k), yeah?
All of it.
Mom!
Mom, Mom, tell me.
Tell me you didn't.
Tell me you didn't.
I had to.
Oh, my God.
It's worth it.
- Oh, my God!
- Shh!
Oh, my God!
Mom!
Mom, what are you... what are
you... what are you doing!
What are you doing?
You're supposed
to be the pragmatist!
You've been squirreling
away money your whole life.
How... how could you...
How could you do this?
How could you... how
could you be so reckless?
What happened?
It's a calculated risk.
Undo it.
I can't.
It's too late to turn back now.
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
What are you going to... what
are you going to live on?
I can't support you.
- I can't.
- Doesn't matter.
Of course it matters.
Of course it matters.
Okay, Mom.
Mom, okay, Mom.
Imagine you're actually
able to bring Dad back.
What are you going to live on?
Did you ever think about that?
It doesn't matter.
Oh, for fuck's sake, Mom!
How could you do this to me?
That wasn't just your money!
That's not fair!
It wasn't just your money!
Did you think about me
for a fucking second!
Leave.
I'll do the ritual myself.
Mom!
Shit.
Don't be so hard
on your mother.
She's trying her best.
I... I can't.
I... I can't.
You know you can't
leave her alone with him.
Fuck.
I wish you were here.
Take care of her.
You're all she has left now.
(tense music)
Where is it?
Where is it?
What did you do with it?
What did you do with it!
Megan.
(breathing shakily)
What is that?
What's that for?
Protection.
Protection from what?
Once the circle is
sealed, we cannot leave
until the ritual is complete.
Okay?
(non-English speech)
We have to do exactly what
he says, or things could get...
What?
Once we prepare the body,
we'll do the second surrender
and perform the spell
to take us to the other side.
The other side?
Then we'll summon Robert's
spirit back to his body.
And the third surrender
will bring us home.
Are you ready?
(exhales shakily) Yes.
(non-English speech)
(tense music)
What's that for?
Cry.
Cry?
Mom?
Well?
I can't just cry on command.
Your father just died.
I'm sorry.
I...
You know what
that means, right?
You're stuck with me forever!
(squealing, laughter)
Honey?
Rob?
Robert!
There you are.
What are you doing?
We're gonna be late.
Is that what you're wearing?
I thought you
liked this dress.
I do.
It's fine to wear when
we go see your friends.
We never go see my friends.
I just don't think
it's appropriate
for dinner at the dean's.
That's all.
This is
reinvigorating my career.
I would be back before
the semester even started.
Five weeks is a long time.
You left for three months
during your sabbatical.
It's not the same.
No, it's not, because you
would be the one
left alone here with Megan.
That's not my...
It's not the right time.
Maybe in a few years.
Hey, kiddo!
This is ridiculous.
Robert, you're overreacting.
I knew this was a mistake.
I should have never let
you talk me into this.
It's not a mistake.
She loves dancing.
Well, it's a distraction.
She should be focusing
on her studies.
Robert, she's seven years old.
Yeah, you have to start good
habits when they're young.
All she said was that
Megan should be in a more
advanced dance class.
What could possibly
be wrong with that?
Because it's not
just a dance class!
It's starting her
down a path, and
if she goes too far down
it, she could end up like...
(non-English incantations)
(crunching)
(crunching)
Swallow.
I don't feel so good.
Shh.
I can't feel my legs.
Mom?
(non-English incantations)
Mom?
Mom?
(screaming) Mom!
Mom!
(moaning, gasping)
(crying) Oh, no!
Oh, God!
(sobbing)
(groaning, crying)
(non-English incantations)
Oh, no, no, no!
No, no, no!
I can't!
Oh, no!
Please stop!
Please stop!
No, no! (Screaming)
Please, stop!
I can't!
(sobbing)
Please stop! (Screaming)
(non-English incantations)
(humming)
What did you do?
The second surrender.
(whimpers)
No, Mom.
No, I don't want
to do this anymore.
We're so close.
(crying)
(breathing deeply)
Okay.
Okay.
(tense music)
(non-English incantations)
(repeats incantations)
(non-English incantations)
(repeats incantations)
(non-English incantations)
(repeats incantations)
(non-English incantations)
(repeats incantations)
(incanting loudly)
(rattling on windows)
(incantations continue)
(all yelling)
(yelling)
Was that supposed to happen?
(crackling, gurgling)
What was that?
(screams)
Where is he?
- Where is he?
- Where is he?
- Mom!
- Where is he?
Mom!
Where did he go?
Where did he go?
Where is he?
Where is he!
(ominous music)
(gasping)
(gurgling, choking)
(screaming)
Oh, my God!
(screaming)
(sobbing)
I don't understand.
The circle was
supposed to protect us.
Why isn't it working?
How could this have happened?
How could this have happened?
What's that?
What?
How did you?
We burned that!
I...
(chomping, snarling)
(screaming)
Burn it.
Seal the circle.
What?
Mom!
Quick!
Megan!
Do it!
I'm trying!
Do it!
Do it!
(chomping, snarling)
(pattering footsteps retreating)
Dad?
Dad!
Do you see him?
No.
Where is he?
Robert?
Robert?
We're here, Robert.
Follow my voice.
Where are we?
Robert.
We need to get out of here.
I'm not going
anywhere without him.
Robert.
Didn't you say there's
a... a... a summoning
spell we're supposed to do?
The spell summons
the spirit back to the body,
but it won't work if we
don't have his body.
We need to get it back.
Robert?
Robert.
Shh, shh, shh.
(crackling)
(gasps)
(eerie music)
(gasps)
Robert.
(gasps) I don't
think that's him.
Of course it is.
No, look at his body.
That's not him.
If we can get him
back into the circle,
we can summon his spirit.
What about whatever
is inside his body now?
(bones crackling)
Oh, Mom.
Mom, we have to go home.
This is clearly not where
we're supposed to be.
No, no, no, no.
We can't leave him here.
That is not Dad.
We don't know where he is.
He might not even be here.
- We should just go home.
- We're not going to leave.
- Why?
- Because we can't.
- Why not?
- Because I don't know how.
You don't know
how to get back?
Of course not.
That's what he was for.
- But you said...
- No, no, no.
No, no, no.
I know we're supposed
to summon his spirit,
and then do the third
surrender to take us home.
But you don't
know what that is.
No, I don't.
Okay, first... first,
we need to get
his body back into the circle.
And then we need to figure out
a way to summon the spirit.
And then, once
we're all reunited,
we need to find
a way to get home.
All right?
Okay.
Robert?
Robert?
Robert, come here.
Why isn't he coming?
I...
We have to find a way.
We have to find a way.
Okay.
Robert.
Robert, come here.
Come here.
Robert?
You want this?
You want this?
Here you go!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
- Mom, what are you doing?
- I'm fine.
No!
I'm fine.
(screaming)
(breathing heavily)
You want this?
No, no.
Come here.
It's okay.
Maybe we could... maybe
we could pull him in.
No, no, no, Mom, no.
Robert.
Robert, please.
Please.
One more step.
Robert.
One more step.
Please?
Ah!
No!
No, no!
No!
No!
No, don't do that!
No, don't.
Come on.
Look!
Robert!
Robert!
Mom!
Robert, no! (Screaming)
(crack)
(sobbing) Oh, God!
Oh, God!
No!
Mom!
No, Mom!
(gasping)
Oh, no, Mom!
Mom!
No!
Oh, no!
No!
No, Mom!
Stop!
No!
(dramatic music)
(sobbing)
No!
No, no!
(sobbing)
Oh, no!
No, Mom!
(somber music)
Please, God.
I don't know if you
can hear me, but...
If you're out there, I...
I could really use your help.
Please.
If there's anybody out there
who can hear me, please,
please help me.
Please help me.
Please, please.
(disembodied laughter)
Please, please.
I don't belong here.
I just want to go.
(laughter continues)
(shuffling noises)
(ominous music)
Hello?
Hello!
Help me!
Help me!
Please!
Help me!
How do I get out of here?
(gasps)
No, wait!
Wait!
No!
Come back!
Please!
No, don't leave!
Don't leave me, please!
Dad, please come back.
Please help me.
(snarling)
(gasps)
Shut up!
Just shut up!
(loud growling)
Go away.
(rumbling)
Go away!
(gasping)
(yells)
The third surrender
will bring us home.
(whimpers)
(tense music)
(screaming)
Oh!
Fuck!
Fuck!
(gasping in pain)
(sobbing)
No.
Fuck it.
(screams)
(singing indistinctly)
(singing shakily)
Then you know it's true
All I do is sit around
Sit around
Thinking of you
Do you know what
it's like to be alone
Do you know that it's true?
(faint chirping)
(chirping continues)
(grunting)
(gasps)
(grunting)
(grunting)
(gasps)
(sobbing laughter)
(crying)
Come on!
(grunting)
(heavy breathing, laughter)
(grunting)
(grunting)
(grunting)
(crying, laughter)
Hello?
Hello?
Do people die?
Well, yeah.
Everything dies eventually.
Will you and Mommy die?
Dad?
- Yeah.
- Dad!
But not in a very long time.
I don't want you to die!
Dad!
Dad!
Death isn't anything
to be afraid of.
Dad!
It's me.
Dad!
Dad!
Dad!
Dad!
Dad!
Dad!
Dad!
It's me, please!
Please, Dad!
Yes, even when someone dies,
they never really go away.
They don't?
No.
As long as you love
them and remember them,
they'll always be with you.
You know what that means, right?
You're stuck with me forever!
(squealing, laughter)
Dad!
Dad!
Dad!
Dad!
No!
Oh, no!
Oh, God!
Dad!
What's wrong with it?
I think he's dead.
Can you fix him?
No, sweetheart.
When something dies,
they can't come back.
Why not?
It's just the way it is.
All you can do is let him go.
Do people die?
Well, yeah.
Everything dies eventually.
Sorry, Dad.
Will you and Mommy die?
Yeah.
But not for a very long time.
(The Human Beinz, "of you")
If you know what
it's like to be alone
Then you know
that it's true
All I do is sit around
Sit around, thinking of you
(sobbing)
Weeks turn into years
My childish tears
will fade away
Because I miss you so
It's not a hobby!
(muffled arguing)
I'm nothing without you
You left for three months
during your sabbatical.
It's not the same thing.
No, it's not,
because you would be
the one taking care of Megan.
That's not...
What?
I don't know what I'd do
Probably spend
my time sitting around
Sitting around,
thinking of you
(grunting softly)
Mom?
Look at you.
How could you do this?
How could you die like that?
I know it's not really you.
I know.
But I need you
to be her for now.
I always had this
image of you in...
In my head, of who
you both were.
It stopped me from really
seeing either of you.
Maybe... maybe if I had, none
of this would have happened.
(somber music)
I'm tired of fighting.
You're stubborn,
and you're selfish.
And you drive me fucking nuts.
But I do love you.
All of you.
I'm sorry I didn't
say that more.
Goodbye, Mom.
(serene music)