White Widow (2023) Movie Script

1
Taxi! Taxi!
Don't think it's going
to happen.
Heathrow?
Yeah.
Yeah, me too.
Where are you headed?
The U.S.
Had a lay over last night and...
All I wanted to do
was see London, but
I haven't given
myself enough time.
I'm sorry.
I haven't had much sleep.
I'm just...
- What time is your flight?
- Nine.
We still make that.
I know a way.
You ready for this?
Come on.
Have you got bags to check?
This is all I've got.
You said you were going
for a connecting flight.
Where are you coming from?
Have you missed it up?
Not yet.
Would you like a lift into town?
My mother told me never to
get into cars to strange men.
I'm supposed to have a ride.
You should wait.
I wouldn't advise you to get into a
car with one of this lot by yourself.
Why would I assume
that you're any safer?
Because you're white and Western?
No, that isn't what I meant.
Okay, let's do it.
This is Nevada.
Living in Africa must have been incredible.
Can't place your accent.
Oh, I'm Irish.
It's so neutral.
Sound like you're from nowhere.
I suppose I move around a lot.
Is that where you're going now?
- To Ireland?
- Yeah.
Do you live there?
No, no, I live in London.
Kind of.
I've been staying with
a friend for the past while.
I'm a bit in between things.
Transitional period.
I'm adrift.
You're very honest.
Ah, Jesus, I don't know about that.
I can lie with the best
of them sometimes.
Don't let her youth deceive you.
Natalie is one of the most brilliant
biochemists we've ever had.
The research has helped
dramatically boost plant use
and that's already attracting
significant investment.
Natalie has spent almost
three years perfecting
the strain at a lab
in Rutgers University
and is now ready to
test it on a large scale.
We've seen a dramatic increase
in the nutritional value
of the lab samples.
Upward of 50% compared
to the generic seeds.
It's delicate, but if we
get it right, it'll save lives.
How sure are you that it will work?
Well, that's why I'm here.
I made it work in the lab,
so now I'm going to
make it work in the fields.
So how long before you have a crop?
Well,
depending on the rainy season,
we should be expecting
a late September harvest.
So, um...
why are you going home?
I don't know if I call it that. Um...
My dad's sick, he's dying.
I'm sorry.
No, don't be. Please.
Fuck him.
We've been estranged for years.
You're going to confront him?
I always thought I would one day.
When I was ready.
I suppose when I...
Made something of myself,
become somebody, you know?
Don't think I'm there yet.
Jesus, I don't even want
to do this at all, actually.
Sorry.
I don't know why I just told you that.
It's just weird saying it to a-
To a complete stranger.
No, it's nice.
You'll never see me again
after today.
- Oh, thank you.
- Yeah.
This is a nice surprise.
But beautiful.
They're lotus flowers.
When the sun goes down,
they close up really tightly.
In the morning, they...
they live again.
These are from Lake Tana,
the source of the Blue Nile.
You might have seen them there.
You work on the plantation
and can prepare a road.
Do you keep records
on your laborers?
I just work in the lab
at the moment.
Spare me your fucking skills,
Ray.
What have you achieved here
apart from a six figure salary?
I hear you're a Wunderkin
PhD student whose
research is the basis
for a massive expansion.
Sounds like you have a file on me.
No, it's a small community.
Why are you so interested
in our laborers?
Let's be fucking honest with each other.
This continent is more fucked up than ever.
I'll get through it.
It's just fine.
It's true,
it's just all just fine!
Excuse me.
But I'm proud of
what I've done here.
Liberal!
You're fucking kind to yourself!
- Yeah.
- Keep him off.
Keep up the good work,
everybody.
It's all going to burn.
And you better get
out before it's too late.
Let's get a whiskey.
- I'm worried about him.
- I don't know...
I think the heat is getting to Brad.
I'm thinking of contacting the U.S.
to ask for replacement.
Hey, Wilson.
Where are you going?
We need more hands.
- I'll come with you.
- No...
it's our China Square.
Not a nice place.
Wilson?
So, you decided
to get your hands dirty?
Occupational hazard.
What's your deal?
What are you doing here?
Working. Same as you.
And what is your work,
exactly?
I write reports.
It's quite dull, actually.
On what?
Different things.
- It depends.
- That's vague.
What about right now?
I'm writing about this thread of
Iranian-sponsored Islam in East Africa.
So what's got you so interested
in our plantation workers?
A couple of your flower pickers are
undocumented Somali immigrants.
Just like those guys.
People want to make
sure we've got a handle
on any radicals
planning to strike them.
Well, this is me and you
need to get off at the next stop.
You should just make it.
What if I miss my flight?
I know your dad is sick,
but Dublin's close, right?
What about 24 hours in London
with me?
That sounds crazy, but...
I've had a fucked-up year,
and it's taught me that
you've got to do things
when they feel right.
Look, I'd love to, but...
My bags are going to Dublin.
Hi.
Hi.
- Is that your diary?
- Something like that.
- What can I get you?
- May I have a cup of tea?
Tea. Thank you.
Why did you call me?
I wanted to apologize.
For the other day. For what
Gregor said to you at the party.
Isn't it Gregor who should
be apologizing?
Yeah, but...
I knew he never would, and I saw
a chance to get to see you myself.
So, what's Gregor to you?
I don't know.
A cautionary tale
or a wise old friend.
He's been here forever.
I work with his wife.
- Is that for your files?
- No.
I just like these places.
It wouldn't have pegged you as...
someone who believes in God.
No, not anymore, anyway.
Just like the building.
Churches, mosques, synagogues.
They're peaceful.
The only places I find more
relaxing are graveyards.
That's very macabre.
How about you?
I'll bet anything you're
a believer.
So, who do you write
these double reports for?
It's a sort of think tank.
The information's sold on.
To Western governments?
To whoever wants to buy it.
Are you a spy?
Why was I embarrassed to say
that I believe in God?
It's the unique quality I have.
You're not going to be
good for me, are you?
What was that?
Natalie!
Oh, my God!
- We have to help!
- No, we have to go!
We have to go.
We have to leave now.
- No, we can help! We have to try!
- We can't! We can't help.
We have to leave here right now!
Come on! Come on,
we have to go.
- We can't-
- We have to leave!
We could have done something.
We did the right thing.
I shouldn't have listened to you.
I could have helped.
No, you couldn't.
How do you know what
I'm capable of doing?
Please don't give me some
crap about not getting involved.
El Shabaab will claim responsibility.
They're trying to intimidate
the African Union troops
into withdrawing from Somalia.
There are people on the
street who needed help.
I'm talking about being human.
The political context of
the situation is irrelevant.
- It's always relevant.
- Just give me a break.
El Shabaab likes to do things in twos.
First bomb's a decoy.
People rush in to help.
That's when the real one goes off.
- It'll help.
- I don't want it.
I really shouldn't be here.
I should go.
So, um...
- I have a name?
- So do I.
Should we just get it over with?
Tell each other our life stories?
No?
- Not interested?
- Not one bit.
I'm joking.
Tell me about yourself. What
do you do when you're not adrift?
I'm a translator.
Freelance.
Oh, what are your languages?
My specialities are Greek,
ancient and modern, and Latin.
Greek, really?
You can test me if you like.
What does "amaranthus" mean?
Well, "amaranthos" is unfading.
And "tos", flower.
It's impressive.
For a party trick.
As in demand as those languages
are, I'm not very successful.
It's depressing.
Why did I suggest this?
How about no names?
No back stories?
No past?
You can just be
whoever I want you to be.
I thought I was supposed
to bring you flowers.
Hmm.
Check out mister sensitive.
And to think the word in the FCC is
you're a bang'em and leave'em type.
What do your Brits call it?
A shagger?
Don't sweat it.
I'll be out of here after the harvest.
You'll forget about me in a week
and end up with the woman
your mom always wanted for you.
The Mdecins Sans Frontires doctor.
The stunning beauty who speaks
the same ten languages as you.
I hate her already.
She'll end up giving you an heir and
doing war photography on the side
and curing AIDS.
I don't want September to come.
This is what my fields
would look like then.
Amaranthus caudatus...
love-lies-bleeding.
It's what I came to Africa for.
Hey, excuse me.
Excuse me.
Would you mind?
- Sure.
- Tthank you.
Hey, great.
- All right.
- Thank you.
- Have you been in?
- No.
It's wonderful, but it is so vast.
I mean, but that's London, huh?
So much to see.
- Never enough time.
- How long are you here for?
Oh, only a week.
It's our second honeymoon.
Would you mind taking a
photo of us?
- Oh, yes, sure.
- Thank you. Just, um,
- point and shoot. Yeah.
- Okay.
All right.
Okay.
We're on honeymoon too,
but it's our first.
Smile, my boy.
These are the best years
of your life.
- Thank you.
- Oh, my.
That's beautiful.
I do hope you'll
both be very happy.
- Y'all have a nice day.
- Take care.
You're married?
Yeah.
Do you remember?
Try to keep up.
It's hard to believe
they're all fakes.
They're not fakes.
They're copies.
They're productions.
There's a difference.
Takes something away, though,
doesn't it?
I mean...
they lack the aura of the originals.
They're just casts. They're soulless.
I don't think so.
Even copies can be beautiful.
You're quite young to be married.
- Have you split up?
- Don't cheat.
No life stories.
It's Mercury and Psyche.
Benefits of a classical education.
I'm completely unemployable,
but I know crap like this.
Mercury was
the messenger to the gods.
His mission...
Is to take Psyche
out of the mortal world
and to reunite her with
her lover in heaven.
She looks dangerous.
No, she's...
intoxicated and struggling.
He has to be careful, 'cause...
she might bring them both down.
You scared me.
Close your eyes.
Why?
What you gonna do?
I'm gonna drown you.
What?
You're a crazy woman.
What's gotten into you?
Can you take me to London?
What now?
No, after the harvest.
After the harvest?
On your final holiday
before you go home?
No, let's not talk about that.
I wanna see your city.
I wanna meet your family.
Some are old and dead
and they're awful.
Well, you're friends then.
Can you take us here, please?
This isn't
my usual first date experience.
You think this is the first date?
We're way beyond that.
So, where are we going?
Uh, no.
We don't have a reservation.
Do you have the John
Bechman suite available?
Let me just check for you.
Yeah, you're in luck.
It's available for tonight.
We'll take it.
Just give us a second.
We can't do this.
Why not?
I'm not comfortable with that.
This is so like you.
Why can't you just go with it?
Look, I'm sorry, okay?
Don't worry about it,
it's on my dad.
Okay?
You might just enjoy it.
You're fucking crazy.
Jolly good, sport.
Take me over the threshold.
My turn.
Say aren't you the lucky one you end
up marrying a guy like me then, hey?
I thought you knew
what you were doing.
Most of the time I'm pretending
I know where I'm going.
Really, I'm totally lost.
The question is...
why did you marry me?
Be absolutely honest.
Partly because I was attracted
to you from the moment I saw you.
And maybe because it was easier to run away
than to face up to what I had to do.
Do you want a drink?
Yeah.
I'll just go and get myself cleaned up.
If I died, how long would it
take you to find someone else?
At least two or three days.
Hmm.
I mean it.
How long would it take?
I don't know,
I haven't thought about it.
If I died, how long would it
take you to meet someone else?
It's easy, I'd kill myself.
I'm not ready to sleep with you.
Okay.
I thought I was, but...
I need time.
You can wear this.
I love that shirt on you.
Why don't we go somewhere?
Can you just go with this?
Come on, the light's fading.
We'll have to hurry or we'll miss it.
You're right, it's perfect.
What happened to him?
You're so out of it.
How long was I gone?
48 hours.
And then another 24 you're...
delirious.
You were saying some
pretty crazy shit.
Jesus.
What did I say?
What's Hungerford Bridge?
The bridge crosses the Thames
at Waterloo, what did I say?
You were saying that...
that you're on Hungerford Bridge.
And that if you turn back,
you die.
And that... if you crossed,
you'd never see me again.
So it was...
it was the perfect place...
place to ask...
To ask what?
You said it was
the perfect place to...
to propose.
Pretty sure you were
completely out of your mind.
We could honeymoon in London.
Are you...
are you asking me to marry you?
I thought I already did.
Note the giant stone lotus
flowers at the base of the pillars.
Symbolic to the Victorian proprietors.
Because every night the lotus flower dies.
And in the morning is reborn.
- Are you okay?
- Yeah, I'm fine.
It's just jet lag.
Do you want to go back?
No, no, no. We can't.
We're nearly there.
You've got this whole
day planned out, don't you?
It's all done in your little book.
I'd like to know what happened.
"...and if God choose..."
I will but love thee better
after death.
I killed him.
Are you okay?
It's okay. Come over here.
Come over here.
I'm fine.
I'm fine. I'm fine.
You sure?
- I'll be okay.
- What is it?
Do...
Do...
I'll be okay. I mean it.
It's okay. I'm here.
Can you... Can you take me back
to the hotel?
Will you lie with me?
Can you hold me?
I love you.
You are a very clever young man.
You make me so happy sometimes.
What happened?
That was Saul on the phone.
He wants you to present
at the Tel Aviv conference.
- Seriously?
- Yes.
So you're going away?
Every so often they had to report
to their Christian paymasters.
It's not for months.
They say you have
the greatest sex of your life in Tel Aviv.
- Why do they say that?
- Don't encourage him.
Because in Tel Aviv...
everyone is living like
it's the last night on Earth.
There is a fear.
Getting on the bus and being blown up.
So everybody's more aware,
more alive because of it.
Sounds intense.
But after 9-11...
7-7...
Manchester, London again,
Nairobi again.
Aren't all cities just like that now?
No, son tu, Charlie.
All of us are living
like it's the last night.
I think that might just be you,
mate.
Sex and death are the only thing
that could interest a serious mind.
Yates.
You know, my husband
hides behind the words
of better men to make
him seem more important.
He likes to wear masks.
She wears the masks.
So how's the flower business,
Natalie?
You may have your work
cut out for you.
You know, fragile, pretty things
don't tend to do so well out here.
The thing is about Amaranth is...
it thrives in the harshest conditions.
It's food, fuel, medicine, so...
This pretty flower might
not look tough, but it is.
Fascinating.
Are you going to Tel Aviv, too?
Absolutely. I wouldn't miss it.
Andrew will do all the heavy lifting
while I pamper myself in a nice hotel.
Tel Aviv.
I thought you'd left.
No, I just went to get tobacco.
You could be with someone else.
Someone better.
Because you're probably the most
interesting person I've ever met.
You're a mystery.
Thank you for the lift.
And don't worry,
I will take care of him.
- Sure you're going to be alright?
- Yeah.
I'm going to be busy
planning our honeymoon.
Bye.
I'll see you in a couple of days.
Alright.
- Oh, thank you.
- There you go.
Come on.
Where are we going?
It's a pretty cool spot.
It's a bit out of the way for
someone that doesn't know London.
I hope you're thirsty.
Beer?
Tequila.
Two tequilas.
Four.
- Four?
- Mm-hmm.
She's thirsty.
So what's the plan for tonight?
Just see where it takes us.
Ready for this?
To tonight.
You gotta do yourself.
Okay.
Ready?
No, we should slow down a bit.
No, we shouldn't.
We should speed up.
Wow...
Where'd you meet him?
- Oh, can I steal one?
- Yeah, of course.
Where are you-
I might need him later.
Listen, I'm having a party.
At mine later.
It's just around the corner.
I'm going to head there
after I close up.
You're both welcome to come.
Maybe...
She's a firecracker, mate.
How'd you end up marrying
a bird like that?
Huh?
I've been asking myself the same question.
I'm going to get her a drink.
It's everyone who ever lived
in this house.
You two look good together.
I thought so.
What happened?
We met at university.
We were together for years.
He had a change of heart and he
ran off to the other side of the world.
Hey, did you know Drew?
How are you coping?
I don't think it's really hit me yet.
I spoke to his parents yesterday.
His father's going over to
try to bring his body home.
His mum couldn't face it.
Is that your real hair?
Is that a real smile?
Yeah, stupid grins.
My face's default setting.
You wouldn't know it from looking at you.
What's that?
That your best friend just died.
In Africa?
What was he like?
Private?
He didn't let many people in.
He was really intelligent,
you know?
He can't have been that smart.
I already married some American bitch.
Why would you say that?
Hmm?
Did you know her?
Who the fuck are you, Charlie?
Laughing?
Flirting?
Are you mourning?
Is this supposed to be a wake?
No.
Why? Honestly,
I don't know what the fuck this is.
Do you know what actually?
Fuck off.
I don't have to explain myself
to you.
This is the way too fucked up.
We should leave.
I'm having fun.
Look, I'm not comfortable with this.
Well, you can go if you want.
I'm not standing in your way.
Don't do this to me.
Just in time.
I'm fixing you a real drink.
Sure.
I know.
It's you.
I understand.
What are you doing here?
Huh? Who the fuck
do you think you are,
coming in my house,
telling me how to
grieve for my best friend?
I just wanted to see
what it would be like.
Seeing you.
Being here.
He'd still be alive
if it wasn't for me.
Look, man, you're upset.
You shut the fuck up.
I don't even know who you are.
You're sick.
You are fucking sick.
It was my fault, Charlie.
No, no, no.
You get out!
Get the fuck off me, bitch!
The American girl...
it's Andrew's wife.
How fucked up, are you?
I know what that was.
That was his house.
Those were his friends.
These were his fucking clothes.
And this is his wife!
What happened?
What did you do to him?
Have you ever been to Tel Aviv?
They say you have the best sex
of your life in Tel Aviv.
Everyone's terrified.
Living like it's their last night on Earth.
And did something happen in Tel Aviv?
You've never been.
Stop!
Wait!
I don't even know if it's
me you're talking to or him.
What's the difference?
The difference is I'm not him.
You know what I think?
I think what frightens you so
much is you love playing the part.
You can't just walk away from me!
Come on, get in.
Tell me what happened
or I'm leaving you.
Hey, it's me.
Finally hear your voice.
Do you like Ethiopian food?
I haven't tried it.
Don't they use knives and forks?
Ethiopians are sensual people.
It's customary
to feed your guests.
You're full of shit.
Yes.
That's really fucking good.
Oh, yes it is.
You just eat like this.
Wow.
I met Kate in Ethiopia.
In a cafe just like this.
Did you stick your fingers in
her mouth too?
Not right away.
You've covered a lot
of ground together.
Oh, yes, we have.
She spends a lot of time
with Andrew.
Andrew is like a son to me.
And Katie...
Well...
everyone has needs.
You're not monogamous,
are you?
We have our moments.
You make a big deal out
of it when you're young.
But your perspective changes
when you get older.
Do you think they're fucking
their brains out right now?
I know they're having
the best sex ever.
Inside your head.
I don't think about it.
But I know what I'd be doing
if I was there.
Tel Aviv Palace,
how can I help?
Hello. Can I be put through
to Andrew Warner?
Which hotel room please?
I don't know what hotel room
he's in.
Could you put me through?
I'm his wife.
Connecting you now.
Hello.
Who is it?
You're not going anywhere.
- You can't afford it-
- Stop it!
- You want the prize?
- What prize?!
What are you doing?
It's okay.
I know what you want.
You wanted it from the beginning,
your a shagger.
No, I'm not.
Yes, you are.
You all are.
Don't ruin this.
Don't ruin this.
I can't be who you want me to be.
Can you pull over please?
Can you pull over please?
Put the ring on
or get out.
Just drive.
Tel Aviv was even
better than last time.
Katie landed us two new contracts.
Thanks for picking me up,
by the way.
Despite Brad's driving.
Too much.
Sometimes it's just too much.
What kind of chance
have they got, you know?
Your dog gets better food
than they do.
I used to think we could help them.
Does it really bother you?
It doesn't upset you.
If you were alone in the car, would
you have had the same reaction?
You're saying I'm full of shit?
Yeah, I'm saying I'm hoping
you're full of shit,
because if you let
that get inside you,
you don't stand a fucking chance, mate.
Not here or anywhere else.
Because I see that every day,
everywhere, in every city in the world.
- You don't feel any guilt.
- Why should I?
- I don't feel anything at all.
- I don't know...
Don't feel a thing.
Well, it must be pretty lonely
in your world then.
Would you stop the car?
I want to get out.
- I'll see you back at the compound.
- We're miles out. It's not safe.
I'll be fine. I like to walk.
Thanks for the ride.
Asshole.
You woke up married
for fuck's sake.
You sure you're up for this?
I feel totally fine.
We'll run the numbers
again, but I don't think...
where do we get the
figures from the embassy?
They're always just lazy.
They never...
Shit!
You ruined everything!
We will be judged
for what we've done here!
You're so beautiful.
Brad, get down!
You'll fall.
- Oh, Brad!
- Fuck you!
Why don't you feel bad,
you heartless fuck!
You just screw with your American
wife and your British bitch too!
Why don't you just jump?
At least there will be one less
piece called "cunt" in the world.
Jump!
No!
No!
All of us will burn!
We're gonna burn!
You're incredible, you know that?
Have you?
I'm not gonna rise to this.
I know Andrew's lying to me.
How do you live with it?
You get used to it.
When will this be over?
Still a few days to go.
I never really understood
this fucking game.
What's your name?
- What's your name?
- Ginolaco?
Ngo.
Angio.
Ngo.
N-G-O?
You're kidding me.
No.
If you plan something here, you
don't always know what would grow.
Sometimes you have to burn
the first crop.
And then start again.
Come here.
Why did you do that?
Burn your own work.
So is the sex life in Tel Aviv,
everything it's cracked up to be?
The hotel made a mistake.
How am I supposed to believe that?
You're supposed to trust me.
For what it's worth...
nothing happened or ever will
happen between me and Kate.
I love you.
I have to go to work.
It's a Saturday.
It's just for a few hours.
It's Akili's birthday.
I hope that works,
therapy.
you said you'd be there.
Did you ever wish you
could go back in time?
To say one thing?
It was my fault.
It's not about whether he's dangerous,
it's whether we can trust him.
I wouldn't be inclined to trust him.
Don't, don't, don't!
She's in there.
- Andrew!
- Natalie!
Natalie!
Please. Look at me,
look at me now.
Our honeymoon is supposed to end.
It's over.
Andrew?