(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(INSECTS CHIRPING SOFTLY)
BOY: First, it came to Momma as a snake.
(FROG CROAKS)
Then it took other forms to torment her.
But Momma was a good little girl.
She listened to her parents and always stayed on the rope.
So, the Evil couldn't touch her outside the house.
Because if the Evil touches you...
it makes you do bad things.
(DRAMATIC BOOM)
-(SHRIEKS) -(GASPS)
WOMAN: O blessed house of ancient wood.
Shelter to the pure and good.
We'll keep you bright and never roam.
Heaven is here, within our home.
(INSECTS CHIRPING SOFTLY)
(FROG CROAKING)
(OWL HOOTS)
(RUSTLE)
(FROG CONTINUES CROAKING)
(OWL HOOTS)
(FROG CONTINUES CROAKING)
-(SILENCE FALLS) -(SOFT RUSTLE)
(CROAKING RESUMES)
(CROAKING DEEPENS AND DISTORTS)
(MALE VOICE GRUNTS SOFTLY)
(GASPS)
(LOW CROAKY GROWLING)
(DISTORTED GROANING)
(ROARING)
(ROARING AND HISSING)
(EVIL NOISES QUIETEN)
(INSECTS CHIRPING SOFTLY)
(DOOR OPENS)
(CLOCK TICKING)
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
Samuel, Nolan, 10-minute warning, boys.
Nine-minute warning, Nolan.
(BELL JINGLING)
Momma says there's only love inside of us.
That's why the Evil wants us so badly.
He wants to destroy this love.
Make us turn against each other.
(DOG WHINES)
Kill each other.
Like it made the people in the world do.
All it needs is one touch, without the rope on.
And then, not even the house can save you.
(SPOOKY MUSIC PLAYING)
(SPOOKY MUSIC CONTINUES)
(FOOTSTEPS THUDDING)
(DOG WHINES)
MOMMA: Get it.
There you go.
Frogs sang loud last night.
Spring is coming.
We'll be ready.
It's a good day for a good day.
Don't feed the dog.
We're not the only ones starving.
And I don't need to eat as much as you.
Momma?
Momma, can we listen to it tonight?
-SAMUEL: It's not new moon. -I'm asking Momma.
We should wait.
It won't be special if we don't.
SAMUEL: Told ya.
(NOLAN GRUNTING)
(NOLAN SIGHS)
You'll grow into 'em.
(ROPES CREAK)
ALL: The Evil can't touch me here,
dawn to night and year to year.
The forest with its dangers abound,
wrapped up tight and safe and sound.
(DOG WHINES)
(SLOW SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
Do you see it?
Go get 'em, Koda. Bring us a big, fat rabbit.
MOMMA: Y'all ready?
Never let go.
(SLOW SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC CONTINUES)
(FROG CROAKING)
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYS)
(METAL SQUEAKING)
SAMUEL: Momma told us
that even before the Evil possessed everyone,
the world was already bad.
And that's why it came.
The people opened their door for it,
whether they knew it or not.
WHISPERING MALE VOICE: Let them go.
SAMUEL: But Grandma knew it.
And Grandpa was the only one to believe her.
He was a good man and built this place for her.
A blessed house where the Evil wouldn't be able to come in.
A place to raise a family,
far away from the darkness of the world.
It was a good life.
But after a while, Grandma started to feel a presence
lurking in the woods.
Something evil,
getting stronger.
She refused to leave the house anymore.
So, Grandpa figured out how to tie a rope
to the foundation of the house,
so she could finally go outside.
(CRYPTIC MUSIC PLAYS)
(GRUNTS)
(HEAVY BREATH)
(LEAVES RUSTLING)
WHISPERING MALE VOICE: Let them go, Junebug.
(CROW CAWS)
(SQUEAKING)
(SOFT THUD)
-(GRUNTS) -(FLESH SQUELCHES)
Whoo!
Whoo-hoo!
(LIGHT-HEARTED MUSIC PLAYING)
(CROAKING)
(CRUNCHES)
(GRUNTING)
(GRUNTS)
-(ROPE THUDS) -(GRUNTS)
(GRUNTS)
Nolan.
What are you doing?
Making some slack so I can grab this egg.
Don't.
Could be a trick.
I could grab it. It's right there.
Give me your machete.
No.
We'll let Momma decide.
She can tie the ropes together.
(BLOWS SOFTLY)
I wasn't gonna let go.
We didn't get this far just to die of hunger.
How can you be so sure of everything?
SAMUEL: Because I'm older than you.
NOLAN: Yeah. By three minutes.
SAMUEL: She loves me more.
What?
What did you say?
I didn't say anything.
(UNEASY MUSIC PLAYING)
(GRUNTING)
Sam!
-(BONES CRACK) -(GROANS)
Sam!
(BLOWS WHISTLE)
-(WHISTLE BLOWING IN DISTANCE) -(GASPS)
Sam!
(GRUNTING)
MOMMA: Nolan!
Samuel!
(GROANING)
NOLAN: Sam!
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
My rope.
(FOOTSTEPS RUSTLE)
(SOFT SQUELCHING)
(RATTLING)
Samuel!
(RATTLING GROWING LOUDER)
(LOUD BREATH)
Sam!
Samuel!
-Samuel! -Sam! Sam.
-Come on. -(SAMUEL GROANS)
Nolan!
Run!
Get back on the rope!
(GROWLING)
(SAMUEL GRUNTING)
(SNARLING AND HISSING)
No! No. No!
No! No! No!
Okay.
-(MOMMA GASPING) -(SAMUEL GROANING)
Did it touch you? Huh?
-Uh-uh. -Did it touch you, Nolan?
I don't think so.
(GROWLS)
(HISSES)
MOMMA: Hold on to the rope.
NOLAN: What do you see? Momma, what is it?
(HISSING)
(HISSING STOPS)
Breathe. Just breathe.
(SAMUEL WHIMPERING)
-(CHITTERING AND HISSING) -(WHIMPERING)
(EVIL NOISES QUIETEN)
Breathe. Breathe.
It's okay. It's okay. Just breathe. Just breathe.
(PANTING)
Just breathe.
(SAMUEL GRUNTING IN PAIN)
MOMMA: On your knees.
I need to be sure.
Don't look at me.
Touch the wood!
Hands on the cellar.
Say it.
Say it!
BOTH: O blessed house of ancient wood.
Shelter to the pure and good.
We'll keep you bright and never roam.
Heaven is here,
within our home.
Okay, get up.
(GRUNTING)
-What happened? -NOLAN: I didn't mean to.
I stepped on his rope...
Have you lost your mind?
It's all right, Momma. He didn't...
Quiet! One more second and it woulda all been over.
For all of us!
That rope is your lifeline.
-NOLAN: I'm sorry. -I don't need you to be sorry!
I need you to use your head!
(CRYING IN PAIN)
Can you move it?
(SAMUEL GRUNTS)
I think it's broke.
Don't just stand there. Get me a splint for his ankle.
-(CRIES) -I know. I know, I know.
Come on. It's okay.
What'd it look like this time?
Like my momma.
It's trying to scare me.
Like it tried to scare my momma before.
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYS)
(SLITHERING)
(SQUELCHING)
(SIZZLING)
That's all we got today.
Don't eat too fast.
Sure is good.
MOMMA: I used to be thankful
that the Evil didn't show itself to you.
And then, I figured out what it was doing.
I never told y'all this.
But one time,
it came to me as a little girl,
crying out for help.
She was just at my rope's limit.
She got her foot stuck in a gopher hole.
She was howling, screaming.
(SCREAMING)
I saw the bone
sticking out.
I had to keep telling myself that it wasn't real.
But the screams went on for days.
So, every morning,
I went out to check...
to see if the Evil had given up.
But she was still there.
Her skin turned blue and gray.
The smell...
I wondered why she was still out there.
Why?
Because it wanted me to go see about that girl.
It wanted me to doubt myself.
To lure me off the rope.
The Evil is clever...
and patient.
It's like the snake you've seen in the woods.
Evil can wear many, many skins.
And the greatest trick of all,
it's playing on you boys.
And when enough time goes by,
you're gonna forget it's even there.
You're gonna let your guard down.
And it's gonna get you!
(GASPS)
One touch
without a rope on
is all it takes
to possess one of us
and get inside the house.
Never
let go.
Never let go.
(DOOR CREAKS)
(LOW EERIE MUSIC PLAYING)
(CREAKING CONTINUES)
How long?
MOMMA: About an hour.
Felt longer tonight.
Did you imagine it?
Yes.
Tell us about it.
-I imagined it was all gone. -(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)
You.
Sam.
Koda.
The house.
All I had left was the darkness.
And then what?
I thought about our birth in the house,
and how safe it keeps us every day.
And I felt the darkness float away.
Look around.
Look how lucky you are.
All your dreams came true.
The Evil can't touch you here.
Samuel, your turn.
Time to clean your soul.
Remember, lose us completely and then find us again.
Fill the cellar up with all your love.
You remind the house why we deserve its protection.
-(CELLAR DOOR SLAMS) -(THUNDER RUMBLING)
(RAIN PATTERING)
SAMUEL: Can I move yet?
NOLAN: Nope.
SAMUEL: Nolan, I got an itch.
NOLAN: I said, "Don't move."
SAMUEL: It's just one itch.
Okay.
That should do it.
SAMUEL: Wow.
Are those owl wings?
Uh-huh.
I can fly anywhere I want.
And eat whatever you want.
Once upon a time,
there was a boy who could fly
and catch all the squirrels in the trees.
(HOOTING)
(LAUGHS)
Hey, Sam.
After your rope broke,
did you notice anything?
Like what?
Anything strange.
That was the first time we ever let go.
And nothing changed.
'Cause it didn't get us.
Yeah.
NOLAN: If it did,
do you think Momma woulda killed us?
Like she killed Poppa?
Like she killed Grandma and Grandpa?
The Evil touched them.
She was protecting us.
I know that.
What?
Nothing.
You ever wish you could run free like Koda?
(KODA WHINES)
Without a rope around your chest?
But Koda's a dog.
The Evil doesn't care about animals.
You ever wish you could see what she sees?
Just once?
I felt something getting closer today.
You were just scared.
Why are you asking all these questions?
Momma never lied to us.
(THUNDER CONTINUES RUMBLING)
"She loves me more."
That's what I heard you say before I stepped on your rope.
I didn't say that.
I didn't mean for what happened.
I know.
(SOFT SCRAPING)
(CHAIR CREAKING)
(INSECTS CHIRPING SOFTLY)
(CHAIR STOPS CREAKING)
(SOFT FOOTSTEPS)
MAN: O blessed house...
of ancient wood.
Home...
to my runaway wife.
Hey, Junebug.
What's wrong?
June!
June, it's me.
It's been a while.
God, have I missed you.
You think I can see 'em?
Oh, you ain't told 'em the truth about their father.
I get it.
'Cause then you got to tell 'em who you really are.
Ain't that right, my little Junebug?
I'm not her no more.
You know you loved it.
What's your plan?
I know ya.
You ain't got no plan.
You might as well give 'em to me.
Or would you rather watch them starve?
I came so close today.
Sooner or later,
you're gonna let go.
And when you do...
(DISTORTED) I'm gonna make you eat your babies.
June!
Careful now. Don't break those roots.
You think it'll get better?
MOMMA: Hard to say.
The winter did a number on us.
All we can do now is hope.
What?
Nothing.
The snake on your back.
You said you got it when you were in the city.
But you also said the Evil was already there,
killing everybody.
I don't understand...
I got it before it all started.
When I met your Poppa.
I was a different person back then.
Does it still scare you?
Not anymore.
I like it now.
Why?
NOLAN: Because it's from your life before.
In the old world.
MOMMA: A world full of pain and suffering?
What's to like about that?
Huh?
Don't know.
When I was your age,
asking questions like you do,
I didn't really believe my momma, either.
-That's why you left? -Mm-hmm.
Never thought I'd come back here.
But it's the only place I could keep y'all safe.
But what if the Evil did...
touch one of us and come in the house?
What would happen?
It would make us kill each other.
That's how the world ended.
But how do you know we're alone?
Maybe our house isn't the only one that's protected.
Would that make you feel better?
We wouldn't be alone for the rest of our lives.
We're not alone, Nolan.
We have each other.
And that's everything.
There's nobody else out there, baby.
We're the world now.
(DREAMY MUSIC PLAYING)
"Once upon a time,
"there dwelt near a large wood
"a poor woodcutter,
"with his wife and two children...
"a little boy called Hansel
"and a girl called Gretel.
"Once, when there was a great famine in the land,
"he could not procure even his daily bread."
(WINCES)
"As he lay there thinking in the bed one evening,
"rolling about for trouble,
"he sighed and said to his wife,
"'What will become of us?
"'How will I feed my children
"'when we have no more that we can eat ourselves?'
"'Know, then, my husband,' answered she,
"'we will lead them away,
"'quite early in the morning,
"'into the thickest part of the woods.
"'And there make them a fire
"'and give them each a little piece of bread.'"
(GRUNTING)
"'And then we will go to our work
-"'and leave them alone.'" -(KODA WHINES)
"'They will not find a way home again.
"'And we shall be freed from them.'"
NOLAN: It's new.
SAMUEL: You sure?
You got eyes, don't you?
It's a new moon.
Right, Momma?
Can we listen to it tonight?
(THE BIG ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN BY HARRY MCCLINTOCK PLAYING)
♪ One evening as the sun went down ♪
♪ And the jungle fire was burning♪
♪ Down the track came a hobo hikin'♪
♪ He said, "Boys, I'm not turning♪
♪ "I'm headed for a land♪
-♪ That's far away♪ -(KODA WHINES)
♪ "Beside the crystal fountains♪
♪ "So come with me ♪
-♪ "We'll go and see" ♪ -Come on, Momma.
♪ "The Big Rock Candy Mountains"♪
♪ In the Big Rock Candy Mountains♪
♪ There's a land that's fair and bright♪
♪ Where the handouts grow on bushes♪
♪ And you sleep out every night♪
♪ Where the boxcars all are empty♪
♪ And the sun shines every day ♪
♪ On the birds and the bees And the cigarette trees♪
♪ And the lemonade springs Where the bluebird sings♪
♪ In the Big Rock Candy Mountains♪
♪ All the cops have wooden legs♪
♪ And the bulldogs all have rubber teeth♪
♪ And the hens lay soft-boiled eggs♪
♪ And the farmers' trees are full of fruit♪
♪ And the barns are full of hay♪
♪ Oh I'm bound to go where there ain't no snow♪
♪ Where the rain don't fall And the wind don't blow♪
♪ In the Big Rock Candy Mountains♪
(SONG FADES OUT)
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(RAIN PATTERING)
-(THUNDER RUMBLES) -(MUSIC FADES)
-(FLOOR CREAKS) -(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(GASPS)
MOMMA: Nolan?
Nolan.
Are you still asleep?
Nolan.
There you go.
(SIGHS) You forgot your bell again.
(BELL JINGLING)
(STREAM BUBBLING SOFTLY)
(SIGHS)
(GRUNTS)
(CROW CAWS)
(UNEASY MUSIC PLAYING)
(CROW CAWS)
(CROW CAWING)
(SQUELCHING)
(CROW CAWS)
(MUSIC SOARS)
(GASPS)
(MUSIC DECREASES)
(GASPS)
(CROW CAWS)
-(CROSSBOW FIRES) -(MUSIC SOARS)
-(MUSIC FADES) -(GASPING)
(SCREAMS)
(PANTING)
(GRUNTS)
(DISQUIETING MUSIC PLAYING)
(BARK SNAPPING)
SAMUEL: It's better with sap.
Yeah.
That'll make it taste less like a tree.
MOMMA: We're doing the best we can.
Eat.
(MOVEMENT RUSTLES)
Momma?
Sam?
(BELL JINGLES)
(RUSTLING)
(YELPS)
-(SCREAMING) -(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
No!
No! (GRUNTING)
No!
No! No!
(MUSIC STOPS)
(BELL JINGLES)
(GASPING)
-(FROG CROAKS) -(FOOTSTEPS RUSTLE)
Koda.
(DOOR BANGS)
MOMMA: Touch the wood.
Say it!
O blessed house of ancient wood.
(TEARFULLY) Shelter to the pure and good.
We'll keep you bright and never roam.
Heaven is here, within our home.
MOMMA: Say it again.
O blessed house of ancient wood.
MOMMA: Again!
NOLAN: O blessed house
-of ancient wood... -MOMMA: Louder!
NOLAN: Shelter to the pure and good!
(DOOR SLAMS)
Momma.
Momma!
I have to pee, Momma!
Momma!
Did you feel the darkness go away?
-(METAL SQUEAKING) -(CRYPTIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(KODA WHINES)
Sam.
You're awake?
SAMUEL: No.
Sam.
Sam!
Yes.
We need to leave the house.
Goodnight, Nolan.
I'm serious.
-Sam! -Shh.
How do you wanna leave?
The Evil will catch us as soon as we take off the rope.
We know the forest.
If we look after each other,
we might have a chance to outrun it.
What about Momma?
We'll come back for her once we find something to eat.
Momma knows what's right for us.
I don't think she does anymore.
Did you see her?
She's starving, too.
SAMUEL: She always figures something out.
NOLAN: For once, we have to help.
SAMUEL: By disobeying her?
Will you really let go of the rope?
I can let go of the rope,
but I can't let go of my brother.
It's too dangerous.
I'm sorry.
(LOUD MUNCHING)
(SNARLS)
(KODA BARKS)
(KODA PANTING)
(GRIM MUSIC PLAYING)
This is a very special tool.
It's called a camera.
What does it do?
MOMMA: Takes pictures.
It captures what it sees, with this little eye.
You aim it,
then you push this button right here and...
(WHOOSHES)
A real-life picture comes out.
Like this one.
This was me...
from the old world.
NOLAN: Is that really you?
Hey, hey, careful.
I was a different person back then.
Or this one.
I took it outside on the porch.
Sam.
-This is us? -MOMMA: Mm-hmm.
And this is Koda.
-(KODA WHINES) -MOMMA: Yep.
You can take a picture of anything you want.
But a good picture
shows more than what the camera's looking at.
It shows a special moment,
frozen in time.
They can even show a feeling.
Like love.
Where's Poppa?
He was holding the camera.
Do you have a picture of him?
Mm-mm.
These are the only two I chose to keep.
And there's one more in there, too.
I've been saving it.
For when?
Look for the right moment.
Maybe you'll find one
that reminds us what we're living for.
Even if it's something small.
'Cause some moments in life are hard.
But when we remember why we're holding on,
we get strong again.
This right here
is about to be one of those hard moments.
We've been through some brutal,
brutal winters, haven't we?
But nothing like this one.
Everything in the garden,
gone.
The roots are waterlogged.
The animals, they ain't come back yet.
We got water.
But that'll last us maybe
a couple weeks.
Maybe a month.
But soon...
our bodies
are gonna start shutting down.
And we're gonna die.
So, we only got one option.
And that's Koda.
What?
MOMMA: We can salt the meat.
Maybe it'll last us a month or so
-before it's spoiled. -No!
I know you love him.
We all do.
But he nearing the end of his life,
and he... he ain't caught us nothing in months.
We can eat more frogs.
That's not gonna be enough.
I'll eat the bark, the bugs.
I don't mind it, Momma. I swear.
-Nolan. -Maybe it's safe to leave.
I was out there without a rope on.
The Evil coulda touched me, but it didn't.
MOMMA: 'Cause it chose not to.
It wants you to doubt me. And look...
that's exactly what you're doing.
What if you're wrong? What if the world is still out there?
This is the world!
There's nothing out there!
It's either the house or the Evil. That's it!
No. This is evil.
Eating family is evil!
If we can't feed ourselves, how are we gonna feed the dog?
You wanna die?
I don't wanna die, but I don't wanna see my friend die!
But this is not fair!
All he's done is protect us!
Let's ask Samuel.
Of course he'll do what you say.
He can talk for hisself.
Samuel?
We have to.
I hate you! I hate both of you.
I hate this house! I hate this house!
-Come on, Koda. -(KODA WHINES)
(DOOR SHUTS)
Momma, I can do it if you want.
No.
(DOOR OPENS)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
(KODA WHINES)
NOLAN: No.
-No! -(KODA WHINING)
No. No!
No! No! No!
-(WOEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) -Koda! Koda!
No! (SOBS)
No! Momma, please!
Please, no!
Koda!
Please!
(WHIMPERS)
(PANTING)
MOMMA: You're a good dog.
I thank you
-for taking good care of us. -(KODA WHIMPERS)
(CRYING)
(KODA WHIMPERS)
(VOICE BREAKS) You're a good dog.
(CROSSBOW CREAKS)
(PANTING)
-(KODA WHINING) -(STIFLES SOB)
(EXHALES)
(KODA WHINES)
(TENSE MUSIC BUILDING)
-NOLAN: Momma. -(MUSIC FADES)
MOMMA: Nolan.
It's not real.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
Listen to me.
You need to see.
You need to see there's nothing to be scared of!
That's what it wants you to think, baby. Don't do it!
No! Don't do it.
No. No.
Nolan! Open this door.
-(DOOR BANGS) -Nolan!
Open the door.
-Nolan! -(DOOR BANGING)
Nolan, I... I lied.
I didn't tell you everything. I brought the Evil here.
The Evil is real!
And if it touches me and gets inside the house,
it's gonna make me kill you!
-Open the door. -(DOOR BANGS)
Please!
Open the fucking door!
-Nolan! -(SAMUEL YELLS)
NOLAN: Momma!
(BOTH GRUNTING)
GRANDMA: (DISTORTED) Bad little goat.
(GASPS)
Bad little goat.
Bad little goat, caught sitting in my chair.
(CLAPPING RHYTHMICALLY)
Let's see that tushy,
and I'll make it so you can't sit anywhere.
It's here!
-(BOTH GRUNT) -It's here!
SAMUEL: Momma!
-(GRUNTS) -(SAMUEL GROANS)
SAMUEL: Damn it. What the hell?
(WHIMPERING)
(BLEATING) Bad!
Bad!
Bad little goat, putting poison in my food.
Bad little goat.
Bad!
I told you,
I'm gonna make you eat your babies.
You'll never get in.
No!
(CHOKING)
(BOTH GRUNTING)
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
SAMUEL: Momma!
-(MUSIC STOPS) -(GASPING)
Momma?
Wake up, Momma.
Momma, wake up!
It's okay, Momma. I'm tying the ropes together.
It's okay, Momma. It's okay.
Momma, please.
(QUIVERING) O blessed house of ancient wood.
Shelter to the pure and good.
We'll keep you bright and never roam.
Heaven is here, within our home.
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
Momma, please.
The house has us now, Momma.
You can wake up. Please, Momma, wake up.
(TEARFULLY) I need you.
Please, Momma.
(CRYING)
(MOURNFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
O blessed house of ancient wood.
Shelter to the pure and good.
We'll keep you bright and never roam.
Heaven is here, within our home.
Momma, please.
Please, Momma.
(SAMUEL CONTINUES CRYING)
(OUR LOVE BY STARR SISTERS PLAYING)
♪ Our love ♪
♪ Is like a song ♪
♪ That lingers on ♪
♪ With it light-hearted laughter ♪
♪ Leaving tears ever after ♪
♪ Fading away ♪
♪ The night is like a symphony ♪
♪ But there's no melody ♪
♪ Without your love ♪
-(SONG FADES OUT) -(CLOCK STOPS TICKING)
Koda!
(PANTING)
(IN DISTANCE) Koda!
Koda!
-Come back! -(KODA WHINES)
Koda!
(FORLORN MUSIC PLAYING)
(FIRE STARTS)
(BLOWING)
(DOOR CREAKS)
I made some pine needle tea.
It'll help with your hunger.
Was that you out there?
NOLAN: Out where?
I saw you,
in the woods,
laughing at me for not being able to save her.
NOLAN: I think you were dreaming.
Touch the wood.
Touch it.
O blessed house of ancient wood.
Shelter to the pure and good.
We'll keep you bright and never roam.
Heaven is here, within our home.
Okay.
Now drink.
You need some air.
(GROANING)
I won't let you die.
(DREAMY MUSIC PLAYING)
(CROW CAWING)
(DREAMY MUSIC CONTINUES)
(GRUNTS)
(MUSIC FADES OUT)
(GRUNTS)
(WIND BLOWING)
Help!
Hello!
(GRUNTING)
Help!
(SOFT SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
Excuse me!
Hi, there.
Sorry to intrude. I just, uh...
I was hiking, and I...
I thought I heard someone screaming for help.
That wasn't you, by any chance, was it?
I... (CHUCKLES)
I thought my ears were playing tricks on me.
(CHUCKLES)
Wow, I didn't think anyone was out here.
This is, uh...
Ah.
Are you okay?
What's your name, son?
(SOFTLY) Nolan.
(UNEASY MUSIC PLAYING)
I'm sorry, I didn't catch that.
-Nolan. -Nolan.
Hi, Nolan. I'm Cole.
It's nice to meet you.
So, uh...
Where your folks at? They around?
My momma's dead.
Oh, I'm very sorry to hear that.
How did she pass?
My brother's sick. He needs food.
COLE: Okay.
Well, I've got some food in my pack.
You know,
Nolan, I've got a truck about five miles from here,
-and I could take you and your brother... -SAMUEL: Get back!
COLE: Whoa. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Okay. Okay, okay.
Whoa.
Okay.
Uh...
Look, I don't mean you boys any harm.
Nolan here says you're sick.
-We're not stupid. -Sam.
I didn't say you were stupid. I just...
I just thought someone was in trouble. That's it.
You killed my momma.
COLE: No, son. I...
I don't know your momma. Okay?
Look, this was just... this was a mistake.
I'm sorry. I'm gonna go. I'm gonna leave now,
-all right? -Don't move.
I ju... Okay. Just calm down.
What if he's a real person?
We were happy.
Listen to me, okay?
I'm just gonna turn, I'm just gonna go back.
I'm gonna go back from where I came from, all right?
-Just... -I said, "Don't move!"
(BREATHES ANXIOUSLY)
Look, everything's fine.
-NOLAN: Just let him go. -Everything's okay.
Let him go, Sam.
Please.
It's over.
She's gone.
No!
(GROANING)
-(PANTING) -Sam...
(CONTINUES GROANING)
COLE: Help me!
(COLE YELLS)
Help me!
Nolan, don't.
-He said he has food. -It's a trick.
COLE: Help me!
-(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) -(NOLAN PANTING)
(COLE GRUNTING STRAINFULLY)
(COUGHS, GURGLES)
(COUGHS, GROANING)
(GASPS)
(CHOKING AND STRAINING)
(LINE RINGING)
DISPATCHER: 911. What's your emergency?
(GROANING)
Sir?
Sir, can you hear me?
Can you tell me...
(GASPS)
(BOTH GRUNTING)
Sir... (INDISTINCT)
(BOTH STRAINING)
-Sir, tell me where you are. -(GURGLES)
Huh.
(GRUNTING)
(EXHALES)
Mm.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(DOOR CREAKS)
It's from the man.
He's dead.
That wasn't a man.
Try it.
Did you let go?
No.
I touched him with the rope on.
He wouldn't have let me if he was the Evil, right?
You still won't learn.
You're falling for it all over again!
Just try it.
No.
Maybe there's no Evil.
Momma lied to us.
We're not the only ones left in the world.
If we thought there was nothing out there for us,
then we wouldn't wanna leave her.
She killed herself to keep us safe,
and you still won't believe it!
Just try it!
You'll see that it's real!
It'll make you feel better!
I promise.
Once upon a time,
there were two brothers who trusted each other.
She loved you!
She loved you.
And I'm so sorry for what I did.
But we're not safe.
We're dying.
At least then we'll be with Momma again.
Maybe that'll be enough for you this time.
(DISQUIETING MUSIC PLAYING)
(WIND WHISTLING)
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
(CHAIR CREAKING)
-(OBJECT RATTLES) -(GASPS)
SAMUEL: Hello?
Who's in there?
Koda?
Hello?
(WHOOSH)
-(DRAMATIC NOTE PLAYS) -(SAMUEL SHOUTS)
Momma?
(GROANS)
(FLIES BUZZING)
-Hello? -(SAMUEL GASPS)
I'm looking for my dad.
He asked me to wait by the car,
but he never came back.
Do you mind lowering that?
Thanks.
How did you get here?
I followed his footsteps in the mud.
He's tall, black hair, a bit of gray on the sides?
Have you seen him?
Why is that rope around your waist?
To keep me safe.
From what?
Where did you get that flashlight?
That's my dad's.
It was a mistake.
I didn't mean to.
What are you talking about?
Where is he?
What did you do?
What did you do to him?
SAMUEL: I thought he was the Evil.
No, wait!
I thought he was the Evil!
Come back!
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(GRUNTS)
Come back!
The rope... Oh, no.
Please! Come back!
(STRAINING)
(PANTING)
I know she's real.
-(TWIGS SNAP) -(GASPS)
(SILENCE FALLS)
(ANIMALS CHIRRING)
(FOOTSTEPS)
(SAMUEL GASPS)
(SINISTER MUSIC PLAYING)
(BRANCH RUSTLES)
(SOFT CHITTER)
(MUSIC FADES)
(OMINOUS MUSIC BUILDING)
(MUSIC FADES)
(INSECTS CHIRPING SOFTLY)
(SNARLING)
(GASPS)
(CHITTERS)
Aah!
(CHOKING AND GASPING)
(EXHALES HEAVILY)
(CLINKING SOFTLY)
(DOOR OPENS, CREAKS)
NOLAN: Sam!
Sam!
(ROPE RETRACTS LOOSELY)
(GASPING)
Sam!
SAMUEL: (IN DISTANCE) Nolan!
Sam?
Sam!
SAMUEL: Nolan!
Sam!
Where are you?
-(FOOTSTEPS) -(GASPS)
No!
(CHILLING MUSIC PLAYING)
(GASPING)
(MUSIC FADES)
(CONTINUES GASPING)
(DOOR CREAKS SOFTLY)
(DOOR CLOSES)
Sam?
-(MUFFLED FOOTSTEPS) -(GASPS)
(STAIRS CREAKING SOFTLY)
-(SOFT CREAK) -Huh?
(SOFTLY) It's not real.
It's not real.
(SOFT SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(DOOR CREAKS SOFTLY)
Sam.
Why did you cut my rope?
(SOFT SQUELCHING)
(EERIE MUSIC PLAYING)
Sam.
O blessed house of ancient wood.
Shelter to the pure and good.
(DISTORTED GROWLING)
We'll keep you bright and never roam.
Heaven is here, within our home!
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(SAMUEL YELLS)
(DOOR BANGING)
Stop it, Sam!
Sam! Sam!
Sam!
(MUFFLED) Sam! Sam!
Sam!
(PANTING)
(GRUNTS)
(PANTING)
Sam!
(THE BIG ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN BY HARRY MCCLINTOCK PLAYING)
♪ One evening as the sun went down ♪
♪ And the jungle fire was burning ♪
♪ Down the track came a hobo hikin' ♪
♪ He said, "Boys, I'm not turning ♪
♪ "I'm headed for a land that's far away ♪
(MUFFLED) ♪ "Beside the crystal fountains ♪
♪ "So come with me, we'll go and see ♪
♪ "The Big Rock Candy Mountains" ♪
♪ In the Big Rock Candy Mountains ♪
♪ There's a land that's fair and bright ♪
(COUGHING)
♪ Where the handouts grow on bushes ♪
♪ And you sleep out every night ♪
Sam! You don't wanna do this!
(UNEASY MUSIC PLAYING)
(GRUNTS)
(COUGHS)
(COUGHING)
♪ You can walk right out again ♪
♪ As soon as you are in There ain't... ♪
(COUGHING)
(GRIM MUSIC PLAYING)
(GASPS)
The house won't protect you anymore.
(COUGHING)
MOMMA: Nolan?
Come here, baby.
Come here.
I'm not mad at you, Nolan.
I was just like you when I was your age.
I wanna hold you again, baby.
Come on.
(FIRE RUMBLES)
My sweet boy.
(DISTORTED) I missed you so much.
You're not her.
I saw what you did to Sam.
(NORMAL VOICE) You saw what he really was.
I just helped him see it.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(CAMERA CLICKS)
(FIRE ROARS)
Look at what you did.
You destroyed your whole family.
And I didn't even have to touch you.
I didn't mean to.
It's okay.
(DISTORTED) You don't have to be scared anymore.
You're not my momma!
(NORMAL VOICE) I'm more her
than she ever was.
I'm the darkness
that was inside her.
I'm the darkness that's inside you now.
(DISTORTED) I'm the darkness that's in your blood.
All you got to do...
is let go.
I can't!
♪ In the Big Rock Candy Mountains ♪
♪ You never change your socks ♪
♪ And the little streams of alcohol ♪
♪ Come a-trickling down the rocks ♪
(OBJECTS CRASHING)
♪ The brakemen have to tip their hats ♪
♪ And the railroad bulls are blind ♪
♪ There's a lake of stew... ♪
♪ You can paddle all around 'em ♪
(DISTORTED) ♪ In a big canoe ♪
♪ In the Big Rock Candy Mountains ♪
♪ The jails are made of tin ♪
♪ And you can walk right out again ♪
♪ As soon as you are in ♪
There's nothing for you in that cellar.
(NOLAN GRUNTS)
(BOTH GRUNTING)
-(DOOR THUDS) -(SOUNDS QUIETEN)
(CHAIN CLANKS)
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)
MOMMA: Did you imagine it?
Yes.
Tell us about it.
NOLAN: I thought about our birth in the house,
and how safe it keeps us every day.
And I felt the darkness float away.
(BOTH GRUNTING)
When we remember why we're holding on,
and who we holding on for...
-(NOLAN STRAINS) -(SCREAMS)
...we get strong again.
(MOMMA SCREAMS)
ALL: The Evil can't touch me here,
dawn to night and year to year.
(GRUNTING AND SCREAMING)
O blessed house of ancient wood.
-(MUFFLED SCREAM) -Shelter to the pure and good.
Never let go.
We'll keep you bright
-and never roam. -(MOMMA SCREAMING)
Heaven is here, within our home.
(HISSES)
(EMOTIONAL MUSIC PLAYING)
I love you, Momma!
(EMOTIONAL MUSIC CONTINUES)
(MUSIC FADES)
-(SOUNDS MUFFLING) -(RAPID PULSING)
(SOMBER MUSIC FADING IN)
(BREATHING DEEPLY)
(SOMBER MUSIC CONTINUES)
(ENGINE ROARING)
(KODA BARKS)
(PANTING)
My brother. I need to find my brother.
-You're safe now. -My brother.
-But we can't leave him. -You're safe now.
-Just breathe. -No! Where is he?
-Just breathe now. -Where is he?
Just breathe. It's okay. He's right here.
(GASPING)
Sam. Sam.
I'm here. Hey, Sam.
I'm here, Sam.
I'm here.
We're free.
(SOMBER MUSIC CONTINUES)
We're free.
She loves me more.
(MUSIC FADES)
(GOODNIGHT, MOTHER BY DICK TODD WITH ORCHESTRA PLAYS)
♪ Good night, Mother ♪
♪ Here's for bigger dreams ♪
♪ Sleep tight, Mother ♪
♪ Tell the morning days ♪
♪ America has answered ♪
♪ Every mother's prayer ♪
♪ You won't have the heartaches ♪
♪ They have over there ♪
♪ Don't worry, Mother ♪
♪ You will not be blue ♪
♪ Your boy always ♪
♪ Will belong to you ♪
♪ He'll never be so far away ♪
♪ That he can't call each night and say ♪
♪ Good night, Mother, good night ♪
♪ Don't worry, Mother ♪
♪ You will not be blue ♪
♪ Your boy always ♪
♪ Will belong to you ♪
♪ He'll never be so far away ♪
♪ That he can't call each night and say ♪
♪ Good night, Mother, good night ♪
(SONG ENDS)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)