Insidious: The Red Door (2023)

[bunniefuu]

STEADY TICKING)

CARL:

Are you ready?

(TICKING CONTINUES)

We're ready.

Ready to forget,

once and for all.

Good, Mr. Lambert.

So then, close your eyes.

Both of you.

Now take a deep breath.

Now feel yourselves

getting sleepier and sleepier.

Neither of you will remember

the last year.

There is no place called

The Further.

You will only remember

Dalton's coma.

And his recovery.

And let the darkness drift

further and further away.

(TICKING SLOWS, STOPS)

DALTON:

"For everything,

there is a season.

"A time to be born

"and a time to die.

"A time to k*ll

"and a time to heal.

"A time to keep

"and a time to throw away.

"A time to weep

"and a time to laugh.

"A time to mourn

and a time to dance.

"A time for silence...

"...and a time to speak.

"A time for love

and a time to hate.

A time for w*r

and a time for peace."

Amen.

OTHERS:

Amen.

PRIEST:

We therefore commit

this body to the ground.

Earth to earth, ashes to ashes,

dust to dust.

Amen.

RENAI (VOICE-OVER):

It was a beautiful service

for a beautiful grandma.

She loved

you guys so much.

Your mother was

a fine friend, Josh.

(SIGHS)

Thank you.

I miss Grandma.

I know.

She misses you, too, Kali.

Dead people

don't miss anything.

Okay, that's-that's not true,

and she does miss you.

See you guys

next weekend, okay?

Dalton.

Dalton!

See what I mean?

He's just anxious

about leaving.

For school next week.

I know. Yeah, uh-huh.

Um...

Thank you

for organizing all this.

I just haven't had

the bandwidth.

Why don't you drive him

to school?

You have a few weeks until all

your students show up, right?

Nah, he-he-he wouldn't

want me to.

He's not the parent. You are.

I mean, if you don't want to,

then that's

a different story,

but...

I... No, I can't.

Why?

Well...

(JOSH SIGHS)

(SIGHS)

It was just an idea.

Maybe s-some way that you guys

could connect, that's all.

You know,

he's gonna be gone soon,

so, anyway, think about it.

Bye.

See you, man.

Excuse me.

Excuse me. Hey.

Do I know you?

I knew your mother.

Years ago.

Um, but w-we lost touch.

What's your name?

Carl.

()

(CHUCKLES)

Nice to meet you, Carl.

Appreciate you coming.

I'm sorry I grabbed you.

I got a lot on my mind.

I'm sure.

Death floods the mind

with memory.

But there's always

new ones to make, right?

(CHUCKLES)

Yeah.

Bye, Josh.

(ENGINE STARTS)

(SIGHS)

Carl.

(SIGHS)

(KEYBOARD CLICKING)

(PHONE WHOOSHES)

(SIGHS SOFTLY)

(SIGHS)

(PHONE WHOOSHES)

(SIGHS)

JOSH (OVER PHONE):

What did you just tell me?

Well, just tell me, Dalton.

Change it?

Do you want a clean...

Do you want to keep

the same diaper on?

(CHUCKLES)

Yeah?

I tell you what.

We can clean... we can

just clean out the diaper,

and then put the same diaper

back on.

Would you like that?

Would you like that?

(BABY EXCLAIMS)

Okay, yeah, I'll do that then.

What kind of outfit

do you want?

(SIGHS)

(JOSH BABBLES PLAYFULLY

ON VIDEO)

What kind of outfit

do you want?

(BABY LAUGHING, COOING)

Yeah? Well, tell me.

All you got to do

is talk to me.

Come on.

The greatest guy in the world.

(VIDEO STOPS)

Oh, sh*t.

Uh, I mean...

Yeah, great.

(PHONE WHOOSHES)

All right.

(SIGHS)

Okay.

Okay.

(ENGINE STARTS)

()

()

()

()

()

(CAR ENGINE)

("ROLL WITH THE CHANGES"

BY REO SPEEDWAGON PLAYING)

(OVER SPEAKERS)

As soon as you are able

Woman, I am willing

To make the break that we

Are on the brink of

(SIGHS)

My cup is on the table...

You hungry?

You're gonna have to pull out

of your little funk,

or it's gonna be

a long few days.

(SONG CONTINUES OVER STEREO)

Mom said you got

that art teacher you wanted.

What's his name?

Her name. Armagan.

She good?

She's the best.

Good job.

I mean, she better be,

with what we're paying.

GROUP (IN DISTANCE):

To love and cherish

To guard and guide...

JOSH:

All right.

Let the fun begin.

Oh, God, forbid

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Thank you.

That one should perish...

Yeah, you. Come here.

Hey, man,

welcome to JPU.

(SCOFFS)

Kappa Tau, huh?

I was, uh, Kappa Z.

Long time ago, of course.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

I'll take one for him.

Just put-- Thank you.

Hey!

They live so far

Away...

(SINGING CONTINUES IN DISTANCE)

Sorry.

(CLEARS THROAT)

Oh, all right.

You get first dibs.

(DOOR CLOSES)

(JOSH BREATHING HEAVILY)

Why don't you

pick a bed?

Mom got you this, uh,

power station thing.

What do you got here?

You got, uh, two outlets,

USB port and, uh,

two jumper cables,

which are useless.

There we go.

(SIGHS)

Okay.

Okay.

You still need this?

Guess Mom put it in there.

Whoa.

This is intense.

This what you been working on?

Put it back.

No, it's really good.

Did you do this from memory?

It's from a photo

I found at the house.

Wow, looks like she's, uh...

Like she's hiding something?

That's what it feels like...

felt like,

the last few years.

She had a tough go, you know,

being a single mom.

Yeah, yeah.

That's... yeah, that's tough.

Guess I didn't make

the wall, huh?

I don't blame you.

You know, I'm sorry

I haven't been around lately.

Course, my dad wasn't

around at all, but...

Could be a lot worse.

I've just been a little foggy

past few years.

I don't know, my brain just...

I just...

haven't been able

to manage time for, uh,

you and your brother

and sister.

Have you ever thought

about getting help?

I'm just trying

to push through.

(GRUNTS)

Are you Dalton Lambert?

Yeah. Are-are you...

Chris Winslow. Mm.

Everything cool, fellas?

Yeah, no, everything's fine.

I just-- I thought my roommate

would be a, um, um...

A-A guy.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Oh.

I just figured

it's a liberal arts school,

and we mean "liberal."

Yeah, pr-probably just confused

by the name Chris.

Right.

'Cause that would never happen

with a name like Dalton.

JOSH:

You know, I'm gonna go down

to the housing office

and get this all sorted out.

No, no, no, no,

no, no, no, no, no.

Please, Father of Dalton.

(SIGHS)

Allow me.

I clearly interrupted

some... boy bonding.

I'll be back.

(JOSH SIGHS)

(CHUCKLING)

Hey, uh,

I snagged this for you.

You should check it out.

If you hate it, no worries,

but you're not gonna hate it.

You really don't know me,

do you?

I mean, you really think

I want to join a frat?

It's just a party, Dalton.

Go. Have fun.

I mean, do it for me.

I drove you here.

You didn't even want to.

Course I did.

Stop lying to me!

I-I heard what Mom said

at the funeral.

Well, I still did it.

Oh, so that makes you

father of the year now?

At least you've got a father.

Stop blaming your dad

for the sh*t

that you screwed up.

He left like 40 years ago.

Get over it.

God knows I'm not gonna be

defined by you.

Are you kidding me?

After all we have done for you?

When did you become

this ungrateful little sh*t?!

No wonder Mom divorced you.

Thanks for the ride.

(QUIET CHATTER)

()

Excuse me.

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

()

Want me to take that?

Yeah.

Here, I got it.

Thank you.

(BREATHING DEEPLY)

(QUIET CHATTER, LAUGHTER)

(EXHALES HEAVILY)

()

(ENGINE STARTS)

(SHOWER WATER RUNNING)

(MELODICA PLAYING

RAPID MELODY IN DISTANCE)

(MELODICA MUSIC

CONTINUES LOUDER)

(MUSIC STOPS)

You can tell

it's Shania Twain, right?

Yeah.

So, what'd they say at housing?

They said, "Tough t*tties."

I got to sleep here tonight.

But I'll get

a new room tomorrow,

so it's not a permanent thing.

Heartbreak, right?

You're in the art school,

I take it?

Yeah.

Are you music?

Math.

I thought about music,

but the artist's life

is one of nomadic instability

and much gnashing of teeth.

But I'm sure

you'll be super successful.

(CHUCKLES)

You want to blow my hooter?

What?

Do you play?

Oh.

(CHUCKLES)

Uh, just-just a little piano.

It's the same thing.

Just blow.

My cooties are good cooties.

(PLAYING SLOW, SIMPLE MELODY)

What's that?

It's just something

my mom wrote.

Sweet.

So, what's some weird sh*t

about you?

I don't know.

(MOCKINGLY):

"Uh, I don't know."

(CHUCKLES)

Come on, man.

Everybody's weird.

Y-You first.

On Sundays, I wear a monocle

and I order takeout

with a British accent.

That is weird.

Thank you.

Okay, sometimes I eat

instant oatmeal,

uh, with no, like, water

or milk or anything.

It's just kind of dry.

You're bad at this.

Let's try again.

When I was ten,

my parents died,

and I went to go live

with my Grandma Perkee,

who once went

almost nearly blind

from a gnarly case

of athlete's foot.

I don't remember

when I was ten.

Like, the whole year.

What do you mean?

I was in a coma.

Viral meningitis.

At least

that's what they told me

the few times

that they would talk about it.

But I don't remember anything.

I don't even remember

being sick.

It's like I woke up one day

and a whole year had passed.

That's awful.

And pretty weird.

Well done.

Yeah, honestly,

I wish I could have forgotten

a whole year when I was a kid.

Could've used

a little meningi-gi.

Uh, you know, there-there is

one more weird thing about me.

Um, ever since my coma,

I've...

I've been afraid

of th-the dark.

I was afraid of Barbie dolls

till I was, like... now.

(CHUCKLES)

There's nothing wrong

with being scared.

Just as long as

you don't keep me up

with some bright-a*s

night-light.

(SIGHS)

Um...

Seriously?

Sorry.

Oh, man.

Whatever.

It's fine. I'll deal.

()

DALTON (RECORDED):

Hey, this is Dalton.

I can't get to the phone

right now,

so leave me a message,

and I'll give you a call back.

(PHONE BEEPS)

JOSH: Hey, bud. It's me.

Just making sure

you're getting settled in okay.

Um...

I was just, uh, thinking about

what you said,

and, um...

I don't know. I don't know

what's going on with me,

but, um...

...I'm gonna find out.

(SIGHS)

And I just wanted you

to know that.

Okay, bye.

(QUIET CHATTER)

(QUIET CHATTER)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

Hello. I am Professor Armagan.

Shut off your phones.

Open your portfolios.

Pull out something

that will interest me.

Pin it to your easel.

Stand beside your work.

Stand proud.

Alec Anderson.

Your technique is obvious.

It looks like a photograph.

Thanks.

That wasn't a compliment.

Tear it up.

Excuse me?

The drawing.

Tear it up.

ALEC:

I worked my a*s off

on this piece.

No one will miss it.

No way.

Alas.

Our first casualty.

Usually, I go through

introductions

before someone quits.

I didn't quit!

Yes, you did.

You just haven't

realized it yet.

You can go.

Good luck.

Any fool can learn technique,

even master it.

It doesn't mean anything

if it doesn't come from inside.

I am not interested

in the rules of art.

We are going to break

the rules.

Then I want you

to break them again.

See how broken you can get.

(PAPER RIPS)

Dalton Lambert.

Yes, ma'am.

Why in the hell

would you destroy

a beautiful drawing

like that?

Once more for good measure.

Wasn't so hard,

was it?

Good.

You must let go of your past,

shed your skin

in order to grow.

I'll count backwards from ten.

With each number,

I want you to sink further

and further into yourself.

Do not lift the charcoal

from the paper.

Ten, nine,

eight, seven,

six, five,

four, three,

two, one.

()

Draw whatever your soul

brings forth,

an experience that defines you.

You've got to be willing

to dredge up

your ugliest,

innermost thoughts.

()

()

(DALTON GRUNTS)

(GASPS)

(PANTING)

()

Is it keeping you in or out?

You'll have

headphones on.

The machine is quite loud,

but you'll be able to hear me.

And I'm gonna need you to stay

as still as possible

throughout the procedure.

You feel like you need

to get out of there,

give the call ball a squeeze,

we'll give you a break.

You good?

Overjoyed.

All aboard.

(SIGHS)

Don't forget this.

(MACHINE WHIRRING)

(WHIRRING STOPS)

BROWER (OVER SPEAKER):

Okay. You comfortable, Josh?

Yep.

Let's just get this over with.

(CHUCKLES)

(MACHINE KNOCKING SOFTLY)

(MACHINE BUZZES)

(MACHINE CHUGGING)

(EXHALES HEAVILY)

(MACHINE WHIRRING)

(WHIRRING CONTINUES LOUDER)

(MACHINE BUZZING LOUDLY)

(MACHINE RATTLING, KNOCKING)

(MACHINE STOPS)

Hello?

Dr. Brower?

Dr. Brower?

(SPEAKER CLICKS)

(VOICES WHISPERING)

BROWER (OVER SPEAKER):

There's someone with you.

Wh-What?

(VOICES STOP)

What did you say?

Dr. Brower, what did you say?

(QUIET CREAK)

(JOSH PANTING SOFTLY)

Wh...

(SIGHS)

(CALL BALL BEEPS)

Come on.

Um...

Okay, can you

let me out, please?

(BREATHES DEEPLY,

CLEARS THROAT)

(BEEPING)

Hello! Hey!

Can you let me out?!

(SPEAKER CLICKS)

(VOICES WHISPERING)

BROWER:

The door is open.

(SPEAKER CLICKS, VOICES STOP)

Okay, okay. Let me out.

Let me out! Hey! Dr. Brower!

Dr. Brower, let me out!

Come on. Get me out of here!

Hello?!

Hey!

(PANTING)

Just let me out.

Let me out, let me out,

let me out.

Dr. Brower?

Come on.

(CALL BALL BEEPING)

Let me out.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

()

(YELPS, GRUNTS)

(PANTING HEAVILY)

Okay. Come on.

(BREATH SHUDDERING)

(MACHINE WHIRRING)

Okay.

Mr. Lambert?

What was that? What was that?!

Are you okay?

What was that?!

Why did the lights go out?!

Calm down.

(PANTING)

Y-You said the lights went out?

All the lights went out,

and I got stuck in there, man.

And I saw...

(PANTING)

(WHIMPERS)

Mr. Lambert, you've been asleep

for 15 minutes.

You went right out.

Uh, your MRI

went perfectly.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

What?

Take your time and get dressed.

Come on through.

(DOOR CLOSES)

(KEYBOARD CLICKING)

BROWER:

There's nothing

physically wrong with you.

No growths or spots

on the brain.

Nothing to be concerned about.

That's good news,

Mr. Lambert.

Yeah, no, I know.

I, uh...

I guess I was just hoping

for something real.

Something that could

explain this... fog.

The memory issues

you're talking about,

they could be spurred on

by a number of things.

Increased stress,

change in daily habits.

Have there been any disruptions

in your home life?

(SMACKS LIPS)

My, uh, mom

passed away recently.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Not to mention

my son left for school,

and, uh, my ex-wife

hardly talks to me, so...

That certainly

sounds stressful.

Yeah.

Maybe a grief counselor

could be of some help.

Yeah. Sure. Probably would.

Do you have any history of

mental illness in your family?

Mental illness?

It's nothing to be

alarmed about.

It can be informative

as we try to make a diagnosis.

Not that I'm aware of.

It's worth looking into.

Meanwhile,

there are exercises,

games you can do

to stimulate your memory.

Matching games,

like-like-like kids do.

You want me to play

kids' games?

We could learn a lot from kids.

Yeah.

Thanks.

()

()

()

(SLOW CRACKING)

(FLASH BULB POPPING)

(GASPS)

(PANTING)

(ELECTRICAL POP)

()

(PANTING SOFTLY)

()

()

(GASPS)

(GRUNTS)

(ROARING)

(SCREAMS)

(PANTING)

Whatcha doin'?

Got my new

room assignment today,

so, alas,

no more panty parties.

But consolation: I'm in 323

now, right above you.

So be cautious, young man,

lest I hear you slap your

sausage in the dead of night.

You want to join a frat?

What? Oh.

No, it's just something

my dad got me.

We should go.

We can make fun of their

khaki pants and trust funds.

Unless you're not done

redecorating.

Come on, Dolphin.

Do something nice

for your old man.

What's the worst

that could happen?

(SIGHS)

(LIVELY CHATTER)

(MUSIC PLAYING IN DISTANCE)

May I offer you

some diaper pudding?

Uh, I'm good.

Uh, no.

Whatever.

Seriously?

Oh, come on.

Quit your bitchin'

and come here.

To memorialize the night

that Dalton Lambert

actually has fun.

CROWD (CHANTING):

Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!

(CHANTING FASTER)

Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!

Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!

(WHOOPING)

(CHEERING)

("ARAB MONEY"

BY X.ORBIT FEAT. TOON PLAYING)

What's "frat juice"?

Don't ask.

NICK: Hey, hey, hey!

Everyone, my name's Nick.

CROWD (CHANTING):

Nick the d*ck! Nick the d*ck!

Nick the d*ck! Nick the d*ck!

(MUSIC STOPS)

Welcome to the Kappa house,

and welcome back to school,

baby.

(TOY SQUEAKS)

(CHUCKLES)

I'm just here to remind you,

fine folks,

that frats,

they're under attack.

(CROWD CHEERS)

Right?

And we must protect

our right to party

and to be awesome.

White, Black, brown or blue,

you're all welcome at JPU,

provided that you recognize

and respect

that the frat house

is the last house

where men can still be men!

(PERSON COUGHS)

(WHOOPS)

Thank-thank you.

Now, we got a lot of drinking

to do tonight,

but pace yourselves.

We do not need

another incident.

(LAUGHTER)

Yeah, rest in peace.

Party's lame.

Confirmed.

So let's go upstairs and

look through everyone's sh*t.

(MUSIC AND LIVELY CHATTER

RESUME)

Yeah.

DALTON:

We should make this quick.

(DOOR OPENS)

Permission to proceed granted.

(DOOR CREAKS)

Wait.

(DOOR CLOSES)

Huh. Oh.

Oh, no.

This is Nick's room.

And this is

Nick's butthole cream.

I'm gonna go spread this

on the communal crapper. BRB.

Wait.

(DOOR OPENS, CLOSES)

(MAN VOMITING, GROANING

IN OTHER ROOM)

(MAN VOMITING)

(WATER SPLASHING)

(VOMITING CONTINUES)

DALTON:

Hey, man.

(VOMITING CONTINUES)

(DOOR CREAKS)

(VOMITING LOUDLY)

Hey, man, you-you okay?

You need water or something?

MAN (WHISPERS):

Make it stop.

Make it stop.

Make it stop.

Close the door.

Close the...

Close the door!

MAN 2:

No, no, no, no. No, don't leave.

NICK:

Come on, I just...

I-I'll be right back.

I just need some, uh, supplies.

(DOOR CLOSES)

Hey, Paige. I am Nick.

Tonight is your night, bro

Tonight is the night.

(NICK RUMMAGING THROUGH DRAWER,

GRUNTING SOFTLY)

Gotcha.

(SIGHS)

Come on, man.

Just be you, bro.

You want to dance?

(MUTTERS QUIETLY)

Let's dance.

Let's dance.

(GURGLING)

(GAGS)

(GRUNTS)

Oh.

(EXHALES SHARPLY)

Tonight's the night, bro.

(DOOR OPENS)

(DOOR CLOSES)

(EXHALES SHARPLY)

(PANTING SOFTLY)

(GRUNTING, GASPING)

(RETCHING LOUDLY)

(DALTON SCREAMING)

(GRUNTING, GASPING)

CHRIS (HUSHED): Be quiet.

(WHIMPERS)

Are you good?

I think I just saw...

What?

We need to go. Now.

But this is just getting fun.

NICK:

Yo, is somebody in my room?

sh*t, sh*t.

sh*t, sh*t, sh*t, sh*t.

sh*t, sh*t, sh*t, sh*t, sh*t.

Come here.

NICK:

One of you peckerwoods

is about to get the hammer drop.

CHRIS:

Mmm, mmm.

What the hell?

(GASPS, BREATHES HEAVILY)

Oh, my God. So sorry.

We were just looking

for some privacy, you know?

We were gonna do it.

I'd rather watch

my parents do it.

But you should stick around.

We might get drunk enough

to find you attractive.

(LAUGHS)

Even though

you look like a clown.

Nick the d*ck, huh?

I'm more partial

to kick the d*ck.

(PAINED GRUNTS)

CHRIS: Run.

(PANTING)

(CHUCKLES)

That was pretty quick thinking

back there, right?

I, uh...

Oh, crap.

Ugh, I should've asked

before I kissed you, right?

I am sorry. I was just--

I was going on instinct.

Oh, no.

Are you okay?

I'm fine.

It's just, I, um...

I'm just sorry

for what he said to you.

Oh.

Whatever.

(CHUCKLES)

You think I care

what Vineyard Vines thinks?

He should be so lucky.

JOSH (RECORDED):

Hey, buddy, it is, uh, me again.

Um, I went to the doctor.

Um, and-and everything's okay.

Well, not okay, but, uh,

I'm getting

to the bottom of it, so...

Uh, just give me a call

when you can. All right.

I lo... I-I, uh...

(SIGHS)

I'm really sorry, Dalton,

about what I said

the other day.

(SIGHS)

All right, bye.

(SIGHS SOFTLY)

()

()

()

(DISTANT CLATTERING)

(DOOR CREAKING)

()

(GRUFF, ECHOING BREATHING)

()

(QUIET CREAKING)

(FAINT, ECHOING BREATHING)

()

(PLAYS NOTE)

Where is my mayonnaise?

(ECHOES)

Who is it?

(GROANS)

(PLAYS SIMPLE MELODY)

(MELODY CONCLUDES)

(GASPS)

(PANTING)

()

(QUIET CLATTERING, CREAKING)

(SNARLING)

(GASPING)

(SOFT KNOCK ON DOOR)

(GASPS)

(SHARP KNOCK)

Please don't tell me

you're really just a creep.

What? No.

Then what the hell

is going on?

Come on in.

(SIGHS)

Something's happening to me.

I'm seeing things,

crazy things.

You know that kid

at the frat house

that they talked about

with the incident?

Uh-huh.

I saw him, and he was dead.

It started with

an art exercise,

and she asked us to dig deep

into a memory,

into our-our subconscious.

So I did,

and I drew this door.

You really need

to lay off the frat juice.

I'm serious.

Tonight, I was painting,

and I fell asleep.

And when I woke up,

this lantern appeared.

It... it was like a dream,

but it wasn't a dream.

And then I-I walked

to your room.

I-I know

how this sounds.

(DALTON SIGHS)

()

I feel like I'm getting

closer to something.

Or something's

getting closer to me.

You got an extra pillow?

(SIGHS)

(CUP CLANKS)

()

(SIGHS SOFTLY)

()

(PHONE VIBRATING)

(SIGHS SOFTLY)

Okay.

Foster.

Renai.

Dalton.

(SIGHS)

Kali.

Dalton.

Dalton?

Dalton!

Mom.

(SIGHS)

(SIGHS)

Okay.

Okay, Mom, help me out.

(SIGHS)

Kali.

Dalton. Dalton.

Mom.

Mom?

Mom.

(SIGHS)

I don't know. I don't know.

(PHONE BEEPS)

Okay.

(SIGHS)

(PHONE BEEPS)

(PANTING FRANTICALLY)

(SHOUTS)

(PANTING)

Right.

(PANTING)

(BREATHING SLOWS)

(JOSH GASPS)

(GRUNTING)

(EXHALES)

(GASPS)

(PANTING)

ARMAGAN (VOICE-OVER):

Chiaroscuro.

(PROJECTOR CLICKS)

The dance of light and shadow.

An effect used not only

to create volume and definition

but also a specific,

unseen light source.

Right.

This is one of Goya's best.

The negative space

draws our eyes towards Saturn.

Does it represent darkness

or some void?

Goya mastered it on the canvas,

but family problems

and health issues...

YOUNG DALTON: Please, Daddy.

...sent this once revered

court painter

into a dark spiral,

leading him to create

this grisly portrait

of a father devouring his son.

(BONES CRACKING)

(JOSH YELLS)

This balance between

light and dark

is what we're after.

Get ready.

Your own experiences

shape your artwork.

Embrace them.

Use them.

Sink deep into

the darkness of memory.

Ten, nine,

eight, seven,

six, five,

(VOICE FADING)

four, three,

two, one...

(YOUNG DALTON SCREAMS)

(GASPS)

(BREATH SHUDDERING)

()

(SIGHS)

()

(GRUNTS SOFTLY)

()

FOSTER (OVER PHONE):

'Sup, nerd?

A red door.

A purple pecker.

Come on, man. Doesn't that

mean anything to you?

A red door?

You sound weirder than usual.

It's a thing from art class.

It's a painting.

We had to find a memory.

I thought it was something

from our childhood.

Did you ask Mom?

No, I don't want to worry her.

Why would that worry her?

I don't know.

Is this what happens

when you go to college?

You get all cryptic and sh*t?

I guess.

Well, I'm not going, then.

(LINE BEEPS)

(SIGHS)

(SIGHS DEEPLY)

()

(DEEP CREAKING)

(GASPS)

So, after the whole spooky

dream-not-a-dream thing

the other night,

I started thinking,

"Yeah, okay, Dalton's a weirdo,

but he's not insane, right?"

I'm gonna need that key back.

Right.

So, I started poking around

the old interwebs,

and guess what.

You're not crazy at all.

You are an astral projector.

Check this out.

Looks like they filmed it

in between shifts at Best Buy.

Hey, guys,

this is "Spectral Sightings."

I'm Specs.

This is Tucker.

Say hi, Tucker.

No.

Okay. We are PPI, Professional

Paranormal Investigators.

Today, we're gonna be

talking about something

that dozens of you

have been asking us about.

(ECHOING)

Astral projection.

SPECS:

It's a real phenomenon.

Our physical body falls asleep,

and our astral body

leaves that physical body and

floats off into another realm.

That's exactly

what it feels like.

See, I told you.

It's cool, right?

Our former mentor,

Dr. Elise Rainier,

she had a name

for this other realm.

(DISTORTED)

She called it The Further.

Hold on.

ELISE (OVER COMPUTER):

I am Elise.

It's nice to see you all.

So, I'm here to talk to you

about astral projection

and The Further.

Okay.

Give me a minute here.

Three,

two,

one.

The Further is a dark realm

filled with tortured souls

of the dead,

and some are doomed

to live the worst mistakes

of their lives

over and over and over

for all eternity.

When you astral project

or you travel to this realm,

these are the souls that

you awaken with your presence.

They can smell you.

The presence of life.

Life is what they crave

more than anything,

so the further you travel,

the riskier

the journey becomes.

They want life, and they can

come to our world to get it.

Keep a steady stride.

(KEYBOARD CLICKS)

Oh, I see those gears turning.

What is it?

That kid from the frat house?

The pukey kid?

Yeah.

He said something to me.

He said, "Close the door."

I'm sure he did. It probably

wasn't his proudest moment.

Yeah, but what if

he meant something else?

What if he was

talking about this door?

So, what,

you want to go back and ask him?

(CHUCKLES)

Seriously?

I need to know.

I-I feel bad for the dude,

I do, but...

dark realms are typically

places I try to avoid.

There's something...

important about

this painting, Chris.

I have to find out.

Okay.

But it's not like Nick the d*ck

is just gonna let you

waltz into his bedroom and chat

with the ghost in his toilet.

(CHUCKLES)

He'll never know I'm there.

(LIVELY CHATTER, LAUGHTER)

(QUIETLY)

So, what's the plan?

I got this.

WOMAN: Can I help you?

(TV PLAYING QUIETLY)

(BRITISH ACCENT)

Hello.

I have left my brassiere

in Nicholas's room,

and I was wondering

if he is perchance home?

I think he's upstairs

studying with Paige.

(CHUCKLES)

Great job, Dolphin.

NICK:

So, I'm gonna read you this.

It's called "In Flames."

Very vulnerable piece.

"Looking across a campfire,

"they say it's beautiful.

But without you

on the other side..."

I need a room with darkness.

Okay.

Then what?

You gonna float through the air

and do a little, "Ooh"?

(CHUCKLES)

I'm not, like, a ghost.

And you never will be

with that attitude, Casper.

(DOOR OPENS)

Bingo.

What are the chances

those bedsheets are crusty?

Probably snap

like a taco shell.

I'll take the dirty floor.

CHRIS (WHISPERS):

Okay.

(GRUNTS SOFTLY, EXHALES)

Can you, like,

give me a little space?

Oh, yeah. Sorry.

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

Okay, you ready?

Ten, nine,

eight, seven,

six, five,

four, three,

two, one.

()

(WHISPERS)

Are you floating yet?

(DOOR OPENS)

Farewell, traveler.

(SIGHS)

You out here, Dalton?

()

NICK:

Probably be a creative

writing double major.

But I'm also crazy good

at finance,

so I don't want

to waste that gift.

How long do you

have to keep that on?

Oh.

Yeah, it's good now.

My pores are good.

(SIGHS)

()

(WATER RUNNING)

(NICK GROANS)

(GROANS SOFTLY)

Uh, I'm-I'm-a be a while.

Gross.

(GROANS)

(LIGHT SWITCH CLICKING)

(WHISPERS)

Dalton?

Dalton?

(FAINT, GRUFF BREATHING)

S-Someone, turn on the lights!

(DOORKNOB RATTLING)

(GRUFF BREATHING CONTINUES)

Dalton? Dalton?

(ECHOING) Dalton, wake up.

Chris.

NICK:

Guys! Seriously.

Guys, who's messing with me?

MAN:

Close the door!

Close the door!

(SCREAMS)

Dalton?

(SCREAMS)

(CHOKING)

(GASPING)

Close the door!

Chris!

(GRUFF BREATHING)

Oh, God.

(SNARLS)

Come on!

(GASPING)

(GASPING)

DALTON:

Chris.

What?

()

(SLIDES CLICKING)

(SIGHS)

Come on.

What?

(SIGHS)

DALTON:

Chris. Chris. Hey,

I didn't mean, like, that...

Don't.

I-I just wanted to see

if you're okay.

I'm okay.

I'm sorry.

I didn't know anyone could

get hurt in the real world.

Well, they can.

You have no idea

what you're messing with.

I can't be

a part of this, Dalton.

And neither should you,

because next time,

you might not wake up.

()

(DOGS BARKING IN DISTANCE)

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

Hey.

Hi.

Uh, it's not your weekend.

Kali's at a sleepover,

and Foster's...

I'm not here for the kids.

Can we talk?

Sure.

(LINE RINGING)

FOSTER (OVER PHONE):

Wow, two calls in one week.

DALTON:

Come on, man.

Haven't you made

any friends yet?

Tell me everything you remember

about my coma.

You should talk to Mom.

I-I think these-these things

I-I'm drawing, they-they...

The door?

And now a guy with a hammer.

A hammer?

I-I think they could be

clues from my past,

thoughts that have disappeared

'cause of my coma.

I don't know why

that they're coming out now,

but they are, and I...

Wait. Dalton.

What is it?

I've had this image

in my mind for years.

Mom always says it's not real,

it's just a bad dream, but...

Tell me, little brother.

Come on.

Okay.

We're in a room somewhere.

Like a basement.

Do you remember that?

(SOBBING)

Dalton, you there?

(PANTING)

()

()

(JOSH YELLING FAINTLY)

(BREATH TREMBLING)

(SIGHS)

(MUFFLED YELLING)

(CAMERA CLICKS)

All I ever wanted was to be

better than my father.

You know that.

Just to be a... a good dad.

You were. You are, Josh.

(SCOFFS)

Well, Dalton would disagree.

Well, uh,

if it's any consolation,

I can't even get him

to call me back.

(SIGHS)

My dad abandoned his family,

and I've done the same thing.

No, you haven't.

You're not him, Josh,

and you're allowed

to be angry at him.

I am angry.

I've been angry

for a long time,

angry at a man

that I have never met.

Angry at a man

that jumped off the roof

of a mental hospital

in 1978.

For more than 40 years,

that man has been dead and gone.

My dad. Ben Burton.

So how in the hell is

he terrorizing me here, now,

in the real world?

He attacked me

at Mom's place...

He attacked you?

Yeah.

So-so am I just crazy or...

I don't know.

He, uh...

(CLEARS THROAT)

...left this for my mom

the day he died.

What ends with him?

Josh...

Is-is that the answer?

Am I just crazy?

Is his madness inside of me?

And is that why I've been

so lost the past few years?

I mean, did I pass this curse

on to our kids?

I mean, is he gonna haunt them

like he haunted me?

Josh. Josh. Josh.

I mean, why didn't my mother

say anything about this?

Stop. Stop. Stop.

(SIGHS)

You're not crazy.

You're not crazy.

Then what's happening to me?

(PHONE VIBRATING)

(SIGHS)

(SIGHS)

(SNIFFLES)

(JOSH YELLING FAINTLY)

Dalton.

So Dalton and I could travel

to some other...

...dimension,

where we were haunted

by ghosts and goblins.

RENAI:

More like entities,

like the one in those photos

that haunted you.

And your father,

he saw them, too,

and maybe

he's just reaching out.

Back then, he told your mom.

She didn't understand.

She-she didn't know

how to help him.

Oh, help him

like you helped us?

By suppressing our memories?

We all thought it was for

the best, Josh, you included.

But you got foggy.

The suppression,

it-it slowed you down.

And your mom and I,

we didn't know what to do,

and I was too scared

to tell you the truth.

Dalton was right.

(SIGHS)

He said my mom had secrets,

that she was hiding something

from us.

I just never thought

you did, too.

For ten years...

You have no idea how hard

it has been for me.

For ten years,

you kept this away from me. Why?

Honestly, you don't know.

Just why? Why? Why?!

Please. You don't understand.

Because you tried

to k*ll our family!

You chased us around the house

with a g*dd*mn baseball bat!

What?

I mean, I knew

that it wasn't you.

I knew it was that thing

in those photos.

But the kids?

They don't understand.

All those night terrors

that Foster had.

I've been lying to our children

for a decade,

telling them

those memories aren't real.

"They're just your imagination.

Dad's not gonna hurt you."

I couldn't.

But you did.

Doesn't matter to them

what was controlling you.

What they saw was your face.

It was you who was

causing all that pain.

That's why I pulled away.

I just...

I couldn't live

like that anymore.

You know...

...we could've gotten

through this together.

Is this you?

Dalton just sent this to me.

He's been having nightmares

and visions.

Something about a red door.

And now this.

What do we do?

(JOSH YELLING FAINTLY)

(JOSH YELLING FAINTLY)

()

(RUMBLING, CREAKING)

(PANTING)

(DOOR SLAMS)

(JOSH YELLS, KIDS WHIMPERING)

(JOSH & KIDS SCREAMING)

(YOUNG FOSTER CRYING)

(YOUNG DALTON SHUSHING)

YOUNG FOSTER (CRYING):

I'm scared.

YOUNG DALTON:

It's gonna be okay.

It's gonna be okay.

(CRYING) I don't know...

Hey, nothing's gonna

happen to us.

I promise you, okay?

(YOUNG DALTON SHUSHING)

Take care of your brother,

Dalton.

Okay.

(CRYING CONTINUES)

Here.

YOUNG FOSTER:

But why is Daddy mad at us?

(JOSH YELLING FAINTLY)

(THUMPING IN DISTANCE)

(BANGING ON DOOR)

(CRYING, GASPING)

YOUNG DALTON:

Mommy. Mommy.

I can go into the dark place

and find Daddy.

RENAI:

No, no, no, it's too dangerous.

I-I can do it, though.

(BANGING AT DOOR)

Okay, just be careful.

(WHIMPERING)

(CRYING)

(DOOR RATTLING)

(RENAI SHUSHING)

(JOSH GRUNTING)

(GASPS)

(GRUNTING CONTINUES)

(RENAI SCREAMS)

(BOTH GRUNTING)

()

No! Stop! What are you doing?!

Stop! What are you doing?!

Dad, please just stop.

Just stop!

No!

(YELLING)

Stop!

(BOTH GRUNTING)

(PANICKED BREATHING)

(SNARLS)

(SCREAMING)

(GASPS)

(PANTING)

TINY TIM (OVER SPEAKERS):

And now, my dear friends,

I'd like to dedicate this song

to all of you out there,

wherever you may be.

This song is for you.

("FILL YOUR HEART"

BY TINY TIM PLAYING)

(LIGHT CLANKS)

(GASPS)

Fill your heart

with love today

Don't play the game of time

Things that happened

in the past

Happened in your mind

In your mind,

only in your mind

In your mind

Forget your mind,

and you'll be free.

(SOBBING)

(SONG CONTINUES)

(SNARLS)

(GASPS)

(SONG STOPS)

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

CHRIS: Just checking on you.

Okay.

Sitting on the floor,

being weird.

That's normal.

So you're good, right?

Because I thought

that when the power went out

that maybe you're messing with

that dark realm sh*t again.

(CHUCKLES)

And I know that you

don't really care for the dark,

so I figured

I would illuminate your room,

much like how

I illuminate your life.

I'm not afraid

of the dark anymore.

Okay.

Well, I hauled these

all the way down here,

so they're going up anyway.

Even though they're

totally freaking annoying.

Geez.

(SIGHS)

So, um, listen.

(GRUNTS SOFTLY)

I got your text,

and I wrote a snarky response,

and then I deleted it,

because Grandma Perkee

always told me to never

escalate an argument over text.

Doesn't convey tone.

But, I mean,

if you want my opinion,

here it is.

Don't go digging around

in your past.

Some things are just better

left buried, you know?

And sometimes

you just have to move on.

(GRUNTS)

Dalton?

(SIGHS)

()

(FAINT, TREMBLING BREATHS)

Hey.

(FAINT, TREMBLING BREATHS

CONTINUE)

(SNARLING SOFTLY)

Dalton.

You okay?

()

(SNARLING SOFTLY)

(GASPS, YELPS)

TINY TIM (OVER SPEAKERS):

Knee-deep

In flowers, we'll stray

(CHILDREN'S LAUGHTER ECHOING)

We'll keep the showers away

And if I kiss you

in the garden

In the moonlight

Will you pardon me

And tiptoe

Through the tulips with me?

(SONG ENDS)

(ECHOING)

Dalton.

(SOFT SNARLING)

(RASPY BREATHING NEARBY)

Dalton.

(JOSH GASPING)

()

Dalton?

(ROARING)

No.

(GASPING, GRUNTING)

(ECHOING)

Oh, no.

No, no, no!

JOSH (ECHOING):

Daddy's here.

I'm gonna get you out

of this place, Dalton.

(GASPS)

We're gonna get out of here,

and we're gonna get home, okay?

We're never going back there.

(PANTING)

Dalton. What?

(QUIET, RASPY BREATHING)

(PANTING)

()

Dalton?

Dalton, tell me

you're in there.

Dalton.

Dalton, I know you're in there,

but if you touch me again,

I'm gonna f*ck you up.

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

(TREMBLING BREATHS)

(SCREAMING)

(GASPING)

Dad, no!

(PANTING)

You tried to k*ll me.

It wasn't me.

I saw you.

Dalton, these things,

they can possess our bodies.

It happened to me,

and now he's done it to you.

(SNARLING NEARBY)

He's coming back for you.

We've got to go.

(GRUNTS)

(PANTING)

Come on.

(GASPS)

()

(SNARLS)

(SCREAMS)

JOSH:

He's coming. Go.

(SNARLS)

Dalton, help me!

Dalton, come help me

hold the door!

(SNARLING)

(PANTING)

(DALTON BREATHING HEAVILY)

(SNARLING)

(RAPID, RASPY BREATHS)

(GRUNTS)

No!

We can't hold it back, Dad.

Son, we got to try.

(BANGING ON DOOR)

(SNARLING)

Go! Get away!

(EERIE VOICES WHISPERING)

(CHRIS SHOUTS)

No! No!

JOSH:

Dalton, come on!

We're gonna have to find

s-something to block it,

something to seal it!

(DOOR RATTLING)

DALTON:

Come on. Let's go.

Dad, please.

YOUNG DALTON:

Dad, we have to go!

It's okay.

You go.

Go.

Get away!

(SCREAMS)

(PAINED GRUNTS)

(GASPS)

No!

(DOOR CONTINUES RATTLING)

(BANGING ON DOOR, ROARING)

(SHOUTS)

(HEART BEATING RAPIDLY)

No! Oh, God.

Josh.

(SNARLING)

(ECHOING)

Josh.

This ends with me.

(HEARTBEAT CONTINUES)

(PANTING)

(HEARTBEAT SLOWING)

(HEARTBEAT STOPS)

(THUMPING)

Paint?

()

(EXHALES SHARPLY)

Paint. Dalton.

()

(THUMPING STOPS)

(ROARING)

(SCREAMS)

(GRUNTING)

(YELLS)

(GRUNTS)

(ROARS)

(SNARLING)

(SNARLING FADES)

()

CHRIS:

You need

to get rid of that thing.

Burn it. Forget about it.

DALTON:

No, no,

forgetting it doesn't work.

We need to remember.

Even the things

that hurt.

()

(SIGHS)

Dad?

()

()

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

()

(GASPING)

Okay. Okay. Okay.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

Is Dalton okay?

He's okay.

(SIGHS)

Okay.

(PHONE RINGING)

That's him.

(SIGHS)

Dalton.

Is Dad back?

Yes. Yeah, he's back.

He's okay.

(MUFFLED)

Are you okay?

()

()

(SIGHS)

I'll see you next Friday.

And tell Foster to pack

his history homework.

I'll help him with it.

Could come a little earlier

if you want, join us for dinner.

Yeah, I'd like that.

Okay.

Thanks.

()

WOMAN: Lovely home.

Oh, thanks. (CHUCKLES)

Do you live here?

Uh, I hope so.

That's a weird answer.

(CHUCKLES)

Guess I'm just

lost in memories.

WOMAN:

They can flood the mind.

I know you.

May have seen me around.

I know your mother.

There's so much

I want to tell her.

I know.

And you can.

And you will.

Someday.

You have a bright future ahead.

You and Dalton.

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

Keep a steady stride, Josh.

()

(SIGHS)

(SIGHS)

(ENGINE STARTS)

()

()

JOSH:

Wow.

I made the wall.

(CHUCKLES)

(CHUCKLES)

Yeah.

I love you, son.

I love you, too.

("STAY" BY GHOSFEAT. PATRICK WILSON PLAYING)

If this world

is wearing thin

And you're thinking

of escape

I'll go anywhere with you

Just wrap me up in chains

But if you try to go alone

Don't think I'll understand

Stay

Stay with me

Stay with me

In the silence of your room

In the darkness

of your dreams

You must only think of me

There can be no in between

When your pride

is on the floor

I'll make you

Beg for more

Stay with me

Stay

With me

You'd better hope and pray

That you'll make it safe

back to your own world

You'd better hope and pray

That you'll wake one day

in your own world

'Cause when you sleep

at night

They don't hear your cries

in your own world

Only time will tell

if you can break the spell

Back in your own world

Stay

Stay with me

Stay

Stay with me

Stay

Stay with me

Stay

Stay with me

Stay

Stay with me

Stay

Stay with me

Stay with me.

(SONG FADES)

(ELECTRICITY CRACKLING)