Starve Acre (2023)

[bunniefuu]

[boy]

It's gone now, Mummy.

What's gone?

The whistle whistling.

What whistling?

Okay. You go to sleep now.

Shh.

Pass. Pass.

Do you know what, I can't

remember the last time we went

for a trek over the tarn.

We should go.

Gordon could look after Owen.

Mmm.

[indistinct screams]

[child screaming]

[horse whinnying]

Richard, where's Owen?

[crying]

[horse cries in pain]

Owen, son, what's happened?

What's happened?

Finish your breakfast.

[radio chatter]

[Juliette]

Yes, of course.

No, we'll both be there.

Thank you so much. Thank you.

Well, Doctor Ellis had already

heard about the fair.

And he's referred us to

a clinic in Wakefield.

Right.

And they're very

good, apparently.

Well...

Okay.

I've gotta go.

See you later, son.

[radio chatter]

What happened yesterday, lovely?

Yesterday?

At the fair.

I played football.

But is anything on your mind?

You can always tell me if

something's troubling you.

[chicken calls]

Go on. Go on, down you get.

It's just in here.

-Okay?

-Come this way.

We've all the latest action

figures in there.

It's just down here.

Yes, it's where

Richard grew up.

It's his parents' old place.

And you were in central

Leeds before that?

Do you think that has

something to do with it?

Well, sometimes a big change in

their environment could, yeah.

We moved over two years ago.

Owen doesn't really

remember, I don't think.

We thought the space and the

fresh air would be good for...

That's good for everyone.

So...

please can you tell us what

you plan to do for Owen.

Well, we need to

ascertain whether Owen's

aggression will return

by trying to work out

what the trigger is.

-Owen's not aggressive.

-Richard.

He's been in a couple of scraps

at school,

but he were just

defending himself.

Did he start displaying this

behavior at school?

Yes.

But he hasn't given you any

other cause for concern

apart from this one incident?

No, he's never done

anything this bad.

I see.

I think there's a voice...

Or something inside his

head.

What makes you say that?

He said that someone

called Jack Grey...

...is whistling to him.

When did he say that?

The other day when

he was asleep.

Where do you think he got

that name from?

Oh, I know.

Our neighbors, Gordon, he comes

round, he looks after him.

Likes to tell him stories.

Look, this voice...

it provokes him,

to do things that he

knows he shouldn't do.

Let's try to find out how

this voice comes to him.

Whether it's external

or if it's in his mind.

Have you seen this type

of thing before?

Let me have a look at him.

We've had some success here

with EEG testing.

It's a brain scan.

Right.

Good lad. We'll be

done in a minute.

-[whimpers]

-[machine whirrs]

It's all right.

Nearly there.

Nearly there.

Come on, lovely, it's okay.

There you go. Hold him.

Yeah, try not to move, Owen.

Owen. That's it, stay there.

I don't want Gordon here.

Don't want him coming round

any more filling

Owen's head full of magic.

This is exactly what I wanted

to avoid moving back here.

So who is this Jack Grey?

[turns water off]

No-one.

-Come on.

-Come on what?

Just a wood sprite...

...my dad made up. Him

and Gordon used to

try and scare me with

it when I was a kid.

What did they do?

Don't matter.

It were pure idiocy.

It matters to some extent

because Owen thinks

he's whistling to him.

Yeah, well, that's why

Gordon's banned from the house.

Gets a kick out of tormenting

children, that man.

It's the last thing

Owen needs right now.

These were some of her

belongings buried with her.

What do you think they tell us?

That's really interesting

craftsmanship there.

Yeah, it shows that the people

liked to look good even then.

Well, yes, that's right.

It suggests that the Jutish

people weren't just rolling

around in the mud,

you know, but that they cared

about these things.

They cared about themselves.

And that they were relatively

healthy people.

Right.

Would've thought you might

have got yourself a haircut,

Willoughby.

Ready, Jeremy?

Four minutes is completely

unnecessary.

You can make a perfectly good

cup of tea in 30 seconds.

He acts like the introduction

of modern analysis is my fault.

Well, he's just old guard.

Oh, you know...

...I'll buy him a metal

detector for his retirement.

Well, you know, I did hear

him say that he's got

a few years left in him.

Jesus.

But if he does hang up

his chalk next summer,

you should maybe

think about your research

activity before putting

yourself forward.

[clears throat]

[humming[

Mind your step.

People have...

forgotten about it, but

somewhere in this field

should be the roots

of an old oak tree.

I know.

-Oh, how do you know?

-Gordon told me.

Oh, yeah. Well,

do you know why the

tree was important?

People used it as

a meeting place.

That's right.

They did.

Used to meet there for

different reasons.

To sell animals, to, er...

...well, to deal with issues

in the village,

or to judge folks

if they were naughty.

You mean to hang people?

I might do.

Your granddaddy bought

this land, you know...

because he was interested

in all the stories

it had to tell.

Gordon says the oak

tree's spirit

was like a doorway

into other worlds.

Well, that's not true.

Gordon's full of superstitions.

Silly ideas people made up

before we understood how things

really worked.

This place is beautiful as

it is, without superstitions.

We've moved on from

that. All right?

What happened to the tree?

Well, it was a long,

long time ago.

It was probably removed to make

way for farming, I'd guess.

We should try to find where

the roots are, Daddy.

You know what, son,

that's a good idea.

We will. I promise.

I'll start digging.

But we need to get that barn

fixed for your mother first.

Has mummy decided if she

wants sheep or goats?

Goats, I think.

Gordon.

The chickens will love this.

Oh, you shouldn't have.

That face sings a sad song.

What's mitherin' you?

Gordon, you don't understand.

He doesn't remember what

he's done afterwards.

Well, maybe he don't

want to remember.

Can only imagine how

he's been goaded at school,

and then at fair.

You know what kids are

like, vicious buggers.

They are. I'll tell you that.

I can't speak to Richard

about it. He's convinced that

everything's fine with Owen.

He has a lot of compassion

for your son.

Making up for things.

I don't speak ill of dead,

but Richard and his dad

didn't see eye

to eye from start.

I know he was very hard on him.

He never speaks about Neil.

It's ancient news.

Point is, Richard's heart

is in right place.

What have you found?

Here, Owen. See this?

It's a crinoid.

Probably over 300 million

years old that.

What else can we find?

Look at this one, Daddy.

Look how smooth it is.

Good lad. It is.

And do you know why it's

smooth? Because the water

pressure has made it so.

-I got a big one.

-Go on, lob it.

Can you skim it?

What's a skim?

It's obvious he wasn't

himself at the fair.

If people could have

seen him today, they'd

change their minds.

This is his normal state.

They're too quick to judge.

Are you all right?

You're warm.

It's gonna be okay.

I'm gonna sort the mess out

in the study this weekend.

Might check out

my dad's old stuff.

And I'll start work

on that barn for you.

[birds chirping

[rooster crowing]

[chatter]

Sorry I'm late.

I know he's not necessarily

in the area...

...analysis...

Owen? Owen.

What's happened? Owen.

Owen? Owen!

Owen, breathe. Come on.

Come on. Owen, breathe.

Owen, no...

The farmhouse at the end

of Stythwaite Lane.

- Please hurry.

-No!

Come on, then. Come on.

It's all right.

I've got you.

It's okay. It's okay. Come on.

I'm here to see my son.

Owen Willoughby.

Down here?

Jules?

Jules!

Hey, I'm here.

[sobs]

Where is he?

Where is he?

[sobs]

Hi, Richard.

-You all right with your bag?

-Yeah. Thanks, I've got it.

-Come on in.

-Thanks.

How are you both?

Yeah, good. We're fine.

Jules about?

Yeah.

Let me get her.

Jules?

I'll not be a sec.

Jules?

[door opens]

Jules?

Mmm.

Harrie's here.

Already?

It's one o'clock.

Come on.

Right, she'll be down.

Have you found any buried

treasure out there yet?

Not today.

Well, it's good you're working.

Aye.

Were the roads okay?

Yeah. Had to take it easy

once I got off the A1.

Oh, yeah. How's Tommy?

Usual self.

Jules.

-You're skin and bones.

-Don't start doing your mom

impression.

-Are you eating properly?

-I'm fine.

What?

I don't know why you'd

wanna come here.

See my sister.

Is that so ridiculous?

I made you this.

It's lime and coconut.

It's a bit dry. Sorry.

I cooked it in a cake tin.

I should have baked it like

a loaf, but it'll taste fine.

Mum and Benji are a bit worried.

If they found out I

was allowed here before them,

they'd have a fit.

Mom can't bear it here.

-That is not true.

-Yes, it is.

She couldn't wait to

leave after the wake.

And all they do is fuss anyway.

So, Rosencrantz...

I never understood the appeal

of Michael Caine.

He's such a mummy's boy.

Gene Hackman though,

I'd nurture his seed.

I've never heard anyone say

they fancy Gene Hackman.

[man on TV] Who comes here?

Mommy.

[eerie whistling]

[birds calling]

Where's Juliette?

In her bedroom.

What's going on?

Don't touch his stuff.

What does your sister

think she's doing?

I asked her to.

We don't need her here.

She's a f*cking busybody.

Richard...

how else are we gonna

sort out his room?

You can't just erase it all.

No.

Let's not fight.

-I knew you weren't

happy with Owen.

-Don't.

I did.

But all we had to do

was love him...

without all the judgement.

You think I was blind...

hmm, to his problems.

All I ever did was try and show

him love and affection.

It might have helped if you'd

acknowledged what was going on

a little bit more.

Oh, yeah.

Where were you when he

was having the attack?

I'm asking.

[vomits]

Jules?

What's going on?

Your coat.

You'll freeze to death.

Gordon?

Oh, morning, blossom.

We were just passing

and I really wanted you

to meet Mrs. Forde.

8Well, he said you

knew I was coming.

Jules.

Oh, this is my sister Harrie.

This is my neighbor,

Gordon. And Mrs. Forde.

Jules, why don't

they come inside?

Well, that might not be

a good idea. I'm not

in lad's good books.

-Mrs. Forde might though.

-Well...

only if it's not

too much trouble.

Can we get you anything?

Oh, no.

Gordon's a big fan of yours.

-Why is that?

-Well, I...

like to help people.

I teach yoga, meditation, you

know, that sort of thing.

-Gordon tells me you meditate?

-Not for a while.

Why not?

Well...

we could try together...

if you'd like, all of us?

Just...

a simple chant?

Help readdress the balance.

What do you think?

Give it a try. No harm.

Yeah?

Let's, um, let's create

a peaceful place.

Would you get the curtains?

Let's not be foemen

indefinitely.

You know, we've

all made mistakes in life,

some more than others.

But I swear...

I treated Owen

as if he were my own.

That's why you scared him

into having night terrors.

In what way?

Filling his head with

stories of Jack Grey.

-Hey, I never

mentioned that to him.

-Well, I certainly didn't.

Well, anyone could have done.

-Kids at school.

-It was my dad's delusion.

You and him were the only ones

that told me that story.

Well, I regret how I acted with

thee when thee were young.

And your dad were wrong

to do what he did to thee.

And I told him.

Look, Gordon if Jules

wants to visit you,

then that's up to her, but I'm

fine here. All right?

So be it, lad.

But contempt for those around

you is only a self-fulfilling

prophecy.

Oh, uh yeah, "Thank you."

Okay.

Let's take a breath.

[inhales]

Om Vajrapani Hum.

Close your eyes...

and keep the light

in your mind.

[inhales]

Om Vajrapani ...

No, I can't.

It's okay, love.

If any negative thoughts

enter...

just let them, so that

then they can pass on.

Let's expel our demons.

You will feel so much better.

I promise you. Let's try.

Only if you want to.

Let's exchange this energy

we're feeling for anew.

[inhales]

Om Vajrapani Hum. ..

[exhales and inhales]

Let it out. [exhales]

[inhales]

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

[sobs]

I'm a disgrace.

[Mrs. Forde]

He forgives you.

-We all forgive you.

-No.

Forgive yourself.

Tell your son...

he can go now.

Let him pass on.

Try, try to just say it once.

Go...

my love.

Good.

Om Vajrapani Hum. ..

Let him free...

with your exhale.

[chanting]

It's fine.

-It's okay.

-Oh my God.

It's okay.

The Dandelion has bud.

[panting]

[screams]

No, don't be afraid! It's okay.

Take it easy.

He has, er...

moved on now.

He has, I promise you.

Gordon's waiting outside.

A bloom of spring is on the way.

Ta-ra, love.

[Richard] Jules?

Harrie?

You all right? What's...

what's been going on in here?

-Was it Gordon? What's he done?

-It's not Gordon.

What then?

Who was that with him?

Mrs. Forde.

Mrs. Forde?

She performed a show

of some sort.

She came...

She came to help release Owen.

What?

All right.

Go on. Go back to sticking your

head in the f*cking mud!

Go on then, leave us!

Don't. Don't.

[sighs]

You play off scratch?

Well, I haven't been a member

of a club for 20 years now.

Well, of course. But still...

Willoughby.

Um, yeah, I'm just here

to collect some stuff.

-How are you?

-Fine.

Good. Steven tells me you're

getting your hands dirty,

which is encouraging.

Have the board discussed

my return date yet?

We're going to assess it over

the summer.

We felt like you needed

a full sabbatical year.

You deserve the time

off for yourself...

and your wife.

Anyway...

-good to see you.

-Yeah.

You're chums now?

No, we were just, um...

What's going on?

There's something I

wanted your take on.

Okay.

Um...

it's a...

a rabbit, or a hare.

There's some...

fungus starting to attack...

just here, but, um...

I mean, what am I supposed

to be looking for?

Sorry about this.

It's okay.

[door closes]

[sighs]

Did I tell you Tommy

drank all my Pomerol?

Didn't even say anything.

Turned my back and he'd

had the whole lot.

Is this paint even working?

It's rubbish. Look, I put

two coats up here and

I can still see the stains.

Had one glass

of my birthday gift.

Stupid man.

Stupid, stupid man.

[sighs]

Stupid man.

[eerie music playing]

[chopping]

Harrie made curry.

Richard, come on.

-Please, I'm sorry.

-Okay.

Please come back with me.

The sea air might

do us some good.

Yeah, maybe.

I'm starting to feel

a bit landlocked here.

I think that's Yellow Star.

-Jules, what do you think?

-I've never seen that here.

Come on.

Bit of time away

might help you both.

Go on then.

Richard...

can we talk?

No!

I thought you'd gone out.

Just for a walk.

What's going on in there?

Nothing.

-Let me in.

-Please. No, wait.

-What is going on in here?

-Be quiet!

Please.

Needed my help.

What was wrong with it?

I don't know.

Well, it seems okay now.

Yeah, you think?

Yeah.

We have to let him go.

He wouldn't survive in here.

He needs to be outside.

And look, he's...

-They're nervous creatures.

-I know, I know that.

He is lovely though.

Yeah, right then.

Come on.

Just mind out, please.

Mind out, Harrie, go on.

What's this for?

This should hold him.

-Hold who?

-No-one.

Jules?

Could you keep Corey

away for a bit.

Um...

What are you talking about?

It's just house stuff.

We need something

to prop this open.

Come on, then.

It's okay.

It's all right.

Come on, little one.

It's okay.

What's this?

Come on.

Richard, grab, grab it.

Come on.

Come on.

[growling]

-Open the box. Open it.

-Okay.

Sorry.

Jesus!

Richard, just forget

the blanket.

-Christ!

-Sorry, sorry.

I'm sorry, darling.

[growling]

Right, get the door.

Okay.

What is going on in there?

What is it?

Watch your step.

Jules...

-what have you

got in there?

-Nothing, Harrie.

Richard's just been

looking after it.

He's all right.

Here.

-f*ck' hell.

-Oh, come on.

What do you think?

Here?

Yes.

Come on, mate. Steady.

Go on, it's okay.

Go on now.

Go on.

No, no, shoo.

Go on. Shoo.

Go on.

Hey, shoo. Go on.

That's it.

That's it.

[tense music playing]

[melancholy music playing]

What's going on?

Richard?

You know,

when I was Owen's age...

Mmm-hmm.

My dad used to strip me

down to my underpants...

and, er, tape

my mouth up...

Make me stand out

in the field...

For hours, freezing.

I never knew he did

anything like that.

My fingers turned blue.

He wanted me to disappear.

To disappear?

Why?

[sniffs]

Some sick idea of his.

He was disturbed, that man.

I'm sorry.

I never knew.

Why didn't you say?

I didn't want it to get

in the way or noth...

When you mentioned moving

here, I thought...

you know...

forget him.

I wanted to give...

my son the life that

I wish I'd had here.

I don't really know what's

happening anymore.

What do you mean?

-It's okay.

-[sobbing]

Sshh, it's okay.

[sobs]

[sobs]

[eerie whistling]

My shoulder doesn't

hurt anymore.

[footsteps]

Just taking Corey out.

In return for the

Triquetra sacrifice...

It's some sort of

local folklore.

-You shouldn't be in here.

-This says followers gathered

at Starve Acre.

Three of them died.

A child, woman and a man.

They were sacrificed for

the Dandelion to bud.

It's all the same as

Mrs. Forde's jargon.

And Richard's dad was

writing about it, too.

The gods are just,

the gods are fair,

they let Jack free

and into our care.

The price we pay is

one, two, three,

To let joy pour from

the Whistling Tree.

Kept this quiet.

It's still covered in bark.

That's the density

of the soil.

No, no, it's deliberate.

The villagers cut it down.

Why bury it?

Well, if my dad's writing

is anything to go on...

they were sealing short

access to the, er...

"womb of nature."

The Pagan's entrance

to the spirit world.

That's a wild notion for

17th century England.

Um, I'm sorry about my visit

to work. I were...

just, er, morbid curiosity

got the better of me.

No, no worries.

Let's get this sorted.

There's a whole section

about Neil trying to

release the same spirit.

He documents all these

things he did to Richard.

It's f*cking weird, Jules.

And who is this Dandelion Jack?

I mean, have you ever

heard of him?

No.

I, I don't quite understand.

How is the trunk so

well-preserved?

You've hit the jackpot here,

Richard, come on, the Faculty

should be funding this.

.Who's that?

Oh, no!

Hang on.

Richard.

What's happened?

It went for him.

It attacked Corey.

What did?

He's okay, because I blocked

it. I blocked it.

Jesus, you need stitches.

Come on. Let's go in.

You're all right.

Jesus Christ.

[sobs]

It was that f*cking thing.

Hey, Jules.

Don't.

It's just had Harrie's arm.

2It's all right.

Juliette!

Shh.

It's all right.

It's all right.

It's all right.

Jules.

Look what it's done.

It's ripped open my arm.

Why would he do that?

[Harrie] Richard.

He doesn't seem

to need anything.

-Everything all right?

-Oh, yeah, yeah.

Looks like an attempt

to hide evidence.

Several hangings. At least

five or six, all the way down.

I mean, I've never seen

anything like this before.

The condition it's in is just,

it's just mind-boggling.

Sweet joy that enchants.

What is it, my darling?

[Steven] I am here for him!

I am here for him!

I am here for him!

I am here for him!

I am here for him!

No!

No!

No.

No.

[eerie whistling]

Look...

even under here...

the soil...

the way it's, the way

it's mummified the oak...

and preserved

all the bark, it's...

It's like it's, it's like

it's just been buried.

f*ck's sake.

You won't have much luck

with that, love.

Yeah, I noticed.

You can come back and use

my phone if you like.

No, thank you, Gordon,

I've gotta get going.

What's happened to arm?

I fell...

that's all.

You going back to house?

Hey, look.

We're as surprised as you are.

It were Richard's old man who

tried to summon The Dandelion.

Aye.

He even attempted to offer up

his own son as first ransom.

But Jack weren't interested.

It don't work like that.

Richard? Are you okay?

Are you all right, pal?

Okay, just try and breathe,

yeah. Just...

[Gordon]

It's Jack who chooses.

And only a son who is much

beloved by his father would do.

And Richard weren't,

you see. But Owen was.

That's how it works.

And now Richard's uncovered

the entrance, the ransom

can be settled.

I need to get going.

Where you headed, love?

Look, you should be happy

Jack has chosen your sister.

He's come to give her

another chance.

[groaning]

I'm here.

Jules?

Hey, Jules!

I'll get help, okay.

Jules!

Why deny it? We gave

him physical form.

We did.

No-one else could.

Your father wasn't able to.

When Owen had the

asthma attack...

I didn't freeze up.

I had a moment of clarity that

we'd be better off without him.

And that was thanks to Jack.

He knows.

No.

No.

Jack knows.

No.

We'll look after him.

Let him...

pour joy over sorrow.

Stay here, okay, angel.

Jules?

No, Harrie, don't.

Don't come in.

Don't.

Come on.

Let's get him towel.

He wants you.

Come.

I love you.

Come on.

Take it.

Sorry, Harrie.

Come on.

Into the womb of nature,

Accept these tokens

of affection.

Harrie, you can come in.

Come.

He wants to play with you.

Go on.

It hails, it rains,

it snows, it blows

And I am wet through

all me clothes

So my prithee

love let me in

So my prithee

love let me in

To let you in

that cannot be

There's nobody in this house

but me

So I dare not let you in

So I dare not let you in

Me dad and mom,

they're fast asleep

Me brother is up,

he's with the sheep

So I dare not let thee in

So I dare not let thee in

We turned him round in

wither to go

The storm were dark

And the rain did blow

She called him back again

She called him back again

And the wind did blow

And the wind did blow