All We Wanted (2024)

[bunniefuu]

So?

What do you think?

I don't know, man.

What is there not to know?

This is the money that you wanted.

Wait, talk us through how they found you.

Why? We've already gone over this,

like, a thousand...

Just go over it again.

Okay.

Sometime last year, when we were

looking for initial investors,

I reached out to a few foundations,

private investors,

grant organizations, etcetera,

to see if anybody wanted to invest.

By the time these investors

reached out to us,

we didn't need the money anymore

because we were already funded.

So, what, they just e-mailed you

out of the blue?

Yes. Well, no, but initially...

Which is it?

Last night,

I found their contact information.

I sent them a quick e-mail hoping to hear

something back in a few days.

They e-mailed me right back.

They said they were still interested.

- In our movie?

- Yes.

The same movie that got shut down

because the investors

you lined up backed out.

Are you seriously gonna keep

giving me sh*t about that?

- Dude...

- You know what? f*ck it.

Wait. Wait.

How do we know this won't fall through?

We don't.

But even if it does, we'll be right here,

right back where we are right now.

Am I the only one who thinks

this is too good to be true?

Of course not.

They want to fund our movie.

What do we have to lose?

What do we gotta do?

Dinner and a meeting.

We sit, we eat,

we talk through the production,

where the money's going,

what do we need it for,

we're in and out in less than two hours,

and you got your funding.

Set it up.

Ah!

So listen,

I got a bit of bad news.

Yeah, I wanted to let you know,

we're gonna cancel

the table read for tonight.

Yeah, totally.

No, we wanted to tell you...

No, we're just, uh,

doing some production tweaks

and some last-minute adjustments

to the script.

Okay, how about this?

How about this?

What if we renegotiate the deal?

That way, you know...

Look, do you really understand

where this puts the movie, right? Yeah.

Are we gonna get out, or are we

just gonna let them stare at us?

I'm honestly still considering it.

I was hoping Syd might wanna go first.

She's closest to the door.

Oh. You want... Uh, no, no, no.

Syd's good. I'm all set.

She's all set, okay.

We're doing this, yeah?

We gotta do this thing now.

We have to do it.

sh*t.

You guys coming or what?

This guy.

Guess we're going.

Right. Let's get this money.

Come on. It's all good.

I know. It's like...

Like, look at this, man.

- You must be Mike.

- I am.

Oh. Okay.

- This is my lovely wife Linda.

- Hi.

- And our eldest Grace.

- Nice to meet you.

Where's Marshall?

Uh, he's cooking.

- And you're Will.

- Yes.

The filmmaker come to save us all.

I'm joking. We've heard a lot about you.

Welcome to the family, son.

Oh. Uh...

Who else do we have?

Oh, uh, this is my wife Michelle.

- Hi. Nice to... Oh.

- Michelle.

My, uh, sister slash producer Syd.

- Hi. I'm Syd. Nice... Oh.

- Syd. Oh, Syd. So...

I'm Grace.

And my good friend

and brilliant actor Brian.

- Brian. Whoa. Good to meet you.

- Hello.

- Welcome.

- Syd.

- I'm Grace.

- He's a hugger.

Yeah, he is.

Why don't we get inside?

I'm sure you all had a really long drive.

Yeah, let's go inside

while the dinner's still hot.

Okay.

Wait!

Ooh!

- Sorry. I'm sorry.

- Oh.

- Hey, hey, hey.

- Sorry.

- Sorry.

- It's all good.

- Sorry to interrupt.

- Hi.

- Everyone, this is Janelle.

- I'm Janelle.

- Hi.

- Janelle.

- Hi. Oh!

- Janelle, this is Nolan.

- Hugs. Oh. Wow.

- So good to meet you.

- You guys are super nice.

- Linda.

- Hi.

- Hi.

- Nice to meet you.

- And Grace.

- Hi.

- Hi. Hi.

Hi. Sorry.

Um, I was driving around for a while,

and I thought I passed

the house several times,

and then I thought I got lost.

I'm here.

What's your role in the film?

- Oh, she's gonna play second lead.

- Yeah.

Mm-hm. And she is incredible.

Hey, we thought it would be cool to bring

her and Brian along with us tonight.

That way, you guys get a chance

to meet some of our cast,

and you get to see firsthand

how amazing they are.

He's just being nice.

I'm usually pretty shy.

Why is that?

- Oh, um, I've only done a couple of plays.

- Mm-hm.

And, uh... Oh, I was

in a feature horror film back home.

- Oh!

- Well, I'm sure you are great.

Thank you.

- Let's go in, everybody.

- Yeah.

Can I speak to you for a second?

We're about to go in and have some dinner.

Ah, it'll only take a second.

Hey, you guys go ahead on without us.

We'll be in there just a second.

- We just got a little producer talk.

- Mm.

What are you doing?

- What do you mean?

- She's not playing second lead.

And why not?

Mike, I shouldn't have

to explain this to you.

Casting is complete.

It has been for months.

And casting can change, right?

Mike, we came here

to raise money for a film,

not to audition some f*cking side project.

That's it. We came here with an agenda,

and nothing changes.

Syd, let me remind you of something.

There is no film.

Not now, at least.

But if we do pull this off,

it will be because of me.

So whatever agenda you had can change.

I found these f*cking people,

and I think that entitles me

to make some g*dd*mn decisions.

Hm. The only reason

you found these f*cking people

is because you felt guilty.

All of your connections

and all of your so-called investors

are bullshit.

Just like you.

- Oh, is that right?

- Oh, you know that's right.

She's not playing second lead, Mike.

We'll see about that.

So she's hanging from this railing

above the pool table.

Stunt's supposed to be simple, right?

She's just supposed

to drop onto the table.

So no stunt coordinator?

Of course not.

This is guerrilla filmmaking.

It's a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Honey, will you let him tell the story?

Thank you.

So she's up there.

I call, "Action."

She doesn't drop.

All the crew look at each other.

Grace and I make eye contact,

and she gives me a shoulder shrug.

Okay, no, no, no.

I'm behind the monitor just as confused

as everyone at this point.

So we're sitting there, and eventually,

I lean over the railing.

I say to her, "I called action."

To which she responds, "Oh, I heard you."

So I ask, "Well, what's the problem?"

She says, "I'm scared."

"Of course, you're scared.

Your character's being chased."

But now that she's up there,

she gets cold feet.

She doesn't wanna do the stunt.

Crew's getting antsy.

Past mealtime.

I'm out of ideas.

So, what did you do?

I told the DP to keep rolling,

and I unhooked the latch on the railing.

Flung open.

She freaked out.

She fell feet first onto the pool table.

Unharmed, of course.

I yelled, "Cut."

We got the shot.

Okay, I'm terrified. She's terrified.

She actually threatened to sue,

but we got the shot, okay?

And the rest went down

in absolute student film history.

I like to think we're much better

at this point because of that, so...

I'm sorry, so you just unlatched the gate?

Yeah.

For the film.

Anything for the film.

I loved the script entirely too much

to change anything

because someone's scared

of a little stunt.

You know, I have forgotten

how much that story terrifies me.

It doesn't get any better,

even though I've heard it,

what, more than a dozen times?

Okay, make sure

you save room for dessert.

- Oh.

- Oh, uh, before we do...

I just wanted to let you all know

how much we appreciate this opportunity.

I mean, just the possibility

we'd be able to make the movie

we set out to make is a dream come true.

I honestly take a bit of responsibility

for the position we're in now.

Uh, as a producer,

I didn't do my due diligence

in vetting who needed to be vetted.

And I will never make that mistake again.

So, thank you.

Hey, we all make mistakes.

I mean, for all you know,

we could be crazy people.

Ooh!

Can you tell me where the restroom is?

Down the hall, second door on the right.

Excuse me.

Um...

I wanna follow on to that and say a toast.

Um...

I'm a big believer in,

"Good things come to those who wait."

And I have been waiting for a while

for this film to come.

Or one like it.

Um...

And I'm being honest here.

When young Michael first told me...

that you all had secured the funding

necessary to make your film...

I got jealous.

And...

- bitter.

- Yeah.

But I knew that our paths

were going to cross again somehow.

And here we are.

So let's raise our glasses...

to being on the journey

together as a family.

Cheers.

To Dark Lake.

Okay.

Eh...

Why is there no...?

No bars. Nothing.

Nothing?

Oh, sh*t!

How long you been standing there?

Oh, God. Uh...

No, not long, actually. Uh...

So are you coming back inside?

It's kind of cold out here.

Yeah, uh, in a second.

I'm kind of waiting on something.

Yeah, uh, service is really shitty,

so good luck finding a signal.

Yeah, I noticed that.

You guys don't have a Wi-Fi

or a signal I can connect to?

No.

No, this is the, um...

This is, like, the off-the-grid house,

if you will.

So just peace and quiet here.

Yeah.

You really don't like any of this, do you?

What?

Oh, just, you know, like...

rubbing elbows with investors,

and talking to strangers,

and, I don't know,

telling film stories and stuff.

- It's that obvious?

- Yeah. Yeah.

Actually, it's... it's pretty glaring.

I guess I'm not a big fan of it.

Why do you think that is?

Sorry, I just... You're an actor,

so I don't know. Sorry.

In my mind, like, that's just normal

for people like you to do stuff like this.

I don't know, I've never really been

a fan of small talk.

- Maybe we should go back inside?

- Yeah.

You should really work on that, though.

No, sorry. The mask you wear.

Like, when you show yourself to people,

you should work on that.

I don't know, it might get you farther.

Just saying.

I'll think about that.

Grace, right?

Yeah.

- I cannot do dessert, though.

- No.

- Thank you.

- Thank you so much.

I think this is going well, though.

- Yeah? Don't you?

- I think so too.

- Yeah.

- Yeah.

Mike and Syd are about to k*ll each other.

You mind if I have a word?

It'll just take a second. I promise.

Uh, sure.

Yeah, I'll be right back.

I'll bring him back in one piece.

Where are they going?

Nolan said he wanted

to talk to him for a second.

Without us?

That's strange.

Hey.

You okay?

Oh, I don't know.

I just have a really weird feeling

about all of this.

I mean, these people are amazing,

kind, and nice, but, I mean...

What?

They don't look like us.

So who knows

if they're gonna look out for us.

- Can I get you ladies anything else?

- Oh.

Apple cobbler?

- No, thank you.

- Oh, come on.

It's our family recipe.

You gotta try it. Just a bite.

- Okay. Thank you.

- Mm-hm.

Well, go ahead and grab a seat.

Okay.

Can I pour you a drink?

Uh, I'm good, thanks.

No?

Not much of a drinker.

Oh, Will.

Now you're breaking my heart, son.

Don't make me drink alone

on a night like tonight.

Believe me, before this night is over,

you're gonna wish

you'd had at least a sip.

I've always been a fan of a good bourbon.

Okay, say no more.

This bourbon will make you believe in God.

Thanks.

Mm.

Oh, yeah.

Mm.

Um...

Okay, so, um...

I know the first question

every investor has.

"How are we gonna get

our money back?"

It's an important question,

and we've developed a plan for this.

This is an investor deck.

I thought you'd like to have one

to follow me along.

Now, marketability is

one of the determining factors

in developing, uh, this film.

That and telling the story.

So if you could turn to Page 2...

Will, do you know

how much this bourbon costs?

Uh...

No, I don't.

Twenty-five thousand dollars a bottle.

It's barreled and aged for over 100 years.

It's processed in a special blend.

Kind of a secret family recipe,

if you will,

that only a handful of people,

including myself, know.

Ah!

I tell you this...

to try and impart on you...

that money, marketability,

mean very little to me.

Marshall's the person to speak

with about money and numbers.

Grace will talk your ear off about

marketing, social media, advertising.

And Linda...

Well...

Linda loves a good story.

Me?

I care about passion.

Passion to do whatever it takes

in order to achieve something.

Passion that you can taste.

Passion that outweighs the pressure.

Passion to stop at nothing.

To be willing to die for something.

That, my boy...

...is what I care about.

Do you have that type of passion?

Because that is what I want to invest in.

How about another?

We wanna thank you all for joining us

for dinner and for the lovely company.

We are overjoyed for the next steps.

Mm. The dinner was fantastic, Linda.

- Yes.

- I mean, seriously, top-notch.

Thank you, Mike.

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

It's important to me, I mean...

And to all of us, that you all leave here

tonight not just with full bellies,

but with the knowledge and the feeling

that you are a part of our family.

Linked.

Connected.

Bonded, yeah.

That's all we want.

I have to take

a little credit for this evening.

I was the one who selected Will's script.

You can imagine,

we get a number of scripts,

and I read them all, each word.

You remember the special ones.

Will's script was...

Well, I could say many things

about how amazing and touching it was,

but you know these things.

Just be sure to understand that we hope

to make sure his vision stays intact.

Mm-hm.

I can speak for each member

of my family and our foundation

when I say we are so happy

to have you guys here.

We can't wait for you to see what's next.

I do wanna take this time

to explain the process

and essentially paint a picture

of the rest of the evening.

I'm just gonna say it.

We have an amazing group

of actors on the way here right now.

As we speak...

we called them in to participate

in a table read of the script.

Mm! That sounds like fun.

So, um, will we all

be able to participate?

I mean, will I get to read tonight?

I just...

I'm a little embarrassed.

I didn't get a chance

to read the script yet, so...

Not this time.

All other parts are spoken for.

But they're gonna give us feedback

once the table read is done,

and then we'll talk next steps.

Uh, I'm sorry. Feedback?

We just wanna make sure

we're making the best film possible.

- That's all.

- I don't understand.

We had a sh**ting draft.

We were four weeks away from production.

I understand.

But you can't go into production

unless we give you the money to do so.

I think what my brother

is trying to say...

I know what your brother is trying to say.

Okay, look, guys,

let's not let words get the better of us.

Look, Syd, we're just gonna read

through the script and get some notes.

That's all.

- I mean, I even have a few notes myself.

- Do you?

Yeah, I mean, just a couple.

But it's possible that

we won't even get any notes, right?

Exactly. We just wanted to tell you so

that you wouldn't be caught off guard

if one of the actors had

an idea or a thought. That's all.

Consider me caught off guard.

I quit my job.

How's that for passion?

It's probably not the smartest thing

to say to someone

who's deciding on whether

they should give you money,

but to hell with it.

I believed in it.

You know, I trusted that everything

was gonna work out, and now...

it may be the stupidest decision

that I've ever made.

Michelle doesn't know.

She thinks that I took a leave, but...

I quit.

And I quit because I wanted

to put everything into this movie.

I know that this money

isn't a huge deal for you,

but it is for me, for us.

And for everyone that trusted us when

we said that we were gonna put together

the best f*cking film possible.

And I'm not above begging or groveling,

but I trust that you know

that we have an amazing story,

and it needs to be told.

And I will k*ll myself

to make sure that it's done right.

Let's go make a movie, son.

I have a question.

Of course.

These actors, they're just coming

to participate in a table read, right?

We can keep who we cast initially?

Well, these are some of the finest actors

that we've worked with in the past,

and we just wanted you

to have the opportunity

to meet them and let them read.

There's an extreme upside

if you consider who's reading.

But we don't have to cast them.

We strongly suggest

that you consider them.

But what about Brian?

And... And... And Janelle?

I... Listen, I can assure you

that everyone will be considered.

Oh, we just want you to be open-minded

to the possibilities here.

We're not trying to step on anyone's toes.

We just have found that this really

works best for us in the past.

That's all.

We understand that there's contracts

involved and pay-for-play,

but we'll get all that sorted out.

- And this happened?

- Exactly.

Uh, what did I miss?

I understand.

This is a lot of information, and you all

will probably wanna talk in private.

- Uh, we understand, okay?

- Yeah.

Why don't we give you time to discuss

and bring Will up to speed?

Uh, you'll probably be

more comfortable in the living room.

Take as much time as you need.

All right.

Anybody wanna tell me what happened?

Michelle?

Syd?

Brian?

No one is saying anything

because they know you'd be pissed.

Pissed? Why would I be pissed?

You shouldn't take this money.

What are you talking about?

What the f*ck just happened?

You can't make this movie.

Not like this with these people.

I really need you guys to stop

being so g*dd*mn cryptic

and tell me what happened

right now in full sentences, please.

Did Nolan tell you what

the next steps are for determining

if they're gonna give you the money?

No, not really.

He just made a verbal

commitment in his office.

I thought it was a really great meeting.

He said he had to go talk to Marshall,

and then we were gonna be

leaving tonight with a check,

which is why I am so confused

as to why we're here right now.

What happened?

Did you sign anything?

Of course not.

Guys, I'm still lost.

It's like this.

In order for you

to get the money for the film,

they called some of the actors

that they know from their community

to come read the script.

That doesn't sound too bad.

They're allowing the actors to make notes.

Notes on what?

Your script.

These actors can give notes

and suggestions on your script.

No, we have a sh**ting draft. It's locked.

Not according to them.

That's not exactly what they said.

I'm sorry. What conversation

were you listening to?

They said that the actors

can give feedback. That's it.

Whose side are you on?

I'm on the side of getting this film made.

Oh, yeah? Which version of it?

- The one where I'm not in it, but she is?

- No. No.

You leave her out of this.

Why?

Why should we?

Okay.

I see. Maybe I'm not supposed

to be here for all of this.

Maybe this was a mistake.

I'm sorry.

Mike, look, I...

I really appreciate you thinking about me.

But I think that I should leave right now.

No. No.

You're not going anywhere. Sit down.

Come on, Syd. Why should she leave?

She didn't do nothing.

No.

But you did.

You brought us here,

blindsided us with a new second lead,

and now you just seem so f*cking eager

to dismantle all the hard work we've done.

- We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for me.

- If it wasn't for you?

All of this is because of you?

- The script, the locations, casting...

- Mm-hmm.

- ...all because of you?

- Syd, enough.

You know...

Tell me one thing.

Just one thing you did.

One thing you did, unprompted,

without anybody

telling you to do anything.

One thing you did

just because you wanted to do it.

One f*cking thing!

Don't make the mistake

of thinking just because

you made some catering arrangements

and secured a location,

that you're that g*dd*mn important.

- Syd, stop.

- Mike, I think we should leave.

We should just leave.

Yeah, yeah.

f*ck!

Son of a b*tch!

Syd, what the f*ck?

What? It's Mike being Mike.

Come on, this is a bad deal,

and everyone knows it. Am I wrong?

It's a shitty situation

none of us wanna be in.

Hey.

Think I should pass on this?

Yeah, I do.

Babe.

Babe. Hey.

Hey.

Everything that

we've been through for this...

- everything that we've worked for...

- I know.

...it's so close.

- I know. I know.

- We're right there. We're right there.

But at what cost?

Listen, the last thing I wanna do

is tell you to make a decision

you don't agree with.

But something about this

doesn't feel right.

And I think you know that.

I've been busting my a*s for them,

and for what? Huh?

- And for what?

- sh*t.

sh*t!

Mike...

What's wrong?

I left my purse inside under the chair.

Do you want me

to come back in there with you?

No. No.

I'll be right back.

Son of a b*tch.

I can't believe this. I can't believe...

You know what? It's all right.

It's all right. I'll tell you what,

they're gonna regret it.

They're gonna...

g*dd*mn it. Oh, okay. Yeah.

That's just great. No service, huh?

Ha, ha! This night can't get any worse.

No service...

Oh! Whoa!

Calm down.

Dude.

You all right, man?

Yeah. Yeah.

I'm in there trying to get money

for you and your movie,

and they all up in my a*s.

Yeah, I'm all right. I'm good.

- You...

- Listen. Listen, Mike.

You know, Mike's not a bad person.

I know you guys have known him

for a long time and y'all have history.

And I don't know what happened

and I don't really care.

But that person, that's not who Mike is.

It's not.

I wanna apologize, all right?

Seriously, I know that none of this

is technically your fault,

and you're just trying to help.

Yeah, I'm trying to help.

I'm trying to help.

But everybody up in there

wanna take their aggression out on me.

And you know what? I'm f*cking done.

- I'm done.

- I get it.

I would be too, but, Mike...

Mike.

- We've got to figure this sh*t out, man.

- Figure...?

If these people really wanna

help us make our movie happen...

we owe it to ourselves

to at least hear them out.

Yeah. He's trying to be different,

but you... you won't let him.

Look, I know I wasn't supposed

to be here, and I get that now.

But all Mike was trying to do was help me,

and I'm not gonna fault him for that.

I mean, isn't that why we're all here?

To help Will out?

I know that none of us

wanna leave here empty-handed...

particularly us two.

Dude, I can't do this without you now.

Fine.

- Great.

- Fine.

Great.

We'll go inside.

I don't care what you got to say,

but fix this sh*t with Syd.

Get through the night.

- Hey, baby.

- Hey, I thought you were outside.

Yeah, we're gonna stick around

and talk to the Edisons, okay?

Wait, what?

Why?

Just a minute ago,

you couldn't wait to get out of here.

Now you wanna stay?

Because Will and I

seem to be the only ones

who still care about getting

this movie made.

- Mike.

- Mike.

Syd?

Maybe, just maybe, we can extend

a little bit of grace to the Edisons

and just see this night through.

What?

That can't cause

a lot of harm, right?

I can't.

Will. Hey, man.

- I'm being real honest with you here.

- Yeah.

All right? This sh*t is weird.

Now it's time to think about leaving.

They can have their table read.

We just come back another day.

No, no, that doesn't make

any sense, all right?

We can't leave yet, okay?

The money for the movie is here.

- I know that.

- That's okay, Will, you can let him leave.

We don't need him here

for this conversation anyway.

Honestly, I don't even know

why you brought his a*s.

- Mike.

- Are you serious right now?

You know what? f*ck you, Mike.

I'm tired of your bullshit.

No, no, no. f*ck you, Brian,

and your shitty-a*s, trashy-a*s acting.

The only reason why you're here

- is because you're Will's b*tch.

- Mike!

- That's it.

- Mike. Mike. Stop!

- I'm his b*tch? Huh?

- Hey! Hey! Hey!

Mike, stop it right now! Cut it out!

Calm the f*ck down!

Stop!

Stop!

Hey! Hey! Oh, my God.

- Oh, my God.

- Who's that?

Mike...

It's all right.

No! No!

- No!

- Run!

Stop!

Help! Help! Help!

Somebody help!

It won't open!

The door won't open!

No!

Open the door.

Syd, no!

No. No!

No!

Brian!

- Stop!

- Get away from him! Hey, hey, hey!

Mike! No!

Mike!

Stop.

No, no.

No! Please stop.

No!

Oh, f*ck.

- Are you okay?

- Yes.

Be careful.

He might still be alive.

Who the f*ck is that?

Mike?

- Mike?

- Mike?

He got me.

Mike, oh, my God. Oh, my God.

He's hurt, man.

Yeah.

Talk to me, man.

Talk to me, talk to me. Hey, hey.

- Hey. Hey, man.

- Yeah.

Now we can get the f*ck out of here.

- f*ck.

- Oh, my God.

Help me get him up. Help me get him up.

- Be careful.

- Mike! Oh, Mike!

Oh, f*ck. Oh, f*ck.

Guys, listen. All right?

We stick together.

We stick together, keep your eyes open.

We go straight to the cars,

and we get out of here, okay?

- Okay.

- All right, come on.

Okay.

- Come on.

- Okay.

We have to go real fast. Come on.

- Wait, wait, wait.

- No, what do you mean wait? What...?

What? We're supposed to be leaving.

- What the f*ck?

- Something doesn't feel right.

It doesn't feel right because

we're supposed to be getting in our cars

and getting the f*ck out of here.

What if that's what they want?

What who wants?

We don't even know who they are.

For all we know,

it's just one sick as*h*le.

Can we please open the door

and get the f*ck out, please?

- Please, look at Mike. Oh, my God.

- Wait, wait, wait.

- Help me, help me, help me.

- Please help, please help, please help.

Just move, just move.

Oh, my God. Hold on, hold on, hold on.

I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry.

We have to get Mike to a hospital.

But what if you're wrong?

There's only one way to find out.

- Whoa, whoa. What are you doing?

- Just, just, just...

It's okay. It's okay.

- Janelle.

- Janelle.

- Janelle.

- What is she...?

Don't do this.

- Janelle.

- Janelle, don't...

sh*t.

- What is she doing?

- I don't know.

- Janelle.

- Janelle.

Okay, my car's parked up front.

It's the closest one. I can get to it.

What if they're waiting

where you can't see them?

Then they're going to have to catch me.

Are you sure about this?

What if it was Will?

Janelle...

Please, if we stay together,

there's a better chance we'll be safe.

It'll be safer that way.

Just trust me, okay? I got this.

Hey, hey.

- Baby, I can't stop her. No.

- Yes, you can.

She can't. She can't do this. No, no.

Just be ready, okay?

Mike, I love you.

sh*t! sh*t! Get down, get down!

Oh, sh*t.

She's still alive. She's still alive.

No, don't you...

- Don't. Don't you...

- She's still alive!

Janelle!

Will, please help me.

Please help me.

Janelle, I'm coming.

Will!

Oh! Oh!

- Don't.

- Just get over here.

Janelle.

Please help me, Will.

Oh, God!

No...

No!

Oh, my God!

- Oh, my God.

- sh*t.

Oh, sh*t. What the f*ck?

Oh, sh*t.

Please...

Will.

What should we do?

We need a plan.

Will!

Someone will come for us, right?

- Right?

- Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Mike's hurt pretty bad. All right?

There's gotta be something

to stop the bleeding.

I saw a medicine cabinet earlier

when I went to the bathroom.

Maybe I can find a first-aid kit

or something, okay?

- I'll be right back.

- No. No, no...

- Be careful.

- Okay.

I gotta find some weapons in the house.

- What? No.

- What?

- I gotta find some weapons.

- No, no, no.

No. Please, you can't,

you can't, you can't.

You said we'd stick together as a group.

Janelle didn't listen

and look at what happened.

- Babe, babe, babe.

- No, please.

- I will be back, okay?

- No.

I'm just going to the kitchen.

It's right over there.

I'm gonna find some weapons,

and we're gonna get out of here, okay?

I love you.

- Please...

- Okay.

- Watch her.

- Yeah. Yeah.

Oh, my God! Don't k*ll me! Don't k*ll me!

Please don't k*ll me! No!

No, please don't, please don't. No, no!

- No, no...

- Shh! Shh! Shh!

Shh. Shh.

Why were you in there?

I was... I was hiding. I was hiding.

Why were you hiding?

'Cause I heard screaming and g*nshots.

Why didn't you come out?

I don't know.

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

I don't know, I don't know,

I don't know anything.

I'm scared. I don't know, I'm sorry.

I panicked.

- This is not making any sense.

- What's happening?

- What's going on?

- I don't know.

I don't know.

We were attacked...

by three men in weird f*cked-up masks.

At least I think there were three of them.

Came out of nowhere.

We k*lled one.

I don't...

I don't understand.

Oh, my God, you're hurt.

Please no.

Please. I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry. I'm sorry.

Grace...

no one knows that we're here.

What are you saying?

What's going on?

- I don't... I don't...

- Tell me, Grace.

I don't know, I don't know,

I don't know. Please...

I don't know.

I swear.

- Do you know where your family is?

- No, no. I...

I haven't seen them in a long time.

I don't... Why?

Why?

I don't think we're the targets.

I think I'm gonna be sick.

All right, Mike. I got you, buddy.

Now, this is gonna hurt, so...

Here we go.

What do we do?

Come here, right here.

I don't know, but whatever we do,

we have to do it soon.

Can we go out the back?

I don't know.

They might be watching out there too.

What's stopping them

from coming in right now?

Yeah, I don't know.

What's she doing here?

Found her hiding in the bathroom.

Oh, my God, oh, my God.

Oh, my God. Are you guys okay?

Are we okay?

Are we okay?

Whoa, whoa! Syd, Syd!

- Are we okay, really?

- Syd, Syd, Syd!

Does he f*cking look okay?

You're gonna act stupid, like you

don't know what the f*ck is going on!

- Look at him.

- Syd, calm down.

Calm down, please.

Listen.

Listen, I swear, I swear,

I have no idea

what's going on here, okay? I...

I'm scared too, okay? I...

I just...

I just wanna help your friend,

and I think I...

Help him how?

There's a first-aid kit upstairs.

I have some supplies.

I think I could stop the bleeding

until help came.

No. Are we supposed to just trust her?

For all we know, she could be in on it.

Listen, you don't have to trust me.

You don't.

I want to help your friend, please.

I want to help, please. Please, I...

Please?

I don't think we have a choice.

f*ck.

Fine, go.

Hey.

I'll meet you up there, okay?

I've gotta find another way out.

Help me get him up. Watch out, watch out.

Ready? All right, all right.

Go ahead.

I'll stay with Will.

We got you.

- We'll stick with you.

- f*ck.

- I'm... I'm so sorry.

- It's okay.

I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you.

It's okay.

I think we're

all just a little jumpy.

I'm sorry about earlier as well.

Are you okay?

Yeah. I can take a punch.

Besides, I don't think any of us

are gonna be okay for a while, so...

Can I help you with anything?

No, I got it.

Okay.

There's gotta be something

we can use in here. Something.

Anything, anything.

Just keep your eyes peeled.

- She's lying, you know.

- Who?

Grace.

She's lying about everything.

And if she's not,

we can test it by tossing her a*s outside.

Come on.

I mean, you can't really be buying

that whole hiding sh*t, right?

- Why would she hide?

- What do you mean?

Grace. Why would she hide?

I don't know, maybe

she's scared? Reflexes?

Fight or flight, and she chose flight?

f*ck, this drawer won't open.

Okay. Now, if I heard f*cking g*nshots,

why not try to leave?

I don't know, Syd. f*ck, I...

What do you want me to say?

What can you say?

I don't even know what the f*ck

I'm even talking about.

It's not like we're gonna get out of here.

Janelle tried to leave, and...

Well, we saw what happened to Janelle.

Ooh. What is this?

What's happening right now?

No, no, no.

Hey. Hey.

You can't fall apart on me.

Really, Syd, I need you.

Okay, I need you to help me

get us out of this.

What if there is no way out of this?

There's gotta be a way out.

And if there's not,

then we're f*cking Will and Syd,

we'll find a way out. Yeah?

I just know that I can't be worried

about you, and Michelle, and Brian.

It's just too much. I...

Please, just help me,

and then we can fall the f*ck apart

afterwards, okay?

I'm talking big, ugly-a*s cry.

It'll be great.

- Okay?

- Okay.

Right here.

Let's go check some more of these.

All right.

Whoa.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

What is that? What is that?

Is that a car?

Who do you think it is?

It's probably one of the actors

for the table read.

So, what do we do?

We gotta get his attention somehow.

I'm sure he has a phone.

He can call the police.

What about the guy with the g*n?

Okay, then we need to get his attention

before he gets out of the car.

Well, how are we gonna do that?

Janelle.

Janelle.

Janelle?

Janelle?

Brian...

where's Janelle?

She, uh...

I'm sorry, man. She didn't make it.

What happened?

What happened?

She tried to go get help, and, uh, she...

Listen, uh, we found Grace,

and she's gonna get

you all patched up, okay?

- And we're gonna get out of here.

- No.

No one's getting out of here.

Excuse me.

He has a pulse.

It's weak, but...

Can you still help him?

I can try.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

- No!

- Brian!

Stop!

No, please, please.

- Stop! You're gonna k*ll her.

- Please.

She knows more than what she's telling us.

I know it. I know it.

Brian, please stop.

She can't tell you anything if she's dead.

I'm gonna find a way out of here.

And when I do...

you better pray

you had nothing to do with this.

Will you please go see

what's taking Will and Syd so long?

Please?

Are you... Are you okay?

Okay.

We have to wait until the very last moment

when he gets out of the car.

We can yell to warn him.

You really think that will work?

I don't know.

This can't be the right house.

Hm.

Fun party, my a*s.

One...

Two...

Go!

- Call 911, we're being attacked!

- Someone's trying to k*ll us!

sh*t!

sh*t!

- sh*t!

- What? What?

What?

sh*t!

sh*t.

Okay. I got you.

What the f*ck?

We have to stop it.

It's okay, it's okay. It's okay.

It's all right.

Okay. It's all right. It's okay.

It's okay. You'll be fine.

- Oh, sh*t.

- Ready?

- Deep breaths, okay?

- Okay.

It's all right.

You're fine, you're fine, you're fine.

You're good, you're good, you're good.

You're good.

- Oh, God.

- You're good.

Just breathe.

I got you.

f*ck.

I'm really sorry about that.

It's okay.

That's not who he is.

This is not how any of us are.

I think he was just scared.

Yeah, well, you're scared

and you're not trying to k*ll me, so...

what does that do for your theory?

Syd...

Syd, I think you need

to make a run for it.

What? No. I'm not leaving.

Yeah, you got to.

You got to, okay?

Um, go to that guy's car.

I'm sure his keys

are still around there somewhere.

Get in there, start it up,

and get the hell out of here.

I can't. I can't.

- I can't leave you. I'm not leaving you.

- Syd, you have to, okay?

Syd, Michelle and Brian

are still in that house.

I've got to go back in,

but I can't do that

unless I know that you are safe.

Or at least as far away as possible.

I can stay. We can fight together.

Fight who? Fight who, Syd?

Come on, we don't even know

how many of them are still left.

That's all the more reason for me to stay.

Syd, please just listen

to your baby brother this one time.

You've always been the one to protect me.

Please let me protect you this time.

Go.

Call the police, maybe they'll help.

If I don't make it out of here,

at least someone

will be able to tell our story.

I'll be okay.

I'll be okay. Just...

go as far as you can, as fast as you can.

Okay. Okay.

It's okay.

It's okay.

If you die, I'll f*cking k*ll you.

Okay.

- Go.

- Okay.

Help! Help!

Shh!

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God. Oh, my God.

No. Oh, my God.

Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Oh, my God.

Grace, listen to me.

We have to find a way to get out of here

or that same thing is gonna happen to us.

How can we get out of here

without anyone seeing us?

Grace, think. It's too high to jump.

- Is there a back stairway?

- I don't know, I don't know, I don't know.

Grace...

What is that?

What? What? What?

Is...?

Is that a motion sensor?

I think so. I don't know.

Your house has an alarm?

Okay, that's it. We just have to make it

to the keypad to call for help.

Where is it?

Um... Uh...

It's in... It's in the kitchen

by the back door, I think.

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

- Come on.

- No, no, no!

- No, no. I don't wanna die! No, no, no!

- Grace.

Please, Grace, neither do I,

but we can't stay here.

It's not gonna be any safer.

No, no, no, because he's dead.

He's dead. He's already dead.

You said you locked the door,

and they're not gonna come back. See?

We're safe. they're not gonna come back

and check on him because he's dead.

- No! No! No!

- Grace. Grace. I know you're scared.

I'm scared too.

You'd be crazy not to be, okay?

But my husband is out there.

My friends are out there.

And I need to help them. Okay?

You said you wanted to help.

Now you can!

What's going on?

Where's my wife? Have you seen...

Have you seen Linda?

No, I haven't seen Linda.

What...?

I don't even know

what the hell is going on.

I thought you did.

Why...?

Why the hell would I know what's going on?

You...

You think I did this?

Yes.

I mean, I don't know.

I don't know, it's...

f*ck, I don't know.

I don't know.

Can you at least untie me?

Please.

What about Grace and Marshall?

Anything?

Grace is upstairs with Mike and Michelle.

I don't know where Marshall is.

What happened?

We were out on our evening stroll.

We saw a car out in the distance.

I figured they were lost.

So I went over to help them,

and they jumped out of the car,

and hit me in the head.

Did you see any of their faces?

No, they had on masks like that.

Is there a way

that we can call the police or, um...?

Our cell phones aren't working, so...

There's an emergency alarm system

in the kitchen.

If we can get there,

we can alert the police.

Okay.

Can you walk?

No. I couldn't keep up with you.

I would just slow you down.

Look, just get to the kitchen.

The alarm pad

is right beside the back door.

All you have to do is touch

the red call button.

That's it. I'll be right behind you.

Quickest way, go through the patio door,

and then through the backyard.

You gotta go now. Go, go.

What the f*ck?

Oh, sh*t.

Michelle?

Brian?

No, no, no.

Oh, sh*t.

Okay. Where is it?

All right. Okay.

Okay.

Babe?

Michelle?

Nolan.

Where's the phone? The phone...

Where is it? Oh, yes.

Nolan!

Brian?

Oh, sh*t.

Come on, come on. Oh, f*ck.

What the hell?

Brian.

Brian!

Brian.

- Where is it?

- It's right there by the door.

It's by the door.

Hurry. Hurry, hurry, hurry.

Hurry!

All right. Please work.

Oh, God.

Oh, Michelle...

I told you...

we should have stayed upstairs.

Where are the others?

Oh, my God.

Will...

Will, please wake up.

Please wake up, please. Please.

Please wake up, please.

Babe.

Babe.

Aw, dude, just please let us go.

Let us go and we'll leave, all right?

We won't say anything

about what we saw, I swear. I swear.

- Please, just...

- Will...

It's them. It's the Edisons.

I knew it. I f*cking knew

she was gonna ruin it.

We built up this big crescendo

and this b*tch ruins it

in a matter of seconds.

Uh... What is going on?

Oh, sweetheart. You can't be that dim.

What the f*ck is going on?

Surprise.

This is...

Hm.

I wish I could capture that image.

That image that I have seen

over a dozen times.

The moment of realization.

The moment when it clicks.

You know, you two gave us quite a scare.

For a moment there,

I didn't know how this night would end.

Such fight and persistence.

More than others.

And there have been others.

Many, many others.

So for that I must commend you.

I think they deserve a hand.

We believed you.

Oh, no.

I didn't think anybody believed

the scared white girl routine anymore,

did you?

Especially you people.

I thought you would have learned by now.

In our defense, we did tell you

you'd be meeting

some amazing actors tonight.

- Take a bow.

- Thank you.

This is crazy. This is crazy.

You guys are f*cking nuts.

No, dear.

Quite the opposite.

How could you do this?

Which part, my dear?

You really must be more specific.

How could you invite us here

just to k*ll us?

You still haven't asked

the right question, son.

The real question is, why not?

What keeps people like us

from doing things like this

to people like you?

You son of a b*tch.

Will, no.

Not so hard.

Please.

We're gonna k*ll them anyway.

Yes, but we need them awake for this part.

I have a question.

How does it feel to be completely helpless

and watch everyone you care for die

and you can't do a g*dd*mn thing about it?

Almost everybody. We'll get to you later.

- You f*cking touch her...

- Why are you doing this?

Because we can, my dear.

Are either of you history buffs?

No?

I didn't think so.

Well, I can't tell a story

as good as our dear Will here,

but I'll try to do it justice.

b*tch, f*ck you and your f*cking stories.

What are you doing? What? No...

No, no, stop!

Stop, please! Please, please!

I think that's enough, son.

No!

Son, I think that's enough.

- No!

- Marshall!

Stop!

- Stop.

- Marshall, I think that's enough.

Now shut up

and listen to the f*cking story.

Thank you, son.

Would it surprise you if I told you that

some of the best writers

in the history of literature were sl*ves?

History would have us believe that

they were all these dirty f*cking savages

that just needed to be tamed.

Well, sure, some of them were.

But then there were the special ones.

That's what my family called them,

the special ones.

You see, history teaches us that all

but a few sl*ves couldn't read or write,

but nothing could be

further from the truth.

They wrote these beautiful stories of

their homes and the lands they came from.

They talked about what they missed

and how they longed to go back.

They told these universal stories

about family, love, friendship,

religion, harmony.

So many stories.

But you see, no one gave a sh*t.

The sl*ve would write a story,

the sl*ve owner would find it,

and the sl*ve would be

beaten, whipped, hanged.

So, what's a sl*ve owner to do?

They have sl*ves who can read and write

better than some

of their educated friends,

hiding story upon story

under mattresses,

out in fields, under trees,

hoping not to get caught.

So many stories,

it could fill up a whole f*cking book.

And of course, therein lies the problem.

No one, and I mean no one,

was going to buy a book

written by a sl*ve.

That's the irony.

Story has it that's when

my family came up with a brilliant idea.

I'll give you a hint.

They took it, changed the name on it,

slapped a new title on it,

and it became ours,

to do with it as we please.

We own it.

We kept doing this process

over and over and over.

Generation after generation.

We just kept taking.

Now, first it was stories, novels,

plays, then music, and now film.

Hell, who knows

what we're gonna do next?

This process is so ingratiated in us.

We have no choice.

It's like breathing for us.

You understand.

You always have a choice.

Maybe you're right,

but who cares?

No one cares about

your feelings, your potential.

No one cared about theirs either.

You should be happy,

knowing that in your death,

that your film's gonna be made.

What you wanted

to contribute to the world,

it's gonna be put out there

and it's gonna be put in your honor.

This was just a story

that we just couldn't pass up.

This is bullshit.

- I don't wanna die.

- Baby...

If it's any consolation,

there wasn't always the k*lling part.

There was a time, well before I was born,

when your people would just

take the money and run.

Literally run.

But then you all got greedy, like always.

And you wanted more credit.

You didn't realize

what we were trying to do to help you.

And you quit saying, "Thank you."

"Please."

"Yes, sir." "No, sir."

And you wanted more money.

Well, we figured, why pay you

when we can just k*ll you?

But we're respectable people.

We'll bury you somewhere on the property.

In pieces, of course.

No, no, wait. No, no, please.

- Please, please, please, no. No, please!

- It's okay. It's okay. It's okay.

- It's okay, it's okay.

- Shh. Shh. Shh.

- No, please don't.

- It's okay.

Please.

This may hurt a bit.

No! Will!

Will!

Shh.

No!

Please! No!

No, no, no.

Please, I'll do anything.

k*ll me instead. Please.

- Please k*ll me. k*ll me first.

- No.

- Please! Please, please!

- Shh.

No, no, sweetheart, no, no, no.

I have plans for you.

No, you and I are gonna have

great fun later, okay? Just wait, okay?

I saved you.

Dude, she thinks she saved me.

That's what she thinks.

Baby, it's okay.

- Shh.

- It's okay. Close your eyes.

Let's go.

Look away. Don't look.

That was taking too long.

Michelle, I love you.

- No!

- I love you.

No!

Shh.

Please.

What the f*ck?

Marshall, would you go

check the breaker box?

Can't it wait? I already started.

You can finish when you get back.

Go now. They're not going anywhere.

Finally got you to shut the f*ck up.

- Could this night get any stranger?

- What's taking him so long?

- I'll be right back.

- Okay.

Someone will come for us.

People like you go missing every day,

and no one bats an eye.

Nobody cares.

Sadly, no one's gonna miss you

or your friends.

Marshall!

Marshall!

What was that?

The front door.

Marshall, I swear to God, if you're...

Syd!

Come on.

f*ck you!

Come on!

f*ck. Hey.

You all right?

- As far away as possible, huh?

- You know I don't listen to you.

f*ck.

Where are the others?

- Marshall's dead.

- Okay.

Grace.

I don't know where Nolan is.

Let's get the hell out of here.

Go.

All right. Easy. Easy. Okay. Okay.

- I'm okay. I'm all right.

- Okay.

Careful. Yeah, got it?

Well, look at you.

You actually think you've won.

But you can't win.

The game is rigged.

The house always wins.

This is our story.

I decide when you die and where you die.

You think because you got a little bit of

blood on your hands that we're gonna stop?

We're never going to stop.

- Do you think anyone's gonna believe us?

- Do they ever?

Nope.

I know, I know, I'm late.

I'm literally out the door.

I just need to finish

this last little section.

What?

No, I haven't checked my e-mail. Why?

Okay, hold on.

Oh. Wait, what is this?

And who is the Edison Foundation?