Hauntology (2024)

[bunniefuu]

Venus India Price!

Where do you think you're going?

Venus!

Venus.

What is all this?

I'm not going home, Jaz.

What did they do this time?

I'm not about to let

you go off by yourself.

Where are you gonna stay?

I don't know. I'll find a place.

-It's dangerous to go alone.

-I'm not afraid.

You don't think

anything could go wrong?

All right, I'll make you a deal.

You know we live in one

of the most haunted places

in the country, right?

Haunted? Ohio?

Yeah. For real.

-I know some stories.

-Ugh.

Listen, if you come with me

and let me tell

all of my stories, then...

I'll let you decide

if you want to run away.

How many?

Just a few.

It'll be fun

if you pay attention.

You promise you won't

just drive me back home?

Say you promise.

I promise.

And after

I listen to your stories

you'll leave me alone?

If that's what you want.

Pop the trunk.

- Nobody's here.

- Who lives in there?

It's a rental now,

but a few years ago,

a witch lived in that cabin.

How old do you think I am?

Not that kind of a witch.

Come on,

I'll show you something.

I was here

with Alex a few weeks ago.

And we found this.

We think the witch used it.

Mirrors can

help with protection.

They reflect negative energy.

Come on.

It's clean.

I didn't drink out of it yet.

The witch came to this place

because her father

was a lot like our parents.

He spent her entire

childhood telling her

that she was a boy.

But as soon as she was

old enough, she moved away.

After that,

she met a powerful magic worker

who changed her life forever.

So... Is there really

a chance this could work?

Everything you need

to know is in there.

I won't promise anything,

but it's worth a shot.

It's a full moon tonight.

It's the perfect time to try.

The most

important thing to remember

is do not open your eyes.

For how long?

However long it takes.

You're beautiful.

Well? Did it work?

Mm.

I'm so happy for you, Julian.

I've never seen

a transformation like yours.

For the first time in my life,

I feel I'm in the right skin.

To be honest, I didn't

think it would go this well.

Especially after, um...

Go on.

I tried my best

to keep my eyes closed.

You opened your eyes?

I don't remember, okay?

-It-- it's--

-Did you see him?

I think so.

-Is it that bad?

-Did he say anything?

I don't remember.

That's good.

You wouldn't be able

to forget it if he did.

Ah.

You're not mad at me, are you?

Hi there.

- Hi.

- I'm Jacob,

your new neighbor.

Thought I'd introduce myself.

Julian.

Oh, yeah. Uh--

So, um, what brings

you all the way out here?

It's beautiful here.

Not nearly this

pretty where I come from.

-You grow up near here?

-In town.

It's a bit of

a walk from your place.

-Isn't it?

-Worth it.

- To meet you.

- Oh.

Caught me on a good day.

I'm sorry. Um,

I should really get going.

- Already?

- Yeah.

But good luck with

your place and everything.

I'll stop by later.

You're here.

I was wondering if you'd like

to have dinner with me.

How'd you get these?

You like them?

Weird.

These are my favorite.

But...

They're not even in season.

Mm.

I have my ways.

Jacob, this is

extremely tempting,

But I just wasn't

expecting to go out tonight, so,

um, maybe some other time.

Is that a Felner?

It is.

-Was a gift.

-It's amazing.

-Mm-hmm.

-Can I see it?

Maybe another time.

Look, my friend's expecting me.

Um, I'm really busy.

You know, thank you for

the flowers, but I gotta go.

Are you afraid of me, Julian?

Yeah.

Stop!

Come on, Julian.

It wasn't easy

to get your favorite flowers.

- Hello?

- Hey.

-Julian?

-Are-- Are you free tomorrow?

What?

It's only been a few days,

and you already have some man

barging into your life?

It's not easy being beautiful.

-I haven't told you everything.

-You haven't?

There's something

wrong with Jacob.

I've spent a lot of years

dreaming about the perfect man.

All the little details,

his face, his voice.

Somehow,

Jacob is that perfect guy.

I mean, he even

smells the way I imagined.

The perfect man.

Mm-hmm.

Impossible.

I knew he'd be a problem.

Annalisa?

Do you know what he wants?

I want you to remember.

What he did

for you was a transaction.

You owe him nothing.

-I didn't give him anything.

-You did.

All that negative energy you'd

been carrying all those years,

that's sustenance

for a spirit like him.

He's a spirit?

He was nothing

before I created him.

We helped each

other for a very long time.

But now... things have changed.

Nothing lasts forever.

I--

Wait.

I'll talk to him.

-Looks like you've been busy.

-Jacob.

I gave you what you wanted.

Why won't you leave me alone?

I could give you so much more.

What if I don't want more?

We have to banish him.

Hey, how much time do we have?

As soon as he finds enough

energy, he'll return.

And you think we can

get rid of him for good?

We have to try.

I can't predict him anymore.

It's not safe.

Do you have any ancestral

spirits you're close to?

Anyone who could help us?

b*tch, we're

better off without them.

For the good

of all and harm to none,

I call in my power,

I reclaim my will

as the sun comes up,

may his spirit be released

as the moon goes down

for the good of all

and the harm to none,

I call in my power,

I reclaim my will

as the sun comes up,

may his spirit be

released as the moon goes down

for the good of all

and harm to none,

I call in my power,

I reclaim my will

as the sun comes up,

may his spirit be released

as the moon goes down

for the good of all

and harm to none,

I call in my power,

I reclaim my will

as the sun comes up,

may his spirit be released--

...as the moon goes down,

For the good of all

and harm to none--

I call in my power,

I reclaim my will

as the sun goes up,

may his spirit be released

as the moon goes down.

For the good of all

and in harm to none,

I call in my power,

I reclaim my will

as the sun comes up,

may his spirit be released

as the moon goes down.

-For the good of all...

-Julian...

I call on my power,

-I reclaim my will--

-You can open your eyes.

Is it over?

It was worth it.

I'm happy for her, but that can

never happen to someone like me.

What do you mean?

Julian had money. She was older.

She was a witch.

I can't just

magically be what I want.

What do you want to be?

Not a girl.

But I don't know what.

You don't have to decide.

Tell Mom and Dad that.

You know,

you're not the first person

in our family who didn't fit in.

Please don't tell me

a story about you next.

Sass Master. Mm.

I was talking

about Mabel Bishop.

Who?

Of course you'd take

me to a graveyard.

Cemetery. There'd be a church

nearby if it was a graveyard.

When those started

filling up in the 1800s,

the dead needed more space.

That's when cemeteries

became a thing.

Come on.

-You see that spot?

-Yeah.

That plot was never used.

It was meant for Mabel Bishop,

our great-great-great

grandmother.

Where'd they bury her?

There's a place in the woods

near where she lived

where her family

made a tombstone for her.

Her body was never found.

She went missing?

When she was alive,

most people considered her to be

a respectable married woman.

Her only problem?

She preferred

the company of ladies to men,

-if you know what I mean.

-Oh, I like her.

Of course, in the 1890s,

people like Mabel weren't

allowed to be themselves.

The most powerful man

in town found out her secret

and decided to end her life.

Over 100 years passed.

Most people forgot about Mabel.

It took a very special person

to finally end her loneliness.

Iris.

Hey. I miss you.

I haven't gone anywhere.

I'm gonna go for a walk.

Don't forget the groceries.

I'll be in town tomorrow,

I'll just get 'em done.

Okay, I won't hold my breath.

What are you doing out here?

What happened to you, Mabel?

Enjoy your walk?

I don't think

I could do this anymore.

Where are you going?

Iris.

Can you stop?

Can you please just stop

and talk to me for a minute.

-We can still have a good time--

-You know what, Jade?

You had your walk, now it's

my turn to think things over.

Please don't do this.

Iris, wait. Please, just--

Will you just wait?

Now we're both alone.

...program is

the lost paintings

of May Felner.

We'll explore

Felner's themes of isolation,

expressed through

her unique use of color.

Jesus Christ!

You scared the sh*t out of me.

I'm not alone anymore.

What?

You like to be alone.

What are you looking at?

Hmm.

I'll show you.

What the hell is this?

It's for you.

What?

Look.

How did this happen?

You'll love it there, Iris.

So Grandma found love

from beyond the grave?

She did.

Her twin flame. Hmm.

What happened to Iris?

She woke up the next day.

Alone.

Jade was gone.

Iris never saw her again.

Jade definitely has

a thing for complicated women.

Who is that?

You see him?

The man in the hat.

Where'd he go?

Was that the first time

you've seen him?

Yeah.

You're acting really weird.

Come on.

Keep that

in your pocket.

Are you a witch, too?

You could say that.

Let's get moving.

I'll tell you another story.

Where next?

I have a couple places in mind.

What's wrong?

The battery's dead.

Damn.

-What?

-He did this.

The man in the hat?

Jaz?

I don't--

My phone's working,

but I don't have any service.

We're gonna

have to walk for a bit.

You're not gonna

call mom and dad, are you?

I'll call Alex. Follow me.

-Finally.

-Is it working?

Yeah.

Hey, I could

use a favor.

Yeah, we ran into some

car trouble. Are you around?

Okay, great.

Um, I'll send you an address.

Okay. Thank you so much.

These houses are pretty.

Yeah.

They are.

Do you think

any of them have a ghost?

Definitely.

Our Aunt May

used to live near here.

The painter?

Yeah. That's the next person

I wanted to tell you about.

Well, not too long

before you were born,

there were

a bunch of murders in town.

Most people

never heard the true story,

but it all connects back to her.

May Felner.

Of course it's worth it.

These pieces have

never been seen before.

Come on. May Felner's an icon.

You know you want to feature us.

Excellent.

Thank you. I'll see you tonight.

Someone's gonna notice.

It's not too late

to cancel all this.

Weren't you just telling me

last week you finally nailed it?

Yeah, but what

about the rest of them?

We're about to exhibit a gallery

full of May Felner's art,

and only one

piece looks like hers.

Hey.

Hey. They're all great.

If anyone has doubts,

they'll just--

they'll think it's her early

stuff nobody's seen.

Aren't Owen and Shane

the luckiest b*stards

on the planet for buying

her old house and finding these?

Hey.

We're not giving up now.

After all

the work you've put in?

Now that Felner's dead,

her work's

more valuable than ever.

It just feels shitty.

We've got this.

Unless you're

planning on proposing again,

I have no idea what you're

doing on the ground right now.

Everything is gonna go

great tonight.

You'll see.

How about I pick up lunch?

Oh, yes, please.

Okay. I'll be back.

Don't forget the extra sauce.

Never.

Miss Jeannie.

Thank you so much for coming.

We're going

to Bermuda for Christmas.

Do you like that piece?

It's the most

impressive painting here.

I agree.

I mean, I love

all of Felner's work, but...

this one's special.

-Is it?

-Of course.

We've gotten

some great offers for it.

I'd be happy to add you to

the list, if you're interested.

There's something...

odd.

About the color palette.

Oh?

It's a little unusual for her.

Hmm.

You must be a big fan.

I was.

When she behaved.

No way.

You're Christina.

What an honor.

We weren't expecting anyone

from Felner's inner circle.

I thought I'd drop by.

Hmm.

The article I read

mentioned that you found

these in her old Victorian.

Yes. They were

completely hidden.

It was like

finding buried treasure.

These paintings

are a revelation.

I can't believe you found them.

Yeah. Yeah, it was, uh,

it was-- it was really lucky.

I went to school with Felner.

-Did you?

-Yeah, tried making friends,

but she wasn't interested.

She was too cool

to hang around with you.

I love it when

you pour salt in my wounds.

You know, I'd pay a lot of

money for an original Felner.

Might want

to try that again, Rusty.

Our friend seems distracted.

Hello? I have a lot of money.

E-- Excuse me.

I need to use the restroom.

Whoever he's ditching

us for better be at least

ten times hotter than me.

What?

Oh, my God.

Oh.

Oh, yeah.

Thank you for letting me know.

Brian's dead.

Our realtor?

Oh, my God.

What-- what happened?

He was m*rder*d.

Thank you.

-I think we're about ready.

-Yeah.

We'll be back tonight.

Sure thing. Take your time.

-So sorry for your loss.

-Me too.

Keep an eye on those Felners

while we're gone.

Of course.

-Bye, Evan.

-Bye.

Hello. How are you today?

Hello?

Excuse me. How can I--

This is really weird.

Uh, what are

you doing back there?

Damn it.

Oh, f*ck this!

Can't be a coincidence.

-Babe.

-Even at the funeral,

people couldn't stop

talking about the paint.

We can't let this

distract us from our work.

Work?

I just--

I need you to make

a few more paintings.

I got a call this morning

from a guy in New York.

Are we seriously

talking about this right now?

Owen, come on.

Ryan was a realtor.

The k*ller was

probably some psycho contractor

he never paid.

We don't need to

make drama out of this.

Evan?

Jesus Christ!

Oh, you see--

Go. Get out.

Hello?

How'd it go

with the police?

Who is this?

This is Christina.

A friend gave me your number.

The Christina?

I'm calling

because of May Felner.

We need to talk about her.

Tonight?

Yes.

Are you all right?

No.

I'm not.

We don't know each other.

But you're the only person

that I can talk to about this.

Do you want to sit?

I know you've seen her.

She's angry with you.

I don't know why.

All I know is

that it's gotten out of control.

I don't understand.

It started when

the article was published.

About those paintings

that you found.

I saw her that day.

And for weeks...

she kept getting closer.

May Felner is dead.

One morning, she was so close.

I blacked out.

No matter how hard I've tried,

I can't remember

what happened after that.

A few days later,

I found out about your realtor.

He died during my blackout.

Christina, that's--

-You don't think--

-The same thing happened today

when the man

in your gallery was k*lled.

Whatever you've done,

you have to fix this.

Before she uses me again.

I'll try.

What she's doing is terrible.

I know why she's mad at me.

Love you.

But I can't change the past.

I'm sorry.

I'm leaving town. Tonight.

It's the only thing

that I can do to stop her.

Please fix this.

You're home.

Hey, remember earlier,

when I was asking

about more paintings?

-What?

-I know things have been crazy,

but our gallery's

on national news.

People are more interested

in Felner's art than ever.

Shane, we can't--

No, I-- I've been

getting calls all day.

You wouldn't believe

the offers, babe.

Serious offers.

I just-- I need

a few more paintings.

Maybe three.

If the deals go through,

we could open our own gallery

in New York or Paris.

Just like

you always wanted, huh?

Things are really

gonna change for us.

Hey.

You still with me?

Aunt May had to put up with

so much injustice in her life.

Even death couldn't stop it.

Her spirit couldn't rest.

The people in our family,

the ones who are different,

their stories are sad.

They felt

so alone when they died.

And that feeling

stayed with them.

I don't want

that to happen to you, Venus.

Jaz.

I'll be okay.

I just need some time

away from mom and dad right now.

Whatever happens,

you're not gonna turn

into another miserable ghost.

You and I...

are gonna be happy when we die.

I like that.

-Yes.

-All good?

You're a lifesaver.

Well...

Should charge a little

bit while you're driving.

But if I were you, I'd

get that battery checked ASAP.

Thanks so much.

Mm.

You didn't tell me

that you were gonna bring

Venus with you tonight.

I wasn't. But...

they had their plans.

Are you sure you don't

want me to come with you?

The more

I think about it,

Venus is the only

person who could help me.

I think we can do it, together.

Okay. Good luck.

I'll-- I'll have my phone

on me, just in case

you need anything else.

You're the best.

- Thanks, Alex.

- Yeah.

I think it's time for

our last story.

Already?

We're going to the most

talked-about place in town.

-The new dentist's office?

-Mm. You poor child.

Whoa. Are we allowed to be here?

But nobody lives here anymore.

Don't you recognize this place?

No one ever told

you about Cashel House?

-No.

-Oh! When I was your age,

everybody talked

about this place.

I'm listening.

People have been saying

it's haunted for generations.

It took years before

anyone found out the truth.

But when she did, it was

a lot scarier than she imagined.

I made it to Cashel House.

Thanks, Yesenia.

No, I told you,

I can't take any photos.

But no one's ever gotten

an interview with him before.

I don't want to piss him off.

I'll check in with you later

tonight. Maybe nine?

Yes, nine.

Sounds good.

Bye.

You must be Miss Ishii.

Yes. My name is Madeline.

Pleasure to meet you.

I'm Mrs. Boxell,

the housekeeper.

Please come in.

Your style of dress is a bit

more modern than we're used to,

but I appreciate

you wearing something...

Decent.

Oh, uh, I apologize. I-- I did

my best with what I could find.

I'm sure it was a challenge.

Now, first order of business.

Have you brought

any electronics with you?

Oh, just my phone.

Thank you so much

for letting me bring it.

It's already powered off.

Very good. Follow me.

We do request that if

you need to use your telephone,

you'll take it outside?

There's a back door

through there to the left.

You'll find a porch

on that side of the house.

Which is the most suitable

place to use your telephone.

Sure, that's no problem.

Excellent.

Now, I suppose it's time

for you to make the acquaintance

of Mrs. Cashel.

The journalist,

Miss Ishii, has arrived.

Hello, Miss Ishii.

- Wo-- won't you sit down?

- Yes.

Thank you, Francine.

I am so honored

you agreed to meet with me.

You are quite

the local celebrity.

- I suppose.

- I feel like pinching myself.

What was it that convinced

you to respond to my letter?

Well, in part,

your persuasive use of language.

But there was

an element of luck.

Francine usually discards

any interview inquiries.

But in a propitious stroke

of fate,

your letter

fell loose from the pile.

I found it on

the floor one morning on my

way down to breakfast.

That is lucky.

It's been a long time since

I've had a guest in this room.

Francine still keeps it tidy.

She's very particular.

But I think

you'll find the house rules

are really very simple.

As long as

electronics are kept away,

and everyone behaves

properly, I'm satisfied.

-But you use electric lights?

-Oh, my father installed those.

I don't use them.

They're hard on my eyes.

We don't have

a telephone either.

You understand, of course.

The sounds

they make are so unpleasant.

Modern phones can

ring silently and vibrate.

I'm sure it would be useful

to have one around somewhere.

I know my life may seem strange,

but my hope is that when

the public reads your article,

they'll stop finding me

and my house so mysterious.

The people in

town are always curious.

If it weren't for

Francine's firm nature, I'm sure

Cashel House would devolve into

some sort of tourist attraction.

That brings us to

the elephant in the room.

How do you respond

to the legends

that the house is haunted?

Miss Ishii,

it's not in my nature to lie,

so I'll be frank with you

but I don't want

you to write down the words

that I'm going to say.

Of course,

this will be off the record.

Truthfully...

My house is haunted.

But only for those who

disobey the rules.

Who made the rules?

Our family was

raised with the understanding

of the ancestor

who lives in these walls.

His name is William Gwen Cashel,

And I've done

quite well to abide by him.

He sounds intense.

My grandmother used

to blame his disposition

on a woman named Mabel Bishop.

Something about

Mabel had a profound effect.

Ex-- Excuse me. I'm sorry.

I felt a-- a chill or something.

I hope I didn't frighten you.

No. I'm not even

sure I believe in ghosts.

But I try to have an open mind.

I-- I wouldn't want to

break any of the rules.

And for that, you have

my deepest appreciation.

You do intend to stay the night?

Oh.

Miss Ishii? Are you all right?

I saw him. The ghost.

You went and got

your telephone, didn't you?

-Yes. I needed to call--

-Why didn't you take it outside?

I tried. The door wouldn't open.

Is the telephone still with you?

-I dropped it.

-That's for the best.

I can't stay here.

If you wish to return

home tomorrow, you may.

As for tonight,

you don't really want to

go walking in the dark.

I'd probably feel

safer than I do in here.

Miss Ishii, I have lived

in this house over ten years.

If one does

what's expected of her,

there's no reason to be afraid.

You think I could just sleep,

after what just happened?

I understand you may

need some time to recover.

If it's any help,

I'll stay with you,

until your nerves are settled.

That could take a while.

sh*t.

Goddammit.

Oh, Francine, why...

must you always be

right about everything?

Shall I speak

with the young woman?

No. I shall see

Miss Ishii out myself.

Miss Ishii,

I'm terribly sorry

about what you experienced here.

Yeah, so am I.

Will-- will someone

be picking you up?

My ride. It'll be here soon.

Well, before you go,

I-- I feel I should

leave you with a warning.

Now? Now, a warning?

Well, I never intended for you

to meet my great-grandfather.

But last night,

when you broke the rules,

you looked into his eyes.

And now that he's seen you, I--

I'm afraid he won't let you go.

Look, Josephine, I'm

done with the supernatural sh*t.

I'm glad you're

happy living in the past.

But it's not the place for me.

I completely understand.

Now, if you'll excuse me,

I'm getting the hell

away from you and

your creepy a*s-house.

The man in the hat.

The one who k*lled Mabel.

This is his house.

Did you look into his eyes, Jaz?

Is that why

he's been following us?

He takes a special

interest in our family.

The ones who are different.

I first saw him after

I moved out of Mom and Dad's.

Now that you're running away,

he's got his eye on you, too.

It took Alex and me

a long time to find this.

Is that Annalisa's book?

You should meet her sometime.

I think you'd like her.

We're not going in there.

-We have to stop him.

-It's not our house.

Tonight's the solstice,

and there's a waning moon.

It'll be a long time

before we have another

good chance to banish him.

You were on your way here,

when you saw me running away?

If you don't want to do this,

you can wait in the car.

But I'm doing this.

Jaz.

Come on.

All right. All I need now is

something that belonged to him.

Good luck.

He's been dead a million years.

Well, there has to be something.

He built this place.

Come on.

He knows. Do you still

have that obsidian?

Good.

Hang on to it.

Uh, we should stay together.

I am not going

into that basement.

We can check the bedrooms first.

Venus, where are you?

Venus?

-How did you get in here?

-We can do it, Jaz.

-What?

-The ritual.

You have it memorized?

We are bound by book,

by blood, by breath.

We are bound by spine,

by stars, by death.

By the blood of Mabel Bishop,

whose heart beats eternal.

We banish you from the earthly

realm, William Gwen Cashel.

By the breath of May Felner,

whose spirit flows free.

We banish you from the ethereal

realm, William Gwen Cashel.

As the sun stands still

and the waning moon rises,

you are bound and banished,

banished and bound.

As the sun stands still

and the waning moon rises,

you are bound and banished,

banished and bound.

As the sun stands still

and the waning moon rises,

you are bound and banished,

banished and bound.

As the sun stands still

and the waning moon rises,

you are bound and banished,

banished and bound.

As the sun sets still and the

waning moon rises,

you are bound and banished,

banished and bound.

As the sun stands still and

the waning moon rises,

you're bound and banished,

banished and bound.

As the sun stands still and

the waning moon rises,

you are bound and banished,

banished and bound.

As the sun stands still,

and the waning moon--

Ugh.

Ugh.

This isn't funny.

Okay. All right.

Well, you've

heard all my stories.

You still want to run away?

After tonight,

I think I can handle anything.

Even Mom and Dad.

I think so, too.

Did you bring any towels?

It's too...

I mean...

No.