[music plays]
[woman] Hi. Hi.
Oh my God, hi!
[laughs]
Hey!
I don't know if you remember
me, but--
[laughs]
Yeah, exactly.
Oh my God,
that was so embarrassing.
Thank you for saying that.
Um,
I don't want to freak you out,
but you might have gotten
a script recently?
That was mine.
You might have gotten
a script recently.
That was mine.
Oh my God, hi!
I thought I'd run into you.
I'm so sorry,
but I just had to take my shot.
I think you would be
so perfect for this.
I think you'd be so perfect
for this, and--
you did?
You did?
You did?
[laughs]
Oh my God, that's such a relief!
No I know,
I thought the exact same thing.
[laughs]
Yeah.
Yeah,
[indistinct]
Shut up! [car honks]
[exhales]
Hey!
[ominous tone]
[birds chirp]
[dog barks]
[woman] Dear Patricia,
thank you for submitting
your script to the Chino Hills
Film Festival.
We want to thank you
for all the hard work
you put into creating
your piece.
The world needs storytellers
now
more than ever.
Unfortunately,
your screenplay was not
selected
for this year's program.
However, we are grateful
to see such incredible work
and we appreciate your writing
process.
The journey from the blank
page to a fully realized world
and the courage--
c**t... [closes laptop]
[woman] Sometimes,
I don't think I'm unhappy.
I...
I know I'm unhappy.
And then I realized that
we're not promised happiness.
We're not promised anything.
We search,
and search for meaning.
Until one day
it occurs to us that
maybe there is none.
Maybe meaning is
something we just made up.
And any
[flicks lighter]
like...
significance is just like a...
like a figment
of our imagination
that we use to keep going.
[treadmill runs]
And then we realize that
we're alone.
The universe doesn't care.
Nobody cares.
But you're not alone.
Our pain connects us all.
[soft music]
[woman] Our mental
health is so important.
It comes before everything.
And we need to uplift
and support each other.
And I just love seeing women,
you know, like,
taking care of themselves.
[taps keyboard]
[plays in reverse]
Seeing women,
you know, like,
[tapping keyboard]
you know, like.
[clicks mouse]
And I just love seeing women
taking care of themselves.
[clicks mouse]
[plays in reverse]
And I just love seeing women
taking care of themselves,
and sharing what makes
us feel good.
[taps keyboard]
[loud sobbing]
[phone ringing]
Hey!
[Lola] Hey, girl. Whatcha
doing?
[Patricia] Uh, nothing. Working.
[Lola] Oh, sorry .
I forgot about the time
difference for some reason.
[Patricia] It's fine.
[Lola] I just broke for lunch,
thought I'd give you a call.
You want me to let you go?
[Patricia] No. It's fine.
[Lola] Okay.
How are you?
[Patricia] Yeah...I don't know.
I hate this sh*t
so f*cking much.
[both laugh]
[Lola] I know.
[Patricia] I miss you.
I miss you too.
[Patricia] How's Patrick?
[Lola] He's so precious .
He's curious and weird.
He's happy.
[Patricia] Yeah.
[Lola] Talk to me.
How are you really doing love?
[Patricia] I don't know,
it's like,
I try and try and try
and nobody gives a sh*t.
And I don't know what to do.
I feel so f*cking lonely, man.
[Lola] It's a lonely town.
You know
I'm always here for you.
- [Patricia] [sobs]
- [Lola] You can
tell me anything
[Lola] Are you thinking about
doing something drastic?
[Lola] Patricia?
[Patricia] I don't know if I can
keep doing this.
[Lola] You've been here before.
We always
find a way through this.
[slams laptop]
[Lola] Remember those times,
remember how strong
they made you?
[Patricia] I don't know.
[Lola] Yes you do.
You remember the wisdom
and the strength
you found in that place.
You remember the peace.
You have so much of that
to share with the world,
Patricia.
You will get your chance.
You just have to breathe
and focus and be ready
for the universe to reach out
and touch you.
[heavy breathing]
[knocking]
[knocking]
[window rolling down]
Hi, uh, excuse me, um,
you're blocking me in.
[rain falling softly]
What?
Your car. You're blocking me in.
[whoosh]
Oh.
Yes, yeah. I'm sorry.
No worries. No.
It's fine.
[woman] Are you okay?
I don't know.
One of those days, huh?
One of those months.
One of those years?
One of those f*cking decades.
[both laugh]
Listen.
No judgment, okay?
I love a good car cry.
You do?
[woman] Umm, yeah? Who doesn't?
[chuckles]
Look,
you're going to be okay.
Yeah.
Are you going to be okay?
Yeah. Yeah, yeah...
[nervous laughter]
Okay.
Yeah, okay, so yeah. Sorry.
I'll move.
It's okay. Thank you.
Yeah. Okay.
I love you.
[shifts gears]
[engine revving]
[breathes softly]
[windshield wipers wipe]
[dreamy piano plays]
[no audio dialog]
[piano music continues]
What the f*ck am I doing?
[starts car]
[typing]
[ominous sound increases]
[music intensifies]
[music fades]
[woman] I love it.
[Patricia] Okay,
so I'm thinking we can go for,
like, super,
kind of, like, messed up
nerdy girl.
[woman] Do you like it?
Oh. It's perfect.
Oh, I'm
so happy that you like it.
I want you to be sleeping
in this and get coffee in this
because you're
totally not functional. I--
[laughter]
So I'll start from here, okay?
Yeah,
that's a perfect place to start.
- So your interpretation of that
- Oh, I see, okay.
- Okay.
- One, two, three. Go now.
This moment is really sad
because your snow cone
just fell on the floor.
Your snow cone
fell on the floor.
But I want you to think
of your mom dying.
- That's not real, right?
- It is that. Yeah, it is that.
- But, oh!
- Yeah, it's not.
It's all fake.
This is a dream. Keep going.
[Patricia] I love everything
that you are bringing to this.
- [vocalizing]
- I love that! That's good.
It's a little sexual.
But we appreciate that in
Hollywood, don't we?
- Do you have everything that
you need?
- Yeah I have my lines.
I have my lines!
[Patricia] Take your time.
But don't.
We're running behind.
[Patricia] All right,
slate, whenever you're ready.
[slate claps]
Action.
[ominous tones]
[alarm sounds]
[Patricia] Hi. I'm a
writer/director.
My script, "The Blessing,"
is an introspective journey
about a young woman's
existential crisis,
manifested in an
imaginary friend
that she can't let go.
During my brief stay
at a psychiatric
hospital in Toledo,
I found mental stability
only through acceptance
of temporary delirium.
This delirium is our friend.
And to push it away
only makes it our enemy.
If your client
would like to have a coffee
and talk about the script,
I would love any ideas
or contributions she may have.
I believe I've got the role
of a lifetime for her,
and considering her
social media dialog
on mental health and happiness.
I'm sure these themes would
resonate not only with her,
but with a whole nation
of young,
disillusioned souls.
Thank you for your time.
I love you.
Nope. No, God. Too much.
Too much. That's...
not okay.
Sincerely, Patricia Abro.
[exhales]
[clicks]
[soft chanting]
[Melissa] There are times
where we are self-conscious,
and insecure.
And we really need to be able
to share that with each other.
- [Melissa] Serenity--
- [phone rings]
[Melissa] Seriously?
The f*cking phone?
I told you to turn it off!
[clicks]
[Melissa] I'm f*cking
paying you!
[clicks, plays in reverse]
[Melissa] Do your job!
God! And the f*cking lighting!
Fix the light, please.
[clicks, plays in reverse]
[breathes deeply]
[clicks keys]
Each other's serenity.
[clicks keys]
[plays in reverse]
[smashes keys]
There are times when we are
self-conscious, and insecure.
And we need to be able
to share that with each other.
Be each other's serenity.
[clicks]
[chuckles]
[dog barks]
[g*n shot]
[phone dings]
[ominous tones]
[running vacuum]
[dishes clatter]
[sprays foam, scrubs]
[running shower]
[music intensifies]
[screaming]
[alarm sounds]
[soft music continues]
[printing paper]
[car door thuds]
[ethereal music playing]
[doorbell rings]
[doorbell rings]
[Melissa] When I use Feather's
exfoliating mask,
I feel calm.
And I want all women to feel,
um
- and I want,
- [click]
[traffic sounds in the
background]
[click]
[click]
[click]
[click]
[click]
[fridge door opens]
[fridge door closes]
[Melissa] If you want something,
you have to go after it.
Go after it, no matter what.
Go after it like-- Okay,
oh my God! Ah!
This mic is literally so
f*cking annoying!
[clicks]
[rewinds]
[Patricia] Can you say that
one more time for me?
[Melissa] No. I'm done. I'm
done,
[clicks]
[rewinds]
[clicks]
If you want something,
you have to go after it.
Go after it, no matter what.
And go after it like it's the
last chance you have.
Because if you don't
believe in yourself,
- then no one else will.
- [tires screech]
[Patricia] It's gonna be such a
good character for her to play.
Like, I want to screen Belle de
and Vagabond and Sweetie.
And, I'm going to work with her
to find the voice.
And, and the wardrobe,
and the design
for her apartment.
[Lola] You have to make sure
to give her space to find it.
No, of course,
but I'm just saying,
showing her movie like Sweetie
will really let her know
how the audience
is supposed to feel.
[Lola] Try to think of it
in actor speak.
They have a different way in,
other than the audience.
For sure. For sure, for sure.
[Lola] You're really doing it.
[giggles]
I know! Honestly, it
feels like fate.
Like I bumped into her on the
street, and here we are.
[Lola] Yeah, so what's next?
Like, what happens now?
I mean, she wants to do it.
She loves the script.
So I guess now
I'm going to have to negotiate
with her reps and find a studio,
get some producers on board.
Oh! Fill the rest of
the cast out.
Get our budget all up and going.
- Okay,
- Hire a crew.
Okay, so she didn't sign
anything yet, or?
[Patricia] No, but...I know
she loves the script.
[Lola] Right...
You're amazing.
[Patricia] What do you mean?
[Lola] You go into
everything like,
I don't know. Like you've never
had your heart broken.
[door slams]
[car starts]
f*ck!
[phone rings]
Hey Mom.
[Mom] Hi sweetie.
How's it going?
Good.
Just working.
[Mom] Yeah, I figured,
Okay, I won't keep you honey.
Just checking in.
[Patricia] Okay.
[Mom] Oh, by the way honey,
there was something
I wanted to tell you.
I'm trying to remember
what it was.
Mom, I have to go.
[Mom] Oh okay, honey.
No worries.
If I think of it,
I give you a call.
Yep.
[car horn honking]
[exhales]
Oh my God! Hi.
[nervous laugh]
It's so funny seeing you here.
It's not funny.
Why is it funny?
It is a coffee shop.
She's getting coffee.
I thought I'd see you here!
[nervous laugh]
You f*cking idiot!
[exhales]
[Patricia] Hey, I don't know
if you remember me, but--
Yeah, exactly!
Oh, my God,
that was so embarrassing.
You might have gotten
a script recently.
That was mine.
I followed you home.
That sounds so bad.
A friend of mine
lives in your neighborhood,
and she told me you lived there.
And I'm so sorry,
but I just had to take my shot.
I think you would be
so perfect for this, and--
You did?
[forced laughter]
Oh, my God,
that's such a relief.
No, I know.
I thought the exact same thing.
[forced laughter]
Yeah!
Okay.
[disturbing sound]
[people chatting]
[tapping phone screen]
[phone rings]
Yeah.
Well, what the f*ck?
What do you mean,
"they haven't looked into it?"
Taylor, I'm f*cking freaked out.
Somebody was able
to find out where I live.
Yeah, no, the script
was just there.
No. Well--
I mean, it's still considered
trespassing, right?
I mean, her contact info
is literally on the page.
Can't we just have her arrested?
Yeah, well, read one f*cking
page of this f*cking thing
and you'll see why I'm
panicking.
[huffs]
Taylor, she's obviously out of
her f*cking mind,
and I'm freaking out.
Yes!
No, not--
not the whole thing.
That's not the point.
The point is that this f*cking
psycho was able to
find out where I live, and just
walk right up to my house.
Well, how long do
restraining orders take?
My God.
So just leaving some insane
story about imaginary friends
on my doorstep that's just,
like, not a threat?
[scoffs]
No, the audition went fine.
I guess my advice to women
who want to be successful
is to like.
Follow your dreams.
[Patricia] Well, a lot of
young women
look up to the career
you've built.
Maybe give them some
practical advice?
Oh, I want to put a g*n
in my mouth.
[Patricia] Look, this
is your content.
Yeah, but you make me say
all this other stuff,
and it's bullshit!
[Patricia] I'm not making
you do anything.
I want this footage to
work as much as--
Yeah and I,
[manic laughter]
I wanted to do
the filming of this
Two hours ago!
All right, you know, whatever.
[click]
[ominous sound]
[keyboard keys]
[click]
I guess my advice to women
who want to be successful--
[click]
[click]
I want to put a g*n in my mouth.
[click]
[tapping keys]
You make me say
[tapping keys]
I wanted to do
the filming of this--
[click]
[click]
Do the film--
[clicks mouse]
[click]
[Melissa] Put a g*n in my mouth,
and make me do the film.
Put a g*n in my mouth,
and make me do the film.
Put a g*n in my mouth,
and make me do the film.
Put a g*n in my mouth
and make me do the film.
- Hi.
- Hey.
I'd like to buy a g*n, please.
Okay.
What are you looking to get?
I don't know.
Well, what's it for?
I'm tired of feeling helpless.
I'm tired of being written off.
I want to be listened to.
You're going to want a shotgun.
- A shotgun?
- Yeah.
People will definitely
listen to you
if you have a shotgun.
[metal clicks]
[racks shotgun]
No, no, that's too much.
It's too much.
Um, how about
that one over there?
That's a GL*CK.
A GL*CK.
Okay. That's interesting.
Yup. That's what the cops carry.
The cops carry that?
Okay, uh, cool.
How about that one right there?
That's a .22.
That's pretty cool.
[Patricia] A .22.
[pawn shop owner] Yeah.
It's the caliber of the
diameter of the barrel.
[Patricia] You sound like you
know what you're talking about.
[Ashley] And you say
you love me?
Why does that always
have to be the way?
[pawn shop owner] We have
to do a background check.
[Patricia] I'm not a f*cking
serial k*ller.
I had really good grades
in high school.
Come on.
[Patricia] Why can't you
just admit--
just come out and say this
has nothing to do with you?
Why can't you just tell me
that I'm just a tool
for you to feel
better about yourself?
[Patricia] I'm fine.
Don't I look fine? I'm fine.
[Ashley] Or feel worse
about yourself?
Because that's how
you prefer feeling.
I'm a hypocrite.
You're a hypocrite.
We're all hypocrites.
But at least I'm aware of what
a hypoctire I sound like.
That's such a weird
place to end it.
[woman on phone] I know.
I mean it just ends.
Like...I don't know.
I just really hate
reading for things like this.
[woman] Yeah, I know.
And the energy
just always feels off, too,
because there's, like,
no one else in the room, and--
Hey, thanks for doing this.
[woman] No problem.
What else do you got going on?
[Ashley] I don't know,
I have to, talk to Eliza
and come up with my posts
for the day.
[woman] Any ideas?
A couple.
[woman] All right. I gotta go.
All right, babe.
I'll talk to you later.
[woman] Okay, love you.
Love you.
[phone chimes]
[knocking]
Hi.
What are you doing?
I'm so sorry about this.
- Oh my God!
- [g*n clattering]
- Oh my God!
- Don't yell.
What are you doing?
I'm so sorry about this.
[door shuts]
Just calm down.
Your hand is shaking so much.
I can't stop it.
Please be careful.
I'm so sorry.
Look at your hand.
I know, let's just--
Just calm down!
What do you want?
Do you want money?
What?
I know you.
Where do I know you from?
I was crying in my car.
What?
You don't remember?
You love a good car cry.
Listen.
I can tell
that this isn't something
you do all the time.
Or ever.
And I really don't think
you want to start now.
You think I'm crazy, don't you?
No, I don't.
Well, I'm not!
[gasping]
I'm just tapped
into the collective unconscious
and universal distress!
And I want to express it!
Is this really happening?
Oh my God.
I don't know.
Oh, my God,
I can't feel my legs.
Me neither!
Can we please sit down?
Yeah, let's just go sit down!
- Okay!
- Sit down!
- It's over here.
- Go!
[shrieks]
I don't want to do this.
I hate violence.
You're such a good person.
Your house is so nice.
You take whatever you want.
I mean, not the whole house,
obviously.
I'm not here to rob you, Ashley.
So you know me?
Of course.
Are you, like, a stalker?
No!
I'm not a stalker.
I mean, I followed you home
and I kissed your door,
but I'm not a stalker.
I'm a writer.
And director.
[eerie sound]
[Ashley] Is that yours?
Uh-huh.
Patricia?
Yeah.
Oh.
You know,
there are places you can go
if you need to take a rest.
I've taken a rest.
I don't need to take a rest!
Don't f*cking do that!
Don't be like them!
Like who?
Like everybody!
Look I didn't mean--
Don't tell me to take a rest!
Oh my God!
Did you even read it?
[sniffles]
Not all of it.
So how do you know what it is?
How do you know what it means?
Don't you ever ask yourself
any of the big questions?
Don't you care?
Does anybody care
about anything anymore?
Instead of constantly pretending
like they care about things
they don't care about?
Well, let's see.
Let's see if you understand.
- No!
- [crashes into door]
[thuds]
[tape peeling]
- Where am I?
- Shhh.
It's okay.
[tape peeling]
What happened?
You bumped your
head on the door.
Who are you?
I'm a writer and director.
Where did you get this tape?
7-Eleven.
You left?
[Patricia] Shhh.
[sighs]
[tsks]
I know what this looks like.
But sometimes we have to stop,
and be forced to listen
to the universe.
To listen
to what it's trying to tell us.
That day we met.
It can't not be what this is.
So now we just have to shut out
all other distractions.
[sighs]
Take your time.
What?
If you have any questions,
I'd be happy to answer.
[giggles]
[sighs]
I'm done with the first page.
I'm done with the second page.
Wait--
Never mind.
[Patricia] No. What is it?
What does that word mean?
- This?
- No.
This?
- No.
- This?
- No.
- This?
No, that one.
"Strident?"
Yeah. What does that mean?
It means, like, loud.
Yeah, that's what I thought.
Okay. You can turn the page.
[eerie music]
What'd you think?
[inhales]
Yeah good.
You loved it.
[giggles]
I mean, it was okay.
[Patricia] What?
I mean, it was good. It--
It's not like Inception
or anything, but,
I mean, it was okay,
I guess.
Inception ?
Yeah, with Leonardo--
No, I know,
what Inception is.
Are you sure you
understood what you read?
Yeah, I think I got it.
I thought you love film!
On your IG,
you always talk about
how much you love film.
What? Inception's not a film?
I'm talking about FILM!
Luis Buuel, Federico Fellini.
- Bla Tarr.
- Bella Tor?
Bla Tarr!
The Hungarian filmmaker.
You've never seen
a Bla Tarr film?
The Turin Horse. Stntang.
[sighs]
Well, that's it.
We're watching one right now.
Oh, come on!
[groans]
Where's your Criterion Channel?
My what?
The Criterion Channel?
What is that? Like Netflix?
No.
It's not like Netflix.
I'm sorry.
What is it?
It's a film streaming channel!
So it IS like Netflix!
We're signing you up
for the Criterion Channel.
Where's your wallet?
How the f*ck should I know?
I'm duct-taped to
a f*cking chair.
[Patricia] Can't find it.
Where the f*ck is--
there it is.
What's this?
[Ashley] What's what?
This award.
[Ashley] Oh. It's my Selfie
Award
What's a Selfie Award?
[Ashley] It's just like,
an award
for internet stuff.
It's in black and white?
Yeah.
So?
I don't love black and white.
Excuse me?
I'm not crazy
about black and white.
Did you forget I have a g*n?
How long is it?
Seven-and-a-half hours.
- What?
- Shh.
[phone vibrates]
[cow moos]
[phone vibrates]
[phone vibrates]
[phone vibrates]
What?
We should be quiet
during movie time.
[phone vibrates]
[cows moo]
You have 412 messages?
Yeah, no sh*t. I'm a celebrity!
Did you really think
you were going to kidnap
me and no one would notice?
Well, I guess we got to go
through all of them.
[laughs]
Okay, this one's from Layla:
"Boba Friday?"
[scoffs]
Layla with the sunflower, or
Layla with the Santa face?
Sunflower.
Ugh...
tell her "no."
[cow mooing]
No, don't actually write that!
I'm not.
[email swoosh]
Next, we have Corey.
Nose,
snowflake.
[gasps] Ashley!
Ashley!
Oh, f*ck off!
[wind whistling]
Who's Eliza?
My social media manager.
You were supposed to meet
with your social media
manager today?
Mhm.
[groans]
What are you saying to her?
"Hey, Eliza.
I think it's best
that I step away
from social media,
at least for a couple of days."
"I'm planning
on putting a statement out
to that effect as soon as
I find the right words
and the time."
"In the meantime,
you know I love you.
XOXO."
[email swoosh]
Are you f*cking kidding me?
Now, we get to watch
Stntang in peace.
[phone rings]
Yeah! Oh yeah,
of course, she's going to call.
- What do we do?
- I don't know.
If you don't answer,
she might suspect something.
- Yeah.
- We should answer.
What do you mean, "we?"
We should tell her, um,
tell her to--
sh*t, sh*t, sh*t!
[phone stops ringing]
Okay.
[phone rings]
f*ck!
You better come up
with something.
Hey, Eliza.
[Eliza] Are you okay?
Yeah.
I'm just...
I'm just going through a lot.
Emotionally.
Why? What's going on?
Honestly?
I...
I feel overwhelmed.
I feel...
commodified.
[Eliza] Commodified?
Yeah.
Yeah, like I don't
belong to myself.
Like I'm living my life
for people who...
who don't even know me.
[Eliza] Ugh, hun, they
do know you.
That's why they love you!
But they don't.
I've made them think they do.
But they don't.
[Eliza] Are you drunk?
- No.
- Are you with Corey?
No, it's not that either!
I'm just--
I'm just tired.
[Eliza] Is it me?
Is it something I did?
No.
I've loved everything
we've done.
It's just been so long
since my mind was quiet.
[Eliza] What is going
on right now?
Are you listening to me?
[Eliza] I'm trying.
Don't you ever feel this, like,
insane
lack of balance in your mind
sometimes?
[Eliza] Jesus, do I?
Yeah,
so do I.
But we don't have to.
We can change that.
And I can't be afraid
of drastic change sometimes.
[Eliza] You know what?
I get it.
But, just,
how drastic
are we talking about?
[nervous laughter]
Don't worry about this, babe.
I could not do it without you.
This is far from a goodbye.
[Eliza] Okay.
This is a lot to process, but
you do what you have to do.
Thank you for understanding.
[Eliza] Listen, I'm proud of
you.
It's a very brave thing to do.
That means so much to me.
[Eliza] Okay, then I'll talk to
you later. Bye!
[phone beeping]
That was so
good.
f*ck you!
- [phone typing]
- [Patricia] "Self-reflection."
"Taking a break."
"Nervous breakdown."
"Exciting new project."
[email swoosh]
Done.
This is great.
Now all your fans who follow
you will consider taking a break
from social media themselves.
Unreal.
What?
This is not okay, Patricia.
You can't just put a g*n
to someone's head,
tie them up, and make
them quit social media!
[voices on TV]
Why not?
Because, it--
Are you f*cking serious?
You can't just force
someone into doing things.
It's f*cking, like,
Un-American.
[voices on TV]
Let me ask you
a question, Ashley.
If I saw you in
a burning building,
isn't it my duty
to help you out?
No. It's a f*cking
firefighter's job!
Well,
should I just stop trying
and let you die?
These things.
Sometimes it's a leg
with gangrene.
It'll hurt when you cut it off.
And there will be days
when you miss that leg.
But in the end,
was that leg really worth
your life?
You think you're so special
because you watch
black and white movies?
You think you're so much better
and smarter than me?
It's not my fault
that you're not successful.
It's nobody's fault but yours.
This is a business, Patricia.
Grow up.
Nobody gives a f*ck about ideas
like yours that make no sense
and no money.
You think I wouldn't
love to just sit,
and watch TV and movies,
and write about sh*t
that nobody's
going to see all day?
Do you think that
I love selling
beauty products and clothes
and f*cking $50 incense?
I don't.
I do what I have to do
to make a career for myself.
And if you're not willing
or able to do that,
then that is on you!
[sobs reverberating]
Are you okay?
Yeah. Yeah.
What's happening to you?
Nothing this happens
all the time.
[sobs]
It doesn't
look like it's nothing.
It's fine.
I just need to sit down.
[sobbing]
[sniffles]
I'm gonna go for a walk.
[somber music]
[music intensifies]
[Patricia] I'm sorry,
but I can't have you
screaming, and,
[thunder rumbles]
[phone ringing]
- Hi.
- [Lola] Hey, where are you?
I'm on Ethel Street.
[Lola] Okay.
What are you doing
on Ethel Street?
I have no idea.
[Lola] I see. Are
you perhaps at the home
of one of your lovers?
I am not.
[Lola] I wish you were.
Why?
[Lola] I don't know. You're a
beautiful girl, Pat.
I worry about you sometimes.
Always in that dark
apartment by yourself.
It's not good for your soul.
It's definitely not good
for your mental health.
My mental health is fine.
[Lola] Okay. Jesus.
I'm sorry.
It's okay.
[Lola] No, it's not.
I'm really sorry.
It's easy to forget, you know.
I forget sometimes
what you've been through.
Sorry, again.
[Patricia] Can we talk about
something else?
[Lola] What's going on
with your movie?
[Patricia] I don't know.
[Lola] Is she going to do it?
[Patricia] I don't know!
[Lola] What do you
mean you don't know?
[Patricia] I don't know
if it's going to happen!
You know, she's perfect for it,
but she's not--
She doesn't understand that.
And now I'm really stuck.
[Lola] Listen baby,
this stuff happens.
This is part of the game.
You have to know that by now.
[Patricia] You don't understand.
[Lola] I know you want her.
It's bigger than that.
- [muffled grunts]
- [music on TV]
[Lola] Fine.
I know you really want her,
but if you can't convince her,
if you can't help her
to see what you see,
then that's just the way it is.
But if there's any hope.
If you know that
it's got to be her.
Then you have to put
everything you have into it.
you have the choice to follow
through to the very end.
Those are your only options.
[door knob turning]
[footsteps]
[door closing]
- [footsteps]
- [light switch clicks]
[Patricia] So I've been thinking
about your role.
and your character's motivation
and objective.
- [chair creaks]
- [grunts]
[Patricia] And I think what
would help you
see yourself in the role
a little bit more?
Is really injecting
yourself into the character.
Oh sorry. God.
[unpeeling tape]
Yeah.
Like Mickey Rourke
in The Wrestler .
So going line by line,
and workshopping it
until everything
sounds like something you'd say.
The story's there.
It's you.
I know it.
What does that line mean to you?
[Ashley] "As far as I can tell,
this is a true story."
It might not be true
and might just be in
her imagination.
- [Patricia] Or?
- Or she's...
got the facts wrong.
She only has
bits of information,
and she's filled the rest
with a kind of cognitive bias.
[Patricia] Or...?
Or it was all a lie.
They just wanted
to get something out of her.
How about this one?
"Why?"
What does that line mean to you?
She's asking why.
Yeah. But why?
You want to do this
for every line?
Yeah!
I want you to love
the material you're working on.
I want it to feel natural.
Patricia?
Look, I...
I like the character,
and I like the context of it.
It's just,
the plot.
I'm-- I mean, I just--
I don't I don't really get
the...
hallucinations.
It's just, I don't...
I don't feel like it
paints a cohesive picture.
You know, they just feel
random. Like,
like they don't mean anything.
It's not random.
It means something.
No, no. I didn't mean random
in like a bad--
You know what your problem is?
You and everybody like you?
You're afraid to reveal anything
about yourself
that isn't pretty.
It makes me sick!
And you have the nerve
to tell people who worship you,
to be healthy and honest.
But how is anybody
supposed to feel comfortable
revealing themselves,
if they have to worry
if it makes sense,
or if it's too random,
or if it shows
signs of antisocial behavior?
No!
Why couldn't you have
just wanted to do it?
No, I'll do it. I'll do it!
[Patricia] You're lying.
You're just saying so
I'll let you go!
No, I'm not! I'm not!
I can't let you go.
No, please, just listen to me.
I can't!
I'm sorry!
I'm a liar.
Everything I am is a lie.
And I f*cking hate myself.
And I'm ugly.
And I can't
stop telling myself that,
no matter how hard I try.
Because I'm scared
to admit it to everybody.
Every time I post
something about positivity
or treating people well,
I want to throw up
because I know that I'm lying.
[phone rings]
[phone rings]
Hi Mom.
Can I call you back?
[Mom] Wait, wait, honey,
I remembered what I
was going to tell you.
Okay.
[Mom] Uh, you know,
I watched that movie,
oh sorry, the film
you sent me,
the one by that adorable
French woman?
Oh. Vagabond !
Did you like it?
[Mom] Eh, it was okay.
I didn't love the ending.
Why?
[Mom] Eh, it's too sad.
[Patricia] What?
No, it was beautiful.
She made the ultimate sacrifice
to be able to choose her life.
[Mom] I guess.
But did it have to be
that dramatic?
Yes! It has to be that dramatic.
She'd rather die than be
part of that social system.
[Mom] Well, maybe
I'll have to watch it again.
Yeah, watch it again!
[Mom] I will.
You know, I just love
talking to you about this.
You always
bring a new perspective.
The way you think about
all the angles and the shots.
Is that the right term?
"Shots?"
Yeah.
[Mom] Yeah. You know, and
you get so excited about it.
It's really infectious.
Yeah?
[Mom] Oh, God. Yes.
Hearing you talk
about these things,
you can't help getting excited.
Yeah?
[Mom] Anyway, sorry honey,
I know you're busy.
Yeah,
a little bit.
[Mom] Okay, I'll let you go.
Okay.
[Mom] Love you, Honey.
Love you too.
[phone beeps]
[sniffles]
I'm really hungry.
How about you?
Starving.
How about this one?
This one has four stars.
Looks kind of greasy.
Yeah, I guess.
I'm on a diet.
Can we do something light?
Yeah, me too.
Ummm.
I have a question.
Mhm?
Why does Lola keep
seeing visions of snakes?
Snakes represent change.
What is she changing into?
What do you think
she's changing into?
A woman.
What kind of woman?
A deliberate woman.
She's not going to apologize
for what she, or other people,
perceive as her flaws.
She knows what
she's been through, and,
and what it's done to her.
But she's going to use it
instead of fighting against it.
Yeah.
That's good.
What made you think of me
for this?
Something in your eyes.
First time I saw your eyes,
I was like, who is this person?
You had the smile,
like you were trying so hard.
You look like you've seen
something really bad.
And you have spent
your whole life
trying to forget it.
I couldn't help it.
I just started writing.
[chuckles]
You wrote it
for me?
Mhm!
[Ashley] Everything is so
bleak.
- Like, ugh. [voices on TV]
- Yeah. [voices on TV]
Everything's decaying.
[voices on TV]
[Ashley] Why does
he hold his shots
for so long?
So you can see everything.
[voices on TV]
"Everybody's telling me
that you need to go away.
I can't talk to you anymore."
"Who are these people?
They're just faces.
Mindless, soulless faces.
Don't you understand?
They want to make
you one of them."
Sorry, I'm not an actor.
[chuckling] No, you're,
you're good, you were good.
[giggles] Thanks.
"Maybe they're not so bad.
Look at them, Delilah.
They're happy.
Look where I am.
This is who I'll be to them
for the rest of my life.
And the longer you're with me,
the worse it's going to be.
[smacking concrete]
"Medication time!"
[laughter]
- Did you--
- I--
- Yeah, did you like it?
- Yeah.
If you could just do...
if you could think about,
why you're here,
in this position.
[melancholic music]
[Ashley] This is f*cking crazy!
[Patricia] It's not.
It's really not.
[guffaws] Okay, it is.
[giggles]
I'm really happy!
I mean, what am I
even going to say?
What do I tell everybody?
I tell my social media manager
I'm taking a break.
You made me post that sh*t.
And then I just tell them
I want to do this crazy project?
And then forget about all the
the callbacks and the holdings
and all the things that they had
in development for me?
I mean, they're going to think
I've lost my f*cking mind.
Uh, just,
Tell them...
Tell them...
Tell them you want to
do something honest.
That's it? Just,
"I want to do something honest."
You want to do something real.
I want to do something honest?
Or I want to do something real?
Honest.
No, real.
No.
Honest.
[soft laughter]
They're going to have
follow up questions.
Like what?
Oh, I don't know.
Like, "what the f*ck is
wrong with you?"
"Are you out of your
f*cking mind?"
Things like that.
Ashley,
I saw what you did with Eliza.
If you think about it,
if you tell them the truth,
the real truth,
they'll understand.
Probably not.
[laughter]
But they'll work around it!
[phone ringing]
[chewing food]
[woman] Dude, where
have you been?
Are you okay?
Yeah, Taylor. I'm fine.
Didn't you talk to Eliza?
[Taylor] Yeah. Like, what?
[chews food]
I saw your post too.
What's happening?
Taylor, I don't need to
go into that right now,
but I need you to trust me.
[Taylor] Yeah.
I'm doing okay.
Honestly, I've,
I've never felt better.
[Taylor] Love it!
By the way, it's really late.
What have you been up to?
Ha, ha.
No, nothing.
Nothing like that.
Um.
[chewing food]
I've...
I've actually been thinking
about something.
[Taylor] I love it.
You remember that script
I told you about?
[Taylor] Yeah.
I called the police.
They were like,
"She didn't make
a direct threat,"
or whatever.
No. That's okay.
[Taylor] I'm like looking into
a private detective
or whatever.
No, you
you don't have to do that.
[Taylor] Maybe you
should get a g*n.
Taylor, I want to do it.
[Taylor] Totally.
Do what?
That script.
With that director.
I think there could be something
in this role that could.
Could really open
things up for me.
[loud chewing]
[Taylor] Ummm,
no?
[laughs]
Taylor, I want to do it.
[Taylor] Uhh, babe. I think,
I think you need some sleep.
You like, I don't know,
you need to smoke a joint,
have a glass of wine, whatever.
Pass out for a while.
Taylor, I'm fine.
I'm serious.
[Taylor] Okay, okay.
Taylor, you're not
listening to me.
[Taylor] I'm totally listening.
This is what I want to do.
I want to,
I want to do something,
h-- honest.
[chewing]
[Taylor] Okay.
Are you like,
insane?
When did all this happen?
I've been thinking about
it for a couple days.
About my career,
about the future.
I think
it's important
to set yourself apart.
You know, to...
to take risks.
[Taylor] Totally.
I think this could be
that, for me.
[Taylor] Okay. The thing
is, like, you can't.
Why not?
[Taylor] I mean, we have writers
developing projects for
you as we speak.
We're negotiating
sponsorships for you,
very brand specific.
We have you pinned for
four studio projects .
One of them is a
potential franchise.
And like, no!
[laughs]
[Taylor] No, no.
[laughing]
[mutes phone]
I told you!
[Taylor] Hello?
You have to sell it.
Sell it in a way
she can understand.
[Taylor] Umm, hello?
[phone beeps]
Taylor, hear me out,
okay?
This is a longevity move.
Think about what a bold, quirky
indie could do for my brand.
[Taylor] Mhm.
No, seriously.
I mean,
you go from Best Influencer
to superhero,
and the whole world
f*cking hates you.
[Taylor] Uh-huh. [chews food]
But then if you show someone
that there's something...
more.
Something deeper,
then people are interested.
Is this going to win an Oscar?
Probably not.
But what it will win is respect.
And it'll make people see me
as a woman.
[Taylor] Umm,
what's happening right now?
What do you mean?
[Taylor] I've never heard
you talk like this.
Is someone there?
No.
[Taylor] Put her the f*ck
on the phone.
There's no one else here.
[Taylor] Dude...
Put her on.
Hi.
[Taylor] Is this
what's her name?
The...
Are you the f*cking writer?
And director. Yes.
[Taylor] Okay,
are you out of your
f*cking mind?
No.
[Taylor] You're stalking
my client.
I-- I wasn't.
[Taylor] You threatened her.
No, I didn't.
[Taylor] And now you
manipulated her
into f*cking up her career.
No, I haven't,
Taylor.
What I've done is,
is actually given her an option
to have a say in her career.
To do something honest,
and, and brave,
and, and believable.
[Taylor] Are you out
of your f*cking mind?
No.
[Taylor] Okay.
You're done.
I hope you know that.
What do you mean?
[Taylor] Don't be
f*cking stupid.
You know what I mean.
You will never work
in this town.
You're dead.
And I'm gonna make sure of
that.
And trust me,
I can f*cking do it.
So I really
hope it was worth it.
Put Ashley back on.
Hey.
[Taylor] Look what these
f*cking ingrates do to me.
Can't they just take care of
themselves
for one g*dd*mn night?
Taylor.
[Taylor] Okay! So you're sure
you want to do this?
[exhales]
I am.
[Taylor sighs]
Are you sure?
I am.
[Taylor] Okay, well, we'll have
to talk more about it
obviously.
[chewing sounds]
[Taylor] So, I don't know,
like let's talk later.
Yeah.
Okay.
We'll talk later, and,
and listen,
don't worry about it, okay?
[Taylor laughs] Yeah...
Yeah, okay.
[phone beeps]
[sighs]
[heavy music]
[Ashley] What are we gonna do?
[Patricia] I don't know.
I think we can make
something special
if you give me a chance.
Why do you want this so bad?
Because I'm sick.
Oh my God.
I'm so sorry.
Is it...
terminal?
Oh my God.
No, I'm just like,
out of my mind.
[chuckles] Oh my--
Oh my God.
[laughter]
[fire crackling]
I don't know.
Nothing seems real anymore.
Put yourself out there,
you get nothing.
Everywhere you look
everybody just has to scream
for attention.
And sometimes it gets so loud
I forget who I am.
I have to buy a f*cking g*n.
Just so I don't feel invisible.
I feel so hopeless.
So hopeless and alone.
You're not alone.
I have
4 million followers,
And not a single friend.
I think you and me.
We're just a little lost.
[Patricia] So...
this is show business.
Pretty much.
I'm not crazy.
Am I...
crazy?
[Patricia] I just wanted--
I know.
I know you do.
You're a good person, Ashley.
A warm person.
I'm not.
It's so hard to see
people these days.
But at least you tried.
I don't know what I'd do
if you hadn't.
[Patricia] You saved my life.
We're gonna blow everybody away.
Yeah.
[dramatic music]
[thud]
[heavy breathing]
[dull thud]
[rustling]
[shrieks]
[Ashley] Hi, I--
I'd like to report a break in.
This crazy
woman came into my house
with a g*n.
I'm looking right at her.
She's right here.
But she's hurt.
I hurt her.
No, I don't have a g*n.
I have like, an award thing.
[sobbing]
Please. Please hurry.
Where are you?
Where are you?
I'm all alone.
I'm all alone.
I'm all alone here.
[choking on sobs]
I'm all alone.
Oh my God.
I'm all alone.
[music]
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Influence (2023)
Moderators: Maskath3, sidolanters, GabrielAlejo2341