Return of Punch and Judy (2023)

[bunniefuu]

(dramatic music)

- [Voiceover] The tale of "Punch

and Judy" started in Italy

with grand old tales

to make you laugh.

Puppets making fools

of themselves on

stage to amuse you,

so you wouldn't feel

the knife in your back.

That tradition carried on

all the way to England,

and beyond.

But did you ever wonder why

a kid's show was so violent?

It's because those puppeteers

weren't controlling

the puppets, they were

holding them back,

desperately trying to

stop the blood lust.

Bound by them, controlled

by Punch and Judy,

the inseparable demon tricksters

just desperate to k*ll you.

The cursed puppets can

give you anything you want

for a price.

Desperate people

take that chance,

not knowing how high

that price truly is.

You think all the

while you are free,

but there are strings

tied around your neck.

- Very well. Very well.

Give me the gift

for show and tell.

- Do it.

- Don't just stand

there, you fool.

- I can't wait to

taste blood again.

It's been so long.

(creepy music)

(violin screeching sharply)

- No one can know.

(birds screeching)

- No one can know.

(birds screeching)

(baby crying)

- No one can know.

(lid slamming)

(slow organ music)

(door unlocking)

(door creaking)

- It's freezing.

Where is she going?

- Maybe she's gone

to end her misery.

If I lived out here,

I'd do the same.

- Love, would you mind

going to check on her?

She got really agitated

with me the last time.

- I didn't come here to babysit.

- I know,

but you'll have Chris

and Sally here tomorrow

to keep you company.

- It's just Sally, actually.

- What? Chris isn't coming now?

- No, he can't make it.

- Oh well this is the

first I've heard of this.

Why didn't you say something?

- I didn't think it

would be a big deal.

- It is a big deal.

It's all the extra

catering and cleaning.

- I will literally

eat his portion.

- That's not the

point, Maddison.

Money's tight at the moment

looking after grandma.

I can't afford

the extra expense.

Not only you coming

over a week early,

but now wasted money catering

for people who aren't coming.

(quiet piano music)

(pebbles rattling)

- I had you hidden.

- Grandma?

- No one will be hurt

by your hand again.

- Mum was worried about you,

so she sent me out

here to check on you.

(footsteps shuffling)

What are you doing?

Grandma? Grandma? Grandma?

Mum!

(dramatic bassy music)

- Mum!

(Valerie coughing)

(dramatic music)

(birds chirping)

- Mum? I'm worried

about grandma.

- Well, I've tried to tell her

that the cold air

is not exactly good

for someone with a

terminal illness.

You did really well last night.

- I thought she--

- I know.

But there's life in her yet

and all we can do is help

try and keep her comfortable.

- Why was she

trying to bury this?

- I've got no idea.

- She had, like, an

envelope as well,

but she buried it first.

- Well, then I guess

we'll never know.

Do you know where grandma

keeps the clean blankets?

- No idea.

- Could you check

downstairs please?

(voices whispering)

(gentle music)

(voices whispering)

(laughing)

(doorbell ringing)

(laughing)

(doorbell ringing)

- Oh, sorry.

I would've pick you

up from the station.

- Oh no, it's fine.

- We got a lift.

- I thought you

were coming later.

- Hi Beth, Sally.

- Aunt Tori.

- Thanks for coming.

I know it's a bit

out in the sticks.

- Oh no, I'm excited.

Actually looking forward

to getting some fresh air.

- You got anything else

to bring in from the car?

- Oh no, this is it actually.

Chris gave us a lift.

- Oh, Maddison tells me

he can't join us now.

That's such a shame.

- Yeah, it really is.

He'd've loved this.

Parties are his thing.

(footsteps thudding)

- That would be

your grandmother.

- I best go check on her.

Maddison, did you find

any clean blankets?

- Did you manage to hand

in your end of term?

- Yeah, I did it remotely.

- I still haven't done mine.

I need to finish it tonight.

- What you got left to do?

- Oh, you literally

don't wanna know.

- You know, you missed a

pretty banging house night

at the student union.

- Oh yeah?

I had to come home.

- You just disappeared.

- I know.

- One minute you're

smashing shots

and the next you're

missing in action.

- You know, she came to find you

when you didn't turn

up to class on Monday.

Stacey said you'd gone?

- Yeah, I had to get back.

- You could have texted me.

- Grandma nearly

died last night.

- What?

- Yeah, I found her outside on

the beach coughing up blood.

Mum's trying to stay positive,

but I know she could

go at any moment.

- Oh my God.

- But mom never said...

- No. I know she knows.

- You could have told me.

- I didn't think.

- Hey, I'm so sorry, Mad.

You know me and Chris

will always be here

for you and your mum.

- We've got some lovely

cards coming in for you, Mum.

Saw one with a

Japanese stamp on.

That must be from Sakura.

Would you like me to

bring them up for you?

- I would like you

to stop fussing.

- Sally and Beth are here now.

They've just arrived.

- Who?

- Sally and Beth.

- Bethany, my granddaughter.

- And Sally, Victoria's girl.

Her and her brother

Chris have joined us

for Christmas since

they were little.

- Their mother's a drunk.

- Yes.

(ominous music)

- I always love birthdays.

I always wanted a family

day all together like that.

Everything always seemed so cozy

when you're a kid at a party.

- Was it always just

you, Chris and your mum?

- Well, me and Chris,

we never stood a chance.

Be lucky to get a

sweet and a candle.

- What about your

extended family?

- They didn't care.

My grandma was drunk

who disappeared.

Family wasn't

really their thing.

Like I said, they

weren't around much.

- What?

(playful music)

It's literally filthy.

- We can clean it.

- Why?

- Because it's fun.

No?

Come on, don't remember

Punch and Judy as a kid?

- Yeah, I think it got

banned or something.

But it's probably worth a lot.

- Yeah, we could clean it

up and chuck it online.

You never know how

much it might go for.

(circus music)

- There's not much I can do

without Tori suffocating her

and filling her

head with nonsense.

- Can't you just speak to her?

- I don't know, Beth.

She might not even

want to see me.

- Well, you wouldn't have known.

- Oh, I would have Beth.

Aunt Tori sends me

fortnightly email updates.

- Yeah, but you

don't want to hear

about your mom nearly

dying by email.

- Look, she said

she'd be in touch.

I'll see if I can get

over there with James.

- I just think you will

regret it if you don't.

(phone beeping)

(spoon clinking)

- Stop fussing.

I'm fine.

- My daughter has

just had to rescue you

to stop your drowning

in your own blood.

You are not fine.

- You don't have to make

it sound so grotesque.

- What were you doing

with that box, Mum?

- That's none of your business.

- Always secrets with you.

I never get a straight answer.

- Well, it's gone now, isn't it?

- What do you mean?

- Well, I buried it, didn't I?

Tori, the box is

buried, isn't it?

- Yes Mum, you

don't have to worry.

(low ominous music)

(paper rustling)

- What's that?

- That's odd.

- What's she been burning?

- Why would you hide this?

- Why is it not burned?

- This doesn't make any sense.

- Does it need to make sense?

- I guess not.

- Burn your sins?

- We'd be here all

night, wouldn't we?

- Aren't you gonna

finish your essay?

- Sorry, I didn't mean to

intrude in your love nest.

- You're not. I'm just asking.

- Don't worry, I'll

get out of your way.

- You're aren't in our way.

- Fine, just saying.

- Guys.

- You don't have to go.

- I do. I'll miss the deadline.

See you guys in a bit?

- Yeah, see in a bit.

Why'd you speak

to her like that?

- Like what?

- Do you think we should

tell Tori about this?

- No, she'll only worry more.

- How come you didn't

want Beth to see?

- Her and her mom already

think grandma's crazy.

- Ow!

- What?

- I thought it...

bit me.

- You sure you're

not the crazy one?

(ominous music)

- It doesn't have

to be a big deal.

Just dinner, some cake,

a few family games.

- I just don't think I

can go through with it.

- Remember what the doctor said?

There's nothing to fear.

Let's just enjoy

these last moments.

Create some memories

as a family.

Look Mum, this is

important to me, okay?

(soft knocking)

Come in, love.

So I am not going to argue.

(quiet piano music)

- Wonder why these puppets

weren't with the others.

- Maybe 'cause they're

the secondary characters?

I guess Punch and

Judy are used more.

- Right, and also this

one looks a bit haggard.

(creepy laughter)

- They look pretty old.

They should fetch

quite a lot though.

Right? Get in.

(Sally laughing)

(ominous music)

(Valerie screaming)

(violin screeching sharply)

- Maddison, what is this?

- Do you wanna come to a show?

Obviously something

grandma picked up

on one of her market trips.

We're thinking of seeing if

we can get some cash for it.

- If you could get

some cash for it?

- I mean, grandma

was last seen trying

to bury half the

puppets in the sand.

So I don't see why

she'd want this.

- Half of them?

- Yeah.

- Right, well just make

sure it's all cleared away

before your grandma sees it.

- We're basically done now.

- Where's Beth?

- Well, she's in her room.

She had to finish

some course work.

- She's upset that her and

Lyla didn't know about Grandma.

Sally, why don't you go upstairs

and get started on the balloons?

I just need to grab something.

- Sure.

- Where are you going?

I'm going to try and ring Lyla.

- Aunt Lyla? About last night?

- I figured enough

time has passed.

She should be here.

- What if grandma has

another...incident?

- Look Maddison, the

most important thing is

that we're all together.

It's obvious now that grandma's

losing sense of herself.

- Right.

(slow ominous music)

(slow ominous music continues)

(balloon stretching)

(cup breaking)

(Valerie gasping)

(slow ominous music)

(Valerie hyperventilating)

- Nice to be home,

Valerie. (laughing)

(creepy music)

(puppet laughing)

- Night, Grandma.

- Stop.

- What?

Did you knock something over?

- No.

When did that get there?

- I dunno, but it's odd, right?

- Val?

(low ominous music)

- Spooked?

- They're just puppets.

- Yeah, but those two

weren't there before.

- True.

So Val put this up?

- She must have set the

whole thing back up, yeah.

- So you didn't put it

back up after I left?

- I didn't put this up.

- You sure?

- You don't believe me?

- Well, the way

you've been lately,

it'd be nice to

see you lighten up.

- Gee, thanks.

- We should probably take

the whole thing down.

Someone burying

something normally means

they don't like it.

- But Val's obviously put it up.

- Maybe your mom

said to take it down.

- But, Val obviously

put this up again.

- All right, we'll

leave it up then.

(quiet ominous music)

(tapping)

(door creaking)

(screeching violin music)

(creepy laughter)

(ominous music)

- What you staring at, b*tch?

- Take your peepers off him

or I'll rip your eyeballs out.

- Help!

Pl...(squeals)

(teeth gnawing)

- Have a nice trip.

- Go on, scream.

(birds chirping)

(doorbell ringing)

- Lyla.

- Tori.

Oh, already got rules for me.

- Play nice with mom.

- Well, as long as

she doesn't lie,

we won't have any problems.

- Lyla, I'm serious.

- Oh what?

You're gonna send me to my room?

- Tori, you haven't

changed a day.

- It's only been

five years, James.

- And now for more

pressing issues.

I don't seem to have a signal.

So is anything broken

or can I jump on the wifi?

I need to speak to a client.

- There's no wifi here.

If you want a signal,

you have to keep

heading up the garden.

- Oh, um, right.

Which way is the garden again?

Right. Great.

- What is that?

- I don't know.

I think it's something the

girls must have set up.

- Right.

Uh, is there really no wifi?

- Welcome to the past.

It's where our mother lives.

- Well then, here we are.

- Your birthday is in

December, isn't it?

- You have sent me

a card every year.

- Please.

- Yes, December the 14th.

Why do you ask?

- It's just that...

Oh, I dunno.

- Hi, I'm Sally.

I dunno if you remember me.

- Oh yes, of course.

Beth talked about

you all the time.

- Sally, Lyla. (chuckling)

Last time you were all

together was December,

Christmas, seven years ago.

And of course you know

Maddison, skulking by the door.

(voices whispering)

(Valerie screaming)

(puppet biting)

(Valerie screaming)

- Make this madness stop.

Release me from my sins.

(thudding)

- Seriously, what is

grandma doing up there?

- I thought she's

just getting ready.

- Where's Beth?

- I thought she stayed

with you last night?

I didn't see her go to bed.

- I've not seen her.

- She must have got a cab home

to hand in her end of term.

- Oh, did she say

she was leaving?

- Umm, she's kind of wrapped

up in her coursework.

- Honestly, I can't leave

them alone for five minutes

without everything

falling apart.

- Hello.

- Hi. (laughing)

(thudding)

- What's that?

- I better go and double

check everything's okay.

- I'm sure it's nothing.

- In my day at Uni,

we'd always have a sneaky

whiskey mixer during lectures.

There was one professor that

just used to drone on and on.

It was the only thing

that kept us going.

- (laughing) I'm so up for this.

Oh, it's a shame

Beth isn't here.

She loves parties.

- Maybe upset about Val.

- Yeah, maybe.

- Maybe she'll join us later--

(Valerie screams)

- I buried you too.

The devil has come again.

- Right, that's it.

Please don't go.

It's just a misunderstanding.

- Why?

Why is he here?

- Maddison, Sally, you

put this up, didn't you?

- No.

- I've seen this too

many times before.

- Val?

- [Tori] We've had a

long couple of days.

- [Lyla] I've had

this all my life.

- The devil is inside him.

And she is the devil's twin.

- Oh, Mum.

- He is the ring leader.

Where did you find the stand?

Who did this?

- James, come on, we're leaving.

- It was me.

I thought it would be

a fun prank for Sally.

- Maddison.

- Just trying to

lighten things up.

- Okay, well there's obviously

been a misunderstanding.

If it's causing so many issues,

why don't we just get rid of it?

(drawer opening and closing)

Val, why don't you

accompany me to the kitchen?

I've got a surprise for you,

Seeing as a certain May

the first is coming up.

(low ominous music)

(upbeat music)

- Beautiful.

- Forgot how pretty

it was out here.

- We can go back

if you want, Mum.

- No, no.

Just a little bit further.

- When was I born?

- What?

26th of September, 1976.

- You sure?

- I was there, dear.

- And Lyla?

- Why do you ask?

- I found a box of cards

and one of them said,

"Congratulations on

your November baby."

- Stop rifling

through my belongings.

- I have a right to

know if I have a sister.

- Maybe concentrate on

the ones you already have.

- So you gonna

tell me what's up?

- What?

- The prank.

- So obviously it was Val.

- Right.

- Come on.

- No, not come on.

The way that lie just

slipped off your tongue?

- Are you serious?

- Yeah, I am.

I'm not surprised

Beth went home early

without saying anything.

The way you spoke to

her was disgusting.

- Right, so now

you're angry at me

for covering for

my dying Grandma?

- No, Maddison, I'm angry at you

because that lie just

poured out of your mouth

like it was nothing.

You've been so distant lately.

You come home from

Uni a week early,

you don't tell anyone.

You stop texting me.

You're avoiding me.

- How am I avoiding you?

You're literally here

at my grandma's house.

- Something is up with

you and you're hiding it.

- Is having a dying

grandma not enough?

- Don't hide behind that.

I'm sympathetic

to your situation.

I'm really am.

But that's not the real reason

you're being distant with me.

And the quicker you

admit that, the better.

- Right.

- How's Mum?

- She's fine, she's fine.

- So, uh, what are

we gonna do now?

- Anyone want nibbles?

A drink? Something strong.

- It's 11:00 am, Mum.

- Well it's celebration

time, right?

- Right.

- Where would Mum keep

the birth certificates?

- Just let it go.

I heard your

conversation in the wood.

It could be absolutely anything.

There's nothing to worry about.

- Nothing to worry about?

I suppose with

everything going on,

it's easy to jump

to conclusions.

(creepy music)

- So have some!

- I don't want it, Maddison.

Please

- The punch is awesome.

- Isn't it great?

- Is that the recipe

Chris gave you?

- I think so.

- (Tori) I just

don't get it though.

(ominous string music)

- Power of fire,

protect me from the

devil's puppets.

Save my family from

the miniature hell.

(feet stomping)

Take my all, my soul,

and my body and guide

me into eternity.

Away from the darkness

that surrounds your Dolos.

(feet stomping)

Protect all who surround me.

And heal them from the

evil lurking by their feet.

(feet stomping)

(electrical buzzing)

- Mum!

- Mum!

- What?

Sit down.

(match lighting)

You wanted me to

stop keeping secrets.

Those puppets in that

box are curse puppets.

Spawn of the devil himself.

- Curse puppets?

- Okay everyone, I think we

all need to just calm down

for a second.

Take a seat, mum.

- My parents used to repair

and repaint those puppets

at the end of summer.

With all the kids gone.

Dozens of puppets all

through the cold winter.

All cold and dead.

Except Punch and Judy.

Punch and Judy

whisper in the night.

They make promises.

- It's just a puppet, Mum.

- I promise, look.

(drawer opening)

Who moved it?

- What was that?

- Seriously, this isn't funny.

- So you really believe

the puppets are haunted?

- Cursed.

Some kind of black

magic from a time

when people were

open to such things.

There was no other way.

- Oh this is enough, Mum.

Some kind of sick joke.

- Do you think we should

call an ambulance?

- No. She should

be here with us.

- Who moved the puppet?

- Maybe it is for the best, Mum.

- Let's get you a

nice warm drink, Mum.

- I'll go.

- Who moved the damn puppet?

I haven't seen anyone

go near that drawer.

(electrical hissing)

- Where's the fuse box?

- It's under the stairs.

- Right.

I just need to grab a tool.

It's not quite working.

I'll be back in a minute.

(ominous string music)

- Those puppets...

- They're just puppets.

She's just not herself.

- I don't know.

This is all a bit weird.

No one went near that drawer.

- I can't remember.

Someone must have moved them.

- Do you want some

smelling salts?

- That's a terrible idea.

- Well you'd have said that

whatever I said. (gasps)

(violin screeching)

- You haven't taken the wrench

out of the car, have you?

- No I didn't.

And you nearly gave

us a heart attack.

(baby crying)

(baby continues crying)

- What in the world?

(slow ominous music)

- [Beth] Dad.

- Beth, is that you?

Beth?

- [Beth] Dad, I warned you.

(slow ominous music)

- Beth, what are you

doing on the beach?

- Welcome to the show.

- We have a k*ller

performance for you.

- What is about

pretty, cold and red?

- You only get one guess.

- Beth, is that you?

- Have you seen a dead body?

(screeching violin music)

- Beth! No!

(screeching violin music)

(James screaming)

(puppet laughing maniacally)

(puppet continues laughing)

(water running)

(fast violin playing)

(button clicking)

- [Voiceover] Not

at first sight,

nor with a dribbed shot,

love gave the wound

which while I

breathe will bleed.

But known worth did in

mine of time proceed

Till by degrees it

had full conquest got.

I saw, and liked,

I liked but loved not.

I loved...

- You!

- (puppet laughing)

- [Voice over Radio]

...to love's decrees,

I, forced, agreed,

yet with repining at so

(switch clicking)

partial lot.

Now even that footstep

of lost liberty is gone,

and now like

sl*ve-born Moscovite

(ominous music)

To make myself believe

that all is well,

while with a feeling skill...

(violins building)

(electrical buzzing)

(Valerie screaming)

(circus music playing)

(Valerie screaming)

(circus music continues)

- Mum?

Mum!

Mum, no!

No, no!

No! (crying)

No! (sobbing)

(Sirens blaring)

- They're taking her

to the crematorium.

They'll call us later to

make the arrangements.

- I still can't

get hold of James.

- He probably got a car

back to get some tools

and catch up with work.

I wouldn't worry.

- Yeah, he said yesterday

they weren't coping well

without him.

- I could have moved

her downstairs.

I could have done more.

- How could you

possibly have known?

- She's been acting weird

for the last couple of days.

- That was Mum.

She was always acting weird.

- I should have known.

- Tori, you can't

control everything.

It was a freak accident.

Who knew that she would take

the hair dryer into the bath?

You can't keep everything

under lock and key.

- Oh this is mum.

She was always so on it.

- Did you see her yesterday?

On it? No.

On something, maybe.

It's her birthday.

- Oh sh*t, she never

got that crow lamp.

- That's just the

kind of attitude Mum

would've appreciated.

You know, she used to say

you need to make the most

of every second

because you never know

when what you love might

be taken away from you.

When I was young I

used to hate that.

But now that I'm older,

it seems more profound.

Has anyone heard from Beth?

I can't get hold of her either.

- No, but I haven't

had signal for days.

- Well look, let's

celebrate, for Mum.

- She always used to insist

on us wearing these

awful matching dresses.

- I'm sure you both

looked wonderful.

My mom used to make me

wear Chris's hand me downs.

Looked like a right

tomboy for years.

- I thought it was cute.

- Aww.

(footsteps)

- Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday to you

- Mum, what are you doing?

- It's Mum's birthday.

- Right.

- Victoria?

- It's Mum's birthday.

We will sing her happy birthday.

- [Maddison] No.

(blowing out candles)

(plate slamming)

- [Tori] I'm sorry.

- [Maddison] It's okay, Mum.

(Tori crying)

(gentle piano music)

- How are you feeling?

- Worried about Mum.

- Come here.

You know, I'll always

be here for you

when you need me, right?

- I love you.

- Love you too.

(gentle piano music)

(knuckles rapping)

- Lyla.

- Come in.

- Look at this.

- What is it?

It's a baby photo

with my name on it.

- Okay.

- And the wrong birth date.

What's going on?

- Well I don't know, but I'm

sure there's an explanation.

- What?

What the hell happened?

Why has my birthday

suddenly changed?

- Maybe it's not you.

Maybe she miscarried.

Stop looking for things

that aren't there, Tori.

- I thought you would've

been the first person

to say something was off.

- Well sometimes you

have to look beyond that.

- Well why was it out? Why now?

- Mum?

Beth's phone is

still in her room.

James's car is still here.

I think something's wrong.

- Oh, he'd been drinking.

He wouldn't have driven.

- Even so, it seems like all

his stuff's still here, right?

Like, why would he not

pop back in to say goodbye

before he left?

(footsteps tapping)

(door handle rattling)

- Well, where the hell are they?

- I really think

James is at work.

Did Beth not say

anything before she went?

- No, but Maddison and her

had a bit of a catty chat

before she left.

- Oh really? Why didn't

he go after then?

- Just saying.

- Oh, James is useless.

If he's got himself

into trouble at work,

It's his own fault.

It's Beth I'm concerned about

Why would she leave her phone?

- They can't have gone far.

Maybe they've gone

looking for signal.

- What so you're a tracker now?

- That way.

You go look for them,

and I'll try and get

the power back on.

- I hate when you

tell me what to do.

(slow ominous music)

(pebbles clattering)

- Pebbles?

- Do you wanna go for a walk?

- Yeah.

- Sorry girls, the

power's still playing up.

- That's okay.

We were gonna go out

and get some fresh air.

- Maddison, if you see or

hear from your uncle or Beth,

would you please tell

them to come home?

We're worried about them.

- Obviously.

- So pretty out here.

Shame about all

this stuff going on.

- Yeah.

I just can't get those

things Grandma was saying

out of my head about the curse.

Like, what if she

isn't batshit crazy?

- Maddison, she died yesterday.

Probably shouldn't talk

about her like that.

- That's how she liked it.

You know Mum always went on

about her keeping those secrets.

And yeah, maybe she was part

of a weird puppet m*rder cult.

- Yeah. You think?

- Yeah, it's really

interesting actually.

You ever heard of

the cult of Dolos?

- What's a Dolos now?

- The Greek god of trickery.

Apparently it started with

some kind of theater troupe

in ancient Greece who used to

worship the god of trickery.

You know the theater with a

mast and the shadow puppets?

- Oh seriously, Maddison,

it's all just really creepy.

- Apparently the two founders

of the cult were tricked

and m*rder*d by the other

members of the cult.

However, they came back

and haunted some puppets.

The members of the cult had

been haunted through the

generations and they're

doomed to be tricked

over and over again in revenge.

The legends passed down

through different mythologies,

like the Norse god Loki.

And it became the puppets

that inspired the legend

of Punch and Judy in Italy.

Is it bad that that

sounds kind of awesome?

- Yes. (laughing)

Yes it is.

Seriously, it's

all just made up.

- Yeah, but it sounds

kind of similar

to what grandma was

saying though, right?

- No.

No, I don't think

it can be true.

- Yeah, but she was always

doing stuff like that,

talking about anything

other than herself.

She never had time

to censor herself.

She had better things to do.

I guess that's why I

learned not to as well.

- See, that's sweet.

I don't like it when you

make dark jokes like that.

- You don't like

any of my jokes.

- Do you know what

my family taught me?

(gentle piano music)

Every problem in

life can be fixed

by finding the

bottom of a bottle.

And then your only problem

is finding the next bottle.

Hope you know how lucky you are.

- Your parents--

- Drank. A lot

And they hated each

other and they hated me,

and I ran away from

it most of the time.

And to be honest, I don't

think they even noticed

what with all the shouting

and everything else.

Anyway, I just want you to

know that you are lucky.

You dunno how much I'd

give to have what you have.

- Hey, you got it now.

You're family too.

- Yeah, me and you

and Beth and Chris.

We're so lucky to be

in each other's lives.

We care about each

other so much.

- Yeah.

- Why do you go weird when I

talk about us being a family?

Is it not something you want?

- What?

No, of course.

- Anyway, how are

you feeling today?

- Numb.

(slow violin music)

- What if Mum was right?

- Huh?

- What if there is

something weird going on?

- I just think you

need to get some sleep.

- Wait, Maddison said Mum

was burying something else

with the puppets.

An envelope.

- And you wanna go dig that up?

- Well, why not?

It might give us some answers.

- Look, I'm gonna take a shower.

Just please,

whatever answer it is

you think you're looking for,

can we just move on?

We need to be there

for each other.

- Do you remember

our first date?

Well, I do.

You took me to see a film.

Do you remember why?

You said it was

so you didn't have

to listen to me talking.

- (laughing) It was a joke.

- Always hated you said that.

It really put me off.

- Haven't scared

you off then yet.

- Well, here we are.

Can I borrow your phone?

- What for?

- I need to try and

get ahold of Chris.

- No.

- What do you mean, no?

- I said no.

- What's the problem?

- Just accept it. No means no.

- Right, that's it.

I've been so patient with

you these last few days,

but you need to tell

me what's going on.

- I've told you.

- No, you haven't.

None of this is about Val.

Don't you dare lie

say that it is.

- What do you want

me to say then, huh?

- Why do you go all weird

when I talk about Chris?

- Ask him.

- I'm asking you.

Why isn't he here

for Val's birthday?

Why is he fobbing

me off as well?

- I don't want him here.

I don't want him in town.

- Why not?

- Because I said so.

- What did you do with him?

- It wasn't my fault.

I, I said no.

- No to what?

- He did this

- Excuse me?

- He forced himself on me.

He forced himself

on me at the party.

- Right, so that's why

you went home early,

'Cause you got with my brother?

- No!

- How far'd it go?

- Huh?

- How far'd it go with him?

- Eh, eh, I was getting a drink.

He grabbed me and pulled

me into one of the rooms.

- So you said no?

There were hundreds of

people at that party,

especially in that kitchen

where you would've

got that drink.

- Right, but I said no

when he tried on with me.

- But you went into

that bedroom with him?

- Yeah, but I didn't know

what he was gonna do.

- But he grabbed you, right?

- Right.

- So why didn't

you call for help?

- It wasn't like that.

I didn't know what

was gonna happen.

- So what did happen?

- He tried, he tried to

kiss me and I said no,

but, but he wouldn't

take no for an answer.

And he tried to...

(breathing heavily) He tried,

I tried to push him

away and, and, and then,

then I tried to push him

off and, and he was heavy.

He was, he was drunk.

He pinned me down.

- Chris wouldn't do that.

- He did, Sally.

- He's my brother.

I've known in my whole life!

How dare you accuse him of r*pe?

- I'm sorry. (crying)

I didn't know how to tell you.

'Cause I knew you'd

react like this.

- You're my girlfriend.

So what, you like guys now?

- What are you even saying?

- I mean, I've seen the

way you look at him.

I, I've seen you flirt,

and it got taken

too far, didn't it?

- Shut up, Sally.

This was no more flirtatious

than you and Beth.

- Oh, you, you did

it to get back at me

flirting with Beth?

What is wrong with you?

- (crying) Why don't

you believe me?

- Cause you're a liar.

- I am not a liar.

- Well how much did you

have to drink that night?

- The usual.

- The usual is you drinking

until you nearly pass out.

- That has literally

happened a handful of times.

- So that makes

it okay, does it?

So you can throw

yourself at my brother.

- I literally did

nothing to lead him on.

- What were you wearing?

- It was a theme night.

I had a costume on.

- Nurse outfit?

- Yeah.

- Right, so you're dressed

as a sl*t, basically,

and you did nothing

to lead him on?

- How can you possibly

blame me for this?

- Call the police?

- [Maddison] What?

- Do it.

If everything you are saying

is true then call the police.

- I could.

- Go on.

If you're going around

saying my brother r*ped you,

you can call the f*cking police.

- f*ck off with your bullshit!

I never want to see you or

your scum of a brother again!

You wonder why people

hide things from you?

It's because you can't cope

with facing the damn truth.

(shower running)

(dramatic music)

(tapping)

(metallic clicking)

(Lyla screaming)

- [Beth] Mum, please,

they're coming.

(doorknob rattling)

- James? Beth?

Who's coming?

Who is coming?

(car passing)

(birds chirping)

- [Valerie] Bless me

father, for I have sinned.

I have been taken in

by the retched Dolos.

And now I must pay

the ultimate price.

The devil has links to my soul,

which has been exchanged

on that fateful night.

Finding Tori had died in the

night was my worst nightmare.

She kept coughing up blood.

There was nothing we

could do to stop it.

We just had to let her rest.

I couldn't bear the loss.

And Ian had an idea.

He knew of a black

magic organization

that could bring her back.

And upon speaking with members

of the local congregation,

we agreed to do a deal.

They spoke to the devil

and consulted the

members of the group.

They agreed it could

be done for a price.

We had to sacrifice one

to bring back another.

There was a local

woman who was a drunk.

One day, she got so

drunk she fell asleep

in our front porch,

miles away from where

she was meant to be.

It was easy enough

to drag her in.

I had to rip out her heart,

tie it to a lock of hair,

and present it to

Punch and Judy.

The day Victoria

was back in my arms

was the best moment of my life.

I couldn't believe

we got her back.

Those joyful moments I

have treasured all my life.

But it comes at a price.

In exchange with doing

the deal with the devil,

I have been tortured with

visions of evil for years.

They will one day want

to reclaim her soul.

I do not know how I

could possibly tell her.

I must sacrifice

myself to the devil.

- Mum?

- Maddison, It's my fault.

I'm the devil child.

- Grandma, she brought my

soul back from the dead

into a new body.

I died, when I was a baby.

- You're not making

much sense, Mum.

- The puppets, they are alive.

They have evil spirits inside.

I think they have

James and Beth.

(doorknob rattling)

(screeching)

(Lyla gasping)

(ominous organ music)

- I always loved

the Hokey Cokey.

- What the hell are you?

- Your worst nightmare.

(frenzied violin music)

(Lyla screaming)

- We need to tell Lyla

(mobile phone dings)

- [Valerie on Recording]

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you

- What the hell?

- We need to get

back to the house.

(fast-paced ominous music)

- [Beth] Dad?

- Beth?

Beth, where are you?

- [Beth] In here.

- Beth? (coughing)

Beth? Beth?

Beth, where are you?

Beth? (coughing)

(slow creepy music)

(footsteps tapping)

- This way?

- I didn't put them up.

- Lyla?

- Yes.

(door creaking)

(Tori and Maddison coughing)

- Grandma?

- Welcome to the party.

(puppets laughing maniacally)

(slow violin music)

- Sally?

- Maddison.

- Ladies and gentlemen,

thank you for paying your fees

and joining us today.

- Some of you have

beautiful faces

and some of you are haggard.

- Right, and also this

one looks a bit haggard.

(puppet laughing maniacally)

- I can't quite believe

what I'm seeing.

- You best believe it.

The party is about to start.

I'm sick of playing your games.

- What makes you think

they're our games?

We didn't start this mess.

If you humans weren't so weak,

then you wouldn't be

so easy to control.

- We're so easy to control,

why haven't you

k*lled us already?

- Honey, I'm feeling

rather peckish.

Would you be a dear

and grab me a snack?

- Get it yourself.

- I'm not talking to you, dear.

- Who you calling honey?

Unleash her.

No one gets to be

called dear but me.

- Fine. You can have me.

Just let the girls go.

- Mum, no!

- Oh, you'd like that

wouldn't you, Tori?

Didn't your mother

tell you about us?

Master tricksters,

demons they call us.

We just give people

what they want.

- When were you born, Tori?

What does your birth

certificate say?

- All we did was give

her what she wanted.

We gave her you.

- You gave her Maddison.

A beautiful vow.

(violin screeching)

- No, please.

- No, no, no.

- How wonderful for

you to join us, Sally.

Are you ready for confession?

- I died when I was a baby.

Mum brought me back to life.

- What?

- That's right.

But are you ready

for the confession?

I should have been a priest.

- That was it.

- Cast your mind back.

In order to carry

out this ritual,

What did Val do?

- What's she talking about?

- I don't know.

- What was the sacrifice?

In order for me to bring

you back from the dead,

sacrifices must be made.

Val k*lled a local homeless

drunk woman for your soul.

- Dates adding up.

- When did she k*ll her?

- She's right on track.

- Guess who was

Sally's grandmother?

I was with her the

night she had her heart

brutally ripped out.

- Oh no.

- Mum wouldn't do that.

- She k*lled my grandmother.

- That's right.

And I will k*ll you all too.

- No, we have to stop this.

- These are master tricksters.

They give people exactly

what they want for the price.

I shouldn't be here.

I've had more than my time.

(puppet falling)

- I want you to go.

How do I go, Maddie.

- Oh, you'd like that

wouldn't you, Tori?

- Let's just finish this.

- You could run, but

I'll always find you.

(door creaking)

- I can't go, Mum.

- Go, Maddie, now.

Maddie, just go!

- [Sally] Come on, Maddie.

We have to go get help.

- Run! As far as you can, run!

Run!

Go!

- What do you think

they're gonna do to her?

- I don't know.

Come on, we have to go.

- Why would they let us go?

If the curse means the

whole family has to die,

Surely I would have

to die as well.

- Babe, you just got lucky.

Come on.

- What part of all of this

makes you think we can escape?

All of this is them.

They've been controlling

everything and everyone.

Mum says she's been

seeing them for months.

Who knows how long they've

been controlling us.

What if they're not

trying to punish grandma?

- What?

What do you mean?

- Just think about it.

None of this makes any sense.

If you're gonna punish her,

why do it three months

before she's gonna die?

- Maddison, I don't think

you can think your way

through this.

- Like she's dead already?

- What?

- I just wanted a family.

- They didn't want me.

- You?

- Maddison, what are

you talking about?

- What did you do, Sally?

- I just wanted a family.

Just...

I just wanted a family.

- Jesus Christ.

- What? I don't understand.

What are you saying?

- It's me.

I, I used the puppets.

I, I did a school project

and I interviewed

Val about them.

And I remembered, I

remembered what they did.

And when Maddison came

home from Uni a week early,

I knew something was wrong.

I knew it was wrong

and I had to fix it.

So I sneaked into the house

and I activated them.

I just, I thought they'd

bring everyone back together.

Hear my call,

gathering of those in power,

bring together those whose

names I call Valerie Edwards,

Victoria Taylor,

Maddison Taylor.

Sally Bonnet.

Christopher Bonnet.

- So my grandma, my auntie,

and my whole family are

dead because of you.

(ominous music building)

(Maddison screaming)

- No, no.

(Maddison crying)

- Well, I'll go back in there.

- Sally, no.

- We know it's me they want.

And they'll leave you alone.

- They want you to go

back in there on your own.

We're coming with you.

- Look at you two.

Tori and Maddison

here to watch your

sacrificial lamb ready to die.

Are you proud of yourselves?

(puppet hands clapping)

- Sally...

- I'm sorry.

Go, go.

(Maddison screaming)

(hands tapping on glass)

- [Maddison] Sally!

Sally.

(slow ominous music)

Sally!

(screeching violin music)

(Sally screaming)

- Sally.

(Maddison screaming)

Sally.

(puppet laughing)

- Maddison!

Is it over now?

- Oh, of course you're

not off the hook yet.

- Fine, k*ll me.

Just let Maddison live.

- Oh no, that wouldn't be fun.

Don't you want an encore?

You will keep us safe

and know every time you

replace our strings,

clean our faces,

you are condemning

someone to the same fate.

- Do I have a choice?

- Freeing, isn't it?

Finally not being in control.

- And Maddison will be safe?

- Well, we don't make promises

unless you would

like to make a deal.

Surprise!

We wanna watch you die too.

- You are too late, my dear.

- We tricked you.

Oopsie daisy.

- There is one name

missed off the list.

- Yes, unfortunately we

wouldn't join the party.

Maybe next year.

- Maddison.

Bring back Maddison.

- Are you making a trade?

- Yes.

- You have until midnight

to select the trade.

(circus music)

(violin screeching)

(birds chirping)

- It's over.

Mum?

- Maddison.

No one's ever gonna

hurt you again.

Spirits of Dolos I call on you.

The life I trade for

Maddison Taylor is that

of my brother, Christopher.

(ominous music)

(upbeat circus music)