Blood Witch (2026)

[bunniefuu]

(Eerie music)

- I curse you all.

I shall return.

- Your descendants will pay a heavy price.

(eerie music)

(ax thudding)

(body thudding)

(Eerie music)

(ring clattering)

(bright music)

(speakers indistinct chattering)

- Trust me, you'll love

it once we settle in.

- I'm holding my breath.

- Can't believe you've not

seen that farmhouse before.

- Why.

You know I'm a city girl.

- Yeah, but not even as a kid?

- No, my parents hated the countryside.

- Ah, that way.

- Right. - Come on, up you go.

- Okay. (Sharon sniffs)

Oh my God, what kind of path is this?

This is just ridiculous.

- No, wait.

Jesus.

(Michael sighs)

- This is going to be a fun trip.

(bright music)

- Hi.

- Hi, hi.

- Sharon and Michael Templer, right?

Arthur. - Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you both.

How are you?

- Lovely house, by the way.

I'm pleasantly surprised.

- Well, thank you.

She's been in the family for generations.

- Yeah?

Is she nice and cool inside?

- Hmm, yeah.

Cool in the summer, warm in the winter.

- Okay.

- Well, let me show you in.

- Yes, let's go.

- Thanks.

- Sugar? - Ah, no thank you.

- Just one please.

Thank you.

- So you've been here long?

- 10 years.

- Oh wow.

Do you not get lonely? - Sharon.

Well, I'm just taking an interest.

- No.

My wife passed away 10 years ago.

I sold our home and just

committed to this place full time.

Gave me something to focus on, you know.

Yeah.

Her name was Claire.

We were childhood sweethearts.

- What happened?

- Sharon!

Sorry Arthur, you don't

have to answer that.

- No, it's okay.

No offense taken.

She died unexpectedly.

(dramatic music)

Heart attack.

- Jeez, I'm really sorry.

(Landlord sighs)

- Oh, long time ago now, hey.

(sad music)

- Is it safe here, Arthur?

You know, we're kind of out in the sticks.

Do you ever get people

like trying to break in?

- What's with all the questions?

- I'm just asking.

- Well, we don't normally

get very many people travel out this far

into the countryside to be honest with you.

- Yeah, but have you had anyone break in?

- Now who's being nosy?

- Just once, a very long time ago.

It was shortly after

I'd just moved in here.

There's nothing to worry about.

It was just a once and

some local drunk guy just lost

his way on the way home.

It was harmless, really.

- See?

We'll be fine.

- Yeah.

I've put a couple of extra

locks on the doors just in case.

- What about internet connection?

- Not here, I'm afraid.

And no mobile phone signal either.

- Ah, perfect.

Weekend away from everyone and everything.

- Yeah, I love solitude.

You know, I turned my back

on the modern world years ago.

You know, the way things are going,

we'll all be digital sl*ves soon.

- My thoughts exactly, Arthur.

- Great, I'm stuck on a farm

with two raving conspiracy theorists.

- Sharon hasn't seen the light yet, Arthur.

(Michael Laughs)

- No, I'm just a realist.

I'm not a nutjob like you, babe.

- You'll see.

Once your electric car

is driving you around

and you can't drive anywhere for 15 minutes

without showing your ID,

then you'll join our tin foil hat brigade.

- We'll see.

- I'm still working on her, Arthur.

I'm still working on her.

She'll come round eventually.

- Looks like you've got

your work cut out for you.

- Yeah, he does.

- There is one thing to mention.

- Oh, here we go.

Saving the best till last, Arthur.

- If you're planning on going

for a stroll tomorrow, just

don't go too far into the woods.

- Sounds intriguing.

- There's an old ruin there.

It's, um, it's become a bit dangerous.

A few years ago we had a hiker staying,

he fell and broke his leg,

and best to give it a wide berth.

- What sort of ruin?

- The remains of an old cottage,

originally from the 17th century.

- I mean, I'd like to see it.

- Yeah.

- It's not a safe place to be around now.

You're a nice couple.

I wouldn't want any accidents.

- We'd be careful. - Yeah-

Right?

I mean... We'd just go in the day.

- Yeah.

- Look, I'm being serious about it.

It's overgrown.

One wrong step,

and it could be a broken ankle,

and we are a long way

from the closest hospital.

So look, keep that in

mind and play it safe.

- I don't think he's telling us everything.

- What are you talking about?

- I think he's holding something back.

- Don't be daft.

- Well?

- Well what?

- It's not just the cottage, is it?

- I'm not sure what

you're getting at, miss.

(Michael chuckles)

Look who's the conspiracy

theorist now, Arthur!

(Michael laughing)

- What happened?

- What happened?

- The ruin.

I can tell there's more to the story.

I can see it in your eyes.

(Arthur chuckles) - Okay.

It's a local legend,

but the locals believe

that the ruins are haunted.

- Haunted?

Told you so.

- Yeah, I'm with the nutjobs now.

(Michael chuckles)

Hear him out, please.

- So, it goes back to the English Civil w*r

and the witch trials.

So the legend goes that an old widow

and her daughters lived

in the cottage there,

and they were accused

and convicted of witchcraft.

So, they were taken from their home

and beheaded in the grounds.

And the story goes that their

ashes were put into an urn

and buried somewhere deep inside the woods

so that no one could ever find them again.

- Yeah, yeah, we're not

stepping one foot off

that path this weekend.

- Well, the legend says

that just before they met their deaths,

that the widow and her

daughters put a curse on the woods

and that their ghosts

would appear and k*ll anyone

who dared venture back

around their house again.

- Yeah, we're staying in this weekend.

- Well, um, it's just a

local legend, of course.

- Well, thanks for the heads-up.

We're not going to sleep tonight.

- Yeah, thanks Arthur.

- Well, you did ask.

- Yeah, could have lied.

- To be honest,

I don't really think the witches

are going to be interested.

I think you're safe.

- Well, listen, I can't sit

around gabbing all day.

I've got some work I need to attend to.

- Oh, what do you do?

- I have another farm

just on the edge of town.

A few pigs and sheep, nothing special.

- Well, thanks for the warm welcome.

- Yeah, thanks Arthur.

(Michael chuckles)

- Yeah, well, you're very welcome.

I will come back on Monday

evening to collect the keys.

And I've chopped plenty of firewood,

so if you wanted to make a fire

and have some drinks one

evening, help yourselves.

- You have the same mind, Arthur.

(Arthur chuckles)

- Well, you enjoy yourselves.

(Michael sighs)

I wasn't joking about the woods, either.

Witches or not, keep well clear.

Accidents can happen.

- We'll keep that in mind, Arthur.

- Okay. - Thanks.

- Very well.

Have a great weekend.

- Yeah, you too.

- What a weirdo.

- Don't be rude!

He was lovely.

I think he was just

keeping an eye out for us.

- Witches?

He's off his rocker.

- Coming from the man

who still believes in Bigfoot.

- For your information,

there is tons of evidence that suggests

there is a large primate

wandering the forests

of North America.

- Mm-hmm, yeah.

I'm sure there is.

- You'll see.

- Do you mind

if we get an early night, actually?

Kind of tired.

- Okay, can do.

- Yeah, I'll make a

quick bite to eat first.

- Thank you.

(Michael sighs)

(tense dramatic music)

(Sharon sighs)

- Well, cheers.

- Cheers.

- I think we needed this.

- I know.

- I do want us to stay together.

- We'll work everything out.

- Yeah.

Just want you to be happy.

(Loud screeching animal noise)

- It's just a fox.

- Fox?

Are you sure?

- I lived in the countryside, remember?

I know what they sound like.

- Yeah, that does not sound like an animal.

- You'd be surprised.

- No, I don't think I'm going to sleep

with that thing outside.

- Come then.

I'll look after you.

(tense dramatic music)

(birds chirping)

(footsteps thumping)

- Morning.

- Morning.

Mr Fox is nowhere to be seen.

- Told you.

Nothing to worry about.

- Hmm.

Let's explore the woods today.

- You what?

- You heard me.

- But Arthur said...

- Yeah, well, I think we should break

some rules this weekend.

- And what about Mr. Fox?

He could be waiting for us.

- I think it's more the witch

and her daughter that we

should be worried about.

- You sure you want to explore?

- Yeah.

It'll be fun.

- Hmm.

- Let's go get changed.

- All right.

(Michael sighs)

(bright music)

(bright music)

(bright music)

(birds chirping)

- What are you doing?

Are you mad?

Oh, you planned this all along.

- I have no idea what you're talking about.

- You are such a bad influence.

(Sharon laughing)

(Michael indistinct chattering)

(dramatic music)

What's wrong?

- I think I saw something move.

- I don't see anything.

- No, I... yeah, I saw something, I swear.

- What'd it look like?

- I don't know, like a figure.

Running.

- Are you sure it wasn't

just Mr. Fox again?

- Michael, Michael, I'm serious.

- Sharon, you're just seeing things.

- Wow, you really don't believe me.

- Oh no, no, don't drag that up again.

Don't drag that up.

- No, you never believe me, Michael.

You think I'm lying.

- I believe you now,

and I believed you then.

Your boss threw himself at you.

I believe you.

I... I always believe... Sharon!

Sharon, wait!

Sharon!

Sharon, wait!

(Micheal huffing) Sharon!

Sharon, please, I'm

just so tired of fighting.

What's that?

- I don't know,

but it looks... looks really old.

- Centuries old

- I think there's a name on it.

- What's it say?

- Morag... I think the name is Morag.

- Right.

Just... put it down.

Let's get out of here.

This place is starting

to give me the creeps.

- Well, if you want to go, just go, but...

I think I'm going to stay.

- Sharon, just... please,

just stop being so stubborn.

(dramatic music)

Sharon, just... put it down.

No, it's nothing interesting,

it's just some old thing, alright?

(Sharon gasps)

(dramatic music)

(ghost growling)

(Sharon Screaming)

(Sharon gasps)

(ghost growling)

(birds chirping)

(light music)

(phone ringing)

(Clears throat) Doesn't anyone

on my staff do any work around here?

No wonder this magazine is on its a*s.

- We're sorry, boss.

- It's the third time this week.

Can't you guys just

wait until you get home,

for God's sake?

Jeez.

- It won't happen again, boss.

- Yeah, whatever.

- Here's the first drafts of that article.

- Oh great, great.

I've been waiting on this.

Do you guys know where

Sam and Mary are right now?

- In your office.

- Did you take out the whiskey bottle

and put it back in the

kitchen like I asked?

Just great.

Well, that's gone forever.

- I can't believe you said that out...

(Sam clear throat)

- Have you finished that article yet?

- Which one exactly?

- The last one.

There are so many that

we're still waiting on, you know.

- Hmm, yeah.

No, I'll get that done for

you by next week, I promise.

- You said that last month.

- I give you my word this time.

- You enjoying my whiskey?

- Tastes great, yeah.

- What's this?

- Open it and read it.

- Unsolved murders in rural England.

- Which county?

- Warwickshire.

Your home county.

- Correct.

- And what's this got to do with us?

- I'm sending you both over to the UK.

- Come again?

- This magazine is dying on its a*s.

And you, sir, need a new fresh challenge.

I'll be damned if I'm going

to let this publication fail.

There's still a huge market

out there for the paranormal.

I know it.

(dramatic music)

- It's a long way to go, Spencer.

- We need a great story

to save this ever-flubbing

magazine of ours, Sam.

This is it.

This is the story.

- The UK is freezing this

time of year, Spencer.

You won't last a night.

- Well then you're just going

to have to keep him nice

and warm while he's over there, aren't you?

People have been disappearing

in a stretch of woods.

- And?

- Witchcraft, Mr. Templer.

Rumor has it that witchcraft is behind it.

- We'll want double pay for this one.

- You got it.

- Generous expenses too.

- All right.

Don't be pushing it here.

(dramatic music)

- I don't mind.

It's been a long time

since I've been back home.

(dramatic music)

- We'll do it.

- That's the spirit!

- All right.

Well, I guess I'll have

to book the flights now.

- Already booked.

Tomorrow night.

- Tomorrow?

- Correct.

We can't dilly-dally and wait on this.

- Accommodation?

- All sorted.

I'll send you the address

later this evening.

You both probably should

go home and start packing.

- I love your drive, mate.

(Sam laughs)

- It's about time for you guys to focus

on saving your flagging

careers at this point.

- This is exactly the sort

of challenge we need, hon.

- Oh, one more thing.

If I catch you drinking

during working hours again,

I'm going to have them fire your a*s.

Is that clear?

- Clear.

- Understood, boss.

Yeah.

- Good.

(dramatic music)

(Sam sighs)

- Witchcraft.

(bright music)

- Hey Sam.

Sorry to keep bugging you, brother.

I'm still waiting on that story.

You... you missed the last deadline,

so we'd really appreciate

it if you could send it over.

I know Spencer's already

had a word with you.

- Yeah, Andy, yeah, yeah, yeah.

I'll get that done for you

by the end of next week.

Is that okay?

I'm flying out to the UK tomorrow.

Spencer's sent me to some...

yeah, some place in the sticks,

but I'll get that finished for you.

- Sounds great.

Enjoy your trip.

- All right mate, yeah.

- Thank you, yeah.

- Cheers.

Bye-bye.

- Hello.

- Hello.

- You look lovely.

- Thank you.

- How was work?

- It was okay.

Dragged.

- Yeah, at least the weather is nice.

- Yeah.

Should we go for a drink?

- Oh yeah.

Read my mind.

(Mary chuckles)

(phone ringing)

Who is that.

- Sam.

- Hey.

Hope I didn't catch you at a bad time.

- Buddy, I just got off the phone

- Kenny.

With your divorce lawyer.

Not good news.

Turns out your ex, she wants

both of your apartments.

Should I tell her to

give her a call first thing?

She's been trying to reach you for days now

and honestly, I think-

- Yeah, Kenny, Kenny, Kenny.

It's not a good time to chat, dude,

but thanks for the update.

I'll give her a call, yeah?

Okay.

Thank you.

Sorry about that.

- We'd be glad to let

that b*tch out of our lives.

- Yeah.

Tell me about it.

(suspenseful music)

(phone ringing)

- Is now a good time, Spencer?

- I'm running a little low

on good times lately, Eric.

Can you just get to the point, please?

- Well the point is,

I'm tired of keeping this magazine afloat.

I've invested so much

money into the centerprise,

and I've yet to see any good returns.

That's the point, Spencer.'

What are you going to

do to turn things around?

- You'll be pleased to know

that I've just sent my two

best reporters to a case

in the UK.

If they pull off this scoop,

the magazine will be

right back on track, Eric.

- I hope so.

- Things will pick up, you'll see.

I guarantee it.

(phone beeps)

- Eric?

Eric?

(Sighs) Great.

(bright music)

(broom sweeping)

I guess this is it, then.

- It's beautiful.

- I'm freezing.

- You'll survive.

- Ah, I wasn't expecting you both

until a little later.

- Sorry about that.

We got here earlier than planned.

- No bother.

Sam and Mary, right?

- Yes, sir.

- Nice to meet you.

- Arthur.

- Really nice to meet you both, yeah.

- Hi, Arthur.

- Spencer called me this morning.

- Oh, you guys know each other well then?

- Ah, well, a friend of a friend, you know.

- I see.

He's never mentioned your name before.

- Well, we know each

other in a roundabout way.

You know, we've never

been that close, but... anyway,

let me give you a hand with your bags.

- Oh, thank you.

- My pleasure.

Come on in.

(birds chirping)

So, what part of Europe are you from?

- Bulgaria originally.

And I met this one on holiday in Whitby.

- We're both ranathesists on Bram Stoker.

- Yeah, we met at the abbey itself.

- Love at first sight?

- Yeah.

Took me a few weeks.

- Well, it all sounds very romantic.

- We've been together 10 years now.

- Well, you're doing well.

A lot of couples I've known have struggled

to make it to a year.

- We're far from being the perfect couple.

We just make it work.

- And you both write

for Spencer's magazine?

- I'm a photojournalist.

So he scribbles and I take the snobs.

- We make a great team.

- When you're in the right frame of mind.

- She has a point.

(Arthur laughing)

- So what's Spencer told you exactly?

- He said folk had been going missing.

- He mentioned witchcraft.

- Yeah, it's... well,

it's one of the theories

that's going on in the

local villages at the moment.

- And do you believe there's any truth

to these rumors?

(Arthur sighs)

- It's hard to say.

A few witch bottles have

been found in the woods,

but nothing more than that.

- Witch bottles?

- Yeah, they were used

in the Middle Ages to,

well, protect against witches, basically.

I, um... I found this

one in the woods myself.

(bottle thuds)

- What's inside of it?

- Well, a few rusty nails, some twigs,

what looks like human

hair and a splash of red wine

in the bottom.

- Didn't they used to keep these

under the fireplace in the Middle Ages?

- That's true, yeah.

- And you found this in the woods?

- Mm. Not far from the clearing

where the couple who were

staying here went missing from.

- How old were they exactly?

- Thirties thereabouts.

- And they still haven't been found?

- No, and that was three weeks ago now.

They only booked the

farmhouse for a weekend.

- Do the police have any leads?

- Mm, not that we've been told.

And the local press has

been pretty quiet as well.

- Do you think it could be satanists?

A coven, maybe?

- They usually sweep

that stuff under the carpet.

- Yeah, a lot of high-ups are involved.

- If people knew the truth,

this country would have a revolution.

- Yeah.

Bluebloods.

- Bluebloods?

- I'm sorry.

Bluebloods.

That's what they call them.

The ones involved,

the upper classes.

Snatching youngsters for their blood.

It's been going on for centuries.

- Right.

Well, I wouldn't know anything about that.

I'm just a simple countryman.

You know, too busy trying

to keep my head above water,

you know.

- This blood...

- Could be animal blood.

- You can never be too sure, can you?

- Could be human blood, I suppose,

but it's not something I'd

really like to think about.

Give me the shivers.

- How many people have gone missing?

- Six now.

- Are all the couples under 40?

- Yeah, as a matter

of fact, that's spot on.

Have you worked on

stories like this before then?

- A few.

- And they've all been satanists?

- 90% of the time, yeah.

- It's horrible to think that

people like that even exist.

- It's easiest to just bury

your head in the sand.

- Unless it's one of your relatives

that goes missing.

- And you're met with a wall of silence.

- I'd like to see the clearing myself.

- Yeah.

How far away is it?

- It's less than a mile from here.

I've... I've got a map.

I'd advise against it, of course.

I told the last couple that

stayed here to keep out

of the woods and... well, we

know what's happened since.

- Yeah, don't worry.

Yeah, we'll be okay.

- Hmm.

Fine.

Well, I can't stop you, and obviously I

know you've got a story to write as well.

- We'll be very careful, Arthur.

This isn't our first rodeo.

We've been in situations

like this many times before.

- Okay, very good.

(drawer screech)

If you follow this old map carefully,

(tense dramatic music)

it will lead you right to the clearing.

(heart beat pounding)

- Is that a house in the middle?

- Was.

Just an old ruin now.

- This is going to be an adventure.

- Just, um... don't do

too much exploring, yeah?

Be careful.

- Understood.

Is there anything else you

can tell us about the ruin?

(tense dramatic music)

Arthur?

Nothing at all.

- Nothing.

- No, nothing at all.

Right.

I will be... well, I'll be

getting off in that case.

I'm sure you're both tired

from a long day's traveling,

so... best of luck and

nice to meet you both.

- It was nice meeting you, Arthur.

- Indeed.

(footsteps thumping)

- Oh, and...

- Oh, we'll be very careful, yeah.

Don't worry.

- Very good.

- So, early night?

- You read my mind, Mr. Templer.

(tense music)

(animal growling)

(women screaming)

- What's that?

- Sounded like someone was being attacked.

- Where are you going?

- Just a minute.

If someone needs our

help, we can't ignore them.

- Don't you dare go out there!

- Just a minute.

(tense music)

Sam!

(tense music)

Found something.

- Did you see anything?

- Nothing.

- Do you think it could

have been an animal?

- Maybe.

Let's just go back inside.

Whatever it was has run off.

- Just a few more seconds.

- It's freezing cold, Sam.

- Okay, you win.

But we'll head out first thing tomorrow.

- Come on.

(tense music)

- Can you see anything yet?

- Nothing.

We've been out here for

over an hour now, Sam.

- Quick whining.

- My feet are about to fall off.

- Well, can't be too far

from that ruin Arthur mentioned.

- Have you ever considered

the map might be wrong?

- Or the boss is playing a prank on us.

- Could be.

Wait. - What?

- Look.

(tense music)

- That could be the

clearing we're looking for.

- Let's go find out.

Wow.

(tense dramatic music)

(tense dramatic music)

- It's beautiful.

What's wrong?

- I feel like we're being watched.

(tense dramatic music)

- It's getting dark.

Maybe we should come back

again tomorrow first light.

Yeah, sounds good to me.

Shall we take the urn with us?

- I think we should leave it here.

Where it belongs.

- Okay.

Okay, yeah.

I know what you mean, yeah.

- We can head into

one of the villages later.

Start interviewing some of the locals.

- Yeah, sounds like a plan.

(fire crackling)

(light music)

Are you up?

- Oh...

I could get used to country life.

- Really?

- Yeah.

I thought I'd miss having an

internet mobile signal, but...

it's great.

- Hmm.

It's good for the soul.

(light music)

Right.

I think I'm going to head out

and take in some fresh

country air before I hit the hay.

- And I'll go warm up the bed.

(Sam and Mary kissing)

- Hold that thought.

(Ghost Growling)

(wind howling)

(birds chirping)

(woman screaming)

(tense music)

(tense music)

(birds chirping)

(tense dramatic music)

(tense dramatic music)

Mary!

Give me a hand!

(tense dramatic music)

- One of us should go to the village now.

- To the village?

She could be dying, Sam!

All right, okay.

Where's the torch?

- It's in my bag.

- Okay, I'll run out,

and see if I can wake someone up.

- Take the knife with you too.

Just do it, Sam!

I wish I'd never came here,

this place is starting

to give me the creeps.

Same here.

- Okay, yeah.

Spencer can screw his story.

Once we get the girl

help, we're out of here.

(Sam indistinct chattering)

(Sam panting)

- Promise me you'll be careful, Sam.

- Yeah.

I don't think anyone's going to mess

with me once they see this.

- Maybe I should come with you.

- No.

No chance.

You have to stay here.

She'll want a friendly

face when she comes to.

- How long do you think

it's going to take you

to reach the village?

- If I remember correctly,

Arthur said the nearest village

is just under two miles away.

By jog it shouldn't take me that long.

Maybe I can get lucky and

flag down a car or Arthur's truck.

- Please be quick.

Go quickly.

- I will be.

Go and check on her.

(Mary screaming)

- Sam!

You okay?

- She's gone.

She's gone.

- I don't understand, Sam, she's just gone.

- Well she hasn't jumped out.

There's no other way out except past us.

- She's just vanished.

(tense music)

- Right.

I'll check outside, yeah?

(tense suspenseful music)

- I don't see her anywhere.

- It is not possible.

- She hasn't run past us.

- We would have heard.

- I don't know what to say.

(tense suspenseful music)

- This is giving me the creeps.

(tense suspenseful music)

(birds chirping)

(light music)

(zip closing)

- Can you pass me a hammer?

Right.

Did you hear what I said?

- I think I've done a wonderful job.

- Oh, it was just you

that set it up, right?

- Yes, dear.

I heard you.

I have been hearing from

you for the past 10 years.

- Oh.

Going to stand out there

all night looking stupid?

- Well, are you going to

pass me the hammer or not?

(man sighs)

- You promised me a

vacation full of passion,

if you remember.

- I don't fancy being stuck out here

in the cold all night.

- It's the last time I do camping.

I can tell you that much.

- Stop complaining.

It was your bright idea.

- Oh, I haven't forgotten.

You don't need to worry about that.

(light music)

(hummer clanging)

- Hey stranger.

- I thought you'd forgotten about our date.

- Not a chance.

I couldn't stand another

minute without that old bore.

- Well, yeah.

Well, that's what happens

when you marry them

for their money.

- True.

- We'll both leave them for good.

I don't want to be with

anyone else but you.

(ghost growling)

- What's that?

- Sounded like a wolf.

- They don't have wolves in the UK, silly.

- Well what is it then?

- I don't know.

Whatever it is, it's getting really close.

Maybe we should just go back to our tents.

- Oh, it's probably gone now.

Come here, beautiful, and give me a kiss.

- I'm scared.

I'm going back to my tent.

We can see each other tomorrow.

- But Sally!

Sally, please!

Dammit.

(birds chirping)

- Did you hear that noise?

- I thought you'd be asleep by now.

- Ah, I found another apple.

- Wonderful.

(birds chirping)

(tense suspenseful music)

- I just need some time to think.

Go back to the tent.

- I heard a wild animal.

It woke me up.

- Look, it's just a stray dog or something.

Can you just go back?

- Just come back inside.

I don't want to spend

tonight all on my own.

(tense suspenseful music)

(ghost crackling)

(tense suspenseful music)

(tense suspenseful music)

Please, my wife's in the tent.

And?

(tense suspenseful music)

(tense suspenseful music)

(tense suspenseful music)

- Where are you?

Do you have any idea how late it is?

We've got an early start tomorrow.

Ricky.

(ghost grunting)

(Woman screaming)

(man crying)

(ghost growling)

(ghost growling)

(woman gasping)

- Dammit.

They're already down

another grand this week.

At this rate, we're going to

be out of business by April,

maybe May.

(upbeat music)

Jeez.

(footsteps thumping)

(light music)

- Miss Lazar.

- I can't say it's a pleasure

to see you again, Spencer.

I already talked with Eric earlier.

- Happy is not a happy bunny.

- There's no need to worry.

- Oh, but we do, Spencer.

- Drink?

Nice catch, Spencer.

- I don't drink when I'm doing business.

- Listen.

You tell Eric revenue is

going to pick up real soon.

I've just sent two of

my very best reporters

to cover a story in the UK.

A really big fat juicy story.

It's going to be a scoop, Miss Lazar.

A real scoop.

I can feel it in these old bones of mine.

You'll both see.

I'm going to make this

magazine a success yet,

even if it kills me.

- Oh, that can be arranged.

You have until December

to turn things around.

- December?

It's only a couple of months away.

- Not our problem.

- All I'm asking is for

you guys to be reasonable.

I'm trying to do my best here,

can you cut me a little slack here?

- Being reasonable doesn't

pay the bills, Spencer.

We need to see results, and soon.

- You can see how hard I'm working at this.

- Work harder.

- Miss Lazar, please.

Jeez.

I'm not a miracle worker.

(footsteps thumping)

- We have one simple purpose.

- I know.

- We want to welcome as many young minds

to the occult as possible.

Your magazine is the perfect vehicle

to help push our agenda.

- And I'm doing my very best

to support your vision, Miss Lazar.

What's this?

My Christmas present?

- A gentle reminder

from the people we work for.

You'll understand once you open it.

- Does this mean you're leaving now?

- Yes, I am.

But I'll be back next week

to check up on your progress.

- I just can't wait.

- Don't forget to open your present.

I know you're going to love it.

(footsteps thumping)

- That calls for more whiskey.

Crazy, whacked-out b*tch.

Jesus.

(man sighs)

- And you both sure about this?

- We're not making this up,

if that's what you're suggesting.

- She just vanished.

- She was in bed for one minute

and then she was just gone.

- I see.

This isn't the first time

this has happened, is it?

- Sorry?

- You're not telling us something.

When I asked you about

the ruin the other day,

you went very quiet.

- I don't think I understand

where this is going.

- Why do locals believe that witchcraft

is involved in these people going missing?

- You know what villagers can be like,

especially this far in the countryside.

They get caught up in local superstition.

- But has something happened

to give them a good

reason for their beliefs?

- Go on then.

- Not that I'm aware of.

- He's lying.

- I'm telling the truth.

- We want to know everything.

We need all the answers

we can get right now.

- You'll think I'm crazy.

- We're not going to judge you.

Just tell us what you know.

- You know the old ruin

that I told you about?

- Yes.

- Legend has it that in the Middle Ages,

it was once lived in by a

witch and her daughters.

- Go on.

- One evening, they were dragged out

and beheaded outside.

- The witch trials.

- Correct.

- We don't think you're crazy.

We know it took place.

Mary and I have often studied the subject.

Took place both here and in the USA.

- Yeah, well... the

story isn't finished yet.

- Sorry, keep going.

- They come back every hundred years.

- Excuse me?

- The mother put a curse on the villagers,

you see.

She swore that every hundred years

she would come back

and feast on their blood.

- I don't think I like this.

- I remember... it was my...

it was my great-grandmother

that first told me

about the legend.

She said that when she was a little girl,

that people disappeared from the village

and they found some

of their bodies completely

drained of blood.

- Every hundred years, you say?

- That's right.

- So... when are they due to reappear?

(tense music)

- This year.

(tense dramatic music)

- Yeah.

It's just silly superstition, of course.

And look, you know

what rural folk can be like

when they get a story in their head.

- Perhaps.

- There's a little bit

more to the story, too.

(tense suspenseful music)

- Go on.

- Her name was Morag Hazel.

- The witch?

- Alleged witch, yes.

It's said that her daughters

were the most beautiful

in the whole of Warwickshire.

Their names were Catherine and Lucy.

The cottage they lived in

belonged to a terrible man called

Rufus Fairfax.

His family had been

gifted half of Warwickshire

by the Duke of Normandy

back in the 11th century.

Over the years, Rufus had

become a spoiled and cruel man.

- Is this the boy who denied me his mother?

- It is, sir.

- Hmm, I see.

- They'll need to be taught a lesson.

- Who are the girls?

- The daughters.

- Raise your heads.

Mm, they're beautiful.

- Get your filthy hands off my family!

- Please leave us,

we're just simple country folk.

- Don't hurt us!

- Leave us alone!

(tense dramatic music)

- What's your name?

- Catherine.

(daughter screaming)

- Get your hands off her!

(boy groaning)

(daughter screaming)

(daughter crying)

- Bring them with us.

- And the mother.

We shall behead them for witchcraft.

And you, behave yourself.

- You want to end up like your brother?

(daughter grunts)

(man groaning)

(mother crying)

- We curse you, Rufus Fairfax!

- We shall be avenged!

- You'll see!

- We shall return!

- Bring them with us.

(daughter crying)

- So... she's after his descendants?

- It's just a silly

superstition, of course.

- I feel even worse now.

- Well, look, try not to let it bother you.

I'm sure this missing

girl will turn up safe

and sound soon enough

and there'll be a...

perfectly logical explanation

for everything that's happened.

- I just want to leave, Sam.

I don't care about the magazine anymore.

- Same here.

- If that's what you both want, then it...

probably is best that you leave.

- I think that's the best solution.

- Can we leave straight away?

I don't think I can stay

here a moment longer.

- Sure.

Let's get back.

- Well, not so hasty.

The last train today left over an hour ago.

You're stuck here till

tomorrow, I'm afraid.

- You're kidding me.

- That's life in the sticks for you.

- I'm never stepping foot

in the damn countryside ever again.

(Mary indistinct chattering)

So, when is the next train departing?

- 6:00 a.m.

- We'll be out of here

by five in that case.

- I'm sorry how things

have turned out for you.

- We'll send you a postcard from New York.

- There's no need to be so sarcastic.

- No, it's okay.

No need to apologize.

With everything that's happened,

I can understand your frustrations.

But, well... it's been nice meeting you.

(Mary indistinct chattering)

- I don't know.

I guess we lock every door

and hope everything we

just heard is a fairy tale.

- I hope so.

Goodnight. - Goodnight.

(cup thudding)

(phone ringing)

- I hope I haven't woken you.

I know it's probably late over there,

and I've got some good news for you.

I managed to track down

that old friend we were talking

about the other day.

His name is Peter Rogers.

He's a great guy.

He's confident he can put

you in touch with an exorcist.

- Thanks, Arnold. I really appreciate it.

- No problem.

Hey, anyway, listen, I must sh**t now,

but people look out for his email.

He might even call you.

I gave him your number.

- Will do.

- You take care.

- Yeah, thanks again.

(phone ringing)

Hello, can I help?

- Peter Rogers here.

Your friend Arnold asked me to call you.

(Sam chuckles)

- Bloody hell, that was quick.

- Bad spirits don't wait around,

my friend.

Arnold tells me you're

in need of an exorcist.

Is that correct?

- Yeah, that's right.

- I did a little research on you.

You're based in the

Midlands near Birmingham.

You're in luck.

I've already been in touch

with the chap who could help you.

He's been working your

case for several weeks now.

His name is Father Thomas Jackson.

He should be with you soon.

- How soon?

(bell dings)

Right on time.

(tense dramatic music)

- The remains.

(tense dramatic music)

So what, we return them to the woods

and then we're free from it?

Father Thomas Jack-I believe so, yes.

I have to say, I paid a

small fortune for those

at the local museum.

- So the legend's true, then?

Father Jack-The spirit

needs to be released, yes.

Once Morag is reunited with her offspring,

the childhood remains shall

no longer be a threat to us.

- You sure about that, Father?

Father Jack-I'm a good Catholic, boy.

Look, I've helped many people get rid

of their unwanted spirits.

And, uh... it wasn't difficult

to locate their graves,

and Eric's friend Peter

has been a great help

in providing information too.

- Good.

So what do we do now then?

Father Jack-Well, there's no time like

the present, Arthur.

Take me to your farmhouse and, uh...

hopefully with God's will we'll be able

to banish her restless spirit for good.

- Thank you, Father.

(phone ringing)

Father Jack-Excuse me a moment.

Father Jack-Oh, hello Terry.

How you doing?

- Oh, Father Jackson.

I'm so glad I managed to reach you.

It's back.

It started on Monday,

when the curtains just opened

and closed by themselves.

Then, later in the week,

I'd step into the kitchen

and the plates would fly off the shelves.

I can't cope with it.

You must come and help.

Father Jack-Well, calm down, Terry.

Look, I'm a bit tied up at the moment,

but... I should be able to

visit you tomorrow morning

if that's okay.

- Oh, thank you, Father Jackson.

I'm staying with my sister now.

I couldn't stay in that

house a moment longer.

What time will you be there?

Father Jack-Shall we say 9:00 a.m.?

- Okay. I'll be waiting. Speak soon.

- You're popular, man.

Father Jack-Remember

now, demons don't rest.

- Indeed.

(tense dramatic music)

(door thuds)

(tense dramatic music)

(tense dramatic music)

(Sam panting)

(ghost growling)

(Sam panting)

(Sam panting)

(tense suspenseful music)

(tense suspenseful music)

(tense suspenseful music)

(tense suspenseful music)

(tense suspenseful music)

(tense suspenseful music)

- Mary?

Mary?

Mary?

(tense suspenseful music)

(tense suspenseful music)

(tense suspenseful music)

(tense suspenseful music)

(tense suspenseful music)

What do you want?

- My children... where are they?

- I don't have your children.

- Take me to my children!

(man panting)

Father Jack-In the name

of the Father, the Son,

and the Holy Spirit!

I command thee to leave

this servant of God alone!

Begone with you!

Begone with you!

Begone with you, I say!

(tense suspenseful music)

(tense suspenseful music)

(somber music)

(tense suspenseful music)

- What was it?

Father Jack-We haven't got time for this.

Did you bring the remains?

- Yeah.

Father Jack-Okay, follow me.

But follow me, agent!

Come now!

(somber music)

Father Jack-Come on now.

Come on.

(father indistinct chattering)

(father panting)

Father Jack-Okay.

We've got to throw them over there.

Go on now.

Come on now.

Come on.

Come on, you f*cking idiot.

Come now.

(father gasping)

Come on, faster now.

Faster now.

Morag, that's your children for you.

Now rest in peace together.

Rest in peace together now.

- Do you think it's worked?

Father Jack-Too early to tell.

- Let's check on Sam.

Father Jack-Yeah, the whole

truth, nothing but the truth.

So help me God.

Okay, let's go.

Let's go.

(father gasping)

(bright music)

(man sighs)

- My final clients.

You guys are dropping

like flies all around.

Sad.

(footsteps thumping)

- You're late again.

(woman spitting)

- Would you please not do that?

My cleaners already cost me a fortune.

- You got my dough, sweetie?

(light music)

- It's all there.

Have I ever cheated you before?

- You still haven't explained

why you're late.

- If I told you, it might ruin the mood.

- I've had a real piggy of a day, Margo.

- Oh.

Poor baby, but that's fine.

I'm here to make it all better.

- Ah. I love hearing

you say that, beautiful.

I don't know what I would do without you.

- Ah, I love it when you say sweet things.

- What's that?

- Oh, it's nothing, believe me.

- Did you get me a gift?

- No, no, not really.

Come, come sit with

your favorite fellow again.

- I want to see what's inside.

- Goddammit, babe.

Don't try to open that bag.

- It's really heavy.

- Put the bag down, Margo.

- It's a movable package, too.

- You're really going

to regret this, I think.

(Woman screaming)

- I tried to warn you.

(door thuds)

(footsteps thumping)

(tense suspenseful music)

(tense suspenseful music)

(tense suspenseful music)

(tense suspenseful music)

(tense suspenseful music)

- Who are you?

- Do I remind you of anyone?

- Say a name.

- Stay away from me.

- Haven't you missed me, Arthur?

Say my name.

Say my name

- Claire.

(tense music)

- My Michael.

- I've missed you, my love.

I'll wait for you.

I'll wait, son.

- You k*lled our mother.

(tense music)

(tense music)

(footsteps thumping)

Father Jack-Well, I have

to say, you look terrible.

- There's something I needed to take care

of but don't ask.

How's he?

Father Jack-Well, I suppose I'm going

to have to keep him

company until first light.

- I just can't help

feeling this is all my fault.

Father Jack-What do you mean?

- My family tree dates

back to Rufus Fairfax.

I'm a distant descendant.

(tense music)

Father Jack-Well boyo,

you can't blame yourself

for your ancestors' sins.

Now can you? Hmm?

- I just pray that that witch is gone

and this curse can be finally lifted.

- Me too.

- Let's make sure we look

after each other tonight.

- Has that bloody internet

up and running yet?

- The internet hotspots

and the service connection

have now been re-established.

- Oh thank f*ck for that.

(dramatic music)

- Where's the clones?

- My dear Miss Smith.

Oh what a pleasure it is

to see you working for once.

I hope for your sake you made

it to the crime scene before

all the other reporters showed up.

We need to be the first.

Is that clear, Miss Smith?

- Yes, of course.

Yeah, I am going to speak

to one of the detectives now.

- Don't screw it up.

- Oh, I'm sorry, I have to go.

Sorry, thank you.

Detective Inspector Ray!

One moment please.

- f*cking press.

Get her away from here, Tom.

- Sorry. - Yes sir.

No, no, no.

No, no, no.

No, no.

I have a right to know whats going on.

Just go for a question, please

I thought I told you to

get her away from here.

- I'm sorry sir, I tried.

- I just need...

I just need a minute.

That's all.

- No, no, nothing. - Inspector.

(phone ringing)

Sorry.

- Yes?

- So, did you get that exclusive for me?

I've been waiting over a

month for something juicy.

And which can you do?

400 then.

You'll have the cash tomorrow.

I just need to be the

first to know the details

about this case.

I've always paid you on time before, Tom.

- Yeah, I know.

- You know I'm good for it, right?

- Look, I'll talk to you later.

I'm at the scene.

I can't chat now.

- Sweet will talk later.

- Who's that?

- No one, sir.

Just a friend.

- You shouldn't be making

personal calls on duty, Tom.

- It's very unprofessional.

- Sorry boss, it won't happen again.

- We have a professional standard

to uphold.

Yes, I know.

And I'll take a hundred, alright?

- I'm sorry sir, I don't understand.

- You think I'm f*cking stupid?

Whatever the press

paid you, I'll take my cut.

Otherwise, you're going to have a very,

very short career here.

Do you understand, boy?

- Yeah.

- Make it 200.

- But you just said 100.

- I know, and you said yes too quickly.

- Right.

- Now go and do something really useful.

Get me my bottle of vodka out of the car.

- Vodka?

Sir, we are still on duty.

- Fetch!

(phone ringing)

- [Girl] Hello handsome.

- Hey showy.

- I'm glad I finally got a hold of you.

- I can't talk, I'm on duty, love.

- That's never stopped you before.

You know we always have the

most fun when you're on duty.

Unless you've forgotten...

- Yeah, yeah, that was...

that was a fun time.

I was in yet, yeah.

I'm missing Ray.

- Oh, I miss you too, sweetie.

- Really? You mean that?

- Of course I do.

- Oh, that is so sweet of you.

- I don't have time.

- Who was that, sir?

- Oh, some old tart.

Come on, let's go and

get this mess sorted out.

The witness claims it was a demon.

- A demon?

- What are we getting into, eh?

What a bunch of nutters and an old tart.

- Yeah, very true, sir.

- Please, I just need a quote.

That's all. Just...

- Close this!

Bye-bye.

- After you, sir.

- Thank you.

- Assholes.

- Let us pray.

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

thy will be done on earth

as it is in heaven, give us-

- So, who wants to go first?

- It was the witch that done it.

- Don't be a smartass, mate.

She...

(tense music)

- She wanted her daughter back.

(police chuckles) Her daughter!

- [Both] Her daughter!

(both laughing)

(police officer screaming)

(police groaning)

(witch growling)

(tense dramatic music)

(light music)