Adalynn (2023) Movie Script

1
[projector whirring]
[mysterious music]
[stirring music]
[projector whirring]
[Adalynn] When
a polar bear gives birth,
she typically has two cubs.
To keep them safe
from the dangers of the world,
she'll stay with them,
in the den,
until they can survive
on their own.
It's a sacrifice she makes.
Because if something
were to happen to her,
then her cubs
would surely die.
But if something
were to happen to her cubs,
what would become
of the mother?
Could she live with it?
Ah! I can't! I can't!
-[doctor] Almost there!
-[Adalynn] I can't!
-[doctor] I can see the head.
-[Adalynn] I can't!
[Bill] I love you, okay?
We're a team--
-[screams]
-You can do it, baby. Come on!
That's it!
[dramatic chord]
[static buzz]
[sinister music]
[distorted noises
[distant, haunting singing]
[train horn blaring]
[eerie operatic singing]
[haunting singing]
[distorted screaming]

[baby crying]
[music fades]
[Adalynn]
Elizabeth Aaron Bolland,
born at 6:36 p.m.,
two weeks ahead of schedule.
Six pounds, eight ounces.
That doesn't sound like much,
but to me, it's everything.
And now
you're my whole world.
I would do anything
to protect you.
My perfect baby girl.
I'm gonna be the kind of mother
for you that I never had.
You're going to have
a great childhood.
You have two parents
who love you very much.
When I met your father,
it was love at first sight.
A year later,
we had the perfect wedding,
and found the perfect house,
in the perfect neighborhood,
in the perfect town.
And now we have you.
I just didn't know
how exhausted I would be.
I can't even sleep
Will I ever see
the lighthouse
In this darkness
[Bill] You did it.
Sit down.
I'm gonna
get you some water, okay?
Actually, I just...
think I'm gonna
go lay down upstairs.
Of course.
Whatever you want.
-I'm sorry.
-Mm-mm. Don't be.
You go rest. Okay?
I'll take care of everything.
You go on.
I'll be right up.
-[Adalynn] Mm-hmm.
-[Bill] Okay?
-[Adalynn] I love you.
-I love you, too.
Ooh, Adalynn, ooh, Adalynn
She was the sun
in my ocean
[vocalizing]
Silence is too loud
But I can feel
her heartbeat
[baby crying]
[Adalynn]
All I wanna do is sleep.
Life used to be brunches
and selfies on the beach.
I just need to find
a new normal.
A new perfect.
Right after
I get some sleep.
-[alarm beeping]
-[Bill snoring]
[alarm beeping]
[Adalynn sighs]
I don't know how people
can do this every two hours.
Bill?
I guess I'm lucky that
I don't have to do it alone.
While I spent
the last eight and a half months
suffering from mood swings,
bizarre cravings,
and constant discomfort,
Bill was nothing
but attentive.
I guess
he's earned a break.
From what I hear,
we won't get another one
until our kid grows up
and moves out.
[water running]
I haven't taken my medicine
for a year,
so now I can get
a little obsessive
about things.
I mean,
who doesn't, right?
Who doesn't?
Sometimes
it's the little things.
You gotta be shitting me.
[thermostat beeps]
I check the locks.
Sometimes a lot.
And I'm sure to close
every single door in the house.
Setting the TV volume
to an even number,
or rearranging ornaments
and place settings.
God, don't get me started
on making sure
all the photos in the house
are level.
But sometimes
it's a little more than that.
Sometimes I get
this irrational fear
that someone is watching me.
Or stalking me.
I know
it's an irrational fear, but...
doesn't stop me
from checking everything.
I don't know what an extreme
case would look like for me,
but God,
I hope I never find out.
I haven't taken my medicine.
[quiet, unsettling music]
It's only when I know
that everything's perfect
that I can finally be calm.
But when is anything
ever perfect?
Doesn't stop me
from trying, though.
Everyone told me
that having a child
would change my life forever.
I guess I didn't realize
how much Elizabeth
would change mine.
[Elizabeth cooing]
[alarm beeping]
[Adalynn yawns]
[alarm beeping]
[Bill snoring]
-[Bill snoring]
-[Adalynn sighs]
[ominous music]
[door clicks open]
[distorted music]
[Elizabeth crying distortedly]
-[Elizabeth screams]
-[Adalynn gasps]
Oh...
[calm music]
[phone vibrating]
[sighs]
I just woke up
from the worst nightmare
I've ever had.
God, it felt so real.
I could hear her crying,
but something wasn't right.
I didn't feel
connected to her at all.
But I can't think
about that now.
Back to real life.
My cub needs her mother.
What?
Nothing.
It's just, we did it.
We have a baby.
[Bill] So, uh, did you get
some sleep last night?
[yawning]
I slept like a baby.
As in up every two hours,
crabby,
kinda wanting my mommy.
I feel like I just woke up
after a college bender.
Mm...
So, uh,
start your meds yet?
Uh, not yet.
I just, um-- I'm not sure,
after last time.
Well, the new pills
should be okay,
it's the, uh, blue ones.
They're in my purse.
I keep forgetting I have 'em.
Those ones
are a little different.
They should kick in--
in about ten to 15 minutes.
You know, I, uh--
I can withdraw
from this conference.
Bill, no.
This conference
is too important.
If I need anything,
I'll call Cici.
Okay? We're good here.
So you are going.
You sure?
Yeah.
It's only a week.
We won't even...
notice you're gone.
Plus I, um...
I was thinking about
doing some painting
this weekend.
Yeah?
Hmm. You inspired?
-I have some ideas.
-Hmm.
You, uh, been checking
the locks again.
Sometimes.
Heard you counting, too,
Adalynn.
Bill, I'm perfect.
[sighs] Okay,
but if you need anything,
anything at all,
you call me or Cici.
-Or heaven forbid your mother.
-Mm.
-Things will never be that bad.
-Thank God. [chuckles]
Um, is that the new crib?
No, it's no--
hasn't arrived yet,
it's on back order.
So I pulled the old one
outta storage.
-[tense music]
-[Bill] Oh, shit!
Babe,
I meant to take that off.
I'm sorry.
[Adalynn breathing shakily]
Babe, I'm sorry about earlier
with the crib
and you going
into labor, it's...
Just-- just slipped my mind,
like an idiot.
It's fine.
You just caused
a little freak-out.
But I got through it.
Do you want to talk
about it?
-Adalynn? Adalynn?
-Huh?
Oh, um...
I'm okay.
Spent a little quality time
with the stress ball earlier,
so I'm okay.
Really.
Do you wanna talk
about it?
[phone vibrates]
That's my ride.
Okay.
-Love you.
-Love you.
Bill.
Don't you wanna give
your newborn daughter
-a kiss goodbye?
-[Bill] Of course.
Bye.
Hey.
What's wrong?
I don't wanna
leave you alone.
I know.
But Elizabeth and I
will be okay.
Have a safe trip.
-Bye.
-Bye.
[Bill exhales sharply]
[Adalynn]
And here come the waterworks.
"Baby blues"
is what they call it.
Add that
to my list of problems.
I just hope
this is the worst of it
and it passes soon.
[phone vibrating]
-Hello?
-[static over phone]
[sniffling]
[Elizabeth crying]
[whispering] What do...
[phone vibrating]
-Hello?
-[Cici on phone] Hey,
I've been calling you, girl.
I know.
I'm sorry,
I'm just still...
-adjusting.
-I forgive you.
And I'm so sorry
I didn't make it back
in time to be there.
You were supposed to wait
'til I got back.
-Hey, how was it?
-Childbirth?
About like I expected.
Only 100 times
more painful.
Hey.
You know, my hormones were
really outta control, remember?
And I could not have gotten
through that without you.
And I'm here for you, too.
-Thank you.
-Okay.
Well, sweetie,
what are you doing today?
I was thinking that
we could get takeout
from Croso's
and catch up.
I'm dying to meet the baby.
Oh, um,
we're not really up
for visitors just yet.
[Cici sighs]
-You sure you're okay?
-Yeah.
I'm fine.
Uh, everything's perfect.
Well, i-- if you're not,
there's no shame in it.
I mean, nobody's really
perfect, you know?
We'll be fine.
As long as we can survive
until Bill gets home,
-everything will be perfect.
-Survive?
Hey, Adalynn,
what do you mean?
I have to go
pump now, Cici.
Thank you for calling.
[suspenseful music]
[alarm beeping]
[yawning]
[mockingly] "Nobody's really
perfect, you know?"
[mumbling]
Who does she think she is?
-[thud]
-Ow.
[ominous music]
[high-pitched droning music]
[Adalynn]
I am aching for a nap.
That sure would be easier
with Bill around.
But his career is riding
on this conference.
It's not his fault
Elizabeth came early.
[birds chirping]
[door clicks
and creaks opens]
Oh, Bill,
what did you do?
[Adalynn] Bill told me
he'd ordered some things
for the baby,
but he didn't tell me
he went overboard.
My sweet husband told me
to put all the packages aside
and that he'd deal with them
when he gets home.
[Elizabeth crying]
[distorted,
ominous music]
I am so tired
and this baby
won't shut up!
[groans] God, shut up.
Shut up, shut up,
shut up, shut up, shut up!
[Elizabeth crying]

[distorted clanging]
[muffled crying]
I could use something
to take the edge off.
A glass of wine,
maybe two.
Hell, why not the whole
fucking bottle?
But I won't.
I won't contaminate my milk.
No meds and no wine.
[cutlery clattering]
I guess I just need to find
other ways to relax
and feel like my old self.
However briefly.
I still have painting,
I suppose.
[suspenseful music]
As obsessed
as I can be with even numbers,
locked doors,
and symmetrical designs,
painting
is the only outlet I have
to break all my own rules.
I can be free
and express myself in ways
that I can't otherwise.
Not even while journaling.
It's my true therapy.

I can create a world
where things can be perfect,
just as they should be.
Perfection may be out of reach
in my daily life,
but not for my subjects.
It scares me sometimes
how easily I can get lost
in my own fantasy.
I get so lost sometimes
that I fear
I'll never find my way back.
Sometimes.

[music stops]
[sighs]
-[banging]
-[dogs barking outside]
[tense music]
[sighs]
[mumbling] It's fine, Adalynn.
It's just in your head.
It's just you. Nobody's here.
Nobody's here.
[sinister laughter]
[intense dramatic music]
[eerie, echoing growl]

[Elizabeth crying]
[Adalynn] God,
none of this feels normal.
Why aren't we bonding?
[sighs]
What's wrong with you, Adalynn?
She's just a baby.
Come on, you can do it.
Just fall asleep, Elizabeth.
I can't take
any more crying.
It's been over
an hour now.
Please,
just go to bed for Mama.
Just go to bed.
I wonder if other new mothers
feel like this.
[sighs] I just can't take
the screaming anymore.
[Adalynn screams]
Please, please tell me
this is gonna end one day.
It can't always
be like this.
[Bill]
How's my little angel?
[Adalynn on phone]
Fussy as hell, so is the baby.
How's the conference?
[Bill] It's a little
overwhelming, to be honest.
I never have an issue speaking
in front of large crowds.
I mean, even I get, you know,
stage fright sometimes.
[Adalynn on phone]
[laughs] Apparently so.
[Bill on phone]
So, uh, you doing okay?
Yes, Bill, I'm fine.
I'm a tough...
-girl.
-I know you are.
Oh, you know, uh--
you won't believe this.
Walter Fishman is
finally retiring.
-[Adalynn] What? Why now?
-Yeah.
I mean, he's only 100.
He's probably got what,
50 more good years in him?
[Bill] He's 75, Adalynn.
Can you imagine?
Don't you ever let me go
that long, you promise?
I promise. 70 tops.
-[doorbell ringing]
-Ugh, that's the doorbell.
Probably more
of your impulse buys.
[Bill] Probably.
Listen,
when the pack and play comes,
just let it-- set it aside.
I'll handle it when I get home.
All right?
We'll see,
I have a list of other things
for you to do first.
-I love you.
-[Adalynn] I love you.
[tense music]
[door creaking]
[sighs]
[dark music]
[toy playing music]
Shh! Shh!
Shh.
Oh, my God.
[groans]
[exhales deeply]
[toy playing incessant melody]
[discordant clashing
mixing with toy's melody]
[groans]
[panting]
[sobbing]
[muttering] One, two, three,
four, five, six...
[music fades]
[sobbing and sighing]
Sometimes nothing works.
And when the pain
doesn't go away,
I feel helpless.
-Like I'm all out of options.
-[gunshot echoing distantly]
Meanwhile,
it's more than just my brain.
The headaches are back
and something else seems off.
This really is a lot for me.
I feel like I'm heading
into a downward spiral.
Meanwhile, Bill's probably
rubbing elbows with millionaires
over champagne and caviar.
Okay, that's not fair.
He did offer to stay.
He really wanted to.
I could see it in his eyes
when he left.
His concern.
And sadness, perhaps.
Maybe that's why
I pushed him to go.
Maybe I needed to prove to him
that I could handle this.
Maybe I needed
to prove to myself
that I could handle this.
"'Anything could be in there,'
said the playful puffin.
'It could be a slippery fish,
or a wisecracking walrus,
or even
a water-wading whale.'
The happy little harp seal
pulled himself closer to the ice
for a better look.
'If I could use a last wish
for anything,
anything in the world,'
said the pup.
'I know exactly
who I would wish to--'"
[ominous music]
[Elizabeth coughing]
Come on.
Breathe, breathe,
breathe, breathe.
Come on.
[Elizabeth crying]
Breathe. Come on.
[Elizabeth coughing and crying]
[Elizabeth stops choking
and cries]
[Dr. Van Doren]
Now, try to relax.
[blood pressure machine
humming]
A little higher than normal,
but nothing too bad.
Is this really necessary?
I-- I only called
about the baby.
[Dr. Van Doren] This is true.
But the baby's fine.
And true fact,
the well-being of a baby
often depends
on the well-being of its mother.
Right,
but are you sure, though?
About the choking?
Oh, yes.
It's very common.
Um, infants are born
with a hyper gag reflex.
Um, when it happens,
just let it pass.
Um, adjust
the baby's position,
maybe your own,
and resume feeding.
Yeah, I-- I knew that,
I just, um...
I just forgot.
Uh...
It just--
it all happened so fast,
you know, like,
in that instant, it all--
it all could've just--
I'm sorry,
you probably think I'm crazy.
I could tell you stories
about what lengths
I've seen mothers go to
to protect their young.
It happens in nature,
you know.
Um, polar bears,
for example.
The moms
usually have two cubs
and they'd sacrifice anything
to keep 'em alive.
So, how are you feeling?
Are-- are you getting
enough sleep?
-I mean, does any parent?
-[chuckles] Touch.
Are you eating,
exercising, meditating?
Uh, I did start writing
in my journal again.
It helps.
I think.
Good, good.
And you're staying off
the prescriptions?
[somber music]
Uh, yeah. Yes.
I-- I haven't taken any.
Um, I don-- I don't want to.
You know, a-- after last time.
Adalynn, that was a completely
different situation.
Yeah.
Because I aborted him.
It wasn't your fault.
The-- the-- the-- the fetus--
It's Miles.
His name was Miles.
Miles had
severe cardiac abnormalities.
It was no longer
a viable pregnancy.
You know, we--
we took the best option.
It wasn't your fault.
I know. I know.
I'm sorry, I just...
I think about it...
a lot.
Everything was so perfect.
I don't understand.
Why him?
Was it the meds?
Was it me?
Was it something
that I did?
There wasn't anything
that anyone could have done.
He, uh...
he would've been due
six years ago last week.
He would've been six.
[chuckles]
I sometimes wonder wha--
what my life would've been like
if he would've lived.
I think about it every day.
You shouldn't do that
to yourself.
Besides,
if he'd lived,
who knows how
it would've affected your life?
You could have missed out on
this beautiful bundle of joy
right here.
Sure, but...
it's not all
I think about.
I also wonder what my life
would've been like...
without either of them.
And then I get to thinking,
"Did I will that to happen?"
No. Ab-- absolutely not.
What if I did?
Stop!
You loved your baby.
Miles.
You love
both your children.
Uh, you're just having
an episode.
It is just so much harder
without the pills.
You know, I--
I wish I could just take one.
At least just one, Doctor.
That-- that's not in your best
interest right now.
All right?
I know it's hard,
but this will pass.
I'm just so afraid
that something might happen.
-Like what?
-[Adalynn] I don't know.
Sometimes things just happen,
you know?
Or--
or what if I do something?
Are you afraid you may harm
yourself or your baby?
No. No, no.
[Dr. Van Doren]
Have you been seeing things?
You would tell me, right?
Yes, yeah.
Yes, of course, Doctor.
I just wondered, is all.
[Dr. Van Doren] Okay.
Well, remember that
there's a after-hours number
you can call,
uh, if you need to.
And in the meantime,
I can assure you
that your baby
is in perfect health.
And you have nothing to fear
but fear itself.
[microwave humming]
Drink the whole bottle
for Mommy
without scaring her
half to death, all right?
[yawning]
No more scares for Mommy.
[yawning]
[eerie music]
[gasping]
[muttering] Oh, no.
Oh, no, oh, no, oh, no. Oh, no.
[fridge door clicks open]
[music intensifies]
[microwave beeps]
[gasps]
-[sighs]
-[microwave beeps]
[panting]
[Adalynn] I feel like
I'm starting to unravel.
I'm seeing things.
The worst things.
I've read about this,
it's not uncommon.
God, I wish I had someone
to talk to about this.
But if I can just make it
a few more days,
Bill will be home
and we can deal with this
together.
Just hold on, Adalynn.
We can get through this.
Just a little bit longer.
[eerie music]
[metallic clanking music]
[music fades]
[unsettling music]
[panting]
[whispering] One, two, three,
four, five, six, seven,
eight, nine, ten.
-[toy clangs]
-[groans in pain]
Fucking toy!
[toy playing discordant melody]
[sighs]
[dramatic chord]
[suspenseful music]
[shutters rattling]
[glass breaking]
[Bill on phone, yawning] It was
probably just a nightmare, babe.
-It wasn't a nightmare, Bill.
-[sighs]
I'm just saying
it's 3:30 in the morning.
Di-- Somebody was trying
to break into our house,
it happened.
Otherwise, how do you explain
the broken wine glass?
I didn't dream that.
-I don't know.
-I'm calling the police.
Oh, whoa, whoa.
Hold on a second.
Let's just take a minute,
all right?
Let's think about this.
There has to be--
has to be
a logical explanation, right?
You said
the doors were unlocked.
Yes. And it was opened.
And no one entered
the house, right?
No.
I mean, I don't think so.
But I heard--
I-- I thought I heard--
[Adalynn panting]
Adalynn?
I didn't see anyo--
anybody come in, but--
-they could have.
-How?
[Adalynn] What?
What difference
does that make?
You're checking locks again.
When was the last time
you checked before that?
I don't know.
1:00, 1:30, why?
And were they locked?
-And they were locked?
-Yes.
Exactly.
[Adalynn sighs]
You're saying
they were locked.
How could they be unlocked?
[Bill]
They couldn't be, right?
Adalynn?
Maybe they picked the locks
or something.
I don't know.
And what about
the animals downstairs?
What animals, Adalynn?
The-- the--
the ceramic animals, Bill.
The-- the-- the penguins,
the polar bears.
They were all mixed up
and facing different ways.
And I thought
maybe I imagined it, but--
-[sighs]
-Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait.
Hold on. You imagined it?
[Adalynn] After tonight--
Somebody has been
in our house, Bill.
Look, I saw what I saw.
Okay?
Why don't you believe me?
Listen, I do believe you.
I believe you heard something,
but I don't believe--
[Adalynn]
That is not what I meant.
[Bill]
Listen, I'm coming home.
All right?
I'll come home.
-I'll catch the next flight out.
-Bill.
[sighs] No.
[chuckles] Well, then tell me,
what the fuck am I supposed
to do, Adalynn?
Please, please.
I'm out-- I'm outta answers.
You have to finish.
I'm sorry.
Just haven't gotten
any sleep and--
I just-- I guess
I'm just preaching to the choir.
Okay, listen.
I'm gonna call security.
I'm gonna have him come by,
check on things.
If anything else happens,
you call the police.
[sighs] Yeah.
Okay. Sure.
Okay. Good.
I'm gonna try
and get some sleep.
Good. Yeah.
Get some rest.
Oh, and please take your pills
if you haven't yet.
All right?
-I love you.
-I love you, too.
[tense music]
[whimpers]
[glass shards clinking]
[phone ringing]
Hello?
-[Bill on phone] Hey.
-Hey.
I just got off the phone
with, uh, the security office.
What'd they say?
They didn't find anything.
The manager said there were
some new kids in the complex.
They were probably
just screwing around.
[scoffs] Screwing around?
They're gonna do extra patrol
for a couple of days.
That was the best
they can do.
I'm sorry,
didn't have any better news.
[Adalynn sighs]
Whatever, Bill.
I'll call you later.
Love you.
I feel like
I'm losing my mind.
I'm starting to lose grip
on reality.
God, maybe Bill was right.
Maybe this is all in my head
and I should just
get back on the meds.
But I can't. Not yet.
If I do I-- I don't know
what they'll do to me.
-[doorknob rattling]
-[eerie music]
[rattling stops]

[door creaking]
[Elizabeth crying in distance]
[crying continues]
[eerie music intensifies]
[crying continues]
-[glass shattering]
-[crying stops]

[breathing heavily]
[whimpering]
[breathing shakily]
[Elizabeth crying]
Please, no...
[crying continues]
[crying continues]
[Bill on phone]
Wait, wait, go back.
-[crying stops]
-The gun safe was open?
I must have left it unlocked
when I opened it the other day.
-Opened for what?
-[Adalynn] I just...
wanted to see it.
You know, make sure
it was there, in case--
[Bill] Damn it, Adalynn.
Thank God--
thank God you're okay.
But, I mean, did you at least
call the police?
[Adalynn]
Yeah, they're on their way.
Okay. That's good.
-[Adalynn] You sorry?
-What?
Are you sorry
that you didn't believe me?
I never said
I didn't believe you. [sighs]
I'll see
if I can catch a red-eye.
No, Bill,
you're almost done.
Everything's perfect.
-[Bill] Are you sure?
-Yes, I'm sure.
Okay. Well, I'm gonna call
that security office.
I'm gonna rip them
a fucking new one.
In the meantime,
I want you to call the maid
and-- and see
if she can make a special trip.
I gave her the week off.
Her daughter
has the flu, remember?
Oh, shit!
That's right.
Okay. How about this?
Go ahead and call my mom
and she'll stay with you
-'til I get back, all right?
-[Adalynn] No, no, no.
I said I'm fine. Okay?
[Bill] Adalynn...
I'm perfectly capable
of handling this by myself.
I know how
to take care of my baby.
Our baby.
I'm gonna finish cleaning.
Maybe give the baby a bath.
-I'll see you Sunday.
-No, Adalynn.
Adalynn, stay on the phone.
Adalynn?
[Bill scoffs]
[eerie music]
[phone vibrating]
Bill, I said
I don't wanna talk right--
-[evil laughter on phone]
-Hello?
[demonic voice on phone]
You're all gonna die.
[demonic voice laughing]
[clears throat]
Look, I'll put in the report,
but without a description
and no forced entry,
there's not a whole lot
we can do right now.
Okay, but what about
the phone calls?
-We'll run the number.
-So that's it?
I'm sorry. I-- I wish
there was more we could do.
Look,
if you can think of anything,
give us a call, okay?
[door thudding shut]
[sighs]
[Adalynn] The best thing
about picking up the pieces
after completely falling apart
is that it gives you
a sense of control again.
You can rebuild things
however you want them.
I spent the last few days
losing my shit,
but I knew
I couldn't stay there.
And look,
this terrible thing
that happened,
I survived it,
and I will continue to.
I have to keep it together
for my family.
So, we're starting over.
Everything can feel like
new again.
Good. Great, even.
In a word,
well, you know...
perfect.
Except...
it's not perfect,
is it?
You can never put things
back together like they were.
And it can happen again.
[sighing]
I can't keep this up forever.
I know
I'm not fooling anybody.
I'm losing it.

[demonic voice]
Kill them all!
Do it.
[water burbling]
[Elizabeth screaming
and choking]
[Adalynn sobbing]
[continues sobbing]
I'm sorry.
[sniffling]
I have to.
[sniffles]
[sobbing] No!
No.
No! No, no!
No!
[pill bottles clattering]
[demonic voice]
Why are you doing this?
[eerie music intensifies]
[unsettling music]
[disembodied growling]
[whimpers]

You can't have us.
[suspenseful music]

[Siri] Cici.
Shit! No!
[whispering]
It's okay. It's okay.
[muttering] One, two, three,
four, five...
[muttering] One, two, three,
four, five...
[Miles' voice echoes]
Mommy!
Wake up, Mommy. Wake up.
[racing footsteps]
Who's there?
Huh?
-How'd you get into my house?
-[Miles] Silly, Mommy.
Stop playing.
Come cuddle with me.
[eerie music]
Miles?
-Hello?
-[eerie cacophony booms]
-[eerie disembodied laughter]
-[Adalynn breathing heavily]
-[laughing continues]
-[Adalynn gasps]
You're not my son.
Miles, he...
[voice cracking]
...he wasn't born.
[Miles, voice echoing]
And yet, here I am.
No.
We lost you.
[Miles]
You didn't lose me, Mommy.
[Adalynn breathing heavily]
[Miles] I wasn't perfect,
so you killed me.
-No!
-[Miles] Remember?
No!
[Miles] Just like
you killed all your family.
[pills rattle]

[Adalynn] The pills?
These are the new ones.
They were in my purse.
But I-- I moved them,
didn't I?
Sorry I couldn't save you.
[Adalynn grunts]
[breathing heavily]
[pills rattling]
[breathing heavily]
[faucet running]
[Bill] They should kick in
in about ten to 15 minutes.
[muttering] No, you're not...
You're all right.
You're fine.
[breathing heavily]
[exhales]
It's okay.
[exhales]
[tense music]
Elizabeth.
Hmm
[Elizabeth cooing]
Hmm
Who can hear my cry?
[Adalynn laughs] It worked.
We made it, my love.
[Elizabeth cooing]
Ready to see the world,
sunshine?
Who can hear my cry?
Hmm
Hmm
Who can hear my cry?
Tears are falling
Like the waves
in the blue ocean
Hmm
Hmm
Tears are falling
Like the waves
in the blue ocean
Now I'm sinking deep
Feels like yesterday
I held you in my arms
Hmm
Hmm
-[ominous music starts]
-[Adalynn breathing heavily]
[keys jingling in door lock]
[lock opening]
Bill!
Whoa!
Whoa, whoa, whoa, baby.
Put the gun down, babe.
Bill?
Put the gun down.
Come here.
What happened here, Adalynn?
Adalynn, let go.
-What happened?
-What?
Adalynn,
what did you do?
No. No, I--
It wa-- it wasn't like this.
-I-- I-- I cleaned.
-What the fuck!
-Have you been drinking?
-No, no.
It was the break-in, Bill.
-It wa--
-Look at this shit.
Baby powder
fucking everywhere.
Where--
What's Elizabeth eating, huh?
Look at me. Look at me.
You're not even taking
your pills, are you?
-No.
-What?
The-- the doctor
told me not to, Bill.
What are you talking about,
Adalynn?
The doctor, he came
to check on Elizabeth
and he told me not to so that
I wouldn't hurt her.
Adalynn,
I am your doctor.
You fucking insisted on it.
What the fuck is this shit!
[sighs]
It's a fucking mess.
Fuck.
Fuck.
Adalynn, you knew--
you knew having the baby
would exacerbate your condition.
You knew this.
Look at me.
You're dehydrated.
-When was the last time you ate?
-[sobbing] Stop. Stop!
When was the last time
you had water besides this--
I don't know.
I don't know!
You promised you'd tell me.
You promised me and Elizabeth.
-You promised us.
-I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
It's okay.
It's okay. I'm sorry.
It's okay. It's okay.
Where's Elizabeth,
Ad-- Adalynn?
-What?
-Our kid?
-Where's our kid at?
-No, no, no, no.
-Bill. Bill, please come here.
-Stop it!
-Come here, please. It's fine.
-[shouting] Stop it!
-[Adalynn sobs]
-[somber music]
[Adalynn sobbing]
[Adalynn, quietly]
Don't go in there.
-[Bill's voice cracking] Oh, no!
-No!
[Bill] Oh, God, no.
[crying] No, not our baby.
[intense music building]
-No.
-I'm sorry.
[Bill] No!
[gunshot]
[Adalynn] Another delusion.
And the worst one yet.
I went right over the edge.
When thoughts
of harming my daughter evolved
to harming myself,
I realized that losing her
and Miles would be too much.
I couldn't bear that.
But I think it's over.
I think the pill--
I hope it worked.
I guess I never really
dealt with my grief before.
I didn't know how.
It just became easier
for me to take pills,
fixate on obsessive behaviors,
and let reality fade away.
But I think I can finally
just let things be.
"Oh, colored leaves
are on the ground."
I see now how
unsustainable perfection is.
I was never perfect.
There's no such thing.
There's just life.
And when living it,
shit happens sometimes.
Whether pointless and mundane,
or in a way that's cruel
and earth-shattering.
And when you're dealt
a hand like that,
I think
you're left with a choice.
You can find a way
to live with it,
or you can let it
destroy you.
Rather, you can destroy yourself
and everything about you.
Everything in your life.
It sounds like an easy choice,
but sometimes it's not.
I, like many others,
couldn't trust my brain
to tell me the truth.
And what's worse...
I couldn't tell anyone
what I was going through.
What would people say,
if I told them
what I saw and felt?
-They'd say I was crazy.
-[shutter clicks]
-They'd call me a monster.
-[shutter clicks]
Maybe they'd even try
and take Elizabeth.
But I'm not a monster.
I'm a mother,
like so many others,
who went through
some serious postpartum shit
and can't even talk about it.
We keep our mouths shut
to avoid judgment.
So we won't be labeled unfit.
We ignore our own health
to keep this deadly secret.
But sometimes
people need help, too.
-[phone vibrating]
-And, God, do I wish
it was easier to ask for.
Talk about a perfect world.
Hey, girl.
But we have to try.
We have to open up
to the people who care about us.
And try and make the best
of the world that we live in.
We find ways to cope.
We take it day by day.
And in time, we improve.
We heal, and we live on
to fight another day.
We do it for our cubs,
like the great mother
polar bear.
So, I'll paint.
I'll leave all my pain
and my anger
and my broken heart
on the canvas.
And with that,
with every cathartic stroke
and every drop
of pigment squeezed
out of my very soul,
I'm set free.
Does that mean I'm cured?
[chuckles] No. I'm just...
managing.
I'm getting by,
maybe even improving a little.
I mean, Bill's prescriptions
help, too, obviously.
I read that
they don't work for everyone.
But Bill was right.
After 15 minutes,
these little blue pills
gave me something
I haven't had for weeks.
Maybe not since we lost Miles.
They gave me hope.
And hope is just what I needed
to save my family...
and save my life.
[lock clicking]
Adalynn, I'm home.
Found this on the porch.
I just ordered this.
[Adalynn] Oh.
Hi.
-[Bill sighs] Adalynn.
-[Adalynn chuckles]
[Adalynn] And Elizabeth.
-I was so worried, so worried.
-[Adalynn chuckles]
I'm so sorry.
-It's okay.
-You okay?
I'm per--
I'm good.
[whispering] Hi.
-[Adalynn chuckles]
-[Miles] Daddy!
[eerie music]
-This isn't right.
-[Miles] Daddy!
No!
This isn't right.
[breathing heavily]
This isn't right.
This isn't right.
[eerie creaking]
[Miles] Mommy!
This isn't right.
This isn't right.
[demonic voice]
What's the matter, Mommy?
[snickering]
[Dr. Van Doren]
Adalynn. Adalynn.
[gasping]
You're okay.
You're having another episode.
Focus on my voice
and do your counting.
No, this isn't right.
-[Dr. Van Doren] Adalynn.
-You're not real.
None of this is real.
Leave us alone.
I'm afraid
this is worse than I thought.
Remember, Adalynn.
Remember how you got here.
No. No, this isn't real.
This isn't real.
You've had some trouble
discerning what's real
from what's imaginary
for a while now.
No, no.
You created an elaborate fantasy
for yourself
to escape the fact that you--
It wasn't your fault,
Adalynn.
Now, please...
give it here.
No.
No, she's my baby.
Go on. Look for yourself.
[sobs] No.
[whimpering in horror]
[sniffles]
Where is she?
Where's Elizabeth?
Where's Elizabeth?
Please tell me. [sniffles]
Maybe
you should have a seat.
No, doctor,
please tell me.
[machine beeping rhythmically]
I'm sorry.
Your baby died, Adalynn.
[machine beeping continuously]
-No.
No, no, no, no, no!
-[sobbing] No, no!
-[Miles] Daddy!
-[Bill speaking inaudibly]
-No, God, no!
Oh, no, no, no, no.
[tape rewinding]
[breathing heavily]
-[evil laughter]
-[eerie music booms]
[Adalynn sobbing]


-[Siri] Cici.
-[phone ringing]
[ringing continues]
Adalynn, I'm so glad
that you picked up your phone.
I have been trying
to get in touch with you
for a few days.
There was a nursery incident,
I was gonna stop by.
It was a whole thing.
Addy?
Cici?
You okay?
[Adalynn sobbing on phone]
It won't stop.
What won't stop?
It won't stop
until I do it.
[Cici] Do what?
[sighs]
Adalynn?
Hey, I can't help you
unless you tell me what's wrong.
Okay?
Hey, talk to me.
[Adalynn] I lost them both.
I can't live with that.
[Cici] Adalynn, I
want you to remember
your breathing, okay?
Okay, deep breaths.
Can you put the baby
somewhere safe?
[nurse] I gave her
two milligrams of Lorazepam.
It's best
to just let her rest.
I have to say goodbye.
[Cici] Adalynn!
Adalynn, I want you
to stay on the phone with me.
Okay? Adalynn?
Adalynn,
I'm coming for you, okay?
[clock ticking]
Hi, um, Dr. Bolland.
[ticking continues]
[Cici] Addy! Addy, stop it!
Whatever you're doing,
I want you to sit down.
Addy, can you hear me?
Sweetheart,
I'm coming to get you.
Okay? I'm gonna come.
I'm gonna get you,
I'm gonna get the baby.
Addy!
Addy!
I'm Mary Stewart,
the grief counselor
here at St. Patrick's.
How is Adalynn?
She's devastated.
She keeps asking
to see the baby.
[Cici] Pick the phone up.
Can you say something for me?
Addy, please!
I need to be with her
right now.
Okay, Bill, Bill--
-[breathing heavily]
-[Cici] [indistinct] here.
-I'm almost here, okay?
-[tires screeching]
[Mary] Let's have a seat,
please.
[ticking continues]
[Cici] Addy,
pick up your phone!
This wasn't supposed
to happen, you know?
[voice cracking]
We did everything right
this time, everything.
Well, for starters,
she's gonna need
comprehensive therapy.
-[keys jingling]
-[Cici breathing heavily]
[shower running]
That's gonna
fucking break her.
Adalynn!
[ticking continues]
-[breathing heavily]
-[music intensifies]
[Elizabeth crying]
[Bill] She insists
Elizabeth's still alive.
I know what you're gonna say,
but I think
Adalynn could really
benefit from a reborn doll.
What the fuck?
I'm dying to meet the baby.
Oh, um...
we're not really up
for visitors just yet.
[doll coughing]
[breathing heavily]
It wasn't your fault.
[both]
As far as I'm concerned...
It wasn't anybody's fault.
[Adalynn] If something
were to happen to mama bear,
then her cubs
would surely die.
But if something
were to happen to her cubs...
what would become
of the mother?
Would she have
the strength to survive?
[Cici] Adalynn! Adalynn!
[Bill] Absolutely certain
you wanna do this?
[sobbing] Yeah.
-[suspenseful music]
-[doll crying]
[ticking stops]
-[Adalynn sobs]
-[crying continues]
-[crying fades]
-[ticking resumes]
[Adalynn]
And in time,
we heal.
And we live on to fight
our battles again another day.
Unfortunately, I don't think
we'll ever win the war.
But we can still fight.
Protect our families.
Even at great sacrifice
to ourselves,
we fight.
We fight to the bitter end.
[ticking stops]
[high-pitched ringing]
[ringing stops]
["Adalynn"
by Patri Starlight]
Who can hear my cry?
Tears are falling
Like the waves
in the blue ocean
Now I'm sinking deep
Feels like yesterday
I held you in my arms
It's hard to let go
I'm losing control
I'm falling into pieces,
don't go!
Living life without you
Is the hardest thing
I'll never do
Adalynn, oh, Adalynn
Oh, Adalynn
She was the sun
in my ocean
I can't even sleep
Will I ever see the lighthouse
in this darkness?
Strong wind surrounds me
But I'm daring to fly
Like a butterfly in the rain
Living life without you
Is the hardest thing
I'll never do
Adalynn, oh, Adalynn
Oh, Adalynn
She was the sun
in my ocean
Silence is too loud
But I can feel
her heartbeat
I'll keep her
in the vault
Of my broken heart
'Cause she's the sun
in my world
Living life without you
Is the hardest thing
I'll never do
Adalynn, oh, Adalynn
Oh, Adalynn
Oh, Adalynn
My Adalynn
Oh, Adalynn
She was the sun
in my ocean
[music fades]