Black Balsam (2022) Movie Script
1
["Jingle Bells"
by Tyler Barham]
[singer shivers]
[singer] Gosh,
it's kind of cold out here.
Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse
open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bobtails ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is
to laugh and sing
A sleighing song tonight
Oh, jingle bells,
jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one-horse open sleigh
Jingle bells,
jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one-horse open sleigh
A day or two ago
I thought I'd take a ride
And soon,
Miss Fanny Bright
Was seated by my side
The horse
was lean and lank
Misfortune seemed his lot
He got into a drifted bank
and then we got upsot
Oh, jingle bells,
jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one-horse open sleigh
Jingle bells,
jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one-horse open sleigh
Oh, jingle bells,
jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun
it is to ride
In a one-horse
open sleigh, hey
Jingle bells,
jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one-horse open sleigh
Oh, what fun
it is to ride
In a one-horse
open sleigh
[Bill sighs]
[Ellen]
Wasn't our appointment at 11?
[Bill] Uh, yeah.
And it's quarter after.
Okay.
I'm going to call her.
[chuckles] Yeah, well, uh,
there's no cell reception
in the middle of town.
Guess I'm not going
to call her then.
Oh! That's her.
She has a sign. [chuckle]
-Hi!
-I am so sorry I'm late.
Oh, you wouldn't believe it.
My car's broken down.
It's a new car.
Twice in the past two weeks.
Oh, no.
I'm so sorry to hear.
-I'm Ellen.
-I'm Kimberly.
And this is my husband, Bill.
-[Bill] Pleasure.
-Very nice to meet you.
Is the cell reception
this bad everywhere?
-[laugh] I'm afraid so, yeah.
-[Ellen chuckles]
Well, why don't you
hop in our car?
[soft music playing]
[Kimberly] There's three resorts
within about 45 minutes of here.
It offers skiing,
snowboarding, sledding, tubing.
-Bill's an avid snowboarder.
-Yeah.
On the map,
the resorts look closer.
It's on the other side.
We past the turn up there
on the left.
Um, it's maybe five miles
as the crow flies,
but the cabin is up here
on Black Balsam Knob,
Oh, secluded.
[Kimberly] The cabin sits
on 98 forest filled acres.
No nosy neighbors.
The price includes
the acreage, the cabin,
and there's a couple
outbuildings
on the property as well.
-All of it?
-All of it.
-And the stuffed animals?
-[Kimberly and Ellen laughs]
It-- that is kind of
a sore spot.
I asked the man that lives there
to put some of them away,
but he's a taxidermist
and apparently
very proud of his works.
That just seems, uh,
so counterproductive
if you're trying to sell
your house.
He's not the one selling it.
It's a-- it's a trust sale.
Um, so it's been so challenging
getting anything done
in any sort of
traditional sense.
A trust sale.
Oh, I didn't see that.
You know what, that is--
it's just kind of a long story.
But the woman that lived there
for many years,
she did-- she passed away.
[soft music playing]
-[gravel crunches]
-[GPS jingles]
Not again.
[trunk slams shut]
[grunts] Oh, God.
God, that's another 100 bucks
out the window.
[Kimberly] [scoffs]
Like I don't have a key.
It feels like
we're a million miles
from civilization.
Ah, it feels like
a million miles,
but we're only five!
Guys, wait till you see
the property.
-Oh, my God.
-[Kimberly] [indistinct]
[Bill sighs]
It's a real fixer upper.
-Shh, shh.
-Okay.
[car doors slam shut]
So you know, the new owners
could maybe trim some trees,
a fresh coat of paint.
This house has great bones.
It just--
it hasn't been updated, ever.
So, come on,
let's go check it out.
I feel like now
would be a good time
to mention something.
This listing has been--
it's been a bit tricky.
Martha and her son, Wes,
had, um,
a difficult relationship.
She was apparently fed up
with his freeloading,
and so instead of deeding
everything to him,
she's basically selling it out
from under him.
[Ellen]
So he's getting kicked out?
[Kimberly] Mm-hmm.
[Bill]
Why are you telling us this?
[Kimberly] The longer
the house doesn't sell,
the longer he can live here.
Don't expect
the house to be staged
with sugar cookies
and classical music.
[crows cawing]
-[knocks on door]
-[Kimberly] Hello.
It's Kimberly
from Mountaintop Reality.
We're here for the showing.
[door creaks]
[intriguing music playing]
Well, I did say not to expect
sugar cookies, right?
[scoffs] I'm going to go
check the power.
-What a mess.
-Really?
[Bill sighs]
-[moaning]
-[Kimberly] Oh, my God!
-Wesley Goins!
-[Bill] Holy Jesus!
[Ellen] Oh, okay.
I don't know what I just saw.
-Watch your--
-Owner's son, right?
[Kimberly]
Uh, yeah, I'm sorry,
he must have forgotten
about this showing.
This is worth
the price of admission.
[door slams shut]
[peaceful music playing]
-It's like free therapy, right?
-[Bill] Yeah.
Hey, you know what?
The last buyers paid
for an inspection report
that basically says
this house is in great shape.
Then why didn't they go through
with the purchase?
Oh, they pulled out.
Um, their loan,
didn't go through.
[Ellen] Oh, what's, uh,
what's that down there?
Oh, that is the old
carriage house.
It's filled
with a lot of Wes's junk.
He's got
a lot of stuff to clean up
before he sells this place.
I'll tell you what,
if you guys buy this place,
I will pay for someone
to come and clean up,
and clean up
all of Wes's junk.
This would be so great
for us to get away.
And especially wonderful
for the holidays.
I know how much
you want your turn
at holidays things and--
-and the inspection helps.
-Yeah.
We don't have to pay someone
to tell us that this is a trap.
It's not a trap.
There's just a couple things
here and there
and she even said
there's nothing major
that needs to be done.
Except the aesthetics,
the taxidermy,
all that crap in the barn.
We can get
$200 a night for this.
That's what she said.
So? So?
[Kimberly]
Well, what did you guys
think of the place?
This guy's not going
to give us any trouble?
Absolutely not.
He has no say in the matter.
Oh, it's exactly
what we're looking for.
Yeah, as long as it doesn't come
with Wes and all his dead stuff.
[laughs]
And-- and his party girls.
We'd be moved in
by Christmas.
[Bill]
Oh, it's a lot of work.
The kids
would love this place.
And think about
how we've been wanting
to catch up with them.
Really catch up.
[Bill] The kids are living
their own lives now.
But I know how much making
new memories together
means to you.
Us.
This place would allow us
to disconnect
from what doesn't matter...
and reconnect
with everything that does.
And then you and I
could have some time alone
finally,
before they arrive.
You had me at alone.
[Ellen laughs]
Okay.
If you take 20,000
off the listing price.
How about we go back
to my office
and we talk about it?
[birds chirping]
Hi, Caitlin.
How are you, sweetheart?
[Caitlin]
Good. Sutton's here.
-Oh, good.
-Put him-- put him on speaker.
Uh, bad news.
We won't be doing the holidays
this year at the beach.
[Caitlin] What? Why not?
Because,
we bought a pretty little...
[both shouting]
cabin in the mountains!
- [Caitlin] Hello?
-[static buzzes over line]
- [Caitlin] Hello?
-Hello? Caitlin?
-Can you hear me?
-Okay. I didn't get that.
- [Caitlin] What did you say?
-Oh, there you are.
Okay, well,
we'll try that again.
Um, so you guys are going to
have to get used to
a little limited
cell reception for a few days.
[Caitlin] What?
Because we are buying
a pretty, little cabin
in Banner Elk. Christmas!
Christmas in the mountains!
[Caitlin laughs] Dad,
you're a little flat there.
[Bill] Yeah, I mean,
it's going to be
really beautiful.
Uh, uh, just a little updating.
It's going to be amazing.
[Sutton]
Unexpected but awesome.
-[Caitlin] So awesome.
-Yes. We were so excited!
We were going to wait
and tell you when we saw you,
but we just
had to tell you now.
[Sutton] I've been meaning
to tell you,
the wrestling team is pushing
to keep practicing
until really late this year.
I'm not certain when
or if I'll be able to make it.
Oh, Sutton.
-[Sutton] I'll try.
-Gosh--
Okay, um, you know, well
just do what you can, honey.
We'll-- we'll see-- we just
really want to see you, so...
we'll see you
when we see you.
[creepy music playing]
[crows cawing]
Wasn't all this junk
supposed to be moved out by now?
Hmm. Yeah.
Okay, there's more crap here
than when we viewed it.
Okay. Well.
What the hell?
He hasn't moved out a thing.
I know, I'm gonna--
I'm going to call the realtor.
Crazy bastard.
Just abandoning
all this stuff.
-Hi, Kim. It's Ellen.
-[Kimberly] Oh, hi, Ellen!
-[breaking glass]
-He hasn't packed a thing.
[Wes] Hold it, bucko.
Welcome mi casa.
It's Spanish.
The closing
was two days ago.
You and your belongings
are supposed to be
out of here by now.
Okay? We're the new owners.
We need you to vacate.
What do you mean?
It's my house.
Always has been.
Where's your lady friend?
Oh, actually, uh,
that's why I'm calling.
Bill and I are here
at the cabin,
and it-- it looks like
Wes hasn't moved out at all.
[Bill] Okay,
we purchased this house,
so the closing
was two days ago.
You and your belongings
are supposed to be
out of here by now.
Okay? We're the new owners.
We need you to vacate.
Now.
-Now?
-Now.
Hold on.
Huh.
[rustling and clattering]
-Oh, bucko.
-Okay.
-My name is William.
-William Bucko.
I don't think you know
how things work around here.
This frontier land here.
The rules are a little...
[sighs] ...different.
[Bill] Yeah.
Okay, well, how about this?
I'm going to call the police.
They do have police
on your frontier, right?
I think I hear him inside.
Ellen, can you hear me?
I'm really sor--
-[Bill] Ellen.
-[Ellen] Hi.
So, uh...
what's going on?
Welcome to my home, ma'am.
Okay.
Wes.
I know this must be
very difficult for you, um...
sometimes
life throws you a curveball.
Curveball?
Oh, uh, yeah, it's just a--
it's just a saying.
-She's a keeper.
-[Ellen laughs nervously]
I was born in this house.
My papa
was born in this house too.
His papa,
he cut down trees outside.
Brought 'em inside
and did this to them.
-[Ellen] Uh-huh.
-He made the house.
[Ellen] Oh, I understand.
Well, I don't think you do,
because I'm not done.
Okay, well,
I think I have to call
the police, so just excuse me.
Well I'll be.
This is exactly what you said,
Billy Bucko.
Y'all two make a great couple.
I just threw up in my mouth.
Yeah, I think
we can figure this out.
Oh?
And what,
pray tell, mi amour,
say we're going to
figure out exactly?
-That's French.
-Uh.
See that rifle there?
That-- that rifle?
My grandpa
gave me this rifle.
Christmas morning.
I just turned six.
I shot my first 12 point buck
with this rifle.
And them fields,
y'all passed on the way in...
fed my whole family
all winter.
They were so proud of me.
Why don't you take it?
[Bill] Listen,
I don't want your gun.
Oh, no?
You won't take it?
Why?
You're taking
everything else
my family's worked
so hard to build.
Why?
Is this not good enough for you?
Maybe Momma Bear was right.
Maybe this is the end.
My Momma Bear,
she tells me everything.
There ain't no life
left in life.
-[Ellen] Oh!
-There's no point in going on.
-[Ellen] Wes!
-Put the gun down, okay?
Um...
-Wes.
-Please. Wait, wait, wait.
Are you going to leave?
Will you leave
and never come back?
Mr. Goins, please don't do that!
Please stop.
-Stop. Please. Please.
-[knocking on door]
-[Ashton] Sheriff's department.
-[Ellen] No, no, no, no, no!
-Oh, no way!
-[Bill] Stop, stop, stop, stop!
-No, no!
-[Ellen] Oh, my God!
Sheriff's department!
-Oh!
-[Ashton] Turn around!
Put your hands
behind your back.
-[police radio chatter]
-[handcuffs clanks]
[Wes grunts]
Uh. I'm tryin'. I'm tryin'.
[Wes laughs]
[police radio]
13-11, 13-11 Come in.
[sighs] Hi.
-[Wes shouts]
-[Ashton] Hey!
[Wes laughs]
What you got?
What you got, Deputy?
[laughs] Woo, woo, woo!
-Wes, what are you doing?
-I'm doing nothing. Nothing!
Sheriff, I wasn't doin' nothing
but minding my own business.
And-- and him. And her.
They came up into my house,
strolling in like them--
like the house
belongs to them.
Wes, it does belong to them.
They bought it fair and square.
-They got a deed to prove it.
-A deed don't mean nothing.
It means everything, Wes.
[Ashton] Did he point that rifle
at one of you?
[Bill]
Uh, no, not really.
Hey, Wes, I'm taking you in
for trespassing.
[sighs]
Easy, Barney.
My bed's still
warm for you.
-Don't get too cozy, bucko!
-[Bensen] Wes!
[Ashton]
Let's go. Let's go.
[piano music playing]
[police radio chatter]
Turn around.
Let's go. Watch your head.
[door creaks]
Behave yourself.
Well, that settles it,
so by the time
you guys come back,
-his stuff will be gone.
-And if it's not?
Throw it away.
Hey, make a bonfire.
Do whatever you want to.
-We can do that?
-Yeah, of course.
Under the law,
anything he abandons is yours.
He's quite the handful, huh?
He always manages to scare
the heck out of everyone,
but he's never actually
hurt anybody.
-Oh.
-What is his story?
From what I hear,
he grew up in this house.
It's all he's ever known.
His family has lived here
for several generations.
He probably doesn't have
anywhere else to go.
I mean, why is he, uh--
I don't know. Single mom.
Up here in the mountains,
by themselves.
And the mom,
what was she like?
You know, I only met her once
about a year ago.
She came to bail
Wes out of jail
not long
after I took this job.
[chuckles] She showed up
at a little league game
with a freshly killed raccoon.
Jesus.
Why didn't his mom
leave him this house?
I don't know.
People do crazy things.
So, do you think
this will be the end of it?
If he's smart, it will.
Look...
you guys take my card...
and if he shows up again,
you call me.
-Okay.
-Thanks, Sheriff.
That should be the last time
you see Wes Goins, okay?
So, are you guys
planning on
making Banner Elk
your home?
No,
it's just a weekend retreat
We live full time
at the beach.
Must be nice.
Toes in the sand in the morning
and, uh, skiing in the evening.
-Oh. [laugh]
-[Bill] That's the plan.
Well, welcome to Banner Elk
and Black Balsam here.
I think
you'll like it no matter
how much time you spend.
You might want
to get your locks changed.
[police radio chatter]
[ominous music playing]
[Bill] I'm beginning to think
that this was a bad idea.
Um, it wasn't a great start.
I mean, do we really want
the kids coming up here?
I don't want that
Wes guy showing up.
What-- Wes is in jail.
God,
have a little empathy, Bill.
You don't think
I have empathy?
The hundreds of patients
that I treat each year.
No, you--
you care about your patients.
[Bill] But not the common man,
is that what you're saying?
No, I--
Wes just lost his mom.
And-- and his house.
He lost everything,
so he's--
he's acting out,
he's trying to hold on.
But he-- didn't you hear
how he talked to the sheriff?
With absolutely
no regard for anything.
Well, all I heard
is that they said he's harmless.
I don't remember harmless.
I remember change the locks.
Okay, I know
you had that one patient
went back when you got it--
No, don't--
don't turn this into--
I'm just saying
that out of 500 cases,
you have one psycho.
The guy was sick,
he should have been committed
when he first came in.
If he had been,
I would have--
I know, then you--
you could have saved
-the neighbor's dog.
-That was just the beginning.
Okay, that man
had every indicator
to suggest that he would turn
to something far worse.
I understand
that he was a sicko.
He was a dog killer.
He was a sicko dog killer.
But, out of 500 cases...
one?
People were crazy.
I know.
But we don't have a dog.
-And we don't have that man.
-We have a Wes.
He was just trying to scare us.
Bill, we have this house.
He's going to go away.
Don't worry.
Well, let's throw
his bed out tomorrow.
No, we promised
he could come get his things.
I feel violated.
[soft piano music playing]
You locked the door, right?
[suspenseful music playing]
[door creaks]
[sighs]
[sighs]
[footsteps approaching]
[alarm blares]
[car doors shut]
[Ellen gasps]
[Ellen] Oh, my God.
[suspenseful music playing]
Oh, my God. Bill.
[Bill]
You have got to be kidding me.
I can't believe this.
[sighs]
He hasn't done a damn thing.
That's it.
Everything is going today.
Oh, I--
I don't think we can do that.
No, we have every right.
You heard the sheriff.
[phone dialing]
[voicemail]
Please leave your message.
Kim, hi, it's, uh, Ellen.
Bill and I are at the house,
and Wes's stuff is--
is all still here.
So, I think it's about time
we take you up on your offer
to take his things
out of here, please.
ASAP? Call us back.
-[Bill] Are you coming?
-Yes. Crap.
[thunder rumbles]
Oh, I love these
cool mountain nights,
I slept better
than I have in a while.
-[Bill] Hmm.
-[Ellen] How about you?
It's too quiet up here.
Oh, my gosh. So funny.
I, uh,
I was up all night last night,
I had a busy brain.
Look, I'm going into town
to pick up some stuff.
Can I get you anything?
[Ellen] Oh, oh, oh,
I meant to tell you.
Would you please get me
some holiday coffee?
The kids can't come
and just have regular coffee.
It's Christmas.
[church bells toll]
[suspenseful music playing]
[exhales and sighs]
[mirror squeaks]
-Bill!
-[Bill exclaims]
[Elllen laughing]
You-- you scared
the daylights out of me.
-Wasn't that fun?
-No, it wasn't.
-Cheers.
-[Bill] Ah, cheers.
[glasses clink]
So,
did we get everything done?
Yeah, everything I think
we could possibly do.
Oh, this is the last night until
the Christmas [indistinct].
Before
the little kiddos arrive.
[festive music playing]
[Bill] You know
I like this place, right?
[Ellen] Uh, yeah.
But if I'm being honest...
-I feel exposed.
-Exposed?
Maybe that's a bad choice
of words, it...
feels like
we're being watched.
And I know
that sounds paranoid.
You're still spooked by Wes.
[Bill] I look out this window,
you know what I see?
Nothing.
I see nothing. Blackness.
-But anybody out there--
-No one's out there.
I can't shake
this feeling, all right?
-This Wes character--
-Long gone.
[Bill]
Maybe. I don't know.
Our kids are driving up here
and I just want to take a second
to think about this.
Wes' things
have been gone for weeks.
He doesn't even try
to contact us or--
Okay, and now Sutton
and our little girl
-are coming up here.
-She's not a little girl.
She's my little girl.
Our little girl.
I just think
we need some distance from him.
All right, Mr. Grinch.
Would you like
to cancel Christmas?
No.
Thought,
we came here to reconnect
-and get to know our kids again.
-We know the kids.
Let's just pack up all this
stuff and go to the beach
-where it's warm.
-[sighs]
Christmas is about
being together, right?
[Ellen] Mm-hmm.
Not about the mountains
or the beach
or any of this stuff.
You're dead set
on this, aren't you?
I just don't like this.
Not one bit.
The way he looked at you.
Oh, I wish you'd look at me
like that.
Okay. I'm kidding.
All right,
what do you want to do?
Let's call the kids
and tell them
to meet us at that...
lovely little motel
on the way into town.
Oh, okay, the one
with the pasta,
the garlic,
and the butter and the--
Okay,
so that's what this is about.
[Bill sighs]
Tell me,
how did he look at me?
"Don't get too comfy."
No, wait, wait,
he said cozy.
-Oh, that's right.
-Okay, do it again.
"Don't get too cozy, bucko."
[Ellen] [laughing]
You sounded like him there.
[Wes]
My bed's still warm for you.
[gasps and moans]
Don't get too cozy, bucko.
[sighs]
[quiet tense music playing]
Hey, Sutton, it's Dad.
Uh, look, we're having some,
uh, electrical issues
at the house.
Uh, we're thinking
about moving everything
to a little motel in town.
Would you give me a call?
Thanks.
Hey, Caity-bell, it's Dad.
Uh, I just tried
calling your brother,
look, uh, we're having
some issues at the house.
We're thinking about moving
everything into town.
Would you give me a call
when you get a chance?
Thanks. Love you.
[knocking on door]
[Caitlin] Dad!
-[Ellen] Oh, my gosh, honey!
[Caitlin] What's with the poker?
[Bill] Uh, we're just,
uh, starting a fire.
[Ellen] Angel!
Aw!
Oh, I'm so glad
you're here!
This place
looks incredible, guys.
-[laughs] Wow.
-[Bill] Oh, yeah.
We'll be working on it
'til next Christmas.
I heard you had
electrical problems.
Oh, yeah.
No, don't worry about it.
-[Sutton] No, I got it, Dad.
-No, Sutton, really.
-[Sutton] It's not a problem.
-Sutton, hang on a sec.
[Ellen] Does he have to
lose weight for wrestling?
-[switches clicking]
-[quiet tense music playing]
-Sutton, you're a genius.
-Wow.
Wow, you guys haven't done
anything like this
since we were little kids.
Uh, Dad?
-Yeah?
-Are you guys going through
some kind of a crisis
or something?
-Sort of. Yeah.
-[Caitlin chuckling]
What crisis?
Uh, why don't you guys, uh,
gather your stuff
and go upstairs.
Bedrooms are up there.
First one up gets to choose.
You can put
the poker down now, Dad.
Oh, yeah.
[uptight tone playing]
-[liquid pouring]
-[chair creaking]
Drink?
[Sutton]
Ah, sure. Thanks.
Cheers, Dad.
-[glasses clink]
-[Caitlin laughing]
When we were kids,
Dad would take us
on trips like this,
you know, all the time.
Well, I must've just
busied up your lives, then?
No, Mom,
I didn't mean it like that.
Oh, that's okay.
Feels like I've barely
talked to either one of you
since I started college.
Yeah, well,
school has been a priority.
Yeah.
It's just, I hate how much
our family's drifted apart.
Yeah, I do know.
Yeah.
I guess that's normal,
right?
I mean, kids grow up,
start their own lives
and all that, I mean.
[Ellen] Mm-hmm.
[Caitlin] It'd be weird
if things stayed the same.
-Yeah.
-Life's gotta go on.
When your dad can stop
calling you a little girl.
-[Caitlin] Oh, my gosh. Please.
-[Ellen] Oh!
Do me a favor, hun?
Can you close those curtains?
Your dad doesn't like them open
at night.
Sutton, grab the tree topper,
will you?
Yeah, for sure.
She gets a little more worn
every year.
Don't we all?
What's with the creepy squirrel?
-What?
-[Sutton] Up there.
I thought
we got rid of all those.
What do you mean
there were more?
Oh, yeah,
there were a few of them.
They were
the previous resident's.
We have chicken baking
and some Christmas coffee,
-if you want to go get some.
-[Sutton] Um, yeah, thank you.
-[Ellen] Mm-hmm.
-[ominous music playing]
-[Sutton] Oh, shit.
-[phone buzzes]
No, I do not need
an extended warranty.
-The tree looks great, Dad.
-Thank you, sweetie.
You remember the year
that we put the tree up
but we decided
that we would not decorate it
until the next day.
It's the same story
every year.
[laughing]
Oh, Sutton,
you must have been about,
oh, eight years old,
you so wanted to impress us.
You were determined
to decorate the tree
by yourself.
I think you put every Christmas
decoration that we owned
on that tree.
And the big reveal
was finding you...
under the tree
after it had fallen over on you.
[laughing]
That story never gets old.
Okay, moving on.
How much property
-do y'all have?
-You wanna see?
[ominous music playing]
What's in there?
Ah, you know,
really haven't had a chance
to check it out.
Come on.
[door clicks and creaks]
Wow.
Man, this guy left
a lot of crap behind.
[Sutton] This guy?
[Bill] The guy
who used to live here.
[Sutton] The guy
you bought the place from?
[Bill] We didn't actually
buy it from him.
Mother passed away and--
She didn't leave it
to her son?
-That's cold.
-[Bill] Yeah, tell me about it.
[chilling music playing]
Jesus.
That's not creepy.
-Hey, careful. Watch yourself.
-Yeah.
[metal clanking]
Shit.
-What is it?
-[Bill] I don't know.
It looks like
some kind of mannequin.
[Sutton]
You think it's like, uh...
a homemade sex doll?
How would you know?
I don't want to know.
[Sutton] What do you think
it's made of?
[Bill] I don't know.
It looks like paper-mch.
-[women scream]
-[Sutton] Whoa!
Mom! What happened?
Um, I-- I--
Careful. Careful.
I-- I was--
I was just standing here
and saw that.
-[Ellen sighs]
-[Caitlin gasps]
[Ellen] That's the holiday plate
for the chicken.
-[Sutton panting]
-Is everyone all right?
[Caitlin]
How'd that thing get up there?
Oh, that thing
didn't hang itself, right?
-It's Wes Goins.
-Who's Wes Goins?
-Bill.
-Mom, Dad. Who's Wes Goins?
He's the man
who used to live here.
-What happened to him?
-He was in jail or gone.
His mother died
and didn't leave him the house.
Oh. So that's why
this place was a steal.
Do you think he's here,
or could that have been
up there the whole time?
No. No, that--
I'm sure that was there,
and I just--
I just didn't see it.
You know, I'm gonna
take a look around.
I'll come with you.
[Bill]
Uh, grab the flashlights.
-[somber music playing]
-[crickets chirping]
[Sutton] So, what's the deal?
[Bill] What do you mean,
what's the deal?
[Sutton] This guy,
he can't just hang out
and scare people.
Did you guys call
the police?
-Yeah, we called the sheriff.
-What did he do?
[Bill] I heard
he put him in jail.
[indistinct] give us a call.
-Okay.
-What's going on with you?
You're... really distant
since you got here.
[crickets chirping]
-I'm fine.
No. Um....
Dad.
I didn't make the team.
And...
honestly, I...
I didn't even try.
I don't think I...
want this anymore.
[somber music continues]
[both sigh]
[wind howling]
[owl hooting]
[wind howling]
[loud bang]
[eerie music playing]
[music intensifies]
[heavy breathing]
[heavy breathing continues]
[Caitlin] My new car broke down
twice in the past two weeks.
[man laughing evilly]
[man whispering]
Don't you [indistinct].
[man laughing evilly]
[laughing fades]
[Ellen] Bill, I wish
you'd look at me like that.
[eerie piano tune playing]
[Ellen]
Merry Christmas Eve, Billy.
[Bill] Merry Christmas.
[Ellen]
Looks like you need this.
-Thank you.
-[Ellen laughs]
-[Caitlin] Trouble sleeping?
-Yeah. I, uh...
I had
this weird dream last night.
It was more a nightmare, really,
of this-- this-- [sighs]
...mannequin that Sutton
and I found in the barn.
You saw it too?
Yeah, it wasn't like
your everyday store mannequin.
It was different.
What was it?
Well,
you didn't mention to me
that you found a mannequin.
[chuckles]
[Bill]
Oh, it was just something
that was stuffed out
in the barn out back.
[Ellen] Oh.
[sighs] I--
I wasn't gonna mention it.
It--
it was made of this...
uh, papier-mch.
I don't know.
It was just... [sighs]
...something about it
just seemed wrong.
Well, if it had
anything to do with Wes,
it makes sense
why it would seem wrong.
Honey, you just gotta
forget about it.
He hasn't contacted us
in weeks.
Yeah.
You're probably right.
[birds caws]
[Bill breathing deeply]
[Sutton] Dad.
I don't think I...
want this anymore.
[Caitlin laughs]
[Caitlin] When we were kids,
dad would take us on trips
like this, you know,
all the time.
I hate how much
our family has drifted apart.
[Wes's voice echoing]
Are you going to leave,
and never come back?
Pa gave me this rifle.
Will you leave
and never come back?
[breathing heavily]
[sighs]
Oh.
[grunting]
-[Ellen sighs]
-Oh, great. More surprises.
You know, sometimes you can
just change one number-- [gasps]
I'll go get something.
[rock music playing
on earbuds]
-I just got a flashlight.
-[Ellen] Oh, okay.
Oh, my God. [yelping]
-Okay.
-Hold this.
[Bill grunting]
-Holy!
-[Bill] Got it?
Uh, yeah.
Hey.
Go, go, go, go.
Bill!
-What is it?
-[Bill] It's dark.
[Ellen] Bill?
-[rock music playing on earbuds]
-[eerie music continues]
-[Ellen] What the--
-I found these.
-[Ellen] That's it?
-Yeah.
-Bunch of journals.
-[Ellen] Oh.
[Caitlin panting]
[Bill] Wow.
These documents are really old.
This looks like a charter.
-Charter?
-[Bill] Yeah.
For land or something.
It says "Goins" on it.
His family's been here
a long, long time.
-[rock music playing on earbuds]
-[eerie music continues]
[birds chirping]
Who did these?
[Bill] I don't know.
I don't like this.
Goins' family has
a couple of loose branches
in his family tree.
Yeah. I'm gonna throw
all this crap away.
[eerie music intensifies]
-[Caitlin gasps]
-[Wes grunts]
[Caitlin] I'm sorry, sir.
-[Wes] Oh.
-[panting] I'm sorry.
Oh, you got me good.
[chuckles]
-Oh, no.
-[Wes] Blood there.
-[Caitlin sighs]
-Well, ma'am, I'm sorry too.
I-- I-- I didn't mean
to walk up on you like that.
I just noticed you out here.
You must have stumbled
out on my property
from-- from wherever it was
you came from. [chuckles]
Are you okay?
I reckon I will be.
[scoffs] I mean, you should be
careful with that thing, though.
You know what I heard
just the other day?
I heard the chances of you
getting hurt
in altercation go much higher
if you're carrying a weapon.
-[Caitlin] Hmm.
-Isn't that crazy?
Just about bowled me backwards
when I heard that. [chuckles]
-I should get back.
-Yeah.
-Back to your family.
-[Caitlin] Yeah.
Your stepmom, dad,
or something like that?
How did you know?
Stepmom?
-Yes.
-Oh, I'll be! I got it right.
Just a guess.
That's so common nowadays.
Wow. But she's still your mama.
[chuckles]
Yeah. Uh, I need to go.
Look after her.
-Mamas are special.
-Mm-hmm.
They're light in a dark,
dark world.
Now, don't get too cozy
up here on the ridge.
Sorry, sir.
[ominous music booms]
[Bill]
Where is the mannequin?
[stick cracking]
[panting] Where's your sister?
She's been gone a long time.
I-- I don't know.
I haven't seen her.
-[Ellen sighs]
-[door creaks, slams shut]
-[Caitlin sighing]
-Where were you?
Why didn't you tell me
where you were going?
I went for a walk,
but I-- I think
I might have gotten lost
or something.
-You all right?
-Oh, my God!
-You had gotten lost!
-Yeah.
When I was out there,
I heard a branch crack,
and I whipped around,
and this guy...
he was, like, right there.
-What do you mean this guy?
-Just some hunter.
Said I must have been lost
on his property.
But he--
he said I wasn't safe
and I shouldn't get
too cozy out there.
-That's weird.
-Yeah. [sighs]
I-- I am gonna go change.
I'm gonna go get dressed.
Where's your dad?
-Where's your dad?
-[Sutton] I'll look outside.
[Ellen] Sutton, don't go far.
That's weird.
Dad?
Dad, you out here?
Dad?
Dad?
Uh, mom wants you inside.
Uh, she's freaking
out about something.
Caitlin ran into some dude.
-I-- I don't know.
-What dude?
-[Caitlin] Mom?
-[Ellen] What?
Are you washing my sheets?
And Sutton put that
squirrel thing in my room again.
Are you okay?
-Bill, Bill.
-Yeah.
All right.
We're gonna get out of here.
Go pack your stuff.
We're gonna be out
in 30 minutes. Okay?
[Ellen gasps]
Now! Let's go.
Come on. Chop-chop.
Okay.
[Bill] Gone in 30 minutes.
Let's go.
[breathing heavily]
[birds cawing]
[eerie music playing]
We should just go.
This guy is playing
games to scare us,
and I don't care to play
his game anymore.
[car engine stalls]
-Hey, do you have the fob?
-No.
[Bill] Ah, shit!
[Sutton] One of my hoses
must have frozen overnight.
-I-- I can't--
-Well, you can pile
into our car.
We-- we left the fob
in the kitchen.
All right.
-Whoa, slow down. There we go.
-[Sutton panting] There you go.
Let's go.
[Ellen] Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
[Ellen mutters]
-[Ellen] What?
-What?
Ours isn't working either.
-Nothing. It's dead.
-[Ellen] What-- what?
Did you-- did you charge it?
Yes, I charged it.
It's fully charged.
Okay. Well, forget about
how it happened,
and what are we going to
do about it?
We call AAA, we'll be
on the road in no time.
Let's go inside.
[Ellen sighing] Oh, come on.
[birds cawing,
crickets chirping]
[Ellen] Okay. Um, oh...
it's the last one.
-To Caitlin from Santa.
-[Caitlin chuckles]
Mom, earbuds?
My gosh, it's exactly
what I wanted.
-Thank you. Thank you so much.
-[Ellen coos]
Sutton, it looks like
it's the new version.
You can borrow it if you want.
[chuckles]
[man on the phone]
Hello, Mountainside Towing.
[sighs]
Hello, this is William Roth.
I called several hours ago about
my two cars that won't start.
[man] We sent a truck up there,
but they were told
they were no longer needed.
I don't know
who your driver spoke with,
but that makes no sense,
we're all here together.
[sighs] Who did he meet with?
[man] I'm not sure, sir.
I'm just a dispatcher.
Okay. What... [sighs]
...whatever happened,
can you please send them again?
[man] Let me confirm,
are you on the Goins property
-on Black Balsam?
-The old Goins property, yes.
Please come quick.
Thank you.
Hey, do you guys
want some Christmas coffee?
-[Caitlin] I'll take a cup.
-Okay. Sutton?
-Uh, yeah.
-[Ellen] Okay.
You know,
I'm gonna go check the car.
[sobbing]
I'm getting tired
of sitting around
-not doing anything.
-[Caitlin] Hmm.
Tell me about it.
Tell you what,
I'm gonna jog up
to the gas station
down the road.
I'll find a new hose,
just somebody
or something
to help get the car running.
Sutton,
it's like five miles away.
It's dark, and it--
-just wait till the morning.
-It's about, what,
40 minutes there, 40 back?
We need to get these
cars back on the road.
-At least one of them.
-Take a flashlight.
[Sutton] I got one.
I'll call from the gas station.
Okay.
[sniffles]
[eerie music playing]
Well, ah, Sutton,
you're hand sucked anyway.
-[Bill screams]
-[Caitlin yelps]
Okay.
This was no coincidence.
-There were wires cut in my car.
-What?
[breathing heavily]
Where is everyone?
[birds cawing and chirping]
[Bill]
We're getting out of here now.
-We're gonna walk down together.
-[Ellen] No.
I-- I don't think
that we should walk outside
-in the dark.
-Are you serious?
I mean, do you still
think this is an accident,
-some kind of coincidence?
-No. I--
Both of our cars
have been tampered with.
AAA is mysteriously absent
because someone
keeps shooing them off,
and Caitlin saw him
on her walk.
[sobbing]
I know. I know. I just--
Wes has us stranded.
[sobbing] No,
I just think we need to calm--
calm down, not flip out.
Trust me when I tell you,
this guy is capable of anything.
-Dad.
-[Ellen] I know-- I know that.
-And I'm--
-Mom.
[Bill] What-- what are you
trying to say?
-Dad!
-[sobbing] I'm sorry!
Mom, Dad...
Sutton's out there.
[lights buzz]
[eerie music intensifies]
[all breathing heavily]
I'll check
the circuit breaker.
I'll go check the meter.
I'll call the sheriff.
[panting] Damn it.
Oh, no. Oh, no.
Oh, God. Okay.
Wes!
[Caitlin panting]
Did you find
the sheriff's card?
No. What happened
to the circuit breaker?
-It's not working.
-Did you try the main--
-the main one?
-Yes. Yes. I tried the main one.
-What-- what?
-We need to leave here now.
[mutters] Find something,
anything
you can use as a weapon.
-[ominous music playing]
-[panting] Damn it.
[knocking]
[knocking on window]
[breathing heavily]
No.
Caitlin, just--
[Caitlin and Ellen screaming]
Lock the doors and windows.
[Ellen] Oh, my God.
[both panting]
[birds cawing and chirping]
Sutton's out there.
He has no idea
what's happening.
We can't leave him
out there alone.
He probably doesn't have
any service.
-[line ringing]
-[Ellen breathes heavily]
-[dispatcher on phone] 911.
-We have a guy outside our house
and we need
your help immediately.
[dispatcher]
According to our system
-you're near Black Balsam?
-[Ellen] Yes.
[dispatcher] Okay,
I'm gonna have to transfer you
to the local sheriff.
We don't have 911 services.
Hold on.
[Ellen] Please,
the local sheriff.
-[line ringing]
-[Ellen sighing] Okay.
[breathing heavily]
-[line clicks]
-[dispatcher] Hello, ma'am.
-What?
-[dispatcher] Sorry,
I'm not able to get anyone
on the phone down there.
I can try to get
a state trooper if you hold on.
Did you call
in a state trooper-- trooper?
No. We don't have time
for this.
You guys stay here
and stay on the phone
-until we can get some help.
-[Ellen] Wait.
[Bill]
I'm gonna go get Sutton.
[panting] Wait, wait.
Is that the best idea?
-[Caitlin] Yeah.
-No.
[Ellen]
Okay. No. Wait, no, no.
-There has to be a better idea.
-Okay.
-I'm open to suggestions.
-[Ellen] Um--
-[dispatcher] Ma'am?
-[Ellen] Wait. Yes. Yes.
There has to be another way.
[dispatcher]
Are you still there?
-[Ellen] Wait-- Yes.
-Caitlin, don't open the door
under any circumstances.
Please be careful.
Keep the doors closed.
-I love you both.
-Wait, Dad.
[door slams shut]
[eerie music continues]
[dispatcher]
Ma'am, is that you again?
-[Ellen] Yes.
-[dispatcher] Ma'am?
-[Ellen] Yes.
-[dispatcher] [indistinct]
[Ellen panting heavily]
[Ellen] Yes!
[Ellen breathing heavily]
[sound distorting]
-[both breathing heavily]
-What's wrong with you?
[unintelligible muttering]
[Ellen] Oh, my God.
-Oh, my God.
-[metallic clanking]
No! No!
[shouting] No! No!
Sutton! Sutton!
[Ellen] Jesus.
[Bill whimpering] No! No!
[breathing heavily,
heart thumping]
[sobbing] Sutton!
Oh, God, no! Sutton!
Sutton!
Oh, God, please, no!
[Ellen whimpering]
[Caitlin] And I hate how much
our family has drifted apart.
[Wes]
Yeah. Back to your family.
They're light in a dark,
dark world.
[Bill] I love you both.
I'll be right back.
What?
What do you-- Caitlin!
[breathing heavily]
Shit!
[Ellen] Get--
-[Caitlin muttering] Okay.
-Don't do that again.
-[Caitlin] I know.
-Stay here.
[both breathing heavily]
Okay. Go. Go.
Oh, God. Come on. [sobbing]
[sobbing] Come on. Come on.
Come on. Come on.
-[phone ringing]
-[Ellen] Oh, my God.
Sheriff! Sheriff!
[Sheriff Bensen on phone]
Look, I'm on the other side
of the mountain
but on my way.
Stay tight. I shouldn't be
more than 30, 45 minutes.
[Ellen sobbing] No, 40?
Please! Sutton, Bill--
-[Ellen muttering]
-[static on phone]
-Oh, my God!
-[Caitlin] Mom, Mom!
-30 minutes? How can we--
-[line beeps]
-Sheriff?
-[Caitlin] Mom.
-Mom, come look at this.
-[Ellen] What?
Come. These are all missing
persons cases.
[indistinct] Wes.
I mean, why would these be here?
I've already seen this.
-I don't know what--
-No, no, look,
these all tie together to--
I think Wes did this.
[breathing heavily] That's him.
Oh, my God.
This is the girl that I saw
the first day we were here.
[Caitlin] I think dad was right.
He's hunting us.
[Ellen] He's here.
[eerie music playing]
[phone ringing]
[Sheriff on the phone]
Sheriff Benson.
Sheriff. Sheriff, this is--
this is Caitlin Roth.
-[Sheriff] Caitlin?
-[mumbling] We found,
uh, clippings on-- on Wes--
[Sheriff] Did you say you
found your father and brother?
No. Hello? Sheriff, yeah.
I said we found clippings
on Wes-- Sheriff?
-[line cuts to static]
-Hello? Damn it! [whimpers]
-[breathing heavily]
-[Wes whistling]
-[whistling stops]
-[objects scuffling outside]
[panting] What do we do?
-What do we do?
-[breathing heavily]
-[tapping on window]
-No!
[both breathing heavily]
[Wes whistles]
-[both scream]
-No!
Dad! No!
[Ellen]
Oh, God! What is it?
[Caitlin sobbing,
Ellen gasping]
[both panting]
-[Wes banging on windows]
-[Ellen] Come, come, come.
-[Ellen muttering]
-[whistling resumes]
[Ellen] No, wait--
[whistling continues]
[both panting]
[indistinct] he's coming.
-[whistling continues]
-We shouldn't have left Dad.
[sobbing]
We should have stopped.
Look for something
that we can use against him.
[both breathing heavily]
[both screaming]
[Ellen] Okay.
[both panting]
-[Caitlin muttering and panting]
-Are you all right?
I got it,
I got it, I got it.
[inhales audibly]
[heartbeat echoing]
[Ellen] Come on.
Okay. Come on.
Come on. Come on.
[both panting]
[Ellen] Give me your hand.
[trap clanks]
[both screaming]
-[Caitlin screaming] Get it out!
-[Ellen] I'm trying!
[painful shouting]
-I'm trying!
-Get it out!
[both sobbing]
I'm trying!
I'm trying! He's coming.
He's coming.
-[breathing heavily] Run!
-[screaming] No, no, no.
-Never. No, I'm not.
-He already got me.
There's no reason
he should get you too.
-No, I'm-- no.
-Don't let this fucker win.
-[Ellen sobbing]
-Run.
-I love you.
-[both sobbing]
Fuck! [screaming]
Damn. That's cold.
-[Wes shivers]
-[Caitlin whimpers]
Me and my mama,
we don't always get along but...
she would never do me
like that, ever.
[sobbing & grunting]
[Ellen screams]
[Caitlin breathing heavily]
[Ellen grunting]
Mom, I think I can get it.
I can get it. Ready? Ready.
[both grunting]
[screaming]
[both whimpering]
I've just about had enough
of all your shit
coming in my life,
in my home.
Your name may be
on paperwork downtown
in the courthouse
but it's my house.
That house has been in
my family for generations.
Our blood is in the walls.
Fuck you!
Mama don't like you.
You mother is dead, Wes.
[Wes] Oh, no she ain't.
[Bill] Wesley Goins...
You son of a bitch.
[Ellen] Bill!
-I'm sorry.
-Jesus.
You're gonna like
this family.
You guys are gonna like
being part of my family.
[both sobbing]
We're non-traditional too.
No! Wes, no!
No! No!
[sobbing]
No! You're a monster.
I'm gonna f--
-[Ellen growls]
-[crossbow clicks]
[Wes whistling "The 12 Days
of Christmas"]
[footsteps crunching]
-[Wes grunts]
-[object thuds]
[footsteps & whistling resumes]
-[car engine starts]
-[whistling continues]
[ominous music playing]
[whistling resumes]
-[welding torch sizzling]
-[whistling continues]
[chains rattling]
[police sirens wailing]
-[Benson] Sheriff's Department.
-[knocking on door]
Sheriff Department.
[knocking continues]
[door shattering]
[heavy breathing]
[distorted]
23 Central.
[dispatcher on radio]
23 Central.
I need all units
this location--
Put a photo out
on Wesley Goins.
Lock up the county.
-[eerie music playing]
-[breathing continues]
[police radio chatter]
[sighs] I'm so sorry.
[cop] All inbound units,
we're looking for
a multiple murder suspect.
White male, approximately
five foot, ten inches,
40 years old.
-[police siren wailing]
-Guys, it's Wes Goins.
[helicopter blade whirring]
[dispatcher] All units
clear the channel
for officers on scene only.
[somber music playing]
[Wes] I told them
not to get too cozy, mama.
But I didn't ever want them
to leave.
[whimpering]
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
["Jingle Bells"
by Tyler Barham]
[singer shivers]
[singer] Gosh,
it's kind of cold out here.
Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse
open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bobtails ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is
to laugh and sing
A sleighing song tonight
Oh, jingle bells,
jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one-horse open sleigh
Jingle bells,
jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one-horse open sleigh
A day or two ago
I thought I'd take a ride
And soon,
Miss Fanny Bright
Was seated by my side
The horse
was lean and lank
Misfortune seemed his lot
He got into a drifted bank
and then we got upsot
Oh, jingle bells,
jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one-horse open sleigh
Jingle bells,
jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one-horse open sleigh
Oh, jingle bells,
jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun
it is to ride
In a one-horse
open sleigh, hey
Jingle bells,
jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
in a one-horse open sleigh
Oh, what fun
it is to ride
In a one-horse
open sleigh
[Bill sighs]
[Ellen]
Wasn't our appointment at 11?
[Bill] Uh, yeah.
And it's quarter after.
Okay.
I'm going to call her.
[chuckles] Yeah, well, uh,
there's no cell reception
in the middle of town.
Guess I'm not going
to call her then.
Oh! That's her.
She has a sign. [chuckle]
-Hi!
-I am so sorry I'm late.
Oh, you wouldn't believe it.
My car's broken down.
It's a new car.
Twice in the past two weeks.
Oh, no.
I'm so sorry to hear.
-I'm Ellen.
-I'm Kimberly.
And this is my husband, Bill.
-[Bill] Pleasure.
-Very nice to meet you.
Is the cell reception
this bad everywhere?
-[laugh] I'm afraid so, yeah.
-[Ellen chuckles]
Well, why don't you
hop in our car?
[soft music playing]
[Kimberly] There's three resorts
within about 45 minutes of here.
It offers skiing,
snowboarding, sledding, tubing.
-Bill's an avid snowboarder.
-Yeah.
On the map,
the resorts look closer.
It's on the other side.
We past the turn up there
on the left.
Um, it's maybe five miles
as the crow flies,
but the cabin is up here
on Black Balsam Knob,
Oh, secluded.
[Kimberly] The cabin sits
on 98 forest filled acres.
No nosy neighbors.
The price includes
the acreage, the cabin,
and there's a couple
outbuildings
on the property as well.
-All of it?
-All of it.
-And the stuffed animals?
-[Kimberly and Ellen laughs]
It-- that is kind of
a sore spot.
I asked the man that lives there
to put some of them away,
but he's a taxidermist
and apparently
very proud of his works.
That just seems, uh,
so counterproductive
if you're trying to sell
your house.
He's not the one selling it.
It's a-- it's a trust sale.
Um, so it's been so challenging
getting anything done
in any sort of
traditional sense.
A trust sale.
Oh, I didn't see that.
You know what, that is--
it's just kind of a long story.
But the woman that lived there
for many years,
she did-- she passed away.
[soft music playing]
-[gravel crunches]
-[GPS jingles]
Not again.
[trunk slams shut]
[grunts] Oh, God.
God, that's another 100 bucks
out the window.
[Kimberly] [scoffs]
Like I don't have a key.
It feels like
we're a million miles
from civilization.
Ah, it feels like
a million miles,
but we're only five!
Guys, wait till you see
the property.
-Oh, my God.
-[Kimberly] [indistinct]
[Bill sighs]
It's a real fixer upper.
-Shh, shh.
-Okay.
[car doors slam shut]
So you know, the new owners
could maybe trim some trees,
a fresh coat of paint.
This house has great bones.
It just--
it hasn't been updated, ever.
So, come on,
let's go check it out.
I feel like now
would be a good time
to mention something.
This listing has been--
it's been a bit tricky.
Martha and her son, Wes,
had, um,
a difficult relationship.
She was apparently fed up
with his freeloading,
and so instead of deeding
everything to him,
she's basically selling it out
from under him.
[Ellen]
So he's getting kicked out?
[Kimberly] Mm-hmm.
[Bill]
Why are you telling us this?
[Kimberly] The longer
the house doesn't sell,
the longer he can live here.
Don't expect
the house to be staged
with sugar cookies
and classical music.
[crows cawing]
-[knocks on door]
-[Kimberly] Hello.
It's Kimberly
from Mountaintop Reality.
We're here for the showing.
[door creaks]
[intriguing music playing]
Well, I did say not to expect
sugar cookies, right?
[scoffs] I'm going to go
check the power.
-What a mess.
-Really?
[Bill sighs]
-[moaning]
-[Kimberly] Oh, my God!
-Wesley Goins!
-[Bill] Holy Jesus!
[Ellen] Oh, okay.
I don't know what I just saw.
-Watch your--
-Owner's son, right?
[Kimberly]
Uh, yeah, I'm sorry,
he must have forgotten
about this showing.
This is worth
the price of admission.
[door slams shut]
[peaceful music playing]
-It's like free therapy, right?
-[Bill] Yeah.
Hey, you know what?
The last buyers paid
for an inspection report
that basically says
this house is in great shape.
Then why didn't they go through
with the purchase?
Oh, they pulled out.
Um, their loan,
didn't go through.
[Ellen] Oh, what's, uh,
what's that down there?
Oh, that is the old
carriage house.
It's filled
with a lot of Wes's junk.
He's got
a lot of stuff to clean up
before he sells this place.
I'll tell you what,
if you guys buy this place,
I will pay for someone
to come and clean up,
and clean up
all of Wes's junk.
This would be so great
for us to get away.
And especially wonderful
for the holidays.
I know how much
you want your turn
at holidays things and--
-and the inspection helps.
-Yeah.
We don't have to pay someone
to tell us that this is a trap.
It's not a trap.
There's just a couple things
here and there
and she even said
there's nothing major
that needs to be done.
Except the aesthetics,
the taxidermy,
all that crap in the barn.
We can get
$200 a night for this.
That's what she said.
So? So?
[Kimberly]
Well, what did you guys
think of the place?
This guy's not going
to give us any trouble?
Absolutely not.
He has no say in the matter.
Oh, it's exactly
what we're looking for.
Yeah, as long as it doesn't come
with Wes and all his dead stuff.
[laughs]
And-- and his party girls.
We'd be moved in
by Christmas.
[Bill]
Oh, it's a lot of work.
The kids
would love this place.
And think about
how we've been wanting
to catch up with them.
Really catch up.
[Bill] The kids are living
their own lives now.
But I know how much making
new memories together
means to you.
Us.
This place would allow us
to disconnect
from what doesn't matter...
and reconnect
with everything that does.
And then you and I
could have some time alone
finally,
before they arrive.
You had me at alone.
[Ellen laughs]
Okay.
If you take 20,000
off the listing price.
How about we go back
to my office
and we talk about it?
[birds chirping]
Hi, Caitlin.
How are you, sweetheart?
[Caitlin]
Good. Sutton's here.
-Oh, good.
-Put him-- put him on speaker.
Uh, bad news.
We won't be doing the holidays
this year at the beach.
[Caitlin] What? Why not?
Because,
we bought a pretty little...
[both shouting]
cabin in the mountains!
- [Caitlin] Hello?
-[static buzzes over line]
- [Caitlin] Hello?
-Hello? Caitlin?
-Can you hear me?
-Okay. I didn't get that.
- [Caitlin] What did you say?
-Oh, there you are.
Okay, well,
we'll try that again.
Um, so you guys are going to
have to get used to
a little limited
cell reception for a few days.
[Caitlin] What?
Because we are buying
a pretty, little cabin
in Banner Elk. Christmas!
Christmas in the mountains!
[Caitlin laughs] Dad,
you're a little flat there.
[Bill] Yeah, I mean,
it's going to be
really beautiful.
Uh, uh, just a little updating.
It's going to be amazing.
[Sutton]
Unexpected but awesome.
-[Caitlin] So awesome.
-Yes. We were so excited!
We were going to wait
and tell you when we saw you,
but we just
had to tell you now.
[Sutton] I've been meaning
to tell you,
the wrestling team is pushing
to keep practicing
until really late this year.
I'm not certain when
or if I'll be able to make it.
Oh, Sutton.
-[Sutton] I'll try.
-Gosh--
Okay, um, you know, well
just do what you can, honey.
We'll-- we'll see-- we just
really want to see you, so...
we'll see you
when we see you.
[creepy music playing]
[crows cawing]
Wasn't all this junk
supposed to be moved out by now?
Hmm. Yeah.
Okay, there's more crap here
than when we viewed it.
Okay. Well.
What the hell?
He hasn't moved out a thing.
I know, I'm gonna--
I'm going to call the realtor.
Crazy bastard.
Just abandoning
all this stuff.
-Hi, Kim. It's Ellen.
-[Kimberly] Oh, hi, Ellen!
-[breaking glass]
-He hasn't packed a thing.
[Wes] Hold it, bucko.
Welcome mi casa.
It's Spanish.
The closing
was two days ago.
You and your belongings
are supposed to be
out of here by now.
Okay? We're the new owners.
We need you to vacate.
What do you mean?
It's my house.
Always has been.
Where's your lady friend?
Oh, actually, uh,
that's why I'm calling.
Bill and I are here
at the cabin,
and it-- it looks like
Wes hasn't moved out at all.
[Bill] Okay,
we purchased this house,
so the closing
was two days ago.
You and your belongings
are supposed to be
out of here by now.
Okay? We're the new owners.
We need you to vacate.
Now.
-Now?
-Now.
Hold on.
Huh.
[rustling and clattering]
-Oh, bucko.
-Okay.
-My name is William.
-William Bucko.
I don't think you know
how things work around here.
This frontier land here.
The rules are a little...
[sighs] ...different.
[Bill] Yeah.
Okay, well, how about this?
I'm going to call the police.
They do have police
on your frontier, right?
I think I hear him inside.
Ellen, can you hear me?
I'm really sor--
-[Bill] Ellen.
-[Ellen] Hi.
So, uh...
what's going on?
Welcome to my home, ma'am.
Okay.
Wes.
I know this must be
very difficult for you, um...
sometimes
life throws you a curveball.
Curveball?
Oh, uh, yeah, it's just a--
it's just a saying.
-She's a keeper.
-[Ellen laughs nervously]
I was born in this house.
My papa
was born in this house too.
His papa,
he cut down trees outside.
Brought 'em inside
and did this to them.
-[Ellen] Uh-huh.
-He made the house.
[Ellen] Oh, I understand.
Well, I don't think you do,
because I'm not done.
Okay, well,
I think I have to call
the police, so just excuse me.
Well I'll be.
This is exactly what you said,
Billy Bucko.
Y'all two make a great couple.
I just threw up in my mouth.
Yeah, I think
we can figure this out.
Oh?
And what,
pray tell, mi amour,
say we're going to
figure out exactly?
-That's French.
-Uh.
See that rifle there?
That-- that rifle?
My grandpa
gave me this rifle.
Christmas morning.
I just turned six.
I shot my first 12 point buck
with this rifle.
And them fields,
y'all passed on the way in...
fed my whole family
all winter.
They were so proud of me.
Why don't you take it?
[Bill] Listen,
I don't want your gun.
Oh, no?
You won't take it?
Why?
You're taking
everything else
my family's worked
so hard to build.
Why?
Is this not good enough for you?
Maybe Momma Bear was right.
Maybe this is the end.
My Momma Bear,
she tells me everything.
There ain't no life
left in life.
-[Ellen] Oh!
-There's no point in going on.
-[Ellen] Wes!
-Put the gun down, okay?
Um...
-Wes.
-Please. Wait, wait, wait.
Are you going to leave?
Will you leave
and never come back?
Mr. Goins, please don't do that!
Please stop.
-Stop. Please. Please.
-[knocking on door]
-[Ashton] Sheriff's department.
-[Ellen] No, no, no, no, no!
-Oh, no way!
-[Bill] Stop, stop, stop, stop!
-No, no!
-[Ellen] Oh, my God!
Sheriff's department!
-Oh!
-[Ashton] Turn around!
Put your hands
behind your back.
-[police radio chatter]
-[handcuffs clanks]
[Wes grunts]
Uh. I'm tryin'. I'm tryin'.
[Wes laughs]
[police radio]
13-11, 13-11 Come in.
[sighs] Hi.
-[Wes shouts]
-[Ashton] Hey!
[Wes laughs]
What you got?
What you got, Deputy?
[laughs] Woo, woo, woo!
-Wes, what are you doing?
-I'm doing nothing. Nothing!
Sheriff, I wasn't doin' nothing
but minding my own business.
And-- and him. And her.
They came up into my house,
strolling in like them--
like the house
belongs to them.
Wes, it does belong to them.
They bought it fair and square.
-They got a deed to prove it.
-A deed don't mean nothing.
It means everything, Wes.
[Ashton] Did he point that rifle
at one of you?
[Bill]
Uh, no, not really.
Hey, Wes, I'm taking you in
for trespassing.
[sighs]
Easy, Barney.
My bed's still
warm for you.
-Don't get too cozy, bucko!
-[Bensen] Wes!
[Ashton]
Let's go. Let's go.
[piano music playing]
[police radio chatter]
Turn around.
Let's go. Watch your head.
[door creaks]
Behave yourself.
Well, that settles it,
so by the time
you guys come back,
-his stuff will be gone.
-And if it's not?
Throw it away.
Hey, make a bonfire.
Do whatever you want to.
-We can do that?
-Yeah, of course.
Under the law,
anything he abandons is yours.
He's quite the handful, huh?
He always manages to scare
the heck out of everyone,
but he's never actually
hurt anybody.
-Oh.
-What is his story?
From what I hear,
he grew up in this house.
It's all he's ever known.
His family has lived here
for several generations.
He probably doesn't have
anywhere else to go.
I mean, why is he, uh--
I don't know. Single mom.
Up here in the mountains,
by themselves.
And the mom,
what was she like?
You know, I only met her once
about a year ago.
She came to bail
Wes out of jail
not long
after I took this job.
[chuckles] She showed up
at a little league game
with a freshly killed raccoon.
Jesus.
Why didn't his mom
leave him this house?
I don't know.
People do crazy things.
So, do you think
this will be the end of it?
If he's smart, it will.
Look...
you guys take my card...
and if he shows up again,
you call me.
-Okay.
-Thanks, Sheriff.
That should be the last time
you see Wes Goins, okay?
So, are you guys
planning on
making Banner Elk
your home?
No,
it's just a weekend retreat
We live full time
at the beach.
Must be nice.
Toes in the sand in the morning
and, uh, skiing in the evening.
-Oh. [laugh]
-[Bill] That's the plan.
Well, welcome to Banner Elk
and Black Balsam here.
I think
you'll like it no matter
how much time you spend.
You might want
to get your locks changed.
[police radio chatter]
[ominous music playing]
[Bill] I'm beginning to think
that this was a bad idea.
Um, it wasn't a great start.
I mean, do we really want
the kids coming up here?
I don't want that
Wes guy showing up.
What-- Wes is in jail.
God,
have a little empathy, Bill.
You don't think
I have empathy?
The hundreds of patients
that I treat each year.
No, you--
you care about your patients.
[Bill] But not the common man,
is that what you're saying?
No, I--
Wes just lost his mom.
And-- and his house.
He lost everything,
so he's--
he's acting out,
he's trying to hold on.
But he-- didn't you hear
how he talked to the sheriff?
With absolutely
no regard for anything.
Well, all I heard
is that they said he's harmless.
I don't remember harmless.
I remember change the locks.
Okay, I know
you had that one patient
went back when you got it--
No, don't--
don't turn this into--
I'm just saying
that out of 500 cases,
you have one psycho.
The guy was sick,
he should have been committed
when he first came in.
If he had been,
I would have--
I know, then you--
you could have saved
-the neighbor's dog.
-That was just the beginning.
Okay, that man
had every indicator
to suggest that he would turn
to something far worse.
I understand
that he was a sicko.
He was a dog killer.
He was a sicko dog killer.
But, out of 500 cases...
one?
People were crazy.
I know.
But we don't have a dog.
-And we don't have that man.
-We have a Wes.
He was just trying to scare us.
Bill, we have this house.
He's going to go away.
Don't worry.
Well, let's throw
his bed out tomorrow.
No, we promised
he could come get his things.
I feel violated.
[soft piano music playing]
You locked the door, right?
[suspenseful music playing]
[door creaks]
[sighs]
[sighs]
[footsteps approaching]
[alarm blares]
[car doors shut]
[Ellen gasps]
[Ellen] Oh, my God.
[suspenseful music playing]
Oh, my God. Bill.
[Bill]
You have got to be kidding me.
I can't believe this.
[sighs]
He hasn't done a damn thing.
That's it.
Everything is going today.
Oh, I--
I don't think we can do that.
No, we have every right.
You heard the sheriff.
[phone dialing]
[voicemail]
Please leave your message.
Kim, hi, it's, uh, Ellen.
Bill and I are at the house,
and Wes's stuff is--
is all still here.
So, I think it's about time
we take you up on your offer
to take his things
out of here, please.
ASAP? Call us back.
-[Bill] Are you coming?
-Yes. Crap.
[thunder rumbles]
Oh, I love these
cool mountain nights,
I slept better
than I have in a while.
-[Bill] Hmm.
-[Ellen] How about you?
It's too quiet up here.
Oh, my gosh. So funny.
I, uh,
I was up all night last night,
I had a busy brain.
Look, I'm going into town
to pick up some stuff.
Can I get you anything?
[Ellen] Oh, oh, oh,
I meant to tell you.
Would you please get me
some holiday coffee?
The kids can't come
and just have regular coffee.
It's Christmas.
[church bells toll]
[suspenseful music playing]
[exhales and sighs]
[mirror squeaks]
-Bill!
-[Bill exclaims]
[Elllen laughing]
You-- you scared
the daylights out of me.
-Wasn't that fun?
-No, it wasn't.
-Cheers.
-[Bill] Ah, cheers.
[glasses clink]
So,
did we get everything done?
Yeah, everything I think
we could possibly do.
Oh, this is the last night until
the Christmas [indistinct].
Before
the little kiddos arrive.
[festive music playing]
[Bill] You know
I like this place, right?
[Ellen] Uh, yeah.
But if I'm being honest...
-I feel exposed.
-Exposed?
Maybe that's a bad choice
of words, it...
feels like
we're being watched.
And I know
that sounds paranoid.
You're still spooked by Wes.
[Bill] I look out this window,
you know what I see?
Nothing.
I see nothing. Blackness.
-But anybody out there--
-No one's out there.
I can't shake
this feeling, all right?
-This Wes character--
-Long gone.
[Bill]
Maybe. I don't know.
Our kids are driving up here
and I just want to take a second
to think about this.
Wes' things
have been gone for weeks.
He doesn't even try
to contact us or--
Okay, and now Sutton
and our little girl
-are coming up here.
-She's not a little girl.
She's my little girl.
Our little girl.
I just think
we need some distance from him.
All right, Mr. Grinch.
Would you like
to cancel Christmas?
No.
Thought,
we came here to reconnect
-and get to know our kids again.
-We know the kids.
Let's just pack up all this
stuff and go to the beach
-where it's warm.
-[sighs]
Christmas is about
being together, right?
[Ellen] Mm-hmm.
Not about the mountains
or the beach
or any of this stuff.
You're dead set
on this, aren't you?
I just don't like this.
Not one bit.
The way he looked at you.
Oh, I wish you'd look at me
like that.
Okay. I'm kidding.
All right,
what do you want to do?
Let's call the kids
and tell them
to meet us at that...
lovely little motel
on the way into town.
Oh, okay, the one
with the pasta,
the garlic,
and the butter and the--
Okay,
so that's what this is about.
[Bill sighs]
Tell me,
how did he look at me?
"Don't get too comfy."
No, wait, wait,
he said cozy.
-Oh, that's right.
-Okay, do it again.
"Don't get too cozy, bucko."
[Ellen] [laughing]
You sounded like him there.
[Wes]
My bed's still warm for you.
[gasps and moans]
Don't get too cozy, bucko.
[sighs]
[quiet tense music playing]
Hey, Sutton, it's Dad.
Uh, look, we're having some,
uh, electrical issues
at the house.
Uh, we're thinking
about moving everything
to a little motel in town.
Would you give me a call?
Thanks.
Hey, Caity-bell, it's Dad.
Uh, I just tried
calling your brother,
look, uh, we're having
some issues at the house.
We're thinking about moving
everything into town.
Would you give me a call
when you get a chance?
Thanks. Love you.
[knocking on door]
[Caitlin] Dad!
-[Ellen] Oh, my gosh, honey!
[Caitlin] What's with the poker?
[Bill] Uh, we're just,
uh, starting a fire.
[Ellen] Angel!
Aw!
Oh, I'm so glad
you're here!
This place
looks incredible, guys.
-[laughs] Wow.
-[Bill] Oh, yeah.
We'll be working on it
'til next Christmas.
I heard you had
electrical problems.
Oh, yeah.
No, don't worry about it.
-[Sutton] No, I got it, Dad.
-No, Sutton, really.
-[Sutton] It's not a problem.
-Sutton, hang on a sec.
[Ellen] Does he have to
lose weight for wrestling?
-[switches clicking]
-[quiet tense music playing]
-Sutton, you're a genius.
-Wow.
Wow, you guys haven't done
anything like this
since we were little kids.
Uh, Dad?
-Yeah?
-Are you guys going through
some kind of a crisis
or something?
-Sort of. Yeah.
-[Caitlin chuckling]
What crisis?
Uh, why don't you guys, uh,
gather your stuff
and go upstairs.
Bedrooms are up there.
First one up gets to choose.
You can put
the poker down now, Dad.
Oh, yeah.
[uptight tone playing]
-[liquid pouring]
-[chair creaking]
Drink?
[Sutton]
Ah, sure. Thanks.
Cheers, Dad.
-[glasses clink]
-[Caitlin laughing]
When we were kids,
Dad would take us
on trips like this,
you know, all the time.
Well, I must've just
busied up your lives, then?
No, Mom,
I didn't mean it like that.
Oh, that's okay.
Feels like I've barely
talked to either one of you
since I started college.
Yeah, well,
school has been a priority.
Yeah.
It's just, I hate how much
our family's drifted apart.
Yeah, I do know.
Yeah.
I guess that's normal,
right?
I mean, kids grow up,
start their own lives
and all that, I mean.
[Ellen] Mm-hmm.
[Caitlin] It'd be weird
if things stayed the same.
-Yeah.
-Life's gotta go on.
When your dad can stop
calling you a little girl.
-[Caitlin] Oh, my gosh. Please.
-[Ellen] Oh!
Do me a favor, hun?
Can you close those curtains?
Your dad doesn't like them open
at night.
Sutton, grab the tree topper,
will you?
Yeah, for sure.
She gets a little more worn
every year.
Don't we all?
What's with the creepy squirrel?
-What?
-[Sutton] Up there.
I thought
we got rid of all those.
What do you mean
there were more?
Oh, yeah,
there were a few of them.
They were
the previous resident's.
We have chicken baking
and some Christmas coffee,
-if you want to go get some.
-[Sutton] Um, yeah, thank you.
-[Ellen] Mm-hmm.
-[ominous music playing]
-[Sutton] Oh, shit.
-[phone buzzes]
No, I do not need
an extended warranty.
-The tree looks great, Dad.
-Thank you, sweetie.
You remember the year
that we put the tree up
but we decided
that we would not decorate it
until the next day.
It's the same story
every year.
[laughing]
Oh, Sutton,
you must have been about,
oh, eight years old,
you so wanted to impress us.
You were determined
to decorate the tree
by yourself.
I think you put every Christmas
decoration that we owned
on that tree.
And the big reveal
was finding you...
under the tree
after it had fallen over on you.
[laughing]
That story never gets old.
Okay, moving on.
How much property
-do y'all have?
-You wanna see?
[ominous music playing]
What's in there?
Ah, you know,
really haven't had a chance
to check it out.
Come on.
[door clicks and creaks]
Wow.
Man, this guy left
a lot of crap behind.
[Sutton] This guy?
[Bill] The guy
who used to live here.
[Sutton] The guy
you bought the place from?
[Bill] We didn't actually
buy it from him.
Mother passed away and--
She didn't leave it
to her son?
-That's cold.
-[Bill] Yeah, tell me about it.
[chilling music playing]
Jesus.
That's not creepy.
-Hey, careful. Watch yourself.
-Yeah.
[metal clanking]
Shit.
-What is it?
-[Bill] I don't know.
It looks like
some kind of mannequin.
[Sutton]
You think it's like, uh...
a homemade sex doll?
How would you know?
I don't want to know.
[Sutton] What do you think
it's made of?
[Bill] I don't know.
It looks like paper-mch.
-[women scream]
-[Sutton] Whoa!
Mom! What happened?
Um, I-- I--
Careful. Careful.
I-- I was--
I was just standing here
and saw that.
-[Ellen sighs]
-[Caitlin gasps]
[Ellen] That's the holiday plate
for the chicken.
-[Sutton panting]
-Is everyone all right?
[Caitlin]
How'd that thing get up there?
Oh, that thing
didn't hang itself, right?
-It's Wes Goins.
-Who's Wes Goins?
-Bill.
-Mom, Dad. Who's Wes Goins?
He's the man
who used to live here.
-What happened to him?
-He was in jail or gone.
His mother died
and didn't leave him the house.
Oh. So that's why
this place was a steal.
Do you think he's here,
or could that have been
up there the whole time?
No. No, that--
I'm sure that was there,
and I just--
I just didn't see it.
You know, I'm gonna
take a look around.
I'll come with you.
[Bill]
Uh, grab the flashlights.
-[somber music playing]
-[crickets chirping]
[Sutton] So, what's the deal?
[Bill] What do you mean,
what's the deal?
[Sutton] This guy,
he can't just hang out
and scare people.
Did you guys call
the police?
-Yeah, we called the sheriff.
-What did he do?
[Bill] I heard
he put him in jail.
[indistinct] give us a call.
-Okay.
-What's going on with you?
You're... really distant
since you got here.
[crickets chirping]
-I'm fine.
No. Um....
Dad.
I didn't make the team.
And...
honestly, I...
I didn't even try.
I don't think I...
want this anymore.
[somber music continues]
[both sigh]
[wind howling]
[owl hooting]
[wind howling]
[loud bang]
[eerie music playing]
[music intensifies]
[heavy breathing]
[heavy breathing continues]
[Caitlin] My new car broke down
twice in the past two weeks.
[man laughing evilly]
[man whispering]
Don't you [indistinct].
[man laughing evilly]
[laughing fades]
[Ellen] Bill, I wish
you'd look at me like that.
[eerie piano tune playing]
[Ellen]
Merry Christmas Eve, Billy.
[Bill] Merry Christmas.
[Ellen]
Looks like you need this.
-Thank you.
-[Ellen laughs]
-[Caitlin] Trouble sleeping?
-Yeah. I, uh...
I had
this weird dream last night.
It was more a nightmare, really,
of this-- this-- [sighs]
...mannequin that Sutton
and I found in the barn.
You saw it too?
Yeah, it wasn't like
your everyday store mannequin.
It was different.
What was it?
Well,
you didn't mention to me
that you found a mannequin.
[chuckles]
[Bill]
Oh, it was just something
that was stuffed out
in the barn out back.
[Ellen] Oh.
[sighs] I--
I wasn't gonna mention it.
It--
it was made of this...
uh, papier-mch.
I don't know.
It was just... [sighs]
...something about it
just seemed wrong.
Well, if it had
anything to do with Wes,
it makes sense
why it would seem wrong.
Honey, you just gotta
forget about it.
He hasn't contacted us
in weeks.
Yeah.
You're probably right.
[birds caws]
[Bill breathing deeply]
[Sutton] Dad.
I don't think I...
want this anymore.
[Caitlin laughs]
[Caitlin] When we were kids,
dad would take us on trips
like this, you know,
all the time.
I hate how much
our family has drifted apart.
[Wes's voice echoing]
Are you going to leave,
and never come back?
Pa gave me this rifle.
Will you leave
and never come back?
[breathing heavily]
[sighs]
Oh.
[grunting]
-[Ellen sighs]
-Oh, great. More surprises.
You know, sometimes you can
just change one number-- [gasps]
I'll go get something.
[rock music playing
on earbuds]
-I just got a flashlight.
-[Ellen] Oh, okay.
Oh, my God. [yelping]
-Okay.
-Hold this.
[Bill grunting]
-Holy!
-[Bill] Got it?
Uh, yeah.
Hey.
Go, go, go, go.
Bill!
-What is it?
-[Bill] It's dark.
[Ellen] Bill?
-[rock music playing on earbuds]
-[eerie music continues]
-[Ellen] What the--
-I found these.
-[Ellen] That's it?
-Yeah.
-Bunch of journals.
-[Ellen] Oh.
[Caitlin panting]
[Bill] Wow.
These documents are really old.
This looks like a charter.
-Charter?
-[Bill] Yeah.
For land or something.
It says "Goins" on it.
His family's been here
a long, long time.
-[rock music playing on earbuds]
-[eerie music continues]
[birds chirping]
Who did these?
[Bill] I don't know.
I don't like this.
Goins' family has
a couple of loose branches
in his family tree.
Yeah. I'm gonna throw
all this crap away.
[eerie music intensifies]
-[Caitlin gasps]
-[Wes grunts]
[Caitlin] I'm sorry, sir.
-[Wes] Oh.
-[panting] I'm sorry.
Oh, you got me good.
[chuckles]
-Oh, no.
-[Wes] Blood there.
-[Caitlin sighs]
-Well, ma'am, I'm sorry too.
I-- I-- I didn't mean
to walk up on you like that.
I just noticed you out here.
You must have stumbled
out on my property
from-- from wherever it was
you came from. [chuckles]
Are you okay?
I reckon I will be.
[scoffs] I mean, you should be
careful with that thing, though.
You know what I heard
just the other day?
I heard the chances of you
getting hurt
in altercation go much higher
if you're carrying a weapon.
-[Caitlin] Hmm.
-Isn't that crazy?
Just about bowled me backwards
when I heard that. [chuckles]
-I should get back.
-Yeah.
-Back to your family.
-[Caitlin] Yeah.
Your stepmom, dad,
or something like that?
How did you know?
Stepmom?
-Yes.
-Oh, I'll be! I got it right.
Just a guess.
That's so common nowadays.
Wow. But she's still your mama.
[chuckles]
Yeah. Uh, I need to go.
Look after her.
-Mamas are special.
-Mm-hmm.
They're light in a dark,
dark world.
Now, don't get too cozy
up here on the ridge.
Sorry, sir.
[ominous music booms]
[Bill]
Where is the mannequin?
[stick cracking]
[panting] Where's your sister?
She's been gone a long time.
I-- I don't know.
I haven't seen her.
-[Ellen sighs]
-[door creaks, slams shut]
-[Caitlin sighing]
-Where were you?
Why didn't you tell me
where you were going?
I went for a walk,
but I-- I think
I might have gotten lost
or something.
-You all right?
-Oh, my God!
-You had gotten lost!
-Yeah.
When I was out there,
I heard a branch crack,
and I whipped around,
and this guy...
he was, like, right there.
-What do you mean this guy?
-Just some hunter.
Said I must have been lost
on his property.
But he--
he said I wasn't safe
and I shouldn't get
too cozy out there.
-That's weird.
-Yeah. [sighs]
I-- I am gonna go change.
I'm gonna go get dressed.
Where's your dad?
-Where's your dad?
-[Sutton] I'll look outside.
[Ellen] Sutton, don't go far.
That's weird.
Dad?
Dad, you out here?
Dad?
Dad?
Uh, mom wants you inside.
Uh, she's freaking
out about something.
Caitlin ran into some dude.
-I-- I don't know.
-What dude?
-[Caitlin] Mom?
-[Ellen] What?
Are you washing my sheets?
And Sutton put that
squirrel thing in my room again.
Are you okay?
-Bill, Bill.
-Yeah.
All right.
We're gonna get out of here.
Go pack your stuff.
We're gonna be out
in 30 minutes. Okay?
[Ellen gasps]
Now! Let's go.
Come on. Chop-chop.
Okay.
[Bill] Gone in 30 minutes.
Let's go.
[breathing heavily]
[birds cawing]
[eerie music playing]
We should just go.
This guy is playing
games to scare us,
and I don't care to play
his game anymore.
[car engine stalls]
-Hey, do you have the fob?
-No.
[Bill] Ah, shit!
[Sutton] One of my hoses
must have frozen overnight.
-I-- I can't--
-Well, you can pile
into our car.
We-- we left the fob
in the kitchen.
All right.
-Whoa, slow down. There we go.
-[Sutton panting] There you go.
Let's go.
[Ellen] Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
[Ellen mutters]
-[Ellen] What?
-What?
Ours isn't working either.
-Nothing. It's dead.
-[Ellen] What-- what?
Did you-- did you charge it?
Yes, I charged it.
It's fully charged.
Okay. Well, forget about
how it happened,
and what are we going to
do about it?
We call AAA, we'll be
on the road in no time.
Let's go inside.
[Ellen sighing] Oh, come on.
[birds cawing,
crickets chirping]
[Ellen] Okay. Um, oh...
it's the last one.
-To Caitlin from Santa.
-[Caitlin chuckles]
Mom, earbuds?
My gosh, it's exactly
what I wanted.
-Thank you. Thank you so much.
-[Ellen coos]
Sutton, it looks like
it's the new version.
You can borrow it if you want.
[chuckles]
[man on the phone]
Hello, Mountainside Towing.
[sighs]
Hello, this is William Roth.
I called several hours ago about
my two cars that won't start.
[man] We sent a truck up there,
but they were told
they were no longer needed.
I don't know
who your driver spoke with,
but that makes no sense,
we're all here together.
[sighs] Who did he meet with?
[man] I'm not sure, sir.
I'm just a dispatcher.
Okay. What... [sighs]
...whatever happened,
can you please send them again?
[man] Let me confirm,
are you on the Goins property
-on Black Balsam?
-The old Goins property, yes.
Please come quick.
Thank you.
Hey, do you guys
want some Christmas coffee?
-[Caitlin] I'll take a cup.
-Okay. Sutton?
-Uh, yeah.
-[Ellen] Okay.
You know,
I'm gonna go check the car.
[sobbing]
I'm getting tired
of sitting around
-not doing anything.
-[Caitlin] Hmm.
Tell me about it.
Tell you what,
I'm gonna jog up
to the gas station
down the road.
I'll find a new hose,
just somebody
or something
to help get the car running.
Sutton,
it's like five miles away.
It's dark, and it--
-just wait till the morning.
-It's about, what,
40 minutes there, 40 back?
We need to get these
cars back on the road.
-At least one of them.
-Take a flashlight.
[Sutton] I got one.
I'll call from the gas station.
Okay.
[sniffles]
[eerie music playing]
Well, ah, Sutton,
you're hand sucked anyway.
-[Bill screams]
-[Caitlin yelps]
Okay.
This was no coincidence.
-There were wires cut in my car.
-What?
[breathing heavily]
Where is everyone?
[birds cawing and chirping]
[Bill]
We're getting out of here now.
-We're gonna walk down together.
-[Ellen] No.
I-- I don't think
that we should walk outside
-in the dark.
-Are you serious?
I mean, do you still
think this is an accident,
-some kind of coincidence?
-No. I--
Both of our cars
have been tampered with.
AAA is mysteriously absent
because someone
keeps shooing them off,
and Caitlin saw him
on her walk.
[sobbing]
I know. I know. I just--
Wes has us stranded.
[sobbing] No,
I just think we need to calm--
calm down, not flip out.
Trust me when I tell you,
this guy is capable of anything.
-Dad.
-[Ellen] I know-- I know that.
-And I'm--
-Mom.
[Bill] What-- what are you
trying to say?
-Dad!
-[sobbing] I'm sorry!
Mom, Dad...
Sutton's out there.
[lights buzz]
[eerie music intensifies]
[all breathing heavily]
I'll check
the circuit breaker.
I'll go check the meter.
I'll call the sheriff.
[panting] Damn it.
Oh, no. Oh, no.
Oh, God. Okay.
Wes!
[Caitlin panting]
Did you find
the sheriff's card?
No. What happened
to the circuit breaker?
-It's not working.
-Did you try the main--
-the main one?
-Yes. Yes. I tried the main one.
-What-- what?
-We need to leave here now.
[mutters] Find something,
anything
you can use as a weapon.
-[ominous music playing]
-[panting] Damn it.
[knocking]
[knocking on window]
[breathing heavily]
No.
Caitlin, just--
[Caitlin and Ellen screaming]
Lock the doors and windows.
[Ellen] Oh, my God.
[both panting]
[birds cawing and chirping]
Sutton's out there.
He has no idea
what's happening.
We can't leave him
out there alone.
He probably doesn't have
any service.
-[line ringing]
-[Ellen breathes heavily]
-[dispatcher on phone] 911.
-We have a guy outside our house
and we need
your help immediately.
[dispatcher]
According to our system
-you're near Black Balsam?
-[Ellen] Yes.
[dispatcher] Okay,
I'm gonna have to transfer you
to the local sheriff.
We don't have 911 services.
Hold on.
[Ellen] Please,
the local sheriff.
-[line ringing]
-[Ellen sighing] Okay.
[breathing heavily]
-[line clicks]
-[dispatcher] Hello, ma'am.
-What?
-[dispatcher] Sorry,
I'm not able to get anyone
on the phone down there.
I can try to get
a state trooper if you hold on.
Did you call
in a state trooper-- trooper?
No. We don't have time
for this.
You guys stay here
and stay on the phone
-until we can get some help.
-[Ellen] Wait.
[Bill]
I'm gonna go get Sutton.
[panting] Wait, wait.
Is that the best idea?
-[Caitlin] Yeah.
-No.
[Ellen]
Okay. No. Wait, no, no.
-There has to be a better idea.
-Okay.
-I'm open to suggestions.
-[Ellen] Um--
-[dispatcher] Ma'am?
-[Ellen] Wait. Yes. Yes.
There has to be another way.
[dispatcher]
Are you still there?
-[Ellen] Wait-- Yes.
-Caitlin, don't open the door
under any circumstances.
Please be careful.
Keep the doors closed.
-I love you both.
-Wait, Dad.
[door slams shut]
[eerie music continues]
[dispatcher]
Ma'am, is that you again?
-[Ellen] Yes.
-[dispatcher] Ma'am?
-[Ellen] Yes.
-[dispatcher] [indistinct]
[Ellen panting heavily]
[Ellen] Yes!
[Ellen breathing heavily]
[sound distorting]
-[both breathing heavily]
-What's wrong with you?
[unintelligible muttering]
[Ellen] Oh, my God.
-Oh, my God.
-[metallic clanking]
No! No!
[shouting] No! No!
Sutton! Sutton!
[Ellen] Jesus.
[Bill whimpering] No! No!
[breathing heavily,
heart thumping]
[sobbing] Sutton!
Oh, God, no! Sutton!
Sutton!
Oh, God, please, no!
[Ellen whimpering]
[Caitlin] And I hate how much
our family has drifted apart.
[Wes]
Yeah. Back to your family.
They're light in a dark,
dark world.
[Bill] I love you both.
I'll be right back.
What?
What do you-- Caitlin!
[breathing heavily]
Shit!
[Ellen] Get--
-[Caitlin muttering] Okay.
-Don't do that again.
-[Caitlin] I know.
-Stay here.
[both breathing heavily]
Okay. Go. Go.
Oh, God. Come on. [sobbing]
[sobbing] Come on. Come on.
Come on. Come on.
-[phone ringing]
-[Ellen] Oh, my God.
Sheriff! Sheriff!
[Sheriff Bensen on phone]
Look, I'm on the other side
of the mountain
but on my way.
Stay tight. I shouldn't be
more than 30, 45 minutes.
[Ellen sobbing] No, 40?
Please! Sutton, Bill--
-[Ellen muttering]
-[static on phone]
-Oh, my God!
-[Caitlin] Mom, Mom!
-30 minutes? How can we--
-[line beeps]
-Sheriff?
-[Caitlin] Mom.
-Mom, come look at this.
-[Ellen] What?
Come. These are all missing
persons cases.
[indistinct] Wes.
I mean, why would these be here?
I've already seen this.
-I don't know what--
-No, no, look,
these all tie together to--
I think Wes did this.
[breathing heavily] That's him.
Oh, my God.
This is the girl that I saw
the first day we were here.
[Caitlin] I think dad was right.
He's hunting us.
[Ellen] He's here.
[eerie music playing]
[phone ringing]
[Sheriff on the phone]
Sheriff Benson.
Sheriff. Sheriff, this is--
this is Caitlin Roth.
-[Sheriff] Caitlin?
-[mumbling] We found,
uh, clippings on-- on Wes--
[Sheriff] Did you say you
found your father and brother?
No. Hello? Sheriff, yeah.
I said we found clippings
on Wes-- Sheriff?
-[line cuts to static]
-Hello? Damn it! [whimpers]
-[breathing heavily]
-[Wes whistling]
-[whistling stops]
-[objects scuffling outside]
[panting] What do we do?
-What do we do?
-[breathing heavily]
-[tapping on window]
-No!
[both breathing heavily]
[Wes whistles]
-[both scream]
-No!
Dad! No!
[Ellen]
Oh, God! What is it?
[Caitlin sobbing,
Ellen gasping]
[both panting]
-[Wes banging on windows]
-[Ellen] Come, come, come.
-[Ellen muttering]
-[whistling resumes]
[Ellen] No, wait--
[whistling continues]
[both panting]
[indistinct] he's coming.
-[whistling continues]
-We shouldn't have left Dad.
[sobbing]
We should have stopped.
Look for something
that we can use against him.
[both breathing heavily]
[both screaming]
[Ellen] Okay.
[both panting]
-[Caitlin muttering and panting]
-Are you all right?
I got it,
I got it, I got it.
[inhales audibly]
[heartbeat echoing]
[Ellen] Come on.
Okay. Come on.
Come on. Come on.
[both panting]
[Ellen] Give me your hand.
[trap clanks]
[both screaming]
-[Caitlin screaming] Get it out!
-[Ellen] I'm trying!
[painful shouting]
-I'm trying!
-Get it out!
[both sobbing]
I'm trying!
I'm trying! He's coming.
He's coming.
-[breathing heavily] Run!
-[screaming] No, no, no.
-Never. No, I'm not.
-He already got me.
There's no reason
he should get you too.
-No, I'm-- no.
-Don't let this fucker win.
-[Ellen sobbing]
-Run.
-I love you.
-[both sobbing]
Fuck! [screaming]
Damn. That's cold.
-[Wes shivers]
-[Caitlin whimpers]
Me and my mama,
we don't always get along but...
she would never do me
like that, ever.
[sobbing & grunting]
[Ellen screams]
[Caitlin breathing heavily]
[Ellen grunting]
Mom, I think I can get it.
I can get it. Ready? Ready.
[both grunting]
[screaming]
[both whimpering]
I've just about had enough
of all your shit
coming in my life,
in my home.
Your name may be
on paperwork downtown
in the courthouse
but it's my house.
That house has been in
my family for generations.
Our blood is in the walls.
Fuck you!
Mama don't like you.
You mother is dead, Wes.
[Wes] Oh, no she ain't.
[Bill] Wesley Goins...
You son of a bitch.
[Ellen] Bill!
-I'm sorry.
-Jesus.
You're gonna like
this family.
You guys are gonna like
being part of my family.
[both sobbing]
We're non-traditional too.
No! Wes, no!
No! No!
[sobbing]
No! You're a monster.
I'm gonna f--
-[Ellen growls]
-[crossbow clicks]
[Wes whistling "The 12 Days
of Christmas"]
[footsteps crunching]
-[Wes grunts]
-[object thuds]
[footsteps & whistling resumes]
-[car engine starts]
-[whistling continues]
[ominous music playing]
[whistling resumes]
-[welding torch sizzling]
-[whistling continues]
[chains rattling]
[police sirens wailing]
-[Benson] Sheriff's Department.
-[knocking on door]
Sheriff Department.
[knocking continues]
[door shattering]
[heavy breathing]
[distorted]
23 Central.
[dispatcher on radio]
23 Central.
I need all units
this location--
Put a photo out
on Wesley Goins.
Lock up the county.
-[eerie music playing]
-[breathing continues]
[police radio chatter]
[sighs] I'm so sorry.
[cop] All inbound units,
we're looking for
a multiple murder suspect.
White male, approximately
five foot, ten inches,
40 years old.
-[police siren wailing]
-Guys, it's Wes Goins.
[helicopter blade whirring]
[dispatcher] All units
clear the channel
for officers on scene only.
[somber music playing]
[Wes] I told them
not to get too cozy, mama.
But I didn't ever want them
to leave.
[whimpering]
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.