Piper (2023) Movie Script

1
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[whooshing]
[]
[]
[soft music]
[rain pattering]
[tense music]
[thunder rumbles]
[tires squeal]
[boy humming]
Matty! Matty, stop!
Matty, hold on!
[screams]
Matty! Stop!
[tires squeal]
Matty, come back! No!
Oh! Matty, sit back, please!
[thunder crashes]
[mother]
You have to help us!
-He's totally out of control!
-[Matty humming]
He's trying to harm himself.
[humming continues]
Sorry. Emergency staff only.
He's in good hands now.
When did his symptoms begin?
[rats screeching]
Is he on any medication?
[playing hypnotic melody]
-Matty? Where are you?
-[doctor speaks German]
Where are you?!!
Look, Mummy!
-Watch me.
-Matty, no!
[screams]
-[crashes]
-[screams]
[hypnotic melody plays]
[soft music]
[voice speaking German]
[repeating in German]
I'm never going to get
the hang of this.
Give it time.
Now you're here, you just need
to immerse yourself.
[driver]
So, this is the exit to Hameln.
[chuckles]
Look Mom!
You see? That said--
that said Ausfahrt.
And Aus means out.
So what does Ausfahrt mean?
Very funny, Amy.
[mom]
Oh, look, we're in Hamelin.
It's our new home.
[soft music]
-Mrs. Hein?
-Haines, actually.
Oh, yes, welcome.
I am Beate Hofmeister,
Deputy Head of Hamelin
International School.
And you must be Amy.
This is my daughter Daisy,
also in your class.
And you will become
the best of friends.
I'm sure they will.
[Beate] And tomorrow
there's a big treat.
31st of October is our
annual pageant.
Luckily you will have
the rest of the weekend
to recover from your jet lag.
Look, Amy, the Pied Piper!
He who led the children
away in 1284
in revenge for not getting paid
after ridding the town of rats.
Whatev. Where's the Wifi?
Oh, we'll sort it out
later, Amy.
So, when you've freshened up,
I'll show you around
your new school.
[soft music]
[bird caws]
It's a prison.
[Beate]
It used to be, but there was
no crime in the area,
so they turned
it into a school.
No crime at all?
I can see how foreigners
find that hard to believe.
[majestic musical]
[Mrs. Haines] It's extraordinary
architecture.
Looks haunted to me.
Don't be so silly.
And this is the canteen.
Ew! Rat poop.
There are no rats in Hamelin.
Those are poison pellets.
What, with all
the children around?
And why poison
if there are no rats?
We believe in prevention.
[Amy] Why did we
actually come here?
You get a private education
for virtually nothing,
and I get paid more than
I would in the US system.
But I miss my friends.
Look on it as a chance
to make new ones.
So you weren't
running away from Dad?
I chose the best option for us.
Let's leave it at that, okay?
Now, is the bed at least comfy?
It's a bit itchy.
Oh, you really are
the Princess and the Pea,
aren't you?
Nighty night!
[kisses]
[Amy] Good night.
-Door open or closed?
-Leave it open.
[music fades]
[wood creaking]
Mom?
[squeaking]
[tense music]
[pattering]
[voices whispering]
[Mrs. Haines] Wakey wakey!
It's Pageant Day!
Amy!
What have you done?
There.
-[lively music]
-[applause]
[speaking in German]
[playing flute]
[man continues speaking German]
This is fun, isn't it?
It's creepy.
Come on, the masks,
and the costumes.
You mean like Halloween?
Which you love!
[applause]
[music continues]
[soft music]
[speaks German]
[speaks German]
Thank you.
[man speaks German]
Uh, no thank you.
Pay the Piper, please.
I don't have any more Euros.
[man] Luca!
Luca.
You are right about those masks
being creepy,
and the people wearing them
are even creepier. Let's go.
But, Mom, I was actually
just getting into it!
Have one of these
and then we'll go.
I'm still really tired.
[intense music]
-No!
-What the...?
Let's have a pizza!
[soft music]
Whoever thought of putting
sauerkraut on pizza
should be shot.
Oh, listen to this, Amy.
Recent heavy rains have
uncovered a hitherto unknown
mediaeval burial area
beyond the borders
of a Hamelin church graveyard.
Wouldn't that make a great field
trip for our history class?
Mm!
Oh, my God!
I think I'm going
to go to my room.
Okay. Night.
Fusspot.
[groans]
Ugh!
[tense music]
[grunts]
[groans]
[groans]
[groans]
-[rat squeaks]
-[screams]
[grunting]
Oh!
[squeaking]
[screams]
[squeaking]
No rats in Hamelin my ass!
Mom?
Oh. Hi there, darling.
No, just, um,
tidying up a bit.
Dusty here.
[intense music]
[indistinct chatter]
Ignore the stares.
It's like a racial thing.
Swedes, total potheads.
I dated one once.
Wouldn't recommend it.
Greeks are like, sexist
or rude or something.
I don't know. It's cultural.
Brits are boring,
and Americans predictable.
Well, I guess that makes me
boring and predictable.
So that's it. Let me know
if you need anything else.
Wait. Are you not going
to introduce me to any
of your friends?
[chuckles]
What about her?
Cassie? She used to be cool,
I guess, but...
then she became all weird
like Matty did.
Who's Matty?
Matty, no!
Mrs. Weiss's son.
She strangled him to death.
Oh. And who's Mrs. Weiss!?
Our history teacher.
Well, now your mom's
replacing her,
they've stuck her
in a loony bin.
You're staying
in their apartment.
I'm surprised you didn't know
all this. Everyone knows!
Hi, I'm Amy.
It's Cassie, right?
I'm new.
[bell rings]
[sighs] You're--
you're not gonna come to class?
[horse whinnies]
[Amy]
Who is that?
Come on, let's go to class.
Come on.
I am Mrs. Haines.
Pronounced Haines.
Not Hayness not Highness,
not Hyenas, but Haines.
Your first history assignment
is on 13th Century Germany
in general,
and the Pied Piper legend
in particular.
Your task is to separate
fact from fiction,
and come up with your own
plausible theory.
[playful music]
[bicycle bell rings]
-[bell rings]
-[speaks German]
I'm looking for something
original on the Pied Piper.
Uh, not a children's book.
It's a history assignment.
Ah, you're a teacher!
Follow me.
[clicks]
[mysterious music]
Teaching is such
an undervalued profession,
considering teachers
are responsible
for nurturing the minds
of our future generations!
[blows]
It's no longer in print.
Oh!
this is wonderful!
But you can borrow it
if you want.
I don't know
how to thank you.
Dandelions.
My favorite flowers.
Wouldn't you rather something
other than weeds?
Some people see weeds.
Others see hope in being
granted a wish.
Oh. I see.
[Mrs. Haines]
I couldn't help noticing
that the actual windows
don't match the
diagrams in this book.
The church was destroyed
by fire in 1660.
The windows are
a reconstruction.
May I?
Oh.
A very rare work indeed.
You don't intend to use it as
an educational tool, do you?
It's written a long time
after the Piper's death,
compiled from hearsay
and fantasy.
It's nothing but a collection
of superstitious fairy tales
claiming to be a moral guide
for humanity.
But we are wasting your time.
You came for a confession.
Oh, a misunderstanding,
actually.
I came out
of historical interest.
But is your conscience clear?
Is there really nothing
you need to confess?
Sure of it.
Good day, Reverend.
[tense music]
[dog barking]
[soft music]
[whimpering softly]
[gasps]
[screaming]
Amy!
Bugs!
They won't get off me!
[screaming]
There's nothing there!
[water shuts off]
There's nothing
there, sweetheart.
It must have been a nightmare.
Are those insect bites?
See! How could I have
dreamed those!
Sweetheart.
Shh.
[footsteps thudding]
Breakfast in five!
What the...?
Amy, did you go into
the study last night?
What? No.
Are you sure?
Yeah. Why do you ask?
Never mind.
[indistinct chatter]
Okay, treat today kids!
Everyone, pay attention please.
This is Professor Fox.
Fuchs.
Fuchs.
And she is the lead
archeologist on this dig.
So, hello, everybody.
As you can see,
there are multiple layers
of catacombs and burial chambers
below yet to be explored.
These graves date
from the 13th century,
when very few records of births
and deaths for Hamelin...
What happened to your fingers?
[Fuchs]
Archaeology brings us closer
to cultures and peoples,
who, if not for their artworks
and ancient buildings,
would be long forgotten.
[horse whinnies]
[indistinct chatter]
Has anyone seen Cassandra?
-[shatters]
-[all gasp]
[girl] There she is!
Okay, stay back, everyone!
Cassandra?
Cassie!
[tense music]
-Did you guys
put her up to this?
-What? No!
Beate! Cassie's on the roof.
How do we get up there?
Oh, my God. Follow me.
Everybody inside, now!
-[humming hypnotic melody]
-[pipe playing]
Cassandra! Cassandra!
Cassie. It's Mrs. Haines.
Stand still!
Just try and turn
around slowly!
[Beate]
Cassandra!
-No! No!
-[gasps]
-No! Oh!
-[thuds]
-[Amy] Mom?
-Mm-hmm.
Have you ever done anything real
bad and gotten away with it?
Why on earth would you
ask me such a thing?
It's just they say that Ca--
-well, before she
stopped talking...
-[water running]
Cassie said that knew
she was going to die.
Because of something
bad her parents did.
That is utter nonsense!
If you ask me,
her death was drug-related.
she looked like she was
on something to me.
Freakier still is what
happened to Matty.
Yeah. That is very sad.
Understatement of the year.
Getting murdered
by your own mother?
What?
Where did you hear that?
Everybody knows it!
She strangled him with a cable.
And now she's in a loony bin.
And you've got her job
and I sleep in Matty's bed.
Amy.
You can't believe
any old BS you hear.
People just try to scare you.
[dog barking]
[rattling]
[rats squeaking]
[groans]
Oh!
[Amy screams]
Oh, no, not again!
Look here, stay there.
Oh, Amy.
Sorry.
[indistinct chatter]
Hey, guys,
I'll catch you tomorrow.
-Oh, okay. Bye.
-Bye!
[soft music]
[horse nickers]
Hi. Remember me?
I'm Luca.
Didn't your parents ever tell
you not to talk to strangers?
Well, every friend
you've ever had
or ever will have,
started out as a stranger.
Here, climb up.
Thanks, but I have a bike.
Besides, I've never
ridden a horse.
Well, there's a first time
for everything.
you've ever done,
or ever will do.
True. But what do
you want from me?
To take you to see someone
about your fingers.
There's nothing wrong with them!
Are those bites!?
Let me see.
You most certainly will not!
-Oh.
-Oh.
Thanks.
You know, Auntie Aishe
can help you.
Maybe I don't need any help.
Trust me. You soon will.
Wait!
Oh, I'll come back for you.
Just be ready when I do.
Hup!
All clear, Frau Highness.
Haines actually.
How many did you...
Kill? None. They must have
known we're coming!
But for sure,
they won't be back!
So the Piper
was paid at long last.
Funny, Amy.
Why's that always your
reaction to my jokes?
Come on, it's not like
yours are much better.
True.
[gargles]
[spits]
You seem in a better mood?
I've been making some friends.
I'm really glad.
[door slams]
What was that?
[whispering] Call the police.
How do I call the police
in Germany?
He's going to the kitchen.
I'm just going to try 999.
Is it 911?
What is he doing?
That's American.
-[mousetrap snaps]
-[man screams]
The rat trap.
What do you want?
Mercy! Don't hurt me please!
Who are you!
I'm Peter Weiss.
This is...
was my home.
Kerry, she, uh--
well, she-- she just
couldn't cope with it.
I heard that she'd
returned to the UK.
So the, the rumors
that she's in the loony--
um, mental institution,
is that false?
Amy!
No. She's right.
She's in care in Hanover.
Oh.
Um, so why did you come
back here and so late?
Sorry, I, um-- I've misplaced
some articles of value.
What, here?
Files. Papers.
Kerry would hide anything
to keep it safe from...
She became paranoid.
She started seeing
and hearing things.
Mom, we've got school tomorrow.
It was great meeting you.
[chuckles] Yeah.
I am so sorry for your loss.
And now I feel as if
I've lost them both.
[soft music]
I'm relieved you
decided to come.
What makes you so sure?
I was going this way anyway.
You left your bike at home.
[upbeat music]
[horse whinnies]
-[Amy laughs]
-[Luca] Go!
[Amy] Whoo!
[laughing]
Quick, lie down next to me!
Whoa, what kind of a girl
do you think I am? Ahh!
Whoa, Jackie, whoa!
It's really high.
-Let go.
-I can't, I can't, I can't!
Let go, I've got you.
[squeals]
You need to start trusting me.
[birds chirping]
Are you going to
lie there forever?
Come on, Jackie!
[Amy] So you live here?
[Luca]
700 years in the making.
[Amy laughs] That is so cool.
Where do you sleep?
[Luca]
Under the stars, mostly
with Jackie.
[dog barking]
Hi.
[Luca] Aishe.
Um, this is Amy.
Who I told you about?
It's a pleasure to meet you.
[speaks in Romani]
[tsks]
Ah.
Hmm.
[chuckles]
Take off your top.
Oh, um...
Outside, Luca.
I won't look. I promise.
Too many mirrors in here.
[door shuts]
So, uh, here, I have these,
um, I think, bug bites?
There was a whole
swarm in my room.
Yet nobody else
saw them, right?
Yes. Yeah. How did you
know that? That's crazy!
Think of them as metaphors.
Metaphors don't bite.
Metaphysically they can.
Fundamental fears, beliefs,
even wishes can manifest
themselves in this world
from a parallel reality.
Now that you are afflicted,
you will see things
others don't.
So are they real, or not?
Real enough to cause
physical harm.
What else have you seen?
Any rats?
Yes, yeah.
Well, um, well, they--
they bit my fingers, here.
Um, but I never actually
saw them.
But my Mom, she--
she saw dozens.
Each pest is symptomatic
of a mental state.
Rats are guilt
insects dread or foreboding.
Your mind substantiates them
while you become a slave
to the process.
What process?
You've been marked as a medium
for someone else's penance.
You must free yourself
from those shackles.
But it won't be easy,
I'm afraid.
How hard is not easy?
So far impossible.
[door opens]
Amy, are you, you okay?
She's fine. Here.
-[rattles]
-Take these.
An extremely potent recipe.
The oldest and most
powerful there is.
[speaks in Romani]
Oh, Luca, Luca.
Oh, what's going on?
I'm scared.
You're in the best hands.
Take the pills
and you'll be fine. I swear.
[keys clatter]
-Mom?
-Oh!
-[sniffles]
-What's the matter?
My hay fever
is back with a vengeance.
Where have you been?
Oh. [chuckles]
Oh, um,
I chose to walk home
through the woods.
I don't know--
I don't know what this is.
It must be, you know,
like a change in the weather.
-[coughs]
-I've actually got a pretty
bad headache myself,
so I should probably
head up to my room.
-I'll be up soon.
-Mm-hmm.
[soft music]
[sighs]
[exhales]
[sniffles]
[man speaking German]
[bird cawing]
[eerie whooshing]
[birds cawing]
Mom, Mom.
Daisy and I are going
to do some Piper research
stuff, OK?
Yeah, of course.
Slow down!
Slow down! It's bumpy!
Hold on tight!
Move with me!
-Hup! Hup!
-[Amy laughs] Yes.
-I can feel it!
-Hold tight.
Match my rhythm!
-[laughs]
-Rock your body.
Hup! Hup!
Yes! Hup!
[uplifting music]
[horse nickers]
[horse nickers]
They're almost gone.
Your spots.
The pills must be working.
And not just on my neck.
Good news. May I check?
I think you can take
my word for it.
I think that Aishe would
prefer if I did it.
-Don't you think? No?
-[laughing]
You're so bad!
Hey!
We can make a wish!
You make one.
[uplifting music]
Did you make a wish?
Of course.
I wished that--
No, no, no.
I swore that I would never lie
to my mom,
but today I did.
I told her I'm researching for
a school project with a friend.
What's it about?
It's embarrassing really.
We have to come up with our own
theory on the Pied Piper myth!
Why invent it when the truth
is amazing enough?
You know that the Piper was
a Weser nomad, don't you?
Oh, like a-- like a Roma
or a gypsy?
That's what you and Auntie
Aishe are, right?
No. Like the Piper
we are Weser.
Like the river.
[Luca] The Piper seeks out
those who have gotten away
with crime.
To punish them by taking
away their children.
You say it like he still exists.
Some spirits are restless,
growing from strength
to strength.
Aishe knows a lot more
about that stuff.
I thought she only
does the future.
She says it's all the same
thing because the past
is very much with us.
Even here and now.
She can even communicate
with them.
No way!
-[phone vibrates]
-Sorry.
[sighs]
Don't stop. This is actually
really helpful!
Now you won't have to lie.
You really are doing
your homework.
[laughs]
Beate? May I speak
to Amy please.
What?
[mysterious music]
Luca.
[rattles]
[gasps]
[crowd chatter outside]
[gentle music]
Reverend Kammermeier?
Reverend?
Hello?
[squeaking]
Rise up, my child.
Oh, Reverend.
I-- I-- I thought
I heard rats in your cellar.
Scavengers.
They feed off guilt.
Do you hear rats?
I-- I thought...
I want to confess.
Mom?
[keys clatter]
Mom?
[Amy] "Tracey, the second twin
struck by the unidentified
hit-and-run driver has lost
her battle for survival.
They were on their way to school
that fateful morning."
[Tracy]
Hey, I'll race you on green?
Deal. Last one
across is a loser!
[girls scream]
I couldn't stop in time.
[Amy]
"Eyewitness Joe Dawson,
a hardware store owner
near the crosswalk..."
Someone call an ambulance!
Hey!
"But was unable to identify
the vehicle or driver
in the fog."
I feel so guilty,
so I've come to you.
Remorse is a start, my child,
but only penance can cleanse
the soul and purify the heart.
I thought the Bible teachings
were also about forgiveness?
Self-serving lax moral standards
have caused the Holy Book
to be gravely misinterpreted.
Read the right chapters
to get the truth
How can one forgive,
when the evil stench
of guilt remains stained
upon your soul?
True forgiveness can only
come after retribution.
Eye for an eye,
tooth for a tooth.
-[pounds]
-[gasps]
[loud thud]
[gasps]
Ah, welcome Mrs. Hennes.
Have you come to make
your confession?
[drawers opening, closing]
-Looking for these?
-[rattles]
Mom, come on.
Give them to me.
Give me those.
You can't go through
my private stuff.
What are they?
You on the pill?
Don't be ridiculous.
They're for my spots.
Well, they were working
until now!
Who prescribed them?
It was Auntie Aishe,
but she said it's a secret
recipe and it's tried
and trusted.
Is she some gypsy
friend of Luca's?
You can't go through my stuff.
You can't blindly trust
some gypsy woman peddling
voodoo pills.
It could make things worse.
Is that where you were this
afternoon? With Luca?
Come on, remember,
we're not meant any secrets
between us.
Secrets?
You'd know a hell of a lot more
about that than me, Mother!
What does that mean?
The whole reason why we came out
here in the first place.
I told you,
there was a job opening.
You were driving that car
that killed those twins,
weren't you?!
[tense music]
And you left them there
to die.
And now I'm going to have
to pay the price for your sins
with my life.
What? Where did you get
such a ludicrous idea from?
You're asking me?
In your own words.
That's fairy tale stuff
for the assignment.
You can't take it seriously.
Why not? You do.
No. You can't trust
these pills, Amy,
or the people
that gave them to you.
More than I can trust you.
Amy, hey, come back!
[tense music]
Amy!
[voicemail]
Hi, you've reached Amy.
You should know what
to do after this message
-because if you don't,
you're an effing...
-[beeps]
Amy, sweetheart,
I'm so sorry.
Come back.
Sweetheart, come back
and we can talk about it.
Okay?
We'll solve this together.
Whatever your mother might
have done, be good to her.
You still need each other.
And don't forget...
parents love their children
more than themselves.
They've taken on the
responsibility of bringing
a new life into the world.
That's a very big part
of becoming an adult.
-Having children?
-No.
The ability to love someone
else more than yourself.
As long as you remain a child
in heart and mind,
you'll remain an instrument
of her penance.
Right!
If you two pick
mushrooms, I'll make soup
and dandelion tea.
[voicemail]
Hi, you've reached Amy.
You should know what to
do after this message
-because if you don't,
you're an effing...
-[beeps]
[floorboard creak]
[creaks]
[mysterious music]
[unzips]
[Peter]
Thank you. Thank you.
That's a lot off my mind.
Oh, Peter, don't go.
Now I've got no
one to talk to.
First, make up
with your mother.
Try to defuse any mistrust.
-[Peter] Track her phone.
-[chuckles]
-She's wise to that.
-Hmm.
I use these.
Each tracker tag
has an ID color code.
You should've had
one in your files.
I have a spare one.
Plant it on her.
I don't know.
I mean, where's the trust?
Trust is good.
But control is better!
[door slams]
Oh! That might be her.
Amy?
[tense music]
It's just the locals
playing mind games.
Just like they did with Kerry.
[bell tolling]
Sweetheart!
Sweetheart, you're back!
-And you're safe!
Oh, darling, I'm so sorry.
-Okay.
- I'm so sorry.
Everything okay?
-It's fine. It's fine, honestly.
And I'm sorry
for running off like that.
Okay, I'm not going
to ask where you've gone,
'cause I trust you.
-Absolutely and implicitly.
-Yeah, okay.
We're a team, aren't we darling?
We're a team.
Yes, Mom, a team.
Oh, no, no.
Stay for another drink.
Look, darling,
I found Peter's files!
No, I really must go.
It's really very late.
Okay. So, um, good night!
-Oh, Thank you for the tips.
-[Peter] Welcome.
Night, Mom!
Night.
Drinking water,
finger dip, pills.
Come back in a few hours.
We should have some results
by then.
-Danke.
-Yeah.
[man speaks German]
[phone chimes]
Hmm.
[beeps]
What the devil's
she doing there?
[indistinct chatter]
That's Mrs. Weiss
by the window over there.
[soft music]
Hello.
Hi. I'm Liz.
[child's humming]
Peter sent you, didn't he?
Are you his new lover?
No. No. No, he doesn't
know I'm here.
He told you I was bonkers,
didn't he?
He put me here
to shut me up.
How so?
I said I'd expose him.
All his dirty deeds.
Cheating people out
of their life savings.
I knew all about it,
so I was guilty by complicity.
What was your crime?
Never mind.
I don't really want to know.
Is yours a boy or a girl?
Girl. Amy.
When all fingers have bled,
the end is imminent.
She'll be fully
under the spell.
No escape until she's taken
away from you forever.
Unless...
Unless?
You pay the Piper.
Taking Matty away wasn't
enough to appease him
'cause Peter hasn't
repented or changed.
But I've got the evidence
hidden in a safe place.
When I get out, I'm going
to expose the thieving rascal,
and earn my absolution
for good.
No use running.
[tense music]
He'll always
get you in the end!
[cackles]
[traffic noise]
[man] So...
The finger dip needs
more testing,
but the pills were
a big surprise.
I don't believe it.
[flushes]
[Daisy]
She would talk about.
-[girl] So strange.
-[girl 2] So sad.
[indistinct chatter]
Did Cass ever describe
that guy to you?
What guy?
The one that was stalking her.
She said he was
coming to get her.
Amy, are you next?
The nails?
Oh, no.
No. I'm okay thank you.
So did you choose a color?
[exhales]
[phone vibrating]
Hello?
[hypnotic melody plays
in phone]
Hello?
So you think I should cut it?
I mean, you could,
like take it up.
No, that's too short.
Do you reckon?
I mean, just a little
shorter could look nice.
Well, yeah.
[Liz] Hello?
[loud clatter]
[loud rumbling]
[playing hypnotic melody]
[rats squeak]
Oh!
-I don't know.
-What's up with Amy?
[Daisy]
Are you okay?
Oh, my God.
Um, she's bleeding! Mom!
[Beate]
What have you done
to your fingers?
[Liz gasps]
[breathing heavily]
[groans]
Is you okay?
Do you need an ambulance?
No, no, thank you.
It doesn't make sense.
You're not going to find
the answers inside some
old gypsy caravan.
Mom, Auntie Aishe is, like,
the only person who is
actually helping me.
Really? Then how come your
fingers are still bleeding?
My spots are gone!
Well, you'd better keep
taking them, hadn't you.
-Yeah.
-Yeah. Take as many
as you want.
Very funny, Mom.
Let me help you.
Open wide.
Oh, my God,
what are you doing?
Those are really powerful.
Amy...
read this.
Look, compound powdered
sugar capsules.
No active ingredients.
They are fake, Amy. Phoney!
And to think, you trusted them
over your own mother.
[soft music]
[door shuts]
[dogs barking]
[indistinct chatter]
[door opens]
I'm Amy's mother.
What right do you have
prescribing bogus
medications for my daughter?
It's highly irresponsible
if not illegal.
Oh, no, you didn't.
What?
You can't have.
What?
Told her they were placebos.
Of course I did.
She is old enough
to hear the truth.
You're just peddling
false hope.
Better than no hope at all.
A placebo is the only
effective cure
as long as the patient believes
100% in the efficacy.
You have now robbed
her of that belief.
Without it, the void
will be replaced
by the destructive forces
of hopelessness.
-Unless...
-Don't lecture me.
[door slams]
Unless love can fill
that void instead.
Hey, Amy.
-You okay?
-Go away.
You're a bunch of frauds!
You can take back
your useless shit.
I don't understand.
I thought they were helping,
weren't they?
Amy. Amy.
I would never mess you about
with anything that serious.
My mom was right.
You can't be trusted.
Amy. Amy, please!
How about we rent a car
this weekend, just you and me,
and we just--
Just cause you exposed them,
it doesn't make you squeaky
clean all of a sudden.
I didn't leave those kids
to die, Amy, I swear.
It's true. I was driving,
but your father was in a hurry.
Blame it on Dad.
Every single time.
Just let me finish, please.
That day we were running late
getting your dad to the airport.
Did you have to take
so long to get ready?
Yeah, well, someone had to make
Amy's lunchbox, didn't they?
You can make it.
Go. Go!
[Mr. Haines] Too late!
-[girls scream]
-[thuds]
I wanted to help them.
[Mr. Haines]
Shh, shh, shh.
-Oh, my God!
-Lizzie, you don't
want to see this.
[Joe]
Someone call an ambulance!
I told him we couldn't
leave them there.
Help is on its way.
Hey!
You do blame Dad!
No. I don't deny
my part in it.
-Tom? Tom?
-Hey!
-Tom, what are you doing?
-[engine revs]
[Joe] Come back!
Tom?
I don't think he saw us.
We can't just go.
Oh, God.
[Liz groans]
Your father and I
share it equally.
To make it easier on yourself.
No.
I feel guilty as hell, Amy.
I constantly beat
myself up about it.
And what good is
that doing anyone?
[phone rings]
Fairview Police Department.
How may I help you?
I want to confess to a crime.
Full name please?
I am the driver of
the hit-and-run car that killed
the Payne twins.
Are you aware that the driver
of the vehicle has already
turned himself in?
He said he was alone.
That can't be.
I-- I did it and I need
to pay penance.
Uh, ma'am,
this is not a church.
We fight crime.
Yah, and I'm a criminal.
Please, I beg you.
My daughter's life
depends on it.
How is her life being
threatened, ma'am?
A stalker.
He's, um--
he's playing hypnotic music
and he-- he's trying to
lure her away.
The Pied Piper
of Hamelin, by chance?
Yes.
Yeah. How did you...
I have to warn you, ma'am.
We take crank calls
very seriously here.
[static]
[sighs]
[hypnotic melody playing]
[speaking German
in demonic voice]
[speaking continues]
Amy. Amy, sweetheart. Amy.
Amy, Amy, wake up!
Wake up! Amy, wake up!!
You're sleepwalking.
Darling.
What were you dreaming about?
I don't know.
Oh, sweetheart.
Come here, come on.
You're safe now.
Shh. You're safe.
You're safe.
[bell tolling]
[soft music]
[groans]
-[Liz] Breakfast!
-[sighs]
[pan sizzling]
Nice try, Mom.
-Where did that come from?
-Okay, all right.
Act all innocent.
[mysterious music]
Ah, hey, give that back, Amy!
Give that back!
Give- give-- give-- give!
I get it.
You wrote it to wind me up.
Nice try right back at ya.
So how did he get in?
Besides, you said
he couldn't write.
[muffled]
You got me.
[Luca] So I hope Aishe's
explanation helps clear up
the misunderstanding.
She was kind enough to help
me write this apology
that I sincerely hope
you will accept.
So, I wrote a poem that
best sums up how I feel.
Your distance tears at my heart
through the void,
as time and space
work to keep us apart.
If you seek out my love
in my absence,
it can transcend the abyss.
Open up like a flower
and let the warm rays of my love
refresh your soul.
-[phone beeps]
-Love is a double-edged sword.
-Ecstasy and agony.
-[Liz] Shit.
-The joy of unity and
the sharp blade of separation.
-[Amy squeals]
Seek and you will
find me all around you,
I dance in the flight
of the dandelion
and whisper in the rustle
of the trees.
Hello, Peter?
[Luca]
This life is yours,
filled with love
to give and receive.
Listen, I really need
a big favor.
[Luca] Allow me in,
and together we can fight
the forces of darkness.
Ever yours, Luca.
[Amy] What I really want
to know is, how did you
sneak into my room?
[Luca] You should know,
a magician can never reveal
his secrets.
[Amy laughs]
[gentle music]
I really appreciate this.
Go, go, go, go.
[Peter] Why are you so sure
she's been kidnapped, huh?
She's heading for the cave
at Koppenberg Hill.
A leading theory says
that's where the Piper
took the children.
Keep going.
Go, go, go, go!
No wait, slow down, slow down!
Slow down! Stop!
-[girls scream]
-What? What then!?
[Peter sighs]
It was green!
I mean, what
the hell's up with you?
[bird cawing]
[Amy] Luca?
[birds cawing]
Luca!
[eerie music]
[echoing] Luca.
[Luca echoing] Amy.
Stop now.
Turn around.
[playing hypnotic melody]
[music stops]
How did I get here?
That melody you heard
from inside the cave...
try humming it backwards.
What melody?
See, music is a language
that no one has to learn.
We feel its meaning.
The Piper's music reaches
deep into your soul
and takes command.
Like your fear,
you have to expose it
before you can resist it.
Hum with me.
[humming]
[both humming]
-Kiss me!
-[squirts]
-[playful music]
-Oh!
Oh, I'm sorry.
[both laugh]
[explodes]
[laughs]
[Amy] Wait.
You haven't got any more
spring-loaded surprises
that are going to
squirt at me, do you?
[both laugh]
[Liz] Amy! Amy!
Wait, it's my mom! It's my mom!
It's my mom! It's my mom!
It's my mom!
[Liz] Amy!
This is the place.
-Shall I come
back again tonight?
-No! Now go, go.
[Liz]
Here's her jacket!
See you later.
[Liz] Amy!
Mom, I'm here.
I was on a walk.
I've always wanted
to come and see this cave.
It's for the assignment.
Without telling me?
You've been with that
Luca boy again, haven't you?
Get this on. We're going to
settle this once and for all.
So I'm a prisoner now?
Just in case you sleepwalk.
Like Cassie.
It's for your own protection.
Nighty night.
-[door closes]
-[lock clicks]
[Liz] In case you
need the bathroom.
[rattles]
Beat that, Houdini.
[sighs]
[dog barking]
[creaking]
[hypnotic melody playing]
[screams]
Amy! Amy! Amy!
It's me. It's Luca. Shh.
-Are you okay?
-There's somebody
at the window.
Okay.
Whatever was there, it's gone.
How did you get in here?
-[Liz] Amy?
-That's my mom.
That's my mom.
[Liz]
Amy! Amy?!
Are you okay?
I just thought I saw
somebody at the window.
No, Mom, it's fine.
It's fine. I'm fine. It's...
There's no one there.
Oh, baby you must have
had a nightmare.
Do you want to come
and stay with me?
No, no, no. I'm fine.
It was a nightmare.
It's-- it's fine.
Okay, night, night.
[soft music]
Luca?
Luca?
No way!
Oh!
Oh, cool.
Have you ever seen a catacomb?
Careful here, it's very steep.
Hamelin is riddled
with tunnels.
-[rat squeaks]
-[Liz gasps]
[exhales]
Wow.
This cavern was underneath
the Weser burial ground,
until it recently collapsed,
taking down most of
the graves with it.
To think that
these slabs of stone
are all that's left to show
for anyone's entire existence.
This one the name's
even gone.
Let me show you something.
If the light
strikes the stone
at a very shallow
angle... you see?
-[Amy] Wow.
-They're forgotten, not gone.
People say that the Piper's
remains are down here somewhere.
In a tomb marked with his
real name-- Zurla Bashal.
Come on.
[Luca grunts]
Hey, Jackie.
Hey, I know this place.
[uplifting music gets louder]
[Amy]
All humanity has been fascinated
by the same things:
the stars,
fire, trees,
water, the ocean.
It binds us to our
ancestors somehow.
I've never seen the ocean.
Really?
I'll have to
take you one day.
Hey.
Do you not look forward to it?
The future?
Once you stop needing me...
you'll stop seeing me.
Don't be silly, of course not.
You want that too, right?
It's not about what we want,
it's about what's possible.
Oh, my God. You think I'm going
to suffer the same fate
as Cassie, don't you?
No. No.
Her symptoms
were like mine, huh?
Only one finger left before...
I will do everything that I can
to stop that from happening.
You are so different.
You're so special.
I have never felt this
about anyone, ever.
Well, there's no need
to fear the future then.
You should consider
calling in sick.
You need rest,
the both of you.
We'll manage, but thank you.
Look at all those
unfulfilled wishes.
Dandelions.
My favorite flowers.
Some people see weeds.
Others see hope in being
granted a wish.
There's something I've been
meaning to do for a long time.
If I'm not back at 2:30,
please cover for me.
[doorbell rings]
[lock clicks]
[stammers]
Does Wolfgang Geissler
live here?
You know, the librarian?
This was the only Geissler'
in the phone book.
Wolfgang doesn't live here
since a very long time.
But we often have
his visitations.
You mean he visits often?
Sorry, I'm a teacher.
Well, I brought these for him.
I can give them to him.
Oh, no, I'd so much rather
do it in person.
Very well, but you have
to prepare for a little shock.
Wolfgang was my great,
great grandfather.
He passed away early last
century, before my birth.
How did you
encounter him?
[whispers]
Wolfgang Geissler, 1852.
Chapter Nine.
[man] Only penance can cleanse
the soul and purify the heart.
You pay the Piper.
Eye for an eye,
tooth for a tooth!
[gasps]
Amy?
I gave her sleeping pills
and reported both
of you as being sick.
Thank you so much for
helping out, Beate.
[tense music]
Sneaky bastard.
[flushes]
[phone beep]
[computer voice]
Proximity alert.
[beeps]
[phone chimes]
Proximity alert.
[water flowing]
The sneaky bitch.
Please. I need to speak
to your elder.
What do you want from him?
Well, it's the marked
girl's mother.
Take me to Zurla Bashal's
resting place
and I will reward
you well.
I'm impressed that you
know his real name.
But the location of his grave
is a closely guarded secret.
Keeping his spirit alive
is a hell of a deterrent,
don't you agree?
The entire community benefits.
How big a sacrifice
are you willing to make
to pay the Piper?
Anything. Everything
to save my daughter's life.
I need to give these to him
in person to be certain
that he gets them.
Blindfold me if you must.
Impossible.
-You have no choice
but to trust us.
-[Peter] Get off!
[Peter] You have no right!
I caught him snooping
around outside.
Don't give them anything, Liz.
Kerry also fell for it.
Lost her diamond necklace,
and much more.
Even if there's a small chance
it can save Amy, it's worth it.
These valuables
mean nothing to me.
Oh. [chuckles]
How is this a sacrifice?
It's not about the Piper's gain,
but about your suffering
and pain,
which must equal
the proper retribution.
-[Liz] Peter!
-Be my guest.
[Liz] Give that back!
Peter!
If you wish to put her
daughter's life at greater risk.
Okay. Okay.
[beeps]
[computer voice]
Searching for tag.
Beate?
[tense music]
[footsteps]
[stones grinding]
[stones grinding]
Bingo.
Ah! Kerry's necklace, at last.
[whip cracks]
[whip cracks]
[whip cracks]
[whip cracks]
-[whip cracks]
-[groans]
-[whip cracking]
-[grunting]
[phone ringing]
[whip cracking]
Liz! Stop, Liz!
I must suffer
or else he'll take her!
Stop that! Stop!
[tense music]]
[child humming hypnotic melody]
This is gonna hurt.
Good.
[humming continues]
[groans]
Amy? Amy?
Amy, no!
-Beate!
-Amy!
[Liz] Oh, God.
-Amy!
-Amy!
-Wake up!
-Amy!
We have to go to the hospital!
[children humming
hypnotic melody]
Beate, can we go
a little faster, please?
Ja, ja.
[children humming]
Keep still. You'll be fine.
Shh.
She's safe now, don't worry.
Wait here.
She's in good hands now.
[grunts]
[phone rings]
Hey. I've found the thieving
bastards' stash.
It must be worth a fortune.
You found Piper's
burial chamber?
Yeah, underneath the church.
The tracker just took me
straight to it.
No! No. Leave everything
where it is. All of it!
As I told you,
it was just a scam.
If it were a scam, they
would have sold it themselves.
They also think he's for real.
Even if it's deluded
spiritualism, it's still
extortion!
You don't know what
you're messing with.
Unless the Piper is appeased,
his vengeful spirit
will reap even more havoc
and suffering.
Kokolores!
That's the sort of thinking
that only perpetuates
superstitious bullshit.
[children continue humming]
Something urgent has come up.
I need to borrow your car.
-Um...
-Thanks.
-[speaks German]
-Mm-hmm.
[horse whinnies]
[door opens]
[man] Stop it!
It's forbidden!
-Oh!
-[clatters]
Summoning the merciful spirit
is to meddle with his work.
[shrieks]
[speaks Romani]
[horse whinnies]
[children humming]
[shouting]
Go home, all of you!
[rat squeaking]
Get!
Get!
Nein, nein, nein!
[shouting]
[screaming]
[screaming]
[screaming stops]
[tense music]
[thunder rumbling]
[phone ringing]
[Liz] Peter?
[voicemail]
This is Peter Weiss.
I'm sorry I can't answer
the phone right now
but your call is
important to me,
so please leave a message
and I will get back to you
as soon as I can.
[intense music]
Please let my Amy go.
Take me instead.
[playing hypnotic melody]
I'll return your valuables.
[rats squeaking]
[whimpers]
[intense music continues]
[speaking German]
[machine beeping]
[grunts]
[speaking German]
[phone ringing]
Hello?
[Beate]
Get back as soon as you can!
[children humming]
[thunder rumbling]
[honking horn]
[man] Open the door!
[man shouting in German]
[window shatters]
Amy!
[humming]
[thunder crashing]
[shouting in German]
[Beate] Amy!
Amy!
Come back inside!
[screaming]
[playing hypnotic melody]
[Luca] Amy! Amy, no!
Amy, no!
[thunder crashes]
[Luca] Amy! Amy!
Amy, no! Don't do this!
Amy, you have to ignore
his melody.
Remember, backwards, Amy.
[playing melody]
Amy, no!
[straining]
-No!
-[Amy screaming]
[screams]
[Beate screaming in German]
[brakes squeal]
Amy.
Don't move.
Breathe slowly.
What is it?
What's happened?
There--
there was an accident!
No.
Ignore him.
You're safe with me.
-[thunder crashes]
-Go away!
Keep calm.
Don't look at him.
Ignore him!
Tell yourself he's not there.
You must block him out.
Focus on me.
Amy, focus on me!
He can do you no harm
if you truly believe it.
He's going to kill us.
He's going to kill us.
I love you.
No, Luca!
[Liz] No!
No!
[audio muffled]
[Luca] Amy. Come back to me.
The pain is in your mind.
[whimpering]
The blade can do nothing.
You're stronger than he is.
[Liz] A ladder.
We need a ladder!
[Luca] Break free from her.
Focus on me.
Believe in yourself
and he can't harm you.
[shouting in German]
No!
The pain is meant
for her, not you.
And though it will be fleeting,
the love I feel for you
is eternal.
Your heart is pure
and your soul unblemished.
I have bathed in its light.
[gentle music]
I know, because I love you
more than I love myself.
[uplifting music]
[rats squeaking]
[confused chatter]
They'll take care of you.
I must go.
No, no.
Amy?
Don't go, please.
Stay!
I can't.
I'll always love you, Amy.
Never forget that.
[gentle music]
Amy! Amy, are you okay?
Amy, shh. Shh.
It's okay.
The Piper's gone.
You're safe, it's okay.
-Shh.
-[crying]
[Luca]
Once you stop needing me,
you'll stop seeing me.
[Beate]
"Amy, the love-sick teen
was attempting suicide
after her heart was broken by
local gypsy boy, Luca Shandor.
Luckily the cable she had
fashioned as a noose snapped,
saving her from
an untimely death."
Who told them this crap?
Well, we did.
That makes Luca look so bad.
But none of us saw him there,
sweetheart.
He saved my life, Mom.
I need to see him.
As soon as we get out of here,
we'll go and look for him.
We'll do everything
we can, okay?
Okay.
[soft music]
[Amy] Auntie Aishe!
Auntie Aishe!
Auntie Aishe, hey.
Um, we're looking for Luca.
He saved my life,
so we're going to help him.
Auntie Aishe, it's me.
It's Amy. Where's Luca?
[speaks German]
[speaks German]
Luca!
You must know!
Luca. Luca.
[Liz]
Amy, sweetheart.
She either can't help
or doesn't want to.
-Come on.
-No.
We-- we really--
we need to find him.
Be very careful
what you tell them.
I knew it.
I knew you understood me.
That doesn't mean
I speak your language.
I-- I don't understand.
Look in the mirror.
Do you see my lips moving?
Luca is long gone
and won't ever be coming back.
That's not true.
We're in love.
Now you don't need him anymore.
You won't ever see him again.
That's what he said,
but you're both wrong.
I do.
I still need him!
By saving your life,
you lost the chance
to be together forever.
That doesn't make any sense.
Luca! Luca!
Luca!
[Auntie Aishe]
Fundamental fears, beliefs,
even wishes can manifest
themselves in this world
from a parallel reality.
You will see things
others don't.
Luca!
[Luca]
The past is very much with us.
Luca!
[Luca]
Even here and now.
Luca!
[Luca]
Aishe knows a lot more about
that stuff than me.
She says the past and present
are all the same thing.
Some spirits are restless.
Aishe can even communicate
with them.
She says anyone can,
if you know what to look for.
Seek and you will find
me all around you.
I dance in the flight
of the dandelion
and whisper in the rustle
of the trees.
[Auntie Aishe]
Luca's days are numbered.
[Peter]
You people are all the same.
Claiming that the future
is carved in stone.
[Auntie Aishe]
Medicine can do nothing for
what is already written.
[Luca]
Once you stop needing me,
you'll stop seeing me.
[soft music]
[man singing]
[siren wailing]
[air whistling]
[whistling stops]
It's just through there.
It doesn't open.
[soft music]
[hypnotic melody playing]
[knocking]
[music stops]
[knock echoes]
[music resumes]
[knock echoes]
I knew it!
Mom!
Mom!
[music ends]