Wraith (2017) Movie Script
1
[girl's voice] The wind blows
wherever it wants.
You can hear it,
but cannot tell where it comes
from or where it is going.
Just as you cannot explain how
people are born of the spirit.
[music playing
over car radio]
[turns ignition off]
- [sighs]
- Wait.
What?
Where are the keys?
Babe, remember,
I have them.
Just because you wouldn't
let me drive
doesn't mean I can't
at least open the door.
[laughing]
Are you okay?
Shh!
[mumbling]
[door creaking open]
Shh!
Congratulations, you passed
the "key in the lock" challenge.
[woman giggling]
I see.
[muffled chatter
through walls]
Guys, no.
[man]
So how's our mood?
[woman]
I am always in the mood.
[man]
I know you are...
Are you kidding me?
Gross.
[music playing over earbuds]
[boy whispering]
Mama.
[whispering]
Hey.
Did you hear that?
What?
I heard something.
Like what?
What'd you hear?
Like Lucy,
but not Lucy.
[sighs]
Maybe I didn't hear
anything.
Was it a dream?
Yeah.
Yeah, maybe.
No, I don't think so.
[girl's voice]
I don't want to die.
It's not time
for me to die.
[Lucy]
You got to be kidding me.
[door opens and closes]
Hey, Mom, Dad!
I told you I was going through
some hard times in business.
A rough patch.
Mom has a job.
We don't have to move.
I love the thought sweetie,
but being a writer
doesn't mean I have a job
unless somebody
buys my writing.
It's kind of like putting
a "for sale" sign out front.
I mean, it doesn't mean
anything's sold
until somebody
wants to buy it.
We're just keeping
our options open.
This is where we live.
You can't sell it
for that reason alone.
Well, someone would have to make
a really good offer
before we'd even consider
saying yes.
Now, the people who built this
house back in 1800-something,
they built it
for themselves.
They never planned on anybody
else living here.
What's that supposed to mean?
Well, this house, it's not meant
for anyone in particular.
We'll be here for a short while,
just like the people before us.
And we certainly won't
be the last ones to live here.
Not the way
this place was made.
You don't get it.
This is my home.
I live here.
You know, when we first
moved here,
the thought of living in an old
house with an historical vibe,
it was great.
But the maintenance
is never-ending.
The taxes are killing us.
I mean, people
are always outside
like it's some sort
of tourist attraction.
What maintenance?
The plumbing.
I mean, the pipes are ancient.
- The roof.
- The yard.
Grass just keeps
growing and growing,
whether somebody
cuts it or not.
Dad doesn't have a job.
He can cut it.
Plus, winter's coming.
Stuff stops growing.
Problem solved.
The house is a bit big
for a family of three.
I think it's time to let
somebody else live here.
You already
made up your minds!
I hate you guys.
[sighs]
Well, we've talked about this
time and time again.
I know.
Just give her some time.
[camera shutters clicking]
[sighs]
[camera shutters clicking]
[sighs]
Oh, really.
Great.
Now?
- Happy birthday to you
- Happy birthday to you
- Happy birthday, dear Lucy
- Happy birthday, dear Lucy
- Happy birthday to you
- Happy birthday to you
All right.
- Happy birthday, sweetie.
- Make a wish.
- [laughs]
- All right.
Well...
- Well?
- Well, what?
Oh, my goodness.
[sighs]
I forgot the gifts.
Oh, no.
- Yeah.
- Mom?
- Maybe next year, hon.
- Dad?
So not cool.
[both laugh]
You know, I think I might
have seen a few things
in the living room.
- Did you see...?
- Oh. Yeah, maybe.
Maybe some sparkles and bows.
- Come on.
- All right, let's go.
Come on, squirt,
give us some credit.
You know how special
birthdays are around here.
All right, I got it.
[mother]
Yeah, grab a few.
[sighs]
[father]
How about this one first?
[mother]
So, what'd you wish for?
[Lucy]
Can't tell you.
- [mother] Ugh!
- [father] What?
Can't tell us
or won't tell us?
[mother]
Yeah.
[Lucy]
It's kind of weird.
[mother laughs]
Okay, well,
happy birthday, anyway.
[blows]
Hello?
Somebody there?
[father]
Oh, man.
[mother]
No kidding.
[father]
Whoa.
Holy...
I mean, how'd that happen?
The usual way.
[laughs]
[sighs]
The party night?
Yeah.
I think our little...
after-party.
[groans and laughs]
You sure?
I mean, as much as I can trust
the little pee sticks.
I'm going to go see Dr. Green
for a follow-up next week.
[sighs]
All right, well,
let's assume it's for real.
What then?
Then it would be
ridiculous.
I mean, right?
I'll be home
a little early tonight.
Jack Simmons is coming over
for a quick drink.
Jack? Really?
What's that about?
He's thinking about teaming up.
Talking about a new start-up.
Isn't he sort of the boy
who cried wolf at this point?
Well, can't argue that he made
the right call
on that pharmaceutical
start-up.
Yeah, but that was then,
wasn't it?
Yeah.
Hey, sweetie, you want to go out
to dinner tonight?
Just you and me?
Jack still has some
of his family money.
Along with my reputation,
I think we can get
even more investments.
What's the concern?
I don't mean to put
the kibosh on anything,
but I just... I don't always
feel comfortable around Jack.
My dad partnered up with a guy
one time who was not,
to say the least,
his style.
But, uh, you know,
sometimes it takes all types
to get it done, right?
I suppose.
This house is haunted.
How so?
Last night in my room,
I just felt I wasn't alone.
Well, are you sure
your iPad was turned off?
Knew I could
count on you, Mom.
You know, the house
is over a hundred years old.
Squeaks and drafts,
kind of comes
with the territory.
I'm sure there's nothing
to worry about.
And, you know,
spirits and ghosts...
you know all that's BS, right?
Don't tell me a house like this
doesn't have at least one ghost.
Well, when we bought the house,
the ghost box wasn't checked.
What if this
is a new ghost?
How can a ghost be new?
Like you're an expert
at anything.
Lucy!
[scoffs]
[clock ticking]
[sighs]
[TV turns on]
Dennis?
Dennis?
Dennis?
Luce?
[turns TV off]
[woman, on TV] ...heard us say that
we needed to get back on the wagon.
They put us back
on the wagon.
I was like, "What is going on
here, Adam?"
And he's like, "Well, this isn't
a beginner workout.
You're essentially
a beginner right now."
[woman, on TV]
...other documents,
it's time to clean house
in "Smart Woman:
What to Keep, What to Toss."
Someone in our community
will win a few furn...
[sighs]
[dog barks]
Oh!
Oh! Oskar!
Oh, sweetheart.
You poor baby.
I'm sorry, buddy.
There you go, buddy.
Oh, good boy.
I'm so sorry.
[knock on door]
[Dennis]
Honey, will you get that?
[Lucy]
Yeah.
[mother]
Who is that?
[Dennis]
Probably Jack.
Wow, look at you.
You are growing up.
What grade are you in now?
- Eighth.
- Eighth grade.
Well, that is a great grade
to be in.
Mm-hmm.
Ah. Hey, Dennis.
Will you take a look
at little missy here, huh?
- Yeah, that's my daughter.
- Mm-hmm.
- Let's go into my study.
- All right.
I was just telling your little
girl how she's all grown up,
right before
our very eyes.
You must be
a very proud papa.
- Scotch?
- Uh, no.
No, I'm on the wagon
for the moment.
Can I have a glass of milk,
please?
And I'll have
a sauvignon blanc.
Oh, wait.
I'm sorry,
um, can I get a...
Can I get a sparkling water
with lime instead?
Thank you.
Don't tell me.
Not another diet.
No, just being careful.
No way.
You're not going to tell me...
What?
Women don't drink
when they're...
Gross! You did it with Dad?
Lucy!
Come on.
How else do you think
that would that work?
Seriously, how?
We'll talk about it later.
No. I took biology.
You get pregnant, which means
you're going to have a baby.
Well, not necessarily.
I mean, for the time being,
at least,
women can still kind of
make up their mind
about that kind of thing.
Oh.
Did you have to make the same
decision before you had me?
No, honey.
No, of course not.
Oh, thank you.
Thank you.
Thanks a lot.
Anyway, this is just
a hypothetical discussion.
So just for fun,
how would you feel about having
a baby brother or sister?
Strange.
Not sure.
It could be kind of cool,
actually.
Yeah? You wouldn't...
You wouldn't feel weird
about being 14
and having a baby sister?
- Is it a girl?
- Hey, not so fast.
I never said
I was pregnant.
It's just a...
just a hypothetical discussion.
I know you're here.
Have you ever felt alone?
So alone that no one even knows
you're alive?
There's something
in my room at night.
Like what?
Not sure. Something.
Does it make any noise?
No. It's just there.
You know...
when I was your age,
I was doing drugs.
- Are you doing drugs?
- Dennis.
Like I can afford drugs
on my allowance?
Then how do you
explain this?
Mm, that's a picture
of your arm.
Yeah, but I didn't
take it.
I'm sure there's
an explanation.
You've heard of a butt dial?
That's a butt photo.
[laughs]
Funny, Dad.
That's funny.
[boy whispering]
Mama.
[sighs]
[sniffles and exhales]
[creaking and thumping]
[sobs softly]
[children giggling]
[sighs]
May I help you
with something?
- Hi.
- Hi.
I'm Mary Squire.
I'm one of the librarians here.
Are you looking
for something specific,
or just browsing around?
I was actually trying to find
a little history
on some of the houses
around here.
- I live just up the street.
- Here? On Wisconsin Avenue?
- Uh, no, I'm on Forrest.
- Oh, which house?
- The address?
- No, which house?
The Babcock House?
The Hawk's House?
Kimberly. Gilbert.
Shattuck. Buchannan.
Right. I'm in
the Clarkson house.
Okay.
Around here it's better
than an address.
That's how we keep track
of things.
So, what would you
like to know?
I don't know,
I was just wondering
about who lived there
before us.
You know,
what were they like?
Well, I think you're going
to love this room.
This is where we keep all
the files on the historic homes.
[mother]
Look at this.
Ah.
Yeah, Alexander Clarkson.
He patented
a paper-making process,
and then used it
to mint money.
- That's a joke.
- [both chuckle]
The US Mint used his paper
to make dollar bills.
Paper currency.
You know, by the look
of this picture,
maybe they were heading
to Easter services.
I want to know
more about them.
Well, you're welcome
to look at anything.
It's as much your history
as anyone's.
Maybe more.
- Everybody hold still, please.
- [camera clicks]
The flowers look beautiful,
Mr. Stein.
Thank you for all
your hard work.
Danke.
May you a very
joyous Easter.
We hope you have
a good Passover.
So he was literally was making
money by... by making money.
Maybe we should start
prying up the floorboards
to see if he left any.
[mother]
Anyway, there's more.
And I don't know
the cause for it yet,
but there is some sort of...
some sort of sadness here.
Like a melancholy.
A spirit.
Bam. Told you.
Maybe he'd like to split
the mortgage with us.
Stein.
Their last name was Stein.
- Who?
- Their servants.
The Clarksons.
And where
did you see this?
Uh, I can't say.
I've been all through this.
I couldn't find any record
of the Clarkson's domestic help.
I mean, the servant family
would have lived with them,
but not necessarily
put down the same roots.
They were kind of more
in the shadows,
and those records,
if there even are any,
would be really hard to come by
if not impossible.
I mean, there's got to be
something.
What about citizenship, voting
registration, school enrollment?
Katie, these people lived
over a hundred years ago.
I mean, long before Google.
And even if they had
any children,
there's the possibility
that they're...
uh, they were homeschooled
in their native tongue
while the sheets were out
drying on the line.
There has to be something.
There's a father,
a mother and a girl about 12.
And you're basing
your conclusions on...
Hey, there has to be a record
of them coming into the country.
What about a ship's manifest
from, I don't know,
somewhere in the '1800s?
Okay, I have to admit
I'm a little surprised.
I mean, most people
are concerned
with the prominent families,
the captains of industry
and their money.
And your fascination
is with the help?
She might still be there.
In my house.
She?
The girl.
Ah.
It sounds like maybe
you've met Rebekah.
You know?
Is that her name?
Just as every house
has its storied past,
many of them allegedly
have their resident ghosts.
In fact, it was once said
that Lady Smith
was in such competition
with Mrs. Kimberly
that she boasted
of having a second ghost.
Yours is Rebekah.
Do you know anything else
about her?
Well, you're not going to find
it here, I'll tell you that.
Oh, so what's next?
How far do you want
to take this?
I don't know.
I just...
somehow this feels
important to me.
To my family...
she just seems familiar.
Why does any ghost remain?
An emotional attachment
to the place?
Unfinished business?
A yearning? A longing?
Why don't you ask her?
[scratching noise]
[scratching noise continuous]
[scratching noise continuous]
Hello?
Are you there?
Are you trapped
or something?
Hey, Lucy.
What's up, honey?
There's a scratching
in my bedroom.
Dad, you're on.
Sort of in that area.
[scratching sound]
Yeah, I think
it's in the wall.
Maybe downstairs.
Come on, squirt,
let's check it out.
Seen the flashlight?
[scratching noise]
I don't know.
It's got to be around here
somewhere.
[scratching noise continuous]
[sighs]
Well, it's probably a rodent
of some sort.
Maybe a rat.
I'll call an exterminator
tomorrow.
[loud shrieking]
- Katie?
- Mom?
Sound asleep.
What was that?
This is getting weirder
by the second.
[girl crying and whimpering]
You didn't invite any
of your friends over, did you?
Dad, it's a school night.
[soft whimpering]
I think it's coming
from the attic.
Well...
why don't we check this out
tomorrow?
Really?
All right.
Let's see what it is.
Wow.
I haven't been
up here in ages.
[Lucy]
Remember, Dad,
you said ghosts were BS.
[Dennis]
Yeah, I did, didn't I?
Oh, my.
Look at this.
[girl whimpers]
[Lucy]
Hello?
Where are you?
[Dennis sighs]
[Dennis] Come on, you really
think someone's in here?
[door creaking]
Well, I'll be.
A stairway.
Did you know
about this stairway?
[Lucy] I thought I explored
every inch of this house.
[Dennis] Well, I guess
it's a servant's stairway.
It probably goes down
to the kitchen,
or somewhere else
on the first floor.
You feel a light switch?
You know this house might have
been built before electricity.
Okay.
You stay here. I'm going to go
to the first floor
and see where this
comes out.
I'm going to knock
on the walls,
and when I get close
let me know.
Uh, okay.
Okay.
[breathing heavily]
Dad.
Dad, I'm low on power.
I'm going to run out of power.
Dad?
Dad, where are you?
Dad! Dad where are you?
[breathing heavily]
Dad, please get me
out of here.
[girl's voice]
Dad!
[Lucy]
Dad!
Dad, there's someone here!
[Lucy screams]
[loud crash]
Dad, please get me
out of here!
- Can you hear me, baby?
- [Lucy] Please help!
Okay, I'm coming.
I got you, baby.
- You okay?
- No.
You keep asking that.
Oh, sweetie,
I'm sorry I left you.
You know what?
Why don't we just
go back to sleep.
We can explore more
in the morning.
[scratching noises]
All right, we've checked
every part of the house.
[scratching and rattling]
Mystery solved.
There's something stuck here
in the downspout.
Huh.
Like I said, I'll call
the exterminator tomorrow,
they'll come out
and get it out.
End of problem.
[Lucy]
Will they kill it?
[Dennis] Well, whatever it is,
it's trapped.
So if it gets out,
it'll probably just come back
and get trapped again.
So, yes, to answer
your question,
they'll probably
put it to sleep.
All right, come on.
[sighs]
All right.
You take out your phone,
call your mom.
Tell her to come
open the door.
[Lucy]
My battery is dead, remember?
[Dennis]
Oh, boy.
[sighs]
Oh, what the heck.
If I'm going to take out
the ladder to wake up your mom,
might as well
rescue a rat.
All right,
you got it?
Here, hold that.
All right,
are you in there?
Come on.
- Go a little higher.
- All right.
You got the ladder?
I don't know
about this thing.
Can you hold it?
Come on,
get out of there.
- Higher.
- Come on, man.
Come on, you rat.
Get out.
Watch out, Dad.
Watch out.
[Dennis screams]
[groans]
[Lucy laughs]
Dad, you're my hero.
If you are done for the evening,
can we get back inside, please?
[sighs]
Come on.
Are you okay?
[sighs]
[scratching noise]
[objects clatters and rolls]
[Lucy shrieks]
- [Katie] Lucy?
- [Dennis] Oh, what now.
Lucy!
[Dennis]
What? What is it?
You haven't
seen this before?
It'll only be a few days.
Back before you know it.
Can't you just do a Skype
meeting with these guys?
You know how all that goes.
I go in person, it puts me ahead
of everyone else who doesn't.
It's just not
a good time.
There's never a good time.
When are you going
to be back?
[sighs]
No way of knowing.
Why?
Well, there are just
some decisions
that need to be made,
Dennis.
Well, I need to get
something going.
Either this offer
or something with Jack.
I mean, the consulting business
just isn't what it used to be.
At least not
in the paper industry.
[girl hums]
Hello?
[inhales deeply and sighs]
[thunder rumbles]
[typing]
[thunder crashes]
Hey, Lucy.
It's Uncle Jack.
Come on, it's nasty weather
out there.
Jump in.
I'm heading your direction.
[girl's voice]
Don't talk to that man.
Come on.
That's okay.
I'm almost home.
Come on, get in.
[girl's voice]
Do not get in that car!
Come on, get in.
I'll give you a lift
right to your front door.
There you go. You want a little
help with your seat belt?
No, thank you.
[sighs]
Look at you.
You are absolutely soaked.
It's raining.
I bet you can't wait to get out
of those wet clothes
and into a nice,
hot shower, huh?
Mr. Simmons,
I'm not really comfortable
with the conversation
we're having.
Oh, I'm sorry,
little girl.
I was just making
nice-nice.
Hey, Mr. Simmons, I think you
missed the turn to my house.
- Mr. Simmons?
- Please, call me Jack.
You missed the turn to my house.
It was back there.
I know I did.
I thought you'd like to take
a bit more of a ride
and dry off.
[locks click]
Now you shut up
and listen to me
and do exactly
as I tell you to do,
and you'll be home in time
for dinner with your mommy.
When my dad hears about this...
Your dad is not in town.
- Let me out of here right now!
- Shut up!
[screams]
[groaning]
[distant police siren]
[door closes]
- [Katie] Is that you, Luce?
- [Lucy] Yeah.
[Katie] I'm sorry I didn't
come and get you.
I got a little busy
with this.
It sounded like it was
really pouring for a while.
Guess I'm a bad mom.
[Lucy]
I'm going to go take a shower.
[Katie]
Sounds like a good idea.
I'll get dinner going.
[Lucy]
When is dad going to be home?
[Katie]
Uh, tomorrow.
Uh, he mentioned that he's got
another meeting with Jack.
You know, Mr. Simmons?
There's a chance we might
get to keep the house.
[Lucy] I don't think
that's going to happen.
[Katie]
What, babe?
[Lucy]
Nothing.
Yeah, I'm going to take her
to Dr. Allen tomorrow,
just as a precaution.
[Dennis, on phone] I just can't believe
he would try something like that.
Unbelievable.
- I'm going to the police.
- No, no, no, don't.
I... they don't need to know
anything more right now.
[Dennis]
I wish I was there.
Okay.
[Dennis] I'm sorry you're
dealing with this.
I love you.
I love you, too.
Okay, bye.
[Dennis]
Bye.
Come here,
sweetheart.
I would die if anything
ever happened to you.
I love you.
You sleep well, okay?
It's you.
How did you know
he was a bad man?
Didn't you?
Then why did you
get in the car?
I was cold.
And I thought because
he knew my dad, it was okay.
Did you kill that man?
No, but he would have
killed you.
Who are you then?
I want to be your sister.
[indistinct chattering]
[sighs]
[gasps]
Who are you?
I want to live.
Leave me alone!
[panting]
[gasps]
Leave me alone, please.
Please.
I think you need
to see this guy.
I'm not one to say the Neenah
Library has met its match,
but in your case,
I think maybe it has.
He's the real deal.
Retired now,
if a person in his profession
can ever actually retire.
How do you know him?
He tried to help me recently.
I hope he can help you.
Thank you.
Excuse me?
Excuse me?
Hello?
[typing]
[man]
Hello?
Hi. Um, I'm sorry.
The...
There wasn't a receptionist
out front,
so I just let myself in.
Oh, she's probably out
getting coffee.
I can catch her.
Oh, no. I'm fine.
Cream? Sugar?
That'd be great.
Elsa, add a cappuccino
to that order, please.
Thank you.
Robert Ehrlich.
Father Ehrlich.
Uh, Katie Lukens.
Katie Lukens.
I haven't heard
that name before.
There's a list,
continually updated,
of every name
in our parish.
I pray for them all daily.
You pray for hundreds of people
every day?
Thousands.
Those that have not yet
taken their first breath
and those who are about to take
their last.
What parish
do you belong to?
Uh... we don't.
Another faith community?
No. Not at the moment.
[Ehrlich]
Oh.
Please.
Have a seat.
Thank you.
[Ehrlich clears throat]
What can I do for you,
Mrs. Lukens?
How did you know
I was married?
Well, when I asked you
what parish you belonged to,
you said, "we don't."
Which means a family unit.
Am I right?
My husband's name
is Dennis.
And we... we weren't really
raised in any kind
of religious tradition.
Uh, we have a daughter, Lucy.
She's 14.
Other children?
No.
So...
why are you here, Katie?
[sighs]
I'm not sure.
We were doing research
on our house.
It's about 125 years old.
- Mm-hmm.
- And we were just wondering
about the former occupants,
because...
I see someone got through
our elaborate security?
[Ehrlich]
Elsa, this is Katie Lukens.
Pleased to meet you,
Mrs. Lukens.
Likewise, thank you.
[Ehrlich]
Thank you.
[Katie]
So, Miss Squire, the librarian,
she said that you might
be a good source
to talk to about this.
Lovely lady.
I only met her once.
I have no idea
what she meant.
It's embarrassing,
but we think
that there could be
something in our house.
- Mm-hmm.
- Like a...
a spirit.
[Ehrlich]
A spirit?
Do you feel any danger
in your house?
Any for you
and your family?
Yes.
Mrs. Lukens, please understand
I'm here to serve you.
What is it you're not
telling me?
I'm sorry, Father, I... I...
If there is something
in your house,
to put it frankly,
there has to be a void
for it to be there.
A void?
A vacuum. An emptiness.
What do you think
might be lacking, Father?
Something that can give you
protection
for you and your family.
Okay, so...
when something is hungry
or... or trapped....
you become alarmed.
Why?
Are you trapped?
Are you...
are you threatened
in some way?
[sighs]
[toilet flushes]
How's it going?
I'm pregnant, remember?
[sniffles]
How was your trip?
Same old routine.
Times are tight,
we'll get back to you.
The usual.
Everyone wants
to hire a consultant,
but no one wants
to pay for one.
So where are you
with this?
Where am I?
Where are you?
You left me here
to deal with this by myself.
I...
wanted to respect
whatever decision you make.
I don't even know
if there's a decision to make.
What's that mean?
I just feel so alone.
And this,
in this house.
There is something here,
Dennis.
Or someone here
in this house.
Lucy was right.
Katie, you're not going
to let some apparition...
cloud your judgment?
Is this like part
of being pregnant or something?
This is not
my hormones talking.
This is real.
Okay.
Can we even do this now?
Financially?
Money.
You know what?
I'll take care of it.
I'll take care of it.
What the...?
Who are you?
What's going on here?
Daddy.
I'd say you're about
9 weeks along.
First trimester.
Um...
do you think there'll be
any complications?
Not this early.
It's a perfectly safe
procedure.
No harm or risk
whatsoever.
May I schedule
for next week?
Uh...
yes.
[girl shrieking]
[shrieking]
[phone rings]
Hello?
I found them.
- Who?
- The Steins.
The Clarksons' servants.
You were right.
Their name is Stein.
And what about
their daughter?
They had no daughter.
They were childless.
Are you sure?
Back then families
were always buried together,
especially if the child
died prematurely.
Then...
then who is Rebekah?
She may not exist.
She may never
have existed.
- [loud crash]
- [screams]
[panting]
[girl's voice]
How does it feel?
Feel?
Being alive.
It can be a pain
sometimes.
[girl]
But not all the time.
Maybe not all the time,
but lately, most of the time.
[girl]
If I can touch you someday
and you can feel it,
will you know it's me?
[Lucy]
Why are you here then?
I want to be here.
I need to be here.
This is my home.
Okay, but why?
I want to live.
Lucy?
Yes?
Something bad
is going to happen.
[screams and gasps]
No!
Moloch!
[door slams]
How are you, Katie?
You were visited again?
Yes.
And contact was made?
Yes.
It spoke to me.
It said a word.
It was, um...
"moloch," I think.
Or "molluck."
Do you know
what that means?
I can't say that word in here.
This is too sacred a place.
And that name,
too profane.
Although you may
find an image,
it'll only be a mere
representation of Moloch.
Also known as Molech,
and a host of other
blasphemous variations.
Moloch is the name
of an ancient Ammonite god.
He appears in the
Book of Deuteronomy,
and then once again
in the Book of Leviticus.
There is a valley, Gehenna,
by Jerusalem,
where apostate Israelites
and followers
of various false gods,
including Moloch,
sacrificed their children
by fire.
They sacrificed them?
[Ehrlich] The threw their
newborn children into fire.
Moloch demanded it.
How could they do that?
Why would they do that?
[Ehrlich]
The pagan world was cruel.
They wanted success,
security, prosperity.
But if their fortune was at risk
on the seas
and their ship came in,
a child was a gift
of gratitude.
If they had a great
misfortune,
the child was the price.
Was there weeping?
I'm sure there was.
But why children?
I mean, what does this demigod
want with children?
[Ehrlich]
Moloch mocks God
by desiring what is God's,
not his.
I'm not saying that God hates
one thing more than another.
But the innocent blood
of a child
is a de facto sacrifice
to Moloch.
Out of our arrogance,
it seems that we have control.
But God is the author
of all life.
He owns life itself.
The question is, Katie,
what do you
think it means?
I think your daughter's
in danger.
Mortal danger.
[girl]
I must go now.
Where are you going?
Away.
Why?
Moloch.
What's that?
Destroyer of life.
And it's coming here?
Right here.
[Lucy]
Hey, wait a minute.
Why is Moloch coming?
He was invited.
[screams]
No!
Let me go! Stop!
[gasps and screams]
- Get off me!
- Baby...
Stop it!
Get off me!
- Hey...
- No! Let go.
[breathing heavily]
Let go.
Oh, God.
[flips light switch]
No.
Ow.
[gasps]
[breathing heavily]
[buzzing]
Dennis? Dennis!
Sister, where are you?
[Katie]
Dennis!
Hey. You okay?
- I don't know!
- [pots clanging]
- What's going on here?
- I don't know!
Oh!
[pounding on door]
Oh, Father Ehrlich.
[breathing heavily]
This is the priest
I was telling you about.
I see. Come in, please.
And you too, Katie?
You welcome me here?
Yes. Yes, you are.
[Ehrlich]
Thank you.
This house has never
been blessed.
[praying in Latin]
St. Michael
and the archangels,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against
the wickedness...
Are you going to bless
the house now, Father?
It's too late for that.
Well, can we do something?
No.
Just stay here.
As smoke is driven away,
so they'll be
driven away.
[house creaks]
[sighs]
As wax melts before a fire,
the wicked will perish
in the presence of God.
[door opens]
[panting]
Lucy.
May you be protected...
from all unclean spirits,
satanic powers...
and wicked legions
and similes.
And the strengths and powers
of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
By the holy authority
of our ministry,
we confidently undertake...
and reject the attacks
and the deceit of Satan.
Dennis and Katie Lukens...
[prays in Latin]
Ah.
There you are.
Beast.
[praying in Latin]
May God rebuke,
we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince
of the heavenly host,
by the divine power of God...
[praying in Latin]
[punch lands]
[gasps and sighs]
We meet again.
You who are called
Desolation.
Blasphemy.
[sighs]
[groans]
[punch lands]
[gasps]
[groaning]
The owner of all life
and the author
of our faith
has dominion here.
[punches landing]
[loud crash]
Cast into hell,
Satan of the evil spirit.
It is he who
claims the child
of Katie and Dennis Lukens.
[grunts]
[groans]
He who is in me
is greater than he
who is in the world.
[sighs]
[grunts]
[sighs]
[chuckles]
And who might you be,
my little one?
[whispers]
This is my family...
How are you?
Alive.
Hmm.
That will be my prayer.
[sighs]
What happened?
It's gone.
That's it?
It's... it's gone?
Yes. At least for now.
Well, is there anything...
I mean...
It's simple.
Just don't give it
what it wants.
Please protect
the life in there.
As long as you do,
you won't hear from
any evil spirits any longer.
I don't think you know
what I mean.
I do.
Protect Lucy.
We both know
what I'm talking about.
Protect all the life
in this house.
By the way, it's bad form
to lie to a priest.
Should you ever have the good
sense to become a Catholic,
I will see you
in confession.
I'll take you home.
No.
I can find my way home.
[girl] I was watching a
spider make its web,
and it was simply glorious.
It let out the silk
from its body
and wove it in such
an intricate pattern.
I was truly amazed
at its artistry.
Then a man came along
to paint the post,
and he painted
all over everything,
destroying the spider's web
and the spider as well.
I do not know if he did this
by accident or on purpose.
I watched the poor spider
writhing in pain
as it suffocated,
its many legs reaching
for something to grasp,
longing, searching for air,
searching for light.
It was in its natural habitat,
and the world came in
and destroyed it.
As the spider died,
part of me died, too.
Tell me why you're here.
You don't know?
No.
We were a happy family.
We weren't perfect,
but things weren't
that bad either.
But then you showed up.
I almost remember the day.
I'm sure you do.
So why are you here?
I'm here to protect
your daughters.
Daughters?
That's impossible.
Is it?
You're not the girl
in the pinafore dress.
She never was.
[door opens]
[door closes]
- May I?
- Mm.
How are you doing?
I'm good.
I feel okay.
[inhales and exhales]
I'm at peace
with my decision.
Well, I don't think
there's a whole lot more
for me to offer you.
Should feel free to go
in the next few hours.
[sighs]
In the old days, didn't...
didn't women get to stay
for a few days?
Like you said,
the old days.
[door opens]
[door closes]
Hi, Luce.
She's wrinkly.
Mm-hmm.
That'll go away...
and then come back
in about 40 years.
Can I hold her?
Of course.
There you go.
Funny.
I feel like
I know her already.
Like she belongs.
[baby cooing]
This is cool.
Can you take a picture?
Sure, honey.
[camera shutters click]
Have you chosen
a name yet?
I was thinking
about Rebekah.
That is the most
lovely name.
That's right.
Oh, you're losing
your hat.
Hey. My turn.
Want to go to Daddy?
Okay, let me...
- There you go.
- There you are.
[laughs]
Will miracles
never cease?
You know, if you believe
the old Italian proverb
that every baby comes with
a loaf of bread under its arm.
[Dennis]
Bread?
Do you have
a loaf of bread?
Hmm?
Should I wait a few weeks
before throwing her in the air?
I think that's a good idea,
babe.
[laughs]
All right,
let's go to mama.
Here you go.
Hello, little baby.
Oh, there you go. Yeah.
Great, she's officially
now more popular than me.
[Katie] Well, you're going
to have to get used to that
with a little
baby sister around.
[Lucy]
Oh, my gosh. It's her.
[man]
You ready?
[girl's voice] The wind blows
wherever it wants.
You can hear it,
but cannot tell where it comes
from or where it is going.
Just as you cannot explain how
people are born of the spirit.
[music playing
over car radio]
[turns ignition off]
- [sighs]
- Wait.
What?
Where are the keys?
Babe, remember,
I have them.
Just because you wouldn't
let me drive
doesn't mean I can't
at least open the door.
[laughing]
Are you okay?
Shh!
[mumbling]
[door creaking open]
Shh!
Congratulations, you passed
the "key in the lock" challenge.
[woman giggling]
I see.
[muffled chatter
through walls]
Guys, no.
[man]
So how's our mood?
[woman]
I am always in the mood.
[man]
I know you are...
Are you kidding me?
Gross.
[music playing over earbuds]
[boy whispering]
Mama.
[whispering]
Hey.
Did you hear that?
What?
I heard something.
Like what?
What'd you hear?
Like Lucy,
but not Lucy.
[sighs]
Maybe I didn't hear
anything.
Was it a dream?
Yeah.
Yeah, maybe.
No, I don't think so.
[girl's voice]
I don't want to die.
It's not time
for me to die.
[Lucy]
You got to be kidding me.
[door opens and closes]
Hey, Mom, Dad!
I told you I was going through
some hard times in business.
A rough patch.
Mom has a job.
We don't have to move.
I love the thought sweetie,
but being a writer
doesn't mean I have a job
unless somebody
buys my writing.
It's kind of like putting
a "for sale" sign out front.
I mean, it doesn't mean
anything's sold
until somebody
wants to buy it.
We're just keeping
our options open.
This is where we live.
You can't sell it
for that reason alone.
Well, someone would have to make
a really good offer
before we'd even consider
saying yes.
Now, the people who built this
house back in 1800-something,
they built it
for themselves.
They never planned on anybody
else living here.
What's that supposed to mean?
Well, this house, it's not meant
for anyone in particular.
We'll be here for a short while,
just like the people before us.
And we certainly won't
be the last ones to live here.
Not the way
this place was made.
You don't get it.
This is my home.
I live here.
You know, when we first
moved here,
the thought of living in an old
house with an historical vibe,
it was great.
But the maintenance
is never-ending.
The taxes are killing us.
I mean, people
are always outside
like it's some sort
of tourist attraction.
What maintenance?
The plumbing.
I mean, the pipes are ancient.
- The roof.
- The yard.
Grass just keeps
growing and growing,
whether somebody
cuts it or not.
Dad doesn't have a job.
He can cut it.
Plus, winter's coming.
Stuff stops growing.
Problem solved.
The house is a bit big
for a family of three.
I think it's time to let
somebody else live here.
You already
made up your minds!
I hate you guys.
[sighs]
Well, we've talked about this
time and time again.
I know.
Just give her some time.
[camera shutters clicking]
[sighs]
[camera shutters clicking]
[sighs]
Oh, really.
Great.
Now?
- Happy birthday to you
- Happy birthday to you
- Happy birthday, dear Lucy
- Happy birthday, dear Lucy
- Happy birthday to you
- Happy birthday to you
All right.
- Happy birthday, sweetie.
- Make a wish.
- [laughs]
- All right.
Well...
- Well?
- Well, what?
Oh, my goodness.
[sighs]
I forgot the gifts.
Oh, no.
- Yeah.
- Mom?
- Maybe next year, hon.
- Dad?
So not cool.
[both laugh]
You know, I think I might
have seen a few things
in the living room.
- Did you see...?
- Oh. Yeah, maybe.
Maybe some sparkles and bows.
- Come on.
- All right, let's go.
Come on, squirt,
give us some credit.
You know how special
birthdays are around here.
All right, I got it.
[mother]
Yeah, grab a few.
[sighs]
[father]
How about this one first?
[mother]
So, what'd you wish for?
[Lucy]
Can't tell you.
- [mother] Ugh!
- [father] What?
Can't tell us
or won't tell us?
[mother]
Yeah.
[Lucy]
It's kind of weird.
[mother laughs]
Okay, well,
happy birthday, anyway.
[blows]
Hello?
Somebody there?
[father]
Oh, man.
[mother]
No kidding.
[father]
Whoa.
Holy...
I mean, how'd that happen?
The usual way.
[laughs]
[sighs]
The party night?
Yeah.
I think our little...
after-party.
[groans and laughs]
You sure?
I mean, as much as I can trust
the little pee sticks.
I'm going to go see Dr. Green
for a follow-up next week.
[sighs]
All right, well,
let's assume it's for real.
What then?
Then it would be
ridiculous.
I mean, right?
I'll be home
a little early tonight.
Jack Simmons is coming over
for a quick drink.
Jack? Really?
What's that about?
He's thinking about teaming up.
Talking about a new start-up.
Isn't he sort of the boy
who cried wolf at this point?
Well, can't argue that he made
the right call
on that pharmaceutical
start-up.
Yeah, but that was then,
wasn't it?
Yeah.
Hey, sweetie, you want to go out
to dinner tonight?
Just you and me?
Jack still has some
of his family money.
Along with my reputation,
I think we can get
even more investments.
What's the concern?
I don't mean to put
the kibosh on anything,
but I just... I don't always
feel comfortable around Jack.
My dad partnered up with a guy
one time who was not,
to say the least,
his style.
But, uh, you know,
sometimes it takes all types
to get it done, right?
I suppose.
This house is haunted.
How so?
Last night in my room,
I just felt I wasn't alone.
Well, are you sure
your iPad was turned off?
Knew I could
count on you, Mom.
You know, the house
is over a hundred years old.
Squeaks and drafts,
kind of comes
with the territory.
I'm sure there's nothing
to worry about.
And, you know,
spirits and ghosts...
you know all that's BS, right?
Don't tell me a house like this
doesn't have at least one ghost.
Well, when we bought the house,
the ghost box wasn't checked.
What if this
is a new ghost?
How can a ghost be new?
Like you're an expert
at anything.
Lucy!
[scoffs]
[clock ticking]
[sighs]
[TV turns on]
Dennis?
Dennis?
Dennis?
Luce?
[turns TV off]
[woman, on TV] ...heard us say that
we needed to get back on the wagon.
They put us back
on the wagon.
I was like, "What is going on
here, Adam?"
And he's like, "Well, this isn't
a beginner workout.
You're essentially
a beginner right now."
[woman, on TV]
...other documents,
it's time to clean house
in "Smart Woman:
What to Keep, What to Toss."
Someone in our community
will win a few furn...
[sighs]
[dog barks]
Oh!
Oh! Oskar!
Oh, sweetheart.
You poor baby.
I'm sorry, buddy.
There you go, buddy.
Oh, good boy.
I'm so sorry.
[knock on door]
[Dennis]
Honey, will you get that?
[Lucy]
Yeah.
[mother]
Who is that?
[Dennis]
Probably Jack.
Wow, look at you.
You are growing up.
What grade are you in now?
- Eighth.
- Eighth grade.
Well, that is a great grade
to be in.
Mm-hmm.
Ah. Hey, Dennis.
Will you take a look
at little missy here, huh?
- Yeah, that's my daughter.
- Mm-hmm.
- Let's go into my study.
- All right.
I was just telling your little
girl how she's all grown up,
right before
our very eyes.
You must be
a very proud papa.
- Scotch?
- Uh, no.
No, I'm on the wagon
for the moment.
Can I have a glass of milk,
please?
And I'll have
a sauvignon blanc.
Oh, wait.
I'm sorry,
um, can I get a...
Can I get a sparkling water
with lime instead?
Thank you.
Don't tell me.
Not another diet.
No, just being careful.
No way.
You're not going to tell me...
What?
Women don't drink
when they're...
Gross! You did it with Dad?
Lucy!
Come on.
How else do you think
that would that work?
Seriously, how?
We'll talk about it later.
No. I took biology.
You get pregnant, which means
you're going to have a baby.
Well, not necessarily.
I mean, for the time being,
at least,
women can still kind of
make up their mind
about that kind of thing.
Oh.
Did you have to make the same
decision before you had me?
No, honey.
No, of course not.
Oh, thank you.
Thank you.
Thanks a lot.
Anyway, this is just
a hypothetical discussion.
So just for fun,
how would you feel about having
a baby brother or sister?
Strange.
Not sure.
It could be kind of cool,
actually.
Yeah? You wouldn't...
You wouldn't feel weird
about being 14
and having a baby sister?
- Is it a girl?
- Hey, not so fast.
I never said
I was pregnant.
It's just a...
just a hypothetical discussion.
I know you're here.
Have you ever felt alone?
So alone that no one even knows
you're alive?
There's something
in my room at night.
Like what?
Not sure. Something.
Does it make any noise?
No. It's just there.
You know...
when I was your age,
I was doing drugs.
- Are you doing drugs?
- Dennis.
Like I can afford drugs
on my allowance?
Then how do you
explain this?
Mm, that's a picture
of your arm.
Yeah, but I didn't
take it.
I'm sure there's
an explanation.
You've heard of a butt dial?
That's a butt photo.
[laughs]
Funny, Dad.
That's funny.
[boy whispering]
Mama.
[sighs]
[sniffles and exhales]
[creaking and thumping]
[sobs softly]
[children giggling]
[sighs]
May I help you
with something?
- Hi.
- Hi.
I'm Mary Squire.
I'm one of the librarians here.
Are you looking
for something specific,
or just browsing around?
I was actually trying to find
a little history
on some of the houses
around here.
- I live just up the street.
- Here? On Wisconsin Avenue?
- Uh, no, I'm on Forrest.
- Oh, which house?
- The address?
- No, which house?
The Babcock House?
The Hawk's House?
Kimberly. Gilbert.
Shattuck. Buchannan.
Right. I'm in
the Clarkson house.
Okay.
Around here it's better
than an address.
That's how we keep track
of things.
So, what would you
like to know?
I don't know,
I was just wondering
about who lived there
before us.
You know,
what were they like?
Well, I think you're going
to love this room.
This is where we keep all
the files on the historic homes.
[mother]
Look at this.
Ah.
Yeah, Alexander Clarkson.
He patented
a paper-making process,
and then used it
to mint money.
- That's a joke.
- [both chuckle]
The US Mint used his paper
to make dollar bills.
Paper currency.
You know, by the look
of this picture,
maybe they were heading
to Easter services.
I want to know
more about them.
Well, you're welcome
to look at anything.
It's as much your history
as anyone's.
Maybe more.
- Everybody hold still, please.
- [camera clicks]
The flowers look beautiful,
Mr. Stein.
Thank you for all
your hard work.
Danke.
May you a very
joyous Easter.
We hope you have
a good Passover.
So he was literally was making
money by... by making money.
Maybe we should start
prying up the floorboards
to see if he left any.
[mother]
Anyway, there's more.
And I don't know
the cause for it yet,
but there is some sort of...
some sort of sadness here.
Like a melancholy.
A spirit.
Bam. Told you.
Maybe he'd like to split
the mortgage with us.
Stein.
Their last name was Stein.
- Who?
- Their servants.
The Clarksons.
And where
did you see this?
Uh, I can't say.
I've been all through this.
I couldn't find any record
of the Clarkson's domestic help.
I mean, the servant family
would have lived with them,
but not necessarily
put down the same roots.
They were kind of more
in the shadows,
and those records,
if there even are any,
would be really hard to come by
if not impossible.
I mean, there's got to be
something.
What about citizenship, voting
registration, school enrollment?
Katie, these people lived
over a hundred years ago.
I mean, long before Google.
And even if they had
any children,
there's the possibility
that they're...
uh, they were homeschooled
in their native tongue
while the sheets were out
drying on the line.
There has to be something.
There's a father,
a mother and a girl about 12.
And you're basing
your conclusions on...
Hey, there has to be a record
of them coming into the country.
What about a ship's manifest
from, I don't know,
somewhere in the '1800s?
Okay, I have to admit
I'm a little surprised.
I mean, most people
are concerned
with the prominent families,
the captains of industry
and their money.
And your fascination
is with the help?
She might still be there.
In my house.
She?
The girl.
Ah.
It sounds like maybe
you've met Rebekah.
You know?
Is that her name?
Just as every house
has its storied past,
many of them allegedly
have their resident ghosts.
In fact, it was once said
that Lady Smith
was in such competition
with Mrs. Kimberly
that she boasted
of having a second ghost.
Yours is Rebekah.
Do you know anything else
about her?
Well, you're not going to find
it here, I'll tell you that.
Oh, so what's next?
How far do you want
to take this?
I don't know.
I just...
somehow this feels
important to me.
To my family...
she just seems familiar.
Why does any ghost remain?
An emotional attachment
to the place?
Unfinished business?
A yearning? A longing?
Why don't you ask her?
[scratching noise]
[scratching noise continuous]
[scratching noise continuous]
Hello?
Are you there?
Are you trapped
or something?
Hey, Lucy.
What's up, honey?
There's a scratching
in my bedroom.
Dad, you're on.
Sort of in that area.
[scratching sound]
Yeah, I think
it's in the wall.
Maybe downstairs.
Come on, squirt,
let's check it out.
Seen the flashlight?
[scratching noise]
I don't know.
It's got to be around here
somewhere.
[scratching noise continuous]
[sighs]
Well, it's probably a rodent
of some sort.
Maybe a rat.
I'll call an exterminator
tomorrow.
[loud shrieking]
- Katie?
- Mom?
Sound asleep.
What was that?
This is getting weirder
by the second.
[girl crying and whimpering]
You didn't invite any
of your friends over, did you?
Dad, it's a school night.
[soft whimpering]
I think it's coming
from the attic.
Well...
why don't we check this out
tomorrow?
Really?
All right.
Let's see what it is.
Wow.
I haven't been
up here in ages.
[Lucy]
Remember, Dad,
you said ghosts were BS.
[Dennis]
Yeah, I did, didn't I?
Oh, my.
Look at this.
[girl whimpers]
[Lucy]
Hello?
Where are you?
[Dennis sighs]
[Dennis] Come on, you really
think someone's in here?
[door creaking]
Well, I'll be.
A stairway.
Did you know
about this stairway?
[Lucy] I thought I explored
every inch of this house.
[Dennis] Well, I guess
it's a servant's stairway.
It probably goes down
to the kitchen,
or somewhere else
on the first floor.
You feel a light switch?
You know this house might have
been built before electricity.
Okay.
You stay here. I'm going to go
to the first floor
and see where this
comes out.
I'm going to knock
on the walls,
and when I get close
let me know.
Uh, okay.
Okay.
[breathing heavily]
Dad.
Dad, I'm low on power.
I'm going to run out of power.
Dad?
Dad, where are you?
Dad! Dad where are you?
[breathing heavily]
Dad, please get me
out of here.
[girl's voice]
Dad!
[Lucy]
Dad!
Dad, there's someone here!
[Lucy screams]
[loud crash]
Dad, please get me
out of here!
- Can you hear me, baby?
- [Lucy] Please help!
Okay, I'm coming.
I got you, baby.
- You okay?
- No.
You keep asking that.
Oh, sweetie,
I'm sorry I left you.
You know what?
Why don't we just
go back to sleep.
We can explore more
in the morning.
[scratching noises]
All right, we've checked
every part of the house.
[scratching and rattling]
Mystery solved.
There's something stuck here
in the downspout.
Huh.
Like I said, I'll call
the exterminator tomorrow,
they'll come out
and get it out.
End of problem.
[Lucy]
Will they kill it?
[Dennis] Well, whatever it is,
it's trapped.
So if it gets out,
it'll probably just come back
and get trapped again.
So, yes, to answer
your question,
they'll probably
put it to sleep.
All right, come on.
[sighs]
All right.
You take out your phone,
call your mom.
Tell her to come
open the door.
[Lucy]
My battery is dead, remember?
[Dennis]
Oh, boy.
[sighs]
Oh, what the heck.
If I'm going to take out
the ladder to wake up your mom,
might as well
rescue a rat.
All right,
you got it?
Here, hold that.
All right,
are you in there?
Come on.
- Go a little higher.
- All right.
You got the ladder?
I don't know
about this thing.
Can you hold it?
Come on,
get out of there.
- Higher.
- Come on, man.
Come on, you rat.
Get out.
Watch out, Dad.
Watch out.
[Dennis screams]
[groans]
[Lucy laughs]
Dad, you're my hero.
If you are done for the evening,
can we get back inside, please?
[sighs]
Come on.
Are you okay?
[sighs]
[scratching noise]
[objects clatters and rolls]
[Lucy shrieks]
- [Katie] Lucy?
- [Dennis] Oh, what now.
Lucy!
[Dennis]
What? What is it?
You haven't
seen this before?
It'll only be a few days.
Back before you know it.
Can't you just do a Skype
meeting with these guys?
You know how all that goes.
I go in person, it puts me ahead
of everyone else who doesn't.
It's just not
a good time.
There's never a good time.
When are you going
to be back?
[sighs]
No way of knowing.
Why?
Well, there are just
some decisions
that need to be made,
Dennis.
Well, I need to get
something going.
Either this offer
or something with Jack.
I mean, the consulting business
just isn't what it used to be.
At least not
in the paper industry.
[girl hums]
Hello?
[inhales deeply and sighs]
[thunder rumbles]
[typing]
[thunder crashes]
Hey, Lucy.
It's Uncle Jack.
Come on, it's nasty weather
out there.
Jump in.
I'm heading your direction.
[girl's voice]
Don't talk to that man.
Come on.
That's okay.
I'm almost home.
Come on, get in.
[girl's voice]
Do not get in that car!
Come on, get in.
I'll give you a lift
right to your front door.
There you go. You want a little
help with your seat belt?
No, thank you.
[sighs]
Look at you.
You are absolutely soaked.
It's raining.
I bet you can't wait to get out
of those wet clothes
and into a nice,
hot shower, huh?
Mr. Simmons,
I'm not really comfortable
with the conversation
we're having.
Oh, I'm sorry,
little girl.
I was just making
nice-nice.
Hey, Mr. Simmons, I think you
missed the turn to my house.
- Mr. Simmons?
- Please, call me Jack.
You missed the turn to my house.
It was back there.
I know I did.
I thought you'd like to take
a bit more of a ride
and dry off.
[locks click]
Now you shut up
and listen to me
and do exactly
as I tell you to do,
and you'll be home in time
for dinner with your mommy.
When my dad hears about this...
Your dad is not in town.
- Let me out of here right now!
- Shut up!
[screams]
[groaning]
[distant police siren]
[door closes]
- [Katie] Is that you, Luce?
- [Lucy] Yeah.
[Katie] I'm sorry I didn't
come and get you.
I got a little busy
with this.
It sounded like it was
really pouring for a while.
Guess I'm a bad mom.
[Lucy]
I'm going to go take a shower.
[Katie]
Sounds like a good idea.
I'll get dinner going.
[Lucy]
When is dad going to be home?
[Katie]
Uh, tomorrow.
Uh, he mentioned that he's got
another meeting with Jack.
You know, Mr. Simmons?
There's a chance we might
get to keep the house.
[Lucy] I don't think
that's going to happen.
[Katie]
What, babe?
[Lucy]
Nothing.
Yeah, I'm going to take her
to Dr. Allen tomorrow,
just as a precaution.
[Dennis, on phone] I just can't believe
he would try something like that.
Unbelievable.
- I'm going to the police.
- No, no, no, don't.
I... they don't need to know
anything more right now.
[Dennis]
I wish I was there.
Okay.
[Dennis] I'm sorry you're
dealing with this.
I love you.
I love you, too.
Okay, bye.
[Dennis]
Bye.
Come here,
sweetheart.
I would die if anything
ever happened to you.
I love you.
You sleep well, okay?
It's you.
How did you know
he was a bad man?
Didn't you?
Then why did you
get in the car?
I was cold.
And I thought because
he knew my dad, it was okay.
Did you kill that man?
No, but he would have
killed you.
Who are you then?
I want to be your sister.
[indistinct chattering]
[sighs]
[gasps]
Who are you?
I want to live.
Leave me alone!
[panting]
[gasps]
Leave me alone, please.
Please.
I think you need
to see this guy.
I'm not one to say the Neenah
Library has met its match,
but in your case,
I think maybe it has.
He's the real deal.
Retired now,
if a person in his profession
can ever actually retire.
How do you know him?
He tried to help me recently.
I hope he can help you.
Thank you.
Excuse me?
Excuse me?
Hello?
[typing]
[man]
Hello?
Hi. Um, I'm sorry.
The...
There wasn't a receptionist
out front,
so I just let myself in.
Oh, she's probably out
getting coffee.
I can catch her.
Oh, no. I'm fine.
Cream? Sugar?
That'd be great.
Elsa, add a cappuccino
to that order, please.
Thank you.
Robert Ehrlich.
Father Ehrlich.
Uh, Katie Lukens.
Katie Lukens.
I haven't heard
that name before.
There's a list,
continually updated,
of every name
in our parish.
I pray for them all daily.
You pray for hundreds of people
every day?
Thousands.
Those that have not yet
taken their first breath
and those who are about to take
their last.
What parish
do you belong to?
Uh... we don't.
Another faith community?
No. Not at the moment.
[Ehrlich]
Oh.
Please.
Have a seat.
Thank you.
[Ehrlich clears throat]
What can I do for you,
Mrs. Lukens?
How did you know
I was married?
Well, when I asked you
what parish you belonged to,
you said, "we don't."
Which means a family unit.
Am I right?
My husband's name
is Dennis.
And we... we weren't really
raised in any kind
of religious tradition.
Uh, we have a daughter, Lucy.
She's 14.
Other children?
No.
So...
why are you here, Katie?
[sighs]
I'm not sure.
We were doing research
on our house.
It's about 125 years old.
- Mm-hmm.
- And we were just wondering
about the former occupants,
because...
I see someone got through
our elaborate security?
[Ehrlich]
Elsa, this is Katie Lukens.
Pleased to meet you,
Mrs. Lukens.
Likewise, thank you.
[Ehrlich]
Thank you.
[Katie]
So, Miss Squire, the librarian,
she said that you might
be a good source
to talk to about this.
Lovely lady.
I only met her once.
I have no idea
what she meant.
It's embarrassing,
but we think
that there could be
something in our house.
- Mm-hmm.
- Like a...
a spirit.
[Ehrlich]
A spirit?
Do you feel any danger
in your house?
Any for you
and your family?
Yes.
Mrs. Lukens, please understand
I'm here to serve you.
What is it you're not
telling me?
I'm sorry, Father, I... I...
If there is something
in your house,
to put it frankly,
there has to be a void
for it to be there.
A void?
A vacuum. An emptiness.
What do you think
might be lacking, Father?
Something that can give you
protection
for you and your family.
Okay, so...
when something is hungry
or... or trapped....
you become alarmed.
Why?
Are you trapped?
Are you...
are you threatened
in some way?
[sighs]
[toilet flushes]
How's it going?
I'm pregnant, remember?
[sniffles]
How was your trip?
Same old routine.
Times are tight,
we'll get back to you.
The usual.
Everyone wants
to hire a consultant,
but no one wants
to pay for one.
So where are you
with this?
Where am I?
Where are you?
You left me here
to deal with this by myself.
I...
wanted to respect
whatever decision you make.
I don't even know
if there's a decision to make.
What's that mean?
I just feel so alone.
And this,
in this house.
There is something here,
Dennis.
Or someone here
in this house.
Lucy was right.
Katie, you're not going
to let some apparition...
cloud your judgment?
Is this like part
of being pregnant or something?
This is not
my hormones talking.
This is real.
Okay.
Can we even do this now?
Financially?
Money.
You know what?
I'll take care of it.
I'll take care of it.
What the...?
Who are you?
What's going on here?
Daddy.
I'd say you're about
9 weeks along.
First trimester.
Um...
do you think there'll be
any complications?
Not this early.
It's a perfectly safe
procedure.
No harm or risk
whatsoever.
May I schedule
for next week?
Uh...
yes.
[girl shrieking]
[shrieking]
[phone rings]
Hello?
I found them.
- Who?
- The Steins.
The Clarksons' servants.
You were right.
Their name is Stein.
And what about
their daughter?
They had no daughter.
They were childless.
Are you sure?
Back then families
were always buried together,
especially if the child
died prematurely.
Then...
then who is Rebekah?
She may not exist.
She may never
have existed.
- [loud crash]
- [screams]
[panting]
[girl's voice]
How does it feel?
Feel?
Being alive.
It can be a pain
sometimes.
[girl]
But not all the time.
Maybe not all the time,
but lately, most of the time.
[girl]
If I can touch you someday
and you can feel it,
will you know it's me?
[Lucy]
Why are you here then?
I want to be here.
I need to be here.
This is my home.
Okay, but why?
I want to live.
Lucy?
Yes?
Something bad
is going to happen.
[screams and gasps]
No!
Moloch!
[door slams]
How are you, Katie?
You were visited again?
Yes.
And contact was made?
Yes.
It spoke to me.
It said a word.
It was, um...
"moloch," I think.
Or "molluck."
Do you know
what that means?
I can't say that word in here.
This is too sacred a place.
And that name,
too profane.
Although you may
find an image,
it'll only be a mere
representation of Moloch.
Also known as Molech,
and a host of other
blasphemous variations.
Moloch is the name
of an ancient Ammonite god.
He appears in the
Book of Deuteronomy,
and then once again
in the Book of Leviticus.
There is a valley, Gehenna,
by Jerusalem,
where apostate Israelites
and followers
of various false gods,
including Moloch,
sacrificed their children
by fire.
They sacrificed them?
[Ehrlich] The threw their
newborn children into fire.
Moloch demanded it.
How could they do that?
Why would they do that?
[Ehrlich]
The pagan world was cruel.
They wanted success,
security, prosperity.
But if their fortune was at risk
on the seas
and their ship came in,
a child was a gift
of gratitude.
If they had a great
misfortune,
the child was the price.
Was there weeping?
I'm sure there was.
But why children?
I mean, what does this demigod
want with children?
[Ehrlich]
Moloch mocks God
by desiring what is God's,
not his.
I'm not saying that God hates
one thing more than another.
But the innocent blood
of a child
is a de facto sacrifice
to Moloch.
Out of our arrogance,
it seems that we have control.
But God is the author
of all life.
He owns life itself.
The question is, Katie,
what do you
think it means?
I think your daughter's
in danger.
Mortal danger.
[girl]
I must go now.
Where are you going?
Away.
Why?
Moloch.
What's that?
Destroyer of life.
And it's coming here?
Right here.
[Lucy]
Hey, wait a minute.
Why is Moloch coming?
He was invited.
[screams]
No!
Let me go! Stop!
[gasps and screams]
- Get off me!
- Baby...
Stop it!
Get off me!
- Hey...
- No! Let go.
[breathing heavily]
Let go.
Oh, God.
[flips light switch]
No.
Ow.
[gasps]
[breathing heavily]
[buzzing]
Dennis? Dennis!
Sister, where are you?
[Katie]
Dennis!
Hey. You okay?
- I don't know!
- [pots clanging]
- What's going on here?
- I don't know!
Oh!
[pounding on door]
Oh, Father Ehrlich.
[breathing heavily]
This is the priest
I was telling you about.
I see. Come in, please.
And you too, Katie?
You welcome me here?
Yes. Yes, you are.
[Ehrlich]
Thank you.
This house has never
been blessed.
[praying in Latin]
St. Michael
and the archangels,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against
the wickedness...
Are you going to bless
the house now, Father?
It's too late for that.
Well, can we do something?
No.
Just stay here.
As smoke is driven away,
so they'll be
driven away.
[house creaks]
[sighs]
As wax melts before a fire,
the wicked will perish
in the presence of God.
[door opens]
[panting]
Lucy.
May you be protected...
from all unclean spirits,
satanic powers...
and wicked legions
and similes.
And the strengths and powers
of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
By the holy authority
of our ministry,
we confidently undertake...
and reject the attacks
and the deceit of Satan.
Dennis and Katie Lukens...
[prays in Latin]
Ah.
There you are.
Beast.
[praying in Latin]
May God rebuke,
we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince
of the heavenly host,
by the divine power of God...
[praying in Latin]
[punch lands]
[gasps and sighs]
We meet again.
You who are called
Desolation.
Blasphemy.
[sighs]
[groans]
[punch lands]
[gasps]
[groaning]
The owner of all life
and the author
of our faith
has dominion here.
[punches landing]
[loud crash]
Cast into hell,
Satan of the evil spirit.
It is he who
claims the child
of Katie and Dennis Lukens.
[grunts]
[groans]
He who is in me
is greater than he
who is in the world.
[sighs]
[grunts]
[sighs]
[chuckles]
And who might you be,
my little one?
[whispers]
This is my family...
How are you?
Alive.
Hmm.
That will be my prayer.
[sighs]
What happened?
It's gone.
That's it?
It's... it's gone?
Yes. At least for now.
Well, is there anything...
I mean...
It's simple.
Just don't give it
what it wants.
Please protect
the life in there.
As long as you do,
you won't hear from
any evil spirits any longer.
I don't think you know
what I mean.
I do.
Protect Lucy.
We both know
what I'm talking about.
Protect all the life
in this house.
By the way, it's bad form
to lie to a priest.
Should you ever have the good
sense to become a Catholic,
I will see you
in confession.
I'll take you home.
No.
I can find my way home.
[girl] I was watching a
spider make its web,
and it was simply glorious.
It let out the silk
from its body
and wove it in such
an intricate pattern.
I was truly amazed
at its artistry.
Then a man came along
to paint the post,
and he painted
all over everything,
destroying the spider's web
and the spider as well.
I do not know if he did this
by accident or on purpose.
I watched the poor spider
writhing in pain
as it suffocated,
its many legs reaching
for something to grasp,
longing, searching for air,
searching for light.
It was in its natural habitat,
and the world came in
and destroyed it.
As the spider died,
part of me died, too.
Tell me why you're here.
You don't know?
No.
We were a happy family.
We weren't perfect,
but things weren't
that bad either.
But then you showed up.
I almost remember the day.
I'm sure you do.
So why are you here?
I'm here to protect
your daughters.
Daughters?
That's impossible.
Is it?
You're not the girl
in the pinafore dress.
She never was.
[door opens]
[door closes]
- May I?
- Mm.
How are you doing?
I'm good.
I feel okay.
[inhales and exhales]
I'm at peace
with my decision.
Well, I don't think
there's a whole lot more
for me to offer you.
Should feel free to go
in the next few hours.
[sighs]
In the old days, didn't...
didn't women get to stay
for a few days?
Like you said,
the old days.
[door opens]
[door closes]
Hi, Luce.
She's wrinkly.
Mm-hmm.
That'll go away...
and then come back
in about 40 years.
Can I hold her?
Of course.
There you go.
Funny.
I feel like
I know her already.
Like she belongs.
[baby cooing]
This is cool.
Can you take a picture?
Sure, honey.
[camera shutters click]
Have you chosen
a name yet?
I was thinking
about Rebekah.
That is the most
lovely name.
That's right.
Oh, you're losing
your hat.
Hey. My turn.
Want to go to Daddy?
Okay, let me...
- There you go.
- There you are.
[laughs]
Will miracles
never cease?
You know, if you believe
the old Italian proverb
that every baby comes with
a loaf of bread under its arm.
[Dennis]
Bread?
Do you have
a loaf of bread?
Hmm?
Should I wait a few weeks
before throwing her in the air?
I think that's a good idea,
babe.
[laughs]
All right,
let's go to mama.
Here you go.
Hello, little baby.
Oh, there you go. Yeah.
Great, she's officially
now more popular than me.
[Katie] Well, you're going
to have to get used to that
with a little
baby sister around.
[Lucy]
Oh, my gosh. It's her.
[man]
You ready?