Yule Log (2023) Movie Script
1
(distorted voices and feedback hum)
[Announcer] It's
Christmas time again folks,
and one of my favorite
traditions is the Yule Log.
And what better way to
honor that tradition
than with a Yule Log
cake from John's bakery
right down on Main Street.
Reserve yours early and
pick up on Christmas Eve.
(distorted voices and feedback hum)
(tinkling music plays)
(wind moans)
(festive music playing)
[Disembodied Voice] Our forefathers,
when the common devices of Eve were over
and night was come upon,
were want to light up a
candle of uncommon size,
which were called Christmas candles.
And to lay a log of wood upon the fire,
which they termed a Yule Log.
These were to illuminate the house
and turn the night into day,
(wind continues to moan)
which custom in some measure
is still kept to this day.
It hath, in all probability,
been derived by the Saxons.
"They began," says he "their year
on the eighth of the calendars of January
and the very night before,
which is holy to us,
was by them called Modranicht
or the Night of the Mothers.
It is also here where dark
superstitions and evil were born
as witchery was commonplace,
and females, hence,
lay with Satan and his disciples
engaging in foul rights and practices."
(wind continues to moan)
Elders driven by the righteous moral,
sought out these witches, and,
one by one put them to the
flame, the rope and the water.
One such concubine of evil was
named Druinda of the woods,
and such was finally charged
by tribunal as one such witch.
Her fate, however, was
to be marked different
(terrified screaming)
and was fastened to a tree
with a metal spike put through her head
and left for ravens to
set upon and devour.
Hence then before her death,
she spat from her tongue
many hideous incantations and spells,
and such cursed the woods
of her spirit henceforth.
(sinister breathing and
whispering in a foreign language)
(eerie version of "Jingle Bells" playing)
(fire crackling)
(eerie music and fire crackling continue)
(eerie music and fire crackling continue)
(fire crackling continues)
(wood crashes)
(flames sizzle)
(wood creaking)
(foreboding music playing)
(Robin groans)
(Robin continues to grunt and groan)
(wood slithers)
(fire crackles)
(wood cracking)
(Robin gasps)
(Robin grunts)
(twigs crack)
(Robin grunts and gasps)
(fire continues to crackle)
(footsteps crunch)
(wind moans)
(foreboding music continues playing)
(music intensifies)
(electricity crackles)
(eerie whispering in a foreign language)
(footsteps crunch)
(eerie, disembodied whispering continues)
(creature growls)
(radio static whines)
[David Himmelberger] hello listeners,
David Himmelberger here.
It's 15 past the hour
and that means time
for your local weather.
Higher than average
temperatures continue today
for the Wellsboro area.
And with that, the high humidity
we've all been experiencing
in the last few days
will be sticking around.
A shout out to Adrian Pfeiffer,
local weather person of the day,
who phoned in a report of thick fog
near the Amityville Road Spur.
If you're driving in the
area, please do take caution.
(radio static whines)
(peaceful music playing)
(drawer creaks open)
(papers rustling)
(paper rustling continues)
(dog whines)
(drawer slams shut)
(wind moans)
(tires crunch)
(care engine purrs)
(horn honks)
[Roy] (sighs angrily)
Come on Earl, get a move on.
Roy, cut him a break,
he just lost his wife.
(sighs) Yes, Charles,
and now we're all single.
Don't be so insensitive.
Remember it was our idea to
get him away for a while,
you know, to take his mind off of it.
Yes. And who's footing the
bill for this? Me, of course.
'Cause your ass is still on welfare.
[Charles] Disability.
You know, I can't be on my
feet because of my bad corns.
There's not a desk job you can do?
I'm sure there's an office chair out there
with your name written on it.
(sighs) Speaking of
this cabin, where is it?
It's down the road a bit.
About 45 miles out in
the boonies somewhere.
Saw it on the internet.
Is it nice?
[Roy] Looked pretty
good from the pictures.
Sweet.
(wind howling)
By the way. There's a
little tip jar in there.
Wouldn't hurt.
(foreboding music playing)
(car honking)
(desk door rattles)
(paper shuffling)
(desk door rattles closed)
(desk drawer rattles)
(paper shuffling)
(drawers opening and closing)
(drawers continue to open and close)
(wallet scrapes)
Damn it.
[Radio Talk Show Host]
They say you can't say
quote unquote "Merry Christmas"
anymore, you have to say,
and I quote, "Happy Holidays"
well, I say F you people.
Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas. Try
and stop me. I dare you.
What? No, I won't get off the air.
I'm staying right here.
Yes, yes. You said I can't
say Merry Christmas anymore.
I'm not making it up.
Look, I don't care that's what you said.
And I'm staying on the air.
You want me off? You'll have
to drag me off kicking and...
(radio static)
(horn honking)
- Patience is a virtue.
- That I don't possess.
(front door creaking open)
(footsteps thud)
Hey guys, sorry I'm so late.
I couldn't find the checkbook.
Gloria took care of all that.
Don't worry about it.
Trips on us. Well, mostly me.
Throw your shit in the back and hop in.
Well, great, thanks.
(wind wailing)
(car door slams closed)
(engine roars to life)
(tires crunch)
(eerie music playing)
(footsteps crunch)
(eerie music intensifies)
(wind howls)
(electricity crackles)
(melancholy music playing)
(electricity crackles)
(wind intensifies)
(electricity crackles)
And on this day, my
curse shall come to pass.
(radio static)
[Radio DJ] We're talking about witches.
[Earl] I can't thank you guys enough.
I mean, I know you didn't
know Gloria real well,
but this means a lot to me.
[Roy] Stop thanking us
and just enjoy the trip.
We wanted to do it before
Christmas, but it didn't work out.
So after the new year will have to do.
[Charles] Roy says this
cabin is really nice.
Maybe we can do some hunting,
cook steaks over a fire
and drink lots of beer.
[Earl] Sounds good to me.
It's so desolate out here.
I like that. No complications,
just one with nature.
[Roy] Well, this place may have
a stack of movies for the DVD player.
No cable or cell service.
[Charles] What? Are you serious?
[Roy] We're roughing it, my friend.
[Charles] Well, I hope
those movies are pornos.
(three men laughing)
[Radio DJ] ...One of the actual monks
said that she was too
powerful to bring back alive.
Their orders were that once they...
(unknown person gasps)
(creature roars)
What the hell was that?
It moved so fast and
came out of nowhere.
Looked like a person, I think.
- Where are you going?
- To go see what it is.
Nah, let's just go to the
cabin before it gets dark.
You ladies stay here.
(foreboding music playing)
(car door slams)
(music intensifies)
(creature snorting)
(foreboding music continues)
(Earl sighs)
(creature continues snorting)
(car horn honks)
F'kin idiots.
Dammit, these two.
(wind howls)
(fabric rustling)
(footsteps crunching)
(creature panting)
(car door closes)
(sighs) Was that supposed to be funny?
I nearly jumped outta my skin.
It was Charles' doing.
I have to go to the bathroom.
- [Roy] Piss in the woods.
- No, number two.
(sighs) Fine. I'll
stop at a gas station.
I have to fill up anyways.
You know you're more
trouble than you're worth.
I know.
(eerie music playing)
(car engine rattles)
(car tires squeal)
(indistinct whispering and growling)
(wind howling)
(footsteps crunching)
[Todd Smith] Tonight we
discussed the Yule Log.
Its origin is shrouded in mystery.
In our ongoing special report
on the holiday traditions
you enjoy so much,
we've reached out to experts and scholars
to help shed more light
on this particular longstanding
Christmas tradition.
By placing the log
under the bed, it's said
that a household can ward off threats
of lightning and, ironically, fire.
But there are stories
that the original practice
was altered by the Saxons
after an autumn of strange misfortunes.
They came to believe that the town
had been cursed by witches.
And out of that fear, the idea of the log
as a talisman of protection grew.
By only partially burning the log,
keeping it burning for 12 nights,
it's said that a household
can protect itself from evil.
[Expert 2] January
8th became a cursed day,
"the Night of the Mothers" they called it.
But by practicing all these
things, burning the log,
saving it, keeping it under the bed,
and celebrating the
divinity on January 6th,
the Saxons believed this would
dissipate the witch's powers
and leave them impotent.
Thus the town was safe for another year.
(car engine hums)
(tense music playing)
(car door slams)
(tense music playing)
(door creaks open)
(heavy footsteps thud)
(door creaks closed)
(wind howls)
(climate control hums)
(bag crackles)
(door creaks open and closed)
(popcorn bag crinkling)
(bag rustles)
There you go.
(tense music playing)
40 for the gas and the snacks.
Sure thing.
You with that squirrely
fellow ran in here earlier?
Yeah, you seen him?
He made a beeline for the restroom.
Looks like he had business.
He got his bowels in an uproar.
Something spooked us on the way in.
Say again, son.
Don't worry about it. It's
just somebody playing games.
One of the locals.
[Store Clerk] Well,
I'm the only local here,
what this fellow look like?
We couldn't tell. It happened so fast.
You folks just passing through?
No, we rented a cabin out
on Wyoming Road for the week.
[Store Clerk] Oh, I know that place.
Dan Skill owns it.
Yeah.
That's the man I made the check out to.
You guys be careful
up here. You hear me?
Why? Is something wrong with the cabin?
No, it's suitable for living
in, it's just that it's...
- Yeah?
- January 7th.
[Earl] What's that
have to do with anything?
It's the Night of the Mothers.
Many evil things lurk
about the woods date night.
Well, we ain't afraid
of no local superstitions,
are we Earl?
No.
You don't need to be
afraid. Just be careful.
Sure, thanks.
Gimme a call if you need anything
and I'll be here all day.
Thank you. Have a good day.
[Store Clerk] Good luck.
(door creaks open)
(traffic hums)
(door creaks closed)
(wind wailing)
(door creaks open)
Hey guys, don't leave without me.
(door creaks closed)
(wind wailing)
(car doors slam)
(engine hums)
(eerie music playing)
Today we're talking
about local ghost legends
and Wellsboro Woods, home of
the legendary witch Druinda.
Her backstory is a myth
nearly lost in history,
but tales have grown over the last decade.
And with them reported sightings.
Are the stories true or is this a case
of mass hallucinations feeding themselves?
Today we're going to explore this and more
on the Condor Dalton show.
(foreboding music playing)
[Earl] So what do you think
of what that guy was
spouting about back there?
[Charles] What? What did I miss?
[Roy] If you weren't shitting
your guts out in the men's
room, you would've heard it.
He was going on about some local folklore.
[Earl] He called it "the
Night of the Mothers."
[Charles] Well, what the hell is that?
It sounds like a local card game.
[Roy] He insinuated it
was something sinister.
[Earl] Maybe witches
or goblins or something.
[Charles] He was just
pulling your leg, right?
[Roy] I guess we'll have
to find out, won't we?
[Charles] I'm not embarrassed to say
I really don't like the sound of all this.
Maybe what we saw earlier
has something to do with it.
[Earl] Because that looked
like someone's mother.
[Charles] I'm serious, guys.
[Roy] Don't get your dress in a bunch.
[Earl] You guys fight worse than women.
(foreboding music intensifies)
(creature growling)
Go my child.
Into the night, the Night of the Mothers.
(creature growling)
(whispering and moaning)
(wind howling)
(terrified screaming)
(tires crunching)
(country music playing)
(car doors slam)
[Earl] Hey, this doesn't look too bad.
Not quite what I had pictured.
We, I didn't spring for
the Ritz, but it'll do.
Keys under the mat, let's go.
(footsteps shuffle)
(birds singing)
(country music continues playing)
(wind wailing)
(footsteps thud heavily)
Ah, it's chilly.
(Roy grunts)
(screen door squeaks)
(wind continues wailing)
(key scrapes in lock)
(wind intensifies)
(indistinct muttering)
(door snaps closed)
It's freezing in here.
We'll have to get that stove going.
[Charles] Stove? You mean
we have to heat this place
all week with wood?
Yes.
And guess who's cut?
[Sighing] Can we go home now?
I'll help cut wood.
All right guys, take a look around.
Pick out your room.
(fabric rustling)
(country music playing)
(wind wailing)
(clock ticking)
(foreboding music playing)
(stairs creaking)
(clock ticking)
(foreboding music continues playing)
(fabric rustling)
(bed squeaking)
(zipper hums)
(floorboards creak)
(fabric rustles)
(foreboding music continues playing)
This is going to be one long week.
(music intensifies)
(creature wails)
(wind howls)
They didn't leave us any wood at all.
Well, let's grab some
axes and start cutting.
(fabric rustling)
Here you go.
Cheer up. This is probably
the first bit of exercise
you've had in a long time.
Did I tell you about my bad corns?
Don't worry, we're not
gonna go too far in the woods.
The woods? Where we saw that...
Whatever the hell it was?
[Earl] Well, where else are we gonna go?
Let's break apart
the porch and use that.
Where are you going?
Get some lighter fluid.
You mean we don't have
to rub sticks together
to start one out here? Surprising.
You keep flapping that jaw,
let's get some work done around
here before it gets dark.
Jesus.
(wood creaking)
The burning culminates
on the 12th night,
which falls on January the sixth.
The town would've a grand festival
to mark the coming of the epiphany.
But interestingly enough,
early research shows
that the tradition originally
ended on January 8th.
And different tales circulate
as to why it was moved up two days.
One such legend says that if
you watch the Yule Log burn
and count the sparks,
you can see your fortunes ahead
for the new year and beyond.
On the 12th night, should
any of the log still remain,
it is saved and used to start
the next season's tradition.
However, some believe the
practice originally developed
as a way to ward off evil spirits.
Over the next decades, centuries, even,
the burning of the Yule Log
came to mean something else, yet again.
The roots stained by paganism
were cleansed, so to speak.
So does this mean evil will
descend on your household?
(foreboding chuckle) No, I think,
I think we all know that
we're all pretty safe
from witches and curses.
(chuckling)
(creature roaring)
(foreboding music playing)
(whispers in a foreign language)
(footsteps crunch)
(eerie music playing)
(birds singing)
(wind howling)
(creature wailing)
(foreboding music intensifies)
(eerie music playing)
(birds calling)
(wind wailing)
(music intensifies)
(chanting in a foreign language)
Hey you!
(eerie music playing)
(wind wailing)
(water splashing)
(monks wailing)
(electricity crackling)
(wailing intensifies)
(tense music playing)
(distorted voices hum)
(wind hums)
(footsteps crunching)
(wind wailing)
[Earl] How about this one?
I don't know. It looks pretty hardy.
It'd take a lot to get anything out of it.
You're too damn lazy.
(eerie music intensifies)
[Charles] How about that one over there?
(leaves crunch)
Sure. If you say so, Paul Bunyan.
(footsteps crunch)
(wind wailing)
- [Earl] It's half dead.
- [Charles] Exactly.
Easier to chop apart.
(foreboding music playing)
Hey, what's this?
Looks like an old spike or something.
Wonder what it's doing in
this tree trunk way out here.
200 years ago, a homestead
could have been here.
Maybe an animal was
tied to it or something.
[Earl] I suppose.
Well, let's get cutting.
(axes thud in wood)
(Robin grunts in pain repeatedly)
(cracking wood and grunting continue)
(whispering in a foreign language)
(creatures wailing)
(wailing continues)
(birds singing)
(footsteps crunch)
(wind wailing)
I thought you two got lost.
No, we had to find a tree
that fits Charles' stamina.
Ha ha, so you cut down a sapling.
Looks like we got a
bit of wood here still.
We use it up first.
(wind intensifies)
(eerie music intensifies)
(muffled chanting)
(muffled chanting continues)
(creature wailing)
[Radio DJ] We're talking favorite
Christmas horror themed movies today.
And I have to say one of my new favorites
is a recent entry called "Sister Krampus".
Have you seen this one?
First of all, great story.
Good acting and some killer scares.
If you haven't seen it,
definitely check it out on your
favorite streaming services.
Oh, it's pretty toasty in here.
Wait till we throw some of
that new wood we chopped
into that stove, it'll heat up quick.
More like burn fast.
That stuff's pretty dead.
Guess who's going out at
2:00 AM to cut some more.
Screw that.
(men chuckle)
You would if we weren't around.
Funny.
Well, if Gloria was here,
we'd have homemade baked
pie and blueberry muffins.
(sighs) Yeah, really sorry
about what happened to Gloria.
Do you mind telling us what happened?
(melancholy music playing)
Oh, she had brain cancer
and we didn't know anything about it.
And then we went to the ER and she had...
(swallows) A massive stroke.
At least it was fast.
What about you guys?
Why didn't you get married?
Well, I didn't want to
be tied down, you know,
having to be on time and
have somebody to answer to,
you know, having a leash around your neck.
Well, that's not what
marriage is all about.
I asked my father four times.
And what about you, Charles?
Isn't it obvious?
Yeah, we don't live in a state
where it's legal to marry your sister.
(Roy laughing)
(intense, foreboding music playing)
(moaning and chanting
in a foreign language)
(branch slithering)
(fire crackling)
(foreboding music playing)
(whispers in a foreign language)
(electricity crackling)
(whispering in a foreign
language continues)
(animals wailing)
(wood slithering)
(creature howling)
(wailing and chanting intensifies)
(wood crackles)
(distorted chanting intensifies)
Ah, guys, what the fuck just happened?
(creatures wailing and slithering)
It got dark real fast.
Don't you think that's a bit weird?
Yeah, it's really strange.
It happened after I put
that fresh wood we cut
into the fireplace.
Well, what the hell's
that gotta do with anything?
[Earl] Maybe a tornado is coming.
Sometimes that happens
when one is approaching.
In the middle of winter? (scoffs)
Hey, where the hell are you going?
(door scrapes open)
- Look! Do you see it?
- See what?
The woods, the trees.
[Charles] What about them?
[Roy] The woods are
completely engulfing us.
The road up here is completely covered.
[Charles] Holy shit, he's
right. What's going on?
I don't know, but let's get out of here.
(footsteps thud)
(jackets rustle)
[Charles] What about the fire?
[Roy] Just leave it.
(heavy footsteps thud)
(wood crackles)
There's no fucking way in hell.
(branches purr)
(metal groans)
(explosion roars)
The woods ate our fucking car!
How do we get out of here?
We don't. Let's go back
inside where it's safe.
- Is it?
- We have no choice. Let's go
(heavy footsteps thud)
(door scrapes closed)
(woods crackle and groan)
(eerie music playing)
Night of the Mothers.
What did that guy mean?
I don't know, he didn't say.
I thought he was pulling our leg.
Well, clearly he wasn't.
(creature growling)
[Earl] He said that
evil roams the woods.
Man, I'm about to shit myself.
(light sizzling)
(farting noises)
I think I just did.
It all started with that wood.
Was there anything
unusual about this tree?
Oh, I can't think.
Come on, think.
[Earl] It was withered and old.
Charles was too lazy to
take on a healthy tree.
What.. Anything else?
[Earl] It had a spike in it.
Like something was tied around it.
Hmm. Now whatever it is,
I think it's the reason
this shit is happening.
(rapping on door)
Who is that?
I don't know. But how the
hell could they get through
all that dense brush?
I don't know. Let's go see.
Maybe somebody got through.
(whispering in a foreign language)
(sticks crunching)
(foreboding music intensifying)
(footsteps shuffle)
(door creaks open)
(screams) Help me
please. Please help me.
Let's get her in here.
Help me. The woods are
alive, please help me.
Come here, dear. Come here.
(Robin grunts in pain)
Easy, easy.
Where the hell did she come from?
We're about to find out.
[Earl] Easy Miss, you're safe here now.
I'll get her some water.
Thank you.
- Who are you?
- Robin.
What were you doing in the woods?
My car wrecked.
I was driving and these
tree branches came.
I couldn't swerve.
My car flipped and my, my car burned.
How'd you get through the woods?
Yeah, how? How did you make it in here?
[Robin] Well, I saw the
light from your cabin,
but then the woods were
swallowing me up from behind.
(Robin whimpers and sighs)
Oh, let's get her to the couch.
(glass rattles on table)
(foreboding music playing)
[Roy] Easy, easy.
(Robin murmuring)
(tense music playing)
So what do you think?
She probably doesn't know
much more than we do.
Just wrong place, wrong time.
Don't you think it's odd
she made it through here,
through those woods and
we can't even get out?
You think we should try to go get help?
Maybe go to that general store
up the road where we gassed up?
Well, it's five miles away by car.
It's suicide to try to make
it out here. Look around you.
Those woods are alive and they want us.
You have a better plan?
No. No, I don't.
(electricity sizzles)
Oh, this just keeps
getting better and better.
(sighs) Keep your wits about you.
We could survive without electricity.
(foreboding music continues playing)
(creatures wailing)
(branches slithering)
(fire crackling)
(tense music playing)
(door creaks open)
(wind wails)
(wood thuds against porch)
(creature wailing)
Now we'll freeze to death.
No, we won't.
Even if we have to burn everything in here
to get us through the damn night.
We don't know if the night will end.
It has to. It has to.
So what's the plan?
The plan is Roy is gonna go
to the general store we stopped at.
Are you crazy? He won't get 100 feet.
You have a better idea?
Of course not.
I'll make it. I will.
And I'll bring back hope and help
even if I have to burn
my way through that bush.
Take this buddy.
Good luck.
I'll need it.
(door creaks open and closed)
(footsteps crunch)
(wind wails)
You think he'll make it?
He has to.
(tense music continues playing)
(fire continues crackling)
(Roy gasping for breath)
I don't see him anymore.
He's out of sight.
(tense continues music playing)
(fire continues crackling)
(creatures wailing)
(Roy gasping for breath)
(chanting in a foreign language)
(Roy grunting in effort)
(footsteps crunch)
(wood snaps)
(Roy continues grunting)
(creatures continue moaning)
(whispers in a foreign language)
(Roy screams)
(branches slither)
(blood splashes)
Yule Log no more.
(tense music playing)
(chair snaps)
(wood crackles)
She's in a bad way, Earl.
I know.
Do you think he'll make it?
He might.
And if he doesn't?
We'll just have to
think of something else.
[Charles] How long do we wait for him?
[Earl] You're asking
way too many questions.
I'm sorry. I just wanna live.
(foreboding music playing)
I don't care if I live or die.
You don't mean that.
Yes I do.
[Charles] Because of Gloria?
I just want to be with her.
I just wanna be with her.
(fire crackling)
(wood slithering)
(distorted voices speaking)
(tense music continues playing)
(wood cupboard clicks closed)
(flashlight clicks)
(tense music continues playing)
(cupboard creaks open)
(can scrapes against wood)
(fire crackling)
(tense music continues playing)
(creature hisses)
(car tires crunch)
(engine hums)
(foreboding music playing)
(phone ringing)
Oh, dammit. Figures. (sighs)
(car tires crunch)
(sighs) hello?
Yes, mom.
No, I pulled over to talk to you. Mhmm.
I'm about an hour away from home.
(creature panting)
No, I'm not upset.
I'm just, the longer I sit here
on the side of the road talking to you,
the longer it's gonna take
me to get home. You know?
No, Tony's not coming with me.
We broke up.
(creature panting)
(gravel crunching)
(wood slithering)
No, mom, it's a long story
and I really don't wanna get into it
on the side of the road.
I'll be home in an hour and
I'll tell you all about it.
Yes. Mhm.
Mhm. No, I'm fine, really.
All right. I'll see you in an hour.
Bye.
(phone rattles)
(Robin sighs)
(tires crunch)
(engine hums)
(dramatic music playing)
(Robin exclaiming in surprise)
(creature growling)
(glass shatters)
(Robin whimpering)
(fire crackling)
This should be fine.
Want some?
No.
Hey, I found this while I
was rooting through the kitchen
looking for food.
(fire crackling)
(eerie music playing)
You know, something's
been nagging at me lately.
I can't imagine what.
Her. How did she get here
unscathed through those woods?
Lucky I guess.
You think so?
Look, we're all upset.
Don't let your imagination run wild.
She's been through hell.
You heard her, the trees attacked her car
and she ran for her life.
Yeah, that's what she said.
Give us the girl.
Give us the girl.
(fire continues crackling)
Give us the girl.
Earl, who are they?
(wood slithering)
Where did they go?
(scraping on wood)
I think they're somewhere in the cabin.
Well, there's only one way to find out.
(wood creaking)
(drawer scrapes)
(items jostled)
(wood creaking)
(fire continues crackling)
Don't worry, she'll be okay.
(tense music continues playing)
(door creaks open)
(fire continues crackling)
(stairs squeak)
(tense music continues playing)
(door creaks open)
(footsteps echo)
(fire continues crackling)
(stairs squeaking)
(tense music continues playing)
Down there.
The basement?
Yes. It's the only place
we haven't searched yet.
Let's go.
(door creaks open)
(wind howls)
(voices wail)
(branches slither)
(wood creaking)
(stairs squeaking)
(tense music continues playing)
There's a million ways
someone could get in down here.
Let's go this way.
(footsteps shuffle)
(tense music continues playing)
(footsteps continue to shuffle)
(footsteps crunch)
(tense music continues)
(boxes crash)
Geez Louise!
Just a box. Just a box.
You're okay.
[Earl] Well, there's nothing down here.
Let's go back upstairs.
(footsteps crunch)
(fire crackling)
(foreboding music playing)
(fabric rustles)
(wind howling)
(branches creaking)
Who the hell knows where
they could have went?
Or what they were.
(Robin cackling)
[Earl] What the hell?
(in a distorted growl) Time to die!
You hell bitch!
(tense music playing)
Your friend is dead.
Swallowed by the woods.
Kill her!
Tonight. You will pay the price
of the curse of Druinda!
We don't even know a Druinda.
You're in her woods. You
struck the tree she died on.
You will be her offering.
Like hell, bitch.
(Robin growling)
(tense music continues playing)
(knife slices into Robin)
(Robin gurgles)
(Robin growls and grunts)
(fire crackles)
(Robin screams)
I didn't know you had it in you.
Neither did I.
(fire continues to crackle)
(wind wails)
Ow.
What happened to the tough warrior?
[Charles] Here, let
me take care of that.
You were right about that demon bitch.
She said Druinda Who is she?
(foreboding music playing)
Hm.
Some crazy lady who's been
holding a grudge for a long time
and taking it out on us.
Could she be one of those
nights of the mothers?
She's a mother all right.
(foreboding music intensifies)
(fire crackling)
well come on in.
If you're here to kill us,
we're not going down easy.
Do not fear.
Easy for you to say.
We do not come to harm
you, only to warn you.
I think you're a little too late.
We just squared off with
some demon bitch from hell,
and the woods are ready to eat us alive.
'Tis the work of Druinda,
witch of the woods.
Who is this Druinda?
We don't know her, nor have
we done anything to her.
She be a witch of long
ago, vile and wicked,
steeped in many dark arts and perversions.
Her horrors are legendary.
And who are you?
We are the spirits of
those who condemned her.
We have brought her to the woods
and spiked her in the head
to a tree for her crimes.
She cursed us.
The woods, the wind, on
the Night of the Mothers.
Her vengeance be at its greatest strength.
Why can't you stop her?
We do not have the power
anymore to hold her back.
Every year, we too rise and do
battle with her on this day.
But alas, her strength
grew and ours weakened.
We could do nothing
once you burned the tree
she'd been slain upon
the scale was tipped.
You can do nothing?
Nothing. But to warn you.
At least tell us how to stop her.
We cannot do that.
Bullshit! You better talk.
We're getting our asses kicked here.
We cannot do that.
Will daylight break her
spell for another year?
(tense music playing)
(fire crackling)
Will the coming
daylight break her spell?
There will be no daylight.
We must go.
Our time has passed.
Defeat Druinda and your
lives can be spared.
(tense music continues playing)
We need to think of something.
(music intensifies)
(wind howling)
(creatures moaning)
(electricity crackling)
(monster slithers and roars)
(wood crackling)
(foreboding music playing)
(wind continues howling)
(wood creaking)
[Charles] They're
all over the place now.
They'll crush this place like a tin can
if we don't do something.
But what?
Those brown riding
hoods weren't much help.
They could have told us if they wanted.
Well, they couldn't. You heard 'em.
Couldn't my ass.
You know, it's hard to
believe in this day and age
crap like this could still happen.
Well, spirits and curses
are not the thing of the past.
They still exist.
(wood continues creaking)
[Charles] If we're gonna go down,
let's at least go down
like men. We need weapons.
(music intensifies)
(footsteps shuffle)
Thought I saw some stuff down here.
(tense music continues playing)
(wood scrapes)
Here we go.
Well, what about me, Robin Hood?
This should do. Good for brush cutting.
(footsteps thud)
(tense music continues playing)
(stairs creaking)
(wood whines and groans)
(wood creaking)
(melancholy music playing)
(Earl sighs)
I might be seeing you
sooner than I thought.
So be waiting for me.
(wind howling)
(eerie music playing)
(branches moaning)
[Disembodied Voice] Our forefathers,
when the common devices of Eve were over
and night was come upon,
were want to light up a
candle of uncommon size,
which were called Christmas candles,
and to lay a log of wood upon the fire,
which they termed a Yule Log.
(flames crackling)
These were to illuminate the house
and turn the night into day,
which custom in some measure
is still kept to this day.
"They began," says he, "their year
on the eighth of the calendars of January
and the very night before,
which is holy to us,
was by them called Modranicht
or the Night of the Mothers.
It is also here where dark superstitions
and evil were born, as
Witchery was commonplace
and females hence lay with
Satan and his disciples,
engaging in foul rights and practices.
Elders, driven by the righteous moral,
sought out these witches.
One such concubine of evil was
named Druinda of the woods,
and such was finally charged
by tribunal as one such witch.
Her fate, however, was
to be marked different,
and was fastened to a tree
with a metal spike put through her head
and left for ravens to
set upon and devour.
Hence then, before her death,
she spat from her tongue
many hideous incantations and spells
and such cursed the woods
of her spirit hence forth.
(eerie music playing)
(wood groaning)
It's showtime. The wicked
witch of the north is here.
You know what to do.
(Druinda hisses)
(door slams open)
(Druinda growls)
A game is it?
(tense music playing)
I can smell your souls and I
will find you and devour you.
(flames crackling)
(tense music continues playing)
(music intensifies)
(fire continues crackling)
Time to die, my pretties.
(exciting music playing)
(arrow hums)
(arrow strikes Druinda)
(Druinda screams)
(machete slices Druinda)
(Druinda growls and screams)
(arrow hums)
Watch out Earl!
(Earl's neck bones crunch)
(fire continues to crackle)
(Druinda howls)
Eat this, you bitch!
(Druinda screams)
(Druinda continues screaming)
(fire continues crackling)
(flames roar)
Hang in there.
Did you get her Charles?
Torched her ass, she's toast.
I can't see you.
(melancholy music playing)
I'm right here.
I wanna thank you for
being such a good friend.
There... There's Gloria.
Isn't she beautiful?
(fire crackling)
I don't see anyone.
She's not here.
Hang in there.
It's my turn now.
(dramatic music playing)
(Charles panting)
(creature growling)
(monster hissing)
The witch is dead, yet
daylight hasn't returned.
What happened?
(tense music playing)
Was what the monks told us wrong?
Or is there something else?
(fire crackling)
That's it! Fire!
(wood crackling)
(tense music playing)
Let's fight. Fire with fire, shall we?
(fire roaring)
(creature moaning)
(fire continues roaring)
(creature continues moaning)
(tense music continues playing)
(fire crackling)
It looks like it's over,
but where's the daylight?
(monster roars and hisses)
Oh, shit!
(monster roaring intensifies)
(curtains rustle)
(Charles grunts)
(Charles panting)
(tense music continues playing)
(feet scraping on the floor)
(monster growling)
(Charles screams)
(music intensifies)
Go to Hell, you bastard.
(fire crackling)
(monster hissing)
(tense music continues playing)
(footsteps thud)
(crickets chirping)
(Charles sighs)
(melancholy music playing)
(birds singing)
(fire crackling)
(birds continue singing)
(footsteps crunching)
(eerie music playing)
(birds singing)
(footsteps crunching)
(eerie music continues playing)
(footsteps continue crunching)
(birds continue singing)
(traffic humming)
(wind moaning)
(eerie music intensifies)
(traffic humming)
(door creaks open and closed)
(footsteps thud)
Mister, I need your help.
Yeah, what happened to you?
Night of the Mothers.
Night of the...
Just sit down, okay?
(footsteps shuffling)
(tense music playing)
(wind moaning)
(birds singing)
(birds continue singing)
(dramatic music culminates)
(eerie version of "Jingle Bells" playing)
(fire crackling)
(eerie version of
"Jingle Bells" continues)
(fire crackling continues)
(eerie, dramatic music playing)
(eerie, dramatic music continues playing)
(eerie, haunting music playing)
(eerie, haunting music continues playing)
(wind moaning)
(wind howling)
(distorted voices and feedback hum)
[Announcer] It's
Christmas time again folks,
and one of my favorite
traditions is the Yule Log.
And what better way to
honor that tradition
than with a Yule Log
cake from John's bakery
right down on Main Street.
Reserve yours early and
pick up on Christmas Eve.
(distorted voices and feedback hum)
(tinkling music plays)
(wind moans)
(festive music playing)
[Disembodied Voice] Our forefathers,
when the common devices of Eve were over
and night was come upon,
were want to light up a
candle of uncommon size,
which were called Christmas candles.
And to lay a log of wood upon the fire,
which they termed a Yule Log.
These were to illuminate the house
and turn the night into day,
(wind continues to moan)
which custom in some measure
is still kept to this day.
It hath, in all probability,
been derived by the Saxons.
"They began," says he "their year
on the eighth of the calendars of January
and the very night before,
which is holy to us,
was by them called Modranicht
or the Night of the Mothers.
It is also here where dark
superstitions and evil were born
as witchery was commonplace,
and females, hence,
lay with Satan and his disciples
engaging in foul rights and practices."
(wind continues to moan)
Elders driven by the righteous moral,
sought out these witches, and,
one by one put them to the
flame, the rope and the water.
One such concubine of evil was
named Druinda of the woods,
and such was finally charged
by tribunal as one such witch.
Her fate, however, was
to be marked different
(terrified screaming)
and was fastened to a tree
with a metal spike put through her head
and left for ravens to
set upon and devour.
Hence then before her death,
she spat from her tongue
many hideous incantations and spells,
and such cursed the woods
of her spirit henceforth.
(sinister breathing and
whispering in a foreign language)
(eerie version of "Jingle Bells" playing)
(fire crackling)
(eerie music and fire crackling continue)
(eerie music and fire crackling continue)
(fire crackling continues)
(wood crashes)
(flames sizzle)
(wood creaking)
(foreboding music playing)
(Robin groans)
(Robin continues to grunt and groan)
(wood slithers)
(fire crackles)
(wood cracking)
(Robin gasps)
(Robin grunts)
(twigs crack)
(Robin grunts and gasps)
(fire continues to crackle)
(footsteps crunch)
(wind moans)
(foreboding music continues playing)
(music intensifies)
(electricity crackles)
(eerie whispering in a foreign language)
(footsteps crunch)
(eerie, disembodied whispering continues)
(creature growls)
(radio static whines)
[David Himmelberger] hello listeners,
David Himmelberger here.
It's 15 past the hour
and that means time
for your local weather.
Higher than average
temperatures continue today
for the Wellsboro area.
And with that, the high humidity
we've all been experiencing
in the last few days
will be sticking around.
A shout out to Adrian Pfeiffer,
local weather person of the day,
who phoned in a report of thick fog
near the Amityville Road Spur.
If you're driving in the
area, please do take caution.
(radio static whines)
(peaceful music playing)
(drawer creaks open)
(papers rustling)
(paper rustling continues)
(dog whines)
(drawer slams shut)
(wind moans)
(tires crunch)
(care engine purrs)
(horn honks)
[Roy] (sighs angrily)
Come on Earl, get a move on.
Roy, cut him a break,
he just lost his wife.
(sighs) Yes, Charles,
and now we're all single.
Don't be so insensitive.
Remember it was our idea to
get him away for a while,
you know, to take his mind off of it.
Yes. And who's footing the
bill for this? Me, of course.
'Cause your ass is still on welfare.
[Charles] Disability.
You know, I can't be on my
feet because of my bad corns.
There's not a desk job you can do?
I'm sure there's an office chair out there
with your name written on it.
(sighs) Speaking of
this cabin, where is it?
It's down the road a bit.
About 45 miles out in
the boonies somewhere.
Saw it on the internet.
Is it nice?
[Roy] Looked pretty
good from the pictures.
Sweet.
(wind howling)
By the way. There's a
little tip jar in there.
Wouldn't hurt.
(foreboding music playing)
(car honking)
(desk door rattles)
(paper shuffling)
(desk door rattles closed)
(desk drawer rattles)
(paper shuffling)
(drawers opening and closing)
(drawers continue to open and close)
(wallet scrapes)
Damn it.
[Radio Talk Show Host]
They say you can't say
quote unquote "Merry Christmas"
anymore, you have to say,
and I quote, "Happy Holidays"
well, I say F you people.
Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas. Try
and stop me. I dare you.
What? No, I won't get off the air.
I'm staying right here.
Yes, yes. You said I can't
say Merry Christmas anymore.
I'm not making it up.
Look, I don't care that's what you said.
And I'm staying on the air.
You want me off? You'll have
to drag me off kicking and...
(radio static)
(horn honking)
- Patience is a virtue.
- That I don't possess.
(front door creaking open)
(footsteps thud)
Hey guys, sorry I'm so late.
I couldn't find the checkbook.
Gloria took care of all that.
Don't worry about it.
Trips on us. Well, mostly me.
Throw your shit in the back and hop in.
Well, great, thanks.
(wind wailing)
(car door slams closed)
(engine roars to life)
(tires crunch)
(eerie music playing)
(footsteps crunch)
(eerie music intensifies)
(wind howls)
(electricity crackles)
(melancholy music playing)
(electricity crackles)
(wind intensifies)
(electricity crackles)
And on this day, my
curse shall come to pass.
(radio static)
[Radio DJ] We're talking about witches.
[Earl] I can't thank you guys enough.
I mean, I know you didn't
know Gloria real well,
but this means a lot to me.
[Roy] Stop thanking us
and just enjoy the trip.
We wanted to do it before
Christmas, but it didn't work out.
So after the new year will have to do.
[Charles] Roy says this
cabin is really nice.
Maybe we can do some hunting,
cook steaks over a fire
and drink lots of beer.
[Earl] Sounds good to me.
It's so desolate out here.
I like that. No complications,
just one with nature.
[Roy] Well, this place may have
a stack of movies for the DVD player.
No cable or cell service.
[Charles] What? Are you serious?
[Roy] We're roughing it, my friend.
[Charles] Well, I hope
those movies are pornos.
(three men laughing)
[Radio DJ] ...One of the actual monks
said that she was too
powerful to bring back alive.
Their orders were that once they...
(unknown person gasps)
(creature roars)
What the hell was that?
It moved so fast and
came out of nowhere.
Looked like a person, I think.
- Where are you going?
- To go see what it is.
Nah, let's just go to the
cabin before it gets dark.
You ladies stay here.
(foreboding music playing)
(car door slams)
(music intensifies)
(creature snorting)
(foreboding music continues)
(Earl sighs)
(creature continues snorting)
(car horn honks)
F'kin idiots.
Dammit, these two.
(wind howls)
(fabric rustling)
(footsteps crunching)
(creature panting)
(car door closes)
(sighs) Was that supposed to be funny?
I nearly jumped outta my skin.
It was Charles' doing.
I have to go to the bathroom.
- [Roy] Piss in the woods.
- No, number two.
(sighs) Fine. I'll
stop at a gas station.
I have to fill up anyways.
You know you're more
trouble than you're worth.
I know.
(eerie music playing)
(car engine rattles)
(car tires squeal)
(indistinct whispering and growling)
(wind howling)
(footsteps crunching)
[Todd Smith] Tonight we
discussed the Yule Log.
Its origin is shrouded in mystery.
In our ongoing special report
on the holiday traditions
you enjoy so much,
we've reached out to experts and scholars
to help shed more light
on this particular longstanding
Christmas tradition.
By placing the log
under the bed, it's said
that a household can ward off threats
of lightning and, ironically, fire.
But there are stories
that the original practice
was altered by the Saxons
after an autumn of strange misfortunes.
They came to believe that the town
had been cursed by witches.
And out of that fear, the idea of the log
as a talisman of protection grew.
By only partially burning the log,
keeping it burning for 12 nights,
it's said that a household
can protect itself from evil.
[Expert 2] January
8th became a cursed day,
"the Night of the Mothers" they called it.
But by practicing all these
things, burning the log,
saving it, keeping it under the bed,
and celebrating the
divinity on January 6th,
the Saxons believed this would
dissipate the witch's powers
and leave them impotent.
Thus the town was safe for another year.
(car engine hums)
(tense music playing)
(car door slams)
(tense music playing)
(door creaks open)
(heavy footsteps thud)
(door creaks closed)
(wind howls)
(climate control hums)
(bag crackles)
(door creaks open and closed)
(popcorn bag crinkling)
(bag rustles)
There you go.
(tense music playing)
40 for the gas and the snacks.
Sure thing.
You with that squirrely
fellow ran in here earlier?
Yeah, you seen him?
He made a beeline for the restroom.
Looks like he had business.
He got his bowels in an uproar.
Something spooked us on the way in.
Say again, son.
Don't worry about it. It's
just somebody playing games.
One of the locals.
[Store Clerk] Well,
I'm the only local here,
what this fellow look like?
We couldn't tell. It happened so fast.
You folks just passing through?
No, we rented a cabin out
on Wyoming Road for the week.
[Store Clerk] Oh, I know that place.
Dan Skill owns it.
Yeah.
That's the man I made the check out to.
You guys be careful
up here. You hear me?
Why? Is something wrong with the cabin?
No, it's suitable for living
in, it's just that it's...
- Yeah?
- January 7th.
[Earl] What's that
have to do with anything?
It's the Night of the Mothers.
Many evil things lurk
about the woods date night.
Well, we ain't afraid
of no local superstitions,
are we Earl?
No.
You don't need to be
afraid. Just be careful.
Sure, thanks.
Gimme a call if you need anything
and I'll be here all day.
Thank you. Have a good day.
[Store Clerk] Good luck.
(door creaks open)
(traffic hums)
(door creaks closed)
(wind wailing)
(door creaks open)
Hey guys, don't leave without me.
(door creaks closed)
(wind wailing)
(car doors slam)
(engine hums)
(eerie music playing)
Today we're talking
about local ghost legends
and Wellsboro Woods, home of
the legendary witch Druinda.
Her backstory is a myth
nearly lost in history,
but tales have grown over the last decade.
And with them reported sightings.
Are the stories true or is this a case
of mass hallucinations feeding themselves?
Today we're going to explore this and more
on the Condor Dalton show.
(foreboding music playing)
[Earl] So what do you think
of what that guy was
spouting about back there?
[Charles] What? What did I miss?
[Roy] If you weren't shitting
your guts out in the men's
room, you would've heard it.
He was going on about some local folklore.
[Earl] He called it "the
Night of the Mothers."
[Charles] Well, what the hell is that?
It sounds like a local card game.
[Roy] He insinuated it
was something sinister.
[Earl] Maybe witches
or goblins or something.
[Charles] He was just
pulling your leg, right?
[Roy] I guess we'll have
to find out, won't we?
[Charles] I'm not embarrassed to say
I really don't like the sound of all this.
Maybe what we saw earlier
has something to do with it.
[Earl] Because that looked
like someone's mother.
[Charles] I'm serious, guys.
[Roy] Don't get your dress in a bunch.
[Earl] You guys fight worse than women.
(foreboding music intensifies)
(creature growling)
Go my child.
Into the night, the Night of the Mothers.
(creature growling)
(whispering and moaning)
(wind howling)
(terrified screaming)
(tires crunching)
(country music playing)
(car doors slam)
[Earl] Hey, this doesn't look too bad.
Not quite what I had pictured.
We, I didn't spring for
the Ritz, but it'll do.
Keys under the mat, let's go.
(footsteps shuffle)
(birds singing)
(country music continues playing)
(wind wailing)
(footsteps thud heavily)
Ah, it's chilly.
(Roy grunts)
(screen door squeaks)
(wind continues wailing)
(key scrapes in lock)
(wind intensifies)
(indistinct muttering)
(door snaps closed)
It's freezing in here.
We'll have to get that stove going.
[Charles] Stove? You mean
we have to heat this place
all week with wood?
Yes.
And guess who's cut?
[Sighing] Can we go home now?
I'll help cut wood.
All right guys, take a look around.
Pick out your room.
(fabric rustling)
(country music playing)
(wind wailing)
(clock ticking)
(foreboding music playing)
(stairs creaking)
(clock ticking)
(foreboding music continues playing)
(fabric rustling)
(bed squeaking)
(zipper hums)
(floorboards creak)
(fabric rustles)
(foreboding music continues playing)
This is going to be one long week.
(music intensifies)
(creature wails)
(wind howls)
They didn't leave us any wood at all.
Well, let's grab some
axes and start cutting.
(fabric rustling)
Here you go.
Cheer up. This is probably
the first bit of exercise
you've had in a long time.
Did I tell you about my bad corns?
Don't worry, we're not
gonna go too far in the woods.
The woods? Where we saw that...
Whatever the hell it was?
[Earl] Well, where else are we gonna go?
Let's break apart
the porch and use that.
Where are you going?
Get some lighter fluid.
You mean we don't have
to rub sticks together
to start one out here? Surprising.
You keep flapping that jaw,
let's get some work done around
here before it gets dark.
Jesus.
(wood creaking)
The burning culminates
on the 12th night,
which falls on January the sixth.
The town would've a grand festival
to mark the coming of the epiphany.
But interestingly enough,
early research shows
that the tradition originally
ended on January 8th.
And different tales circulate
as to why it was moved up two days.
One such legend says that if
you watch the Yule Log burn
and count the sparks,
you can see your fortunes ahead
for the new year and beyond.
On the 12th night, should
any of the log still remain,
it is saved and used to start
the next season's tradition.
However, some believe the
practice originally developed
as a way to ward off evil spirits.
Over the next decades, centuries, even,
the burning of the Yule Log
came to mean something else, yet again.
The roots stained by paganism
were cleansed, so to speak.
So does this mean evil will
descend on your household?
(foreboding chuckle) No, I think,
I think we all know that
we're all pretty safe
from witches and curses.
(chuckling)
(creature roaring)
(foreboding music playing)
(whispers in a foreign language)
(footsteps crunch)
(eerie music playing)
(birds singing)
(wind howling)
(creature wailing)
(foreboding music intensifies)
(eerie music playing)
(birds calling)
(wind wailing)
(music intensifies)
(chanting in a foreign language)
Hey you!
(eerie music playing)
(wind wailing)
(water splashing)
(monks wailing)
(electricity crackling)
(wailing intensifies)
(tense music playing)
(distorted voices hum)
(wind hums)
(footsteps crunching)
(wind wailing)
[Earl] How about this one?
I don't know. It looks pretty hardy.
It'd take a lot to get anything out of it.
You're too damn lazy.
(eerie music intensifies)
[Charles] How about that one over there?
(leaves crunch)
Sure. If you say so, Paul Bunyan.
(footsteps crunch)
(wind wailing)
- [Earl] It's half dead.
- [Charles] Exactly.
Easier to chop apart.
(foreboding music playing)
Hey, what's this?
Looks like an old spike or something.
Wonder what it's doing in
this tree trunk way out here.
200 years ago, a homestead
could have been here.
Maybe an animal was
tied to it or something.
[Earl] I suppose.
Well, let's get cutting.
(axes thud in wood)
(Robin grunts in pain repeatedly)
(cracking wood and grunting continue)
(whispering in a foreign language)
(creatures wailing)
(wailing continues)
(birds singing)
(footsteps crunch)
(wind wailing)
I thought you two got lost.
No, we had to find a tree
that fits Charles' stamina.
Ha ha, so you cut down a sapling.
Looks like we got a
bit of wood here still.
We use it up first.
(wind intensifies)
(eerie music intensifies)
(muffled chanting)
(muffled chanting continues)
(creature wailing)
[Radio DJ] We're talking favorite
Christmas horror themed movies today.
And I have to say one of my new favorites
is a recent entry called "Sister Krampus".
Have you seen this one?
First of all, great story.
Good acting and some killer scares.
If you haven't seen it,
definitely check it out on your
favorite streaming services.
Oh, it's pretty toasty in here.
Wait till we throw some of
that new wood we chopped
into that stove, it'll heat up quick.
More like burn fast.
That stuff's pretty dead.
Guess who's going out at
2:00 AM to cut some more.
Screw that.
(men chuckle)
You would if we weren't around.
Funny.
Well, if Gloria was here,
we'd have homemade baked
pie and blueberry muffins.
(sighs) Yeah, really sorry
about what happened to Gloria.
Do you mind telling us what happened?
(melancholy music playing)
Oh, she had brain cancer
and we didn't know anything about it.
And then we went to the ER and she had...
(swallows) A massive stroke.
At least it was fast.
What about you guys?
Why didn't you get married?
Well, I didn't want to
be tied down, you know,
having to be on time and
have somebody to answer to,
you know, having a leash around your neck.
Well, that's not what
marriage is all about.
I asked my father four times.
And what about you, Charles?
Isn't it obvious?
Yeah, we don't live in a state
where it's legal to marry your sister.
(Roy laughing)
(intense, foreboding music playing)
(moaning and chanting
in a foreign language)
(branch slithering)
(fire crackling)
(foreboding music playing)
(whispers in a foreign language)
(electricity crackling)
(whispering in a foreign
language continues)
(animals wailing)
(wood slithering)
(creature howling)
(wailing and chanting intensifies)
(wood crackles)
(distorted chanting intensifies)
Ah, guys, what the fuck just happened?
(creatures wailing and slithering)
It got dark real fast.
Don't you think that's a bit weird?
Yeah, it's really strange.
It happened after I put
that fresh wood we cut
into the fireplace.
Well, what the hell's
that gotta do with anything?
[Earl] Maybe a tornado is coming.
Sometimes that happens
when one is approaching.
In the middle of winter? (scoffs)
Hey, where the hell are you going?
(door scrapes open)
- Look! Do you see it?
- See what?
The woods, the trees.
[Charles] What about them?
[Roy] The woods are
completely engulfing us.
The road up here is completely covered.
[Charles] Holy shit, he's
right. What's going on?
I don't know, but let's get out of here.
(footsteps thud)
(jackets rustle)
[Charles] What about the fire?
[Roy] Just leave it.
(heavy footsteps thud)
(wood crackles)
There's no fucking way in hell.
(branches purr)
(metal groans)
(explosion roars)
The woods ate our fucking car!
How do we get out of here?
We don't. Let's go back
inside where it's safe.
- Is it?
- We have no choice. Let's go
(heavy footsteps thud)
(door scrapes closed)
(woods crackle and groan)
(eerie music playing)
Night of the Mothers.
What did that guy mean?
I don't know, he didn't say.
I thought he was pulling our leg.
Well, clearly he wasn't.
(creature growling)
[Earl] He said that
evil roams the woods.
Man, I'm about to shit myself.
(light sizzling)
(farting noises)
I think I just did.
It all started with that wood.
Was there anything
unusual about this tree?
Oh, I can't think.
Come on, think.
[Earl] It was withered and old.
Charles was too lazy to
take on a healthy tree.
What.. Anything else?
[Earl] It had a spike in it.
Like something was tied around it.
Hmm. Now whatever it is,
I think it's the reason
this shit is happening.
(rapping on door)
Who is that?
I don't know. But how the
hell could they get through
all that dense brush?
I don't know. Let's go see.
Maybe somebody got through.
(whispering in a foreign language)
(sticks crunching)
(foreboding music intensifying)
(footsteps shuffle)
(door creaks open)
(screams) Help me
please. Please help me.
Let's get her in here.
Help me. The woods are
alive, please help me.
Come here, dear. Come here.
(Robin grunts in pain)
Easy, easy.
Where the hell did she come from?
We're about to find out.
[Earl] Easy Miss, you're safe here now.
I'll get her some water.
Thank you.
- Who are you?
- Robin.
What were you doing in the woods?
My car wrecked.
I was driving and these
tree branches came.
I couldn't swerve.
My car flipped and my, my car burned.
How'd you get through the woods?
Yeah, how? How did you make it in here?
[Robin] Well, I saw the
light from your cabin,
but then the woods were
swallowing me up from behind.
(Robin whimpers and sighs)
Oh, let's get her to the couch.
(glass rattles on table)
(foreboding music playing)
[Roy] Easy, easy.
(Robin murmuring)
(tense music playing)
So what do you think?
She probably doesn't know
much more than we do.
Just wrong place, wrong time.
Don't you think it's odd
she made it through here,
through those woods and
we can't even get out?
You think we should try to go get help?
Maybe go to that general store
up the road where we gassed up?
Well, it's five miles away by car.
It's suicide to try to make
it out here. Look around you.
Those woods are alive and they want us.
You have a better plan?
No. No, I don't.
(electricity sizzles)
Oh, this just keeps
getting better and better.
(sighs) Keep your wits about you.
We could survive without electricity.
(foreboding music continues playing)
(creatures wailing)
(branches slithering)
(fire crackling)
(tense music playing)
(door creaks open)
(wind wails)
(wood thuds against porch)
(creature wailing)
Now we'll freeze to death.
No, we won't.
Even if we have to burn everything in here
to get us through the damn night.
We don't know if the night will end.
It has to. It has to.
So what's the plan?
The plan is Roy is gonna go
to the general store we stopped at.
Are you crazy? He won't get 100 feet.
You have a better idea?
Of course not.
I'll make it. I will.
And I'll bring back hope and help
even if I have to burn
my way through that bush.
Take this buddy.
Good luck.
I'll need it.
(door creaks open and closed)
(footsteps crunch)
(wind wails)
You think he'll make it?
He has to.
(tense music continues playing)
(fire continues crackling)
(Roy gasping for breath)
I don't see him anymore.
He's out of sight.
(tense continues music playing)
(fire continues crackling)
(creatures wailing)
(Roy gasping for breath)
(chanting in a foreign language)
(Roy grunting in effort)
(footsteps crunch)
(wood snaps)
(Roy continues grunting)
(creatures continue moaning)
(whispers in a foreign language)
(Roy screams)
(branches slither)
(blood splashes)
Yule Log no more.
(tense music playing)
(chair snaps)
(wood crackles)
She's in a bad way, Earl.
I know.
Do you think he'll make it?
He might.
And if he doesn't?
We'll just have to
think of something else.
[Charles] How long do we wait for him?
[Earl] You're asking
way too many questions.
I'm sorry. I just wanna live.
(foreboding music playing)
I don't care if I live or die.
You don't mean that.
Yes I do.
[Charles] Because of Gloria?
I just want to be with her.
I just wanna be with her.
(fire crackling)
(wood slithering)
(distorted voices speaking)
(tense music continues playing)
(wood cupboard clicks closed)
(flashlight clicks)
(tense music continues playing)
(cupboard creaks open)
(can scrapes against wood)
(fire crackling)
(tense music continues playing)
(creature hisses)
(car tires crunch)
(engine hums)
(foreboding music playing)
(phone ringing)
Oh, dammit. Figures. (sighs)
(car tires crunch)
(sighs) hello?
Yes, mom.
No, I pulled over to talk to you. Mhmm.
I'm about an hour away from home.
(creature panting)
No, I'm not upset.
I'm just, the longer I sit here
on the side of the road talking to you,
the longer it's gonna take
me to get home. You know?
No, Tony's not coming with me.
We broke up.
(creature panting)
(gravel crunching)
(wood slithering)
No, mom, it's a long story
and I really don't wanna get into it
on the side of the road.
I'll be home in an hour and
I'll tell you all about it.
Yes. Mhm.
Mhm. No, I'm fine, really.
All right. I'll see you in an hour.
Bye.
(phone rattles)
(Robin sighs)
(tires crunch)
(engine hums)
(dramatic music playing)
(Robin exclaiming in surprise)
(creature growling)
(glass shatters)
(Robin whimpering)
(fire crackling)
This should be fine.
Want some?
No.
Hey, I found this while I
was rooting through the kitchen
looking for food.
(fire crackling)
(eerie music playing)
You know, something's
been nagging at me lately.
I can't imagine what.
Her. How did she get here
unscathed through those woods?
Lucky I guess.
You think so?
Look, we're all upset.
Don't let your imagination run wild.
She's been through hell.
You heard her, the trees attacked her car
and she ran for her life.
Yeah, that's what she said.
Give us the girl.
Give us the girl.
(fire continues crackling)
Give us the girl.
Earl, who are they?
(wood slithering)
Where did they go?
(scraping on wood)
I think they're somewhere in the cabin.
Well, there's only one way to find out.
(wood creaking)
(drawer scrapes)
(items jostled)
(wood creaking)
(fire continues crackling)
Don't worry, she'll be okay.
(tense music continues playing)
(door creaks open)
(fire continues crackling)
(stairs squeak)
(tense music continues playing)
(door creaks open)
(footsteps echo)
(fire continues crackling)
(stairs squeaking)
(tense music continues playing)
Down there.
The basement?
Yes. It's the only place
we haven't searched yet.
Let's go.
(door creaks open)
(wind howls)
(voices wail)
(branches slither)
(wood creaking)
(stairs squeaking)
(tense music continues playing)
There's a million ways
someone could get in down here.
Let's go this way.
(footsteps shuffle)
(tense music continues playing)
(footsteps continue to shuffle)
(footsteps crunch)
(tense music continues)
(boxes crash)
Geez Louise!
Just a box. Just a box.
You're okay.
[Earl] Well, there's nothing down here.
Let's go back upstairs.
(footsteps crunch)
(fire crackling)
(foreboding music playing)
(fabric rustles)
(wind howling)
(branches creaking)
Who the hell knows where
they could have went?
Or what they were.
(Robin cackling)
[Earl] What the hell?
(in a distorted growl) Time to die!
You hell bitch!
(tense music playing)
Your friend is dead.
Swallowed by the woods.
Kill her!
Tonight. You will pay the price
of the curse of Druinda!
We don't even know a Druinda.
You're in her woods. You
struck the tree she died on.
You will be her offering.
Like hell, bitch.
(Robin growling)
(tense music continues playing)
(knife slices into Robin)
(Robin gurgles)
(Robin growls and grunts)
(fire crackles)
(Robin screams)
I didn't know you had it in you.
Neither did I.
(fire continues to crackle)
(wind wails)
Ow.
What happened to the tough warrior?
[Charles] Here, let
me take care of that.
You were right about that demon bitch.
She said Druinda Who is she?
(foreboding music playing)
Hm.
Some crazy lady who's been
holding a grudge for a long time
and taking it out on us.
Could she be one of those
nights of the mothers?
She's a mother all right.
(foreboding music intensifies)
(fire crackling)
well come on in.
If you're here to kill us,
we're not going down easy.
Do not fear.
Easy for you to say.
We do not come to harm
you, only to warn you.
I think you're a little too late.
We just squared off with
some demon bitch from hell,
and the woods are ready to eat us alive.
'Tis the work of Druinda,
witch of the woods.
Who is this Druinda?
We don't know her, nor have
we done anything to her.
She be a witch of long
ago, vile and wicked,
steeped in many dark arts and perversions.
Her horrors are legendary.
And who are you?
We are the spirits of
those who condemned her.
We have brought her to the woods
and spiked her in the head
to a tree for her crimes.
She cursed us.
The woods, the wind, on
the Night of the Mothers.
Her vengeance be at its greatest strength.
Why can't you stop her?
We do not have the power
anymore to hold her back.
Every year, we too rise and do
battle with her on this day.
But alas, her strength
grew and ours weakened.
We could do nothing
once you burned the tree
she'd been slain upon
the scale was tipped.
You can do nothing?
Nothing. But to warn you.
At least tell us how to stop her.
We cannot do that.
Bullshit! You better talk.
We're getting our asses kicked here.
We cannot do that.
Will daylight break her
spell for another year?
(tense music playing)
(fire crackling)
Will the coming
daylight break her spell?
There will be no daylight.
We must go.
Our time has passed.
Defeat Druinda and your
lives can be spared.
(tense music continues playing)
We need to think of something.
(music intensifies)
(wind howling)
(creatures moaning)
(electricity crackling)
(monster slithers and roars)
(wood crackling)
(foreboding music playing)
(wind continues howling)
(wood creaking)
[Charles] They're
all over the place now.
They'll crush this place like a tin can
if we don't do something.
But what?
Those brown riding
hoods weren't much help.
They could have told us if they wanted.
Well, they couldn't. You heard 'em.
Couldn't my ass.
You know, it's hard to
believe in this day and age
crap like this could still happen.
Well, spirits and curses
are not the thing of the past.
They still exist.
(wood continues creaking)
[Charles] If we're gonna go down,
let's at least go down
like men. We need weapons.
(music intensifies)
(footsteps shuffle)
Thought I saw some stuff down here.
(tense music continues playing)
(wood scrapes)
Here we go.
Well, what about me, Robin Hood?
This should do. Good for brush cutting.
(footsteps thud)
(tense music continues playing)
(stairs creaking)
(wood whines and groans)
(wood creaking)
(melancholy music playing)
(Earl sighs)
I might be seeing you
sooner than I thought.
So be waiting for me.
(wind howling)
(eerie music playing)
(branches moaning)
[Disembodied Voice] Our forefathers,
when the common devices of Eve were over
and night was come upon,
were want to light up a
candle of uncommon size,
which were called Christmas candles,
and to lay a log of wood upon the fire,
which they termed a Yule Log.
(flames crackling)
These were to illuminate the house
and turn the night into day,
which custom in some measure
is still kept to this day.
"They began," says he, "their year
on the eighth of the calendars of January
and the very night before,
which is holy to us,
was by them called Modranicht
or the Night of the Mothers.
It is also here where dark superstitions
and evil were born, as
Witchery was commonplace
and females hence lay with
Satan and his disciples,
engaging in foul rights and practices.
Elders, driven by the righteous moral,
sought out these witches.
One such concubine of evil was
named Druinda of the woods,
and such was finally charged
by tribunal as one such witch.
Her fate, however, was
to be marked different,
and was fastened to a tree
with a metal spike put through her head
and left for ravens to
set upon and devour.
Hence then, before her death,
she spat from her tongue
many hideous incantations and spells
and such cursed the woods
of her spirit hence forth.
(eerie music playing)
(wood groaning)
It's showtime. The wicked
witch of the north is here.
You know what to do.
(Druinda hisses)
(door slams open)
(Druinda growls)
A game is it?
(tense music playing)
I can smell your souls and I
will find you and devour you.
(flames crackling)
(tense music continues playing)
(music intensifies)
(fire continues crackling)
Time to die, my pretties.
(exciting music playing)
(arrow hums)
(arrow strikes Druinda)
(Druinda screams)
(machete slices Druinda)
(Druinda growls and screams)
(arrow hums)
Watch out Earl!
(Earl's neck bones crunch)
(fire continues to crackle)
(Druinda howls)
Eat this, you bitch!
(Druinda screams)
(Druinda continues screaming)
(fire continues crackling)
(flames roar)
Hang in there.
Did you get her Charles?
Torched her ass, she's toast.
I can't see you.
(melancholy music playing)
I'm right here.
I wanna thank you for
being such a good friend.
There... There's Gloria.
Isn't she beautiful?
(fire crackling)
I don't see anyone.
She's not here.
Hang in there.
It's my turn now.
(dramatic music playing)
(Charles panting)
(creature growling)
(monster hissing)
The witch is dead, yet
daylight hasn't returned.
What happened?
(tense music playing)
Was what the monks told us wrong?
Or is there something else?
(fire crackling)
That's it! Fire!
(wood crackling)
(tense music playing)
Let's fight. Fire with fire, shall we?
(fire roaring)
(creature moaning)
(fire continues roaring)
(creature continues moaning)
(tense music continues playing)
(fire crackling)
It looks like it's over,
but where's the daylight?
(monster roars and hisses)
Oh, shit!
(monster roaring intensifies)
(curtains rustle)
(Charles grunts)
(Charles panting)
(tense music continues playing)
(feet scraping on the floor)
(monster growling)
(Charles screams)
(music intensifies)
Go to Hell, you bastard.
(fire crackling)
(monster hissing)
(tense music continues playing)
(footsteps thud)
(crickets chirping)
(Charles sighs)
(melancholy music playing)
(birds singing)
(fire crackling)
(birds continue singing)
(footsteps crunching)
(eerie music playing)
(birds singing)
(footsteps crunching)
(eerie music continues playing)
(footsteps continue crunching)
(birds continue singing)
(traffic humming)
(wind moaning)
(eerie music intensifies)
(traffic humming)
(door creaks open and closed)
(footsteps thud)
Mister, I need your help.
Yeah, what happened to you?
Night of the Mothers.
Night of the...
Just sit down, okay?
(footsteps shuffling)
(tense music playing)
(wind moaning)
(birds singing)
(birds continue singing)
(dramatic music culminates)
(eerie version of "Jingle Bells" playing)
(fire crackling)
(eerie version of
"Jingle Bells" continues)
(fire crackling continues)
(eerie, dramatic music playing)
(eerie, dramatic music continues playing)
(eerie, haunting music playing)
(eerie, haunting music continues playing)
(wind moaning)
(wind howling)