Alienated (2020) - full transcript

Hello, sir?

We're ready for you.

Okay.

Miller, right?

Yes, sir.

You don't have to call me sir.

Hey.

Is there any coffee here?

I...

Uh-huh, forget it.

So, who called this in?



A jogger ran by this morning.

Saw the front door open
and floodlights on.

What time was that?

7:30, 8 A.M.

Is this the first time
anybody's been out here?

No, Officer Arteca got
called in to investigate

a noise disturbance three weeks ago.

Is he around here?

Yeah, he's around here somewhere.

Okay.

Oh, may I have some?
- Yeah.

Thank you.

All right.

Let's do it.



Another day, another dollar.

I guess we should follow the trail.

God, it's hot in here.

Sir, you're stepping on the evidence.

What evidence?

All the papers.

No.

Just evidence that assholes lived here.

I'm sorry?

Take a look.

This is so typical.

They just wanna make the
bank have to pay somebody

to clean this place up.

Is this normal?

It happens.

Why would somebody go
through all the trouble?

I don't know.

- Seems like a lot...
- You know you get

pushed into a corner mentally and...

Anything can seem like a victory.

It's about control.

People are capable of anything.

Leaving the house a mess,

putting the kids in the car and fleeing.

What else could they do?

He.

Who's he?

The home owner, a Mr. Taylor.

A neighbor stated that the wife

passed away several years ago,

now it's just him and his two daughters.

How old?

13, 16.

Ah.

So he took them and fled.

They didn't have to
leave until the 27th.

Sir.

Yeah, yeah, I know.

Okay.

Not one, huh?

Are you sure?

And the payments have been persistent?

He hasn't missed one payment?

Right.

Okay, okay, thank you.

Officer Arteca?

Yes?

What's going on?

Officer Sanders,

you have to come down and see this.

A glitch?

Not likely.

These are pretty foolproof.

But sometimes when the power
goes out, which it did,

it has a backup battery
rigged to the system.

Well, his bills are
all probably passed due.

I called the alarm company.

They said all of his bills are up-to-date.

The alarm was set at
11:15 P.M. last night.

And he paid all his payments on time.

He even paid three months in advance.

Well, that's weird.

Yeah.

And he ungraded his service last week.

To what?

Their latest package.

All right, how do you turn

this thing off?
- I got it.

Here, there's a...

There's a thing.

I got it, I got it.

Is that your phone?

Hmmm.

Hello?

Yes.

I know.

I know, I'm at work.

Yeah, sure, I'll be there.

No, I did not forget.

Okay.

Okay, okay.

I gotta go.

I think we're done here.

What about the
rest of the rooms upstairs?

I gotta go.

I've got enough to write up my report.

You didn't even see
the rest of the house.

So,

what do you think?

About what?

What do you think happened to them?

They fled.

They still had 24 days left

before they had to leave their house.

They're running from the
bank, bills, embarrassment.

Their house is in foreclosure.

Isn't it unusual to flee
and leave everything behind?

All your belongings.

I mean, they left even
the bare essentials.

It really doesn't feel right.

Officer Miller,

you can read all about it
when I submit my report.

One in five families
were losing their homes.

Do you have children?

No.

Okay, then don't try to
analyze Mr. Taylor's actions.

The man had his reasons.

You just have to find them.

Oh boy.

Hey, Miller.

Double check and see
if they put out APB yet

and do another lap
around the neighborhood.

See if people know if he
has any family in the area.

Right, right, okay.

And you can call my cell any
time if something comes up.

I'm not gonna be at home
the next couple days.

Taking some R and R, sir?

If my daughter will let me.

Miller,

stop calling me sir.

We're equals.

Hey, I'm here.

In the kitchen.

So you'll be back on Monday, right?

Four days.

I have missed he last two conferences

and I'm starting to get behind at work.

You know how that is.

Mmm, yeah.

Here are the keys.

There's food in the fridge

but you'll probably want to
stock up on stuff that you like.

Make sure Chelsea eats.

She's been skipping most meals.

And she has a psychologist
appointment tomorrow.

Right.

The trash doesn't need
to go out until Thursday,

so you don't need to worry about that.

Yeah, I know, I used
to live here, remember?

Yeah.

So how's she doing?

She's...

She's all right, I think.

What do you mean, you think?

She doesn't really talk to me.

Well, what did the doctor say?

I don't know.

What do you mean, you don't know?

I don't know the details
of what they discuss.

I take her to the appointment
and they speak in private.

I respect her privacy.
- You're the parent.

You should know what's
going on in those sessions.

I'm not going to smother her.

So what do you know?

Why is it always on me?

You're perfectly free to
call the doctors yourself.

You were the one who said

that you should be the one to handle it.

But maybe I should've been involved.

So now you're listening to me.

You don't tell me anything.

I can't let you handle
it and then be involved

when I don't know, I'm
not a mind reader, Laurie.

You're never around.

I'm here now.

God, you are so difficult.

Tell me something, anything.

Don't act all of a sudden like you care.

My availability is not a measure

of how much I care about my daughter.

Our daughter.

Jesus Christ.

Our daughter.

Look,

just tell me what you
think is really going on.

The doctors say she has PTSD

and that once she comes to
terms with what really happened

she could open up.

I still think that Rob kid
has something to do with it.

Has she said anything to you?

No.

Are you sure this trip is a good idea?

We can't force her to talk.

There's gotta be something you can do.

We, something we can do.

Look, I've gotta go.

Listen, just...

Maybe you spending time with her,

maybe she'll come back to us.

Hey, dinner.

Chels.

Yeah?

Dinner.

I'm not hungry.

I cooked, you'll eat.

I'll have it in here.

You can have it at the table.

Mom let's me eat in my room.

In case you haven't
noticed, I am not your mother.

Would you stop that, please?

Are you really not gonna eat?

I never was much of a cook.

Your room looks nice.

I remember having a lot of pink.

Did you decorate it yourself?

Mom helped a little.

That's good.

She's good at that kind of stuff.

Was it your idea to change it up?

Not really.

Well, change is good.

Sometimes.

So, I hear you're seeing a guy named Rob.

Is he nice to you?

I don't wanna talk about it.

How's school?

I haven't been.

Do you wanna go back?

Yeah, maybe.

I remember you used to
always draw a lot of cats.

Why didn't we ever get you one?

Mom's allergic.

Oh yeah.

I think allergies is your body's way of...

Has the doctor prescribed
something for that?

For what?

That thing behind your ear.

Might be contagious.

You don't wanna give it to somebody else.

You're really not gonna eat?

No.

You can have it.

What?

Rude!

Come on.

We are going out tonight.

Out, where?

A party, come on.

What party?

It's gonna be small.

I don't think I'm coming.

No, you're coming.

We haven't seen you.

Anne, I don't want to.

No!

No.

No!

Not taking that as an answer.

10 minutes.

I honestly don't know
what to say to her.

I don't wanna fight.

I'm trying as hard as I can.

Well, did he give you any advice?

I mean, what is this
damn doctor doing anyway?

Yeah, yeah, I'm sure it takes time.

I don't know to get her to talk.

All right.

Okay.

I've never been good at
this stuff, you know that.

Look, she won't even talk to me.

There's gotta be some way to reach her.

God, I just wish she was normal.

Yeah, I'm sure.

No.

All right, all right, bye.

Where have you been?

Around.

We've missed you.

Yeah, well.

Rob's looking for you.

Oh,

I got a gift for you.

What is it?

A bunch of old Polaroids.

Of what?

Of you and Rob.

Oh, don't worry about
it, you don't have to...

No, it's totally cool,
I'll just go get them.

You can give it to me later.

No, they're awesome.

Let me go get them...
- No, really, it's fine.

Shannon!

Wait, one second, I'll be right back.

Boo!

You okay?

Yeah, I'm fine.

Where have you been?

Hello?

Sick.

Yeah.

Kinda been asking about you.

You could've texted.

I wanted to but I
heard you were, you know,

going through something,

so, I just figured I'd, you
know, give you some space.

Really?

Yeah.

Oh,

Shannon actually wanted
me to give you these.

I'm so sorry for almost
dropping you there.

You know, I'm afraid of spiders

and that was a pretty big one on my shoe.

And that one is my favorite.

Now,

whatever you're going
through, I'll be here.

Right here?

Yes, right here.

In this house, which I
actually don't even know

whose house this is but it's mine now.

So I don't really care

what anybody says.

Yeah.

I miss this.

Miss what?

This.

You know,

just having fun,

hanging out,

seeing you.

Your smile.

Just, I really miss you.

Rob?

Stop!

You okay?

What happened?

Dad?

What're you doing up?

Don't you have a
television in your bedroom?

No.

Mom won't let me.

That's what your mother chooses

to end on in her parenting?

Why are you awake?

Hey.

I can't sleep.

Are you gonna be awake

enough for your appointment tomorrow?

Yeah.

Well, let me get in on this.

How do I join?

Come on, I'll kick your ass.

Oh no you won't.

This is accelerate.

Got it.

Move right and left.

I think I got it.

Okay.

I warn you, I've been
trained in police chasing.

Move over.

At least you didn't
say, move over, old man.

This is actually fun.

Yeah.

Oh, what is that?

What am I?

Am I a fox?

Um, actually, that would be a bandicoot.

Why are you sleeping on the couch?

Because.

That wasn't really an answer.

I don't know.

It doesn't feel right
making myself comfortable.

You know,

coming home, here,

used to be the highlight of my day.

You'd be running all over the
house and I would find you

by following the sound of your laughter.

You were...

I guess everything changes.

Maybe it was your mother
and I drifting apart

or you growing up.

Maybe...

Maybe I changed.

I don't know what's
really going on with you.

I think it's something

you're gonna have to work out on your own.

But...

Just don't lose yourself.

Who you are.

It's important, believe me.

Just stay where I can see you, you know?

Chelsea!

Chelsea, we gotta go!

Chelsea!

Chelsea.

Chelsea!

Chelsea!

Chelsea!

Chelsea, we've gotta go!

What?

You have an appointment
at two o'clock, let's go.

What, what are you?

What're you doing out here?

I don't know.

Come on, we gotta go.

We gotta go, come on, let's go.

Your mother would kill me
if we miss this appointment.

We're here.

Yep.

Looks expensive.

I'm glad you're going.

What do you talk about in there?

Oh, right, I shouldn't ask.

Are you staying off that glutton stuff?

People are doing that now, right?

Do you think these sessions are helping?

I don't hurt myself.

Look, I know it to be rough.

Hold on.

You know what, I've got a good idea.

Let's go, it's gonna start.

Do we have to?

Trust me, it'll
be really good today.

I don't
wanna be here right now.

Come on.

Dad, can
we please just go home?

Come on, come on.

I don't get it.

What's not to get?

I feel like that movie
used to be so different.

Yeah, when you're a little
kid, movies seem a lot better.

You're more sophisticated now.

I guess.

I just don't see why she had
to choose either one of them.

Well she was in love with two people.

You can't date two people.

She could've chosen to be single.

That would've given her more time

to focus on defeating the council.

That would not
have been much of a movie.

Well then, she could've
dated both of them.

Okay, I am not having
that conversation with you.

I am not talking about that.

Oh, crap.

What?

Hey.

That's bleeding.

It's nothing.

That could get infected.

Dad, it's not gonna get infected.

Don't worry about it.

- No.
- It's fine.

I've never seen anything like this.

Does it hurt?

No.

We have to keep our eyes on this.

You know, I worry about you.

I know.

Your mother and I just
want you to get better.

You guys don't exactly get along.

Yeah.

But when it comes to you,
we're in complete agreement.

When you were a little kid,

do you remember how often
you used to fall down

and skin your knee?

Your mother would run and
get the first aid kit,

it was my job to clean you up.

We were a good team.

When you two weren't fighting.

No, I mean the three of us.

You know the best part of my job?

You never cried.

You were so strong.

You would bounce right back
up and go out and play.

You were taking on the world.

Lately though...

I'm doing all right.

- You've become distant.
- I'm trying my best.

You haven't been around.

It's just stuff going on.

Well, it's no reason to act out.

You know, you'd make a
pretty good profiler.

I'm serious.

You have a great attention to detail.

I've seen your drawings.

That kind of stuff

makes you focus.

Keeps you busy, you don't have time to...

What?

You know, I see a
lot of cases at the precinct...

I can finish it.

No, I can do it.

No!

I got it.

Chels?

Are you okay?

So this probably seems like odd timing but

I got you a gift

a couple weeks ago.

I was gonna give it to
you earlier today but

I'm gonna give it to you now.

It's an iPod.

It actually came with some music on it.

Believe it or not, I
listened to it myself.

I kinda liked it.

It was...

It was kinda jumpy.

My dad would've hated it.

Um...

Well, I hope you like it.

Um...

Look, I'm sorry.

I'm trying.

You didn't even
see the rest of the house.

Police, coming down.

Mr. Taylor?

I'm gonna get you some help.

This is officer Frank Sanders.

I need an ambulance at
2460 Chicago Avenue.

Cause of dispatch?

Knife wound to the neck.

Possible attempted suicide.

115 priority one, to 59 bravo 141.

Sir!

Frank.

What's going on?

I'm not sure.

Sir, are you okay?

I don't know.

Do you want
am EMT to check you out?

That thing.

What thing?

In the house.

Mr. Taylor?

We're getting them help.
- No.

It's covered.

On the floor.

What are you talking about?

Frank, stay with me, what did you see?

I have to get back.

Where?

Where are you going?

Frank!

Gotta go home!

Come on, sweetheart.

Answer the phone.

Chelsea!

Chelsea!

Fell on Shannon's feet.

- Oh!
- Yeah.

Oh God, she ended up having to pass it off

as like an impressionist imitation.

Oh my God, she would.

Rob totally covered for me though.

He would.

What's it like living with your dad again?

Is he mean?

No.

He...

He just gave me this gift.

It's...

So, he thought it was an iPod

but it's, I don't even know what it is,

it's just not an iPod.

Like an off brand?

Like,

like a Zune or something.

Chelsea, take it back.

Everyone's been asking
about you at school.

They just wanna know where you are.

So what's been going on?

I know it's not Rob.

I'm sorry, you don't have to tell me.

No, I want to.

Chelsea, we all have demons.

You don't.

I'm no saint.

You know that better than anyone.

You're right.

Stuff happens to everyone.

You know,

depression comes out of this fear.

There's gotta be a way to

sift through all the hate

and anger and...

Isolation.

Sometimes we need

each other to get through.

Maybe.

Paint all over it.

Maybe don't fall into it but...

Paint.

I don't know.

Are you okay?

Yeah.

Who was that?

That was Anne.

I was worried about you, are you okay?

Yeah.

Hold on, I need to see something.

What?

- Let me look at your neck.
- No!

No.

You need to trust me.

Stop it!

I'm trying to take care of you.

What is your problem?

Just let me look at this!

Fuck off!

Hi Frank, it's Officer Miller.

I just got back from the hospital.

Mr. Taylor is suffering
from a lot of trauma.

Doctors can't seem to get him to talk

even though he's completely conscious.

But the thing is, he's showing
signs of sexual assault

which we didn't know before.

So please call me back when you can

and, oh yes, and they did find

the object on the floor
that you mentioned.

I'll have more information on
that from the lab tomorrow.

Call me back when you can.

Thank you, bye.

Hello.

My name's Frank Sanders.

My daughter, Chelsea, is
patient of Dr. Reardon's.

I was wondering if I could
speak with Dr. Reardon.

No, I don't know if I'm on the HIPPA form.

I'm her father, does that help?

Could I make an appointment for myself?

But it would be as
a new patient, is that okay?

Sure, a new patient
evaluation would be fine.

So, let me see.

I have an opening at 4:45.

Today?

Would you like
to schedule an appointment?

Yeah, that would be good.

Okay.

All right.

Thank you.

I don't know what to believe.

I'm really at a loss.

I'm a police officer.

We believe in evidence and facts.

Science.

I mean, how can something
exist if no one can see it?

I have seen some very strange things.

This is so far out of normal experience.

Chelsea's not the only one.

I hear stories like this from...

crazy people.

I believe she believes it.

But I feel like I owe it
to her to believe it too.

But it's my duty as a
cop to find the truth.

What about
your duty as a father?

Chelsea?

You hungry?

Chels.

No.

Me neither.

What comes at night?

You won't believe me.

What do they look like?

Tall.

Big eyes.

And that's what you're afraid of.

Okay.

I'll be here.

I'll stay up.

It's okay.

Chelsea.

Just me, Chelsea.

Don't let them touch me.

There's no one here.

No one's here.

I'm here.

It's gonna be okay.

Oh, Chelsea.

It's almost three o'clock.

I know.

They'll come.

You don't believe me.

I didn't say anything.

You don't have to.

I'm here.

No you're not.

What's this?

See for yourself.

So you do believe me.

Honestly, I don't know what I believe.

Where did you get this?

It's from an open case I'm working on.

So you know.

I don't know what I know.

You've seen what they can do.

No.

Why won't you believe me?

I'm trying.

Try harder.

Is this why you left?

When?

Before, when you ran out of the house.

I didn't know you were up.

What did you find?

Nothing.

Tell me.

I found a sick man.

What did they do to him?

We took him to the
hospital, we got him help.

No!

What did they do to him?

He hurt himself.

How do you know that?

I was the one who found him.

He mutilated himself.

He needed help and I got him help.

You can't help him.

I didn't do this to myself.

Dad, I'm not crazy, okay?

Chelsea, we can get you help.

I'm not crazy.

I don't need

that kind of help!
- Please.

- Stop it, Dad, stop it!
- You can't keep doing this

to yourself.
- Stop it!

Just make it through tonight...

- Shut up!
- And we'll get you

some help tomorrow.
- Shut up!

Shut up!

Shut up!
- Please.

I'm scared!

You don't know what it's like.

I was happy, I had friends,

I was normal and now all I can think about

is waking up in that place,

feeling their hands holding me down.

Screaming.

But knowing there's no
one there to help me.

It's like I'm not me anymore

and I just want it to stop.

And you sit here and you tell
me that you're gonna help me,

you're gonna, you're gonna
help, you're gonna get me help?

That's not enough.

I need you to believe me.

Then I'll prove it.

Chelsea!

Chelsea!

Don't do anything stupid!

Chelsea, open the door!

I believe you!

Chelsea!

Chelsea!

Chelsea!

Chelsea!

Don't do anything stupid!

I believe you, Chelsea, come out!

Open the door!

Goddamn it!

Open the door!
- No! No!

Chelsea!

Chelsea, I love you, open the door!

Open the door.

What did you do?

I got it.

I got it.

You're going to the hospital.

No!

No!

My job is to keep you safe!

It's over!

I'm okay.

This is not okay!

I found proof.

Where?

I lost it.

You are going to the hospital.

No, I'm not going back there!

Don't you understand?

No one is coming for
you, you need medication!

This is all a figment of your imagination!

Fuck you!

Dad?

Dad?

Don't look in their eyes.

Come on!

Dad!

What the fuck was that?

What do we do?
- What do we do?

What do we do, Dad?

What do we do?

I don't know what to do.

Dad, what do we do?

Focus, we need to focus.

We can set off the alarm.

That is not a bad idea.

I'm gonna open the door
and swing as hard as I can.

You ready?

Yeah.

Okay, I'll be right back.

Okay.

I'll be right here, I promise.

I'm not scared.

I know.

I know.

What do you want?

What do you want from me?

Leave me alone!

You can't have me.

You can't have me!

Stand back!

Dad!

Chelsea.

Daddy!

Dad, stop!

Dad!

Dad, stop, you have to fight it!

Dad, wake up!

Dad, I'm right here.

Daddy, I'm right here!

It's gonna be okay.

I'll never leave you again.

I'm right here.

I'm right here.