Autumn Road (2021) Movie Script

Tell me,

if you remember

with some tender sentiment

the first time

you looked out a dark window

and wondered what could be

looking back at you.

If you remember

the heartbreak you felt

when you first learned that life

and love were fragile things.

If you've ever been enchanted

by the night.

And if in addition

to experiencing one

of these priceless sensations,

you carry around

a chill in your bones

that you've never

quite been able to shake,

turn around now,

for this may be

too much for you.

For behind these doors

is the home

to those very same

dark delights.

Then I take their ticket,

and I'll let them in.

Do you have to say

that every time?

You don't have to, but it helps

set the mood for the guests.

See, haunting is all about

setting the right tone.

What's that?

It's a feeling.

That's right. A strong feeling.

A feeling you can almost touch.

I like scary stuff.

I like scary stuff, too.

Scary stuff can be fun,

and it's good for you.

Where's Charlie?

That's a good question.

Vince, where's your brother?

Hey, buddy.

- Ready to go trick or treating?

- I'm okay.

We need to go early

if we wanna get back

in time for the house.

I don't wanna help out

with the house this year.

Okay.

But you know

your friend Winnie's here,

and I think

she's waiting for you.

- She's not my friend.

- Really?

No.

Vincent likes her.

He told me to stay away.

Now, he's not the boss of you.

You know that, right?

Okay.

We'll be back soon.

If you can't be good,

don't be stupid.

Scoot in a little

bit closer. Perfect.

Trick or treat!

You two are early.

I wasn't ready yet for you.

Let me see what I can round up.

There you go.

I can't eat these.

They make me sick.

Let me see if I can find

something else for you.

You got an eye

for something else.

You really want this?

Well, I've got

other ways of telling time.

Tell you what.

You hang on to it real tight,

and don't lose it.

And don't tell anybody else.

They'd get jealous.

People want

what they can't have.

You're not supposed

to tell anyone.

I got you too good.

Don't do that.

Did they really used to drive

dead people in this thing?

Yeah. Dad said they did.

Cool.

Do you wanna go

to the haunted bridge again?

Not tonight, I don't think.

What's the matter?

Nothing. I just thought

you're hanging out

with Vincent again.

Your brother's off

scaring people with your dad.

Okay.

Besides, I don't wanna hang out

with your brother.

I wanna hang out with you.

Do you want any of my candy?

You can have this one.

- I can't eat it.

- Okay.

I also got this.

Check it out.

Oh, that is cool.

This guy

just gave it to me.

It's pretty neat.

Do you think we'll be friends

when we're older?

I think we'll know each other.

But are we going to be friends?

Sure.

How many times do you think

that hand will spin

before that happens?

I don't know.

You don't have weird thoughts

like that?

I do sometimes, I guess.

Like what?

I wanna hear.

Sometimes I wonder what

I'll look like when I'm older.

Sometimes I think about

if I would think about me now.

Like your older self is watching

you through memories.

Pretty much.

I think about that stuff too.

Damn.

You get scared easy.

No, I don't.

You jumped.

You were scared.

No, I wasn't.

I think you're cute

when you're scared.

You wanna try?

Ready?

Three, two, one.

Three...

I'm gonna go

get some candy.

I like your hair.

Are you scared?

Winnie? Winnie?

Winnie? I'm sorry. I'm sorry!

I'm sorry.

I wasn't paying attention.

Stop! Stop!

Stop it!

Somebody help!

Winnie, I'm so sorry.

I'm going to get help.

Stay with me! Stay with me!

Please!

Vincent! Vincent!

Winnie's... Winnie's in the car.

You have to help.

You have to help!

What were you doing

in there, Charlie?

Listen. I'll take care of it.

Just don't tell anyone.

Her parents are worried sick.

She never came home last night,

and they don't have any idea

where she is.

Can you imagine

how that feels for a parent?

Look, if you guys know anything,

this is a safe place

to talk about it.

You wanna talk about it?

Charlie?

I already said I didn't see her.

And if you guys are scared,

that's okay.

Do you think she's dead?

Is that what you're afraid of?

It could be

a possibility, but...

we don't wanna think about that.

We wanna be strong

for her parents

and give them hope.

Is there any way

people can come back?

Only in pretend.

In the context

of our haunted house...

sometimes it's fun

to talk about death,

and sometimes it's not

so fun, like now.

But it's a natural thing.

Death happens,

and sometimes it's suddenly.

It can happen any time.

You could slip,

hit your head funny.

You could have

an allergic reaction,

choke on some food.

Get sick.

It could happen anytime,

anywhere.

But can she feel anything?

No.

She wouldn't.

But that's not the case,

so we need to concentrate on

how we feel.

Okay?

What if someone hurt her?

Charlie.

Charlie, do you know something?

Did you see her

talking to somebody?

You can tell me.

You're not gonna get in trouble.

I don't know.

I saw her talking to someone.

When we were trick or treating,

we went by the old man's house.

He said

we could come back whenever.

I better call her mom.

Can we go to our room?

Yeah.

Come on, Charlie.

He's there, Johnny.

He's gonna get in.

We gotta do something!

Real quick.

Can we start again?

We wanna go just before that.

From?

It's a new page.

There's some rewrites

the director wants to include.

- Where is everyone?

- Real quick.

Can you slay it again?

Sure.

Laura Drake, reading for Claire.

I'm five foot four.

Laura Drake, five foot four...

You can go ahead and start.

Where is everyone?

It's too dark.

Wait, what was that?

There's someone out there!

Hey! How'd it go?

I don't wanna talk about it.

Oh, okay.

Alright.

I'm tired of waiting.

Like, you get stuff.

It's not like I'm jealous.

I mean, I am,

but not in a "I hate you"

kind of way.

I'm happy for you.

I just want some of that.

You could write something.

Every time I sit down

at a keyboard

I feel like I've been amputated

at the wrist.

You could drink something.

I feel like

you could use one of these.

You know, I guarantee

you'd get a lot more roles

if you stopped

overthinking so much.

Yeah, you're right.

You're always right.

No pity party. Not today.

Come on. I'll help you out.

I thought you had

to learn those lines.

Yeah, but you can help me

run them when we get back.

- Back from where?

- Back from...

I thought we could pound

a couple of these,

go for a bike ride

and clear your head.

- Yeah?

- Yeah.

Cool.

Well, then bottom's up.

Right? Cheers.

Mm-hm.

Let's do it.

Let's make something.

- I told you it's not that easy.

- Why not? I think we can do it.

I'll help you.

We can write parts for you

and me

and we can make it

for no money, too.

- It could be a calling card.

- Yeah.

And if not,

even if no one sees it,

and you and me are the only ones

who do, imagine.

Our kids, or our kids' kids,

stumbling on this movie.

Seeing us, see how cool we were.

That's my speech. Respond.

Okay. So where do we set it?

The lake.

Are we, like, on vacation?

No, I think

we should live there.

Okay. We've lived there

our entire lives.

- That's cool.

- And we're trying to get away.

Yeah. Okay, yeah. Something's

gotta happen, like,

our dad disappears.

Is that okay?

Yeah, that's fine.

Okay, so something happens,

and he wanders off...

Sorry, one second.

Hello?

Who is it?

It's the casting people

from that shitty movie.

Oh my God,

tell them to go fuck themselves.

- No!

- Yes. I'll do it.

Go fuck yourselves!

Go fuck yourselves.

We don't need them.

- We're making a movie.

- Yeah.

Yeah!

Man.

Kid threw up in the labyrinth.

Sorry to hear that. You okay?

No. I don't feel so good.

Sorry to hear that.

Will, can you take him to

headquarters and talk to Nadia?

Can you get on the PA

and ask for the parents?

- Sure.

- Okay.

- Hey, what's up?

- Two, please.

Yeah, that's 15.

He's scared.

Who is?

The very nervous boyfriend

behind me.

Is this gonna freak him out?

- We can try our best.

- Good.

I like when it's intense.

Can I get you two to sign this?

How about that?

- You guys have a good time.

- Thank you.

Let's go. You can talk

to your little buddy later.

laughs]

Captain! We have prisoners.

This sucks.

You are about

to witness my ultimate creation.

Time traveling...

The land beyond time.

I am Doctor Gregor Rowaster.

Yes, the Gregor Rowaster.

If you choose to follow me,

you must heed great caution.

- My latest experiments...

- Oh, shit!

Sorry!

Travel in my invisible void

and go deeper...

Hey!

Get off of him! Come on!

He touched first.

We can touch back.

Those are the rules.

He signed the waiver, right?

He knows. He read it.

Yeah?

You're fine.

- Alright. Keep going.

- You guys are fucking wild.

...but they hold great danger

for all of you.

You'll see, should you...

Alright. Thanks, you guys.

Slow down.

Hey. I wanna talk to you.

Shit.

Tam, you didn't see them

having a good time?

- I don't want any part of this.

- You've never made a mistake?

Wait. Where you going?

You can't convince me

to stay this time, Charlie.

- Not worth it.

- Hold on.

- Where are you going?

- I'm done.

I can't spend another minute

with this psycho.

Psycho? Vince?

He's not a psycho, it's Vince.

He tackled another guest.

He signed the waiver.

There's something seriously

wrong with him, Charlie.

I always feel him watching.

And he hurts animals.

Now that, that was one bird,

and he has apologized for it.

Right? He's sorry.

You're sorry, aren't you?

- I'm very sorry.

- See?

He's sorry.

Don't lie to me, Charlie.

What are you doing?

These halls

are the key to my safe return,

but they pose great danger

for all of you.

So I was thinking

if the dad calls the son...

Is everything cool?

Yeah. Yeah, yeah.

Okay.

So, I think if the dad calls

the son at work,

we can't have the son answer.

Why wouldn't he answer?

Maybe he's flirting with a girl.

I like that.

Oh my god, 'cause we have

that new girl at his job,

and we haven't done anything

with her.

Perfect.

Would you write that in?

- Yeah. Let me add stuff.

- Look through everything,

'cause I have notes in there,

like, for the scene over there.

You're quiet.

I guess it was the call.

Got me in my head a little bit.

When are you not

in your head a little bit?

She just gets weird

this time of year.

- We both do.

- Yeah, I bet.

You should visit,

or at least call.

- I haven't seen her in years.

- I think that's more reason.

- I'll go with you!

- Yeah?

Maybe we could do

some writing there.

We can write about

your hometown.

Maybe. There's nothing exciting

happening back there.

It's kind of just a town

you pass through.

Gosh, please!

There's so much.

There's country roads.

There's, like, tons of fields...

It smells burned.

Sorry about that.

Yeah. I'm headed out, Charlie.

Ashley will come switch

with you in a bit.

Don't give this fine gentleman

bad coffee.

We see him too often for that.

Sounds good, Lou.

Hey. You can take

a seat wherever you'd like.

Hey, what can I get

you to drink?

You guys have liquor?

Oh, no. No.

We have hot chocolate, though.

- Best in town.

- Sure. Whatever.

- Do I know you from somewhere?

- I don't think so.

Is it Laura?

- Yeah.

- Yeah, you're Winnie's sister.

How do you know about my sister?

Well, it's Charlie.

We grew up by each other.

Families were friends.

Yeah. Charlie.

You used to come over

all the time.

Sometimes. Might be thinking

of my brother, Vincent.

Yeah. I remember him, too.

You know, you can go.

I'm really not gonna be

good company right now.

No, no. That's not it.

I was just...

now might not be the best time,

but I do wanna talk.

Are you in town much longer?

Maybe we could...

meet up another time?

Maybe.

Yeah.

I can chat now. Yeah.

I got a second.

The drinks. I'll get drinks.

The hot chocolate.

So, you're an actress.

Got out of town,

making movies, getting famous.

That's pretty cool.

Well, gotta have parts

to be an actress.

How did you know that?

Your mom's still in town, so...

I hear things.

Your family used to run

that haunted house, right?

Still do.

At least Vincent and I.

Dad's... dad's gone.

I'm sorry to hear that.

It's alright.

It's not bad

working there either, so...

So is that what you wanna do

for the rest of your life?

Scare the shit out of people?

I'm sorry. I don't know why

I said it like that.

- I told you, I'm shit company.

- No. No, I...

It's not all bad. It beats

working in a cubicle

and I like seeing Vincent happy.

I get it.

My sister loved that place.

She would go over there

all the time,

and I was afraid

to even go past the parking lot.

And she was three years younger.

What does that say?

She got scared, too.

You know?

So, you like,

really knew her then?

Not so well. I mean, how well

can you really

know someone that age?

I think sometimes

I trick myself into thinking

I knew her better

than I really did.

Yeah. I think

I did the same thing.

Like...

I kind of made up that

her favorite food was spaghetti.

It was a weird thought

realizing I'd made it up,

you know, cause I didn't

realize I had for years.

Then... I don't know.

I guess if you go long enough

without someone existing,

you start

to rewrite who they were.

So, you think

I could see the house sometime?

The haunt?

The place is a dump.

You don't wanna go there.

I doubt it.

I've always wanted to see

the behind the scenes

in one of those places.

Well, we're remodeling

at the moment,

but maybe when we're done,

we can...

you can go check it out.

It's okay if I don't, really.

I probably shouldn't be

around people right now.

I think it's more complicated

than that.

I can show you some time.

I do wanna keep hanging out.

Maybe now is just not...

Drinks are on me, okay?

You don't have to do that.

No, it's okay.

You'll get them next time, yeah?

It's Winnie's sister.

I didn't know she was coming.

Laura?

She looks like shit.

She's about to head out.

- So if we can just...

- Excuse me?

Your boss said

you're to take care of me.

You work at that haunted house,

don't you?

It didn't seem so scary to me.

You actually scare people?

Or do you just use that

to get screaming girls in there?

I know

you know what I'm talking about.

Look, I'm here for breakfast,

lunch, and supper,

and you've still barely said

more than a sentence.

Charlie number two.

Good to see you again.

Your brother was just

bringing up my spirits.

Was he now?

Thanks for the cocoa.

Jesus, are there three of you?

I'm sorry, did I scare you?

No, it's okay.

Where you going off to,

so late at night?

I still have to find a motel.

I'm not ready to see my mom yet.

You can come

to the Haunted House.

Now?

Why not?

I mean, it's pretty late.

Charlie made it seem like

it wasn't ready for visitors.

Nonsense.

Don't listen to Charlie.

He doesn't know

what he's talking about.

You come with me,

I'll give you the private tour.

I mean, if it's okay with him.

I don't wanna intrude.

Don't worry about Charlie.

We'll have a good time

and Charlie's gonna love it.

Can I come by tomorrow?

I wouldn't have it

any other way.

Alright, then.

Good seeing you again.

Heed great caution.

My next experiment...

Hey, Vince. What's going on?

You're supposed to scare

in my room.

Vince?

You okay?

Turn it off.

What are you talking about?

These portals

are the key to my safe return.

I said turn it off.

- Can you stop with the mystery?

- Can we have a second?

No. I wanna hear.

I wanna speak

to my brother alone.

It's okay. I got it. Thank you.

So, what is it?

What do you wanna...

What you wanna talk about?

There's a cold breeze

blowing through the town,

and it's got me

feeling inspired.

This is it, Charlie.

This is the sign

we've been waiting for.

Okay, I really don't want

to fight tonight, so...

Fight? I don't wanna fight.

Why'd you think I wanna fight?

if you'd listen to me, Charlie,

I'm saying...

this isn't us.

What we're doing isn't us.

This is the same old stuff.

Old stuff, like...

The same old stuff that's

kept us in business this long?

- That old stuff?

- The same old stuff

that has kept us back from

reaching our full potential.

Okay, so... full potential?

What does that mean to you?

'Cause to me,

it looks like this.

It looks like

we have the only haunt in town

that's been scaring folks

for generations just fine.

You know, if it works, it works.

Amityville.

Now there's a house

that has had its legacy

burned into the ground,

and they didn't have to

waste a dime

on some plastic skeleton

to get there.

We have to bring something new

to the table.

Something personal.

You have to have an edge.

You have to be extreme

to get their attention.

Okay. Let's break it down.

Amityville, that's not a haunt.

That's a crime scene.

You wanna kill a family?

Is that what you mean that

by extreme?

Don't do that.

Don't talk down to me.

I'm talking about legacy,

Charlie,

and what's going to be burned

to the ground after we're gone.

I'm talking about the fact that

you and I could be more

than we are right now.

That if we wanted to,

we could have the whole town

afraid of us.

That's exactly it. I don't want

the whole town afraid of us.

Not more than they already are.

I mean, we got bills to pay.

We're in previews.

We are weeks away

from the most crucial

financial time of the year

for us,

and you wanna pull the plug

before game day?

I mean, it's not...

It's too risky.

What I want

is to know that

we're still in it together.

I think

that you're upset right now.

I do.

You always take these things

too personal.

And I just think that...

if we could just get through

the end of this year,

we can absolutely revisit

this conversation next year.

Please don't do

anything dramatic.

Yeah.

Next year.

Next year. Next... year.

Alright!

Everyone listen up,

because I'm only going

to say it once.

We are closed for the season.

We're done.

And I want everybody

on this property

off in one hour.

You can keep your costumes.

You can leave them.

Frankly, I don't give a shit.

Nothing dramatic.

You got it.

Jesus.

So, Margaret, Laura.

Laura, Margaret.

Sorry. I didn't think

I'd actually get you.

You're good.

You should work here.

- Yeah?

- Yeah.

I think I could do it.

Let's keep going,

but you're walking in front.

So, this is Tom.

He's lovely. He's very...

- Muscular? Yeah.

- Yeah. Yeah.

He's got a brother

somewhere around here,

but I think

he might be in the shop.

For a broken spring,

or something.

Where's the other half?

He's the one that

asked me to come here.

He left a bit earlier,

but he's around.

You don't know where he goes?

No, but I don't think

it's a big deal. I mean...

he just needs to be alone,

I think.

I'm sorry if what I'm about

to say sounds insensitive,

but was this

the last place you saw her?

- Winnie?

- Yeah.

Like this specific spot?

Or, I mean, in the haunt?

- Yeah.

- I saw her in the haunt.

It was right before

they went trick or treating.

You didn't go with them?

No. Like I said,

I don't normally dress up.

And there's a hearse

a little bit farther down,

and that's

where I would hang out.

Can you show me?

It's probably full

of snakes and spiders,

but maybe another time or...

Okay.

What was Winnie's favorite part?

I don't know...

I don't know in the haunt,

but there was a place

a little farther out that way.

And it's not terribly exciting,

but it is

a place we used to go to.

We should go.

- Right now?

- Yeah.

I don't think

Vince is going to like it

if he comes back

and I'm not here.

Who cares? You'll be with me.

Okay. Yeah.

As long as we don't take long.

That should be fine.

Should be.

The fuck do you want?

Take the truck! Go!

Just take it!

Just please...

please just don't...

Sorry about all the glass

and profanity on the ground.

You come here often?

Not so much anymore.

Used to be a bit of a retreat.

I wish I could say

we would read and

talk about our feelings,

but I think we liked watching

stuff fly off the bridge.

Winnie came with you?

Most of the time.

So you guys were friends?

I never said

we weren't friends.

We were just...

I knew her as well as you could

know someone at that age.

Did you have a crush on her?

- Come on. You can tell me.

- Did she tell you that?

'Cause...

I knew you guys were close.

Yeah, I wish.

It's not that we weren't close.

It's just that she was my sister

and I thought

she'd always be there.

You know, I thought I had time

to not care about her.

To be annoyed by her.

I lost someone else recently.

Not that Winnie's dead.

I mean, she probably is,

but this other person,

my friend,

she's... yeah.

She's definitely gone.

It already feels like

that's the way it's always been.

Like, of course that happened.

I've got bad luck in my bones.

It follows me around

like a dark cloud.

You still wanna be around me?

Yeah.

Yeah. I got bad luck, too.

I think it actually

cancels each other out,

- so we'll be okay.

- Really?

Yeah. I mean, I got a dead mom.

- Got an alcoholic dad.

- I got a dead dad.

Dead sister. Missing. Whatever.

I'm in debt. In my home town.

Left my home. Left my new home.

Came back. Still in debt.

Totally lost.

- Single.

I've had three dogs,

and they've all run away

in the same year

of getting them.

You have some good luck, too.

I mean, you've got a brother

that cares about you.

You've got another half, even if

he's a bit of a character.

Yeah, character. He...

He's a good guy.

Look, I know he's intense,

but it's all part of the act.

He's all...

he's all veins on the outside.

He lets things get to him.

But he's protective.

And he's passionate.

You know, he loves what he does.

He's good at what he does.

he pushes me to be better.

It's exciting.

Do you think he's dangerous?

No.

No, just... protective.

Passionate.

Charlie?

Where's the audition at?

Welcome.

Head down there.

You're gonna park on your left

and then meet us at the stage.

Sounds good.

Thought you guys

canceled the haunt?

Thought we did, too. What's up?

We're opening back up.

Old faces were getting tiresome

and we could use

some new, fresh ones.

We closed earlier today.

That was before.

There's been a change of plans.

No time to dally on the details.

We have work to do,

and we are weeks away

from Halloween.

Laura, would you like

to stay and watch?

Yeah. I guess I could stay

for a little bit.

I should really

see my mom tonight, though.

No, it's fine.

She'll be there tomorrow

and you're gonna wanna see this.

Your sister,

she loved the auditions.

Yeah, I'll stay. Sure.

Are they weird?

Yeah. It's weird.

Would you mind waiting for us

at the stage?

Thank you.

What? What I do?

Change is in the air, Charlie.

In your hand is a cup.

And in that cup is poison.

Take a sip, say your name,

and your greatest fear.

Grimes.

Spiders.

You can feel the poison

moving down your throat,

rotting everything it touches.

It gets hard to think.

Hard to breathe,

hard to keep your eyes open.

Pass the cup.

Jade Spellman.

Small spaces.

You feel the poison

moving down your throat,

rotting everything it touches.

It gets hard to think.

Hard to breath.

Hard to keep your eyes open.

Pass the cup.

Take a sip.

Jack Carpenter.

Needles.

You can feel the poison

moving down your throat,

rotting everything it touches.

It's getting hard to think.

Hard to breathe.

Hard to keep your eyes open.

You can feel

your heart start again,

but it's not the same as before.

It is something different.

It is unholy, broken, lost.

Now, rise, and let the poison

dictate your actions.

Your body is a shell.

You are nothing more

than little, pink insides.

And you have no control

over what your shell does.

You have no control

over what your body does.

No control over what you are.

Now you're an animal.

Alright, now stop.

Stop, that's enough.

That's enough.

You...

you can go.

Animal killer.

What did you say?

I said that guy kills animals.

And I bet you do, too.

Bunch of fucking psychos.

Charlie?

Can you take these two

to get their paperwork done?

Thank you.

Sorry, man.

I shouldn't have yelled.

I've had a really

shitty birthday.

It's been.

You can't talk

to my brother that way.

I don't know, man.

It's my birthday.

Give me a role.

I'll do whatever you want, man.

I'll be a zombie.

A ballerina.

Wait right here.

See if we can

find you something.

Okay. Cool.

Thanks so much.

I see you found the make-up.

I hope that's okay.

I'm sorry

you had to hear that out there.

He was just saying shit, right?

Mostly rumored.

I have killed an animal once.

You kill one bird

and nobody ever

lets you forget it.

I mean, hunters aren't held

to the same type of scrutiny.

But yes, I killed an owl.

One owl.

I was in the haunt,

and the owl had gotten stuck

in the labyrinth.

Unable to escape.

And so I went outside

and I got a big stick,

so that I could help

the little guy.

But I helped a little too hard,

and I knocked him to the ground.

And I watched...

as the owl laid on its back,

flapping its wings desperately

trying to get up.

And so I did the merciful thing,

and I took that stick...

and I shoved it

through the center of its body.

And I have seen death before,

but I have never

seen it like that.

Never so intimately.

And later that night,

I was going through the haunt,

and I heard it.

I heard the owl...

call my name.

Gotta keep up

the image, I guess.

What?

The whole haunted house,

"I'm a spooky guy" image.

I like what I do.

I can relate.

I was working on a horror film

before I came here.

That's right.

Charlie told me.

The actress. Yeah.

But who are you?

Who are you but an apparition?

The girl that used to live here,

that used to have friends.

The girl

that used to have a sister.

There it is again.

Always on the job.

Definitely admirable.

Well if you like that,

you should come to my new haunt.

I'm opening it soon.

I think you'd like it.

And if nothing else,

it will shake you loose.

Not really my scene.

Well, while you are in town,

which I've been led to believe

will not be long,

maybe you can refrain

from harassing Charlie.

I haven't harassed Charlie.

He is a sensitive boy,

and he does not need some girl

poking and probing

about the past.

He's not a baby, Vincent.

And I'm not probing.

He doesn't wanna be here,

you know?

He has his own dreams.

And sooner or later,

you're gonna have to let him go.

No.

No, he's not going anywhere,

and he knows that.

And why is that?

Because he knows

that if he goes...

I will haunt him

until the day he dies.

And then some.

Hey, you guys coming out?

Hey there, Charlie.

Hey.

Everyone's waiting.

What you wanna tell them?

I'll come out in a moment.

You didn't tell me your friend

Laura here is a real artist.

She can speak for herself, so...

Yeah.

Well, she doesn't scare easy

either, so...

I'm gonna have to try

a little harder.

You okay?

I'm sorry about whatever

he said to you.

Wanna get drunk

and go for a bike ride?

What are you

still doing here?

You said you might

have another role for me.

No.

Go home.

Happy birthday.

Fuck that guy.

Fuck that guy!

Surprise!

Who's that guy?

Oh, my God! Oh, my God!

Oh, my God!

Did you ever play at this park

when you were little?

Oh, yeah.

All the time.

I had my first kiss

in those woods back there.

Tristan Summers.

It was a dare, so I don't

know if it really counts.

I think that counts.

I think a dare counts, right?

Where was your first kiss?

Probably somewhere

around here, right?

I don't remember.

Who doesn't remember

their first kiss?

Well, to be fair,

I'm sure it was

incredibly underwhelming.

I smoked weed

for the first time here, too.

Okay. Okay.

I guess the better question is

what haven't you done here?

A lot of stuff.

Was it

something like...

"Hey, Tristan.

I dare you to kiss me."

"Okay, Laura.

But only because it's a dare,

and it doesn't count."

I mean, it was true love, right?

Not really.

We never talked again.

The last I heard, he was in jail

for selling drugs to kids.

But you're not like...

- waiting for him or something?

- No. Not that I know of.

Cool. Cool.

Can I tell you a secret?

Oh, yeah.

When I was younger, I used

to hate this side of my face.

And I would hide it

from pictures, and I would...

you know,

pull my hair down

to try and cover it up.

I don't know why I did that.

I mean, I...

if it helps,

I like both sides of your face.

That's the nicest and weirdest

thing anyone's said in a while.

- Can I tell you a secret?

- Yeah.

I actually got this

from your sister.

She came by the night

that she disappeared,

and gave it to me,

and I was gonna tell you,

I just never thought...

it was the right time.

It felt weird and I knew that...

you wouldn't like me afterwards.

And I want to preface it

with I'm sorry.

What are you talking about?

I'm sorry.

I don't mean to freak you out.

I...

okay.

- Well you can't not tell me now.

- No, I...

- You have to tell me.

- I promised I wouldn't, but I...

I...

I loved your sister...

a lot.

Well, at least

I think I loved her,

and she came by

after trick or treating.

She came to the haunt

to see me and give me the watch,

and I should

have stayed with her that night.

Had I stayed with her,

she'd probably still be here.

- What?

- I'm sorry.

Who told you

not to say anything?

- Nobody.

- Was it Vincent?

What did he do?

Why is everything

Vincent's fault?

This was a mistake.

Coming here was a mistake.

- Wait. I'm sorry.

- I have to go.

Hold on,

I'm not finished. I still...

Laura?

What are you doing here

in the middle of the night?

Hey, Mom.

What's wrong?

I'd come visit more often.

I would.

It's just, you know, I...

had a lot going on.

I've been busy.

Yeah, I know.

Well, come on in.

You're letting in all the cold.

So, you talked to dad recently?

No.

- You?

- Nope.

When did you get in to town?

A couple of days ago.

Oh.

I was always gonna come here.

Actually,

that's the reason I came down.

It was just hard.

And I got distracted.

I was hanging out

with the haunted house twins.

It's been a minute

since I thought about them.

Are they well?

Yeah, they're okay.

They're weird.

They always have been.

Their dad was a bit

of an oddball, too.

Never did like that place.

I don't know

what your sister saw in it.

Yeah.

I went through it once.

After your sister...

I don't know. I guess I just...

I don't know. Thought there'd be

some kind of connection to her.

It's stupid, huh?

No, it's not.

My friend died.

I'm sorry to hear that.

She was my best friend,

actually.

Everything was going great.

We were living together

and we were working on a movie.

And then, she just...

there was a car wreck.

That's such a waste.

Life can be cruel

like that sometimes.

I left everything behind.

I left the movie. I left my job.

And I don't know what to do.

You know? Everything blew up.

And I don't know what to do.

I just knew I had to come home.

I had to see you,

and I wish I could see dad,

and I wish I could see Winnie.

Honey.

It's okay. It's okay.

Her room's the exact same

as when she left it.

I think she'll appreciate that

when she comes back.

It's probably stupid

to hold hope like that, but...

bigger miracles

have happened before.

I think

she'll appreciate it, Mom.

I always try to imagine

what she'd look like now.

I don't know

if I'd recognize her in a crowd.

She'd be so different.

I don't even know

if she'd recognize me.

Where are you staying?

The old motel off Robin Trail.

Don't be silly.

Stay here tonight.

I'll go fix up

the guest room for you.

Okay.

Don't move.

I won't.

Do you know what

you're gonna be for Halloween?

I don't wanna dress up.

Why not?

I just don't.

Well, I'm going as a witch,

and I think you should go

as a possessed girl.

Like The Exorcist.

Who let you watch The Exorcist?

Nobody.

I watched dad's copy.

So, I get to be

the gross vomit girl,

and you get to be

the cute witch?

Fine, we can switch.

It's okay. I don't wanna switch.

Don't move!

You gonna drink it

or just study it?

You think I'm a bad person, Lou?

No, you're not a bad kid.

Trust me.

I know what that looks like.

Plus, you drink hot chocolate.

Bad people drink

hot chocolate, too.

No.

They don't.

They don't let their brothers

pick on them all the time.

This doesn't have anything

to do with him, does it?

He isn't getting you

into any trouble?

No, he didn't do anything.

It's not his fault. It's not.

Hey, guys.

Usual?

Yes, ma'am.

How's it taste, pumpkin?

It's alright.

Where's your creepy

little brother at?

What?

I think... I think...

you got me confused

- with someone else.

- No, I don't think so.

Let's go outside.

I don't want any trouble.

Come on, guys.

Don't you have anything

better to do?

The kid's had a rough night.

A rough night?

What's the matter?

Girl troubles?

I don't wanna go outside so...

Charlie!

Stay out of our business

if you know what's good for you.

Wait, wait,

wait, wait, wait!

We can talk about it!

Help!

Quit whining.

At least your brother

was a fighter.

Leave him alone!

The police are on the way.

You just stay right there.

We're leaving.

Yeah, yeah.

We're leaving. We're leaving.

Charlie?

Charlie, are you okay?

Charlie?

What they do to you?

Charlie, you're gonna be okay.

Hang in there.

Hey, you ready?

Give me a minute.

Hey, Laura.

It's Charlie.

You don't have to call me back.

I just wanna say I've been in

the hospital for a bit.

I'm not sure

if your mom told you,

but it was pretty bad.

Well, I'm out now, and...

if you're still in town,

I'd love to see you.

Come by the haunt later.

You won't ever have to worry

about that guy again, Charlie.

I took care of it.

And I'm gonna keep

taking care of us

as long

as you stick with me, yeah?

We can go back to that

good old stuff you like,

but better.

Charlie!

You're mad at me, Charlie.

I can see it!

I can see it all over your face.

I can feel it!

What do you want from me?

You wanna come over here,

and rip open those bandages

and scream at me?

Because I would love to see it.

All we need is some change.

Yeah, some closure.

I can give that to us.

Not next year.

Tonight.

Charlie was in the hospital?

Why didn't you tell me?

He called me earlier.

I'm here to see him.

Okay.

Vincent,

I don't want any trouble.

He told me everything,

but I'm not gonna say anything.

Just please let me see him.

Please?

Of course.

He's right inside.

My mom knows I'm here.

She's expecting me back soon.

Charlie?

That was good.

You got me.

But I don't wanna go through

this stupid haunt, Vincent.

Hey, man.

How do I get out of here?

Super helpful. Thank you.

Charlie?

Please!

Help me!

Is that the best you got?

Almost looks real.

I wanna show you something.

Fuck you.

That's not funny.

It's not her.

- No! No.

- Let's take a closer look.

No!

No! Please!

No!

Hey, Charlie.

I'm taking care of it.

I got this. I did it.

You don't have to do a thing.

All you have to do

is not tell anyone.

Don't tell anyone,

and we're gonna be okay.

Yeah?

- Help! Help!

- What?

What are you...

are you mad at me? I...

I...

I did it for us.

I mean, we can go back.

- We can fix things.

- Help! Help!

I can take care of us.

Charlie. Charlie,

we're almost there.

You just gotta not tell anyone.

And I'm gonna fix it.

I'm gonna fix it.

- Yeah?

- Is she okay?

Give us a minute!

Do you hate me?

I'm doing the best

I can, Charlie.

I'm doing it for us, you know?

I mean...

you wanna hurt me?

Do you care

about her more than me?

Do you wanna go to the police?

'Cause I won't be mad.

I'm really not mad

at you, Charlie.

Just you...

you just gotta tell me

what you want, huh?

Tell me what you want, Charlie!

Tell me what you want.

Tell me what you want,

and I'll do it.

And I'll do it.

Okay.

It was a good...

scare though, right?

That was the last time

I saw you.

I can still feel you watching.

I can always feel you there.

Just out of view.

Out of sight in the shadows.

I imagine you

sitting alone, or...

standing in a crowd.

Always nearby.

Always out of view.

Do you remember what dad

used to say to the guests?

"Tell me,

with some tender sentiment,

the first time you looked out

a dark window and wondered

what could be looking

back at you.

If you remember

the heartbreak you felt

when you first learned

that live and love

are fragile things.

If you've ever been enchanted

by the night.

And if, in addition,

to experiencing

one of these priceless

sensations,

you carry around

a chill in your bones

you've never been

quite able to shake.

Turn around now,

for this

may be too much for you."

I know you remember.

I can see you there.

I can feel you there.

And I know you're waiting.

Waiting for the right moment

to pop out and frighten me

for the delight of it.

Autumn Road (2021) - full transcript