Repentance (2013) - full transcript

( laughing ) Hey, boy.
Hey. Hey, look.

Look what?

Hey.

Hey, you better chill.

-Hey, hey. Shit, nigga.
-Whoa-ho!

( Tires squealing )

Whoa. Stop putting
your hands up.

Whoa. Whoa.
This is a bridge.

Hold on. Hold on.

Shit.

Tommy?



Tommy, come on, man.
Wake up, bro.

Tommy, we hit somebody.
Damn.

Come on. We gotta get
the fuck out of here.

Speaker: Every once
in a proverbial blue moon

we stumble across an author

who may verily change our lives.

Someone from we
know not from where,

perhaps even
Dante's own paradise,

who assembles the words
that we must read and hear.

None of your
scribbler of syntax,

but a heavenly scribe
of powerful ideas.

An absolute and true author.

Ladies and gentleman, I
present to you Thomas Carter.

We can do better
than that for Thomas.



You're welcome.

Woman: May I ask you about
your near death experience?

Did you see a white light?

No. Nothing like that.

What did happen?

Well, that's for the next book.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Could you make this out

to Angel, please?

- Sure.
- Thank you.

You've read this a lot.

Yeah.

"It's better to light a candle
than to curse the darkness."

Why did you write that quote?

Well, it harkens
back to a wise proverb.

"Self-doubt can be a demon."

I try to warn people
to be mindful

of the difference between what's
harmful and what's reflective.

Do you do one-on-one sessions?

No. Sorry, not anymore.

But I can refer you elsewhere.

If you change your mind,

I could pay your fee.

Thank you, Mr. Sanchez.

What issue exactly did
the book help you overcome?

The death of my mom.

I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to pry.

I keep seeing her.

What do you mean by that?

I see her in all
these different places.

I know that's not possible.
I know it's not true.

But I keep seeing her
in these different places.

Was she a good mother?

She was heaven.

Then she will be reborn.

And she's at peace.

It's her karma.

Thank you. Thank you.

News anchor: ...showers and
thunderstorms expected

to continue into
tomorrow morning.

Rain tapering off
tomorrow afternoon,

followed by partial
clearing and a high of...

What exactly is a praline?

It's good.

Your editor called.

I told him we can't
do the on the road

part of the tour until
after Memorial Day.

It's just weird, you know?

I mean what am I supposed to do?

Sign my signature
and take pictures?

Don't do that.

People love meeting authors.

You're like
a literary rock star.

Maybe you'll have
some cute groupies.

I already have a cute groupie.

Yes, you do.

I'll throw my panties at you.

( laughs )

( laughs )

You left the window open.

Tommy: It's okay, baby,
it's just getting a breeze.

I think I heard something.

What?

You just heard the wind.
It's okay.

( Yelling )

( Maggie screaming )

- ( laughing )
- ( screaming )

- What's up, little brother?
- What the fuck!

Jesus Christ!

What up, punk!

What the fuck are you doing?

Man! What's up, man?
Just rode in on the bike, man.

Just come home
from the county, baby.

You know I had to come and see
you. Getting that money now, baby.

You scared the hell out of me.

Don't I always?

What?

Where have you been?

Mom and Dad haven't
talked to you in almost a year.

They ain't exactly
talking to me right now,

man, since I come
home from the county.

You couldn't call nobody?

It's the middle of the night.

I got to call you?
You're my brother.

Yeah.

Y'all are looking at me
like I'm a ghost or something.

It's me, baby.

You got a beer or
something in there?

In the fridge.

Really?

I'm sorry.

He can't stay here.

I know.
Just, all right...

- He can't stay here.
- Look. All right.

Let me talk to him.

Tommy: Now meditation
is very calming

if you stay quiet
within yourself.

Close your eyes and
breathe in through

your nose and out
through your mouth.

Boy: Look,
she can't do it.

This is weird. Why
do people do this?

Think about it like
looking into a mirror.

Okay? Now close your eyes.

Take a deep breath
in through your nose

and out through your mouth.
( exhales )

Do you see your reflection?

Do you see your hair?
See your smile?

And if you look really,
really close,

you can see much more.

Excellent metaphor.

All right, guys.

That was a great class.
Thank you.

Good job!

Now who thinks she is the
bestest teacher in the world?

Raise your hands.

Who thinks our guest today
is a bit on the lame side?

( Chuckles )

Keep your hands up if you
still think she's beautiful.

Do you and Miss Carter kiss?

Hey!

Everyone say a big thank you to
Mr. Carter for speaking to us today.

Kids: Thank you.

And thank you guys for coming.

Give yourselves
a round of applause.

Good job.

See you all next week.

Hey, you did a good job today.

What's your name?

Francesca Sanchez.

I'm eight.

Who is coming to pick you up,
your mom or your dad?

My mother and father
aren't together anymore.

Oh.

I'm sorry.

Guess what I do for a living?

I'm a life coach.

That means I help adults
with their problems.

And a big part of my
job is keeping secrets.

So if there is
something you want to say,

I won't tell anybody.

Really?

Cross my heart and promise.

Francesca.

Let's go.

Francesca: Hey, Dad.

Hey. Did you have fun?

Yeah.

What are you looking for?

Where's the coins
Granddaddy left for both of us?

Why?

Where's the fucking coins?

What happened?

I got beat the fuck up.
What it look like happened?

By who?

Just, where's the
fucking coins at, man?

How much?

I need 12G's.

$12,000!

I got jumped on, man.

I was hanging out with Crystal

and some niggas from the
Ninth Ward jumped on me.

I'm gonna kill them bitches.

They some dead
motherfuckers, man.

People were after you.

Why didn't you tell me?

I'm a grown-ass man, man.

They got a bounty on
my head for 12K, bro.

I've been sleeping
on park benches.

I've been sleeping
in the trunks of cars.

I've been trying
to survive, man.

'Cause they gonna
kill a nigga, man.

I don't got $12,000.

You got a book deal.

That was an advance.
That was nothing.

You owe me, man.

What is that supposed to mean?

You fucking owe me.

I read about your memoirs.

I read about your
near death experiences.

And you left out one
thing, Tommy baby.

I was there with you.

I was with you.

That story was meant to
illuminate a changing point in my life.

That's bullshit, man.
You lying.

You lying.

And the truth ain't in you.

But you ain't got to worry.

'Cause I ain't gonna
tell your secret.

I'm gonna die with it, bro.

Got us a bottle of Barolo.
It's some fancy stuff.

Have a good night
with your wife, man.

( Door slams )

What was that?

Nothing.

What?

Don't worry about it.
Hey.

( Phone line ringing )

- Man: Hello, Meyer.
- Hello.

Mr. Meyer, hi.
It's Thomas Carter.

Um...

I was wondering...

I was wondering if I could
get some more money?

I could add a couple more
stops on your book tour,

but you would have
to leave this Friday.

Okay. All right.
Okay. All right.

- How about Chicago?
- Book it.

Consider it done.
See you Friday.

Thank you, Mr. Meyer.

( Knocking ) Hello?

( Knocking )

( Knocking continues )

What are you doing?

Looks like you hit a sewer pipe.

Me and my wife, my ex-wife,
we bought this place together.

But I just haven't been able
to bring myself to finish it up.

It's big.

You think about ever selling it?

I gotta finish it up before
I can put it on the market.

I figure you're too busy
for a simple guy like me.

You say you don't do any
private sessions anymore, right?

It seems like you were in need,

so I figured I'd
reach out to you.

How much lithium you taking?

Side effects are debilitating.

The ataxia must be
affecting your work.

Blurred vision.

Lack of sleep.

Look, I saw my fair share
when I was a therapist.

Are you bipolar as well?

Don't worry about me.

I believe in confidentiality.
I'm like a vault.

It's a struggle.

I'm not gonna lie,
it's a struggle.

May I speak frankly with you?

I don't think renovations are
keeping you from selling this house.

You want your family home.

Your center.

You keep it dark
on purpose. Right?

Your denial is so deep.

And you don't know why.

Can you help me?

Well, my rate's $300 an hour.

And we can start today.

I'm gonna wash my hands up
and I'll be back out.

All right.

Tommy: You're self-conscious.

You're a man who does not
like to admit his faults.

But I want you to be
pure with me, Angel.

Tell me your deepest,
darkest thoughts.

Breathe.

( Sighs )

Breathe.
Take a deep breath.

( Both inhaling )

( Both exhaling )

Gautama Buddha,

in the mist of his meditation,

was assailed with doubt.

Christ on the cross
said, "Father",

"why has thou forsaken me."

Doubt.

( Inhales deeply )

Breathe and release your doubt

and feel the pulse of the trees.

It's good.

Listen to the earth, Angel.

Feel the pulse of the trees.

Good.

( Rustling )

What was that?

You didn't see anything?

No. I'm sorry.
Angel, now where were we?

We're done.

- Wait. What? Wait.
- You don't get it.

My thoughts are running
through my mind so fast,

it's like channels
that just keep switching.

I can't just stop them
'cause you want them to relax.

It doesn't just go away
because you tell them to.

What happened to your mother?

What's that got to
do with anything?

Angel, how did she die?

I can't do this with you.

- No, I can't do this.
- Angel.

Wait, no.
Look, I have an idea.

Um...

Drugs don't cure pain,
they just mask it.

I have an idea, but I need your
mind to be clear for it to work.

I can't do it.

Please.

Angel, please.

Thank you.

I trust you.

( Phone ringing )

- Hello?
- Maggie: Hey, honey.

- Just wondering where you're at.
- Uh...

Yeah, I just had a business
thing I had to take care of.

I've been trying to call you

and your phone kept
going to voicemail.

I don't...

Look, sweetie,

I took a wrong turn
off the interstate

into the wetlands
somewhere, so...

Well, your dinner is cold, but
it's here when you get here.

Okay. All right, okay.

- Love your face.
- Love you, too.

Bye.

What's wrong?

Who were you with?

I was with a new patient.

You working with clients again?

It's Angel Sanchez,
Francesca's father.

I know you think
it's a bad idea,

but it's something I have to do.

Don't ask. I just
got to do it, okay?

Trust me.

I want Ben out the house.

Okay.

Okay. He's been on
the couch for too long.

- I just want him out.
- Okay.

I'll talk to him tomorrow.

Tommy: What are you
scared of, Angel?

I just don't see the point
of being out here.

We must face your
fears head on, Angel.

I'm not afraid of the water.

I'm not.
I'm afraid of the river.

( Chuckles )

When was the last
time you smiled?

I don't know.

Huh?

Whoa.

Oh?

Did I scare you?

Huh?

Tell me, Angel.

Be honest, Angel. Huh?

Be verbal. Come on.

You don't want to know
what I'm thinking.

Look, as ridiculous as it
might seem, just be honest!

It's a boat, Angel.
Smile! Try smiling!

( laughing )

Look, I know
the distress you feel.

Don't hold it in. Release
it. Toss it out, Angel.

( Inhaling )

- Breathe, Angel. Yeah.
- ( exhales )

Breathe, Angel.

- ( laughing )
- Huh?

- Breathe.
- ( Inhales )

( laughing )

Are you mocking me?

What are we doing?

They took my mom
before her time.

I'm all fucked up.

I'm empty inside.

I didn't pay you
to bring me out here.

I didn't pay you
for no boat rides.

I paid you to
get rid of my pain.

All right, Angel.

All right.

Which one is hers?

This one at the end.
This one.

How do you feel, Angel?

You have to speak
to your mother.

Talk to her. Open up.

Breathe, Angel.

Then what? These memories are
not just gonna go away just 'cause...

Repeat after me.

Talk to her.

Mom, I miss you.

Mom, I miss you.

I love you so much.

I love you so much.

I can't figure out
a way to let you go.

I can't figure out
a way to let you go.

And that is selfish of me.

Breathe, Angel.

I can't.

And that is selfish of me.

I can't.

I can't.

( Moaning )

( Thunder rumbling )

Tommy: Angel, could you
lead everyone in please?

We're here to invite Angel's
mother in one last time,

for one last visit, then
she will be free to move on.

Angel, sit there.

Woman: Those were
her favorite.

Where do you want it?

- There is fine.
- Okay.

We've prepared this
meal for nourishment,

for Angel's mother,
for her journey home.

Daddy, I'm scared.

It's okay, Franny.

I'm not gonna let anything
happen to you, okay?

Tommy: Nothing is gonna
happen, Francesca.

We're just here to
help your daddy, okay?

You know what?
Jessica.

Jessica: Yes?

Can you take Francesca
into the kitchen with you?

- Sure.
- Thank you.

I don't know about all this.

The boy is just sad
'cause his mama passed.

This isn't as much a ritual

as it is a way to help Angel
let go of his mother.

I'm glad you said that 'cause
this is a Christian house.

For the purposes we're here,

you can think of this
as a therapy session.

I wanted Angel's relatives here

because you share
the same blood as him.

There's not too much you
can't accomplish as a family.

And together you can pray to your
ancestors to guide Angel's mother.

And then we can rejoice
in our transformation.

For your ancestors.

I give them fresh water
to clear their path.

Angel, can you give me names of
relatives who have passed away?

My dad.

Fred Sanchez.

Uncle Charles.

My Aunt Jane.

Maurice.

My cousin.
My cousin Edward.

Tommy: Let's ask them

to meet your mother

and help her on her path

to heaven.

Shall we pray?

Do you have your wishes?

- Yeah.
- Put them in the fire.

Okay?

Come with me.

Sit here.

Angel,

let's pray that your mother
moves into the next life.

With all your family here,
let's ask her to move on.

Let's pray

that she will go
into the afterlife.

She leaves you

with nothing but her love.

You won't hold
her here any longer.

All the sorrow is
being washed away.

She's gone, Angel.

She's gone to
continue her journey.

She's free.

That leaves you with
nothing but her love.

Open your eyes.

Mama.

She's here.

She's still here.

You mean, you feel her presence?

No, no. She's standing.

She's standing right there.

Something's wrong with him.

There's nothing wrong with me.

I'm not sick.
I'm not crazy.

She's here.

Tommy: She's gone
into the next life.

She's gone.

Get out! Go!

Go! Get out
of the house!

Go!

Angel, I don't think
you understand.

You gotta go.

- You gotta go.
- Okay.

You gotta go.

Get out.

( Phone ringing )

( Ringing stops )

Hey, here.

Fuck that.
I'm cool.

It's cash.
It'll get you out of it.

Take it.

You think that little shit
you doing is something?

- Are you serious?
- Yeah.

I rearranged my
entire life for this.

I just came home
from the pen, bro.

Working for 35 cents a day.

And I'll go work
for $5 an hour, man.

Fuck your money, bro.

What the hell are
you talking about?

You said you were in trouble
and they were gonna hurt you.

I bought three weeks
with them dudes, man.

Your money don't
mean shit to me, bro.

You got a problem with me?

Yeah, you can't buy me.

I been knowing her.
I introduced you to her.

She wasn't nothing
but a little old bartender.

You had the college
degree, you had the money.

You chose her.

And she chose you, over me, bro.

Now you acting all high and
mighty and fancy and all that.

'Cause you some kind of little
therapist and some shit like that.

And people think you're pure.

But, nigga, I know you.

You ain't shit, nigga.

Go look in the fucking mirror.

Oh, yeah, here's your cut of
Granddaddy's coin collection.

You were giving him money?

Is Ben the reason you
started taking clients again?

The father of that girl
in my yoga class, for him?

My brother's gone.
I hope you're happy.

I got to go pack for my trip.

Tommy?

( Sighs )

( Alarm beeps )

( Grunts )

Are you serious?

( Engine starts )

( Knocking on door )

You came.

I made us some dinner.

What do you think of the place?

- Nice.
- It's nice, right?

Yeah. It's nice.

It's been so energized
ever since your visit.

I was cleaning. I've
been cleaning all day long.

I feel so good.

Listen, Angel, um...

I'm afraid I can't
continue our sessions.

But I paid you already.

Full refund.

I don't understand.

I wanted to tell you in person.

I'm leaving town.

- For how long?
- A few weeks.

That's fine.
A couple weeks is nothing.

But I think you still

should speak with someone.

Just to help you
keep that balance.

You know?

So I wrote down some of my
colleagues' names and numbers for you.

For you to contact.

You don't understand.

See, my little girl
is coming over

and my wife, Sophie,
she's coming with her.

I was thinking that
you could meet her

and you would be
able to tell her

that I'm getting better
and that you've worked it out.

That we've worked it out,
that you've fixed things.

Angel.

Fixed.

Another time.

How about you just
stay for a drink?

Just a drink?

I can't. Thank you.

I understand.

You got important places to be.

I don't mean to bother you.

Thanks for coming
in the first place.

One last hug?

Well, I hope that your journey

brings you to
where you need to go.

You, too.

( Grunts )

She says you can't leave.

What is this?

Angel?

Where am I?

Shh!

- ( Breathing rapidly )
- Shh!

Angel! ( Grunts )

Angel!

( Yelling )

( Sobbing ) Angel.

Answer me.

You hear me? Huh?

What are you doing?

Angel. No. No.

( Muffled grunting )

Ahh!

( Moaning )

Angel!

Angel!

( Door opens )

Franny, stay up there.

What are you doing down there?

Stay up there. All right?

I had a bad dream.

Oh?

Okay. I'll come up,
all right?

I'll be right there.

Close that door
for me, all right?

( Door opens )

Tommy: Angel,
look, why am I...

Why am I here?
What are you doing?

Where am I?

All right.
Listen carefully, okay?

I've been gone a whole
night, all right?

Sooner or later my wife
is gonna figure out

something is wrong. Right?

You know what she's gonna do?
She's gonna call the police.

And you know what
that means? Cops.

They're gonna come here, they're
gonna see what you're doing to me,

and they are gonna arrest you.

Angel, everybody,
your whole family, your wife,

everybody's gonna
be heartbroken.

You're never gonna see
your daughter again.

Is that what you want,
Angel? Huh?

- Is that what you want?
- Have some cleanser.

( Sputtering )

Keep your mouth closed.
Keep your mouth closed.

Keep your mouth closed.

( Spitting )

Cleanse away your soul.

( Sputtering )

( Moaning )

How long do you think
you can keep me here?

You made this up, not me.

Help!

( Sobbing )

Help!

Can anybody hear me?

( Screaming )

Can anybody hear me?

Can anybody hear me?

Can anybody hear me?

( Sobbing )

You know, the people
who designed this house,

they're quacks.

It's a bomb shelter.

You remember when
people used to be,

like, afraid of the Russians?

It sounds crazy now,
but remember, Russians?

Is anybody out there?

Help!

Can you hear me?

( Wailing )

( Moans )

Maybe you should
yell to Mr. Yang.

Mr. Yang!

Mr. Yang!

That's my neighbors.
They live right next door.

- ( Moans ) - They're not
here right now, though.

They had to go to
their son's graduation.

I sent them...
I sent them a card.

Angel... ( gasping )

Let me go.

- Uh...
- ( Tommy moans )

- I can't.
- ( sobbing )

Want to tell me
what you're feeling?

Why?

Because this lack of reason
is not you, Angel.

It comes from a place
of confusion inside.

- Really?
- Yeah, yeah.

This state of mind is strong.

It's toxic.

Makes you feel like
you've split. Huh?

One side is making
the other side

question your basic humanity.

Right? But look,

don't blame yourself. Huh?

Don't blame yourself.
It's not you. Okay?

Look at me.

Look at me.

I'm not crazy!

Then why am I tied up, Angel?

To tell the truth.

( Sobs )

It's that simple.

You can trust me.
I value privacy.

I'm like a vault.

Tell me all your secrets

and I'll let you go.

( Straining )

Who taught you that?

I got to see this through.

You got to see what through?

Look, our decisions
make our paths.

Don't make bad decisions.

Angel, look,

think about what this
will mean in your next life.

You are so smooth. Do you
know that? You are so smooth.

Do you even believe the things
that you say? Do you believe them?

You didn't want to
be alone. I get that.

But this isn't the correct
way to handle this, Angel.

You think this is because I'm
lonely? Is that what you think?

( Moaning )

You'd rather believe that
there's something wrong with me.

You think that I'm losing my
mind, that I can't think straight.

I was mistaken. I'm sorry. I
was wrong. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I'm not gonna let
you infect my ideas.

I'm not gonna let you
get inside of my mind.

( Whimpering )

Wake up!

Wake up!

Wake up, Tommy!

( Groaning )

Are you ready?

No, Angel. Angel, don't.

Whatever you're thinking,
don't do it, Angel.

I was just trying to help,
Angel. I was just trying to help.

( Gasping )

I'm sorry!

( Tommy moaning )

Bring forth that
which is within you.

Tommy: Ahh!

That which is within you,
will save you.

( Screaming )

( Moaning in agony )

( Moaning )

- ( Moans )
- ( door opening )

( Phone ringing )

Hello?

Maggie, it's Meyer.
Where's Tommy?

Isn't he with you?

No, no, no, he flew off alone.

I'm supposed to meet him later.

He missed his book signing.

- What?
- Yes.

Are you sure he has his dates
right? Have you heard from him?

I got a text from him,
he said he was okay.

Well, just sit tight.
We'll track him down.

Have him call me when
he gets to Chicago. Good?

Yeah, I will.

I have a confession.

This house used to be happy.

Once.

- ( Singing )
- ( banging piano keys )

Water.

I need water.

( Tommy gasping )

You know, I read this, you know.

( Gasping and moaning )

It opened something in me
that I thought was lost.

How to channel optimism.

( Whispers )
How to channel optimism.

I can't feel anything.

Angel: To be optimistic.

It says here,

"If we aren't positive, it will
show and we will flounder."

"Flounder."
That's a great word.

Why are you
keeping me here, huh?

Are you ready to
embrace your words?

What do you want?

Are you ready to go on a
journey of healing with me?

- There's stages.
- ( slapping book )

There's stages.
There's steps in your book.

Let's start at the beginning.

Down the road of virtue.

You know,
a person can't be at peace

if they have negative attitudes.

( Groans )

Optimism. That's what
I want from you.

I want you to turn
that frown upside down.

Sometimes I failed,
it couldn't always work.

But I'm telling you,
if you just smile,

just smile, doesn't mean you
feel it, something will change.

( Moans )

Smile!

( Tommy groans )

Smile!

Smile!

Just smile!

You know what?
I don't need this.

( Tommy groans )

- I don't have time for this shit!
- ( moaning )

When you're ready, I'll be back.

I'll be back in a few hours.
Maybe you'll think about it then.

No. Just. No.

You're serious.

I'm waiting.

Smile.

( Sobbing )

Watch me.

Do a little Snoopy dance.

( Chuckles )

Smile.

( Moaning )

You're faking it!

( Screaming )

( Choking )

( Spitting )

( Coughing )

It's very strong.

Hydromorphone.

( Coughing )

It works.

You didn't even wake up when
I pushed that through your leg.

Huh?

- Angel.
- You don't even feel any pain.

You will feel pain.

Please, look, I need a hospital.

This book right here,
your book, it says,

you are committed

to help individuals
find their path.

Individuals.

What do I look like to you?

You just abandoned me!

( Stammering )
What are you...

Look, I wrote the book to
help people find a better life.

That's what I do!

I know what I'm
talking about. All right?

Call Dillard and ask them what
my two graduate degrees are in.

Clinical Studies.

And the second is in Theology.

It's better for my
patients if I know both.

You're making this
very hard on yourself.

Only the truth

will set you free.

No. Angel.

I need a hospital.

Angel! No!

( Moans )

Ahh! Ahh!

( Screaming )

It's Tommy. Leave
a message. ( beep )

Hey, it's me.

I need to talk to you.

Call me back please.

( Gasping )

What?

Angel, please.
Give me a shot.

( Whimpering )

I want you,

when I uncover your eyes,

to see the world anew.

( Sobbing )

The good, the bad,
skillful deeds.

See it in the mind.

Only then,

can you see who you really are.

These are your words.

Is that the lesson? Huh?

( Grunts )

You wrote, "The first truth
shows the presence"

"of suffering.

"The second truth seeks
to determine the source

- "of suffering."
- ( power tool whirring )

No. No.

Oh, my God, Angel.
No, please.

God, no! Okay.

Okay, I killed a cat.

I killed a cat. I killed
a cat. ( sobbing )

Go on.

I killed my mom's
cat in third grade.

( Sobbing )

I wanted to see if it was true
if a cat had nine lives or not.

So I took my mom's cat in
the garage and I choked it.

( Sobbing )

It took a long time
for it to die

and it scratched
the shit out of me.

My mom found the cat in the
trash and she was crushed.

My dad wanted to beat me,

but my big brother Ben
stepped in and took the blame.

Oh. Ohh.

He's been a bad guy and I've
been a good guy ever since.

I see.

Worst thing that
you've ever done?

Yes.

I swear to God.

Why did you work with me?

When you said before that you
weren't taking any new clients,

but you sought me out,
you were looking for me.

Money. My brother
needed the money.

Were you just using me?

Yes. Now could you please
let me out of here? Please?

You could die right
here in this place

in a peaceful way
or a painful way.

If you keep lying,

you're gonna live to regret it.

( Sobbing )

( Phone beeps )

It's your phone.

Hey. It's your wife.

Don't you talk to her.

- Don't.
- Huh.

Don't talk to her.

( Grunts )

That's for the cat.

( Grunting )

Ahh!

Hey.

You want me to read you
a spooky ghost story?

Not tonight.

( Imitating ghostly noises )

( Grunting )

Hey, there's something
talking to me from down there.

- That was you.
- It was not me.

I'm telling you.
( muffled speech )

He's down there talking to me.

There's monsters
in the basement.

No!

For real. There are
really scary monsters...

( opening door )

I'm gonna take Leonard with me.

We're gonna go downstairs.

We're gonna take care
of those nasty monsters.

Love you.

( Grunting )

( Groaning )

Don't die.

( Clatters )

( Grunts )

Good job, Cathy.

Try a little tighter.
A little tighter.

Good girl.

Excuse me.
Is this Karma Kids Yoga?

- Yeah.
- Hi.

I'm here to pick up
my daughter Francesca.

Oh. She didn't
make it today.

What?

Her father was supposed
to bring her to class.

Well, schedules can sneak up
on you. It happens all the time.

No. Her father always
sticks to the schedule.

You want to use my cell?

No. You know what?
He lives right nearby.

I can just stop over there.

My husband, Tommy Carter,
he's been working with Angel.

Is he in construction, too?

No, he's a life coach.

They were in sessions last week.

Oh, no.

I doubt that.

Angel doesn't really
open up to people.

I really gotta go find her.

Thank you!

- ( Door opening )
- Fuck.

You were in her room.

The next stage

is acceptance.

Acceptance of who we are.

Acceptance of our situation.

Acceptance of what we become.

( Screaming )

Rules!

You come clean and it will stop.

( Screams )
Okay. All right.

Okay.

( Sobbing )

My brother was
in love with a girl

who worked at
Chantilly Lane, a bar.

A bar uptown.

He used to make me go with him

just so he could see her smile.

He said her smile
used to melt him.

I talked to her and made
her go out on a date with him.

But the two of
them didn't work out.

When he got arrested...

Yeah.

...I went back to that bar

and her smile melted me, too.

I never visited him in prison
because I felt so bad.

I felt wrong.

Yeah.

Angel,

why are you keeping me here?

( Doorbell buzzes )

Don't.

Angel?

Help!

Help!

- Don't make a scene.
- Help me!

Help! Somebody help me!

Shut up!

( Screams )

Angel, open up. It's me.

( Banging on door )

Donde esta la Francesca?

Okay, she was
supposed to be at yoga.

You cannot just switch up the
plans on me without telling me.

She didn't want to go.
I didn't want to make her.

It's because she doesn't want to
take yoga. She wants to take ballet.

You're the one who
pushed her to take yoga.

- Sophie.
- Where is she?

She's fine. Okay.

She's fine. She's upstairs, she's
doing her homework. I got this.

What's all this?
Is this blood?

- Hey...
- ( stammering )

Wow. Yeah.
I guess so. I...

I've been working
so hard, I probably

nicked myself,
I didn't even realize it.

It's nothing. It's nothing.

Okay, you need to start
being honest with me.

Look, I cannot risk
leaving her here if you...

Francesca: Hey, Mom.

Hi, baby.

- Oh, sweetie, you okay?
- Yes.

Daddy, can you please help me
clean Leonard's bowl?

Sophie, please don't
make her think

there's something wrong with me.

I can't take that.

Don't do it. Don't. Don't.

Don't let her think that.

Francesca: Daddy, you coming?

Daddy, will be right in, baby.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you.

Take your pills.

Let me walk you to
your car, all right?

Sophie: Hey, what did you do with all
that horrible plastic you had everywhere?

Oh, uh...

I... Let me move this.

I took it down and I
wrapped up some garbage

and threw it in the basement.

You know, you should
fix this place up.

Try to sell it. Get a
fresh start, you know.

I mean, there's just
too much stuff that

needs to be fixed up
right now. I mean...

- Hey. Hey. Hey.
- Mmm-hmm?

- Sorry.
- Close your eyes.

- Okay.
- Close your eyes. Okay?

Yeah.

Now remember your
mama taught me this.

She said,

"Wipe the trouble away.

"Let the beauty in."

"Wipe the trouble away."

"Let the beauty in."

Angel, don't go back
to that dark place.

You hear me?

I, uh...

I've been having sessions
with this guy and...

- Really?
- Yeah, I've been working on getting past my issues.

He's been helping
me channel all that.

- Really?
- Yeah, it's working.

I never would have thought
you... That's great.

Just say you'll come home.

( Sighs )

I can't.

Soon, right?

I, uh...

I'm done with the living room.

And I've been trying
to finish those cabinets

in the kitchen that
you always wanted.

Trying to make it
really, really special.

Beautiful.

Perfect for you.

I know you are.

Why don't you try to
make it beautiful for you?

I can't make it beautiful
for me if you're not there.

Please, I can't...

- I can't make it perfect unless you're there.
- Angel. Angel. Angel.

It doesn't work like that.
I need you.

Angel.

I need you.

I'll call you later, okay?

I love you.

( Grunts )

( Tapping on pipes )

Hello?

( Banging )

Oh!

Hey, if you can hear me,
call the police.

Hello!

( Banging )

Hey. What are you doing?

Daddy! Listen, listen,
there's monsters in the drain.

- ( Water running )
- Mmm-hmm. Oh!

You ready to go?

Come on.

Thank you. Let's go.

( Banging continues )

( Moaning )

If you can hear me,
call the police.

( Playing piano )

Your mama was an amazing woman.

I'm so sorry.

You know, Sophie, I'm sorry. I
just need a little space, okay?

I just need a little
space. I'm sorry.

You need to take
your pills, baby.

Take your pills.

Some space.

So, this is where you work?

Yeah. Beats living in the
streets. What's happening?

Have you talked to Tommy?

No, I ain't talked to him.

I haven't heard from him.
I've been calling him.

This isn't like him. His editor
doesn't even know where he is.

You know, Tommy made his
own bed, sis. He got to lay in it.

Why do you hate him?

What, you thought it
was gonna be roses?

You thought I was gonna be happy
'cause you and him was together?

Look, Maggie, you see me in
here working these little odd jobs.

I'm trying to do
the right thing.

I'm trying to show you that
I can play in the same lane.

Why? I love Tommy.
I love him.

And when I find him, I'm
gonna tell him I love him.

Why don't you just kill me?

Certain actions
bring upon oneself

certain inevitable reactions.

You're not
misinterpreting my book.

You're just bat shit crazy.

You ever heard of

a man named Antonio Egas Moniz?

He won the Nobel prize.

Over. For a procedure
that cured the brain.

Lobotomy.

Angel, you can't do this.

Sophie, everybody's
gonna be heartbroken.

You'll never ever see
your daughter again.

Is that what you want? Huh?

You know.

( Speaking foreign language )

"It's better to light a candle
than curse the darkness."

"It's better to light a candle
than to curse the darkness."

Why did you write that quote?

A psychic quoted
to you a line I said

and because of
that it's my fault?

I've never even
seen your mother.

You're lying.

I'm telling the truth.

My near death experience
was a car accident.

I swear. Ask my brother.
He was there.

No!

It can't be true.
It's not true.

I don't even know what
the bayou looks like.

- You're lying.
- Look at me.

- I'm not lying to you.
- No.

I know the pain
you must be feeling,

but no matter how
much you torture me,

it won't bring her back.

Her death is the effect

and you are cause.
It has to be.

Let me help you.

Untie me.
You got the wrong guy.

No, no, no, no, no, no.

Stay calm.
Stay calm. Stay calm.

( Speaking foreign language )

"Don't look back."

What's that supposed to mean?

Whoa, whoa.

Do you do one-on-one sessions?

If you change your mind,

I could pay your fee.

No! The signs
all pointed to you!

You're seeing connection

where there is only coincidence.

There is no such
thing as coincidence.

That's in your book.
You wrote it in your book.

Angel, you don't believe that.

- ( Drill buzzing )
- ( screaming )

( Moaning )

In my heart,
I believe that you're guilty.

You're guilty.

That weight, it just
rots you to the bone.

It's a cancer.

And that is why
I'm being haunted.

I'm sorry for
what I'm about to do.

You gave me no choice.

Angel. Angel.

Wait.

Maggie: Thank you.
I'll see you next week.

- Okay. Bye.
- Bye.

( Screams )

Olly olly oxen free,
you can't find me.

Franny.

Franny.

Franny, I don't
have time for this.

I can't play with
you right now. Okay?

Olly olly oxen free,
you can't find me.

Angel: Franny.

I need you to come out.
Come out right now.

( Screaming )

Franny. Franny. Come out right
now. I don't have time for this.

Franny!

You can't find me.

- Gotcha!
- ( giggles )

Whoa!
You know what?

I almost didn't find you.
You're getting too good for me.

I was gonna hide in the
basement, but it was locked.

Well, you know,
you promised that

you'd stay up there
till I came to get you.

- You remember that, right?
- I did.

I just came down
to surprise you.

Yeah, you surprised me.

All right, Franny. Stay in
here and get some rest, okay.

( Phone beeps )

( Typing )

( Phone beeps )

Where is she?

She's upstairs.

( Straining )

( Sobbing )

( Footsteps approaching )

( Motorcycle approaching )

Ben's here.

( Knocking on door )

It's Tommy.
Leave a message.

Yo, bro, I'm here at this
place you told me to come to.

They got boards all over
the fucking windows.

Call me back. I'm going
to stick around for a few.

( Screams )

( Sobbing )

( Moaning in agony )

- ( Sizzling )
- ( screaming )

Help me.

Help me.

Maggie: Help me.

Help.

Maggie: ( screaming )
Help me.

Maggie?

Baby.

Are you okay?

What did he do to you?

( Door opening )

Shh!

Don't worry.
Almost done.

- ( Yelling )
- ( grunting )

( Both straining )

You still got some
fight in you huh?

( Screaming )

( Screams )

Angel: I wanted to bring
Tommy's family here

because you share
the same blood as him.

And as you know there is not too
much a family can't accomplish together.

Even telling the truth.

Right now,
what are you thinking?

This is about me, right?

( Sobbing )

I'm not talking to you, Tommy.

I'm talking to her.

I'm talking to her.

Do you love him?

( Sobbing )

Yes, very much.

Do you believe in
the things he says?

Things that he teaches?

Is he an honest man?
That's the question.

Yes. He's a very honest man.

You know, here's the thing.

You are all about to die.

That's a fact.
That's going to happen.

( Muffled shouting )

The question is do you
want to die with regrets?

Ben,

is there something you
want to share with the group

before you die?

You don't know what the
fuck I've done for you.

You fucked my life up, man.

I'm always covering
for your ass.

I'm always looking
out for Tommy's ass

ever since we was kids.

We was both tanked that night.
We was both drunk as fuck.

Ben: Hey, hey, hey.

Whoa. Stop putting
your hands up.

Wait. Wait. Look here.

Whoa. Whoa.
This is a bridge.

( Groans ) God damn.

What the fuck, man.

Damn.

Man.

Come on, man. Wake up, bro.

Tommy, we hit somebody.

Damn. Come on.

Tommy.

Shit.

Come on, man.

Come on, man.

Just stay right there, bro.

My mother died in agony.
That's what you're telling me?

Angel, I am so sorry.

No, you're not.
You're still holding back.

That's right.

You're holding back.

There's more to that story.

I heard her voice.

I was so scared.

( Groans )

Help me.

Help me.

Help me.

Ben.

Where are you going?

( Splashing )

The weeks went by and
they never found her.

Oh!

And it was history.

Maggie: Tommy?

Tommy, baby,
tell me that's not true.

Tell me.

( Sobbing )

Knew I was right.

I'm so sorry.

( Stairs creaking )

One sound, you die.

Daddy?

I'm almost done in there.

Okay?

Come on.

Let's go.

How'd you get out?

I opened the door, silly.

Yeah, but I locked the door.

Come on, tell me,
how'd you get out of there?

Grandma.

What do you mean?

Grandma unlocked the door.

She says, "Wipe the trouble out"

"and let the beauty in."

She says if I did this to you,

you'll calm down, Daddy.

And then she said goodbye.

She did?

Yes.

I love you so much.

Why don't you practice
your piano for me. Okay?

Only one hour,
then I'll be back.

All right?

Okay.

( Door opens )

You're letting us go?

He's free now.

( Straining )

Tommy?

We're already dead.

What the fuck, bro?

We're spiritually dead.

Tommy?

What you doing, man?

Don't do anything crazy, bro.

( Gunshot )