Stalker (2022) - full transcript

[ethereal music]

[rippling electronic music]

[rain pattering,

thunder rumbling]

[thunder cracks]

[cars rushing by]

[siren wailing distantly]

[door creaking]

Cats and dogs

out there.

[eerie music]

[chattering indistinctly]

Which reminds me,

did you even feed the cat?

She tends to get real

[indistinct].

Yeah, I've got

a load of new pages.

About six of them

from Grant.

It's mostly dialogue.

No, it's not a problem.

I just wish he would give us

a bit more of a heads-up.

Just... I'm lucky if I get

much sleep tonight.

I'm just going to have

a very long shower

and wash the day

out of my hair.

Um, just hold on a sec.

Sorry, one sec.

Hello?

[unsettling music]

[clock ticking]

Is anybody here?

No, sorry.

I'm at the front desk.

I just want to see

if any of my packages

have been delivered,

but there's nobody here.

Um, just hold on.

Hello?

Little help, please?

Uh, sorry,

what were you saying?

Yeah, how are the kids?

They all ready

for the match tomorrow?

Do they miss me?

Oh, give them a big hug from me

in the morning

and tell them

that I said "Good luck"

and that I love them.

[button beeps]

[Rose sighs]

Oh, shit.

No,

it's this fucking lift.

Um, I'll call you

in the morning, okay?

Okay. I love you.

Bye.

[suspenseful music,

clock ticking]

[footsteps departing]

[button beeping]

[metallic clanking]

[high-pitched metallic creaking]

[elevator door creaking shut]

[thudding]

Which floor?

Sir?

Sir?

-[Daniel] Sorry, um...

-Which floor?

[Daniel] 14, please.

[elevator door creaking shut]

Sorry about that.

Earlier.

About what?

Uh, about the whole,

um, "which floor" thing.

Oh, it's all right.

Couldn't face taking

all those stairs either, right?

No. [chuckles]

It's been a long day.

Hmm, tell me about it.

[elevator grinding]

[metallic jangling]

[elevator rumbling]

[pants] Jesus!

What is happening?

Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit,

shit, shit, shit, shit, shit.

Do you want to

give it a try?

Nothing?

[Daniel] No.

Great.

[distant creaking]

[loud bang in distance]

We are safe

in here, right?

I have

absolutely no idea.

[Rose] What?

I-- I mean,

I'm sure it's f-- fine.

It's probably just a...

blown fuse,

or bad wiring or something.

[thunder rumbling]

Um, I-- I-- I mean, there--

there must be an alarm button

or something

on this thing?

Right?

I mean-- I mean,

there has to be an alarm,

otherwise what are people

supposed to do

in these situations?

Oh, yes.

[button thumps]

Shit.

Suggestions?

Not quite the hero

we need right now, are you?

Sorry.

[Rose] Uh, front desk.

It's-- it's okay. Um...

[phone keyboard beeping]

[sighs] Come on,

come on, come on.

Typical.

What about you?

Do you have a phone?

You don't have a phone,

not even in there?

Don't really have

much need for one.

[Rose]

Jesus, how do you...

I don't know, live?

Um...

No signal.

Fuck. Typical.

Why is it every time

you get into an elevator

there's just nothing?

Zero signal.

They line these things with lead

like a Goddamn fucking

nuclear bunker.

[metallic rumbling]

[suspenseful music]

[exhaling]

[Daniel] Miss,

are-- are-- are you okay?

[muffled] Yeah, I'm fine.

Really?

You-- you don't look fine.

Yeah, I just, um...

get sort of claustrophobic

in small spaces, that's all.

[exhales]

It'll pass in a minute.

I just...

I need to find

my bearings.

[Daniel speaking muffledly]

Sorry?

Maybe we should

jump up and down,

it might get it moving.

O-- okay, sure.

[Daniel clears throat]

[Daniel grunts, elevator creaks]

[Daniel] Well,

you need to jump as well.

Okay. Sorry, uh...

-Okay.

-[Daniel] Okay.

[Rose clears throat]

[thudding]

Well, no, we ne...

we need to jump together

at the same time.

-[Rose] Right.

-That's how-- how it works out.

-[Rose] Sorry, sorry, okay--

-Okay, with me.

-Mm-hmm.

-On three.

Okay?

One, two, three.

[metallic scraping]

Shit.

[lightbulb buzzing]

[both panting]

Okay.

Well, I'm not feeling

claustrophobic anymore.

Well done.

Maybe we don't do that again.

Any more suggestions?

[inhales]

[exhales]

An asthmatic

and a claustrophobic, wow.

[sighs] Now all we need

is a xenophobe

and we've got

the makes of a real party.

[Rose exhales deeply]

Shit.

Small spaces

make me feel so nauseous.

How about you?

A lot of things

make me feel nauseous.

Is a small space

one of them?

I think it's...

probably the whole

recirculated air thing.

Like, you know

when you're-- you're on a plane

and the oxygen just

doesn't feel as healthy?

Um, then again, they--

they have filters on planes.

Never been on a plane.

Yeah, well, you know,

it's the whole

being trapped

high up thing.

What scares you more,

heights or...

falling from them?

Under present circumstances,

I think

I'd rather not answer that.

I bet those stairs

are starting to look

pretty good now, though, right?

[phone chimes]

[Rose sighs]

-[phone keypad beeping]

-Who are you calling?

The front desk.

[dialing tone]

[phone ringing]

No answer.

Never go three-star,

I swear to God.

They're probably

on a break.

Well, uh, let's try this.

And the signal's gone.

Brilliant.

[thunder rumbling]

Does that sound closer

or further away to you?

[metallic creaking]

You've really never been

on a plane?

That's cool.

I guess.

I mean,

flying's not for everyone.

Every time I fly,

I think,

"Is today the day?

Is this going to be

how I go?"

I try not to think

about things like that.

Really?

I think about things like that

all the time.

Those thoughts

keep me up at night.

I try to keep a, um...

[affected accent]

"A positive mental attitude."

[chuckles]

Is that yoga

or something?

Uh, no,

it's called stretching.

-You do yoga?

-No.

More of a Pilates guy?

-More of a pizza guy.

-[both chuckle]

You should try it.

It's, uh...

it's good

in intense situations.

Keeps you balanced,

clears the mind.

Sorry, I, uh,

tend to ramble facts

when I'm nervous.

Facts about yoga,

apparently.

And planes.

Do you travel a lot?

I do.

[Daniel] Must be hard.

In what way?

Well, um, I just...

I overheard

you talking about kids.

[Rose] When?

Earlier, wh--

when you were in the lobby,

um, I couldn't help

but overhear.

Oh, no.

No, no, no.

That's, uh-- that's my sister.

She has two kids.

It's my niece and nephew.

Oh, I just, um, assumed.

-[Daniel chuckles softly]

-Oh, that. Huh.

No, it's-- uh,

it's an old trick.

I just wear this whenever

I'm in a new place on my own.

Keeps the creeps away.

No, my-- uh,

my sister is the one

into matches and hatches.

We're really tight,

though.

They're all back home.

I just, uh...

really miss them.

Very observant of you, though.

Most men don't check.

You must have

good hearing.

Don't follow.

Oh, well... [chuckles]

Whenever I...

-What?

-Sorry, just--

Have we met before?

No, I don't think so.

[Rose] You sure? I--

Your face looks familiar.

Did I buy cigarettes

from you this morning?

You work

for the studio?

Yes. Yes, I do.

[Rose] Okay. Studio C?

Sometimes, yes.

Ah, I knew

I'd seen you.

-You're one of the, uh, you're--

-I'm camera department.

-[Rose] You're a cameraman, yes.

-B-roll.

[Rose] B-roll?

Uh, I shoot the B footage,

um, secondary shots,

extra coverage,

or behind the scenes,

that sort of thing.

Right, yes.

I knew I'd seen you around.

Wait, so you--

you're working on my film?

Studio C. Yes.

Okay,

I knew I knew you.

I'm good with faces.

Names, not so much,

but faces.

I'm a people watcher.

Me, too.

[Rose] I suppose you have to be

in your profession.

So, what do you think

of it so far?

-Sorry?

-[Rose] Well, the film?

I mean,

do you think it's as good

as they all

keep saying it is?

-I just wouldn't like to say.

-[Rose] Come on.

I'm not the head

of the studio.

We're colleagues, right?

We can be subjective.

[Daniel hesitates]

I mean, you know,

would you pay

to see that movie

in the theater?

[Daniel] Well,

I don't know, um--

Come on.

Really, would you watch

that sort of film?

[Daniel]

It's not my kind of film.

Oh.

Well, each to their own.

I think it's wonderful.

And the part is terrific.

I mean,

the money's no good, but...

it's a once

in a lifetime part.

[Daniel]

I just shoot B-roll.

Yeah.

No, I-- I get it.

I know

what you're thinking.

It's just

a horror movie, right?

But, I mean,

there are horror movies

-and horror movies.

-[Daniel chuckles]

Women don't tend to get

well represented in that genre.

[thunder rumbling]

But this part,

I mean, she's-- she's smart

and resilient

and not attached.

She has to

rely on herself.

And she's blind,

so, right there,

you have the triumph

against adversity

working for you.

[voice growing distant]

She's the victim

from the opening frame,

but she uses her disability

to her advantage.

No one ever

sees her coming.

Yeah. They should put that

on the fucking poster.

A part to kill for.

[metallic rumbling]

[pants] Oh, shit.

I've dropped my phone.

[Daniel] Hang on.

[inhales]

[Rose] Does that actually

do you any good?

Steadies my breathing.

Keeps me calm.

Yeah,

I've got one of those.

-Want to swap?

-No.

Thank you. [scoffs]

[Rose] You shooting today?

Yes, I was.

[Rose] Tough day?

Aren't they all?

Some hurt more

than others.

Grant and I, we, uh...

weren't seeing

eye to eye.

[Daniel] I noticed.

Oh, you saw

what happened, huh?

Well, I was there.

I mean, I heard everything,

but, um...

Well, I don't have an opinion,

or anything like that.

Do crew often eavesdrop

on actor-director arguments,

or is that

considered overtime?

I happened to be shooting

when it all sort of kicked off.

So...

[Rose] God,

that's embarrassing.

[Daniel] No, no.

I-- I think you--

you got your point across.

Do you think

I won the argument?

[chuckles lightly] Well, um...

I'd have to take another look,

but, um...

You have it with you?

-Well, ye-- um, I mean--

-[Rose] You do. Can I see it?

[Daniel] Well, I mean,

do you really want to?

Definitely. [laughs]

Yeah, that's--

let's take a look at the cam.

Come on, let's take a look

at the evidence.

No. See--

Sorry, um...

Let me.

Sorry, it's just that it's

expensive and, uh...

I-- I need to find

the right spot.

[clears throat]

Yeah, well, my bad.

I'm sorry,

I'm just a bit overprotective

about my equipment.

What's that?

It's a log book.

It's how I record

all my footage.

Oh.

You must have

a lot of footage.

It's like a one-man

movie studio in there.

You have no idea.

It's okay.

I know how I get when someone

touches my stuff on set.

You weren't filming the day

my phone got binned, were you?

I might have been.

[Rose] Some grip thought

it was a prop.

I, uh,

might have overreacted.

Grips shouldn't be

touching props,

now, should they, hmm?

-[metallic grinding]

-Wait, wait, do you hear that?

Help us!

Somebody, please.

-Help us! Help!

-Help!

[electric buzzing]

[thunder rumbling]

[elevator creaking]

Jeez.

Wait,

what are you doing?

Well, I just, um...

I mean, you don't want to

watch it now, do you?

Of course I do.

Well, uh...

I just thought

with the--

Please?

I need something

to take my mind off all of this.

[Grant] I don't understand

why this is such

a moment of contention for you.

I need more from you

on this, Grant, okay?

The script is not being

specific enough.

I need you to direct me.

I need you to do

your fucking job.

It's a convention.

Horror films

are full of those.

Why can't you just

go along with it?

[Rose] Because it's counter

to everything

you told me we were trying

to say here.

You said we were supposed

to be reshaping expectations.

-Isn't that what you told me?

-And we will!

[Rose] When?

When?

After I take my top off?

We're making a comment

on vulnerability.

[scoffs]

That is a justification

I have heard so many times

before, Grant, believe me.

[Grant] And you didn't have

a problem with it then,

so why now?

Because it's-- it's--

it's fucking different

and she's fucking blind!

How much more vulnerability

could you possibly need?

She just wouldn't do this,

which you would know,

if you bothered to even fucking

talk to me about her.

Jesus, can we leave the method

bullshit outside, please?

Listen.

Yes, it's a horror film.

Yes, it's a particularly

well-written horror film,

but the convention is,

you're the final girl.

The audience just

doesn't know that yet.

Okay, and how is me showing

my tits supposed to sell that?

[Grant] We'll discuss

that later.

And that's about it.

Well, that was...

humiliating.

I'm sorry.

[thunder rumbling]

Honestly...

do you think I come across

as difficult there?

Not particularly, but...

but then...

Then what?

[water dripping]

Well, it's just

out of context.

I mean...

I don't really know

what that was about.

But you shot it anyway.

That's what I do.

Well,

context is important.

It stops rumors

floating about.

Rumors?

Oh, sure.

There are always rumors.

[thunder rumbles]

[crackling]

Why did you say

we'd never met?

What?

Before, you said

we'd never met.

We hadn't.

What?

Well...

you shoot B-roll

for the movie

and you shot

that argument today.

Yet you say you've never

even seen me before.

How is that possible?

I was just

being polite.

I don't normally get to

talk to the talent.

[water dripping]

[laughs]

I'm just fucking with you.

-Don't worry.

-[Daniel laughs in relief]

You got me.

This is going to

sound stupid, but...

I haven't even asked you

your name.

It's Reed.

Daniel Reed.

And you're Rose Hepburn.

The Rose Hepburn.

Ah, so you do know me.

[laughs softly]

I've seen you.

I mean,

I followed you.

Followed your career,

I mean.

[Rose sighs] Jeez.

I'm a B-list movie actor.

And you shoot B-roll.

We're team Second Place.

The only reason

I even got this job

is because

of what happened.

To Alice?

Alice Burns,

the girl who disappeared.

But can we really be sure

she even disappeared?

Well, that's what

the producers said.

Producers work in fiction.

You know

she was staying here?

In this hotel.

Mm. Yeah.

I knew that.

[thunder cracking]

[Rose] Want a sip?

Am I making you nervous?

I'm shy.

[Rose] It's okay.

Most people

find that refreshing.

Especially

in this business.

Most people I meet

are walking egos.

They have a swagger.

They swagger about with an aura

they haven't even earned yet.

Have you noticed?

Alice had that.

Rumor has it.

Have you heard

the latest?

[distant creaking]

What?

-Rumors?

-Sure.

She's been missing

for more than two months.

Everyone has a theory.

There are always rumors.

I don't listen

to gossip.

But I have heard

the rumors.

What have you heard?

That she was being watched.

Being watched?

Security were overheard

talking about

how a car was parking

outside the main studio.

About how someone

was watching her, every night.

I mean, a car being parked

outside on a street

isn't uncommon, but...

this was happening

every night.

[metallic clanging]

Who's to say

they weren't waiting?

Security didn't get

a license plate?

They didn't see

the driver?

One would have thought.

I guess that's why

they call it a rumor.

[Rose] Hmm.

[water dripping]

[Daniel sighs deeply]

And I heard

she was being harassed on set.

That she...

wasn't enjoying the film.

That she felt like

she was being undermined.

And the crew were...

being mean about her

behind her back.

And then things

started going missing.

Nothing major, just enough

to get under her skin.

Script pages,

towels, keys.

Someone took a ring.

But even

if she was being watched,

that doesn't explain

her vanishing.

You think?

A crew member

with a grudge is one thing,

but the catering department

tend to draw a line

at felonies.

Maybe...

that depends

on the crew member.

Who did you have

in mind?

Well, I had heard

Grant is a hands-on director,

if you know what I mean.

[thunder rumbling]

I'd heard that

they'd been seeing each other.

She became...

demanding.

Grant started badmouthing

Alice behind her back,

stopped calling,

started to tighten his grip.

So, she became...

difficult.

Causing delays.

Of course,

delays mean money and...

well,

money means everything.

Directors like control.

They need control.

Makes you wonder

what a person would do

to take that control back.

You don't think

he's behind this, do you?

[chuckles] Oh, this?

I don't know.

I don't think

Grant is this creative.

[loud metallic

clanking and creaking]

[both panting]

You think he heard me?

[phone chimes]

We have signal.

You don't really

believe that, do you?

No, this is just

wrong place, wrong time.

Why, do you?

-Who are you calling?

-[Rose] Grant.

Speak of the devil

and the devil shall...

-[Grant on voicemail]

-...go straight to voicemail.

Grant. It's Rose.

I'm in a situation here,

to say the least.

Our elevator

has broken down at the hotel

and I'm in here with...

Daniel Reed.

I'm stuck in here

with Daniel Reed.

He's one of the cameramen.

Uh, anyway,

our elevator's broken down

and it keeps

jumping up and down.

Signal keeps cutting out,

so can you call

the maintenance people

as soon as you get this?

The number is 0141549218.

[thudding]

Again, 0141549218.

While we still

have signal...

[exhales]

[phone rings]

[both panting]

[ringing continues]

[Daniel] What?

Look.

[clock ticking]

[thunder rumbling]

[elevator creaking and groaning]

[thumping]

[grunts] Shit.

What? What is it?

It's padlocked.

Are you kidding me?

-Mm, wish I was.

-Jesus.

Well, nice to know

they're keeping

the building up to code.

I mean, it's Morse code,

but still.

[grunts]

Let's see

if this will work.

[Rose] Are you sure

you know what you're doing?

[Daniel] Sure.

What are you,

a boy scout or something?

No.

[sighs] I like

taking things apart.

Like old cassette players,

VCRs, that sort of thing.

Oh.

I guess

that explains the Walkman.

[glass shattering]

-[thudding]

-[Daniel yells]

-What? What is it?

-[Daniel] Christ! It's my hand.

Oh, shit.

[Daniel] For fuck's sake!

-Are you okay?

-[pants]

It's just a scratch,

I don't think it's broken.

What the hell happened?

Something

fell on the hatch.

Something big.

-[wind howling]

-[rain pattering]

My turn, I guess.

-[sighs]

-Can you hold this steady?

Sure.

Be careful.

[suspenseful music]

It's really dark up there.

Can you pass me my phone?

[music building]

-[metallic banging]

-Shit, sorry!

[Rose gulps]

Okay...

[metallic scraping]

[both panting]

[water dripping,

wind whistling]

[metallic rumbling]

How's the hand?

I'll survive.

So, Daniel, eh?

I bet this isn't quite

how you planned

your night to go,

is it?

I imagined

a little less blood.

[Rose]

The things we do for our art.

So, what are you doing

here, then?

I don't really know.

I don't even know

if I'd call myself an artist.

No, I-- I mean, what are you

doing here in this hotel?

Oh, right. Sorry.

[Rose] Do you

live here, too?

No, one of the...

crew members does.

One of the editors

is staying here.

He's on 14.

He's cutting together

a promo for the press.

I said I'd drop him 'round

some footage to look at.

-[Rose] Oh.

-[thunder crashing]

Who is it?

-What?

-Who is it?

The crew member,

what's his name?

Greg.

Greg Maitland.

Huh.

Don't know him.

[Daniel]

Why are you here?

-Well, I-- I live here.

-Right. [chuckles]

Yes, of course.

[Rose] You can really tell

the budget of the film

by the fact that Greg,

the promo guy, is on a higher

floor than the lead.

They probably put me

in the same room Alice was in

to save money.

Maybe I should check

under the bed.

Did you know her?

-Alice?

-[Rose] Mm-hmm.

[laughs softly] Not really.

What did you do to her?

What?

The footage.

Do you give it over

to the studio,

or to the editor?

It always goes

to the editor.

[Rose] What about

the stuff they don't use?

Like, the fight

with Grant and I, for example.

If they considered that

bad PR or something,

do you get it back?

Not usually.

I mean,

I have copies of everything,

but I could never...

use anything.

What about me?

Could I get a copy?

-You could ask the producers.

-What if I just asked you?

You mean

if I just gave you a copy?

Yeah.

I mean, that's something

you could do for me, right?

Just copy the contents

on the memory card.

Come on.

Don't tell me

you've never done that before.

We sign contracts,

agreements, that sort of thing.

[Rose] I won't tell

if you don't.

And what if someone

found out?

[Rose] How?

Is one of the other

no people in here

going to tell on us?

You're good.

You'd do well

under torture.

Well, anyway,

just think about it.

It could be

our little secret.

You can keep a secret,

can't you?

You're very persistent.

Your boyfriend

must be whipped.

I'll let you know

when he turns up.

Really?

No special someone?

No. No someone.

Special or otherwise.

Must get lonely.

Life of an actor,

I guess.

Price we pay to work.

I have my family, though.

And my cat.

I hate cats.

I don't really have

any family.

I always wondered

what it would be like to

have roots,

to come from somewhere.

[Rose] Well, we all come

from somewhere.

Even you.

No, not me.

I'm all branches

with no roots.

I like that.

All branches, no roots.

You should be

a screenwriter.

It's not where

my talents lie.

Oh?

And where do

your talents lie?

I see.

You have friends,

though, right?

I mean,

friends from the set?

People you can talk to?

We're friends,

aren't we?

[scoffs] I think

I'm on a slightly lower rung

of the social ladder

to answer that.

[Rose]

Oh, please. [chuckles]

I spend my life

in a constant state

of being undermined.

Don't forget.

You have one big advantage

over people like me.

A union?

A dick.

Does it bother you?

Taking over the role

under such circumstances?

And what sort of

circumstances are those?

[Daniel]

Well, she's missing.

That's pretty terrible.

Do you feel bad

for her?

[Rose] Did--

did you know I was

first choice for the part?

Yeah. It's all right.

The writer,

the original... writer,

and Grant,

wanted me

from the beginning.

Then Alice became available

and they saw

A-list potential.

She was on the rise.

The only way is up.

Suddenly it feels

pretty ironic. [chuckles]

Did you ever meet her?

[Rose] Alice?

Not really.

Only in passing.

She and I went to the same

auditions now and again.

I did actually

visit the studio.

I had a meeting.

Well, for the record,

I think you're

a far better actress

than she ever was.

-Actor.

-Sorry?

I prefer actor

over actress.

-Those days are gone.

-Sorry.

"Was?"

What?

[eerie instrumental]

You said "was."

"Than she was."

Is.

You know.

[light buzzing, flickering]

So, do you, um...

[clears throat]

...ever work

on the main camera?

What do they call that?

A-unit?

[sighs] That's what

I'm working towards.

How long have you been

working towards it?

-Nine years.

-Nine years?

Jesus, where did you start?

The catering truck?

Grip, actually.

Listen, I'm sor--

I'm sorry, I--

Sometimes, I lose myself.

-It's fine.

-[Rose] No, it's not fine.

[chuckles] Don't worry.

I'm actually

kind of used to it.

I can mock all I want,

but I am well aware

that I can be a cunt kite,

so just don't be afraid

to call me on it, okay?

Don't worry, I will.

What?

A cunt kite. [laughs]

One of Grant's pet names for me

when I'm being "difficult."

[laughs] Jesus.

Yeah. I've been called worse

by better, don't worry.

-[thunder rumbling]

-[rain splattering]

[thunder rumbling]

[music playing over earphone]

[elevator screeching]

-[Daniel gasps]

-Fuck!

[sighs] You frightened me.

What is it?

[sighs] Sorry.

I was dreaming.

[sighs] I didn't realize

you were asleep,

I thought you were

just getting comfortable.

Sorry.

You scared

the shit out of me.

It was a nightmare.

Yeah, no shit.

[music playing over earphone]

[Daniel grunts]

-[bag banging on floor]

-Shit.

[eerie music]

Have the police

seen these?

What do you mean?

Your footage.

I'd imagine

anything related to Alice

would be considered

evidence.

Evidence of what?

[clock ticking]

The studio

has copies of everything,

so I assume so.

I'm not aware of anything

suspicious being found.

[scoffs] Or otherwise?

[light flickering, buzzing]

-What even--

-[thudding]

[elevator whirring]

-[clanging]

-Ugh, I'm sick of this shit!

[Rose panting]

What is that?

[electric crackling]

[ominous music]

[electric crackling]

[glass shattering]

[Rose panting]

[groans] Christ.

I can't take

much more of this.

Where the hell

is everybody?

This is exactly

what I was talking about.

Three-star hotels,

it's just the worst

can't-give-a-shit

fucking service

in the world.

It takes them an hour

to bring you a cup of coffee.

Can you imagine

how long it's gonna take them

to even realize

that we're in here?

Christ, this is

fucking ridiculous, am I right?

I mean, what if

somebody was actually hurt?

What if- what if

I was in fucking labor?

I mean, fuck this.

[Rose grunts, pants]

Are you going to help me?

[metal creaking]

Ugh, this looked

a lot easier in Die Hard.

[panting] What do you mean?

-You haven't seen Die Hard?

-[Daniel inhales deeply]

I've seen Die Hard 2.

-Jesus Christ.

-You need to calm down.

-[loud thumping on wall]

-[panting]

Don't tell me to calm down.

I am so sick

of men trying to tell me

how to feel

or what to think.

I'm not here for your

fucking convenience, all right?

I decide what I do

and what I say,

and I sure as fucking hell

am not gonna take advice

from a fucking cameraman.

"A," "B," fucking "F,"

I don't give a shit.

[Daniel]

Don't talk to me like that.

[eerie instrumental

intensifying]

I will talk to you

any fuck way I choose.

-You know what?

-[thunder rumbling]

You know,

people can tolerate a lot.

Being ignored.

Being abused.

Being made to feel small.

But that's not a good excuse

to act like that.

[Daniel breathing shakily]

You told me

to call you out

when you act like a--

What was that?

Cunt kite.

Well, I guess

I'm calling you out.

In fact, I'll give you

the abridged version.

You're a cunt.

[light flickering]

Sorry.

Apology accepted.

[breathing shakily]

-Sometimes, I just...

-[foot thumps on floor]

...lose control.

-[foot thumps on floor]

-Me, too.

[both chuckling]

We have something in common.

You still

haven't seen Die Hard.

It's not

my kind of film.

What kind is that?

Big action films.

I like my films

to be more real.

Wanting your films to be real

sounds like kind of an oxymoron.

-[chuckles] Does it?

-[Rose] Sure.

Movies are make-believe.

Nothing's real.

I guess

there are exceptions.

[sniffles]

This lift, for example,

it's, uh--

it's feeling

pretty fucking real right now.

[sniffles] Did you know this,

um... [clears throat]

[sighs]

...this kind of elevator,

it's about

the same size of the cell

they kept Mandela in?

-[Daniel] Is that true?

-Mm-hmm, it is, I, uh--

I read a book about the place

in which they held him.

His cell

was seven foot by nine

in a place

called Robben Island.

Sorry, I'm rambling again.

[Daniel] I don't mind.

[Rose] But can you imagine

being trapped

in a place for that long?

Well, three places, in fact.

I mean, we all feel

trapped sometimes,

but 27 years for doing something

you believe in?

Did you know his name meant

"troublemaker?"

Isn't that funny?

Do you know

what my name means?

[Daniel] Flower.

[chuckles] Yeah.

But it also means

"famous type."

I guess

it was meant to be.

[sighs] What about you?

-What does your name mean?

-[Daniel chuckles]

[Daniel] Doesn't matter.

Tell me.

[suspenseful instrumental]

It's biblical.

Daniel.

-It means...

-[storm rumbles]

...God will judge you.

It's stupid.

It's not stupid,

it's your identity.

That's what

you'll be remembered for

-when you're gone.

-I doubt that.

Sure that's what

Mandela thought, too.

[Daniel chuckles]

[Rose] Isn't that

what everybody wants?

To be remembered?

Gum?

No.

I mean, no, thank you.

How about a smoke, then?

[Rose sniffles]

Usually, I would say

you shouldn't smoke,

it'll kill you.

A lot of things

will kill you.

But, given that

we're running out of options,

got a light?

[chuckles softly]

[ominous instrumental]

Come here, help me up.

[heart beating]

[music intensifying]

-[elevator rumbles]

-[Rose gasps]

I'm sorry.

Just my stomach,

I can deal with it.

[sighs] I've got

a bad feeling about this.

[Daniel chuckles]

Star Wars.

[Rose chuckling] Of course.

You haven't seen Die Hard,

but of course that, you know.

Everything will be all right.

[Rose] No.

[eerie instrumental]

Nothing about this

feels all right.

This lift.

The hotel.

Are you all right?

Everything

is going to be all right.

-It'll all be right.

-[Rose breathing heavily]

[Rose whimpering]

[Rose] Oh, God.

[rain splattering]

You said "Not even."

What?

Earlier.

When we were talking

about the police.

About your footage.

You said,

"As far as I'm aware,

they haven't found

anything significant.

-Not even--"

-I did.

Not even what?

[Daniel sighs]

I was just surprised

that the police

didn't find anything useful.

I have a habit

of leaving the camera rolling.

[affected accent] You never

know what you might catch.

-[chuckles]

-What did you catch?

Nothing really.

Just a back and forth

between Grant and--

-[Rose] Alice.

-Hmm.

She wouldn't come to set.

And he was being aggressive.

I've heard

that song and dance before.

She probably wouldn't leave

her dressing room

because she was scared.

-Scared?

-Of Grant.

I mean,

I might be a cunt,

but he can be

a real bastard.

I don't intimidate easily,

but he has his days.

But if the police

are satisfied,

that must count

for something, right?

The police are

dealing with a missing person,

not a case of harassment.

Not yet, anyway.

You don't really think

that Grant had anything

to do with this, do you?

Who knows what any of us

are capable of?

I'd say

she's in hiding.

She's on a beach somewhere

waiting for them

to rip up her contract,

so she can go and work

on some prestige picture.

Something

she can do in her sleep.

-Really?

-[Rose making unsure sound]

Just my take on it.

Unless you have

a better theory.

I don't know,

I just think

we shouldn't be so quick

to accuse someone.

Sounds like the sort of thing

other people do.

[clock ticking]

-You didn't know her.

-Neither did you.

[light flickering, buzzing]

[sighs] Well...

then, enlighten me,

cameraman.

What kind of people

are you talking about?

I don't know.

Maybe, the...

sort of losers

who listened to rumors.

Hmm, well, how about

the sort of losers

who still live

with their mother?

[elevator rumbling]

-Hmm?

-How do you know that?

I don't remember

telling you that.

Let's just say

you have the look.

She's sick.

I look after her.

Let's just forget about it.

Let's just hope that nothing bad

has happened to her.

-Who, your mother?

-Alice.

Oh.

Right. Like what?

I don't know, I don't really

want to think about it.

It worked out, though.

What? Sorry?

For you, I mean,

you got the part.

So, it all worked out.

Oh.

Right, sure.

Are those tomorrow's changes?

Mm-hmm.

Just some pages

for the morning.

[clears throat]

If I ever see morning again.

I figured, if I'm sitting

in here all night,

I might as well make sure

I've got all my lines down.

You can learn all that

in one night?

Mm, I'm a quick study.

Plus, it's not that much.

I've done Shakespeare.

Now, that's a challenge.

Well, I did Macbeth

at the Donmar three years ago.

Not that anybody noticed.

I didn't see it.

I rest my case.

Do you want

some help with that?

-What, with this?

-Mm.

Would you like me

to read with you?

Make sure

you got your lines down.

Make sure you're, um,

what's the saying, off-book?

You know what? Sure.

What the hell.

Anything

to make the time pass, right?

-Ready?

-Sure.

[clears throat]

Who shall I read?

[clears throat]

The killer.

Right, and you are?

Well, there's only

two characters,

so unless

you want to switch.

-[storm rumbling]

-Okay.

I've got this.

Okay, from the top.

Do you need me

just to read it

or is there anything else

I need to do?

Let's just see

what happens.

Who knows?

Maybe inspiration will strike.

Branches and roots.

"Killing Jeff

and your friends was simple.

Petals fall easily,

but you're turning

into quite the thorn."

[American accent]

Who are you?

"I'm the watcher.

I'm the waiter,

I'm the doorman,

the bellhop, the cashier

who hands you your change.

I'm the shiver

that runs down your spine

when you feel eyes upon you

alone in the darkness.

I'm the question,

'Where did all the people go?'"

You think

your actions defined you, but...

Truth is,

they reveal you.

I see you...

and you're pathetic.

"Last words are always

like dancing in the mist.

Dance on, little one,

dance on."

You're nothing.

Dancing in the mist?

You're--

You're nothing but a shadow.

You're a wasted memory.

Your actions

are a newspaper cutting

that no one

will ever care for.

Your entire life

is a wasted moment.

[normal accent] And then,

they kiss, she hurts him,

they struggle, they fight,

yada, yada, yada.

-Rose.

-[Rose] Hmm?

You're incredible.

[chuckling] Oh, thank you.

No, I-- I mean it,

I really believed it.

[chuckles] That's incredible.

You really sell the fear.

You made me believe,

even with my reading of it,

that you were truly scared.

And powerful, too.

Tough. [chuckles softly]

Well, I'll drink to that.

Come on, what's the worst

that could happen?

You know,

you weren't too bad yourself.

[Daniel] I'm not an actor.

Well, let's, uh,

move around a little.

See how that feels.

Try it again.

-Really?

-Mm-hmm. That'll help.

You sure?

Yeah, I, uh--

I need to make sure

I've got this.

Just run it

one more time?

Hold on.

What the fuck

are you doing?

I'm just using a prop.

I thought

it would make it more real.

Okay, but that's a little

too real, Daniel, okay?

I'm-- I'm not method,

we don't--

we don't need the knife.

Besides, she's blind.

I mean, I wouldn't even see

what you're holding.

Why don't-- why don't we just

film me instead

with your camera?

Um, give your editor friend

something else to work with?

The lighting in here

really isn't up

to Glenn's standards,

I'm afraid.

[ominous instrumental]

You mean Greg?

What did I say?

You said Glenn.

You told me his name was Greg.

[Daniel] Hmm.

It's been a long day,

I guess.

-[light flickering, buzzing]

-[whispering] Right, uh...

[eerie instrumental]

Killing Jeff

and your friends

was so simple.

Petals fall easily.

Huh.

You're turning into quite

the thorn, aren't you?

Your line.

-Daniel, please--

-Your line.

Um.

[American accent]

Who are you?

[Daniel chuckles]

I'm the watcher,

I'm the waiter.

I'm the door man,

the bellhop.

I'm the shiver that runs...

right down your spine...

as you feel

eyes upon you...

alone in the darkness.

I'm the voice that says,

"Where did all

the people go?"

Um, you-- you think

that your actions define you,

but the truth is,

they reveal you, I see you,

and you're pathetic.

Yes.

Last words are always

like dancing in the mist.

[slurring] Dance on...

little one--

the mist on-- hmm?

-[Rose sobbing]

-Dan-- hmm.

Thorn.

Um...

[ominous instrumental]

[Rose] In the mist?

You're nothing but a shadow.

You're a wasted memory.

Your actions

are a newspaper cutting

that no one

will ever care for.

Your entire life...

[normal accent]

...is a wasted moment, Daniel.

♪

Don't stop.

Keep going,

that was good.

The script says they kiss,

they struggle, they fight.

[breathes heavily]

What is happening?

Something's...

Don't play the innocent.

Let go.

Do what you've wanted to do

since you got in the elevator.

What are you doing?

What is going on?

I'll show you mine

if you show me yours.

What?

[groans]

Something doesn't feel right.

Daniel, do you feel dizzy?

This isn't how

it's meant to go.

Oh, I'm-- I'm so sorry.

Did I improv too much?

You bitches.

You bitches

are all the same.

There it was.

Always got to have

the last word.

Do you want to know

what her last word was?

[eerie instrumental]

[Daniel panting]

[bangs on floor]

[clock ticking]

[camera clicking]

Imagine how good this is going

to be for publicity.

[sighs] "Trauma victim

delivers epic performance

in cursed film."

[sighs] These are the stories

that make stars.

[faint applause and cheering]

He keeps saying

he wants more from me.

Do you think

that makes him an accomplice?

Yeah. Framing can be

a complicated business.

[laughs] But to have it

delivered to you in a rucksack?

And who said

men don't prepare?

Grant did deserve this.

Setting him up

would have made sense.

I-- I did think

about that,

but I have to

think about my career.

Exactly. Exactly.

There's always

a replacement, and...

[sighs] imagine who they

might have replaced him with.

This is the lesser

of two evils.

Welcome to the mist.

[Daniel grunts]

[Daniel] What's going on?

-What are you doing?

-No, don't-- don't-- don't

struggle.

Please, don't struggle.

I don't want to see you

hurt yourself.

Where would be the fun

in that?

It's okay,

it's okay, it's okay.

Don't worry, don't worry.

We have all the time

in the world.

So, you just breathe.

[inhales deeply]

[exhales]

And right yourself.

You took a hell of a hit

on the head when you fell.

The drug I put in your drink

might not have helped.

You're supposed

to pretend to drink, silly.

It's called acting.

You just plug the hole

with your tongue--

Make like you swallowed.

As the actress

said to the bishop.

Oh. Actor.

I admit it,

spiking a drink

is a bit of a cliché.

It's actually,

pretty fucking rapey,

if you ask me.

But... a knife.

You'd be surprised

what a person will do

when they're faced

with one of these.

It terrifies them.

They get down

on their knees.

They do whatever you want.

[muffled grunting, sobbing]

What was it about her, hmm?

Was it her looks?

That swagger?

The way she treated people?

Her A-list status?

Did it make you see stars?

[metallic rattling]

You know, I do believe

this elevator

might actually fall.

Do you know much

about elevators?

Well, they work

like roller coasters.

You see, they--

they lock in place

when you come to a stop.

That's why you don't plummet

if, uh, the cable snaps.

No matter what happens,

it has you.

This elevator,

on the other hand,

you see,

it's-- it's old.

So, I'm not too sure

we have the luxury

of that kind of security.

But, nonetheless,

I do still think it applies

to our situation here.

No matter what happens--

I have you.

[eerie instrumental]

[chuckling] Oh, that?

Don't worry about that,

I took care of it.

It was being

a little unreliable.

Probably the storm, but...

unlike you,

I don't have a habit

of leaving

the camera rolling.

Mm, you don't look

very comforted by that, Daniel.

You'd be surprised

the kind of information

you can garner online.

Did you know

there's an app for this?

[chuckling]

There's a fucking app!

You connect it

to the controls in the basement,

and you can open the doors,

you can call the elevator,

or, in this case...

[elevator rumbles]

...you can stop it.

Took a few goes,

of course,

hence the "out of order" sign

downstairs,

but lucky for me...

or rather,

unlucky for you,

the maintenance,

in this particular building,

is, let's just say,

non-existent.

Told you.

Never go three stars.

-Listen.

-Hmm?

I don't know

what you think this is.

And I don't know

what you think you're doing.

[clock ticking fast]

You've got

the wrong idea.

Just like Alice.

You really are

very observant.

She wasn't right

for that part.

They just wanted a name.

I've been doing

this job for years,

and she didn't even

have to audition.

She just coasted in

on the back of the box office

of her last film.

[whimpering]

[panting]

[thunder rumbling]

How's that tape feeling?

Too tight?

Ooh, speaking of tape...

those little

stalker videos of yours.

They're very cinéma vérité.

I particularly like

the one of me

in my dressing room.

[chuckles] How many times

did you watch Alice, hmm?

Just let me tell you

right now.

It was all an act.

And deep down,

once the cameras stopped

and the doors shut,

and nobody was looking,

she was just

like the rest of us.

Self-interested,

insecure...

[panting]

...scared.

How many videos of her

do you have at home?

Did the studio see those?

[chuckling]

No?

Tell me...

When you were

following her.

did you ever

feel that shiver

run down your spine?

Did you ever feel eyes

watching you in the darkness?

Hmm?

'Cause that was me.

Watching you watching her.

[Daniel] I-- I-- I don't know

what you mean.

I don't understand.

Tell me...

what made you get

in the elevator this time?

Why couldn't you get

in the elevator with her, hmm?

[whimpering]

Was I just

more approachable?

More attainable?

[eerie instrumental]

[chuckles]

Doesn't matter.

What made you get

in the elevator this time?

I knew you would.

I fucking knew it,

I knew it.

But I want

to hear it from you.

Come on,

you can be honest.

After all,

I, uh-- I do have you

in a compromised position.

[Daniel] Fuck.

-Hmm?

-[whispering] I wanted you.

Daniel, men

have always wanted me...

for as long

as I can remember.

I will admit it, though.

I did encourage you.

[chuckles]

Seemed to work, too.

I mean, here we are.

I don't--

What do you mean?

Did you enjoy

watching me undress?

Or in the shower?

[Daniel panting]

-You--

-Daniel.

Who the fuck

leaves their door open

when they shower?

Poor thing.

You must have thought

all your Christmases

came at once.

Tell me,

what did you think?

What did I think?

Of my body?

-Did you like it?

-I'm sorry.

-I'm sorry--

-Don't fucking

apologize, Daniel!

You all apologize,

and you never fucking mean it.

You should own your shit.

[Daniel sobbing]

I don't blame you

for looking at me.

For wanting me.

Or any other girl

you jack off to.

Oh, speaking of which...

looks like...

-I have your full...

-[Daniel gasps]

...attention. Hmm.

What the fuck is going on?

Well, they do say

that under

extreme circumstances

such as this, they say

the body will become aroused.

Either that

or it's the, uh, chemical cupid

I put in the drink.

So-- Anyway.

Let's make this look real.

Shall we?

[Rose humming]

-What are you doing?

-[Rose] Shh.

Shh.

Wow.

-That does not feel like B-roll.

-Stop.

Dan, I'm going to

have to ask you

to control yourself, okay?

[Daniel whispering] Stop.

[Rose] Or I'll have to

use a knife.

It's okay.

It's okay. It's okay.

-It doesn't matter, anyway.

-[whimpering]

I should be flattered.

I don't blame you

for looking at me.

I don't blame you

for wanting me.

[whimpering]

Just like I don't expect blame

for what comes next.

[metal clanging]

[dialing tone]

[Rose] Shh!

[operator]

Emergency. What service?

[sobbing]

Police, please. Hurry.

[operator] Police, okay.

Ma'am, remain calm.

-[sobs]

-What is your emergency?

Please help me.

[sobbing]

My name is Rose Hepburn.

I'm-- I'm staying

in the New Victoria Hotel

and I'm trapped

inside the elevator with a man

who's been following me.

Please, please-- I think--

I think--

I think he has a--

has a knife.

[operator] You're trapped

and a man has a knife?

Is that correct?

Ma'am?

Can you hear me, ma'am?

Rose?

Please stay on the li--

[blows raspberries]

[inhales deeply]

If there's one plus point

to being a woman...

it's that response times

for ladies in distress

tend to be pretty quick,

so I would say,

we don't have long to wait.

About ten minutes maybe?

-Oh, Daniel.

-[muffled] Please, stop.

[Rose] Oh, what's the matter?

What is it?

[muffled] Stop.

[Rose] Oh,

I'm not doing anything

that your kind

don't like to do

every single day.

You take.

You all take.

As if there's

no other choice out there.

Everything you see,

you have to own.

Everyone you know,

you have to win over.

Everything you create,

you cater to yourselves.

I saw that in you

from the very first time

I saw you

following Alice.

Your poor mother, though.

I hadn't realized

she was sick.

How was she

going to explain

Alice's body buried

outside your house?

[whimpering]

[ominous instrumental]

Now she doesn't have to.

[chuckles] That's right.

I was there.

You see,

behind every rumor,

and there are always,

remember, rumors.

there's always

a little bit of truth.

I am that truth.

I mean, it was self-defense,

after all.

You were on top of me,

and you were

trying to rape me,

and the knife

just found my hand, and...

well, you know the rest.

Make you see stars.

[muffled screaming]

[muffled screaming continues]

Like you said...

you never know

what you might...

catch.

Don't worry.

Don't worry.

I'm no killer.

[whimpering]

I'm just--

I'm just an ordinary girl.

See? I'm a better actress

than any of those people

could possibly understand.

I've been acting

my whole life.

"I love you."

"I need you."

"I've never seen

one that big before."

[Rose snickering] See?

I can be very convincing.

They never see it coming.

Just like Alice.

[flesh squelches]

[sinister orchestral music]

[labored breathing]

[Daniel gasping]

♪

[sputtering]

[music stops]

[rain pattering distantly]

[neck cracks]

[thunder rumbling distantly]

[eerie instrumental]

♪

[elevator door creaks open]

[police sirens wailing]

♪

[music stops]

♪

♪

♪

[music fades]