The Power (2021) Movie Script

Hmph! God!

The government

will not be blackmailed.

We must ration

energy and endure these cuts

until these radicals

accept these...

They're only

asking what's due.

This strike is for everyone

at the bottom of the pile.

Everyone who is sick

of being treated to...

Angels sent by God to guide me.

Be my light and walk beside me.

Be my guardian and protect me.

On the paths of life direct me.

Morning, darlin'.

Good morning.

Good mornin'.

Good morning.

You know I think we do

it at night time,

there's more power.

Less of a shortage.

What about

the generator?

Well, that can

fill the gaps.

East London World Radio...

Keeping you good company.

And I'm your devoted host,

DJ Mike.

If you keep calm

and it's all...

You've requested

Pediatrics, I see.

Why?

Oh. Well, I...

I'd like to think

I have a feel for children.

You need an iron will,

not a feel for them.

How did you find

your studies?

I loved it.

It was a dream come true

to be there. This all is.

Our borough holds

the poorest in the city.

Why do you think

you can cope?

Well, I'm interested

in the connections

between poverty

and health.

The connection is people

round here live like animals.

And where

are you from?

Around here.

Back to serve

your community.

How noble.

I thought I'd be

most useful here.

Accommodation?

I'm hoping for

a place in halls.

Can't you stay with family,

if you're a local?

I don't have any.

I grew up in

Our Lady of Grace.

The children's home.

Yes.

Well, you couldn't have

picked a worse day.

We have to move nearly

all the patients out

because of

the cut tonight.

It's chaos out there.

Ideals are fine, but what

I require is discipline.

No sitting on beds

or eating on wards.

No makeup.

Hats must be upright.

Skirts three inches

below the knee.

If you take it shorter,

I will notice, believe me.

I use a ruler.

Stick to your rank,

never question an order.

Don't even speak

to the doctors.

They communicate

above your level.

Yes, Matron.

Thank you

for choosing me.

I won't keep you

if you don't fit.

Don't mind

old Starchy.

They're a

dying breed, matrons.

They'll cut her post soon

and she knows it.

It's fine.

Nurse: It is a bit of a maze,

this place,

but the floors are color-coded,

thanks to Matron.

Green on ground, brown,

blue, yellow on top.

I like to think

she's got knickers to match.

She's put you

on Gyno ward, on blue.

Can you manage that?

Are you ready

for the cut tonight, then?

Longest one yet,

isn't it?

I don't wanna fuss, but is it

gonna be much longer?

What would

happen to the health service?

Won't be long now,

I'm sure.

What you doing?

I thought you

were on the Pill?

I told you, it just makes

them think you're loose.

Can we stop

talking about it?

That's the new girl.

Hey!

Hello?

What was it like,

in Our Lady's?

Terry,

she's just sat down.

I know nuns.

I bet it was

the pits, wasn't it?

You poor lamb.

I don't think about

it much. Ignore her.

You'll find speaking your mind

is not popular around here, Val.

Speaking of which,

are you coming to

the union meeting tomorrow?

Wake up. They're never gonna

listen to a bunch of girls.

That's the point

of a union, Terry.

You're the one always moaning

about working in the dark.

What's it like here, then?

When the power's out?

A place people die in

should never be allowed

to get that dark.

There you go, again, see?

Moaning.

I'm not moaning.

I'm telling the truth.

This toilet's for nurses.

Come out, please.

Oh, no,

not that way.

That's the way out.

Yes, come on.

You need looking after,

don't you?

Goodness. You'll

catch your death.

Excuse me, Doctor.

You have a runaway.

Saba.

Now, how are we supposed

to get you better

if you keep running off?

Go on. Back to your bed.

Are you

Doctor Franklin?

Yes.

I saw you

give your paper.

I agree

with every word.

Slums kill children.

They're the disease.

The truth isn't

always popular.

The thought of doing

work like yours

got me through

my training.

Matron.

I not meant

to talk to you.

Matron, I was wondering

if we might have this girl

up here with us

today.

She's needed elsewhere, Doctor.

Yes well, I rather think

that I need her here.

Very well, Doctor.

Let's have a listen,

Still not

fully cleared.

And no weight gain.

What do you think?

Oh, I couldn't say.

I'm asking you to.

How about that

nasty brown cod liver?

Are you swallowing

it all down?

You're not just pretending,

are you?

Well, she's got rickets

as well, hasn't she?

Yes, I think so.

She's getting cod liver,

isn't she, Matron?

I'll check with Sister.

She's certainly not

well enough to go home.

We'll send her

to Central tonight, with me.

Don't worry.

I'll keep her away from you.

Is she one of

your case studies?

Yes, yes, and the building

that she was in.

I've had several

from there.

You haven't had any visitors

either, have you?

Franklin?

Ah, it's like

I never left school.

You might want to

check her bed.

Sir?

Three congenital

heart diseases.

Um, Ebstein's anomaly.

Come on, man,

pathetic. Faster.

I used to wet the bed

sometimes.

Even as a big girl.

Do you speak

any English, dear?

Little.

How old are you?

13?

You're a little thing.

You come with me

tonight?

To Central?

I'm not working tonight.

I'm a bit scared

of her, too,

but just be good and

do as you're told

and you'll be fine.

Franklin, can we please

get on with it?

I have served this institution

for many years.

The authority I have here

is hard-won, believe me.

And you undermine it

in public on your first day?

I'm so sorry,

Matron.

I really didn't mean

for all that to happen.

Do you understand

you are on trial?

Or did you only come

to flutter your eyelashes?

Yes. No.

Clean this ward.

From top to bottom.

And I need a girl

for tonight.

You will stay on.

The dark shift?

Oh, I can't.

I'm not ready.

Does the dark

bother you?

Well,

it's just I...

A nurse must give

of herself entirely.

Sacrifice.

How much

are you willing to give?

Hello again.

Are you

staying on tonight?

Yeah. Must be

my lucky day.

She got you back, then.

Oh, dear.

I feel

rather responsible.

It was my fault,

really, but,

us doctors tend

to get away with it.

Oh, well.

In for a penny.

You're a saint.

Oh, I never

caught your name.

Valerie.

I won't have Central

lord it over us.

Just tell me, am I

on the schedule?

Nurse: We're on

the schedule, sir.

Would any remaining staff

please make their way

to the main entrance.

Final transport to Central

is about to depart.

The only ward

left here tonight

is Antenatal

and Intensive Care.

Generators will

power them.

You will be on

Intensive Care.

Stay on the ward

unless essential.

It'll be very dark.

That's it from me.

I'll be back with the power

at 7:00 AM.

Take good care tonight,

stay safe,

and stay near that candle.

That's too early.

Isn't that too early?

Hello?

Wow.

Bloody hell.

Hello, dear.

You looking for us?

Am I on the wrong level?

You're on shite level.

You want piss.

You're on brown, dear.

You want yellow.

You made

my heart stop.

Stop reading that nonsense,

then you wouldn't be so jumpy.

They're

not nonsense.

This one's about a girl

who has enough

and brings

the whole place down.

Can you see

why I like it?

Nursing really

isn't her calling.

Try telling

my ma that.

Do you know how to

get up there?

I'll take you then,

before this one ruins you.

Innocent new girl,

Terry.

What about you, then?

What brings you to nursing?

I suppose, working

with people who care.

I thought it might be a bit

like a big, kind of...

family.

Jesus.

You'd have to be desperate

to want this lot as family.

What's wrong

with the babies?

Oh no, it's

the mothers that are sick

after the birth.

They just need

milk and cuddles.

You worked here long? Ugh, years.

I like it

well enough, but

prefer to have been

a doctor sometimes,

but eh,

another life.

Look, you seem like

a sweet girl, Valerie,

but there's always someone

trying to control you

in a place

like this.

You have to stop it

first day,

or it's the start

of trouble, right?

Thank you,

Comfort.

Did I say

you could touch?

Valerie.

Barbara.

I thought I saw you. God, don't.

I feel like

I'm back in school.

It's Babs these days.

You're not the trainee,

are you?

And it's Val now.

Dirty brown,

all scrubbed up.

Well, well.

Pressure, respiration,

temperature. That's it.

Over and over again.

It's deadly boring, this ward.

Patients

can't even talk.

Do you like

talking to them, too?

No. All they go on

about is being ill.

It's just more fun.

Like if they say,

"Any tea going, nurse?"

And I say, "Greedy guts,

you've just had it."

Even if they've not.

They can open,

but they can't see a thing.

They don't teach you half of it

in college, believe you me.

You look nice,

Babs.

You look

just the same.

What is that smell?

It's like

it's following me.

Still making yourself

an easy target.

You're too much.

No, really, it's like

burning or something.

All you lot from

Our Lady's were easy.

We were rotten to you,

really, weren't we?

It was the teachers'

fault, mind.

They were worse.

Does your mother

still run the pub?

She says I'm lucky as a princess

to have this job.

She should come and clean

up shit and sick all day.

I tell you sometimes,

I'm that desperate.

Anyway, I'll be

married soon.

In a proper house,

further out.

Engaged, are you?

I will be.

Seen any doctors

you like?

I'm here

for a career.

Really?

I heard the new girl

was all over Franklin.

That's not true. Well, he's taken.

He's sweet on me.

Anyway,

with your reputation...

Bloody generator.

Well, what about

the patients?

Back up batteries

for now, silly.

Never want

the generations down.

No, come up,

you lazy sod.

Oh, wait...

Babs, that's my light.

I don't know

where yours is.

Cerebrovascular accident.

History of aneurysm,

seven years.

Childbirths, nine live.

Who did that?

Imagine making up

something like that.

Everyone heard

about it.

The whole neighborhood.

So it ended up

"dirty brown."

Dirt sticks,

don't it?

What's up with you?

Did you

pull me over?

How could I?

You weirdo.

Alright?

Name's Nev.

Did you

take a tumble?

Yeah.

It'll be alright,

girl.

Something there,

though.

Spick, is it?

Tell me you're not.

Your looks.

I don't know.

Ah, yeah.

Our Lady's girl.

Don't you know

your folks, then?

Well, you've come

out of it alright.

Dark getting to you,

was it?

Mind you, a night with

the Angel of Death over there,

that'll get to anyone.

You can use my lamp,

if you want.

Oh, really?

It's the brightest

they've got.

Always lit up, me.

Yeah, no, and mine's

not up to much.

'Course.

I don't mind the dark.

I love

working nights.

You can get up to

all sorts.

I can take her down

a peg or two.

Anytime.

Just ask Nev.

Enjoy that, did you?

Are you okay?

Never let them get anything

on you in here.

We're screwed.

Made you tea.

Why are you

being nice to me?

Thanks.

That's what nurses do,

isn't it?

Look after people,

whoever they are.

Whoever they are.

I didn't mean it

like that.

How do you have the nerve

to act high and mighty?

Why did you make

that stuff up?

It's a pity you couldn't

keep your mouth shut, then.

That poor man.

Let's be friends, Babs.

We're grown-ups now.

Run downstairs

and get some med charts.

We've ran out.

Matron said

not to go off the ward.

Unless vital.

What would she say if I tell her

you refused an order?

Go on, then.

Bit of dark

won't hurt you.

What you doing?

My job.

Locking the exits.

Don't want any

unsavory types getting in.

How do we get out,

then?

Ask me.

Going in this ward?

I'll walk you.

Go yourself,

if you'd prefer.

Hang on.

This is my room.

I need to get

some fuel for the...

Come in.

I wanna show you something.

My famous

league table.

Most of you girls

are up.

The docs love it.

Don't know

about you yet.

Maybe a 7,

if you smiled a bit more.

I need to get on.

Come in,

then I'll walk you.

Go on.

Come in, be a laugh.

No, thank you.

What do you think

I'm gonna do to you?

Bye, then.

I wouldn't bother,

love!

You're soiled goods

anyway!

Hello?

Get off me, stop it, stop it!

Get off me! Stop, stop, stop!

Babs?

Hello? Babs isn't here.

Babs?

Val.

Val?

Val, what's wrong?

Jesus.

It's the cleanest one,

I'm afraid.

Was it something

to do with Babs?

Is that why

she's not here?

Come on, now,

say something.

We have patients to think

about as well, remember?

I was...

attacked.

By who? Where?

Something chased me

to the basement.

What, some thing? Some one.

Did you

see his face?

It was too dark.

Anything? Really, I didn't.

It's your duty as a nurse

to say something.

When I looked,

there was no one there.

Are you just

making this up?

I'm sorry Val,

but I've heard a few things.

No, I'm not making it up.

I know how it sounds, I do,

but it's been

following me all night.

Maybe tonight was too much for

you to handle for a first shift.

Maybe you should go

home and rest.

Matron will never have me back

if I leave.

I'll be finished.

Maybe you're right,

maybe I did imagine it.

Well, why were you in

such a state, then?

I'm not very good

with the dark.

So you agree, then?

You imagined it.

Nothing really

happened to you.

Nothing happened.

What was that?

Hello?

Is somebody there?

Comfort?

Look what the cat dragged in.

Thieving milk, no less.

Yes, no fuss. Bed.

Whatever that was,

it was rude.

Alright.

Do you want to die,

young madam?

You are sick, and we have

the medicine and food.

If you want us

to care for you, behave.

Will you look

at that?

Snow White has a way

with the animals.

They are right.

You mustn't keep

running away like this.

Is that why you

got left behind?

Look at this.

Nice, isn't she?

And if you open her up,

there's another girl inside.

And another.

You like drawing,

don't you?

Can I have a look?

Why do you keep

running away, Saba?

Are you scared

of something?

Val, what would

Matron say?

Don't get

too attached.

Checks, please.

Not much longer

with the patient,

than we can...

And I'll bet

that's Stan and Neville,

and that'll be why

he hasn't answered.

Those two are as

thick as thieves.

They're thick alright,

I'll give you that much.

Had too many

biscuits.

Nothing happened.

Val?

Comfort!

Val?

Val, it's okay.

Val? Alright.

Hey, hey,

can you hear me?

Val?

Val, listen to me!

What's happening?

Are you epileptic?

That is not

what that was.

Have you ever

had a psychosis, or...

No.

I'm just normal.

I'm gonna have to

call for more help.

Nothing's ever

happened here before,

and then you come

and all hell breaks out.

That wasn't

there before.

Terry,

where are you going?

I don't like it.

What...?

It's not...

It's not right.

Terry, you can't

leave your post!

They will sack you!

Sorry Comfort,

but screw the lot of you.

The door's locked!

I know a window.

I'm away from here,

right now.

Terry, you can't

leave me alone!

Terry!

Saba, I don't want

you near her.

I shouldn't go.

I know how much

you wanted this,

but I'm telling you,

you should.

Comfort, something

did happen to me.

I just pretended

it didn't.

Look at the bruises

on my neck, can't you see?

There's nothing there.

You're okay.

I'll just

say goodbye.

No, you'll only

make it worse.

Do as you're told

and leave.

What have you done?

Ahh! Let me go!

I want to go home!

Saba?

Saba, run!

- Saba!

- Val?

Saba!

Val!

Saba?

Saba!

Val?

Yeah, but nothing

like the chaos here, I tell you.

Let's just

say she's...

You shouldn't

be near me.

Well, what's wrong

with you? Go!

Oh, wait.

I'm sorry.

What have you

got there?

Who is she?

Dirty. Gail.

What does she want?

Bad thing

will happen to me.

How are you

still awake?

I gave you enough

to knock out a grown man.

Who's Gail? Go back to your bed.

Who is Dirty Gail?

What are you doing?

I'm increasing your dose. No.

Gail is the one

that's doing all this.

Why would I hurt

myself so badly?

Maybe you've

latched onto her

because she was from

Our Lady's, like you.

And if you're thinking

she's haunting you,

let me stop you

right there.

She didn't die.

She ran away.

She was destructive.

She lashed out.

She was a very angry child,

very hard to like.

She was just

a rotten apple.

Do you remember

the dog?

What, that filthy,

purple thing?

Yeah.

Well, she...

Yeah, we tried to

take it off her,

but she never ever

put it down, why?

Well, I found it,

in the basement.

I had it in my hands.

I can show you.

If I find it, then

will you believe me?

I can't see.

She's been here

the whole time.

You did this.

How could I be so stupid?

I didn't touch her!

It was Gail!

Get back. Get away from us.

Get away! Get in there!

Don't make me,

it's too dark.

You are the danger here.

Get in!

No!

Get in!

Leave me alone!

Leave us alone!

What?

What's happening?

Valerie,

move away from her.

What's happening?

Who is it? Is it her?

Comfort...

I tried to tell you.

This is a hospital.

Vulnerable patients,

remember that.

But you didn't listen.

I'm listening now.

Gail?

I didn't do

anything to you, did I?

Gail?

But I should

have told someone.

I know I should have

told someone...

Gail, if that's you,

please...

Please forgive me.

I didn't do anything,

did I?

It was him.

I'm gonna tell everyone

what he did.

I'm gonna tell everyone, Gail!

Don't hurt me!

It's okay,

we can climb down.

I'll look after you,

okay?

I'll... I'll get you

to the other hospital.

Saba.

Val?

You have to go.

I don't want

to hurt you.

You're good.

I'm not good.

Deep down.

She can see it.

That's why she's using me.

And if I come back...

do what

you have to.

Angels sent by God to guide me.

Angels sent

by God to guide me...

Saba.

What have you done?

Stop!!

To guide and protect me.

On the paths of life direct me.

It's my body.

You can't use me now.

Listen.

Stay quiet,

she'll see me.

No.

See what you've done.

Go back and shut your mouth.

Stay quiet.

You're a monster!

Jesus, what the hell happened?

Good morning, good morning.

East London World Radio,

DJ Mike,

here to soothe your cares away.

Quiet now.

Try not to speak.

You're lucky

to be alive,

but you might wish

you weren't.

She's in here.

My, God, what a mess.

She wouldn't leave me

alone till I brought her,

but I'm not sure

we're allowed in recovery.

Did she hurt you?

Where did you go?

Can you ask her?

She says, "Gail didn't

want to hurt me.

She hid me

till morning."

She hid you?

"She's the same

as you and me."

What...

What did she say?

She said, "Goodbye,

nice to meet you."

Well, no, she didn't.

What was it?

None of it was true,

and I'm new here.

I don't want

trouble, okay?

Where are you

taking her?

Care home, I think.

Best place.

Oh, Saba.

Are you safe now?

Gail?

Two staff members died here

last night, Valerie.

What do you know

about that?

I want to speak to

the police.

We agreed this may be

more my department.

I run

the psychiatric wing.

What happened

last night?

In your mind.

A patient here was

raped and killed.

What do you know

about that?

This is the "ghost"

that you told Comfort about.

Why would this

entity hurt them?

I think Barbara

knew about it.

Maybe Neville did it.

And why did it choose you

to work through?

Are you special

in some way?

Not at all special.

Like her.

But maybe she saw

something I couldn't.

The thing is, Valerie,

you've made things up before,

haven't you?

The rather sordid accusation

against your headmaster,

which you withdrew

and admitted was a lie.

Do you still feel

a need for attention?

Well, I've heard enough.

Well,

what about Gail?

Can you check the basement?

I think he burned the body.

We're never had a patient

here called Gail.

Stop!

I didn't make it up.

The police and the nuns

forced me to say I lied.

And every time

I'm in the dark...

I know it was real.

And Gail is real, and what

happened here is real.

I'll come visit you, Val.

If they let me.

Just...

Check Saba gets away

from here safely.

I will. I'm taking her

to the home myself.

Doctor!

Valerie, you shouldn't

be out of bed.

I want you

to stay here.

Excuse me,

would you mind

just making sure

she doesn't go anywhere?

Thank you.

Come on.

Let's get you back.

Isn't it the basement

you go to?

Very well, then.

Uh, no you don't.

Do as you're told.

Good morning, East London

Royal Infirmary.

Can I help you?

Did Neville

give you those?

He'd do anything

for a nod for a doctor.

Take off your robe.

You had me pinned

from the start, didn't you?

Little nobody who

wouldn't complain.

We're not

here to talk.

Are you

listening to me?

I don't have to

listen to you.

I have

the power here.

Gail was a child.

Where's the power

in that?

Shut up.

You're a coward.

You will shut up

and be quiet.

I will not.

Shut. Up.

No!

Shut up!

And do as I say!

No!

You can't have Saba.

I won't let it

happen again.

Gail.

Come back now.

Oh dear, Valerie.

Looks like ghosts

don't exist.

Just us.

Valerie.

Oh, you girls,

you all sing.

Want the attention.

You want to pull yourself

up out of the depth.

But you can't take.

We are giving.

You have to understand

the system.

You have to

understand...

Val?

Gail, please.

Please.

Together.

I told you to stay.

All this running away.

No one is going to

look for you now.

You will listen to us.

Yes?

It's coming.

There's someone

coming.

Who is it?

We blame you.

For letting

this place be rotten.

There's another way.

She doesn't want

to be laid to rest.

So think of us

when it's dark.

The Power (2021) - full transcript