'I hate television. It gives me headaches.' I heard there's so many magnetic waves travelling through the air because of TV and telephones that we're losing, like, ten times as many brain cells as we're supposed to. All the molecules in our heads are all unstable. All the companies know about it, but they're not doing anything about it. It's like a big conspiracy. You pick something. I don't care. "Say hello to luscious, full body -" Do you know how many electro rays are travelling through our head every second? I got a better one. Mmm. Have you heard about this video tape that kills you when you watch it? What kind of tape? A tape. A regular tape. People rent it, I don't know. You start to play it, and it's like somebody's nightmare. Then suddenly, this woman comes on. Smiling at you, right? Seeing you through the screen. And as soon as it's over... your phone rings. Someone knows you've watched it. And what they say is, "You will die in seven days." And exactly seven days later... Who told you? Somebody from Revere- Who told you? What's your problem? I've watched it. Ah, it's a story, Katie. No. Me and Josh, we saw it last weekend. You were with your parents? I wanted to tell you. With Josh? His friends got a place in the mountains. They were tryin' to record a football game. The reception was bad- What do you mean? Listen! We played the tape - the game wasn't there. It was... What? What was it? It was something else. We thought it was some kinda sick joke. But then the phone rang. It was a week ago. One week ago tonight. Ah. You're just tryin' to scare me. (GAGS) (GASPS) Oh, my God, Katie! Are you OK? Ah! Katie? Oh, my...! You freak! (GIGGLES) You totally fell for it! No. So... did you guys, you know, do anything? Like what? Oh, my God, you totally did! You ho! Tell me now! No! '(PHONE RINGS)' (GASPS) (TICKS) (PHONE CONTINUES TO RING) There really is a tape? (PHONE CONTINUES TO RING) (RINGS) This is so lame! Wait, don't! Embry residence. Hello? Hi, Mom. Yeah, that was Becca. My mom says hi. She's glad you're here. Ask her were she keeps the Vicodin. Yeah, we're about to go to sleep. OK. Yeah, I will. OK! OK, yeah. Yeah, I will. No, I won't. Bye, Mom. (TV) "(STATIC)" Becca, quit being a bitch! Where's the remote? "(STATIC)" Becca, quit it! (GASPS) Becca, can you hear me? (DRIPPING) (STATIC) 'Don't tell me what to write! That asshole wants my attention!' 'I won't give it to him. I am being objective!' 'Listen, Harvey, you punctilious prick, you touch my column and I'll come and poke your eye out with that little red pencil you like so much! Harvey?' Shit! Hey. Hey. Sorry I'm late. No worries. I'll wait in the car. Have you got a moment, Miss Keller? Um,... ..sure. Call me Rachel. Please, sit down. He is very independent, isn't he? Oh, yeah. He sure is. I never have to tell him to do anything. If that's a problem, you'd be the first teacher in history to say so. Miss Keller,... Rachel. I know that Aidan recently lost his cousin. Yes. I'm doing what I can to find him day care. No, that's not what I meant. Take your time. I know they were very close. Yeah. Aidan and his cousin. They spent a few nights a week together. Did he talk to you about her death? Like you said, he's not the talkative type. That doesn't mean he has nothing to say. He knows I'm there. Yes, I'm sure he does. But he may be expressing himself in... other ways. I'd like to show you something. Hmm. That's his cousin. That's Katie. Miss Keller, I'm bothered by these drawings. Er, listen, I-I appreciate your concern, but my son lost his best friend three nights ago. He's just trying to deal with it. I understand, but these pictures - His way of working it out, expressing himself, like you said. He'll be OK. You say she died three nights ago. Yeah, that's right. Aidan drew these last week. What? Nothing. Shall we read something? I'm kind of tired. OK. Sweet dreams. We don't have enough time. Oh, honey, I know I've been working a lot. And I'm sorry, but I promise you, I'm gonna make it up to you. I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about time before we die. You have lots of time. So you know when I'm going to die? No. No-one does. But I know you don't have to worry about it. Katie knew. She told me. Katie told you she was gonna die? She said she didn't have enough time. Good night, Rachel. Oh, shit! Aidan! Goddamn it! Honey? Have you seen my black dress? Aidan? Have you seen my black... ..dress? It's a little wrinkled. It's fine. (Kids don't have strokes. Unless they're on drugs.) So, why the closed coffin? Oh, Ruthie! I'm so sorry. You alright, Dave? Yeah, I'm fine. How are you? Oh. He sleeps all day. He doesn't move. It's too much for him. It doesn't make any sense, Rachel. Now, I spent four hours on the Internet, and I couldn't find one single case of a 16-year-old girl's heart just stopping. I spoke to three different doctors. Not one of them could tell me exactly what happened to my daughter. She was close... (SNIFFS) ..with you. And Aidan. But she confided in you. Yeah, but she never said anything. Nothing that would explain what happened. You could find out. It's what you do, isn't it? Ask questions? Rachel, please? I saw her face. I knew Becca. She was a little intense, but she wasn't crazy. They don't put you in a straight- jacket if you're just freaked out. Something scared the shit out of her. Hi. So, who's in the mental hospital? Becca. Katie's friend. Oh, right. She was the one who was- There when it happened. What do you think they were doing up there? Oh, thanks. I remember I was that age, me and my girlfriend used to sneak up to my room, get high. Do you think maybe she was into - It's not about that. It's about the tape. Kellen, don't even. What tape? The one that kills you when you watch it. Oh, please! What was on the tape? I haven't seen it, obviously. But Katie told you she saw this tape? Not Katie. I heard it from her boyf- You heard it from who? She was dating this guy Josh. He goes to Revere. It was kind of a secret. Kind of?! Well, where is he? Josh? Is he here? Josh is dead. What?! What happened? Supposedly he killed himself. The same night that Katie died. Aidan, what are you doing in here? Come on. We shouldn't be in her room. It's not her room any more. 10pm. 10pm. Time of death, Wade, that's all I wanna know. Her name's Katie Embry. Pull the report and read the time. No, it's OK. I'll hold. Punctilious prick? Oh. Nice alliteration, huh? You're fired. No, I'm not. Yes, you are. No, I'm not. I'm cooking too good a story. What is it? Yeah, I'm still here. Tch. So, what's the time of death? * (DOOR BELL RINGS) Hi, I was wondering - Pick a card, any card. Go ahead. Put it back. Don't let me see it. That your card? No. Damn. Would you remember someone from a week ago? Was there a problem? It's my niece. She sort of ran out on her parents. No. I have some photos here. That's her and her friends. They stayed here a night or so. Yeah. They were in cabin 12. They didn't pay. They had a number of complaints, about the TV mainly. Reception's never good here. That's why we bought tape players for videos. Quite a selection. Mostly they're hand-me-downs left by other guests. Anyway, they didn't pay. Kids like that sometimes don't. Miss? I'm kind of tired. I'm thinking I might take a nap before I drive back. I'll take cabin 12. Hey. This is your card, right? That's it. "(BEEPS TWICE)" "(HISSES)" "(HIGH-PITCHED RINGING)" "(RINGING CONTINUES)" "(RINGING CEASES)" "(HISSES)" (PHONE RINGS) "(Seven days.)" I'm going to school! (DOOR CLOSES) What do you think? Well, it's a pretty cool effect. What does this have to do with the tape? Take my picture. Are you gonna look at me at least? (CAMERA BEEPS) Is this the same camera? No. Scan the rest. So, what do you think? I thought you said this was about a tape. I'm thinking maybe you shouldn't see it. No, I should know more about it first. Isn't that why I'm here, so you can benefit from my wisdom? Four kids are dead, Noah. Not from watching a video tape. Come on, show it to me. "(LAUGHTER)" > (DOOR OPENS) Roll credits. That was a very student film. I'm sure it's a lot scarier at night. (PHONE RINGS) You gonna get that? (PHONE STOPS RINGING) So, you been working a lot? I'm not tired, Noah. OK. That tape didn't scare you? No, not really. Sorry. Four people are dead! Yeah, but not from watching - Four people who watched it! We're hanging. It takes a week. Right. I'm just going to go downtown. I gotta pick up some cameras then I gotta prep this thing. Noah. Would you say that I'm gullible? No. Easily rattled? Definitely not. You're a little highly strung maybe. You ain't much of a dresser. Who made it? Where did it come from? Alright. Make me a copy. I'll see what I can do. Thanks. (DRAMATIC MUSIC) Charge! Domino's declares war on delivery times. Get any order delivered in 30 minutes or your next large pizza's free. Test us with any large from 15 bucks delivered. Bring it in. * You sure this is a copy? Yeah, why? The numbers are all screwed up. The same problem got copied, I guess. That's impossible. The numbers are the control track, they're put on when it's recorded, so there shouldn't be any images. Noah, can you pretend that I don't read Video Geek Magazine? When you record a tape the make-up of the tracks is like a signature for whatever did the recording, like a camcorder, VCR. So it tells us where it came from. But to not have one, that's like being born without fingerprints. Then how did this get recorded? I don't know. But I'm going to find out. Take a look. You should be able to see the camera in the reflection. The angle's straight on, but you don't. What's that? Looks like she's walking away. No, I mean up there at the top. That's the tracking. I can fix that. Sorry. Wait. Go back. There's something there. You're right. There's more picture. Hold on. I'm going to stretch the alignment. It's working, keep going. No, let me do it! It won't go any further! Shit! Hey, Noah, I picked up the cameras. They're in really good shape. Did you see the reprints I did? They came out kind of... ..overexposed. You working? This is a friend, Rachel Keller. She writes for PI. Rachel, this is Beth, my assistant. I prefer "partner in crime". She's a journalism student at Kirkland. I'll stay out of your way I'm not even here. Rachel's researching a story, this video hoax. It's interesting. Take a look at the tracking. I'm late. I really should go. But why are you taking...? I got to go. Good to meet you. You're taking the tape? I don't want her to see it. Whoa, you don't want her to see it? You had no problem showing it to me. I did have a problem. You're angry. I'm not angry. What are you then? In a hurry. I'm sorry, but I'm not gonna get worked up over a high-school rumour. What are you thinking? This is the part where I say you're a flake, never finishes anything. Then you say I'm an obsessive bitch, needs to lighten up. Then I storm out, all pissed off, kicking myself for ever thinking that you could just... grow up. Why don't we just cut to that part and save ourselves a lot of grief? Alright. Bye. Watch out, missy. Bad luck. You don't need that. Becca? > Becca. We're almost there. Do you remember anything about that night, that night with Katie? Do you remember... how she died? Becca? She told you about a video tape, didn't she? She was afraid, wasn't she? Something was happening to her. Becca, how did she die? Please. I need to know. And you will. She'll show you. Who? Who will show me? Not now. Four days. Home VCRs give you a tracking window but they won't let you stretch it. There's no point unless it's for restoration. Archives come in with old tapes, Tracks totally shot, servos can't line 'em up, but here's a warhorse. Totally analogue. Just don't force her or she'll get pissy with ya. Your tracking, your monitor, your printer, if you need it. So, what are we watching, home movies or something? I'd really rather watch it alone. Really. Whatever. Come on. Come on. Lighthouse. Shit! Hello? Somebody? Something you needed help with? Hey, you got a... * This seems to be the lot of it. Thank you. "Moesko Island." "Anna Morgan." Oh, my God! "Mysterious sickness strikes Morgan Ranch horses." "Investigators search for answers after second horse drowning." "Anna Morgan." "Horses recovering after breeder's suicide." "Suffered from hallucinations." "Eola County Psychiatric." What happened to you, Anna? Pack of Double Lights. Thanks, Lani. 15.33. You're gonna die. My cousin was two packs a day. Used the patch, never looked back. Alright. I'll keep that in mind. Have a nice day. You, too. (SCREAMS) Hi. Sorry I'm late. No problem. Everything OK? Oh, yeah, he was an angel. I went in to tell him it was bedtime and he was already under the covers, and then he read me a bedtime story. He learned the word "conundrum." Really? Yeah. And then he drew my picture. Well, here you go. Thanks. Sure. Hey, Ruthie, it's me. I'm sorry to call so late but I need a favour. I have to go upstate to this story and I need you to watch Aidan for me. "I don't know. How long will you be gone?" It's just for two days, I promise. (CHOKES / SPLUTTERS) "Rachel, are you there?" Hold on a sec- Sorry. (COUGHS) "Rachel, is this about Katie?" (COUGHS) (CHOKES) (PANTS) Ruthie... Aidan? '(SCREAMING)' (PANTS) No-o-o-o-o! Why, baby? Why? Why?! I couldn't sleep. Who is she, Rachel? (PHONE RINGS) (PHONE RINGS) Leave him alone! "Rachel?" (SOBS) Noah... Rachel, I need to talk to you, OK? I believe you. "Rachel, are you there?" He watched the tape. Who? Who watched it? Our son. You take my picture. I've seen you. When I'm in the yard at school. You're there. Do you wish I was around more? No. Do you want to be around more? Rachel and I were... Young. Mom's told me that story. The thing is... I don't think I'd make a good father. Maybe it was because my own was... such a... disappointment. I don't want anyone else to do it either. Be your father. It's a conundrum. Yeah, it is. * Time to go, mister. I'm not finished. Noah said to make one for you. You could almost draw a line through her life. On one side there's this happy woman who spends her time with her husband, riding horses, everything sheltered, protected and comfortable. Her face,... there's light. There's pride. And then one day something happens and she takes this hard corner and the light goes out. And then she ends up at Eola County Psychiatric. All alone. What happened to her? I don't know yet. But I think it has something to do with the horses. We should go to the island together. It's Tuesday, Noah. I only have one day left. Go to the hospital and find out about Anna. The images on the tape are leading us somewhere. Katie saw them all, too. I think... ..before you die, you see the ring. Shit! Hey, Rach, wait! Daughter? Hey, you. (SNORTS) Ooh. It's OK. I'm not gonna hurt you. Yeah. Easy, boy. That's it. (WHINNIES) Hey, boy! I'm not going to hurt you. It's OK. Calm down. (WHINNIES) Somebody! (WHINNIES) (BANGING) Jesus Christ! Somebody help! Daddy, my horse! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! < He's going out! (WHINNIES) (WHINNIES) (SCREAMS) I need to see the records for a patient named Anna Morgan. Are you a relative? Er, no. I'm sorry. We're a mental health facility. Our records are private. She's been dead 24 years. I don't think she'll mind. I'm sorry. It's impossible. Look,... I've seen them before. I've been up there. Nice try. The record rooms are downstairs, guy. You win. Jerk off! You in here, Anna? (BIRDS SQUAWKING, BONGO DRUMMING) Excuse me, where am I? You're lost in the procrastination place. Yeah, right. That makes sense. MAN: Slap yourself out of it. Whoo! * Hello? Excuse me, Mr Morgan. I was wondering if you'd have time to speak with me. Rachel Keller, writer, Seattle PI. You want to know about the horses. I didn't mean to... It's just I wasn't able to find a number to reach you. Every now and then, a writer comes along, heard about what happened. What's left to write about, though, I don't know. I was hoping you had just a few minutes. Well, work never ends around here, really. But I guess I got a few. So, what is it you're writing, miss? About horses in general or just those that go strange? I read you had to put so many down. Most put themselves down. They drowned. How'd they get out? They just broke through the fences and ran to the shore. So, they went crazy? It would seem so, yes. Or maybe they just sense things before we do. So, where are your horses now? I don't breed any more. I guess you wouldn't. Not after what happened. That must have been hard. On both of you. You and your wife. I'm sorry, miss. What's your name again? Rachel. Well, Rachel you want to tell me what's really on your mind? Do you know what this is? I think it's a message... from your wife. Anna's on this tape. She's right there in that room. You can see the lighthouse, the horses... Where did you get that? Shelter Mountain Inn. Is that the only one? I made a copy. I've got a lot of work to do today. A lot of acres out there. Minute I think I'm done with one thing,... ..another thing needs fixing. You don't want to see this tape? You're not even curious? Curious? No. I don't think so. Mr Morgan - I can't help you. Where's your daughter? Maybe she could help. I don't have a daughter. Excuse me? What is it with reporters? You take one person's tragedy and force the world to experience it, spread it like sickness. Mr Morgan - Tell me, miss, what is it you think you know? Then leave it alone. "Anna Morgan's... hallucinations." What's wrong with you? "Conceived." "'65, miscarriage." "'66, conceived. '66 miscarriage." Christ, she wouldn't give up. "Sessions terminated at father's request." "See Video Record, 7015." * (PHONE RINGS) Aidan? Aidan, it's your mom. "Hi, Mom." Honey, the house you drew for me? "Uh-huh." Where did you see it? Did you see it in your head? Is that why you drew it? "In my head?" Aidan, why did you draw that house? "Because she told me to." Who? "Who told you to?" The little girl. She talks to you? "No. She shows me things." Did she show you the horses? She doesn't like it in the barn. The horses keep her up at night. So, she still lives there? No. (She lives in a dark place now.) You're getting old to be crabbing out there, Cal. Your body's about outlived its warranty, you know? You ain't the catch of the day. Let's see you catch one better! Good afternoon. I'm Dr Grasnik. I think he was here before me. Darby? Darby's always here. Aren't you, Darby? He's my son's boy. Come over on the ferry, did you? Yes. Have you lived here long? Born and raised. Only doctor on the island. Then you know the Morgans and their daughter. Do you know their daughter? Do you know their daughter? What's this about? Look, I'm sorry. I don't know how to say this but I'm seeing things in my head. Images. And so is my son. My son, that's... why I'm here. And somehow, I don't know how but it's because of that girl. Haven't heard anybody say that in a long time. She wanted a child more than anything. Poor Anna. They tried hard for years, but sometimes it's just not meant to be. Then one winter they went away. When they came back, it was with Samara. Adopted, they said. Never did say from where. Said the mother had died of complications. But, they had their baby, they had their horses, everything was fine. Until Anna started coming to see me. Said she was suffering visions. Seeing things. Horrible things. Like they'd been burned inside her. That it only happened around Samara. That the girl put them there. Were you Samara's doctor, too? Was there anything wrong with her? You mean medically? I mean whatever you mean. When Darby there was born,... ..we knew something wasn't right with him. But we loved him anyway. Takes work, you know? Some people have limits. So, what happened to her? I referred them to Eola Psychiatric on the mainland. I assume she's still there. You don't know? How can you not know? We've been through a lot of hard years out here. Mean winters, small hauls, no fish. And that was long before the horses. See, when you live on an island, you catch a cold, it's everybody's cold. No offence, ma'am, but what the hell does that mean? It means ever since that girl's been gone, things have been better. 1978? Man, we're really going back in time here. Reception said it should still be here. Should be. You say you're the patient's father, right? Yep. Richard Morgan. What is your secret? Diet and exercise, man. No shit! That's all it takes. You know, I'm not an idiot. You try and walk out of here with my file and I'll be on you like white on rice, understand? No, man. I just want to watch it. I'm responsible for every filed tape in here. We have a system, and I don't want anyone disarranging it. I'd never disarrange... Long as we understand each other. OK, now I'm mad. D-Does it say who was the last person to watch it? Yeah. It was you. Come on, come on! (PHONE) "The mobile you have called is not responding or is outside coverage area." You piece of shit! Come on, Rachel. (CRICKETS CHIRR) Hello? Mr Morgan? Mr Morgan? (BREATH TREMBLES) (VIDEO) "This is SM0015, Samara Morgan, hour 14." "OK? So what is it that's keeping you awake?" "You must sleep some time." "Do you dream about something?" "Samara?" "Let's talk about the pictures." "How did you make them?" "Samara?" "How did you make these pictures?" "I don't... ..make them." "I see them... ..then... ..they just... ..are." "Samara, I need you to start telling me the truth, OK?" "Can I see my mommy?" "No, Samara, not until we understand what's wrong with you." "I love my mommy." "Yes, you do,... ..but you don't want to hurt her any more, do you?" "You don't wanna hurt anyone." "But I do, and I'm sorry." "It won't stop." "Well, that's why you're here - so that I can help make it stop." "He's going to leave me here." "Who?" "Daddy." "They just wanna help you." "Not Daddy." "Your daddy loves you." "Daddy loves the horses." "He wants me to go away." "No, he doesn't." "But he doesn't know." "He doesn't know what?" "Samara?" She's never gonna whisper in my freakin' ear ever again! What did you do to her? She was your daughter! You killed Samara, didn't you? And when your wife - My wife was not supposed to have a child! Mr Morgan! What are you doing? Whispers... You could hear them all the time. At night, in your sleep, even the damned horses. Come out of there. And those pictures... Oh, Good Christ! The things she'd show you... She's still showing them. But she'll never stop. You coming here proves that. Where is she? Please, I have to stop her. If I don't, my son will die! Oh, yes,... ..he will. She never sleeps. Wait. No! No! (SCREAMS) Rachel! Ssh! Ssh! Ssh! Ssh! Ssh! It's OK. It's OK. Ssh! Ssh! Ssh! Are you OK? Are you OK? Are you OK? Oh, Jesus! "She doesn't like the barn." "The horses keep her up at night." She doesn't like the barn. What? The horses keep her awake. * (Samara!) (JEWELLERY BOX MUSIC PLAYS) He kept her here. Her mother was going crazy. Morgan blamed the child. So he kept her here. (MUSIC STOPS) Alone. Not alone. Rachel,... ..there's something under here. It looks like it's etched into the wood. Or burned. I've seen this tree before. Yeah, it was on the tape. No... I've been there. Shelter Mountain. The sun came through the leaves - lit them up like it was on fire. Right at sunset. Right when I watched the tape... That was a week ago. We're back to where we started from. Something led us here - the tree, the drawing on the wall... It doesn't matter. We're too late. You have to help him. What are you talking about? Aidan. It's up to you now. Just use the time you have and figure something out. We'll figure this out now. It's too late! Stop it! There's a reason we're here! What? I don't know, but something in this room. In this phone,... ..in this television! Come on, tell us now, why don't ya? (GRUNTS) Noah,... ..look. (Oh, Jesus!) How far down do you think it goes? I can't see anything. Yeah, we should drop something. You think she's down there? Ssh! (STIRRING) (SCREAMS) Rachel! * Rachel! (COUGHS) Rachel! I-I'm here. I'm alright. I think. Now, look, I'm gonna go find something to get you out! Hurry! Noah? Noah? Noah! (SCREAMS) (PANTS / WHIMPERS) # Round we go # The world is spinning # When it stops # It's just beginning # Isn't it beautiful here, Samara? So peaceful. I know things will get better. (All I ever wanted was you!) (GASPS) (She was still alive.) It's OK now. It's OK. Rachel! Rachel, the sun's set! The sun's set. It's past sunset. Do you hear me? It's past sunset. Rachel! Rachel! Rachel, are you there? I'm here. They're gonna bury her next week. It's over. Are you OK? She wanted that child more than anything in the world. How could she have done that? She just wanted to be heard. Sometimes children... ..yell or cry or draw pictures. I wanna go home. I can't imagine being stuck down a well all alone like that. How long could you survive? Seven days. You could survive for seven days. Why don't you just call me some time? Unless you're renting a movie! Call me tomorrow. And the day after that. Rachel? Mmm. What time is it? It's either really late or really early, depending on how you look at it. Don't you have to be at work? Not today. What happened to the girl? Samara? Is that her name? Mm-hmm. Is she still in the dark place? No. We set her free. You helped her? Yeah. Why did you do that? What's wrong, honey? You weren't supposed to help her. It's OK now. She's not gonna hurt you. She... Don't you understand, Rachel? She never sleeps. (TV CRACKLES) (PHONE RINGS) Pick up the phone, Noah. Come on, pick up. (PHONE RINGS) (TYRES SCREECH) Come on, Noah! Pick up the goddamn phone! (HORN BLARES) (PHONE CONTINUES TO RING) Agh! (SCREAMS) (TYRES SCREECH) Come on! (PHONE CONTINUES RINGING) (SCREAMS) (ELEVATOR WHIRS) Go to your room! Now! (What do you want?) What do you want?! What do you want from me?! (SHRIEKS) Why not me? What did I do that he didn't? "She just wanted to be heard." He wants me to go away. My wife was not supposed to have a child! All I ever wanted was you. "Don't you understand, Rachel?" He doesn't know! She never sleeps. "Take one person's tragedy and force the world to experience it." "You spread it like sickness." You don't wanna hurt anyone. But I do. And I'm sorry... It won't stop. "I made a copy." Push it in. Play. Push. It's going to keep killing, isn't it? She'll never stop. Don't worry sweetie. You're gonna be OK. What about the person we show it to? What happens to them? (TV CRACKLES) IMS Subtitles. Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Able 2020