2007
Kate and John Coleman, grieving the loss of their unborn child, adopt a mysterious nine-year-old Russian girl named Esther, who quickly displays disturbing and manipulative behavior. Esther's actions escalate from bullying other children and framing Daniel for marijuana possession to causing the death of Sister Abigail, who had grown suspicious of her. Kate's growing concerns about Esther are dismissed by John and their therapist, Dr. Browning, who attribute them to Kate's past struggles with alcoholism and grief. After Esther traps Daniel in a burning treehouse and later smothers him in the hospital, Kate discovers that Esther is actually a 32-year-old homicidal woman with a rare hormonal disorder that makes her appear childlike. Kate rushes home to protect Max, only to find that Esther has murdered John and is now hunting Max, leading to a final violent confrontation where Kate ultimately kills Esther, saving Max.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Kate and John, grieving the loss of their baby and struggling with sobriety, decide to adopt Esther, a seemingly sweet but disturbed girl.
Open full beat sheetEsther is listed as Antagonist. Appears as an 8-year-old girl, actually a 32-year-old woman with a pituitary disorder, manipulative and homicidal. In the parsed data, Esther is connected to 74 scenes, 90 dialogue lines, 117 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
74 scenes / 90 dialogue linesKate Coleman is listed as Protagonist. Mid-30s, recovering from a miscarriage, struggling with grief and sobriety. In the parsed data, Kate Coleman is connected to 63 scenes, 94 dialogue lines, 94 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
63 scenes / 94 dialogue linesJohn Coleman is listed as Kate's Husband. Late 30s, architect, supportive but often dismissive of Kate's concerns. In the parsed data, John Coleman is connected to 52 scenes, 76 dialogue lines, 76 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
52 scenes / 76 dialogue linesMax Coleman is listed as Daughter. 5-year-old daughter, deaf, uses sign language. In the parsed data, Max Coleman is connected to 36 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 18.
36 scenes / 3 dialogue linesDaniel Coleman is listed as Son. 11-year-old son, brash and athletic. In the parsed data, Daniel Coleman is connected to 18 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 21.
18 scenes / 8 dialogue linesSister Abigail is listed as Nun. African-American nun in her 50s at St. Cabrini's Home for Girls. In the parsed data, Sister Abigail is connected to 15 scenes, 27 dialogue lines, 33 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
15 scenes / 27 dialogue linesDr. Browning is listed as Therapist. Mousy-haired woman in her 50s, Kate's grief counselor. In the parsed data, Dr. Browning is connected to 4 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 64.
4 scenes / 6 dialogue linesDoris Coleman is listed as John's Mother. Mid-60s, grandmother to the children. In the parsed data, Doris Coleman is connected to 4 scenes, first appearing around scene 14.
4 scenes / 0 dialogue linesDr. Varava is listed as Doctor. Doctor at the Saarne Institute in Estonia. In the parsed data, Dr. Varava is connected to 1 scene, 16 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 98.
1 scenes / 16 dialogue linesKate experiences a traumatic nightmare about a failed delivery.
Kate Coleman, John ColemanKate wakes up from her nightmare.
Kate Coleman, John ColemanKate discusses her grief and sobriety with Dr. Browning.
Kate Coleman, Dr. BrowningKate picks up Max from school.
Kate Coleman, Max ColemanKate tries to work but is interrupted by Max playing basketball.
Kate Coleman, Max Coleman, John Coleman, Daniel ColemanKate reads a story to Max about the baby they lost.
Kate Coleman, Max ColemanKate and John discuss the possibility of adoption.
Kate Coleman, John ColemanKate and John interview with a lawyer about adoption.
Kate Coleman, John ColemanJohn meets Esther for the first time.
John Coleman, EstherKate and John discuss Esther's background with Sister Abigail.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, Sister Abigail, EstherKate and John discuss Esther's potential for a normal life while Esther waves at them.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, EstherEsther leaves the orphanage with Kate and John.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, Esther, Sister AbigailKate teaches Esther sign language on the drive home.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, EstherThe family arrives home and meets Daniel and Doris.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, Esther, Max Coleman, Daniel Coleman, Doris ColemanKate and John tuck Esther into bed.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, EstherEsther bullies Brenda at the playground, leading to Brenda falling from a slide and getting injured.
Kate Coleman, Esther, Max ColemanEsther manipulates Max into keeping quiet about the incident.
Esther, Max ColemanJohn and Kate question Esther and Max about the park incident.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, Esther, Max ColemanKate discovers the dead pet, Hodgepodge, infested with ants.
Kate ColemanThe family buries the dead pet.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, Esther, Max ColemanEsther and Max play dress-up; Daniel confronts them about makeup.
Esther, Max Coleman, Daniel ColemanEsther reads inappropriate magazine covers to Max, upsetting Kate.
Kate Coleman, Esther, Max ColemanEsther refuses to eat dinner.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, EstherSister Abigail visits the house.
Esther, Sister AbigailEsther leads Sister Abigail upstairs.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, Esther, Sister AbigailEsther shows off her paintings.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, Esther, Sister AbigailKate and John discuss Esther's behavior with Sister Abigail.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, Sister AbigailSister Abigail leaves, watched by Esther.
Esther, Sister AbigailJohn takes the girls for a bike ride and encounters Joyce.
John Coleman, Esther, Max ColemanKate and John argue about Joyce.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, Esther, Max ColemanThe family attends a Halloween carnival.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, Esther, Max Coleman, Daniel ColemanEsther and Max go through the haunted maze.
Esther, Max ColemanMax goes missing; Kate panics.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, Esther, Max Coleman, Daniel ColemanEsther frames Daniel for having marijuana.
Kate Coleman, Esther, Daniel ColemanJohn and Kate confront Daniel about the marijuana.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, Daniel ColemanJohn locks the treehouse.
John Coleman, Esther, Daniel ColemanKate and Esther discuss Joyce.
Kate Coleman, EstherKate forces Esther to go to the dentist.
Kate Coleman, EstherEsther bites the dentist.
EstherKate waits for Esther.
Kate Coleman, EstherKate drives home, struggling with her sobriety.
Kate Coleman, EstherKate hears a message from Sister Abigail.
Kate Coleman, EstherKate and John argue about Esther and their marriage.
Kate Coleman, John ColemanEsther and Max plot to scare Sister Abigail.
Esther, Max ColemanEsther and Max find a gun.
Esther, Max ColemanSister Abigail warns Kate and John about Esther.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, Sister AbigailEsther prepares to leave.
EstherEsther and Max prepare to leave.
Esther, Max ColemanSister Abigail continues her warning.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, Sister AbigailEsther looks for tools.
EstherDaniel sees Esther and Max running.
Esther, Max Coleman, Daniel ColemanSister Abigail leaves.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, Sister AbigailEsther and Max wait for Sister Abigail.
Esther, Max ColemanSister Abigail drives away.
Sister AbigailEsther pushes Max into the road.
Esther, Max Coleman, Sister AbigailEsther and Max ambush Sister Abigail's car, leading to a violent confrontation.
Esther, Max Coleman, Sister AbigailEsther threatens Max to keep her silent about the murder.
Esther, Max ColemanDaniel observes Esther and Max returning from the treehouse.
Esther, Max Coleman, Daniel ColemanEsther disposes of the murder weapon in a homeless man's cart.
EstherKate and John discuss the upcoming therapy appointment.
Kate Coleman, John ColemanEsther bathes, revealing scars on her neck and wrists.
EstherJohn questions Daniel about the treehouse keys.
John Coleman, Daniel ColemanEsther threatens Daniel with scissors.
Esther, Daniel ColemanDr. Browning defends Esther and blames Kate for the family's problems.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, Esther, Dr. BrowningKate receives a call from Sister Judith about Sister Abigail.
Kate Coleman, John ColemanPolice inform the family that a suspect is in custody for the murder.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, EstherKate researches antisocial personality disorder.
Kate Coleman, Esther, Max Coleman, Daniel ColemanKate and John argue about Esther.
Kate Coleman, John ColemanEsther listens to Kate and John's argument.
EstherKate calls the orphanage in Russia.
Kate ColemanJohn takes Esther to the zoo.
John Coleman, EstherEsther destroys the memorial orchid.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, EstherEsther intentionally injures her own wrist.
EstherEsther is treated for her broken wrist.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, EstherKate pours out the wine.
Kate ColemanEsther causes the minivan to roll down the hill.
Kate Coleman, Esther, Max Coleman, Daniel ColemanKate demands Esther be removed from the house.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, Dr. BrowningKate argues with John and Dr. Browning about Esther and her sobriety, refusing to go to rehab.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, Dr. BrowningMax and Esther watch the argument; Doris arrives to take the girls away.
Kate Coleman, John Coleman, Esther, Max Coleman, Doris ColemanJohn walks Doris to her car; she encourages him to keep the kids away from Kate.
John Coleman, Doris ColemanThen I noticed that she always seemed to be around whenever there was some kind of trouble. Two girls in a fight. And there she'd be. Someone would get caught stealing. And there she'd be. I told myself it was just a coincidence. But I never really believed it. After you told me about the girl who broke her arm, I started wondering again. I called the school Esther went to while she was with the Wallaces and asked if there'd been any serious accidents while she was there. One incident was still fresh in everyone's minds. A boy in one of her classes was stabbed in the throat with a pair of scissors. All the kids who saw it happen said it was an accident, that he was running with the scissors and fell. But once again, Esther was there.
Yeah, because the other kids were harassing her. It's the same thing here. She's from a completely different culture Kate. She has to be taught that this behavior isn't appropriate but there's nothing malicious about it. If she says she bit him because she was scared and he was hurting her, I don't see any reason not to believe her.
Veera is dangerously insane. She was molested by her father and sexualized at a very early age. When he took another lover, he told Veera it was because she could never be a real woman. Veera murdered them both.
I didn't mean to hurt her. I just wanted her to stop picking on me. Don't you hate it when someone is mean to you for no reason? Wouldn't you do almost anything to make them stop?
This isn't all in my head. Sister Abigail was right. There is something wrong with Esther. And I don't care anymore if I can't prove it. I want her out of this house.
This isn't all in my head. Sister Abigail was right. There is something wrong with Esther. And I don't care anymore if I can't prove it. I want her out of this house.
Talking back to me. Purposefully disobeying. She took Max to the park without permission the other day. That was the biggie. A girl they were playing with got hurt.
Sweetheart, you are just as much a part of this family as Danny and Max are. Mommy doesn't love you any less because you're adopted. Do you understand?
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