Scripts
Stir of Echoes poster

1998

Stir of Echoes script

After being hypnotized, Tom Witzky develops psychic abilities, experiencing visions and sounds that lead him to believe he is haunted by a missing girl named Samantha Muller. His visions intensify, revealing Samantha was murdered and buried in his basement, a discovery confirmed by psychics and a second hypnotic session. Tom unearths Samantha's body, triggering a full flashback that exposes neighbors Frank and Adam McCarthy, along with landlord Harry Damon, as her killers. Tom confronts the murderers, leading to Frank killing Harry and Adam to protect his family and cover up the crime, while Tom and Maggie later welcome a new baby, whose connection with Jake suggests the supernatural continues.

Writer
David Koepp
IMDb ID (imdb_id)
tt0164181
Script date
March 26, 1998
78Scenes
17Characters
86Pages
8Dialogue samples

Save the Cat beat sheet

Stir of Echoes Save the Cat analysis

A suburban family man, Tom, begins experiencing unsettling visions and supernatural occurrences after being hypnotized at a party.

Open full beat sheet
55

Key characters

Tom Witzky

Tom Witzky is listed as Father. Lean, muscled, works for the phone company. In the parsed data, Tom Witzky is connected to 65 scenes, 96 dialogue lines, 96 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.

65 scenes / 96 dialogue lines

Maggie Witzky

Maggie Witzky is listed as Mother. Twenty-six or twenty-seven, city girl, protective. In the parsed data, Maggie Witzky is connected to 32 scenes, 51 dialogue lines, 51 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.

32 scenes / 51 dialogue lines

Frank McCarthy

Frank McCarthy is listed as Neighbor. Fortyish, big Irish drinker, works as a line man. In the parsed data, Frank McCarthy is connected to 15 scenes, 23 dialogue lines, 23 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.

15 scenes / 23 dialogue lines

Jake Witzky

Jake Witzky is listed as Son. Four-year-old boy, sensitive to supernatural occurrences. In the parsed data, Jake Witzky is connected to 12 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.

12 scenes / 16 dialogue lines

Adam McCarthy

Adam McCarthy is listed as Neighbor. Frank's son, seventeen-year-old football player. In the parsed data, Adam McCarthy is connected to 10 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 12.

10 scenes / 1 dialogue lines

Kurt Damon

Kurt Damon is listed as Neighbor. Seventeen-year-old football player. In the parsed data, Kurt Damon is connected to 9 scenes, first appearing around scene 11.

9 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Harry Damon

Harry Damon is listed as Neighbor. Older than the rest, landlord. In the parsed data, Harry Damon is connected to 7 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.

7 scenes / 3 dialogue lines

Philip

Philip is listed as Maggie's brother. Early twenties, college student, interested in hypnosis. In the parsed data, Philip is connected to 6 scenes, 31 dialogue lines, 34 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.

6 scenes / 31 dialogue lines

Dorothy Muller

Dorothy Muller is listed as Babysitter. Fifteen years old, heavyish. In the parsed data, Dorothy Muller is connected to 6 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.

6 scenes / 7 dialogue lines

Sheila

Sheila is listed as Neighbor. Frank's wife, thin, nervous. In the parsed data, Sheila is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.

5 scenes / 1 dialogue lines

Samantha Muller

Samantha Muller is listed as Ghost. Dorothy's sister, missing. In the parsed data, Samantha Muller is connected to 5 scenes, first appearing around scene 30.

5 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Lenny

Lenny is listed as Neighbor. Local crank. In the parsed data, Lenny is connected to 3 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.

3 scenes / 3 dialogue lines

Neil

Neil is listed as Police Officer. Member of the Cacophony Society. In the parsed data, Neil is connected to 3 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 28.

3 scenes / 2 dialogue lines

Dr. Elizabeth Noonan

Dr. Elizabeth Noonan is listed as Doctor. Maggie's cousin, medical professional. In the parsed data, Dr. Elizabeth Noonan is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 24.

3 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Vanessa

Vanessa is listed as Neighbor. Late twenties, Bobby's wife. In the parsed data, Vanessa is connected to 1 scene, 13 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.

1 scenes / 13 dialogue lines

Bobby

Bobby is listed as Neighbor. Vanessa's husband. In the parsed data, Bobby is connected to 1 scene, 2 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.

1 scenes / 2 dialogue lines

Duane

Duane is listed as Dorothy's father figure. Fortyish, abusive. In the parsed data, Duane is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 21.

1 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Scene outline

  1. 1. INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT

    Jake is in the bathtub playing with a toy airplane and talking to an unseen presence while his mother Maggie gets dressed in the bedroom.

    Jake Witzky, Maggie Witzky

  2. 2. INT. JAKE'S ROOM - NIGHT

    Tom reads a bedtime story to Jake before Maggie enters to announce her brother's arrival.

    Jake Witzky, Maggie Witzky, Tom Witzky

  3. 3. EXT. STREET - DAY

    Tom, Maggie, and Philip leave their house to head to a party.

    Maggie Witzky, Tom Witzky, Philip

  4. 4. INT. BOBBY & VANESSA'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

    A party is held where Tom is hypnotized by Philip.

    Maggie Witzky, Tom Witzky, Philip, Frank McCarthy, Harry Damon, Vanessa

  5. 5. INT. TOM & MAGGIE'S HOUSE - NIGHT

    Tom and Maggie discuss their future in bed; Tom experiences disturbing visions.

    Jake Witzky, Maggie Witzky, Tom Witzky

  6. 6. INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT

    Tom takes medicine and experiences more visions in the mirror.

    Tom Witzky

  7. 7. INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

    Tom sees a mysterious woman in his living room.

    Tom Witzky

  8. 8. INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

    Tom returns to bed, terrified.

    Maggie Witzky, Tom Witzky

  9. 9. INT. KITCHEN - DAY

    Tom and Maggie discuss the previous night's events.

    Maggie Witzky, Tom Witzky

  10. 10. EXT. HOUSE - DAY

    Tom leaves for work and encounters neighborhood kids playing football.

    Tom Witzky, Frank McCarthy, Adam McCarthy

  11. 11. EXT. Street - DAY

    Tom is startled by Adam and his friend playing football in the street, leading to a confrontation with Frank.

    Tom Witzky, Frank McCarthy, Adam McCarthy, Kurt Damon

  12. 12. INT. Truck - DAY

    Tom and Frank discuss the upcoming football game and notice a police car watching Tom's house.

    Tom Witzky, Frank McCarthy, Harry Damon, Neil

  13. 13. INT. Signal Division - DAY

    Tom listens to random phone lines at work and calls Philip to ask about his post-hypnotic suggestion.

    Tom Witzky, Philip

  14. 14. INT. Kitchen - DAY

    Maggie tries to find a babysitter while Jake talks to an empty chair.

    Jake Witzky, Maggie Witzky

  15. 15. INT. Living Room - NIGHT

    Dorothy arrives to babysit; Tom experiences a strange buzzing sound.

    Maggie Witzky, Tom Witzky, Dorothy Muller

  16. 16. INT. Bathroom - NIGHT

    Tom takes Advil and discusses Dorothy with Maggie.

    Maggie Witzky, Tom Witzky

  17. 17. EXT. Street / Stadium - NIGHT

    Tom and Maggie walk to the football game; Tom is plagued by buzzing sounds.

    Maggie Witzky, Tom Witzky, Frank McCarthy, Sheila

  18. 18. INT. Jake's Room - NIGHT

    Tom discovers Jake is missing.

    Jake Witzky, Maggie Witzky, Tom Witzky

  19. 19. INT. Bus Station - NIGHT

    Tom finds Jake with Dorothy at the bus station.

    Jake Witzky, Maggie Witzky, Tom Witzky, Dorothy Muller

  20. 20. EXT. Parking Lot - NIGHT

    Tom confronts Dorothy about why she took Jake.

    Tom Witzky, Dorothy Muller

  21. 21. INT. Dorothy's House - NIGHT

    Tom confronts Duane and forces him to leave.

    Tom Witzky, Dorothy Muller, Duane

  22. 22. INT. Tom & Maggie's House - NIGHT

    Tom and Maggie discuss the events and the name Samantha.

    Maggie Witzky, Tom Witzky

  23. 23. INT. TOM AND MAGGIE'S HOUSE - NIGHT

    Tom and Maggie discuss Samantha and Tom's recent supernatural experiences.

    Tom Witzky, Maggie Witzky

  24. 24. INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - DAY

    Tom undergoes a medical evaluation by Dr. Elizabeth Noonan.

    Tom Witzky, Dr. Elizabeth Noonan

  25. 25. INT. MRI ROOM - DAY

    Tom undergoes an MRI scan while Maggie watches.

    Tom Witzky, Maggie Witzky, Dr. Elizabeth Noonan

  26. 26. INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY

    Elizabeth reviews the MRI results with Maggie and Tom.

    Tom Witzky, Maggie Witzky, Dr. Elizabeth Noonan

  27. 27. INT. BEDROOM - DAY

    Maggie finds the butterfly knife in their bedroom.

    Maggie Witzky

  28. 28. EXT. NAVY PIER - NIGHT

    Tom and Jake encounter a mysterious police officer.

    Tom Witzky, Jake Witzky, Neil

  29. 29. INT. JAKE'S ROOM - NIGHT

    Tom and Maggie try to question Jake about Samantha.

    Jake Witzky, Tom Witzky, Maggie Witzky

  30. 30. INT. BEDROOM / HALLWAY - NIGHT

    Tom encounters the ghost of Samantha.

    Tom Witzky, Maggie Witzky, Samantha Muller

  31. 31. EXT. STREET - DAY

    A neighborhood block party takes place.

    Tom Witzky, Maggie Witzky, Frank McCarthy, Harry Damon, Lenny, Sheila

  32. 32. EXT. ROOFTOP - NIGHT

    Adam McCarthy sits on the roof drinking.

    Adam McCarthy

  33. 33. INT. BEDROOM - DAY

    Tom wakes up and finds a note from Maggie.

    Tom Witzky

  34. 34. INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

    Frank warns Tom about his safety.

    Tom Witzky, Frank McCarthy

  35. 35. INT. FRANK'S HOUSE - DAY

    Tom has a nightmare about Adam.

    Tom Witzky, Adam McCarthy

  36. 36. INT. BEDROOM - DAY

    Tom wakes up from the nightmare.

    Tom Witzky

  37. 37. INT. BEDROOM - DAY

    Tom wakes up from a nightmare, searches for his missing shoe, and finds it under the bed.

    Tom Witzky

  38. 38. INT. BATHROOM - DAY

    Tom finds a note from Maggie about going to the park with Jake.

    Tom Witzky

  39. 39. INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

    Tom leaves the house to check on Frank.

    Tom Witzky

  40. 40. EXT. FRONT PORCH - DAY

    Tom witnesses a gunshot at Frank's house and breaks in to help Adam.

    Tom Witzky, Adam McCarthy

  41. 41. INT. FRANK'S HOUSE - DAY

    Tom finds Adam wounded and tries to stop the bleeding.

    Tom Witzky, Adam McCarthy

  42. 42. EXT. OUR BLOCK - DAY

    Emergency services arrive; Tom watches as Frank and Sheila react to the tragedy.

    Tom Witzky, Frank McCarthy, Sheila

  43. 43. INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

    Maggie and Tom prepare for Tom to visit the Cacophony Society.

    Maggie Witzky, Tom Witzky

  44. 44. EXT. DINGY STREET - NIGHT

    Tom arrives at the apartment building.

    Tom Witzky

  45. 45. INT. BUILDING CORRIDOR - NIGHT

    Tom is greeted by Vivian.

    Tom Witzky

  46. 46. INT. VIVIAN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

    Tom meets the Cacophony Society and learns about his condition.

    Tom Witzky, Neil

  47. 47. INT. PHILIP'S APARTMENT HALLWAY - NIGHT

    Tom asks Philip to hypnotize him again.

    Tom Witzky, Philip

  48. 48. INT. PHILIP'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

    Philip hypnotizes Tom, who discovers what the ghost wants.

    Tom Witzky, Philip, Samantha Muller

  49. 49. EXT. TOM & MAGGIE'S HOUSE - DAY

    Maggie returns home to find Tom missing and the yard dug up.

    Maggie Witzky, Tom Witzky

  50. 50. INT. KITCHEN - DAY

    Tom and Maggie receive bad news via phone.

    Maggie Witzky, Tom Witzky

  51. 51. EXT. DRIVEWAY - DAY

    Maggie and Jake leave for the funeral without Tom.

    Jake Witzky, Maggie Witzky, Tom Witzky

  52. 52. INT. BASEMENT - DAY

    Tom continues digging in the basement.

    Tom Witzky

  53. 53. INT. BASEMENT - DAY

    Tom struggles to dig a hole in his basement, encountering a large rock.

    Tom Witzky

  54. 54. INT. YARD SUPPLY WAREHOUSE - DAY

    Tom finds an industrial jackhammer to help with his digging.

    Tom Witzky

  55. 55. EXT. STREET - DAY

    Tom brings the jackhammer and compressor home while neighbors watch.

    Tom Witzky, Lenny, Sheila

  56. 56. INT. BASEMENT - DAY

    Tom uses the jackhammer to break the rock in his basement.

    Tom Witzky

  57. 57. EXT. STREET - DUSK

    The noise of the jackhammer disturbs the neighborhood.

    Kurt Damon

  58. 58. INT. UNCLE STEVE'S HOUSE - NIGHT

    Maggie attends a wake and calls Tom.

    Maggie Witzky, Tom Witzky, Jake Witzky

  59. 59. INT. TOM & MAGGIE'S DINING ROOM - NIGHT

    Tom continues digging in his basement.

    Tom Witzky

  60. 60. INT. STEVE'S HOUSE - NIGHT

    Maggie prepares to leave for home; Jake refuses to go.

    Maggie Witzky, Jake Witzky, Philip

  61. 61. INT. BASEMENT - NIGHT

    Tom unearths the body of Samantha Muller.

    Tom Witzky, Samantha Muller

  62. 62. EXT. TOM'S HOUSE - DAY

    Flashback to Samantha's encounter with Kurt and Adam.

    Samantha Muller, Kurt Damon, Adam McCarthy

  63. 63. INT. HOUSE - DAY

    Kurt and Adam assault Samantha.

    Samantha Muller, Kurt Damon, Adam McCarthy

  64. 64. INT. BASEMENT - NIGHT

    Tom recovers from his vision and spots Kurt watching him.

    Tom Witzky, Kurt Damon

  65. 65. EXT. TOM'S HOUSE - NIGHT

    Tom goes to Frank's house to confront him.

    Tom Witzky, Frank McCarthy

  66. 66. INT. DAMON GARAGE - NIGHT

    Harry Damon prepares a weapon.

    Harry Damon

  67. 67. INT. TOM & MAGGIE'S HOUSE - NIGHT

    Tom brings Frank to his house.

    Tom Witzky, Frank McCarthy

  68. 68. INT. DAMON HOUSE - NIGHT

    Harry forces Kurt to drink and participate in the cover-up.

    Harry Damon, Kurt Damon

  69. 69. EXT. ROAD INTO TOWN - NIGHT

    Maggie races home.

    Maggie Witzky

  70. 70. INT. BASEMENT - NIGHT

    Frank threatens Tom with a gun.

    Tom Witzky, Frank McCarthy

  71. 71. INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

    Harry and Kurt ambush Tom.

    Tom Witzky, Harry Damon, Kurt Damon

  72. 72. EXT. DRIVEWAY - NIGHT

    Maggie arrives home.

    Maggie Witzky

  73. 73. INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

    Maggie fights back; Frank intervenes.

    Maggie Witzky, Tom Witzky, Frank McCarthy, Harry Damon, Kurt Damon

  74. 74. EXT. FRONT PORCH - NIGHT

    Tom and Frank sit on the porch after the violence.

    Tom Witzky, Frank McCarthy

  75. 75. INT. Living Room - NIGHT

    Frank confronts Tom and Maggie after a violent event, claiming he saved them, then exits to the porch.

    Tom Witzky, Maggie Witzky, Frank McCarthy

  76. 76. EXT. Front Porch - NIGHT

    Tom joins Frank on the porch while neighbors react to the commotion.

    Tom Witzky, Frank McCarthy

  77. 77. INT. Hospital Corridor - DAY

    A nurse wheels a newborn baby through the hospital corridor.

  78. 78. INT. Hospital Room - DAY

    The family meets the new baby, and Jake shares a mysterious moment with her.

    Maggie Witzky, Tom Witzky, Jake Witzky, Dorothy Muller

Dialogue examples

Focus on it. Now... I want you to pretend you're in a theatre. A movie theatre. You're the only one there. You're sitting near the front. The walls of the theatre are black, covered with black velvet. The seats are covered with black velvet. There is no light in the theatre. In the whole pitch-black theatre, there's only one thing you can see. The white screen. You drift toward it, in your chair. There are letters up on the screen. Tall, thick, black letters, but they're out of focus. You drift closer to them, trying to read them. You're comfortable in your black velvet seat, very comfortable. You just sit there, looking at the screen, drifting closer in your chair, staring at those letters on the screen. You're relaxing. Your feet and ankles are relaxed. Your legs are relaxed. Your hands are limp and heavy. Your arms are relaxed. Your face. The letters come into focus, you're close enough now, you can read them. The letters spell -- SLEEP.

Philip / Scene 4

Well, I was walking in the night, and I saw nothing scary. For I have never been afraid of anything. Not very. I was deep within the woods when, suddenly, I spied them. I saw a pair of pale green pants with nobody inside them! I wasn't scared. But, yet, I stopped. What could those pants be there for? What could a pair of pants at night be standing in the air for?

Tom Witzky / Scene 2

I'm serious. The summer I was nineteen, I was at Jones Beach, I swam out too far and got a cramp in my leg. There was no way I was gonna make it back. I was goin' down, I was swallowing water and everything. Tom was a lifeguard. I don't know what he was doing out that far, he said he just had a feeling.

Maggie Witzky / Scene 4

Don't have a name. Cacophony Society, somebody said once, that stuck for a while. You know, like too many voices in our heads? I think it's too melodramatic. How about "fellow sufferers?"

Neil / Scene 46

The hell it isn't! This is the best God damn neighborhood in Chicago, 'cause we look out for each other, and that's sayin' a lot as we approach the Year of our Lord two thousand.

Frank McCarthy / Scene 4

No, I now how it happened, I'm just sayin'... You're gonna have to stop work, at least for a while. I'll be workin' Saturdays for at least another year, maybe two.

Tom Witzky / Scene 5

Maggie, you don't think, I mean, ten, twelve years from now... I don't want you to think I'm gonna be a line man forever, you know, like Frank or somethin'.

Tom Witzky / Scene 5

I'm smarter than Philip, Christ, six years in college, he's still got his head up his ass. I just want you to know, this ain't where I plan to stop.

Tom Witzky / Scene 5

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