Screenplay data
Eleanor Vance joins Dr. Marrow's study at Hill House, believing it's for insomnia, but soon discovers the house's dark history and supernatural activity alongside fellow subjects Theo and Luke. As the house's influence grows, Nell uncovers Hugh Crain's disturbing past and confronts Marrow, who reveals his true intentions for the fear experiment, leaving her feeling betrayed and isolated. The house intensifies its attacks, trapping the group and killing Luke, prompting Nell to sacrifice herself to save Marrow and Theo, becoming one with the house's tormented spirits. Marrow and Theo escape, forever changed, as Hill House remains a monument to evil, with Marrow publishing his book and Theo later returning to call out for Nell.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Eleanor “Nell” Vance leaves her unresolved past and uncertain future behind to join a paranormal study at Hill House, where eerie warnings and unsettling discoveries challenge her grip on reality.
Open full beat sheetEleanor Vance is listed as Protagonist / Research Subject. 20s, small, plain, sensitive, recently cared for her invalid mother for eleven years. In the parsed data, Eleanor Vance is connected to 71 scenes, 111 dialogue lines, 113 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
71 scenes / 111 dialogue linesTheo is listed as Research Subject. 20s, exotic, sophisticated, worldly, artist. In the parsed data, Theo is connected to 53 scenes, 69 dialogue lines, 79 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
53 scenes / 69 dialogue linesJames Marrow is listed as Psychologist / Researcher. Ambitious, manipulative, obsessed with his study on fear. In the parsed data, James Marrow is connected to 38 scenes, 71 dialogue lines, 71 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
38 scenes / 71 dialogue linesLuke Sanderson is listed as Research Subject. 20s, charming, cynical, insomniac. In the parsed data, Luke Sanderson is connected to 29 scenes, 32 dialogue lines, 34 text mentions, first appearing around scene 19.
29 scenes / 32 dialogue linesMr. Dudley is listed as Caretaker. Ex-hippie, rough, dirty, massive, cryptic. In the parsed data, Mr. Dudley is connected to 10 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
10 scenes / 11 dialogue linesMary Lambretta is listed as Marrow's T.A.. Late 20s, pretty, wears glasses, believes in the paranormal. In the parsed data, Mary Lambretta is connected to 6 scenes, first appearing around scene 3.
6 scenes / 0 dialogue linesTodd Aubochon is listed as Research Subject. Insomniac. In the parsed data, Todd Aubochon is connected to 5 scenes, first appearing around scene 19.
5 scenes / 0 dialogue linesMrs. Dudley is listed as Caretaker. Sallow, unsmiling, keeps strict hours. In the parsed data, Mrs. Dudley is connected to 4 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
4 scenes / 3 dialogue linesHugh Crain is listed as Historical Figure. 19th-century mill owner, brutal, obsessed, builder of Hill House. In the parsed data, Hugh Crain is connected to 4 scenes, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
4 scenes / 0 dialogue linesMalcolm Keogh is listed as Department Chairman. 50s, graying professor, ethical, skeptical of Marrow's methods. In the parsed data, Malcolm Keogh is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 3.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesJane is listed as Nell's sister. 30s, dark-haired, practical, somewhat cold and dismissive of Nell. In the parsed data, Jane is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 1.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesLou is listed as Jane's husband. Bored, materialistic, focused on money. In the parsed data, Lou is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 1.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesRichie is listed as Jane and Lou's son. Young boy, insolent, destructive. In the parsed data, Richie is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 1.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesJane and Lou confront Nell about her future and her mother's estate while their son Richie causes chaos.
Eleanor Vance, Jane, Lou, RichieNell cries, finds her mother's necklace, and decides to leave.
Eleanor VanceDr. Marrow defends his unethical research methods to Malcolm Keogh.
Malcolm Keogh, James Marrow, Mary LambrettaNell stops for gas and is warned by the attendant not to go to Hill House.
Eleanor Vance, Mr. DudleyNell arrives at the gate and meets Mr. Dudley.
Eleanor Vance, Mr. DudleyNell enters the house and meets Mrs. Dudley.
Eleanor Vance, Mrs. DudleyNell explores the hallway, hears a whisper and laughter, and discovers Theo and Mrs. Dudley.
Eleanor Vance, Mr. Dudley, TheoNell meets Theo and Mrs. Dudley while they are moving luggage.
Eleanor Vance, Mr. Dudley, TheoMrs. Dudley shows Theo and Nell to the room; Theo and Nell discuss their backgrounds.
Eleanor Vance, Mr. Dudley, TheoNell and Theo walk through the hallway, admiring the carvings.
Eleanor Vance, TheoNell and Theo explore the Red Parlor; Nell notices a painting of Hugh Crain.
Eleanor Vance, Theo, Hugh CrainNell and Theo stand before the painting of Hugh Crain and choose a hallway to explore.
Eleanor Vance, Theo, Hugh CrainTheo and Nell enter a small parlor and discuss the Dudleys.
Eleanor Vance, TheoTheo and Nell run through the Statuary Hall.
Eleanor Vance, TheoNell and Theo dance in the Hall of Mirrors.
Eleanor Vance, TheoNell and Theo get lost in the house.
Eleanor Vance, TheoNell and Theo encounter a disturbing set of doors.
Eleanor Vance, TheoNell and Theo flee down a staircase.
Eleanor Vance, TheoThe group meets in the Grand Entry.
Eleanor Vance, James Marrow, Mary Lambretta, Theo, Luke Sanderson, Todd AubochonMarrow explains the history of Hill House.
Eleanor Vance, James Marrow, Mary Lambretta, Theo, Luke Sanderson, Todd AubochonThe group has dinner and discusses their insomnia.
Eleanor Vance, James Marrow, Mary Lambretta, Theo, Luke Sanderson, Todd AubochonMary plays the harp, which snaps and injures her.
Eleanor Vance, James Marrow, Mary Lambretta, Theo, Luke Sanderson, Todd AubochonMary is taken to the hospital.
James Marrow, Mary Lambretta, Luke Sanderson, Todd AubochonLuke tells Nell and Theo the dark truth about Hugh Crain.
Eleanor Vance, Theo, Luke Sanderson, Hugh CrainMarrow records his observations.
James MarrowTheo visits Nell in her room.
Eleanor Vance, TheoNell and Theo share a moment while Theo styles Nell's hair, followed by Nell preparing for bed.
Eleanor Vance, TheoNell prepares for bed, noticing the ornate headboard.
Eleanor VanceThe house seems to breathe in the darkness.
Carved animal heads on the balusters wait in the darkness.
The house seems to be gathering energy.
Nell hears mysterious thumping sounds.
Eleanor VanceNell and Theo hide in terror as something bangs on the door.
Eleanor Vance, TheoNell and Theo discuss the noises with Marrow and Luke.
Eleanor Vance, James Marrow, Theo, Luke SandersonBreakfast conversation with tension between Theo and Nell.
Eleanor Vance, James Marrow, Theo, Luke SandersonNell experiences a terrifying encounter at the fireplace.
Eleanor Vance, James Marrow, Theo, Luke SandersonThe group searches for the missing guest, David Watts.
Eleanor Vance, James Marrow, Theo, Luke SandersonNell and Theo smell something foul near the locked door.
Eleanor Vance, James Marrow, TheoMarrow interviews Nell about her experiences.
Eleanor Vance, James MarrowThe group discovers a message written on the wall.
Eleanor Vance, James Marrow, Theo, Luke SandersonNell confronts the others about the message.
Eleanor Vance, James Marrow, Theo, Luke SandersonMarrow comforts Nell.
Eleanor Vance, James MarrowMarrow shows Nell the greenhouse, where they encounter Mr. Dudley who tells the story of Rene Crain's suicide. Nell feels a sense of adventure and connection to the house.
James Marrow, Eleanor Vance, Mr. DudleyNell leaves the house, feeling ashamed, and encounters Mr. Dudley again.
Eleanor Vance, Mr. DudleyNell enters the Crain family cemetery and reads the epitaphs on the graves of Crain's children.
Eleanor VanceNell finds Crain's secret study and discovers ledgers documenting the deaths of children.
Eleanor VanceNell and Theo discuss the ledger and Theo gives Nell a pedicure.
Eleanor Vance, TheoNell experiences supernatural phenomena in her room.
Eleanor VanceNell wakes to find her feet covered in gore and experiences a terrifying encounter with a presence.
Eleanor Vance, TheoNell, Theo, and Luke discuss the events of the previous night.
Eleanor Vance, Theo, Luke SandersonNell discovers Marrow's recording of his assessment of her.
Eleanor Vance, James MarrowNell attempts to leave the house but is locked in by the Dudleys.
Eleanor Vance, Mr. Dudley, Mrs. DudleyNell finds a photo album that reveals more about the Crain family.
Eleanor VanceNell enters the Great Hall, investigates the fireplace, and discovers human skulls inside the ash drop.
Eleanor VanceNell runs through the hallway calling for help but hears children's voices instead.
Eleanor Vance, Theo, James MarrowNell is led through the dark, shifting hallways by the voices.
Eleanor VanceNell reaches the locked room and realizes the house is a trap designed by Crain.
Eleanor Vance, Hugh CrainNell confronts Marrow, Theo, and Luke with her findings, leading to Marrow revealing the experiment.
Eleanor Vance, James Marrow, Theo, Luke SandersonTheo comforts Nell as she falls asleep, while a face begins to form in the frost on the window.
Eleanor Vance, TheoMarrow, Luke, and Theo discuss the experiment and Nell's condition.
James Marrow, Luke Sanderson, TheoMarrow checks the fireplace and receives a phone call about a missing person.
James MarrowLuke and Theo discuss the haunting and their situation.
Luke Sanderson, TheoNell is terrorized by unseen forces and breaks the window.
Eleanor VanceNell runs from her room in a fury.
Eleanor VanceTheo finds Nell's room empty and smashed.
TheoNell encounters a distorted reflection in a mirror.
Eleanor VanceNell is chased by banging sounds.
Eleanor VanceNell confronts her reflections and is told to welcome home.
Eleanor VanceNell climbs the spiral staircase while Marrow, Luke, and Theo attempt to rescue her.
Eleanor Vance, James Marrow, Luke Sanderson, TheoThe group regroups after the staircase collapse.
James Marrow, Theo, Luke Sanderson, Eleanor VanceThe room itself comes alive and attacks Nell.
Eleanor Vance, Luke SandersonLuke wakes up to see Nell's room convulsing and the door slamming shut.
Luke SandersonNell is pinned by the room's woodwork while Marrow and Luke break in.
Eleanor Vance, Malcolm Keogh, James Marrow, Theo, Luke SandersonThe group retreats to the Great Hall where Nell sees faces in the woodwork.
Eleanor Vance, James Marrow, Theo, Luke SandersonThe group is trapped at the gate and Marrow questions Nell about the ad.
Eleanor Vance, James Marrow, Theo, Luke SandersonLuke attempts to ram the gate with the car.
Eleanor Vance, James Marrow, Theo, Luke SandersonThe group re-enters the house to find Nell.
Eleanor Vance, James Marrow, Theo, Luke SandersonThe group finds Watts' body in the greenhouse.
James Marrow, Theo, Luke SandersonNell is found in the nursery, claiming she is family.
Eleanor Vance, James Marrow, Theo, Luke SandersonLuke attempts to break a window and then sets the room on fire.
Eleanor Vance, James Marrow, Theo, Luke SandersonI hadn't done a study of how group fear affects individual performance. Mass hysteria is like a story, Nell. A communal story. Someone starts it. Then we all add a little more to it. And then for some reason -- no one knows how -- we start believing it. This story shapes what we see and hear. We interpret everything through it, make it fit the story. I started our story when I gave you the history of Hill House. You've added to it. That's what this experiment has all been about. That's what it was about, the experiment's over. I'm pulling the plug. This is my fault.
I was just thinking how happy I am right now. All my life, I've been waiting for an adventure. And I thought, oh, I'll never have that, adventures are for people who travel long distances, that's for soldiers, that's for the women that the bullfighters fall in love with. And here I am, and something is happening to me. Strange noises in the night. Paintings are calling to me. And all it cost to get there was five gallons of gas. I'm getting my adventure.
Don't tell the Professor; he'd probably throw me out. But test taking is one of the ways I've been supporting myself. I volunteer for every paid study that they offer. Of course straight psych stuff doesn't pay as much as the pharmaceuticals do, or a good wound study. Check it out. A thousand dollars each. Am I sick? Yes. Do you know why I only date freshmen? By the time they're sophomores, they've figured me out.
Marrow said the same thing as last night, he says -- that he checked with Mrs. Dudley. And he says that she told him that all the fireplaces in the West Wing connect to the main chimney. He says that he thinks that the flue was open, and with the windstorm, he says that what probably happened was some kind of freak air current --
That's a good question. What is it about fences? Sometimes a locked chain makes people on both sides of the fence just a little more comfortable. Why would that be?
I've given you a powerful suggestion that you're in a haunted house. I picked Hill House because it fits the expectations. It was my... it was my theater, my stage.
No. If he's lost somewhere in the house... he'll have to stay lost until tomorrow, until the night is over. What we have to do now is be together, with Nell.
I leave before dark comes. We live in town. Nine miles. So there won't be anyone around if you need help. We couldn't even hear you, in the night.
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