1999
Child psychologist Malcolm Crowe is shot by a former patient, Vincent Gray, whom he failed to help, and Malcolm awakens to find his wife, Anna, distant and unresponsive to him. Malcolm begins working with Cole Sear, a young boy who is ostracized and terrified, and who eventually confides in Malcolm that he sees dead people. Initially skeptical, Malcolm gradually comes to believe Cole after witnessing strange phenomena and recalling his own past failures to listen to Vincent. Malcolm encourages Cole to communicate with the ghosts to understand their needs, leading Cole to help the ghost of a poisoned girl, Kyra Collins, expose her mother as her killer.
Save the Cat beat sheet
A struggling child psychologist, Malcolm Crowe, takes on a mysterious boy, Cole, who confesses he sees dead people.
Open full beat sheetCole Sear is listed as Child client. Eight-year-old boy, large black eyes, dark hair with a patch of white. In the parsed data, Cole Sear is connected to 52 scenes, 74 dialogue lines, 75 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
52 scenes / 74 dialogue linesMalcolm Crowe is listed as Child Psychologist. In his thirties, thick wavy hair, intelligent eyes, charming smile. In the parsed data, Malcolm Crowe is connected to 46 scenes, 72 dialogue lines, 73 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
46 scenes / 72 dialogue linesLynn Sear is listed as Cole's mother. Late twenties, South Philly, teased hair, sweet-looking. In the parsed data, Lynn Sear is connected to 18 scenes, 20 dialogue lines, 21 text mentions, first appearing around scene 28.
18 scenes / 20 dialogue linesAnna Crowe is listed as Malcolm's wife. Elegant, slender, gentle eyes, innocent beauty. In the parsed data, Anna Crowe is connected to 15 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
15 scenes / 10 dialogue linesSean is listed as Antique store employee. Attractive young man in his late twenties. In the parsed data, Sean is connected to 5 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 20.
5 scenes / 5 dialogue linesTommy Tammisimo is listed as Cole's classmate. Tough-looking eight-year-old Italian kid. In the parsed data, Tommy Tammisimo is connected to 5 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
5 scenes / 2 dialogue linesMr. Marschal is listed as Neighbor. Elderly man, thick German accent, lonely. In the parsed data, Mr. Marschal is connected to 4 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.
4 scenes / 8 dialogue linesKyra Collins is listed as Deceased child. Emaciated little girl, bulging eyes. In the parsed data, Kyra Collins is connected to 4 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 38.
4 scenes / 2 dialogue linesStanley Cunningham is listed as Teacher. Late forties, former student of the school. In the parsed data, Stanley Cunningham is connected to 3 scenes, 17 dialogue lines, 17 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
3 scenes / 17 dialogue linesVincent Gray is listed as Former patient. Nineteen, drugged out, pitch black bulging eyes, covered in scars. In the parsed data, Vincent Gray is connected to 2 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
2 scenes / 2 dialogue linesAnna Crowe enters the cold basement to retrieve a bottle of wine, feeling unsettled by the atmosphere.
Anna CroweMalcolm and Anna celebrate his professional achievement with wine and conversation.
Malcolm Crowe, Anna CroweMalcolm and Anna discover an intruder in their home, who turns out to be a former patient, Vincent Gray.
Malcolm Crowe, Anna Crowe, Vincent GrayTwo years later, Malcolm reviews case files and spots Cole Sear.
Malcolm Crowe, Cole SearMalcolm introduces himself to Cole in a church.
Malcolm Crowe, Cole SearMalcolm returns home to find overdue mail and his sleeping wife.
Malcolm Crowe, Anna CroweMalcolm researches Latin to understand Cole's note.
Malcolm CroweLynn Sear discovers cabinets open and interacts with Cole.
Cole Sear, Lynn SearTommy Tammisimo taunts Cole on the way to school.
Cole Sear, Tommy TammisimoMalcolm plays a mind-reading game with Cole to build trust.
Malcolm Crowe, Cole Sear, Lynn SearMalcolm tries to connect with Anna, but she remains distant.
Malcolm Crowe, Anna CroweMalcolm and Cole discuss the soldiers and Cole's feelings.
Malcolm Crowe, Cole SearCole and Malcolm walk and encounter Mr. Marschal.
Malcolm Crowe, Cole Sear, Mr. MarschalMalcolm observes Cole searching the Marschal home.
Malcolm Crowe, Cole SearMalcolm and Cole visit Mr. Marschal's home, where Cole discovers Jill's hidden diaries, leading to an emotional realization for Mr. Marschal.
Malcolm Crowe, Cole Sear, Mr. MarschalMalcolm records his thoughts on his past failure with Vincent Gray and his new resolve to listen to Cole.
Malcolm CroweLynn discovers strange blurs in family photographs.
Lynn SearLynn finds disturbing writings in Cole's room.
Lynn SearMalcolm discusses Cole's father and free-writing; Cole admits he doesn't want to be scared anymore.
Malcolm Crowe, Cole SearMalcolm researches self-inflicted injuries and overhears Anna talking to Sean.
Malcolm Crowe, Anna Crowe, SeanMalcolm watches Sean leave his house.
Malcolm Crowe, SeanCole confronts Mr. Cunningham about his past stuttering, causing a scene.
Cole Sear, Stanley Cunningham, Tommy TammisimoMalcolm performs a magic trick for Cole and promises he will sound like the other kids one day.
Malcolm Crowe, Cole SearMalcolm watches a wedding video of himself and Anna.
Malcolm Crowe, Anna CroweMalcolm finds antidepressants in the bathroom.
Malcolm Crowe, Anna CroweCole attends a birthday party.
Cole SearCole tries to perform a magic trick for Bobby.
Cole SearLynn expresses her worries about Cole to Darren's mom.
Lynn SearCole is locked in a crawl space by Darren and Tommy.
Cole Sear, Tommy TammisimoLynn and Malcolm speak with Dr. Hill about Cole's condition.
Lynn Sear, Malcolm CroweCole reveals his secret to Malcolm: he sees dead people.
Malcolm Crowe, Cole SearMalcolm records his assessment of Cole as schizophrenic.
Malcolm CroweLynn drives Cole home from the hospital.
Lynn Sear, Cole SearLynn puts Cole to bed.
Lynn Sear, Cole SearLynn drives Cole home from the hospital, observing him sleeping in the passenger seat.
Lynn Sear, Cole SearLynn puts Cole to bed and discovers scratches on his back.
Lynn Sear, Cole SearLynn calls someone to complain about Cole being hurt.
Lynn SearCole wakes up to use the bathroom and encounters a ghost in the kitchen.
Cole Sear, Kyra CollinsCole hides in his tent sanctuary.
Cole SearCole participates in the school play.
Cole Sear, Tommy Tammisimo, Stanley Cunningham, Malcolm CroweMalcolm and Cole discuss the play and Cole's experiences.
Malcolm Crowe, Cole SearCole shows Malcolm the ghosts in the gym.
Malcolm Crowe, Cole SearMalcolm walks home and tests if he can feel the ghosts.
Malcolm CroweMalcolm and Anna argue, and Anna receives a phone call.
Malcolm Crowe, Anna CroweLynn and Cole have a tense dinner.
Lynn Sear, Cole SearCole encounters a ghost boy in the hallway.
Cole SearCole asks to sleep in his mother's room.
Lynn Sear, Cole SearAnna works at the antique store.
Anna Crowe, SeanAnna and Sean share a moment.
Anna Crowe, SeanMalcolm walks down the street.
Malcolm CroweLynn and Cole leave the supermarket.
Lynn Sear, Cole SearCole sees a ghost woman and screams.
Lynn Sear, Cole SearMalcolm and Cole have a final session.
Malcolm Crowe, Cole SearMalcolm listens to old session tapes.
Malcolm CroweMalcolm visits Mr. Marschal's house.
Malcolm Crowe, Mr. MarschalMalcolm and Cole talk in the church.
Malcolm Crowe, Cole SearMalcolm sees Sean leaving his house.
Malcolm Crowe, SeanAnna leaves a message for Sean.
Anna CroweCole sleeps in his tent.
Cole SearCole goes to his mother's room.
Cole SearCole comforts his sleeping mother.
Lynn Sear, Cole SearCole senses a ghost.
Cole SearCole fixes his tent.
Cole SearCole encounters a ghost girl.
Cole Sear, Kyra CollinsCole hides under the couch.
Cole SearCole hides under the couch in fear, waiting for something to happen.
Cole SearCole confronts the ghost of the girl in his bedroom.
Cole Sear, Kyra CollinsCole and Malcolm ride a bus, where Cole sees a ghost of a shackled man.
Malcolm Crowe, Cole SearCole and Malcolm arrive at the home of the deceased girl for the funeral.
Malcolm Crowe, Cole SearMourners gather at the house.
Malcolm Crowe, Cole SearCole and Malcolm prepare to enter the girl's bedroom.
Malcolm Crowe, Cole SearCole finds the ghost of the girl under the bed.
Cole Sear, Kyra CollinsCole gives the jewelry box to the girl's father.
Malcolm Crowe, Cole SearThe mourners watch the video tape from the jewelry box, revealing the mother poisoned the girl.
Mr. Collins confronts his wife about the poisoning.
Cole comforts the girl's little sister.
Cole SearCole is in the prop room with Mr. Cunningham and a ghost teacher.
Cole Sear, Stanley CunninghamMalcolm arrives at the school in the rain.
Malcolm CroweMalcolm searches for the auditorium.
Malcolm CroweCole performs in the school play.
Malcolm Crowe, Cole Sear, Tommy TammisimoApril or March of Eighty-seven. Two weeks into sessions with Vincent Gray. I was treating a couple, Donald and Robin Wagner, who had lost their child to Leukemia. They were waiting with Vincent in the reception room of the downtown clinic. They were alone together maybe fifteen minutes. When I entered the room, all three were crying. The Wagner's progress from that afternoon was dramatic and sudden.... As if some door had been opened for them. I'm not at all clear what happened in those fifteen minutes. But I now believe Vincent tried to tell me something, show me something and I didn't listen. Cole Sear allowed me to witness something today. This time I'm going to listen.
Right... Philadelphia is one of the oldest cities in the country. A lot of generations have lived and died in this city... Almost every place you visit has a history and a story behind it. Even this school and the grounds they sit on... Can anyone guess what this building was used for a hundred years ago, before you went here, before I went to this school even?
Hi, this is Lynn Sear, Cole's mother. I wonder if we could talk about your son and his friends keeping their goddamn hands off my boy?
When I touch this piece I feel a longing. I imagine the woman who owned this, loved a man deeply she couldn't be with.
On my way to the flea market in Amish country. Thought maybe you want to come. Show me how to buy at these things.
There once was a boy, very different than other boys. He lived in the jungle, and he could talk with the animals.
I'm so tired, Cole. I'm tired in my body. I'm tired in my mind. I'm tired in my heart. I need a little help here.
I think we said everything we needed to say. Maybe it's time to say things to someone else? Someone close to you?
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