Original subtitles

We lay my love and I…

…beneath the weeping willow.

But now alone I lie…

…and weep beside the tree.

Singin', "O willow waly…"

…by the tree that weeps with me.

Singing, "O willow waly…"

…till my lover return to me.

Can I have your attention, please?

You'll get to your meals momentarily, but first…

The bride has asked me to speak.

I thought she was joking!

Why invite such catastrophe

upon your own wedding?

But, as she explained,

"No, heavens, no. Not the wedding,

the practice meal."

The rehearsal dinner, for God's sakes!

I must claim my right as a slightly drunk, completely jet-lagged Englishman

to well and truly speak my mind.

Because I want to warn you all,

you young people have absolutely no idea

what you are letting yourselves in for.

Oh…

Here's a horrifying statistic.

Did you know that almost half of marriages these days

do not end up in divorce?

That means there's a strong probability that you two get to watch each other die.

And that's the preferred outcome.

To truly love another person

is to accept that the work of loving them

is worth the pain of losing them.

And that's it.

That's all.

And if that scares you as much as it scares me,

then I say run.

Go off and do drugs on a beach in Bali.

Devote yourself to a life of the mind. Run!

Run while you still can. You're young, you're strong. The world…

No, I'm serious,

- we actually refused to stay here. - She refused.

I didn't know staying here was even an option.

There's three suites in the castle,

- and Jack wanted to stay here… - Just one night.

…before we left for the honeymoon.

Just tomorrow. Just after the reception, so we could just stumble upstairs.

But I said, "No way, not after those stories."

Wait, just the stories?

- You didn't see her? - No! God no, I didn't see her.

If I saw a dead woman, a dead nun, no less, crying in the corners,

- we would not be getting married here. - Okay, it's just a story.

This place used to be a convent for, like, a few decades in the '40s.

It's part of the sales package.

They can charge a few hundred extra for the ghost story.

Look, I love a good ghost story, I just don't want to sleep in one.

We honeymooned in Ireland.

They kept telling us to look out for Seamus,

the stable boy.

Oh, Seamus.

They said his head was crushed in where a horse had kicked him.

Ghost stories are worse when there's a kid.

Adds a little something, doesn't it?

I have a story.

Well…

…it isn't really my story.

It belongs to someone I knew.

And it's not exactly short.

Well, it seems we have time enough, and…

Wine enough.

Why not?

All right, then.

A ghost story.

Again, this story isn't mine,

but it is full of ghosts of all sorts.

And if a child gives the effect,

another turn of the screw…

…what do you say to two?

The teacher was, by choice, a solitary young woman.

Come up to London in trepidation to answer in person an advertisement…

…placed by one Lord Henry Wingrave

regarding his young nephew and niece,

who were in need of an au pair.

A full-time position, it said. Live-in, at that,

in his old family home in Essex.

A great good place,

alone in the country.

Miss Clayton, is it?

Oh, call me Dani. Hi there.

Please, have a seat.

- You're a teacher? - Yes.

Or I was.

Fourth grade.

In the States.

Mm-hmm.

Been in England long?

About six months.

Six months? During which time, you've…

Well, I've…

…fallen quite in love with London.

God.

Tea? Coffee?

No, thank you. Haven't quite mastered tea yet.

I'm used to it coming in a pitcher.

Full of ice cubes…

…and lemon wedges, and…

Well, it's a whole different thing here.

Yes, it is.

You've no previous experience as an au pair.

Well, I…

I've quite a bit of experience with children, Mr. Wingrave.

In a classroom, but this is a full-time, live-in position.

I know, that's actually why

- I responded to the ad. - The children are wonderful.

Exceptional, really, my niece and my nephew.

Exceptional children, as I said.

But challenging, both.

Miles, my nephew, is back home from boarding school early.

He needs structure,

discipline more than ever, I fear.

Mm-hmm.

Well, can I ask why he was sent home?

- Spring session shouldn't end... - You'd be expected to tutor him

so he doesn't fall behind.

In that respect, your classroom experience may actually be of use.

The same with Flora,

my niece.

You'd tutor her as well.

Your ad mentioned the position was in the countryside?

In Bly,

my family's country house.

The children are used to Bly, they…

Spent summers and holidays there with their parents,

before they passed.

It's a great good place, the manor.

There are few others on the grounds.

A cook, groundskeeper. They stay in town.

There is a live-in housekeeper, but the children…

Would be your responsibility and yours alone.

Don't call on me unless it's an emergency.

I'm extraordinarily busy.

I understand.

You know,

one of my more unique assignments at my school

was specific to some of our highest-need children,

- one of whom had actually lost their par... - What's the catch?

I'm sorry?

The catch. You're what?

Thirty?

Mid-twenties?

I wonder…

What's the catch?

You're younger than most who'd apply for this sort of thing.

What makes a woman of your age

want to give up her life to take care of someone else's children?

A life in America, at that.

Full-time as well.

It seems odd… to me, to be frank.

Hm.

It seems odd to me too.

The listing, I mean.

A full-time position in a beautiful country manor

to two exceptional children.

But I saw your ad six months ago.

When I first arrived in London.

And I have seen it every month since.

Seems to me an easy position to fill.

At least as you've described.

So, I suppose you're right.

What is the catch?

That really is the question.

Thank you.

Alright, James?

I know I didn't get the job,

and that's totally cool.

But that was the most awkward job interview of my entire life.

So, I think we should toast to it, Mr. Wingrave.

Or do you prefer it in your tea?

So…

You can tell me now, right?

I'm honestly so, so curious.

About what?

The catch.

- Oh, no. - No, come on!

Well…

…imagination, I suppose.

No one wants the job.

Oh, come on. No one?

We did find someone for a while.

Last summer.

A promising young woman.

The children liked her.

Mm-hmm.

And then, she…

Well, I-I suppose she died.

It was her own fault, to be blunt.

Her choice, to be blunter,

but she died on the grounds.

People are superstitious, especially in the country.

So, now it's a story.

These small children in that huge house with their dead parents,

and now, their dead governess.

Never mind the parents died abroad.

Never mind the governess took her own…

So, yes, the story precedes the job,

at least at all the agencies.

Now, no one wants it.

Superstition…

Imagination.

What about you?

What was your catch?

I, um…

…couldn't be at home anymore.

Have you ever taught a classroom of 25 kids?

No, I absolutely have not, I'm afraid.

Well…

You take to them.

You love them.

Even the worst ones.

You just do.

And you try to help…

…but there's just too many of them.

And too little of you.

So, you just…

The ad said two children.

I figure I don't know the specifics, but I know how to handle kids.

Maybe I can make a difference.

I could. I could make a difference.

A real difference.

With just two.

Then I noticed the position was…

Full-time, live-in.

And then it clicked. They've lost someone.

Now, I understand death.

I know what loss is.

I'm gonna be in England a while longer.

Quite a while, actually.

I got a job.

Yeah, I-I got a trial position, at least to the end of the summer.

But it could go on for quite...

No, I know. I know it's longer than I said, but I got a job.

I'm not.

I'm not running from anything,

and it hurts me when you say that.

You know it hurts me when you say that.

Anyway…

…you can reach me when I get to the house.

I'll call you… when I have the number.

I love you, Mom.

- Uh, Miss Clayton? - Yeah.

- Owen. - Hi.

- Pleased to meet you. - Nice to meet you.

- Let me get... Let's get that. - Yeah. I have some bags.

No worries. Thank you.

Thank you.

Oh, uh, sorry about that. Country roads.

How long was I out?

Oh, a while.

Are you still on American time?

Oh, no.

I just haven't got much sleep lately.

Ah.

Well, hostels aren't terribly restful.

I mean, you'll find it much quieter out here.

- It's gorgeous. - Is it?

What?

I can't tell anymore, personally.

Uh, I was born in Bly.

The town, I mean, not the manor.

I escaped for a bit.

Spent some time in France.

- What? - Studying to be a chef.

Yet, here I was, just thinking you were a driver.

No, no, no, only sometimes, when Henry asks me.

Frankly, I'm a rubbish driver.

But not a bad cook, turns out.

Why'd you come back?

- From France? - Family.

And this job pays the bills, while I'm here.

- Mm-hmm. - And it keeps me close.

Well, there are worse places to be stuck, believe me.

I've actually never liked Bly.

The people here, most of them,

they're born here, they die here.

The whole town is one big gravity well.

And it's easy to get stuck.

God, is that…

Like I said, plenty to love.

Can I get out and walk the rest of the way?

Oh, what a beautiful song!

What song?

- The one you were just singing. - You're Miss Clayton!

You must be.

Oh, and you're so pretty.

I told Miles you'd be pretty.

How perfectly splendid!

You must be Flora.

I hope I didn't startle you.

- Not at all. You're expected. - Oh.

I'm just so, so pleased you're here.

And Mrs. Grose will want to see you.

And Miles.

- Mm-hmm. - And Owen, and Jamie.

You know, I've met Owen.

When did you meet Owen?

On the car ride up.

Now, what's that?

Oh, this.

Just a silly thing, really.

Just a moment.

- What a gorgeous lake. - Oh, you mustn't.

It really is just a smelly old pond.

And, you know, there are leeches in there. Horrid little things, like vampire slugs,

and the nastiest beetles.

Who needs that old pond, anyway?

There's so much else that's so much better.

It really is perfectly splendid to meet you.

Miles!

She's here! She's here!

And she's even prettier than I imagined.

This is her!

Hi, Miles.

So pleased to meet you, my lady.

Oh, well, what the gentleman.

And this must be Mrs. Grose.

- Hi! - I'm sorry, um…

Goodness, I wa... I was miles away.

I'm Dani.

Oh, it's a pleasure to meet you. Hannah Grose.

Well, I-I see you made it in one piece.

- Yeah. - Was the journey okay?

Oh, it was perfect.

- Oh, wonderful. - Yeah.

Yes, that... that Owen is a fine young man.

- Good sort. - Mm-hmm.

Right, well, um, let... let's find our way inside.

I'm sure Miss Clayton is eager to see the house.

- Oh, yes. - Right, well, come along.

- Now... - You can call me Dani.

Nonsense.

Children, you will call her Miss Clayton, like we agreed.

Her first look at Bly yielded no discomfort,

no foreboding.

It was exactly as Lord Wingrave had described.

A great, good place.

And it yawned open to welcome her home.

This is the foyer,

and it's perfectly splendid.

- It's beauti... - Come along!

This is the kitchen,

and it's perfectly splendid.

And this is Owen.

He's the cook,

and he's splendid.

- Mm-hmm. - Perfectly.

Hello, everyone.

Hey again.

Hi!

Hi, Flora.

This way.

The paintings are all original,

which means they're painted by hand,

and they're perfectly splendid.

This is the classroom.

It's…

…quite boring.

These are the lovely stairs, but you mustn't run on them.

If you fall, you can injure yourself, and the stairs are not forgiving.

Not forgiving in the least. Do you see?

Mrs. Grose says they're brutal on the knees…

- Oh. - …but I don't have any issues.

- Gorgeous! - It is.

A great good place. Heaven for the children.

But mind the stairs, they're brutal on the knees.

And this is where our parents used to live.

We don't go in there anymore.

We don't go in there anymore. It's all covered up.

This room is closed at the moment.

And covered up. But underneath it all,

it's all just perfectly splendid.

Let's leave Miss Clayton to freshen up.

Of course.

But then we must show her the statue garden.

She'll see it all eventually, Flora.

We'll see you after you've settled.

And once you have, we'll have to show you the rest.

Flora!

Coming.

Oh!

I'm sorry. May I come in?

Yes. Of course.

Perhaps knock from now on.

Of course.

I just wanted to say how happy we all are that you're here.

And to give you this.

Not much, I know.

Just a little something to make you feel more welcome.

Thank you.

It's very pretty.

I'm just gonna finish up here and see you in a few minutes, okay?

Of course.

Thank you.

I hope it's all right.

I haven't quite figured out tea yet, so…

Mm. It's fine, dear.

- Mm. - Dinner is served.

- Wow! - There you go, mate.

- Thank you. - Owen makes the best dinners.

He made me a macaroni-and-cheese sandwich once,

which was divine.

So, what brings a young American like you to England?

And Bly of all places.

Oh, you know, just wanted to see the world.

- Mm-hmm. - And what do you think of it so far?

- Um, Bly? Or the world? - I want to go to Australia.

Or Florida, because it's almost my name.

That's right.

- It's just so gorgeous here. - Yeah.

I know I keep saying that, but there's no other word.

- I could think of a few others. - Oh, hush now, Owen.

- He likes to wind me up. - She likes being wound up.

Aren't you joining us?

Oh, uh…

Um, not tonight, sweetheart. I've got to go home to my mom.

Disappointing.

You sound just like her.

Is she feeling better?

Much.

Better every day, I reckon.

All right.

Good night, you lovely young lady.

And good night to you, too, Flora.

Ugh, heaven help me, this man.

Enjoy.

So, he lives with his mother?

Lives for her, more like.

That's why he came back from Paris.

- Mm. - She took ill. Quite ill, I've heard.

- I'm sorry. - Yeah.

He said she's getting better.

Yeah, better every day.

He says that, but he leaves earlier and earlier these days.

He used to stay every night for supper.

Maybe she feels well enough to eat,

so he has to get home in time to cook for her.

I'm sure you're right, sweetheart.

What? You're not gonna eat?

Oh… Oh, well, yeah.

- I'll have it later. - Okay.

I'll give you some pointers.

Thank you.

I wish to look like a gnome.

A bubble gnome.

Well, you're sure getting there.

What?

It really is very silly, isn't it?

Yes, you're a very silly girl.

Where did you get that?

- What? - The butterfly clip.

Oh…

Um…

Miles gave it to me.

He shouldn't have done that.

Why not?

Because it doesn't belong to you.

Who does it belong to?

- Miss Jessel. - Who's that?

The other one.

- Before you. - I'm…

I'm so sorry.

I…

I'm so sorry.

I was wrong. It's actually fine.

Can I get out now?

Can I play with my dolls?

Yeah. Fifteen minutes, okay?

You know, I've gone to every kind of school you can think of.

Have you?

Even a boarding school once, like you.

I know how hard it can be.

It's not so bad.

Well…

…you're home now, aren't you?

Look, you can talk to me about whatever you'd like.

About school.

Anything that happened there.

I promise, I've heard it all.

It's very kind of you.

Good night, Dani.

Good night.

You know, Mrs. Grose seems to think you should call me Miss Clayton.

Didn't you like it?

I'm sorry?

The butterfly.

Oh, I…

You know, Flora…

Was a little upset, I think.

She's always a little upset.

Whether she admits it or not.

But she's so, so glad you're here.

And so am I.

Well, thank you for making me feel so welcome.

Bedtime!

- And I'm finished. - Mm-hmm.

Perfect timing.

Is that me?

Why, no, silly. You're you.

It's just a dolly.

Touché.

Who are all these?

Why, they're dolls, of course.

You, miss, have a lot of dolls,

and we're going to learn

how to pick them all up before we go to sleep, okay?

Put her back.

She stays…

There.

And you're all tucked in.

And it's time for bed.

It's just lovely that you're here.

Thank you, Flora.

But you have to promise me something.

Of course.

You have to promise me

that you'll stay in your room.

Don't leave your room at night.

Stay in your bed until morning.

I don't think I can promise that.

But it's certainly a good rule for you and your brother...

But you must.

Okay.

At least for tonight.

Now get some sleep.

The night found the au pair restless.

It was as Flora had said.

The rooms were larger at night,

as though the house itself had inhaled deeply

as the sun disappeared,

expanding as it held its breath for the morning.

That sense of expansion wasn't only indoors, either.

Gazing out, she found that the terrace and the whole place,

the lawn and the garden beyond it,

and all she could see of the park, were empty,

with a great emptiness.

An emptiness that called out to be explored.

Tastes good to me.

What a beautiful day.

Well, I'll never get tired of this place, I swear.

What's the matter?

I'm very cross with you.

Miss Clayton!

Come see what I found!

You left your room last night even though you promised you wouldn't.

- Miss Clayton! - How do you know that?

You've got to stay in your room.

Come and see!

- Why? - So she doesn't see you.

Who?

The lady.

What lady?

- The lady in the lake. - Flora.

Flora, look.

Miss Clayton…

Look!

Look, I've been a teacher for nine years, Miles.

That's almost your whole life.

In all that time, a lot of kids have tried to scare me in a lot of different ways,

and you know what I learned?

I'm a lot braver than people think.

Including me.

I wasn't trying to scare you, Miss Clayton.

I knew you wouldn't be frightened.

Did you?

Of course. I knew that about you right away.

Hm.

Is that something you used to do at school?

Play pranks?

Tricks.

I never quite saw the point of tricks.

Your uncle told me a little bit about your problems at school.

You spoke with my uncle?

Well, of course. He hired me.

Did he ask about us?

All he did was talk about you two.

He misses you both.

Very much.

No, he doesn't.

Of course he does.

Shall we give him a ring and ask?

The au pair's heart ached for the boy's pain.

But, like the very weather at Bly, his moods proved quick to change.

As sun, clouds, and rain would appear without hint or warning,

so, too, did the children's moods.

As though time and nature held…

Secret laws…

Just for them.

There she is.

They got away from me.

No, I'll get it. You have a seat.

Relax.

If that's even possible.

Hello?

What's for lunch?

- Bangers and mash. - Hello?

Hello?

Flora, don't.

- Who was it? - Oh, don't know. They hung up.

- Again? - Another one?

Oh, we've had some, uh, prank calls.

- Probably just a wrong number. - Thank you.

You're welcome.

- Miss Clayton. - Mm.

Thank you.

The gardener did not even introduce herself

to the new au pair.

She barely acknowledged her at all.

Simply treated her as if she'd always been there.

The others in the room just assumed they'd already met,

which, if she were honest,

was how the au pair felt when she first saw the young woman.

So, who decided it was a good idea to feed these wee gremlins?

We're not gremlins!

- We're very good children. - Hm.

Oh, is that right?

See, I'm not so sure.

Owen, what do you think?

Oh…

It's hard to say.

I'm gonna have to get water on them to be sure.

Mm.

Like this?

There you go.

- There you go, dear. - You're a star. Thank you.

Was there somebody…

Working on the grounds today?

Maybe a repairman or something?

No, I don't believe so.

'Cause I saw a guy,

on the parapet, on my way in.

On the parapet?

Yeah.

- Can't imagine. - I've not been up there.

Well, why would you? Are you sure you saw someone up there?

Absolutely. I waved, he didn't wave back.

Well, we do get ramblers sometimes.

People that wanna have a look at the gardens.

They take liberties, but if one made it onto the parapet...

They can't get up there, not without going through the house.

The only way up there is through the old wing.

And where don't we go?

The old wing.

You must have imagined it, dear.

- You're not gonna eat anything? - Oh, no, I already ate.

Just here for the company.

You must try this.

Flora, don't.

Oh…

Did you... Did you find anyone?

- No. - Oh.

I didn't.

But…

I did find some…

I'm sorry. Am I interrupting you?

Oh, no. No, not at all.

What did you find?

Ah.

It's Flora.

- Ah, Flora, Flora… - I've seen a few of these.

Well, you can't judge them.

Not after what they've been through.

Mr. Wingrave told you about their parents, I'm sure.

- Only that they passed. - Mm.

Two years ago, now.

Miles was only eight. Flora, six.

Mm.

And that's enough bad luck for two children to bear,

but then to think…

What came after.

Your... your predecessor.

- Miss Jessel? - Yeah.

Rebecca.

God…

Rebecca. Poor Rebecca.

She was…

She was a bright young thing.

She was ambitious, intelligent.

Kind of heart.

But…

…there was a man.

Which really is the only thing that can bring down a woman like that.

All the world's vices in disguise of its graces.

Anyway, the less said about him, the better.

You know he skipped town?

With a tidy sum of Henry's money and the poor thing's heart.

Stole a lot, that one. Sticky fingers.

And to see her in the days leading up to it.

So broken.

So empty.

She was gone long before she waded into that lake.

Oh…

Flora found her.

And Jamie found Flora.

To hear her tell it…

Rebecca's body in that water.

Face down.

And little Flora just…

…stone-still…

…staring.

And I…

To think I used to cringe when I heard the children…

Running through the house, screaming and kicking up a fuss.

But in the weeks after Miss Jessel there…

Silence, it never felt so terrible.

And now…

Now, when I hear them…

Cry, or…

…scream, or yell…

God, it's the most beautiful sound in the world.

- I'm so sorry. - No.

- It's all right. - Oh, God, look at me.

Oh…

It's a talisman.

A tiny game of Flora's to keep us all safe.

Us.

God. My God, these children.

Both of them trying in their own way, I think.

Mm.

You know, I should head back.

Owen and Jamie will be leaving for the evening.

But I'm happy to watch the children before bed if you'd like a moment.

Wh-What are the candles for?

The dead.

There's more of them than I'd like, the older I get.

I'm sorry.

Oh, God, no need.

I have been, and I remain, a very happy woman.

Good evening, Miss Clayton.

Time for bed.

Is it?

I shouldn't think so.

No more games, Miles.

Do you like games, Dani?

Not at bedtime.

It's the best time for games, really.

Stop being weird, Miles!

He's so weird sometimes.

And you…

Sweet thing.

Imagination.

I love…

Your imagination.

And everyone in this house is so lucky…

That you're using yours to keep us safe.

Just promise me…

That when you're keeping us all safe,

that you keep yourself safe first.

And no going on the parapet.

Okay.

You really are, you know?

I'm what?

Perfectly splendid.

Good night, sweet girl.

Oh…

I'm sorry!

You know, you need to make sure that you pick these up.

I would hate to break…

Where would you like her tonight?

In the house or under the dresser?

Miss Clayton?

I was just about to tuck you in.

There's an electric fan in Flora's cupboard.

I cannot sleep without it, I'm afraid.

That... that's right.

My cupboard.

Would you fetch it for me? I'm awfully sorry.

Oh…

Sure thing.

Well…

Here you go.

She can sleep with you tonight.

Okay, let's look.

Hmm.

- I don't see it! - It must be under some clothes.

Okay.

Guys.

I said no games.

Open up!

Open the door!

Open it!

I'm trying!

Miles!

I'm trying!

Flora!

It's stuck. We're really trying!

Okay, it's not... it's not funny.

Open the door.

We'll have to find the key. It really is stuck.

- We're very sorry! - The key is in the lock, Flora.

Turn the key.

It's not! We can't find it!

I'm being serious.

Open the door!

Miles!

Flora?

Open the door!

Open the door!

Open the door!

Open the door!

No!

Open the door!

Guys!

Let me out!

Let me out!

Let me out!

Let me out! Let me out!

Let me out! Let me out!

I'm so sorry.

We're dreadfully sorry.

Bed!

It was an accident.

Bed!

Now!

I am sorry.

- Please, don't be cross. - We'll talk about it in the morning.

Were you outside?