Original subtitles

It's okay, it was just a bad dream.

My god, Elsa. It was horrible.

I understand, Luca, but try to relax.

It's always the same. Why do I keep seeing that old lady?

I can't take it anymore.

Not a week goes past when I don't have that dream.

And it always ends the same way.

With my head boiling in that disgusting pot!

Here, take these.

When did you start having these dreams?

Around six months ago. Soon after I married Martha.

- Am I crazy? - No, you're just tired and exhausted.

- Can I ask you a personal question? - Don't we tell our doctor everything?

- You're my doctor. - I'm also your sister-in-law.

Sure, you married my brother Marco and have a wonderful daughter.

Yes, and he died in a stupid car accident two years ago.

Please don't bring it up again or you'll go crazy.

- I'm a terrible psychiatrist. - Not at all.

So, what's this personal question?

What's your relationship like with your wife?

- You mean in bed? - Yes.

- Terrible - And the rest?

Still terrible.

To be honest, it's just not working. Marrying Martha was a terrible mistake.

The way you say it, you sound very hostile towards her.

Why? Is there another man in her life?

No. No one else.

The truth is, Martha isn't normal.

She's obsessed with black magic and occult rituals.

She spends entire nights studying tarot cards and pagan symbols.

- It frightens me at times. - Did you marry her for her money?

No, I loved her, At least, I thought I did.

And now?

Do you think witches only exist in dreams?

They're a subconscious reflection of our secret obsessions.

Obsessions that we carry with us from childhood.

The way you say it, I could be a witch too.

- Or Martha. - Or Martha too.

Try to forget about it.

And cheer up, the test results are good. I'm discharging you tomorrow.

Martha! Have you been waiting long?

At least half an hour. Don't apologize, I'm used to it.

- Why didn't you come up? - I didn't want to see your sister-in-law.

- Are the test results okay? - Yes, of course.

- What's inside these suitcases? - What do you think? Our clothes.

Why? Where are you going?

I asked you a question.

You're exhausted, you should forget about work for a few months.

Are you kidding?

I have to finish my article on sports betting.

They'll finish it without you. Stop burying your head in the sand.

Our relationship is a disaster.

Shall we have one last try before it's over for good?

- Is it worth the trouble? - Yes.

- Where do you want to go? - I've rented a house in the countryside.

It's really beautiful, you'll like it.

'Beyond the Limit of the Afterlife'

- Is it much further? - About twenty kilometers.

Look out, it's coming right at us!

Stop! Turn around! We've got to help them!

- It's pointless, they're all dead. - Martha, stop!

- Let's go before the police arrive. - Why? It wasn't your fault.

- Get In! - How did you know they were dead?

Come on.

Well? What do you think?

- My god, I can't believe it. - But you must.

I told you it was a very beautiful house.

Come, I'll show you the garden.

Who are you? What do you want?

Why are you afraid?

Yes, you're scared. How come?

I don't know, maybe your sudden appearance.

I feel like I know you. Like we've met before.

- You've been here before. - No, never.

Easy, Aram! What's got into you?

Easy! Come on!

You're here, Mr. Mason. I see you've already met my husband.

Welcome.

Luca, you're talking to Andrew Mason, the famous English pianist.

This is his house.

It's belonged to my family for over a century.

I've lived here for over twenty years and I've always refused to rent it out.

I guess it's because I'm blind and I like the solitude.

Or because this house casts a sort of spell on whoever lives in it.

A spell? What do you mean?

Nothing.

By the way, my niece, Sharon, arrives tomorrow.

She's studying architecture in Florence and comes to see me every year.

I hope her presence won't trouble you too much?

Of course not.

Besides, we agreed in the contract that you'd keep your apartment.

And one of the guest rooms.

I suppose you'll want to have a look around the house.

Come, please.

It's probably a little neglected. We hardly ever come here.

Easy, Aram!

- Who's that woman in the painting? - You're forgetting that I'm blind.

The bedrooms are upstairs. Go and join your wife.

Thank you.

Martha!

Wake up!

Where are you?

Who are you? What are you doing here?

I should be asking you that, seeing as I'm at home, or rather my uncle's house.

My name's Sharon Mason.

- Is something wrong? - No, a slight headache, I get them a lot.

- How did you get here? - I hitchhiked.

To the village at least, then I walked. It's not far.

- Who are you? - I'm a journalist, Luca Balmas.

My wife and I are guests of your uncle's.

- That's who you thought I was? - Yes.

Where have you been?

I asked you where you've been!

I couldn't sleep and I went for a walk. What's so strange?

What happened to your hand?

You're bleeding. What happened?

I don't know, I must have scratched myself on some thorns.

Don't look at me like I'm crazy? I don't like it!

Come with me, I should have some disinfectant in my bag.

I'm Sharon.

May I speak to Dr. Balmas? I'm her brother-in-law.

Elsa, it's for you. Your brother-in-law.

Hi, Luca! What a surprise! How's life in the countryside?

Are you finally relaxing?

Why don't you come here? You can bring Deborah if you like.

Deborah's with her boyfriend and I wasn't planning on going anywhere.

- How about next week? - Please, Elsa!

- You must come, I need your help. - What's wrong? You sound strange.

- Is something wrong? - Yes, crazy things are happening.

- The usual nightmares? - No, not this time.

- I can't explain on the phone. - I understand.

Okay, we'll be there tomorrow evening, okay?

Yes, sure. You have to take highway 42

The house is two kilometers outside the village.

See you tomorrow.

'The Satanic Age'

'The History of Magic'

'The Key to the Greatest Mysteries'

Sharon, where are you?

- I'm here. - What happened?

Nothing, Uncle. Don't worry.

- Everything okay? - Yes, luckily.

- You gave me a real fright. - Does your wife always drive like that?

I don't get it, she's not herself.

- Is there anything I can do? - Thanks, but I don't need anything.

You can reassure my uncle if you really want.

- Yes? - Who's with you?

- It's me, Mr. Mason. - Luca, come in.

- You hadn't seen the greenhouse? - No.

I bet you weren't expecting to see so many plants.

- Not at all. - Aren't they beautiful?

A gardener comes twice a week to take care of them.

See those orchids? They're from Martinique.

They're called mondi.

And they say their smell induces madness.

You know something, Luca? Plants have almost human sensitivity.

They feel joy or suffering depending on what they sense in the air.

It seems impossible, but a violent emotion can kill a plant.

I'm sorry, Mr. Mason, but do you have a black cat?

- No! - I thought I saw one.

Impossible, with Aram no cat would survive around here.

Listen, has anything strange ever happened here?

- I mean in this house. - What do you mean by strange?

A violent assault or a murder?

You told me about a macabre incident that happened here many years ago.

Yes, there was something, but it was almost twenty years ago.

While some workmen were doing some restoration work...

They found human remains hidden inside a wall.

The almost intact skeleton of a young woman.

Further analysis dated her back to the late 6th century.

- Who could she have been? - I have my own theory.

- What's that? - They were the bones of a witch.

One of those poor wretches who were burnt or buried alive...

in those dark days of religious superstitions.

Excuse me, I have to go to the post office, I'll see you later.

Wait, I need to go to the village as well, I'll come with you.

Mr. Mason.

- Can we drop the formalities? - Yes, of course.

What are you thinking about? That skeleton they found or the black cat?

- What do you know about the black cat? - Me? Nothing.

I just noticed your expression when you mentioned it to my uncle.

- What do you mean? - I'd say you were a little shaken up.

- Or maybe I was mistaken. - Indeed.

Stop there, in front of the church.

We've arrived. Now what?

Wait here, I need to ask the priest for some information.

I won't be a minute.

- Is that Father Cabre? - Yes, he's our priest.

- When did he die? - Last night, a terrible accident.

Accident?

They found him lying on the road next to his motorbike.

He had a fractured skull.

Whatever hit him must have been going very fast.

- So no one saw it happen? - Unfortunately not.

Something wrong?

We can talk about it if you like? It helps sometimes.

It's too complicated. Besides, you'd never believe me.

Why shouldn't I?

I've been having this recurring dream for six months.

An isolated house with a horrible old lady standing next to a fireplace...

Who picks up my severed head and throws it into a boiling pot.

We all have bad dreams, what's so strange?

What's strange is that this house really exists, the fireplace and all the rest.

And I've come to live in it.

- You mean my uncle's house? - Yes.

- You've never been there before? - Precisely.

Come on, what else is there?

Just before you arrived, I witnessed a murder.

A murder? Are you sure?

I couldn't sleep.

I happened to look out the window, and I saw it with my own eyes.

There on the lawn, that horrible old witch attacking a priest with a metal bar.

One, two, three times. Until that poor guy fell down dead.

Are you sure you didn't just dream about this priest getting killed by a witch?

Go and have a look. His body is there, in a coffin.

My god, it makes my skin crawl.

They'll tell you he was hit by car, but it's not true.

I have proof, I found his bloodstained mass book in the garden.

Bloodstained.

Let's go, I want to show you.

Come in, and excuse the mess.

- You sleep in separate rooms? - Yes.

It's in here.

Christ! That's impossible!

Are you sure you put it in there?

Look.

I don't understand.

Someone took it and replaced it with these two tarot cards.

The message is clear; the death of a clergyman.

- Do you know who they belong to? - Yes.

My wife.

I'm sorry, but my governess' youngest son is sick...

and she said she can't come until Monday.

- We're in Sharon's hands. - Unfortunately!

Hello, aunt Martha! Are you surprised?

What are you doing here?

I didn't really want to come, but my mother forced me to.

That's enough, Deborah.

Easy! Easy, Aram!

- Have you already eaten? - No, Mr. Mason.

I'm not feeling so good. I might have caught a chill.

I'm going straight to bed. Excuse me.

Excuse me for asking, Luca.

Does your wife sleepwalk or suffer from some other physiological disturbance?

No, not that I know of. What makes you think that?

Aram's behavior.

Dogs can be inexplicably hostile towards people...

with severe disorders of the central nervous system.

And even more towards people afflicted with physiological disorders.

Have you experienced something similar?

Yes, I met a Polish violinist many years ago, she was a sleepwalker.

And my dog sensed the danger.

Indeed, one night she strangled her twelve year old son.

It gives me the shivers when I think of his poor lifeless body.

And the morning after she didn't remember a thing.

I don't know what happened to her but she probably died in an asylum.

- What's going on? - Don't worry, it happens a lot here.

The village power station is overloaded.

I should have a torch in my car, I'll get it.

- I'll be right back. - Will it last long?

- Sometimes it can last all night. - What a drag! That's all we need.

- I can't stay in the dark. - Don't be childish, we have candles.

I found it.

Shall we go upstairs? You must be tired.

- Goodnight. - See you tomorrow.

It's almost the year 2000, okay, but I'm living in medieval times.

I saw that priest get killed with my own eyes.

And the old lady who killed him is the same one from my nightmares.

- And the house is the same. - I find that hard to believe.

Because there's no rational explanation for it.

Martha brought me here, doesn't that tell you anything?

Okay, she's the cause of your anxiety, but she didn't kill that priest.

Really? Have you seen that film; The Witches' Sabbath?

Yes, it's about a witch who lived some centuries ago.

Then she's reincarnated into a modern day woman, but it's all nonsense.

- You think so? - Yes.

Didn't you see how the dog reacted when Martha arrived?

It was like it could sense something demonic.

Yes, it's true, there's a sinister energy around her.

I also felt a strange sensation.

- What do we have to do? - I don't know.

But I'm afraid you're in great danger if you stay here.

- You must leave right away. - What will that solve?

The nightmares won't go away and I'll end up in an asylum.

In the meantime, take two of these.

They'll help you sleep.

- And we'll discuss it again tomorrow. - Okay.

By the way, are you falling in love with Sharon?

- No. - Goodnight.

Finally! I've been waiting half an hour.

I was terrified! Did you see her as well?

- Who? - A woman in a white nightdress.

- She looked like a ghost. - No, you're wrong, they're all asleep.

- Don't you believe me? - Where did you leave your motorbike?

- Behind a fountain, it's not far. - Any problems finding the place?

How could I go wrong with your directions?

Don't make a noise, if my mum catches us it will be hell.

I had to put up such a fight, my mum insisted I sleep with her.

- Do you like it? - It will do, but there's no stereo.

- And a Madonna poster. - You mean Madonna Ciccone?

Is there another one?

Does anyone know you're here?

I told my dad I was going to a Pink Floyd gig and I'd be away for a few days.

Perfect! I can see you tomorrow night as well.

Okay, what do you want to do now?

Have you got a sandwich?

Aram. What is it?

- You could stay a little longer. - Are you crazy?

It will be light soon. You want us to get caught?

I'll see you tomorrow night. Bye, lover boy!

Damn it, her again!

Is this a joke?

Luca, are you awake?

- Who is it? - It's me, Sharon!

Just a moment.

- What's going on? - My uncle, he's had a stroke.

- Does he have heart problems? - Yes, please come.

- How is he? - He's over the worst of it.

This injection will lower his blood pressure but he has to rest.

Thank you, Elsa. I'm much better now.

- When did you start feeling ill? - Just before dawn.

It must have been around four.

I woke up with heavy palpitations and my chest felt tight.

Then I heard screaming coming from outside.

Harrowing screams.

- A man? - Yes, a man.

- Are you sure it wasn't two nights ago? - No, last night.

Where's Martha? In her room?

I saw her in the garden this morning.

She was still wearing her nightdress.

- Are you feeling better? - Yes.

- Deborah. - Yes?

- Have you seen aunt Martha? - No, why?

It doesn't matter.

Careful! It's dangerous.

Don't move that sheet, there's a well underneath, you could fall in.

Thanks, I didn't know.

- She's not here. - Let's check the greenhouse.

It's absurd! I was here yesterday.

The plants were all green.

Those flowers were beautiful and full of life.

No, that's impossible.

Martha!

Her pulse is normal.

It's like she's in a trance.

Do you notice that foul smell?

- It smells like sulfur. - No!

It's not sulfur. It's the smell of rotting flesh.

It's the smell of death.

Give me a hand. Let's get her out of here.

Help me pick her up.

What do you think? Shall we call an ambulance?

No, what's the point? Her body is perfectly healthy.

She doesn't need a doctor.

- She needs an exorcist. - You're finally starting to believe me.

I agree, there's evil in the air wherever she goes.

But don't rush to any conclusions. What if we're wrong?

After all I've seen, I don't have much hope for that.

Come on, let's get out of here.

- Is that you, Sharon? - Yes.

You're hiding something. What's going on?

Nothing. Everything's fine.

- I'm just worried about you. - It's the others you should worry about.

I don't understand. What do you mean?

I don't know, but I feel a dark energy around us.

There's a curse hanging over our family.

You know your mother lost her life so you could live.

Yes, Uncle.

But I've never told you how your grandmother died.

It happened a few years before you were born.

I wasn't here, I was in London.

It was Christmas Eve, the barn mysteriously caught fire.

Your grandmother was trapped inside, it was a horrendous death.

Please stop!

It was thirty years ago and this house has never been the same.

Half past twelve.

Steven, is that you?

Steven, you idiot! You scared me.

Steven, where are you? What's going on?

Please wait!

Quit messing around.

Where are you? Say something.

Steven, this is a stupid prank.

Open it!

Let me out!

Help!

Let me out!

Please!

Help!

Let me out!

Help!

Mummy!

Who's there?

Who's there?

Mummy!

Help!

- What do you want? Go away! - There's a bloodstained knife out there.

I hate you! I've always hated you!

The tarot cards don't lie! You represent the emperor!

The most corrupt being in the world!

I know you want to destroy me! But I won't let you!

You'll never destroy me! Never!

Stop it! You make me sick!

- Thank god you're here. - What is it?

- Deborah's disappeared. - Disappeared?

Yes, she's disappeared! I can't find her anywhere.

Calm down.

- Strange, her clothes are missing. - What if something's happened?

No. Come on, let's look for her.

Sharon, are you awake?

- What's going on? - Help us find Deborah.

- We don't know where the hell she is. - Are you sure she's not with your wife?

Yes, I was just with Martha, she's alone.

Listen, this house is big, there are lots of rooms nobody's ever been in.

Then there are the pantries, the store rooms and the attic.

We need to get organized. Luca, you search the attic.

I'll look on this floor. Elsa you search the ground floor.

Let's get a move on.

Christ, that's impossible! How did it explode?

There's no electricity here in the loft.

It's absurd.

Let's go back.

Our Father, cast your merciful hand over us sinners.

Do not allow evil to triumph.

What happened?

There, in the kitchen!

Her head was in that pot! Her severed head!

I'm not crazy! I swear I saw it there in the flames, it was horrible!

- Believe me, I saw it! - Now calm down.

It was the fear that made you see things that weren't there.

Sure, a nightmare.

Come on, let's go.

I'd prefer it if you stayed here.

It isn't wise to keep looking in your state.

We'll do everything we can to find her, I promise.

Have faith in us.

No, stay here. We'll be right back.

What are you doing?

You keep it, then she won't be able to get out and hurt anyone.

If she is what you think she is, locking her in there won't do any good.

You're right, you'd better stay with Elsa.

- Have you found her? - Not yet.

- Did you hear Deborah? - No, why?

Then how do you know she's disappeared?

A premonition. Intuition.

They say us blind people see things other people can't see.

- I see. - Try the garden, maybe she's there.

Perhaps she's been saved!

Deborah, can you hear me?

Sharon!

What are you doing here?

- Why aren't you with Elsa? - Don't worry.

She's fine, I gave her a sedative. Let's just try to find Deborah.

- Do you think she's still alive? - You're thinking an accident?

No, you know exactly what I'm thinking.

You're thinking about the priest who was beaten to death by the witch.

- You're starting to believe I saw her? - Yes, I believe you now.

And there are other things that frightened me.

What happened in the greenhouse isn't just a spell, it's a threat.

A sinister warning.

Your uncle said plants have almost human sensitivity.

That they feel joy and suffering depending on what they sense in the air.

You're saying they died because they sensed an evil presence.

- And Martha was there. - I'm scared.

I'm scared it's too late to save Deborah.

Let's keep looking. You check outside the gate.

I'll look in the greenhouse.

Help, Mummy!

Where are you?

Are you there?

You're safe! Thank god I've found you!

- Did you hear that? - Yes, it came from over there.

My god!

She died recently.

The blood's still warm.

- What are you looking for? - That damned black cat!

Jesus Christ!

Why?

Why her? She was just a child.

She never hurt anyone.

She was holding this card before.

- And it was covered in blood. - I'm telling you it was her.

I've been living in fear for months, and I've been hiding from the truth.

- A horrendous incomprehensible truth. - Do you really believe that?

It seems so absurd.

No, it's not absurd. You want proof? The black cat!

Until now, no one in this house had ever seen it before.

Every time it appears, Martha disappears and something bad happens.

You want to know why?

Because it's her transforming into a cat using her supernatural powers.

Believe me, Martha is a witch!

You locked her in her room half an hour ago.

But if she really does have supernatural powers...

Then a locked door isn't going to stop her.

Come, let's have a look.

Give me the key.

She's not here.

- Go to your room and lock yourself in. - What are you going to do?

Don't say anymore, just do it.

Mr. Mason!

- Where's my niece? - In her room, she's fine.

The others are all dead, aren't they?

No, my wife's still alive. Give me the dog.

No, you can't do that! Are you crazy?

Wait!

May the Lord have mercy on us.

- It's all over. - There was no other way, right?

No.

Uncle!

Why?

Why?

For the police

You shouldn't have done it.

You shouldn't have!

- You shouldn't have! - I'm so sorry.

Come on. There's nothing more you can do for him.

Careful not to move the sheet, there's an old well underneath.

I'll steer well clear.

Have you located the owner of that abandoned motorbike near the fountain?

No, it was probably stolen in the city and dumped there.

Is this your uncle's handwriting?

Yes.

Unfortunately, this letter signed by Andrew Mason is a detailed confession...

that leaves no room for doubt about what happened here last night.

He killed Elsa and her daughter, Deborah.

Because of an old grudge, as he specified in his letter.

How did he do it? Her uncle was blind.

But he lived here for twenty years and knew every corner of the house.

It wasn't hard to lure them into the basement with help from his dog.

Yes, exactly.

He didn't hold a grudge against Elsa and Deborah, he hardly knew them.

I think the murders are best described as the sudden rage of an old man.

Blind and lonely, and suffering from an advanced phase of arterial sclerosis.

His suicide confirms it.

While your wife was killed by his dog.

She probably surprised Mason while he was trying to kill the girl.

And the dog attacked her. Poor lady.

One thing's for sure, I'll never come back to this cursed house again.

- Why didn't you tell them the truth? - What's the point?

- They have your uncle's confession. - But we know it's not true.

How can we prove it? They'd think we're crazy.

- Who believes in witches nowadays? - Right, who believes in witches?

I want to forget everything. I can do it with you.

Don't think about anything anymore.

Where are you?

Listen! Have you seen the lady who was with me yesterday?

- She left a few hours ago. - Where did she go?

I saw her racing off in that direction towards the freeway.

- Here, settle my bill. - Okay, thanks.

What are you thinking about? That skeleton they found or the black cat?

What happened in the greenhouse isn't just a spell, it's a threat.

I'm scared! I'm scared it's too late!

Listen! Just a moment!

Wait!

Please! Wait!

No!

Yes! I'm the witch!

I'm a witch just like my mother who gave birth to me along with a snake!

Like my grandmother who was burnt alive in the barn!

And my ancestor who was reduced to a skeleton in the walls of the house!

My uncle had worked out who I really was, that's why he killed himself.

- Then Martha... - Fool!

Martha's only crime is that she sleepwalked.

I'm the one who killed them!

I brainwashed your wife and made her the devil's slave!

I turned her into that black cat so I could lead you into my trap!

But now it really is over, Luca!