Coraline (2009)
Genre: Animation, Dark Fantasy, Stop Motion Animation
Director: Henry Selick
Writers: Henry Selick, Neil Gaiman. Based on the 2002 novella by Neil Gaiman
Stars: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Ian McShane
Plot: Eleven-year-old Coraline Jones and her parents, Charlie and Mel, move from Pontiac, Michigan, to the Pink Palace Apartments, an old Victorian house in Ashland, Oregon. While searching for an old well, she encounters a mysterious black cat and Wyborn “Wybie” Lovat, the grandson of Coraline’s landlady, who gifts her a rag doll that eerily resembles her. With her parents preoccupied with work, Coraline explores the house and discovers a small door with a brick wall behind it in the living room. That night, she finds that the brick wall has been replaced by a tunnel, which leads her to an “Other World,” where her parents’ button-eyed doppelgangers shower her with delicious food and attention.
Upon waking in the morning, Coraline finds herself back in the real world. She meets her other neighbors: Mr. Bobinsky, an eccentric Russian liquidator-turned-gymnast who owns a mouse circus, and retired burlesque performers April Spink and Miriam Forcible. Wybie tells Coraline about his grandmother’s twin sister, who disappeared when they were children.
Coraline returns to the Other World that night and meets a mute Other Wybie. When she returns again, the cat, who can travel between the worlds, arrives and warns her about the Other World. The Other Mother later offers Coraline a chance to stay in the Other World forever, on the condition that buttons are sewn onto her eyes. Horrified, Coraline tries to sleep, but she remains in the Other World. When she attempts to escape, the Other Mother transforms into a taller, skeletal form and imprisons her in a dark room through a mirror.
In the dark room, three ghost children, one of whom Coraline recognizes as the landlady’s missing sister, reveal that the Other Mother is an evil entity called the “Beldam.” She used rag dolls to spy on their unhappy lives and lure them into the Other World with treats and games. They allowed her to sew buttons over their eyes, and she subsequently locked their souls inside the mirror. After Coraline promises to help the ghost children by retrieving their eyes, the Other Wybie sends her home.
Back in the real world, Wybie asks Coraline for the doll, as it belongs to his grandmother’s missing sister. Coraline attempts to explain the situation to him, but he disbelieves her and runs out in fear. Coraline borrows an adder stone from Spink and Forcible, and after the cat informs her that the Beldam has kidnapped her parents, the two set out to rescue them. Knowing that the Beldam loves games, Coraline proposes a deal: if she finds her parents and the eyes of the ghost children, the Beldam will set them all free; if not, she will stay and allow the Beldam to sew buttons on her eyes.
The Beldam reveals that each of the missing eyes is hidden within the three “wonders” she designed for Coraline. Using the adder stone, Coraline finds and collects each eye, freeing the spirits of the ghost children. The Other World begins to fade until only the house remains. The Beldam, now a spider-like monster, challenges Coraline to find her parents. Realizing they are trapped in a nearby snow globe and that the Beldam will not let her go, Coraline throws the cat to distract her and narrowly escapes through the door with the ghost children’s help, severing the Beldam’s hand in the process. Coraline’s parents return with no recollection of being kidnapped, and she warmly embraces them.
That night, the ghosts warn Coraline that the Beldam is still after the cursed key. As Coraline heads toward the backyard well to dispose of it, the Beldam’s severed hand sneaks into the real world and attempts to drag her back in. Wybie, having realized Coraline was right, comes to the rescue and destroys the hand. Together, they throw the key and the hand’s remains into the well. The next day, the Jones family hosts a garden party for the Pink Palace residents. Wybie accompanies his grandmother to the party, as Coraline begins to tell her about her missing sister’s fate.
* * *
Coraline (2009) | Transcript
(BOBINSKY COUNTING IN RUSSIAN)
(CAR HONKING)
(BOBINSKY CURSES IN RUSSIAN)
MOVER: We’re here!
Time to muscle up.
(BOTH GRUNT)
(GIGGLES)
(GROANS)
(DOOR CREAKING)
(PEBBLES CLATTERING)
Hello?
CORALINE: Who’s there?
(CAT SCREECHES)
(GASPS)
(PANTING)
(GASPS)
(MEOWS)
(SCREAMS)
You scared me to death, you mangy thing.
I’m just looking for an old well. Know it?
Not talking, huh?
Magic dowser, magic dowser…
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
Show me the well!
(HONKING)
(SCREAMING)
Get away from me!
(CORALINE GRUNTS)
Ooh.
Let me guess.
You’re from Texas or Utah, someplace dried-out and barren, right?
I heard about water witching before, but it doesn’t make sense.
I mean, it’s just an ordinary branch.
It’s a dowsing rod.
Ow!
And I don’t like being stalked, not by psycho nerds or their cats!
He’s not really my cat.
He’s kind of feral.
You know, wild.
Of course, I do feed him every night, and sometimes he’ll come to my window and bring me little dead things.
Look, I’m from Pontiac.
Huh?
Michigan.
And if I’m a water witch, then where’s the secret well?
You stomp too hard and you’ll fall in it.
Oh!
See?
(HOLLOW THUDDING)
It’s supposed to be so deep, if you fell to the bottom and looked up, you’d see a sky full of stars in the middle of the day.
Ha.
Surprised she let you move in.
My gramma, she owns the Pink Palace.
Won’t rent to people with kids.
What do you mean?
(STAMMERING)
I’m not supposed to talk about it.
I’m Wybie.
Wybie Lovat.
Wybie?
Short for Wyborne.
Not my idea, of course.
What’d you get saddled with?
I wasn’t saddled with anything.
It’s Coraline.
Caroline what?
Coraline.
Coraline Jones.
(SCOFFS)
It’s not real scientific, but I heard an ordinary name like Caroline can lead people to have ordinary expectations about a person.
(GRUMBLING)
LOVAT: Wyborne!
I think I heard someone calling you, Wyborne.
What?
I didn’t hear anything.
I definitely heard someone, Why-Were-You-Born.
LOVAT: Wyborne!
Grandma!
(CHUCKLES UNCOMFORTABLY)
Well, great to meet a Michigan water witch, but I’d wear gloves next time.
Why?
‘Cause that dowsing rod of yours, it’s poison oak.
(EXCLAIMS)
(BLOWING RASPBERRY)
(SPLASHING)
I almost fell down a well yesterday, Mom.
Uh-huh.
I would’ve died.
That’s nice.
Hmm.
So, can I go out?
I think it’s perfect weather for gardening.
No, Coraline.
Rain makes mud.
Mud makes a mess.
But, Mom, I want stuff growing when my friends come to visit.
Isn’t that why we moved here?
Something like that.
But then we had the accident.
It wasn’t my fault you hit that truck.
I never said it was.
I can’t believe it.
You and Dad get paid to write about plants, and you hate dirt.
Coraline, I don’t have time for you right now, and you still have unpacking to do.
Lots of unpacking.
That sounds exciting!
Oh. Some kid left this on the front porch.
WYBIE: Hey, Jonesy.
Look what I found in Gramma’s trunk.
Look familiar? Wybie.
(GROANS)
CORALINE: Huh.
A little me? That’s weird.
What’s his name, anyway?
Wybie. And I’m way too old for dolls.
Hey, Dad.
How’s the writing going?
Dad!
Hello, Coraline and Coraline doll.
Do you know where the garden tools are?
It’s… It’s pouring out there, isn’t it?
(SCOFFS)
It’s just raining.
What’d the boss say?
“Don’t even think about going out, Coraline Jones!”
Then you won’t need the tools.
(GROANS)
(SQUEAKS)
(SQUEAKING)
(GROANS)
You know, this house is 150 years old.
So?
So explore it.
Go out and count all the doors and windows and write that down on…
List everything that’s blue.
Just let me work.
(TYPING)
Ew!
(EXCLAIMS)
(SQUEAKS)
(SCREAMING)
No. No, no, no. No.
(SCREAMING)
One boring blue boy in a painfully boring painting.
Four incredibly boring windows and no more doors.
All right, little me.
Where are you hiding?
Huh?
Hey, Mom.
Where does this door go?
I’m really, really busy.
CORALINE: I think it’s locked.
CORALINE: Please!
(GROANS)
Will you stop pestering me if I do this for you?
(WHIMPERING)
Fine.
Bricks?
I don’t get it.
They must’ve closed this off when they divided up the house.
You’re kidding.
And why is the door so small?
We made a deal!
Zip it!
You didn’t lock it.
(MOM EXCLAIMING IN FRUSTRATION)
(SINGING)
Oh, my twitchy-witchy girl I think you are so nice I give you bowls of porridge And I give you bowls of ice cream
(GROANS IN DISGUST)
Why don’t you ever cook, Mom?
Coraline, we’ve been through this before.
Your dad cooks, I clean, and you stay out of the way.
I swear I’ll go food shopping soon as we finish the catalog.
Try some of the chard.
You need a vegetable.
It looks more like slime to me.
Well, it’s slime or bedtime, fusspot.
Now what’s it gonna be?
Think they’re trying to poison me?
(SIGHS)
Don’t forget about me, guys.
Okay?
Good night, little me.
(MOUSE SQUEAKING)
(CONTINUES SQUEAKING)
(CORALINE GASPS)
Whoa!
Huh?
Mmm. Something smells good.
(OTHER MOTHER HUMMING)
Mom? What are you doing here in the middle of the night?
You’re just in time for supper, dear.
You’re not my mother.
My mother doesn’t have…
(STAMMERS)
(MIMICS STAMMERING)
Buttons? Do you like them?
I’m your other mother, silly.
Now go tell your other father that supper’s ready.
Well, go on.
He’s in his study.
CORALINE: Hello?
Hello, Coraline.
Wanna hear my new song?
My father can’t play piano.
No need to.
This piano plays me.
(EXCLAIMS IN SURPRISE)
(SINGING) Making up a song about Coraline She’s a peach, she’s a doll She’s a pal of mine She’s as cute as a button in the eyes of everyone Who ever laid their eyes on Coraline When she comes around exploring Mom and I will never, ever make it boring Our eyes will be on Coraline I’m sorry, but she said to tell you the food’s ready.
Mmm.
Who’s starving?
Raise your hand.
Whoa!
(CLEARS THROAT)
We give our thanks and ask to bless our mother’s golden chicken breast.
(OTHER FATHER LAUGHING)
Mmm!
CORALINE:
This chicken is good.
Hungry, aren’t you?
Do you have any gravy?
Well, here comes the gravy train.
Choo, choo!
Huh.
Another roll? Sweet peas?
Corn on the cob?
I’m real thirsty.
Of course.
Any requests?
Mango milkshake?
Home?
We’ve been waiting for you, Coraline.
For me?
OTHER FATHER: Yep.
Wasn’t the same here without you, kiddo.
I didn’t know I had another mother.
Of course you do.
Everyone does.
Really?
OTHER MOTHER: Uh-huh.
And soon as you’re through eating, I thought we’d play a game.
You mean like hide-and-seek?
Perfect.
Hide-and-seek in the rain.
What rain?
(EXCLAIMS IN SURPRISE)
What about the mud?
We love mud here.
Mud facials, mud baths, mud pies.
It’s great for poison oak.
How’d you know I…
I… I’d love to play, but I better get home to my other mother.
But I’m your other mother.
I mean my other, other mother.
Mom number one?
(EXCLAIMS)
I think I should get to bed.
Of course, sweetheart.
It’s all made up.
But…
Come along, sleepyhead.
(CORALINE GASPS)
Wow.
DRAGONFLY: Hello, Coraline.
DRAGONFLIES: Hello, hello, hello, hello.
What’s shaking, baby?
Hello.
GIRL: Hey.
How’s it going, Loper?
Where’s your swampers and chook?
Cripes almighty!
How are my best trolls?
I can’t wait till summer.
You’re both coming, right?
We’re already here, Coraline.
Gone to Oregon.
CORALINE: Oh.
The mud.
See you soon.
See you soon.
(YAWNS)
It’s gone.
My poison oak! It’s gone!
Huh.
(KETTLE WHISTLING)
It was incredibly real, Mom.
Only you weren’t really you.
You were my other mother.
Buttons for eyes, huh?
Coraline, you only dreamed you ate all that chicken.
Take your multivitamin at least.
You were in the dream, too, Dad.
You had wild-looking pajamas and orange monkey slippers.
(LAUGHS)
Orange?
My monkey slippers are blue.
Psst.
Can you get me some of that magic mud you were talking about?
Because I have a terrible case of writer’s rash on my…
(MOM CLEARS THROAT)
If the real Charlie Jones wants his pages edited, he better wrap them up ASAP.
Coraline, why don’t you go visit downstairs?
I bet those actresses would love to hear your dream.
Miss Spink and Forcible?
But you said they’re dingbats.
Mmmhmm.
Bobinsky. Bobinsky. Bobinsky.
(SNIFFS)
(GROANS)
(EXCLAIMS IN DISGUST)
Hello?
I think our mail got mixed up.
Should I leave it outside, or…
(EXCLAIMS)
(CLUCKING)
CORALINE: Hmm.
Secret!
(GASPS)
Famous jumping mouse circus not ready, little girl.
Circus?
Oh, uh…
I brought this for you.
(SNIFFING)
(SIGHS CONTENTEDLY)
(SPEAKING RUSSIAN)
Huh?
New cheese samples.
(BOBINSKY GRUNTS)
Very clever using this mix-up to sneak my home and peek at mooshkas?
Mooshkas?
The mice!
Oh!
Sorry. I’m Coraline Jones.
And I am the Amazing Bobinsky.
But you call me Mr. B because amazing I already know that I am.
(GRUNTS)
(GASPS)
Ha!
You see, Caroline, the problem is…
My new songs go oompah, oompah, but the jumping mice play only toodletoot, like that.
Is nice but not so much amazing.
So now, I switch to stronger cheese and soon, watch out!
Here, have beet.
Make you strong.
Do svidaniya, Caroline.
Coraline.
Oompah, oompah.
Toodletoot.
Hey, Caroline!
(SPEAKING RUSSIAN)
Wait!
No!
(BOBINSKY GRUNTS)
The mice asked me to give you message.
The jumping mice?
They are saying do not go through little door.
Do you know such a thing?
The one behind the wallpaper?
But it’s all bricked up.
Bah.
So sorry. Is nothing.
Sometimes the mice are little mixed-up.
(GRUNTS)
They even get your name wrong, you know?
They call you Coraline instead of Caroline.
Not Caroline at all.
Maybe I work them too hard.
(DOGS BARKING)
Cease your infernal yapping.
How nice to see you, Caroline.
Would you like to come in?
We’re playing cards.
Still Coraline, Miss Spink.
Miriam!
Put the kettle on!
April, I think you’re being followed.
It’s the new neighbor, Miriam. Caroline.
SPINK: She’ll be having the oolong tea.
FORCIBLE: No! Oh, no, no.
I’m sure she’d prefer jasmine.
No, oolong.
Ah. Jasmine it is, then.
(SIGHS)
Come on, boys.
Are those dogs real?
Our sweet departed angels.
Couldn’t bear to part with them, so we had them stuffed.
SPINK: Now, there’s Hamish the third…
Go on. Have one.
It’s hand-pulled taffy from Brighton.
Best in the world.
SPINK… the third, the ninth, yes.
The fourth, I’m right.
And Jock Jr., Jock Sr., Jock the third, the fourth, and that’s Jock’s second cousin thrice removed.
I’ll read them if you like.
Read what?
Your tea leaves, dear.
They’ll tell me your future.
Drink up then. Go on.
No, not all of it.
Not all of it.
That’s right.
Now hand it over.
Oh!
Oh, Caroline.
Caroline, Caroline, Caroline.
You are in terrible danger.
Oh, give me that cup, April.
Your eyes are going.
My eyes?
You’re blind as a bat.
Well, not to worry, child.
It’s good news.
There’s a tall, handsome beast in your future.
A what?
Miriam, really.
You’re holding it wrong.
See? Danger.
CORALINE: What do you see?
SPINK: I see a very peculiar hand.
FORCIBLE: I see a giraffe.
Giraffes don’t just fall from the sky, Miriam.
Oh, Lord.
(DOG YIPS)
Well, what should I do?
Never wear green in your dressing room.
Acquire a very tall stepladder.
And be very, very careful.
(GASPS)
Now, was there something you came to tell us?
No. I guess not.
Thanks for the tea, though.
FORCIBLE: Toodleoo.
SPINK: Cheerybye.
FORCIBLE: Do you have any nice queens for Mummy?
(DOG YIPS)
Danger?
(RATTLES)
(EXCLAIMS)
Great! The village stalker.
Ow!
I wasn’t stalking you.
We’re hunting banana slugs.
What do you mean “we?”
(CAT MEOWS)
Ha! Your cat’s not wild.
He’s a wuss puss.
What? He hates to get his feet wet. Jeez.
Wuss puss.
So, that doll.
Did you make it look like me?
Oh, no. I found it that way.
It’s older than Grandma.
Old as this house, probably.
Come on. Blue hair, my swampers and raincoat?
Dang! Check out Slugzilla.
You’re just like them.
Huh?
I meant my parents.
They don’t listen to me either.
Uh-huh. You mind?
(MIMICS CHOMPING)
(GRUNTS)
(SCREAMS)
Hmm.
Ew!
You know, I’ve never been inside the Pink Palace.
You’re kidding.
Grandma’d kill me.
Thinks it’s dangerous or something.
Dangerous?
Well, she had a twin sister.
So?
When they were kids, Grandma’s sister disappeared.
She says she was stolen.
CORALINE: Stolen?
(MEOWS)
Well, what do you think?
I don’t know.
Maybe she just ran away.
LOVAT: Wyborne!
Look, I gotta go.
Wait a minute.
(SQUEAKS)
(OTHER MOTHER HUMMING)
Welcome back, darling.
Hi.
So thoughtful of you to send this nice cheddar, Coraline.
Cheddar? Oh!
The mice bait.
Would you go fetch your father?
I bet he’s hungry as a pumpkin by now.
You mean my other father.
Your better father, dear.
He’s out in the garden.
But my parents don’t have time to garden.
(SHUSHING)
Mmm!
Go on.
(CORALINE GASPS)
(LAUGHS)
Hey.
I love your garden!
Our garden, Coraline.
(LAUGHING)
Stop tickling me!
Daughter in distress.
Tickle no more, you dragon snappers.
Well, she says it’s time for dinner, breakfast, food.
Hop on, kiddo.
I wanna show you something.
CORALINE: I can’t believe you did this.
OTHER FATHER:
Mother said you’d like it.
Boy, she knows you like the back of her hand.
Mmm. So good.
I love dinner-breakfast-food.
Coraline, Mr. Bobinsky has invited you to come see the jumping mice perform after dinner.
Really?
That know-it-all Wybie said it was all in Mr. B’s head.
I knew he was wrong.
Well, everything’s right in this world, kiddo.
Your father and I will clean up while you and your friend head upstairs.
My friend?
CORALINE:
Great. Another Wybie.
Hello, Why-Were-You-Born.
CORALINE: Hello!
I thought you’d like him more if he spoke a little less.
So I fixed him.
So he can’t talk at all?
Nope.
Hmm.
I like it.
Now, run along, you two, and have fun.
You’re awful cheerful considering you can’t say anything.
It didn’t hurt, did it, when she…
(LAUGHS)
CORALINE: Whoa!
CORALINE: Cool!
(CLUCKING)
(CANNONS BOOMING)
CORALINE: Look at you!
(CORALINE LAUGHS)
OTHER BOBINSKY: Lady and gentleman, for to tickle your eyes and ears and making hearts to thump, I, Sergei Alexander Bobinsky, am introducing my astoundishing, stupendulous and amazing jumping mouse circus!
My name!
(FANFARE PLAYING)
(CIRCUS MUSIC PLAYING)
It’s wonderful, Wybie.
Wow!
Yahoo!
That was great!
Very, very thank you, lady and gentleman.
We loved it, Mr. B.
It was so… So…
Ah…
Amazing!
You are very welcome anytime you like.
You and also your good friend there.
Do svedaniya, Coraline.
(KISSES)
(GROANS)
(GRUNTS)
CORALINE: There were garden squash like balloon animals and snapdragons.
Oh, and upstairs, I saw a real mouse circus.
Not pretend like the crazy man’s in our house.
You sure you won’t come?
Don’t fret, Charlie.
They’ll love the new catalog.
At least they’ll love my chapters.
I did not call him crazy, Coraline.
He’s drunk.
Well, I guess I’ll see you around, you dizzy dreamer.
Dad! I’m not five anymore.
(GEARS CRANKING)
(EXCLAIMS IN SURPRISE)
My kingdom for a horse!
(CRASHING)
Put them back.
But, Mom, the whole school’s gonna wear boring gray clothes.
No one will have these.
Put them back.
My other mother would get them.
Maybe she should buy all your clothes.
CORALINE: So what do you think is in the other apartment?
I don’t know.
Not a family of Jones imposters.
Then why’d you lock the door?
I found some rat crap, and I thought you’d feel safer.
They’re jumping mice, Mom, and the dreams aren’t dangerous.
They’re the most fun I’ve had since we’ve moved here.
Your school might be fun.
With those stupid uniforms?
Right.
Had to give it a try.
How do you feel about a mustard, ketchup, salsa wrap for lunch?
Are you kidding me?
Had to go food shopping, anyway.
Dad’s planning something special.
Grossgusting.
You wanna come along?
You can pick out something you like.
Oh. Like the gloves.
(SIGHS)
Look, Coraline, if things go well today, I promise I’ll make it up.
That’s what you always say.
Won’t be long.
But I might be.
I knew it was real.
(PURRS)
OTHER MOTHER:
Dearest Coraline, Miss Spink and Miss Forcible have invited you downstairs after lunch.
I hope you like the new outfit I made you.
Love, Mother.
(BURPS)
(CAT MEOWS)
Wybie’s got a cat like you at home.
(MEOWS)
Not the quiet Wybie.
The one that talks too much.
You must be the other cat.
No, I’m not the other anything. I’m me.
Um… I can see you don’t have button eyes, but if you’re the same cat, how can you talk?
I just can.
Cats don’t talk at home.
No?
Nope.
Well, you’re clearly the expert on these things.
After all, I’m just a big fat wuss puss.
Come back. Please?
I’m sorry I called you that.
I really am.
How’d you get here?
I’ve been coming here for a while.
It’s a game we play.
She hates cats and tries to keep me out, but she can’t, of course.
I come and go as I please.
The other mother hates cats?
Not like any mother I’ve ever known.
What do you mean?
She’s amazing.
You probably think this world is a dream come true, but you’re wrong.
The other Wybie told me so.
That’s nonsense.
He can’t talk.
Perhaps not to you.
We cats, however, have far superior senses than humans, and can see and smell and…
Shh!
I hear something.
Right over…
(MEOWS)
(SNIFFING)
(ORCHESTRA TUNING)
Hey, Wybie.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
She’s practically naked!
(SINGING)
I’m known as the siren of all seven seas The breaker of hearts by the bay So if you go swimming With bowlegged women I might steal your weak heart away
(DOGS BARKING)
Oh, my God.
(SINGING)
A big-bottomed sea witch May bob through the waves And hope to lead sailors astray But a true ocean goddess Must fill out her bodice To present an alluring display
(DOGS BARKING)
Beware of old oysters too large in the chest Let’s banish them from the buffet I’m far more nutritious You smell like the fishes Did I hear a banshee?
You’re sea green with envy This mermaid enchantress No, I, Birth of Venus BOTH: Will send sailors swooning…
(SCREAMS IN PAIN)
Will send sailors swooning all day
(BOTH EXCLAIMING)
(DOGS BARKING)
I can’t look.
Ready to break a leg, Miriam?
Our lives for the theater, April.
(DOGS BARKING)
OTHER FORCIBLE: “What a piece of work is man!
“How noble in reason!”
OTHER SPINK:
“How infinite in faculty.”
“In form, in moving how express and admirable!”
“In action like an angel.”
OTHER SPINK:
“In apprehension how like a god!”
(SCREAMS)
OTHER FORCIBLE:
“The beauty of the world!”
(CORALINE LAUGHING)
OTHER SPINK:
“The paragon of animals!”
Yeah!
(SCREAMING)
(LAUGHING)
(DOGS BARKING)
Hey, there.
Was it wonderful, dear?
Oh, yeah. They swooped down and pulled me right out of my seat, Spink and Forcible, only they weren’t old ladies.
That was just a disguise.
But then, I was flying through the air, and it was…
It was magic.
You do like it here, don’t you, Coraline?
Uh-huh.
Good night, Wybie.
You could stay here forever if you want to.
Really?
Sure.
We’ll sing and play games, and Mother will cook your favorite meals.
There’s one tiny little thing we need to do.
What’s that?
Well, it’s a surprise.
For you, our little doll.
OTHER MOTHER:
Black is traditional.
But if you’d prefer pink or vermillion or chartreuse…
OTHER MOTHER: Though you might make me jealous.
No way!
You’re not sewing buttons in my eyes!
But we need a “yes” if you want to stay here.
So sharp you won’t feel a…
Ow!
There, now.
It’s your decision, darling.
We only want what’s best for you.
I’m going to bed.
Right now!
Bed?
Before dinner?
I’m really, really tired. Yeah.
(YAWNING)
I just need to sleep on things.
Well, of course you do, darling.
I’ll be happy to tuck you in.
Oh, no, thanks.
You’ve done so much already.
You’re welcome. And I…
We aren’t worried at all, darling.
OTHER MOTHER: Soon you’ll see things our way.
DRAGONFLIES:
What’s wrong, Coraline?
Don’t you wanna play?
Yeah! I wanna hug your face!
GIRAFFE DOLL:
Get a grip, soldier!
GIRL: Hey!
BOY: Hey!
Where’s your buttons, Loper?
You want to stay, don’t you?
Going home tonight, robots, and I won’t be back.
Go to sleep.
Go to sleep. Go to sleep.
Go to sleep. Go to sleep.
OTHER MOTHER: A tiny little thing we need to do.
CORALINE: Go to sleep.
Go to sleep. Go to sleep.
OTHER FATHER: So sharp you won’t feel a thing.
CORALINE:
Go to sleep. Go to sleep.
OTHER MOTHER: Soon you’ll see things our way.
Mom! Dad!
(GASPS)
Oh, God. I’m still here?
(PIANO PLAYING)
Hey, you!
CORALINE:
Where’s the other mother?
I wanna go home.
All will be swell, soon as Mother’s refreshed.
Her strength is our strength.
Mustn’t talk when Mother’s not here.
If you won’t even talk to me, I’m gonna find the other Wybie.
He’ll help me.
No point.
He pulled a long face, and Mother didn’t like it.
(GRUNTS)
(GASPS)
(CAT MEOWS)
And what do you think you’re doing?
Well, I’m getting out of here.
That’s what I’m doing.
Huh?
Something’s wrong.
Shouldn’t the old well be here?
Nothing out here.
It’s the empty part of this world.
She only made what she knew would impress you.
But why?
Why does she want me?
She wants something to love, I think.
Something that isn’t her.
Or maybe she’d just love something to eat.
Eat? That’s ridiculous.
Mothers don’t eat daughters.
I don’t know.
How do you taste?
(LAUGHING)
CORALINE: Huh?
But how can you walk away from something and still come back to it?
Walk around the world.
Small world.
(FANFARE PLAYING)
Hang on.
(MOUSE SQUEAKING)
Stop!
He’s one of the circus mice!
(SQUEAKING)
(GASPS)
I don’t like rats at the best of times, but this one was sounding an alarm.
Good kitty.
They say even the proudest spirit can be broken with love.
(CHUCKLES)
Of course, chocolate never hurts. Like one?
They’re cocoa beetles from Zanzibar.
(EXCLAIMS IN DISGUST)
I want to be with my real mom and dad.
I want you to let me go.
Is that any way to talk to your mother?
You aren’t my mother.
Apologize at once, Coraline!
No!
I’ll give you to the count of three.
One.
Two.
Three!
Ow!
What are you doing?
Ow! That hurts!
You may come out when you’ve learned to be a loving daughter.
(SCREAMS)
(PANTING)
(GHOSTLY MOANING)
(GASPS)
Who’s there?
TALL GIRL GHOST: Hush!
And shush.
For the beldam might be listening.
You… You mean the other mother?
Who are you?
Don’t remember our names, but I ‘member my true mommy.
Why are you all here?
GHOST CHILDREN: The beldam.
She spied on our lives through the little doll’s eyes.
And saw that we weren’t happy.
So she lured us away with treasures.
And treats.
SWEET GIRL GHOST:
And games to play.
BOY GHOST:
Gave all that we asked.
SWEET GIRL GHOST:
Yet we still wanted more.
TALL GIRL GHOST: So we let her sew the buttons.
BOY GHOST:
She said that she loved us.
But she locked us here.
GHOST CHILDREN: And ate up our lives.
Well, she can’t keep me in the dark forever.
Not if she wants to win my life.
Beating her is my only chance.
Perhaps, if you do win your escape, you could find our eyes.
Has she taken those, too?
Yes, miss.
And hidden them.
BOY GHOST: Find our eyes, mistress, and our souls will be freed.
I… I’ll try.
(GASPS)
(CORALINE GRUNTING)
Wybie?
(CORALINE GASPS)
Did she do this to you?
I hope that feels…
Shh!
(CORALINE GRUNTS)
OTHER MOTHER:
Coraline? Is that you?
Let’s go!
OTHER MOTHER: Coraline!
Come on!
She’ll hurt you again.
OTHER MOTHER: Coraline!
How dare you disobey your mother!
(GASPS)
OTHER MOTHER: Coraline!
(PANTING)
I’m home!
Anybody here?
Hello? Hello, hello!
Real Dad?
Real Mom?
Oh, Mom’s groceries!
Ugh!
(FLIES BUZZING)
That’s disgusting.
(DOORBELL RINGING)
I missed you guys so much, you’ll never…
Oh. The Wybie that talks.
Huh?
Yeah, so, you know that old doll I gave you?
Um…
My grandma’s real mad.
Says it was her sister’s.
The one that disappeared.
You stole that doll, didn’t you?
Well, it looked just like you, and I figured…
It used to look like this pioneer girl, then Huck Finn Jr., then it was this Little Rascals chick with all these ribbons and braids and…
Grandma’s missing sister.
I think I just met her.
Come on.
Listen, I’m really not supposed to…
Whoa!
She’s in there.
Can you…
Can you unlock it?
Not in a million years.
But it wouldn’t matter.
She can’t escape without her eyes.
None of the ghosts can.
(EXCLAIMS IN DISBELIEF)
Yeah. So I really need to get that doll.
Great! I’d love to get rid of it.
Where are you hiding, you little monster?
You and Grandma been talking?
The doll’s her spy.
It’s how she watches you, finds out what’s wrong with your life.
The doll is my grandma’s spy?
No. The other mother.
She’s got this whole world where everything’s better.
The food, the garden, the neighbors.
But it’s all a trap.
Yeah, I think I heard someone calling me, Jonesy.
Don’t believe me?
You can ask the cat.
The cat?
I’ll just tell Grandma that you couldn’t find the doll.
Ow!
You’re not listening to me!
That’s ’cause you’re crazy!
(WYBIE SCREAMING)
(CORALINE SCREAMING IN FRUSTRATION)
(PANTING)
CORALINE: You creep!
Crazy!
CORALINE: Crazy?
You’re the jerk wad that gave me the doll!
Mom! Dad!
(PHONE RINGING)
Pick it up, Dad. Pick it up.
DAD ON ANSWERING MACHINE: Hi!
Dad! Where…
I’m digging in my garden right now, but leave a message and I’ll get right back to you.
Where have you gone?
(WHIMPERS)
(SPINK GRUNTS)
Uh… Don’t you only make wings for the dead ones?
Just looking ahead, dear.
Angus hasn’t been feeling very well of late.
FORCIBLE: April?
Aren’t you getting ready?
We’ve lost our ride, Miriam.
Caroline says her parents have vanished quite completely.
What?
We’ve waited months for those tickets.
I suppose we could walk.
With your gammy legs?
It’s nearly two miles to the theater.
(CLEARS THROAT)
Oh, yes.
Your missing parents.
SPINK: We know just what you need.
Miriam, get…
That’s right.
How is 100yearold candy gonna help?
(DOGS WHIMPERING)
(SCREAMING)
There you go, sweetie.
What’s it for?
Well, it might help.
They’re good for bad things sometimes.
No. They’re good for lost things.
SPINK: It’s bad things, Miriam.
Lost things, April.
Bad.
Lost.
(WHISPERS) Bad things.
Lost.
Bad.
Lost!
Good night, Mom.
Good night, Dad.
(SNIFFLES)
(SOBBING)
(CAT PURRING)
CORALINE: Hello.
How did you get in?
Do you know where Mom and Dad are?
(GASPS)
Mom? Dad!
(GLASS SQUEAKING)
(GASPS)
(GRUNTING)
(SCREAMS)
(PANTING)
(MEOWS)
How did this happen?
(CORALINE GASPS)
She’s taken them.
They’re not coming back, are they?
Mom and Dad.
Not on their own.
Only one thing to do.
(CLATTERING)
You know, you’re walking right into her trap.
I have to go back.
They are my parents.
Challenge her, then.
She may not play fair, but she won’t refuse.
She’s got a thing for games.
Hmm.
Okay.
(WIND WHISTLES)
OTHER MOTHER: Coraline?
Mom?
Coraline!
You came back for us.
Mom!
Darling, why would you run away from me?
(GASPS)
(LAUGHING)
Where are my parents?
Gosh, I have no idea where your old parents are.
Perhaps they’ve grown bored of you and run away to France.
They weren’t bored of me.
You stole them!
Now, don’t be difficult, Coraline.
Have a seat, won’t you?
(GARBLED CHATTERING)
(RAT SQUEAKING)
Mmm.
Why don’t you have your own key?
(GARBLED) Only one key.
Shh!
The garden squash need tending, don’t you think, pumpkin?
(GARBLED) Squish-squash, pumpkin sauce.
(GLASS SQUEAKING)
Mom?
Dad?
(GLASS SQUEAKING CONTINUES)
Where’d she hide you?
(BELL TINKLING)
OTHER MOTHER: Breakfast time!
CORALINE: Be strong, Coraline.
(OTHER MOTHER HUMMING)
Why don’t we play a game?
I know you like them.
Everybody likes games.
Uh-huh.
What kind of game would it be?
An exploring game.
A finding things game.
And what is it you’d be finding, Coraline?
My real parents.
Too easy.
And the eyes of the ghost children.
Huh.
What if you don’t find them?
If I lose, I’ll stay here with you forever and let you love me.
(CORALINE SIGHS)
And I’ll let you sew buttons into my eyes.
Hmm.
And if you somehow win this game?
Then you let me go.
You let everyone go.
My real father and mother, the dead children, everyone you’ve trapped here.
(EXCLAIMS)
Deal.
Not till you give me a clue.
Oh, right.
In each of three wonders I’ve made just for you, a ghost’s eye is lost in plain sight.
And for my parents?
(CHUCKLES)
Fine. Don’t tell me.
(SIGHS)
It’s a deal.
(SIGHS)
What does she mean, “wonders?”
Hmm.
(CROAKS)
Ugh!
No!
(GRUNTS)
(BUZZING)
Stop!
Why steal this?
(CORALINE GASPS)
Wow!
That must be it!
(GARBLED) Sorry.
So sorry.
Mother making me.
Don’t wanna hurt you!
Take it!
(PANTING)
Bless you, miss.
You found me!
But there’s two eyes still lost.
Don’t worry.
I’m getting the hang of it.
(OTHER SPINK SINGING)
(RUSTLING)
(GROWLS)
The pearl.
(SCREAMS)
Thief!
Thief!
Give it back!
Give it back!
Thief!
Thief!
OTHER SPINK: Give it back!
Thief!
Thief!
Give it back!
Thief!
Thief!
Give it back!
Give it back!
Thief!
Give it back!
Give it back!
Thief!
Thief!
Thief!
Stop! Stop! Thief! Thief!
OTHER FORCIBLE:
Thief! Stop!
Hurry on, girl.
Her web is unwinding.
Oh, Wybie.
Evil witch! I’m not scared!
(CREAKING)
Hello, galoobooshka.
I’m Coraline.
Is this what you’re looking for?
Uh-huh.
You think winning game is good thing?
You’ll just go home and be bored and neglected, same as always.
Stay here with us.
We will listen to you and laugh with you.
If you stay here, you can have whatever you want.
Always!
You don’t get it, do you?
I don’t understand.
Of course you don’t understand.
You’re just a copy she made of the real Mr. B.
(DISTORTED)
Not even that anymore.
(SQUEAKS)
(GASPS)
No!
(SCREAMING)
(GRUNTS)
No!
(GROANS)
Oh, God. I’ve lost the game.
I’ve lost everything.
(SOBBING)
(CAT MEOWS)
I think I mentioned that I don’t like rats at the best of times.
I think you might have said something like that.
It looked like you needed this one, however.
Thank you.
I’m heading inside.
I still have to find my parents.
Come on, quickly!
(CAT GROWLS)
So you’re back.
And you brought vermin with you.
(MEOWS)
No. I…
I brought a friend.
You know I love you.
(SIGHS)
You have a very funny way of showing it.
So where are they?
The ghost eyes?
Hold on. We aren’t finished yet. Are we?
No, I suppose not.
After all, you still need to find your old parents, don’t you?
Too bad you won’t have this.
Be clever, miss.
Even if you win, she’ll never let you go!
I already know where you’ve hidden them.
(CHUCKLES)
Well, produce them.
They’re behind that door.
Oh, they are, are they?
(GLASS SQUEAKING)
(WHISPERS) There.
Mom. Dad.
(OTHER MOTHER COUGHING)
Go on. Open it.
They’ll be there, all right.
You’re wrong, Coraline.
They aren’t there.
Now you’re going to stay here forever.
No, I’m not!
(CAT SCREECHING)
(OTHER MOTHER SCREAMS)
(CAT SCREECHING)
OTHER MOTHER: No!
(MEOWS)
You horrible cheating girl!
(GASPS)
(SCREAMS)
(OTHER MOTHER CACKLING)
(MEOWING)
(OTHER MOTHER CACKLING)
No! Where are you?
You selfish brat!
(GRUNTS)
(LAUGHING)
You dare disobey your mother?
(CORALINE GRUNTS)
(GROWLING)
Please shut it!
(SCREAMING)
(GRUNTING)
(OTHER MOTHER SCREAMING)
OTHER MOTHER: Don’t leave me!
Don’t leave me!
I’ll die without you!
(SCREAMS)
(PANTING)
(EXCLAIMS)
(DOOR OPENING)
MOM: Coraline, we’re home.
Mom! Dad!
I missed you so much!
(CHUCKLES)
Missed us?
Oh, no. You broke my favorite snow globe.
I didn’t break it.
It must’ve broke when you escaped.
And cut your knee.
Coraline, I asked you to count all the windows, not put your knee through them.
But…
Well, get yourself cleaned up.
We’re going out tonight.
(EXCLAIMS)
We got a lot to celebrate.
You’re talking about your garden catalog?
Of course. What else?
CORALINE: But look at the snow on your…
What’s gotten into you, Coraline?
(DAD EXCLAIMING)
(CORALINE LAUGHING)
So, gonna order the tulips?
What’s that?
For the garden party?
I have no idea what you’re talking about.
Dad! So, Ma, invitations?
Don’t forget the invitations.
Even Bobinsky?
Mr. B.’s not drunk, Mom. He’s just eccentric.
(LAUGHING)
Good night, Coraline.
(MEOWS)
Oh.
Hello again.
You still mad?
I’m really sorry I threw you at her, the other mother.
It was all I could think of.
I think it’s time, don’t you?
To set them free?
It’s a fine, fine thing you did for us, miss.
Well, I’m glad it’s finally over.
It is over and done with for us.
What about me?
You’re in terrible danger, girl!
But how? I locked the door!
It’s the key, miss.
There’s only one, and the beldam will find it.
‘Tain’t all bad, miss.
Thou art alive.
Thou art still living.
(GASPS)
I gotta hide this somewhere, somewhere she can never…
(MEOWS)
Out of my way!
CORALINE: (SINGING) Oh, my twitchy-witchy girl I think you are so nice I give you bowls of porridge and I give you bowls of ice cream I give you lots of kisses And I give you lots of hugs But I never give you sandwiches Wth grease and worms and mung…
(GRUNTS)
…beans
(SCREAMS)
(POUNDING)
(HORN HONKING)
(SHOUTING)
(COUGHING)
(SCREAMING)
(GASPS)
(GRUNTING)
(SCREAMS)
(CORALINE EXCLAIMS)
(SCREAMS)
(PANTING)
(BOTH GRUNT)
(SPLASHING)
(PANTING)
I’m really sorry I didn’t believe you about all this evil stuff, Coraline.
Why did you change your mind?
Well, Grandma showed me this picture after I called you crazy.
It’s her and her sister, before she disappeared.
The Sweet Ghost Girl.
LOVAT: Wyborne! Come home!
Oh, man.
What am I gonna tell her?
Just bring her by the house tomorrow.
We can tell her together.
We… We can?
You know, I’m glad you decided to stalk me.
(CHUCKLES)
(LAUGHS UNCERTAINLY)
It wasn’t my idea.
(MEOWS)
CORALINE:
Thanks for helping me, Miss Spink, Miss Forcible.
Oh, look, April.
Pink ladies!
Actually, it’s just lemonade.
How’s Angus doing?
Oh, much better, dear, but he can’t duck his wings forever.
DAD: Here comes a burp.
(DAD BURPS)
MOM: Charlie!
Excusezmoi, but that pizza, that was delicious.
CORALINE: Cold drinks?
Oh, yeah. Great.
You were right, Coraline.
I really hate dirt!
But the tulips look nice.
CORALINE: Thanks, Mom.
(BOBINSKY MUTTERING)
That is possible.
(CORALINE CLEARS THROAT)
CORALINE: How are the mooshkas, Mr. B?
They tell me that you are savior, Caroline.
And soon as they are ready, they wish to give special thanks you performance.
LOVAT: Wyborne, I know where I’m going.
I grew up here.
CORALINE: Welcome, Miss Lovat!
Oh. Hello.
I’m Coraline Jones.
I’ve got so much to tell you.
MOM: Here.
DAD: Thanks.
SPINK: Do you want to pop a little gin in it, dear?
FORCIBLE: Of course.
(PURRS)
