Starve Acre (2023)
Genre: Drama, Horror
Director: Daniel Kokotajlo
Stars: Matt Smith, Morfydd Clark, Erin Richards, Sean Gilder, Robert Emms
Plot: When their son starts acting strangely, a couple unwittingly allow dark and sinister forces into their home, awakening a long-dormant ancient evil rooted deep in the countryside.
* * *
[boy] It’s gone now, Mummy.
What’s gone?
The whistle whistling.
What whistling?
Okay. You go to sleep now.
Shh.
Pass. Pass.
Do you know what, I can’t remember the last time we went for a trek over the tarn.
We should go.
Gordon could look after Owen.
Mmm.
[indistinct screams]
[child screaming]
[horse whinnying]
Richard, where’s Owen?
[crying]
[horse cries in pain]
Owen, son, what’s happened?
What’s happened?
Finish your breakfast.
[radio chatter]
[Juliette] Yes, of course.
No, we’ll both be there.
Thank you so much. Thank you.
Well, Doctor Ellis had already heard about the fair.
And he’s referred us to a clinic in Wakefield.
Right.
And they’re very good, apparently.
Well…
Okay.
I’ve gotta go.
See you later, son.
[radio chatter]
What happened yesterday, lovely?
Yesterday?
At the fair.
I played football.
But is anything on your mind?
You can always tell me if something’s troubling you.
[chicken calls]
Go on. Go on, down you get.
It’s just in here.
Okay?
Come this way.
We’ve all the latest action figures in there.
It’s just down here.
Yes, it’s where Richard grew up. It’s his parents’ old place.
And you were in central Leeds before that?
Do you think that has something to do with it?
Well, sometimes a big change in their environment could, yeah.
We moved over two years ago.
Owen doesn’t really remember, I don’t think.
We thought the space and the fresh air would be good for…
That’s good for everyone.
So…
please can you tell us what you plan to do for Owen.
Well, we need to ascertain whether Owen’s aggression will return
by trying to work out what the trigger is.
Owen’s not aggressive.
Richard.
He’s been in a couple of scraps at school,
but he were just defending himself.
Did he start displaying this behavior at school?
Yes.
But he hasn’t given you any other cause for concern
apart from this one incident?
No, he’s never done anything this bad.
I see.
I think there’s a voice…
Or something inside his head.
What makes you say that?
He said that someone called Jack Grey…
…is whistling to him.
When did he say that?
The other day when he was asleep.
Where do you think he got that name from?
Oh, I know.
Our neighbors, Gordon, he comes round, he looks after him. Likes to tell him stories.
Look, this voice…
it provokes him,
to do things that he knows he shouldn’t do.
Let’s try to find out how this voice comes to him.
Whether it’s external or if it’s in his mind.
Have you seen this type of thing before?
Let me have a look at him. We’ve had some success here with EEG testing.
It’s a brain scan.
Right.
Good lad. We’ll be done in a minute.
[whimpers]
[machine whirrs]
It’s all right.
Nearly there.
Nearly there.
Come on, lovely, it’s okay.
There you go. Hold him.
Yeah, try not to move, Owen. Owen. That’s it, stay there.
I don’t want Gordon here.
Don’t want him coming round any more filling
Owen’s head full of magic.
This is exactly what I wanted to avoid moving back here.
So who is this Jack Grey?
[turns water off]
No-one.
Come on.
Come on what? Just a wood sprite…
…my dad made up. Him and Gordon used to
try and scare me with it when I was a kid.
What did they do?
Don’t matter. It were pure idiocy.
It matters to some extent because Owen thinks he’s whistling to him.
Yeah, well, that’s why Gordon’s banned from the house.
Gets a kick out of tormenting children, that man.
It’s the last thing Owen needs right now.
These were some of her belongings buried with her.
What do you think they tell us?
That’s really interesting craftsmanship there.
Yeah, it shows that the people liked to look good even then.
Well, yes, that’s right.
It suggests that the Jutish people weren’t just rolling around in the mud,
you know, but that they cared about these things. They cared about themselves.
And that they were relatively healthy people.
Right.
Would’ve thought you might have got yourself a haircut, Willoughby.
Ready, Jeremy?
Four minutes is completely unnecessary.
You can make a perfectly good cup of tea in 30 seconds.
He acts like the introduction of modern analysis is my fault.
Well, he’s just old guard.
Oh, you know…
…I’ll buy him a metal detector for his retirement.
Well, you know, I did hear him say that he’s got a few years left in him.
Jesus.
But if he does hang up his chalk next summer, you should maybe
think about your research activity before putting yourself forward.
[clears throat]
[humming[
Mind your step.
People have…
forgotten about it, but somewhere in this field
should be the roots of an old oak tree.
I know.
Oh, how do you know?
Gordon told me.
Oh, yeah. Well,
do you know why the tree was important?
People used it as a meeting place.
That’s right.
They did.
Used to meet there for different reasons.
To sell animals, to, er…
…well, to deal with issues in the village,
or to judge folks if they were naughty.
You mean to hang people?
I might do.
Your granddaddy bought this land, you know…
because he was interested in all the stories it had to tell.
Gordon says the oak tree’s spirit
was like a doorway into other worlds.
Well, that’s not true. Gordon’s full of superstitions.
Silly ideas people made up before we understood how things really worked.
This place is beautiful as it is, without superstitions.
We’ve moved on from that. All right?
What happened to the tree?
Well, it was a long, long time ago.
It was probably removed to make way for farming, I’d guess.
We should try to find where the roots are, Daddy.
You know what, son, that’s a good idea.
We will. I promise.
I’ll start digging.
But we need to get that barn fixed for your mother first.
Has mummy decided if she wants sheep or goats?
Goats, I think.
Gordon.
The chickens will love this.
Oh, you shouldn’t have.
That face sings a sad song. What’s mitherin’ you?
Gordon, you don’t understand.
He doesn’t remember what he’s done afterwards.
Well, maybe he don’t want to remember.
Can only imagine how he’s been goaded at school, and then at fair.
You know what kids are like, vicious buggers.
They are. I’ll tell you that.
I can’t speak to Richard about it. He’s convinced that everything’s fine with Owen.
He has a lot of compassion for your son.
Making up for things.
I don’t speak ill of dead, but Richard and his dad
didn’t see eye to eye from start.
I know he was very hard on him.
He never speaks about Neil.
It’s ancient news.
Point is, Richard’s heart is in right place.
What have you found?
Here, Owen. See this? It’s a crinoid.
Probably over 300 million years old that.
What else can we find?
Look at this one, Daddy. Look how smooth it is.
Good lad. It is.
And do you know why it’s smooth? Because the water pressure has made it so.
I got a big one.
Go on, lob it.
Can you skim it?
What’s a skim?
It’s obvious he wasn’t himself at the fair.
If people could have seen him today, they’d change their minds.
This is his normal state.
They’re too quick to judge.
Are you all right?
You’re warm.
It’s gonna be okay.
I’m gonna sort the mess out in the study this weekend.
Might check out my dad’s old stuff.
And I’ll start work on that barn for you.
[birds chirping
[rooster crowing]
[chatter]
Sorry I’m late.
I know he’s not necessarily in the area…
…analysis…
Owen? Owen.
What’s happened? Owen.
Owen? Owen!
Owen, breathe. Come on.
Come on. Owen, breathe.
Owen, no…
The farmhouse at the end of Stythwaite Lane.
Please hurry.
No!
Come on, then. Come on. It’s all right.
I’ve got you.
It’s okay. It’s okay. Come on.
I’m here to see my son. Owen Willoughby.
Down here?
Jules?
Jules!
Hey, I’m here.
[sobs]
Where is he?
Where is he?
[sobs]
Hi, Richard.
You all right with your bag?
Yeah. Thanks, I’ve got it.
Come on in.
Thanks.
How are you both?
Yeah, good. We’re fine.
Jules about?
Yeah.
Let me get her.
Jules?
I’ll not be a sec.
Jules?
[door opens]
Jules?
Mmm.
Harrie’s here.
Already?
It’s one o’clock.
Come on.
Right, she’ll be down.
Have you found any buried treasure out there yet?
Not today.
Well, it’s good you’re working.
Aye.
Were the roads okay?
Yeah. Had to take it easy once I got off the A1.
Oh, yeah. How’s Tommy?
Usual self.
Jules.
You’re skin and bones.
Don’t start doing your mom impression.
Are you eating properly?
I’m fine.
What?
I don’t know why you’d wanna come here.
See my sister. Is that so ridiculous?
I made you this.
It’s lime and coconut. It’s a bit dry. Sorry.
I cooked it in a cake tin. I should have baked it like a loaf, but it’ll taste fine.
Mum and Benji are a bit worried.
If they found out I was allowed here before them, they’d have a fit.
Mom can’t bear it here.
That is not true.
Yes, it is.
She couldn’t wait to leave after the wake.
And all they do is fuss anyway.
So, Rosencrantz…
I never understood the appeal of Michael Caine.
He’s such a mummy’s boy.
Gene Hackman though, I’d nurture his seed.
I’ve never heard anyone say they fancy Gene Hackman.
[man on TV] Who comes here?
Mommy.
[eerie whistling]
[birds calling]
Where’s Juliette?
In her bedroom.
What’s going on?
Don’t touch his stuff.
What does your sister think she’s doing?
I asked her to.
We don’t need her here. She’s a fucking busybody.
Richard…
how else are we gonna sort out his room?
You can’t just erase it all.
No.
Let’s not fight.
I knew you weren’t happy with Owen.
Don’t.
I did.
But all we had to do was love him…
without all the judgement.
You think I was blind…
hmm, to his problems.
All I ever did was try and show him love and affection.
It might have helped if you’d acknowledged what was going on a little bit more.
Oh, yeah.
Where were you when he was having the attack?
I’m asking.
[vomits]
Jules?
What’s going on?
Your coat.
You’ll freeze to death.
Gordon?
Oh, morning, blossom.
We were just passing and I really wanted you to meet Mrs. Forde.
Well, he said you knew I was coming.
Jules.
Oh, this is my sister Harrie.
This is my neighbor, Gordon. And Mrs. Forde.
Jules, why don’t they come inside?
Well, that might not be a good idea. I’m not in lad’s good books.
Mrs. Forde might though.
Well…
only if it’s not too much trouble.
Can we get you anything?
Oh, no.
Gordon’s a big fan of yours.
Why is that?
Well, I…
like to help people.
I teach yoga, meditation, you know, that sort of thing.
Gordon tells me you meditate?
Not for a while.
Why not?
Well…
we could try together…
if you’d like, all of us?
Just…
a simple chant?
Help readdress the balance.
What do you think?
Give it a try. No harm.
Yeah?
Let’s, um, let’s create a peaceful place.
Would you get the curtains?
Let’s not be foemen indefinitely.
You know, we’ve all made mistakes in life, some more than others.
But I swear…
I treated Owen as if he were my own.
That’s why you scared him into having night terrors.
In what way?
Filling his head with stories of Jack Grey.
Hey, I never mentioned that to him.
Well, I certainly didn’t.
Well, anyone could have done.
Kids at school.
It was my dad’s delusion.
You and him were the only ones that told me that story.
Well, I regret how I acted with thee when thee were young.
And your dad were wrong to do what he did to thee. And I told him.
Look, Gordon if Jules wants to visit you,
then that’s up to her, but I’m fine here. All right?
So be it, lad.
But contempt for those around you is only a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Oh, uh yeah, “Thank you.”
Okay.
Let’s take a breath.
[inhales]
Om Vajrapani Hum.
Close your eyes…
and keep the light in your mind.
[inhales]
Om Vajrapani…
No, I can’t.
It’s okay, love.
If any negative thoughts enter…
just let them, so that then they can pass on.
Let’s expel our demons.
You will feel so much better.
I promise you. Let’s try.
Only if you want to.
Let’s exchange this energy we’re feeling for anew.
[inhales]
Om Vajrapani Hum…
[exhales and inhales]
Let it out. [exhales]
[inhales]
I’m sorry.
It’s okay.
[sobs]
I’m a disgrace.
[Mrs. Forde] He forgives you.
We all forgive you.
No.
Forgive yourself.
Tell your son…
he can go now.
Let him pass on.
Try, try to just say it once.
Go…
my love.
Good.
Om Vajrapani Hum…
Let him free…
with your exhale.
[chanting]
It’s fine.
It’s okay.
Oh my God.
It’s okay.
The Dandelion has bud.
[panting]
[screams]
No, don’t be afraid! It’s okay.
Take it easy.
He has, er…
moved on now.
He has, I promise you.
Gordon’s waiting outside.
A bloom of spring is on the way.
Ta-ra, love.
[Richard] Jules?
Harrie?
You all right? What’s…
what’s been going on in here?
Was it Gordon? What’s he done?
It’s not Gordon.
What then? Who was that with him?
Mrs. Forde.
Mrs. Forde?
She performed a show of some sort.
She came…
She came to help release Owen.
What?
All right.
Go on. Go back to sticking your head in the fucking mud!
Go on then, leave us!
Don’t. Don’t.
[sighs]
You play off scratch?
Well, I haven’t been a member of a club for 20 years now.
Well, of course. But still…
Willoughby.
Um, yeah, I’m just here to collect some stuff.
How are you?
Fine.
Good. Steven tells me you’re getting your hands dirty,
which is encouraging.
Have the board discussed my return date yet?
We’re going to assess it over the summer.
We felt like you needed a full sabbatical year.
You deserve the time off for yourself…
and your wife. Anyway…
good to see you.
Yeah.
You’re chums now?
No, we were just, um…
What’s going on?
There’s something I wanted your take on.
Okay.
Um…
it’s a…
a rabbit, or a hare.
There’s some…
fungus starting to attack…
just here, but, um…
I mean, what am I supposed to be looking for?
Sorry about this.
It’s okay.
[door closes]
[sighs]
Did I tell you Tommy drank all my Pomerol?
Didn’t even say anything.
Turned my back and he’d had the whole lot.
Is this paint even working?
It’s rubbish. Look, I put two coats up here and I can still see the stains.
Had one glass of my birthday gift.
Stupid man.
Stupid, stupid man.
[sighs]
Stupid man.
[eerie music playing]
[chopping]
Harrie made curry.
Richard, come on.
Please, I’m sorry.
Okay.
Please come back with me.
The sea air might do us some good.
Yeah, maybe.
I’m starting to feel a bit landlocked here.
I think that’s Yellow Star.
Jules, what do you think?
I’ve never seen that here.
Come on.
Bit of time away might help you both.
Go on then.
Richard…
can we talk?
No!
I thought you’d gone out.
Just for a walk. What’s going on in there?
Nothing.
Let me in.
Please. No, wait.
What is going on in here?
Be quiet!
Please.
Needed my help.
What was wrong with it?
I don’t know.
Well, it seems okay now.
Yeah, you think?
Yeah.
We have to let him go.
He wouldn’t survive in here. He needs to be outside. And look, he’s…
They’re nervous creatures.
I know, I know that.
He is lovely though.
Yeah, right then. Come on.
Just mind out, please. Mind out, Harrie, go on.
What’s this for?
This should hold him.
Hold who?
No-one.
Jules?
Could you keep Corey away for a bit.
Um…
What are you talking about?
It’s just house stuff.
We need something to prop this open.
Come on, then.
It’s okay.
It’s all right.
Come on, little one.
It’s okay.
What’s this?
Come on.
Richard, grab, grab it.
Come on.
Come on.
[growling]
Open the box. Open it.
Okay.
Sorry.
Jesus!
Richard, just forget the blanket.
Christ!
Sorry, sorry. I’m sorry, darling.
[growling]
Right, get the door.
Okay.
What is going on in there?
What is it?
Watch your step.
Jules…
what have you got in there?
Nothing, Harrie.
Richard’s just been looking after it.
He’s all right.
Here.
Fuckin’ hell.
Oh, come on.
What do you think?
Here?
Yes.
Come on, mate. Steady.
Go on, it’s okay.
Go on now.
Go on.
No, no, shoo.
Go on. Shoo.
Go on.
Hey, shoo. Go on.
That’s it.
That’s it.
[tense music playing]
[melancholy music playing]
What’s going on?
Richard?
You know, when I was Owen’s age…
Mmm-hmm.
My dad used to strip me down to my underpants…
and, er, tape my mouth up…
Make me stand out in the field…
For hours, freezing.
I never knew he did anything like that.
My fingers turned blue.
He wanted me to disappear.
To disappear?
Why?
[sniffs]
Some sick idea of his.
He was disturbed, that man.
I’m sorry.
I never knew.
Why didn’t you say?
I didn’t want it to get in the way or noth…
When you mentioned moving here, I thought…
you know…
forget him.
I wanted to give…
my son the life that I wish I’d had here.
I don’t really know what’s happening anymore.
What do you mean?
It’s okay.
[sobbing]
Sshh, it’s okay.
[sobs]
[sobs]
[eerie whistling]
My shoulder doesn’t hurt anymore.
[footsteps]
Just taking Corey out.
In return for the Triquetra sacrifice…
It’s some sort of local folklore.
You shouldn’t be in here.
This says followers gathered at Starve Acre.
Three of them died.
A child, woman and a man.
They were sacrificed for the Dandelion to bud.
It’s all the same as Mrs. Forde’s jargon.
And Richard’s dad was writing about it, too.
The gods are just, the gods are fair,
they let Jack free and into our care.
The price we pay is one, two, three,
To let joy pour from the Whistling Tree.
Kept this quiet.
It’s still covered in bark.
That’s the density of the soil.
No, no, it’s deliberate.
The villagers cut it down.
Why bury it?
Well, if my dad’s writing is anything to go on…
they were sealing short access to the, er…
“womb of nature.”
The Pagan’s entrance to the spirit world.
That’s a wild notion for 17th century England.
Um, I’m sorry about my visit to work. I were…
just, er, morbid curiosity got the better of me.
No, no worries.
Let’s get this sorted.
There’s a whole section about Neil trying to release the same spirit.
He documents all these things he did to Richard.
It’s fucking weird, Jules.
And who is this Dandelion Jack?
I mean, have you ever heard of him?
No.
I, I don’t quite understand.
How is the trunk so well-preserved?
You’ve hit the jackpot here, Richard, come on, the Faculty should be funding this.
Who’s that?
Oh, no!
Hang on.
Richard.
What’s happened?
It went for him. It attacked Corey.
What did?
He’s okay, because I blocked it. I blocked it.
Jesus, you need stitches.
Come on. Let’s go in. You’re all right.
Jesus Christ.
[sobs]
It was that fucking thing.
Hey, Jules.
Don’t.
It’s just had Harrie’s arm.
It’s all right.
Juliette!
Shh.
It’s all right.
It’s all right.
It’s all right.
Jules.
Look what it’s done.
It’s ripped open my arm.
Why would he do that?
[Harrie] Richard.
He doesn’t seem to need anything.
Everything all right?
Oh, yeah, yeah.
Looks like an attempt to hide evidence.
Several hangings. At least five or six, all the way down.
I mean, I’ve never seen anything like this before.
The condition it’s in is just, it’s just mind-boggling.
Sweet joy that enchants.
What is it, my darling?
[Steven] I am here for him!
I am here for him!
I am here for him!
I am here for him!
I am here for him!
No!
No!
No.
No.
[eerie whistling]
Look…
even under here…
the soil…
the way it’s, the way it’s mummified the oak…
and preserved all the bark, it’s…
It’s like it’s, it’s like it’s just been buried.
Fuck’s sake.
You won’t have much luck with that, love.
Yeah, I noticed.
You can come back and use my phone if you like.
No, thank you, Gordon, I’ve gotta get going.
What’s happened to arm?
I fell…
that’s all.
You going back to house?
Hey, look.
We’re as surprised as you are.
It were Richard’s old man who tried to summon The Dandelion.
Aye.
He even attempted to offer up his own son as first ransom.
But Jack weren’t interested. It don’t work like that.
Richard? Are you okay?
Are you all right, pal?
Okay, just try and breathe, yeah. Just…
[Gordon] It’s Jack who chooses.
And only a son who is much beloved by his father would do.
And Richard weren’t, you see. But Owen was.
That’s how it works.
And now Richard’s uncovered the entrance, the ransom can be settled.
I need to get going.
Where you headed, love?
Look, you should be happy Jack has chosen your sister.
He’s come to give her another chance.
[groaning]
I’m here.
Jules?
Hey, Jules!
I’ll get help, okay.
Jules!
Why deny it? We gave him physical form.
We did.
No-one else could.
Your father wasn’t able to.
When Owen had the asthma attack…
I didn’t freeze up.
I had a moment of clarity that we’d be better off without him.
And that was thanks to Jack.
He knows.
No.
No.
Jack knows.
No.
We’ll look after him.
Let him…
pour joy over sorrow.
Stay here, okay, angel.
Jules?
No, Harrie, don’t.
Don’t come in.
Don’t.
Come on.
Let’s get him towel.
He wants you.
Come.
I love you.
Come on.
Take it.
Sorry, Harrie.
Come on.
Into the womb of nature,
Accept these tokens of affection.
Harrie, you can come in.
Come.
He wants to play with you.
Go on.
♪ It hails, it rains, it snows, it blows ♪
♪ And I am wet through all me clothes ♪
♪ So my prithee love let me in ♪
♪ So my prithee love let me in ♪
♪ To let you in that cannot be ♪
♪ There’s nobody in this house but me ♪
♪ So I dare not let you in ♪
♪ So I dare not let you in ♪
♪ Me dad and mom, they’re fast asleep ♪
♪ Me brother is up, he’s with the sheep ♪
♪ So I dare not let thee in ♪
♪ So I dare not let thee in ♪
♪ We turned him round in wither to go ♪
♪ The storm were dark ♪
♪ And the rain did blow ♪
♪ She called him back again ♪
♪ She called him back again ♪
♪ And the wind did blow ♪
♪ And the wind did blow ♪
