The Thing with Feathers (2025)
Director: Dylan Southern
Screenplay: Dylan Southern
Based on: Grief Is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter
Release Dates: 25 January 2025 (Sundance); 21 November 2025 (United Kingdom and Ireland)
Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch (Dad), Richard Boxall (Boy 1), Henry Boxall (Boy 2), Eric Lampaert (Crow), David Thewlis (Crow), Vinette Robinson (Amanda), Sam Spruell (Paul), Leo Bill (Dr. Bowden), Tim Plester (Andy), Claire Cartwright (Mum)
Plot: Left to raise two young sons after the unexpected death of his wife, Dad’s life begins to unravel. Grief is messy and chaotic enough as it is, but when it takes the form of an unhinged and unwanted house guest—Crow—taunting him from the shadows, things start to spiral out of control… but maybe that’s exactly what Dad needs.
* * *
The Thing with Feathers (2025)| Transcript
[pencil scratching]
[unsettling music]
[pencil scratching continues]
[solemn organ music]
[church bell tolling]
[scratching, scuffling]
[wings flap loudly]
[crows cawing]
[man] You hungry?
No.
I’m okay.
[man] Sure?
I thought you both did really well today.
Up we go.
Come on.
Come on, you can do it.
Put your arms through, please.
Good boy.
Do you want me to carry you up?
[imitates rocket]
Okay, I’m gonna swing you in.
[grunts]
Alright, alright.
[groans] It’s alright.
Night-night.
[boy whimpers]
You know it’s true?
Everything that everyone was saying today about Mummy.
You had an amazing mum, boys.
Let’s never forget that, okay?
Night-night, darling.
[boy whimpers]
[footsteps approaching]
[sighs]
[sobbing]
[mournful music]
[sobs]
[wings flapping]
[crow caws]
[bird feet pattering]
[♪ “Inbetween Days” by The Cure plays on radio]
Hey, stop it.
Please don’t fight.
Stop it.
I was here first.
Just make this guy go.
[grunts]
Uh, right.
What cereal do you want?
Alright, you can have it this time.
Rice Krispies?
I want Rice Krispies.
Alright.
Fuck’s sake.
[cupboard bangs]
[whines] Okay. No, I’ll do it.
Thanks.
[man] I’ll do it, thank you.
Is that it?
Mm.
Where’s the milk?
Where’s the milk?
There’s, there’s no normal milk, but there’s, uh, there’s loads of your mum’s…
Got loads of soy milk.
No, it tastes like farts.
I know, but it’s… it’s all we’ve got, so…
Aah!
[clanging loudly]
[loud clanging continues]
[music and clattering stops]
[breathes heavily]
[softly] Oh, God.
[wooden chair creaking]
[man exhales]
[exhales deeply]
[brushing teeth]
Hey, don’t do that.
You sure you want to go back today?
‘Cause you know you don’t have to if it feels too soon.
Mmhmm.
[water running]
Right, um, jacket, please.
Which is your jacket?
Uh, this is mine. Um…
Okay. Alright.
Where’s my P.E. kit?
Where is it?
I don’t know.
Oh, Christ. We’re gonna be late.
Right. Here.
Have a look. Where is it?
[laundry basket clatters]
Okay. Come on. Good boy.
Let’s go.
You’ll have to wear it dirty.
Come on, let’s go. Thank you.
[door closes]
[wind howling]
[children arguing]
[wings flapping]
[children chattering noisily]
It’s okay.
You’re gonna be alright.
It’s good to have you back.
[footsteps receding]
Hey. Don’t worry.
We’ll look after him.
Alright.
[children and teacher chattering indistinctly]
Yes, yes, I’m still here.
[sighs]
Right, okay.
Right.
No, I am not ringing about myself.
I’m ringing…
Yes.
No, I gave that information to the last person I spoke to.
[doorbell buzzes]
Um, no.
Um, pl… pl… please don’t put me on hold.
Well, who is the right fucking person to speak to then?
You don’t think? I do.
I think I’ve got every reason to speak to you like thi…
I’m sorry. We’ll call you back.
I can do this.
[sighs]
[kettle boiling]
[man 2] Bit like Tracey Emin’s kitchen in here.
[scoffs]
Should get the boys on the washing up.
[lighter clicks]
[sighs]
Do you wanna talk?
[slurps]
Yeah.
[man 2]
Are you getting any sleep?
[lighter clicks]
[sighs]
[sobs]
Do you want me to pick them up from school today?
Uh… Thank you.
You… you… you’re good.
I just… I need…
[sniffles]
I need to do the pickup.
I need to… keep things as normal as possible for them.
So, how was it?
Um, good, I guess.
What did you get up to?
David Matthews tried to be my friend, but… but he used to be my enemy at school.
Um… I just wanted to say how sorry I am for… for your loss.
Oh, um, thanks.
Thanks very much.
How are you coping?
Uh, I can’t imagine how you must be feeling.
I mean, we lost Mum last year, so I can a bit.
Bowel cancer.
Oh, I’m very sorry.
[woman] But we knew it was coming, though, with Mum.
I can’t imagine what yours must have been like with it… being so sudden.
Um… thank you. I, I…
I just want to say I’m… I’m here if you ever want a coffee, or if the boys want a playdate?
My two would love that.
Wouldn’t you?
[car rumbles past]
Do let me know if you need anything.
I know everyone says that, but I… I mean it.
Come on.
Who was that?
I don’t know.
[Dad] Shit.
[cartoon playing on TV]
[Dad] Look, Margaret…
I’d love to stay on, it’s just…
“Once upon a time there lived a cat, and a sparrow, and a brave youth.
The cat and the sparrow went to the forest, chopped wood and said to the brave youth, ‘You keep the house, but mind if the Baba Yaga comes and counts the spoons…'” Hmm?
Can you do the voices?
Sure.
Um…
[high-pitched voice]
“‘You keep the house, but mind if the Baba Yaga comes and counts the spoons.’ [low voice] ‘Don’t say a word.
Keep quiet.’ [normal voice] ‘Very well,’ said the brave youth.
The cat and the sparrow went away, and the brave youth sat on the stove behind the chimney, anxiously awaiting their return.
Suddenly the wind outside howled, and the Baba Yaga entered through the open window.”
[window slides open]
[lighter clicks]
[beep]
[man over phone] Hello, Mate.
Still not picking up.
Look, I just want to say…
[beep]
[voicemail]
Message deleted.
[woman] Hey, It’s Mia.
Just checking to see how you’re doing.
[beep]
[voicemail] Message deleted.
[beep]
[raspy voice]
There he is, Sad-Dad.
Look at you, all wife-gone, all hopeless, all furious.
She’s gone, I’m here.
I’ll give you something to think about.
[beep]
[voicemail] message deleted.
[ominous music]
[sighs]
[distant rumbling]
[scraping]
[loud thud] Fucking hell.
[ominous music]
Oh, shit.
Oh, fuck.
[water running]
[water continues running]
[muffled clattering]
[Dad] Darling, can you hear me?
Please, please breathe.
Please breathe.
[ambulance siren wailing]
[Dad] Can you hear me?
Hello?
Uh, ambulance.
Uh, I… I don’t know.
She’s… um…
There… there’s blood.
She’s on the floor.
She’s not breathing.
[sinister music]
[pencil scratching]
[sinister music builds]
[music ends abruptly]
[crow caws]
[boy gasps]
[whispers] Dad?
There’s a feather on my pillow.
[Dad] Hmm?
[Boy] There’s a feather on my pillow.
[Dad] Feathers are made of pillows.
[groans]
[rattling]
[rattling]
[rattling continues]
[tense music playing]
[door creaks open]
[rattling]
[rattling]
[rattling continues]
[rattling]
[wings thrashing]
[wings thrashing]
[tense music]
[wings thrashing]
[doorbell buzzes]
[doorbell buzzes repeatedly]
[Dad] Right, right. For Christ’s sake, I’ve got kids up there.
Who is it?
[leaves rustling]
[crow caws]
[indistinct raspy voice]
[voice continues speaking]
[wings thrashing]
[crow caws]
[door creaks]
[ominous music playing]
[door slams]
[fist bangs]
[door knob rattles]
[raspy wheezing]
[wheezing continues]
[Crow] Say hello.
Are you frightened?
Say hello.
Say it properly.
Say hello.
[man] Hello, you.
[background chatter]
Miles away.
Yeah, I could see that.
[chair clatters]
Yeah.
So, um…
How are you… how are you holding up?
You know, good days, bad days.
How are the boys?
They miss their mum.
Yeah.
Yeah, it’s got to be, um…
Yeah.
Poor little fellas.
Which, uh, reminds me…
Hmm?
Ah-ha.
Oh, is that Jeff’s latest?
They’ll love these.
[man] Well, you know what, I just hope it sells.
Things that bad?
You know, same old, same old.
Well, it won’t be long till you’re losing money on mine.
[man laughs]
Uh… that’s actually what I wanted to… talk to you about, you know.
We don’t expect it any time soon.
You know, and if you need more time…
Honestly, it’s actually… it’s really nice to have something else to focus on.
Sure?
Well, is it not, you know, a bit much?
I’m… I’m sure.
Okay.
[rain pattering]
[Boy 1] So, you have to jump off the bed.
Then just put your feet on here, and then you have to try and jump back onto the bed.
And then you get one point.
[Boy 2] Okay.
[laughter]
[laughter] Oh! You lost!
I got it!
Cannonball!
[laughs] Three, two, one.
Cannonball!
Just don’t go into the closet.
I don’t want to bang my head.
Whoa, whoa, careful, careful.
[boys grunting] Now you shall pay!
[children shouting indistinctly]
Alright, that’s enough.
Bath time now, please.
Three, two, one. Cannonball!
Cannonball!
Boys?
[Boy] Reset it, stupid.
Boys, I said bath time now.
[laughter]
Get off, I’m gonna cannonball.
I hope he doesn’t come to our house and rings on the doorbell.
Alright, no bath, but can you brush your teeth and put your pajamas on, please?
That’s crazy!
Three, two one!
Can you hear me?
[boys shouting] When I come back, I want you to have brushed your teeth and put your pajamas on, okay?
Okay?
[boy grunts]
[boy 2] Got ya!
[man on tv]
I don’t feel deserving of this, I really don’t.
I need to thank, er, before they play the music and I’m out of time…
Er, I mean, I don’t care.
I’m not leaving this stage before i thank my wife.
Tor, you are my undying, enduring inspiration.
I love you.
[sinister music]
[wings fluttering]
[pencil scratching]
Ah!
Ah.
[caws]
[pecking]
[sinister music builds]
[music stops]
[boy screams] Hey, hey, hey, hey, it’s alright.
It’s okay.
There’s someone in here.
Shh. No, no, no.
Look, look, look.
There’s no one in here.
It’s alright, okay.
There’s someone in here.
You just had a bad dream, alright?
Come on, come here.
Oh. Okay, let’s get you out of those wet things.
[grunts] There we go. Okay.
It’s alright.
I heard him.
Who?
The Crowman from your drawings.
Crow?
Those are Daddy’s drawings, alright?
Look at me.
Sweetheart, they’re not real.
They’re just drawings, alright?
It’s alright. It’s okay.
They’re not real.
Not real.
It’s not real.
Oh.
[light switch clicks]
[box cutter clicking]
[ominous music]
[pencil lead scratching]
[Dad muttering]
[paper rustles]
Ah.
Kraaa!
Kraaa!
[caws]
[muffled, echoey raspy whispering]
[Crow laughs]
[Crow] Did I or did I not?
Not sudden trauma!
Head down.
Head down, distant dad.
What the fuck?
[whooshing]
[Crow talking nonsensically]
[Crow laughing]
[screeching]
[indistinct mumbling]
[Crow] Trauma and now distant dad…
[indistinct mumbling]
[loud banging]
[Dad yells]
[whooshing]
[Crow] Funny how we first met.
[gasps, breathing heavily]
[grunts]
[glass shatters]
[Dad yells]
[hitting]
[thump]
[grunts]
[clattering]
[groans]
[Crow] I could have bent him backwards over a chair, and dripfed him sour bulletins of the true one-hour dying of his wife.
[Dad grunts]
[thudding]
[gasps] Other birds would have.
[shrieks]
[crow caws]
[repeated slapping]
[Dad yelling]
[crow caws]
[glass smashes]
[Crow] But no. No.
I believe in the therapeutic method.
[Boy] Dad?
[birds chirping]
Dad?
What are you doing?
[through toy megaphone]
Are you dead?
Dad?
[through megaphone] Dad?
[groans] I’m not dead.
[megaphone feedback] Dad?
[Dad groans]
[grunts] What are you doing?
What are you doing?
[Boy] What are you doing?
[groans]
What are we doing today?
Getting dressed for school.
But it’s a Saturday.
[groans]
Then… then you’re switching the kettle on for me.
Off you go. Off you go.
[feedback screeching]
♪ Toot, toot, toot, toot ♪
♪ Keep moving ♪
[Dad groans]
[footsteps receding]
[crunching] Argh, fuck.
[boys chatter indistinctly]
Crap everywhere.
For God’s sake.
[dishes clattering]
[boy squealing]
[dishes clatter]
[boys chuckling]
Boys, um, I need you to…
I need you to help me today.
I need you to help tidying up, alright?
[boys groan] No, no, no, I’m not joking.
I need you to help tidy up and put things where they’re supposed to be, or I will pick up any toy that I find on the floor and I will put it in the bin.
[mockingly]
Mmm, everything clean!
[Dad yells] I am serious!
Go in there now and tidy it up!
[kettle boiling]
[kettle clicks]
[Dad quietly] Please.
[Dad exhales]
[water dripping]
[sinister music]
[Crow] Good morning, English Widower.
Sleep well, did we?
[chuckles]
[shower turns on]
[Crow muttering]
I find humans incredibly dull.
Not now. No, not now.
[Crow] Incredibly dull, except in grief.
There are very few humans that interest me.
But grieving widowers do.
Grieving widowers and motherless children are pure crow.
Leave them alone!
[sinister music stops abruptly]
How long has it been now?
Uh… [clears throat] Uh, three months.
Actually, nearly four months.
[man] Four months, huh?
It takes time to come to terms with.
Yeah, I’m not sure I want to come to terms with it.
Okay.
I don’t really think there are any terms that would make it alright, so…
Yeah.
Alright.
Did you rely on her for… emotional…
Everything.
Everything.
It’s okay to feel overwhelmed.
We… we can talk about coping strategies or…
No, it’s alright.
I just… I, um…
I really came here to talk about my children.
[man] Alright. Have there been changes to their behavior?
Uh, my youngest is wetting the bed, nightmares, that kind of thing.
And… my older one is… is playing up a little bit more than usual.
[man]
Are you maintaining routine?
Structured bedtimes, mealtimes?
[Dad] Not really, no.
Oh. Well, you should stick to routine if you can.
Children take comfort from routine.
Do you let them see you grieve?
I’ve been trying not to.
Right. You… you need to change that.
You know, and you mustn’t ignore your own grief to protect them.
[trolleys clattering]
[background chatter]
[Crow] Ah, there he is.
Sad-Dad.
[crow laughing]
[checkouts beeping]
“Doctor…”
“Doctor, I think I’m being followed by a crow.”
You’re not fucking real.
[Crow laughs]
[suspenseful music]
[PA system beeps]
[Crow] Grieving widower to aisle nine.
Grieving widower to aisle nine.
[PA system beeps]
[Crow] “Stick to routines,” is that what he said?
“Children need routines?”
Not those boys.
Those boys need bows and arrows, they need stories, they need myths, they need chaos, they need crow.
[shouts] You’re not real!
[breathing heavily]
[Crow] Really?
[lights clanking]
[whooshing]
[sinister music]
[clattering]
[crow cawing]
Listen. Leftover, blank space, death face, shock, severed, remnant, earless, eyeless.
Now who’s this? Who? Me? Him?
Void filler, time killer.
Oi, stab it!
[music intensifies]
Dead wife, let me pick that skull empty.
Spraddle it. Down.
Tot along. Dad, scarper.
Take leave, English widower.
[bottles shattering] Take leave, grieve, gallop through corpse dust.
But don’t forget to grieve.
Hunted king. Uncrowned.
You don’t deserve me.
[panicked breathing]
You don’t get to say how this goes anymore.
No.
[barcode scanner beeps]
[music stops abruptly]
[barcode scanner beeps]
[background chatter]
[phone ringing]
Paul?
Yeah, yeah, it’s me. Um…
I need your help, please.
Yeah, now.
[light music playing]
I’m happy to do it.
Of course, I am.
I’m just not sure about you being alone.
Look, I just need to work through things for a bit on my own, Paul.
And I… I just…
I want them safe.
What does that mean?
I’m worried about you.
I’m not gonna do anything.
[ominous music]
[knocking]
[feathers rustling]
[whispers] Come on then.
Do your worst.
[Crow] No.
I intend to do my best.
Draw for me.
[Dad] If I do this, will you go away?
[Crow] I won’t leave until you don’t need me anymore.
I don’t need you.
[Crow] Be careful.
There are far worse than me.
Far, far worse.
Draw.
Draw what?
[Crow] Draw one of your stories, a memory, the first thing that comes to mind.
[pencil scratching]
[Crow] No, no, no, no!
Piss poor!
Looks like a fucking Vettriano.
Piss poor!
[thump] Fuck’s sake.
That’s more like it.
[choral music playing]
[tapping fingers frantically]
[Dad grunts]
[Dad exhales]
[Dad] It’s cold… and snowing.
It’s just the three of us.
I took the boys out to give her some peace because she was ill.
She had the flu.
[Dad] You’re still very hot.
[Dad] She never got ill.
There’s a ghost!
Dad, Dad, it’s snowing.
[Dad] And the boys must have been, what, three and four?
[boys chattering]
[Dad] Love you.
[Dad] I took them out.
Out to the park and…
Are these your shoes?
[Dad] I was hopeless.
[melancholic string music]
No wellies.
No patience.
Wait, wait.
Come on.
[Boy] My feet hurt.
[Dad]
They wouldn’t stop whinging.
[Dad] There we go.
It’s a little bit cold.
Here we go.
[Dad] They were cold.
[string music continues]
That was the first time they realized I wasn’t the amazing dad they thought I was.
[Boy] I want Mummy.
It’s okay, it’s okay.
It’s alright, come on.
Mummy’s not very well, is she?
[crow cawing]
[Dad] That was it, wasn’t it?
[wings flutter]
[crow caws]
The dress rehearsal for the rest of our lives.
[string music continues]
[music fades]
[snow patters softly]
[exhales]
[doorbell buzzes]
Hey. I didn’t bother calling ahead.
I didn’t want to give you the chance to tell me to piss off.
[chuckles]
Come in.
[tap running]
[cups clinking]
So… how are you doing?
You know…
[makes birdlike clicking sound]
Sorry.
It’s just that you’re the first real person that I’ve seen in a couple of days.
Real person?
[fluid splashing] Oh, no, no.
No, no. That is not happening.
[children chattering, playing]
There’s times when I get angry with her, you know?
“How could you die on me?”
She’s the stoic one.
She’d have made a much better widow.
Yeah.
Yeah, it’s inconsiderate of her.
[Dad] Her mum keeps ringing me to remind me of things, you know?
“Do you remember when she… ?”
And I know why she’s doing it, but…
I don’t want that.
I don’t want her turned into a series of anecdotes, because it just reminds me that she’s gone.
[breathes shakily]
But she is gone.
Yeah, but if I’m lucky, once or twice a week, I think she’s gonna be back in a minute.
She’s gonna be back.
[soft music]
I’ve got a confession to make.
[Dad] Hmm?
You remember when you split up in the third year?
[Dad] Mmhmm.
And you gave me that poem you wrote her to win her back?
[Dad] Hmm.
She thought it was shit.
Well…
[chuckles] Well, it worked, didn’t it?
[chuckles] I don’t know what you were thinking.
And I wasn’t gonna give it to her.
But she waited until I went to the loo, and then she went into my bag, and she got it.
[chuckling] I was… I was trying to look out for you.
Didn’t need to.
We talked. Well, she talked.
You know what she was like.
And she came round to an appreciation of it.
Of you.
You two were never not gonna be a thing.
You were perfect for each other.
[stirring music playing]
[Dad] Yeah.
[♪ “I Called You Back”
by Bonnie Prince Billy]
♪ And I called you back ♪
♪ To a place beside me ♪
[sighs]
♪ And I called you back… ♪
[Crow] This is fucking awful.
Leave me alone, Crow. I like it.
[Crow] You would!
[glass shatters] Middle-aged, middleclass, white widower music.
Guardian reading, beard stroking, farmer’s market, guest ale, Birkenstock, Barbican shit!
Yeah.
Yeah.
[Crow] You’re such a cliche, you know?
The dead wife trope.
You’ll have the photo album out next.
You’ll be talking to her headstone.
Crow, just leave me alone.
[crying]
[Crow chuckles]
[Crow laughs]
[needle scratching] Aah!
[Crow] Once upon a time, there was a king who had…
Crow, please… two sons, the Queen, and by the way, they were perfect for each other.
Please, please, shut up.
Please, please.
[Crow] They were perfect for each other.
They were never not going…
Shut up!
…to be a thing.
Shut up! Shut up!
[both yell]
There we go. There we go.
The Queen had fallen and bashed her skull in.
[moans] And so, she bled to death.
Please, no more, please.
[Crow] Blood everywhere.
I’m trying to tell you a story.
I don’t want a fucking story.
I want her back. I…
I want her back, or I want to be gone.
[Crow] You want her back.
You wish you were dead.
You wish you were dead.
Very original.
How very fucking original!
[glass shatters]
[Crow] Ooh!
Good, you’re angry. Come on!
Yes! I’m fucking angry!
[Crow mockingly]
Oh, fucking angry!
“Yes, I’m fucking angry!”
[Crow yells mockingly]
I… I miss her. [crying] She… she was everything to me, and now…
[Crow] “She was everything to me.” Euugh!
You sound like a fucking fridge magnet!
[grunts]
[glass shatters]
[record scratches]
[Dad] Fuck! [breathes heavily]
[Crow] Now, listen.
[♪ “Feast of the Mau Mau” by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins]
[Crow singing]
♪ Bom, bom, bom, bom ♪
[crying]
♪ Bom, bom, bom, bom ♪
♪ Bom, bom, bom, bom ♪
♪ Ba, ba, ba, ba ♪
[sobbing]
[song continues]
[Crow chatters]
[muffled music]
[Crow] Look at him.
Some may call my work vulgar.
Primal, even.
But I’ve got him where he needs to be.
[doorbell buzzes]
[footsteps approaching]
[boys] Dad?
[Dad] Boys.
[door closes]
Mum?
[Dad] Boys, can you come into the living room, please?
I need to talk to you.
Fine.
[Boy 1] We’ve just got to take off our gloves.
[Boy 2] Mum?
[Dad] Come sit down, please.
Come on, sit down.
I need to talk to you.
Give me your hand, please.
Um…
Mummy’s not here. Okay?
There was, uh…
She got sick and there was an accident.
And, um…
[melancholic music]
[Boy] This is what we know about our mom.
She always smelled nice.
When she told stories, she did all the voices.
She loved playing loud pop music, because it annoyed Dad.
And then she died.
Our mum died.
After that, everything was different.
We were different.
Different boys.
[children chattering, giggling]
Dad was different.
[sobbing]
A different kind of dad.
[pencil scratching]
[Dad] Boys?
Doesn’t sound like you’re brushing your teeth.
Boys, are you doing what I asked you to do?
[melancholic music continues]
[chuckling]
Boys, come on…
What are you doing?
Take those off.
[Boy] Dad told stories.
The stories changed when dad changed.
He went quiet.
Angry.
He’d disappear.
Dad told stories.
The stories changed when dad changed.
[cawing]
[tapping]
[whispers] We really miss you.
[Boy] I told my brother she could still see us through the mirrors.
[whispers] I need you.
[Boy] He’d spend ages in the bathroom.
Dad says we’re going to Granny Margaret’s after Christmas.
Will you be there too?
[Boy] I felt bad about it for a while.
[drawers opening, closing]
My brother gets angry when he loses things that remind him of her.
[toys rustling]
[melancholic music continues]
[Boy] He said if he had to lose things, Dad should too.
[man] So, it got quite physical, and…
In the end there’s been a couple of punches thrown, and the other child was quite badly hurt.
And in the midst of that, another member of staff has come to help…
[Dad] …especially with a teacher.
I mean, what were you thinking?
It is not okay.
I mean, what do you think your mother would have said, hmm?
[glass shatters]
[picture clatters] No, no, wait, just wait.
Hey, stop it.
Get off me. [kick] Ow. Ow.
I hate you!
[footsteps running away]
[Dad] It’s alright. It’s okay.
[footsteps receding]
[Boy] Dad was different.
A different kind of dad.
[ethereal music]
[playful chatter]
Is he here? Is he there?
Is he somewhere over here?
[laughter]
[Mum] Are you coming or what?
Everyone’s gonna run out of sweets.
My God, you look amazing.
Do you like it?
It’s something you’re doing with your eyes.
It’s new.
[Dad] It’s almost what you’re not seeing.
Can we go to Mrs. Dawson’s?
Sure, we can go to Mrs. Dawson’s.
She has the best sweets.
Does she have the best sweets?
Alright. Show me the way.
Show me the way.
Which way am I going?
[Boy] This way.
[Dad] This way?
And then which way?
[indistinct chatter]
[ethereal music continues]
Are you still with us?
[Crow] This is symbolic, isn’t it?
What is?
[Crow] This.
This dream, this memory.
This confection, whatever it is.
I wonder what it all means.
Your wife’s not a ghost, you know.
She’s not wailing about the house, watching you raise those boys without her.
No.
No.
You’re the ghost now.
Boys?
Boys?
[whooshing, roaring]
Urgh. [breathes heavily]
[rain pattering on window]
[sighs]
[Boy] Will Dad ever be normal again?
He wasn’t normal before.
So, here’s the base.
We have to get through the passage of peril and retrieve… the doom crystals.
[birds chirping]
What’s the volcano for?
Come on, come on.
[Crow] Listen to that.
[boys playing]
[crow] Our boys.
[laughing]
[Crow] I love them like this.
Building worlds full of life, full of possibility.
I think it’s time, don’t you?
Crow?
Yes?
Be kind to them.
Naturally.
Let’s get the doom crystals.
We have to go faster.
Now, now.
I’m just taking lit… little crystals on the way.
Ching!
I found another one.
[gentle whooshing]
[whispers] What is it?
[Crow] Hello, boys.
[Dad] Now boys.
[Crow] Now boys.
[Dad] Should we play a game?
[Crow] Should we play a game?
Here’s how it’s gonna work.
You two boys must each build here on the floor… a model of your mother.
[Crow] …a model of your mother.
Just as you remember her.
And whichever of you builds the best model will win.
Not the most realistic, but the best.
Yes. The truest.
And the prize is this.
The best model I will bring to life for one day.
A real living mother to tuck you up in bed.
[poignant music]
[deep breath]
[feathers rustling]
No.
No. As you remember her.
[music gently swells]
[fabric being cut]
[fabric cutting]
[markers scratching]
[Crow clears throat] Right.
And stop. Hmm.
They’re both excellent.
You’ve got her smile.
It’s uncanny.
And you have captured her… posture.
Hah.
Which one won?
Uh, well…
Which one’s gonna be turned into Mum?
Sorry, what?
You promised.
[Crow] Yes.
Where is she?
[Crow] But you didn’t think… that she… Where is she?
Where is she, you bloody old crow?
She’s dead.
She can’t come back.
That’s it, boys, that’s all you’ve got.
[Dad sobbing]
[sobbing]
[man] How you doing, boys?
Nearly done?
You can go read these to Dad shortly.
How’s he been, your Dad?
I don’t know.
And did you keep an emotion diary the last two weeks?
No.
That… that’s okay.
Did you try the meditation exercises?
Ohmmmm…
[psychologist chuckles] Boys!
No. No, no, it’s okay.
It can feel a bit silly at first.
Is there anything that you wanna talk about?
Thoughts of Mum?
Right, that’s okay.
Maybe we could draw a picture that shows me how you’re feeling, and then we can talk about them afterwards.
Yeah? Sound good?
Cool.
I thought it would get easier.
I… I thought…
Listen, uh…
I think we should talk about the difference between grief and despair.
[birds singing]
Gran!
[Gran gasps]
[Gran] Look at you two.
Gran!
You’re so skinny.
Has your Dad not been feeding you?
[gate clangs]
Oh. Come on in.
Hello.
Hi.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
Yeah.
Alright, come on.
Makes them on his own, even without the book outlines.
[dishes clattering]
[clock ticking]
[cutlery scraping]
[clock ticking]
I’ll see how they’re getting on.
[choral Christmas music] So, how’s the comic coming on?
Do I call it a comic, or a graphic novel?
No, you can call it a comic.
Um…
Yeah, it’s… it’s alright.
It’s interesting.
Dad doesn’t like it when people call them graphic novels.
He says it’s wanky.
[Margaret chuckles]
That’s what you say.
Well, you wolfed that down, boys.
Did we get you the right ones this time?
He’s like his mum.
If she was doing something, she’d pretend she couldn’t hear you.
Was that okay?
Potatoes weren’t my best.
Oh, delicious.
What was she like?
Our mum when she was young.
Your mum?
Stubborn.
You two have got a lot of her in you, in different ways.
How am I like her?
You’re funny.
She was very… quickwitted, wasn’t she, Keith?
Yeah, cheeky bugger, more like.
[chuckles]
Oh, no, no, it’s alright.
I’ll do it. I’ll do it.
It was adorable when she was little.
But when she was a teenager…
Oh, my God, you couldn’t win an argument.
Go and get the photo album from next door, and I’ll show you the first time she brought your dad back here.
[chair scrapes]
[choral music swells]
[Crow mutters to himself]
Destroy the Crow!
Catch and kill.
Let’s get Crow!
[Crow muttering]
Shut the gates! Kill him, and drown him in blood.
All crows, shut the gates!
[Crow muttering] If he takes our castle, we burn it!
So much of her when the boys smile, it’s the same smile. [chuckles]
[sighs]
You can take this home with you if you want.
No, that’s good. Keep it here.
No, leave it here, yeah?
Keep it here. It’s good…
Well… Let the boys see it?
Yeah, they should… they should see it.
They should see it.
Oh.
Woohoo, wigglywiggly! Up here!
[caws]
Kraa, kraa, kraa!
[Crow] We move on, do we not?
We hurtle, do we not?
Love drunk. Fox cubs.
Dead meat. Rattattat.
Catch and kill!
Kill him!
Come on, he went this way.
Come on.
Look at this hat, look. [laughs] I think that was my mum’s hat.
I’m just gonna check on them, actually…
Okay, okay.
See you in a minute.
Yeah. Alright.
[choral music swells]
Boys?
Boys?
Boys, what the hell do you think you’re doing, huh?
I’ve been looking for you everywhere.
You’re bleeding.
What’s going on? Huh?
I’m fine.
You’ve got cuts and scratches all over you.
What have you been doing to him?
What have you been doing?
It was Crow.
It wasn’t fucking Crow.
[trees creaking]
[music ends]
[breathes heavily]
[footsteps crunching on leaves]
I’m sorry. I’m sorry.
I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.
I’m not angry with you.
I’m so sorry. [crying] [sobs] I’m so sorry.
I miss… I miss…
I miss Mummy.
I’m so sorry.
[Boy] Sometimes we felt like he was our dad again.
[car rumbling]
But it never lasted.
[chewing]
[strong wind howling]
[sinister music]
[music stops abruptly]
[rain pattering]
[ominous music]
[beep]
[Paul] I’m gonna start getting a bit worried if you don’t pick up the phone.
We’re thinking about you today.
Give us a call, eh?
Hope you’re alright.
[beep]
[Margaret] I’ve tried you a couple of times.
Today’s been tough, and, um, I’m sure it has for you too.
Anniversaries are hard, and well…
[beep]
[Boy] Dad?
Hmm?
Are you gonna read us a story?
No, it’s too late.
Please.
I said no.
No bedtime stories tonight.
[Crow] Shame on you.
[sinister music]
[Crow]
Does Daddy need a cuddle?
Once upon a time there was a king who had two sons.
One day his queen dropped down dead.
[Dad] Fuck off!
[Crow] And so, the king allowed his kingdom to go to ruin… and abandoned his two sons, so he could wallow in self-pity.
[grunting]
[yells]
Out. Get out.
[struggling, thumping]
No more.
No more.
You have to go.
[Crow] Are you sure about that?
Yes, yes. Fuck, yes!
[Crow] Let’s see what happens without me.
[rain pattering]
[doorbell buzzes]
[tense music]
[doorbell buzzes persistently]
[doorbell buzzes]
[doorbell buzzes]
Dad?
Who is it?
Simon Coleridge.
From number 56.
How can I help you, Simon?
I know we don’t know each other.
I wondered if I could borrow some milk.
Oh, I’m afraid we’ve… we’ve run out of milk.
I’m sure the shop on the corner will still be open.
[eerie breathing]
[Crow] There is no number 56.
Now, boys…
Daddy can’t tell you a story tonight, but I can.
[ominous music]
Once upon a time there was a demon, a terrible demon who fed on despair.
A demon who would hunt every inch of the Earth for the saddest, most delicious person he could find.
[thunder rumbles]
He’s a very clever demon…
[doorbell buzzes] …boys.
Very cunning.
[doorbell buzzes]
Who is it?
It’s Dan. From Parenthesis.
Dan?
Yeah.
From Parenthesis?
[man] Can I come in?
It’s pissing down.
I’ve worked there for years, and I… I’ve never heard of anyone called Dan.
What’s your last name… Dan?
[Dan] Graves.
I’m new there.
They put me on your book.
Thought I’d say hello.
[whispers] I can’t let you in.
[Dan] I’ve come all this way.
No, you’re gonna have to leave.
[Dan] Can I at least use your lav?
[loud thumping on door]
[Crow] Now, boys.
This demon can only feast if those in despair allow it.
So, who do you think he’s coming for tonight?
Who do we know… that’s sad?
[loud thumping on door]
[man] Open the door.
It’s the police.
I’m gonna give you to the count of five and I’m coming in.
One, two…
[boy] What’s going on?
Go back upstairs to your room.
[officer] Three…
What’s going on?
Four…
Go upstairs.
Five…
Now!
[banging on door]
[man]
Okay, have it your way.
There’s someone here who wants to speak to you.
[tense music continues]
[music intensifies]
[whispers] Mum?
[Mum] It’s me.
[music fades]
I’m back.
Open the door.
No.
Open up.
[Mum] Let me in.
Are the boys there?
Mum!
No.
No, boys, no…
Don’t, don’t…
Mum! Mum!
Please stop, please.
Mum, Mum!
Please, it’s not Mummy.
Mum!
Don’t. Don’t. Don’t!
Mum!
[Mum] I’ve missed you all so much.
[Mum] Come on, open up.
[deep breath]
[Mum] Open the door.
[Mum] Come on.
[lock opens]
[boys] Dad.
[Crow] Let him go, boy.
[Boy] Dad!
[Crow] Let him go.
[rain pattering]
[Mum whispering indistinctly]
[soft music]
[Mum whispers] I missed you.
[Mum speaking indistinctly]
[Mum whispers] I love you.
[Mum speaking indistinctly]
[Mum whispers] Come with me.
[Mum speaking indistinctly]
[Boy] Mum!
[Mum] Let me in.
[speaking indistinctly]
[thunder rumbling]
[rewind sound]
[thunder crashes]
[wind whooshing]
[roaring]
[panting] [ominous music]
[Dad yelling]
[Dad struggling]
[Dad echoing] Boys?
Boys, could you come into the living room, please.
I need to talk to you.
What do you think your mother would have said, hmm?
[crashing]
[eerie whispering]
[Dad] The boys are so…
[Demon snarling]
[Demon shrieking] [loud crashing]
[gasping]
[Dad indistinct]
And nobody came, nobody came…
[Dad grunting]
[thudding]
[loud crashing]
[Dad screaming, grunting]
[Demon snarling]
[Dad groans]
[Demon screeches]
[Dad yelling]
[tearing]
[Dad screaming] Boys! Boys!
Boys!
[Dad grunting]
[Demon growling]
Oh, no!
No, no. No more.
No more!
[sound fades out]
[demon screeching]
[ethereal music playing] Crow!
Come back! [screams] Please! Crow!
[dramatic crescendo]
[thump]
[Demon screeching]
[Crow grunting] Dad?
Dad?
[Dad groaning]
Come here. Come here.
Come here.
Don’t look. It’s alright.
I’ve got you. I’ve got you.
[thump, splatter]
[thumping]
[Crow caws]
[thudding, splattering]
I’m here. It’s alright, boys.
[Crow growls]
[Demon screeches] I’ve got you.
[crashing] Stay here. Stay down.
[struggle ensues in background]
[Demon growling]
[Crow grunts]
[Crow caws]
[squelching]
[Crow cries out]
[Crow gasping]
[Demon growls]
[Crow groaning] Crow.
[struggling, grunting]
[crunching]
[Crow gasping]
[Crow shrieking]
[thud]
Come here. Don’t move.
[whispers] Don’t move.
[thud]
[Crow] I am Crow of the deathchill.
[Crow] Godeating.
Trashlicking.
Wordmurdering, mathbomb motherfucker.
[door shuts]
[bells tinkling]
[roaring]
[cawing]
[loud banging]
[screeching]
[roaring]
[Crow gagging]
[dramatic music]
[Crow coughs] Oh, God, no.
Uh… Towel.
Quick. Give me a towel.
He’s been cut. Here. Here.
Another one.
It’s alright, Crow.
It’s okay. It’s okay.
Just keep with us, please.
Please, Crow.
Don’t die on us.
Please don’t die.
Please.
You can’t die.
[Boy] Crow, don’t die.
We need… we need you, Crow.
[Boy] We need you.
[Crow gasps] Crow?
[rain pattering]
[Crow coughs, laughs]
[laughing]
“Please don’t die, Crow.”
[laughing]
“Please don’t die.”
[laughing] “We need you, Crow.”
“We need you.” [laughs, sighs] Obviously.
[“Flirted With You All My Life” by Vic Chesnutt]
[boys playing, screaming]
[Dad muttering]
[pencil lead scratching]
[birds singing]
[music continues]
[music continues]
Here he is, the man of the hour.
[Dad] Thank you.
The book’s beautiful.
Oh, thank you.
[man] It’d want to be beautiful.
He only kept us waiting 18 months, didn’t he?
Eh? [laughs]
[woman] Thank you.
[Dad] Thank you.
Hey.
[Dad] Hey.
Got a lot of questions.
[chuckles]
So do I. [chuckles] Seriously, though, very proud to have it.
Very, very proud. Very proud.
Sorry, are you my brother?
[chuckles]
[chuckles] You look a bit like him.
I mean, he’s usually a lot scruffier.
Come here.
Kate, thank you for coming.
Amanda’s here. Give me a moment.
Hey.
Hey.
Thank you.
I wouldn’t miss it. Hey.
[tapping on glass]
Come on, then. Say a few words.
On the spot.
Um, well, uh…
Uh, thank you, everyone, for coming tonight.
Thank you, Andy, for organizing it.
Um…
Sorry, I’m not… I’m not very good at public speaking, so…
Uh, where was I? Um…
Yes, well, thank you.
It’s taken a while to get here, and I…
I wouldn’t be here tonight, um, without a lot of… people in this room.
So, thank you.
Thank you to my two boys for putting up with your sad, mad dad.
I love you both very much.
[gentle music playing]
Um, thank you, too, Paul.
[snores]
[wings flapping]
[wings fluttering]
[caws]
[groans]
[soft caw]
[Crow] As you were…
English widower.
[seagulls cawing]
[waves lapping]
[Dad] Let’s go all the way back to the…
Let’s go all the way back.
[excited shouting]
[Dad chuckles]
[family chatting indistinctly]
[gentle folk music continues]
Sorry.
You’d have hated this.
[sniffs]
But you’re not here, so…
I’m gonna do it anyway.
“To all light things, I compared her… to a snowflake, a feather.
I remember she rested at the dance on my arm…”
[seagull caws]
[wind blowing softly]
I love you!
I love you.
I love you!
[voice breaking] I love you.
[sobs]
[boys] I love you! I love you!
I love you! I love you!
I love you!
[both] I love you!
I love you! I love you!
I love you.
Whoa!
I love you.
[♪ “Who Knows Where the Time
Goes?” by Fairport Convention]
[waves lap softly]
♪ Across the evening sky ♪
♪ All the birds are leaving ♪
♪ But how can they know ♪
♪ It’s time for them to go? ♪
♪ Before the winter fire ♪
♪ I will still be dreaming ♪
♪ I have no thought of time ♪
♪ For who knows ♪
♪ Where the time goes? ♪
♪ Who knows ♪
♪ Where the time ♪
♪ Goes? ♪
♪ Sad, deserted shore ♪
♪ Your fickle friends
are leaving ♪
♪ Ah, but then you know ♪
♪ It’s time for them to go ♪
♪ But I will ♪
♪ Still be here ♪
♪ I have no
thought of leaving ♪
♪ I do not count the time ♪
♪ For who knows ♪
♪ Where the time goes? ♪
♪ Who knows ♪
♪ Where the time ♪
♪ Goes? ♪
♪ And I am not alone ♪
♪ While my love is near me ♪
♪ I know it will be so ♪
♪ Until it’s time to go ♪
♪ So come
the storms of winter ♪
♪ And then the birds
in spring again ♪
♪ I have no fear of time ♪
[music fades out]
