Title: Phasma   (Currently In Pre- Production) (Filming Feb 2025)

Genre: Horror / Sci-Fi / Psychological Thriller

Logline:
On a secluded farmhouse, a man hears a strange noise outside. Despite his family's pleas not to investigate, he goes outside and meets a gruesome end. This event sets off a chain reaction, leading to a chilling tale of survival against a force beyond comprehension.

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Opening Scene:

The film opens on a quiet, isolated farmhouse under a starless night sky. The only sound is the faint rustling of leaves in the wind. Inside the dimly lit house, a farmer and his family are gathered in the living room. The farmer, middle-aged and rugged, looks concerned as his wife and teenage daughter whisper nervously. Suddenly, a strange, low-pitched noise emanates from outside, cutting through the stillness.

The wife begs him not to go outside, sensing danger, but the farmer is determined to investigate. Grabbing a flashlight and a shotgun, he steps into the darkness. The camera follows his every move, creating a sense of foreboding. The noise grows louder, coming from the nearby woods. As he reaches the edge of the forest, the flashlight flickers and dies. Panic sets in. The farmer turns around to head back but is suddenly yanked into the darkness by an unseen force. His screams pierce the night, then silence falls. The camera lingers on the dark woods before cutting to black.

Main Story:

Setting the Stage:

The story shifts to a suburban house, where we meet the Main Character, John, a man in his early 30s, looking exhausted and emotionally drained. He enters his home and is immediately hit by a sense of dread. Following a trail of water leading to the bathroom, he finds his wife, Sarah, lifeless in the tub, having taken her own life. Overcome with grief, he collapses, cradling her body.

After the funeral, his friends and family, concerned about his mental state, decide to take him away to an isolated location to help him heal. They choose a remote, picturesque cabin in the woods, far from the noise and chaos of the city. The group includes:

• Jamal, John's best friend, who is caring but hides his own fears behind a tough exterior.
• Emily, Jamal's wife, empathetic and supportive, but easily frightened.
• Tom, John's younger brother, who is strong-willed and protective.
• Sally, a mutual friend who is skeptical of supernatural phenomena and tries to keep the group grounded.
• Peter, another friend who is practical and down-to-earth, often trying to rationalize the strange occurrences.

The Arrival:

Upon arriving at the cabin, they feel an initial sense of relief. The surroundings are serene, with tall trees, a lake, and no signs of civilization. However, subtle signs of unease begin to emerge—animals behaving erratically, strange marks on the ground, and whispers heard in the wind.

John, still numb from Sarah’s death, is detached, often staring into the distance or at old photographs of his wife. The others try to comfort him, but there’s a palpable tension in the air, as if the cabin itself is alive, watching.

The Alien Presence:

Unbeknownst to them, the cabin is enclosed by an invisible forcefield created by an alien presence. As the group settles in, strange occurrences become more frequent. Lights flicker, doors creak open by themselves, and shadows move in the corner of their eyes. The alien is rarely seen but felt—a presence that creates an atmosphere of tension and unease.

One night, as they sit around a campfire, the strange noise from the opening scene echoes through the forest. The group freezes, the sound triggering a primal fear. They decide to stay close to the cabin, but Jamal, feeling braver than the rest, steps away to investigate.

Building Tension:

As Jamal disappears into the darkness, the others hear his distant cries for help, then silence. Fear sets in as they search for Jamal but find no trace of him. Panic rises among the group. Emily insists they leave, but their car won’t start, and their phones have no signal. They are trapped.

The next day, Jamal returns, but he’s different—his eyes are vacant, and he speaks in a monotone voice. The group suspects something is controlling him. As night falls, the strange noises return, louder this time, accompanied by shadows moving outside the windows.

Mind Control and Fear:

One by one, the group members begin to experience terrifying visions and hallucinations, each personalized to exploit their deepest fears. The alien presence is infiltrating their minds, driving them to the brink of madness. Peter sees his family accusing him of abandoning them; Tom is haunted by visions of a burning house, reminiscent of a childhood trauma. Sally becomes convinced that everyone else is against her and turns violent.

John remains strangely unaffected, his mind closed off by his overwhelming grief. He begins to sense the alien’s intention and tries to rally the group, but their paranoia and fear make them unstable and dangerous.

Climax:

The tension peaks when a U.S. soldier, seemingly escaping from the alien’s control, stumbles upon the cabin. He explains that the area is under quarantine due to the alien’s presence. The force field is meant to contain the alien, which feeds on fear and despair. The soldier’s arrival sparks a final confrontation. The alien, realizing it cannot infiltrate John’s mind because he is numb to fear, takes on the form of Sarah, exploiting his love and grief.

In a moment of weakness and confusion, John becomes intimate with this entity, and they conceive a rapidly growing hybrid baby. As the alien merges with the form of Sarah, the force field weakens. The military, now aware of the breach, launches an attack, causing the alien to fight back, leading to chaos and destruction.

Ending:

The alien’s control over the area collapses, exposing its vulnerability. The ensuing battle results in the deaths of the remaining group members, including John. In the aftermath, the force field dissipates, and the military secures the area.

A local family, unaware of the events that transpired, discovers the hybrid baby in the wreckage of the farmhouse. They take the child away, intending to care for it. The final shot reveals the baby’s eyes glowing, hinting at the alien influence still lingering. The camera pulls back to show the farmhouse, the site of untold horrors, now silent and seemingly at peace, setting the stage for a potential sequel.

 

 

 

 

Title: Disowned

Genre: Drama / Psychological Thriller

Based on a True Story

Logline:

Amelie, a mother trapped in a cult-like marriage with her abusive husband Frank, struggles to protect her three children from his physical and psychological abuse. As Frank's control escalates, Amelie faces impossible choices that lead to her being ostracized by her community and ultimately losing everything, including her own life.

Tone and Style:

Disowned is a gritty, hard-hitting drama that exposes the harrowing realities of domestic abuse and the suffocating control exerted through religious manipulation. The film will use a raw, intimate visual style, employing handheld cameras, dim lighting, and close-ups to create a sense of claustrophobia and immerse the audience in Amelie’s trapped existence.

Structure:

The narrative unfolds in a non-linear fashion, weaving together past and present events to reveal the complexities of Amelie's life and the choices that lead to her tragic fate. Flashbacks will provide glimpses into her earlier marriage, the increasing tension with Frank, and the deteriorating mental health of her children. This fragmented storytelling will mirror Amelie's psychological state, building tension and highlighting the inescapable nature of her circumstances.

Characters:

• Amelie: A woman in her early 30s, Amelie is resilient and deeply compassionate, but years of abuse have left her emotionally scarred. Her love for her three children drives her to endure Frank's violence and manipulation. She is torn between her faith, which teaches her to submit, and her instinct to protect her children and herself.

• Frank: Amelie’s husband, a man in his late 30s who uses his position as a devout Jehovah’s Witness to justify his abusive behavior. Frank is controlling, manipulative, and sadistic, enjoying the power he wields over Amelie and her children. He presents a charming, respectable facade to the outside world, masking his true nature.

• Ralph: Amelie's 17-year-old son from her previous marriage. Ralph is autistic and has ADHD, making him especially vulnerable to Frank's cruelty. He struggles with the violence at home, often lashing out in confusion and fear. Despite his challenges, Ralph is deeply perceptive and protective of his mother.

• Mary: Amelie's 15-year-old daughter, who is quiet, intelligent, and observant. Mary has learned to stay out of Frank's way, trying to protect herself and her brothers. She is conflicted between her loyalty to her faith and the desire to escape the toxic environment at home.

• James: The 10-year-old son of both Amelie and Frank. James is a sensitive and bright child who looks up to his older siblings and craves his mother’s attention. Though Frank is less overtly abusive toward him, James is often caught in the crossfire and is beginning to show signs of emotional distress.

• John: A former Jehovah’s Witness in his early 40s, John becomes Amelie’s confidant and offers her a glimpse of hope. Kind-hearted and empathetic, John understands the pressures and constraints of the religion and tries to help Amelie see a way out.

Plot Summary:

Act 1: The Illusion of Stability

The film opens with a scene at a Jehovah’s Witness meeting, where Frank, Amelie, Ralph, Mary, and James sit together, appearing as a united, devout family. The camera captures Amelie’s tense posture and Frank’s stern, controlling demeanor. As they leave the meeting, the facade drops; Frank’s anger surfaces as he reprimands Ralph for fidgeting and James for speaking out of turn.

At home, Amelie’s daily life is shown—isolated and constantly on edge. Frank’s presence is oppressive, his mood swings unpredictable. He belittles Amelie, controlling every aspect of her life, including the family’s finances. Flashbacks reveal Amelie’s past: her first marriage, her brief period of happiness, and how Frank gradually took control, using their shared faith to dominate her.

Act 2: Escalation of Abuse and the Fight for Freedom

The abuse escalates, with Frank increasingly targeting Ralph, deeming his behavior as disrespectful and needing discipline. Amelie tries to intervene, but Frank’s anger turns physical, pushing her away and asserting his authority. The strain begins to show on the children—Ralph becomes more withdrawn and prone to violent outbursts, while Mary isolates herself, internalizing her fear. James, confused and scared, tries to appease Frank, craving his approval.

Amelie meets John at a local support group meeting, where he notices her distress. He reaches out, and over time, they form a cautious friendship. John, having left the Jehovah’s Witnesses, shares his experiences of freedom outside the religious community. He becomes a beacon of hope for Amelie, suggesting that life outside Frank’s control is possible.

Frank’s abuse reaches a breaking point when he severely beats Ralph for acting out. Amelie flees the house with her children, seeking refuge at a neighbor’s. The authorities are involved, but Frank uses his religious influence to convince the elders and the authorities that it is a family matter. Amelie is pressured to return home, with threats of disfellowshipping and losing her children if she does not comply.

Act 3: Breaking Point and Devastating Choices

Desperate and feeling trapped, Amelie realizes that the only way to escape Frank and the constant surveillance of the religious community is through committing an act that will allow her to divorce. In a moment of despair, she turns to John, and they begin an affair, hoping this will provide her a legitimate reason to leave Frank and start a new life.

Frank discovers the affair and uses it against Amelie, labeling her an adulterer. He demands custody of James, painting Amelie as an unfit mother. The religious community sides with Frank, leading to Amelie’s disfellowshipping. She is ostracized, cut off from her friends and family, and forced out of her home. Frank ensures that Ralph and Mary are with him while James is taken from her, manipulating the children to believe that Amelie has betrayed them.

Act 4: Isolation and Tragedy

Amelie’s world collapses. Isolated and without access to her children, she spirals into a deep depression. She reaches out to Ralph and Mary, but Frank blocks all communication, poisoning them against her. Her attempts to see James are thwarted, and the religious community shuns her, leaving her alone and desperate. Flashbacks reveal moments of happiness with her children, contrasting sharply with her current loneliness.

In her final days, Amelie writes letters to Ralph, Mary, and James, expressing her love and regrets. She contacts John for support, but he is overwhelmed by the backlash from their community, leaving her more isolated than ever. With no hope left and feeling utterly abandoned, Amelie takes her own life, believing it is the only way to escape her pain.

Epilogue:

The film closes with scenes of Ralph, Mary, and James under Frank’s strict control. They are shown sitting in a Jehovah’s Witness meeting, mirroring the opening scene but now without Amelie. Their expressions are vacant, reflecting the loss of their mother and the continued cycle of abuse. A final shot lingers on a photograph of Amelie, once filled with life, now a haunting memory of what has been lost.

Themes:

1. Religious Manipulation and Control: The film highlights how religious beliefs can be twisted to justify abuse and maintain power over individuals, leaving victims feeling trapped and helpless.
2. The Cycle of Abuse: Disowned shows the far-reaching impact of domestic violence, not only on the immediate victims but also on their children, perpetuating a cycle of trauma.
3. Isolation and Mental Health: Amelie’s story emphasizes the devastating effects of isolation, emotional neglect, and lack of support on mental health, leading to tragic consequences.
4. Desperation and Sacrifice: The film explores the lengths a person will go to in seeking freedom from oppression, and the personal sacrifices they make in the hope of a better life.

Target Audience:

Disowned is intended for mature audiences who are drawn to intense, emotional dramas. It will appeal to viewers interested in social issues, psychological narratives, and stories that delve into the complexities of human relationships and resilience.

Message:

Disowned seeks to shed light on the harsh realities of domestic abuse, the dangers of religious manipulation, and the critical importance of support systems for those suffering in silence. It underscores the need for compassion, understanding, and the courage to challenge injustice, aiming to inspire conversations about protection and advocacy for vulnerable individuals.