Phoebe Clark, an ex criminal investigator, seemed
Phoebe Clark, an ex criminal investigator, seemed to lead a life of opulence, residing in a beautiful lakeside home, thriving in her career, and enjoying a seemingly perfect marriage to her husband, Mark, a renowned Australian horror filmmaker. Once passionate about horror, Phoebe was excited when she and Mark quickly fell in love and married. However, after Mark shifted careers post-retirement, Phoebe became increasingly engrossed in her work, distancing herself from the horror genre as she faced the harsh realities of death. Now an ex investigator, One night, while Mark was away, she indulged in nostalgia by watching his films, only to be unsettled by a striking resemblance between a murder scene in one of his movies and an unsolved case from her past. Initially dismissing it as coincidence, her unease grew as the film’s graphic elements mirrored real-life crime scenes she had encountered. When she shared her concerns with a detective friend, he brushed them off, leading Phoebe to laugh it off as well. However, Mark’s reaction shifted from excitement to surprise when she inquired about the inspiration for his murder scenes, revealing that many were based on crime articles he had collected. This revelation allowed them to maintain their seemingly idyllic life until a mysterious package arrived, which Mark jokingly suggested might signal the apocalypse. Inside, Phoebe discovered an unreleased film from Mark, accompanied by a note that read, “I believe you.” As she watched, a chilling murder scene struck a nerve, reminding her of a friend who had been murdered, with no body ever found. The graphic depiction felt alarmingly real. Later, Phoebe met the package’s sender, Allison McGovern, who turned out to be Mark’s ex-girlfriend. As the situation escalated, Phoebe began to withdraw, but Allison persisted in gathering evidence, ultimately prompting Allison to try her luck with the police. This time, the authorities take her seriously having heard similar evidence before from Phoebe which leads to the discovery of a human skeleton linked to the chilling events.
Allison, with the backing of the police, attempts to persuade Phoebe that Mark’s past isn’t as intertwined with his present as he claims. Will Phoebe remain loyal to her husband, or will she join forces with Allison and the authorities to reveal Mark’s concealed truths? Alternatively, could Mark be facing accusations for something he didn’t commit?
The Reel Deal
Logline: A former detective’s idyllic life with her horror filmmaker husband unravels when a chilling resemblance between his films and unsolved cases from her past resurfaces, forcing her to confront a terrifying truth.
Scene 1:
INT. CLARK LAKE HOUSE – NIGHT
The opulent lakeside home shimmers with soft light. PHOEBE CLARK (40s, sharp, elegant, but with a weariness in her eyes) sits on a plush sofa, watching one of MARK CLARK’s (40s, charismatic, charming, with a hint of darkness) older horror films. The scene depicts a brutal murder, meticulously staged. Phoebe shivers, a flicker of unease crossing her face.
PHOEBE (V.O.)
Mark and I were a whirlwind. He, the rising star of Australian horror; me, the cynical detective chasing shadows. The passion was intoxicating… until the shadows caught up with me.
Scene 2:
INT. CLARK LAKE HOUSE – LATER
Phoebe replays the murder scene, her brow furrowed. The staging is strikingly familiar.
PHOEBE (V.O.)
It wasn’t the gore. It was the… precision. The angles, the staging… it echoed a case from my past, the unsolved murder of Sarah Jenkins. A case I never truly let go.
Scene 3:
INT. DETECTIVE’S OFFICE – DAY
Phoebe confides in her friend, DETECTIVE MILLER (50s, world-weary but kind). He laughs it off.
MILLER
Phoebe, you’ve been away from the force too long. It’s just a movie.
Scene 4:
INT. CLARK LAKE HOUSE – NIGHT
Phoebe tentatively asks Mark about the inspiration for his films. His initial excitement turns to a guarded surprise.
MARK
Some… creative liberties, let’s say. I collected old crime articles. They were… inspirational.
Scene 5:
INT. CLARK LAKE HOUSE – A WEEK LATER
A large, unmarked package arrives. Mark jokes about the apocalypse. Inside, an unreleased film and a note: “I believe you.”
Scene 6:
INT. CLARK LAKE HOUSE – NIGHT
Phoebe watches the film. A murder scene, almost identical to the murder of her friend, David Lee, who disappeared years ago without a trace.
PHOEBE (V.O.)
It wasn’t just a resemblance. It was a recreation. The details, the weapon… it was like he was reliving it.
Scene 7:
INT. COFFEE SHOP – DAY
Phoebe meets ALLISON MCGOVERN (40s, determined, intelligent). Allison is Mark’s ex-girlfriend. She explains she sent the package, presenting evidence linking Mark’s films to several unsolved cases.
ALLISON
He uses his movies to memorialize his… “inspirations”. He’s not just a filmmaker, Phoebe. He’s a… collector.
Scene 8:
INT. POLICE STATION – DAY
Allison, with Phoebe’s reluctant support, presents her evidence. The detectives, remembering Phoebe’s earlier concerns, are more receptive this time.
Scene 9:
EXT. WOODED AREA – DAY
A search party, guided by Allison’s research and Phoebe’s knowledge of the crime scenes, discovers a human skeleton.
Scene 10:
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM – NIGHT
Mark sits across from a detective. He’s calm but his eyes betray his unease. He neither confirms nor denies Allison’s accusations.
Scene 11:
INT. CLARK LAKE HOUSE – NIGHT
Phoebe sits alone, the lake reflecting the turmoil within her. The idyllic facade is shattered. Does she believe Allison? Does she believe Mark? Or is there a truth far more twisted waiting to be unearthed? The final shot lingers on Phoebe’s face, her expression unreadable, the future uncertain. The question remains: Will she protect her husband, or uncover the truth, even if it destroys everything she thought she knew?
