Like this?
Bring this up. Bring it up.
Good.
Okay, that's good.
So...
...is it right?
Hey-- hey, guys-
Yay!
Here goes.
Hey, Gordon.
You're late.
Two whole minutes.
Sweet threads.
Is that Aeropostale?
I see you're still sporting your attire from age 12.
Whatever.
After you.
God.
I remember this place feeling so big.
Yeah, you said it.
Shall we start boxing up?
Yeah, sure.
Let's get this over with.
Hey.
What if he's okay?
What do you mean?
I mean, not dead.
It's been seven months.
If he's out there, it's not our problem anymore.
But we also gonna clean up this mess.
Come on.
All right.
Oh, my God.
Is this amusing you?
No, dude, remember these things?
VCR games?
Vaguely.
Most of this junk just blends together.
Oh, come on, you know, it's like you put in the tape,
and they make you turn off the lights--
Then you gotta get close to the TV
- and they scream at you. - Yeah.
Heh.
Ridiculous.
You loved it.
Oh, my God, check it out!
It's that Indiana Jones rip-off game.
What a goofy piece of shit this was.
Hey, what are you losers doing in here? Huh?
- Derek?
I saw that stupid purple car outside.
I thought someone was trying to break in.
How you doin', Gordy?
It's good to see you.
I wish it was under different circumstances.
Yeah, me too.
Johnny boy, staying out of trouble?
Of course, yeah.
I like your outfit, man. It's very "Adam-12" of you.
Yeah, yeah, thanks. It's a job.
Yeah. Look at this place.
Your dad really did a good job keeping it up, huh?
Yeah, well, not much could pull him out of here.
Hey, look, we kinda got a lot to do here.
Have to give you a call this weekend. That okay?
Of course, yeah. Of course, of course.
Under one condition, though.
You let me rent "Operation Orion."
I fucking love this movie.
- Keep it.
Really? Shit, I didn't expect that.
It's the movie that made me wanna be a cop.
- Yeah. - Cool. Have a good one.
See you guys soon.
It's a terrible movie.
He's a terrible cop.
See you later.
See ya, constable.
Hey, John.
What's up?
Do you have Dad's keys to the office?
Uh... negative.
Why?
What do you think's back there?
I don't know. Guess we'll find out.
I'm sure they're around here somewhere.
Hey!
Who's that?
Is that your girlfriend? What's her name?
- Margot. - Hmm.
And she is getting into town as we speak.
- Should we wrap this up for now? - Yeah.
I think I breathed in enough dead skin cells for today.
Are you staying at Dad's?
I think so. She's staying with me.
You're not living there, are you?
Fuck, no.
Jesus, that'd be creepy.
Yeah, I think I'm gonna hang back here
put another dent in this place.
Hmm. Thanks, John. I appreciate that.
Yeah, sure.
- Later.
- Uh, see you tomorrow. - See ya.
Hey, babe.
- Oh, shit.
What happened here?
Well, it toppled over a minute ago.
John must have left a window open.
- Long flight?
Yeah, and then the driver couldn't find this place, so...
- Everything cool? - Yeah.
- What is that smell? - Nothing.
Air conditioning vents must need cleaning out or something.
- So no one's been here?
Oh, no way.
Dad stopped stocking up on friends
since before I was in middle school.
Damn.
Bob was staying analog, huh?
Dad didn't have a lot of faith in the DVD boom.
A lot of wood.
Oh.
And who's this dork with the buck teeth?
- That stud you mean? - Mm.
That was me, the year I won our middle school
track and field competition.
You were on the track team?
Javelin.
So are you hungry?
Starving, but every place around here
will probably give you food poisoning.
Really?
What about that bar with the weird name,
Sterling Sal or something?
Uh, are you sure
you don't just want me to cook something here?
Let's go. Show me the town.
♪ Been so long since you met me ♪
♪ Been searching for you every night and day ♪
Taking a really long time, huh?
- Slow service. - Yeah.
Oh, damn it.
Do you know them?
Yup. That's my brother.
Oh, shit, Gordon.
What's up, my man? How you doin'?
- Is this your girlfriend? - Yup.
Margot, this is my brother, John.
Oh, nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you.
For real? He's talked about me?
- That's shocking. - Occasionally.
- Bring it in. - It is good to meet you.
Maybe I can get one of those, too.
Hi, I'm Hank.
Yeah, this is, uh, this is my friend, Hank.
I'm Gordon.
Yeah, I heard.
But, yeah, take a seat.
Well, you are something else.
Well, hello, Dahlia. How are you, gorgeous?
You again.
Uh, let's do, like, four vodka sodas all around.
Gordon's buying, so--
- Excuse me? - I'll get it.
Uh, yeah, just bring an extra one for this guy.
He's a little bit of a...
I'm fine. Make it three.
- For real? - Uh-huh.
Yeah, I'm not drinking anymore.
Did you get a DUI or something?
No.
So...
Gordon, how you been? What's up?
What's been going on?
Must be something interesting
if you can't help out your brother, huh?
Well, that's obviously your business.
Well, see, it is if I have to step up
to home plate for you, sweet thing.
Dude, chill.
I'm just saying what needs to be said, brah.
Yeah, uh, I can take care of myself. Thanks, man.
You're all good.
- Hmm. - I think we should just go.
Yeah, you should probably just... go.
Hank, enjoy your next stint in county jail.
Well, thank you, and feel free to go fuck yourself, sweetheart.
Wanna say that again?
He's just trying to get a rise out of you.
John, it was nice to meet you,
come by the house sometime, okay?
So good to meet you, too. I'll-- I'll see ya.
John, we'll see you tomorrow. Hank.
- Well, that went well. - That was fucking awful.
Ah, drinks! Thank you, Dahlia.
Hey.
Everything okay'?
Yeah. I got it.
What's wrong?
What do you mean?
You're just acting weird.
You did great with that creep back there.
Hey, Gordon, talk to me.
I know you think you need to protect yourself
from everyone and everything,
but you don't have to do that with me.
That was a huge improvement.
Well, thanks.
Uh, it just... brought up
a lot of stuff that I didn't want to remember.
You know, I, you know, I've already fucked up
so much between us.
You did fuck things up...
but the only way we're gonna get through it
is through time and commitment.
I love you for the man that I know you are.
I just don't wanna end up some drunk weirdo
with an irrelevant video store.
Well, as long as I'm around, that's not happening.
Hmm, Gordon.
Gordon.
I just took an Ambien.
You wanna ha-- have Ambien sex?
Yeah.
Come on, before I pass out.
Uh, tomorrow?
- Not in his bed. -
Fine.
Good night.
Why are you so chipper?
Dude, I'm just workin'.
Hey, did you try to get into the house last night?
Dude, I have the keys. Why would I do that?
- What about that Hank creep? - No, man.
He lives, like, way out in the boonies.
Why, did someone try and break in?
Thought I heard someone messing around with the window.
Felt like somebody was watching us.
Yeah, man, it was probably some meth head
trying to steal Dad's stuff.
That whole neighborhood's gone to shit.
It's for the birds.
Hey, why do you hang out with that scumbag, anyway?
Well, um, that scumbag is my friend.
I mean, he might not be the independently wealthy
stuffed shirt you are,
but, I mean, at least he was around when Dad disappeared.
You know, that whole disappearance thing,
it loses a lot of weight when it's the 40th time
Dad splits town and cuts off communication.
Whatever.
I have a mortgage to pay, John.
Hank dropped everything when I called him.
- Hey. -
Check out...
...what I found.
Ooh.
Do you wanna...
- I mean, we should, right? - Yeah.
Ooh. This is momentous.
- Shut up. - Hmm.
Hmm.
So this is it.
It's, like, exactly how I'd pictured it.
Really?
I always thought it'd be bigger, for some reason.
Hey, you know what else I always pictured?
What?
Comin' back here
and going through all of his shit.
Figure there's gotta be some weird stuff back here.
- Kind of afraid, to be honest. - Oh, don't be a puss.
- See anything interesting? - Uh-uh.
Keep your fingers crossed.
Whoa!
Holy shit!
This is some serious firepower --
Whoa, whoa, whoa, hey, hey!
Look out, Bickle, don't point that thing at me.
Jesus, what the hell did Dad have that for?
Probably to shoot stuff.
Huh.
What do we have here?
Hmm.
"Beyond The Gates."
- Huh. -
Looks like somebody was playing it recently.
Oh... shit.
I wonder why he brought that back here.
Maybe it has something on it he doesn't want anybody to see.
Then we should watch it.
Uh, maybe we shouldn't.
Oh, come on, man, aren't you curious
what Dad was watching the last time he was back here?
I mean, maybe it's not even the tape from the game.
Maybe that's just the label, maybe--
What if it's a sex tape?
That's even worse.
Do you really wanna see Dad having sex with Mom?
I mean, who knows, man, it could be
your first home video.
Oh, John.
Welcome, curious viewers.
Are you ready to step into the ultimate nightmare?
A world of unimaginable horror...
...with deadly consequences.
Have you the courage to go "beyond the gates"?
You may now open your game board.
Dude, turn it off, turn it off.
What was that?
Why the hell was he keeping that back here?
I think 'cause it causes seizures?
Or because that lady was fucking smoking hot.
I think I want it.
Well, it's, it's yours now.
- How long were we in there? - I have no idea.
Oh, shit, it's five already.
Really?
What are you doing for dinner?
Oh, are you-- you gonna invite me over to dinner
'cause you don't want your girlfriend to yell at you
'cause you're late?
Yes.
I don't know, it's tough, 'cause it's like McDonald's
or roll the dice on the G-man's home cooking.
I don't know.
You'll be happy to know that Margot's the one
handling food tonight.
All right, yeah, you're on.
See you at the house.
Yeah, see ya.
Somebody's hungry.
I know, yeah.
This is-- this is delicious.
- Oh, thanks. - Mm-hmm. Yeah.
So... your friend was interesting.
Oh, yeah.
Yeah, he can get pretty riled up sometimes.
Don't tell me you go pick up girls with that guy.
- What? -
What? He's not that bad.
I'm pretty sure he's a date rapist.
So, John, what do you do for work?
Oh, you know, just like, um, odd jobs
and helping out, uh...
with errands and things for people.
Well, like a-- like an assistant?
Yeah, exactly.
Um, so how was your first night here?
Oh, my God.
I haven't slept that well in months.
Really?
I didn't stumble out of bed once.
It's great.
What do you mean, like, sleepwalking?
Well...
She's been taking Ambien to keep her down at night
with mixed results.
- Really? - Yeah.
I was having nightmares after I hurt my wrists,
so the doctor prescribed it to me.
After you hurt your-- What? How'd that happen?
I fell.
So how was, um, the store today?
It was good, you know, we, uh,
we-- we found this, like, weird, probably banned VCR game.
What's a VCR game?
It's like a-- it's like a board game, you know,
but you gotta watch it.
There are, like, a bunch of them.
There was "Gatekeeper" and "Nightmare"
and, like, a bunch of adventure ones.
I don't know, there's, like, way too many to name,
but here, check it out.
Wow!
The designer clearly did not study semiotics.
Mm-hmm.
Wait, what's that?
Oh, it's, um, just full of clashing symbols.
Hmm.
Well, it's really old and seizure-inducing.
Shut up.
Let's play it.
- Yeah? - Right now?
- Yeah. - Okay.
Come on.
Be fun.
Okay.
All right, so we gotta get the tape in there.
Okay, here's the board.
I'll put the tape in.
Whoa! Who's the babe?
Oh, sh-- she said something about
opening up the game board earlier.
The blue, grey, and red players
place your pieces on the starting point.
I'll go for grey.
I'll be red.
I guess I will be blue.
The blue player...
you may now step in front of the screen.
Do it.
To collect the keys and unlock the gateway,
a series of challenges must be undertaken.
Failure to do so will turn your souls
over to our world.
Okay, there's supposed to be some sort of goal or something?
I have no idea.
Obtaining the four keys
allows passage beyond the gates
and a return to your world.
Only there can your father's soul be saved.
What the fuck?
Did you just hear that?
The other world awaits you.
Where did you say you found this, again?
Our dad's office.
Could it be some sort of prank?
If it is, it's not very funny.
You know, we should show this to someone.
Wait. Maybe Derek could help.
You think he'd do that?
Can't hurt to ask.
You guys, I'm getting a really bad energy off of this.
Do you mind if I go upstairs?
No, no.
I'll take care of the dishes.
Thank you.
Oh, hey, you know what? Let me help you out with those.
Sure, that'd be great. Thanks.
Do you need money or something?
No.
Just maybe, like, a place to crash for a couple of clays.
Wait, you're homeless?
Oh, wow, uh... N--
Well, I had something going on for a while,
uh, with, uh, someone, but she turned out to--
I-- I don't anymore, so...
So let me guess.
This is an indefinite stay until you get your own place?
Uh, yeah, pretty much. Yeah.
Well...
Tell you what. Do these and you got yourself a deal.
Yeah, I'm doing 'em.
Hey, um...
- Yeah, what's up? -
I don't know.
Do you really think that tape has something to do with Dad?
It seems that way.
Shit.
I wonder if Officer Derek's
ever dealt with anything like this.
I'm sure he's handled much weirder cases.
Oh, yeah.
Hey, uh, be sure to lock the door.
Yeah, sure thing.
Dad would kill me if he found it open.
What?
Sorry,
Oh, that was a, uh... Yeah.
Hmm.
Have a good night.
Yeah, you too.
Good night.
Dad?
Help me.
Holy shit!
Jesus.
- Hey.
-
What happened?
You were sleepwalking.
Oh. I-- I think someone was in here.
- What? - Hey.
- Is everything okay? - Yeah. Uh...
What are you doing down here?
I thought I heard something movin' around.
This was on the mantle.
Did you remember to lock the door?
- Yeah. -
Hey, man.
Thanks for coming out. How are ya?
Well, honestly, I've been better.
Listen, I'm still on the clock, I don't have a lot of time,
so if we could go pretty quick here.
Hey, John.
Officer.
You must be Margot. Nice to meet you.
You too.
- Right, so, uh, this is it. - Yeah.
Let's take a look at this thing.
There was some really weird shit on there
when we watched--
Where'd you say you found this again?
Our dad's back office.
Well, for future reference,
you might not wanna get your fingerprints all over it.
That's besides the point now, I guess.
Pop it in.
That's her.
Hmm?
It's just a bunch of wavy static.
What?
Dude, she's right there.
The blond lady with the big eyes
staring out at us?
Are you kidding?
Okay. Okay.
It's a great joke, guys.
Had a shitty night, but that's a great joke.
It's not a joke.
Look, uh, maybe you need to take a break from this
for a while.
Take yourself on a small vacation.
Just call me if you find anything else.
Wait, wait. How-- how-- how is that possible?
How is that possible?
I mean, you saw that, right, Margot?
Yes, of course.
What was the last thing she said?
The-- the four keys await us or something.
Well, there's four keys on the board.
She wants us to play the game.
As fucking unbelievable as that sounds.
I don't think we've got any other choice.
Okay, so how do we play?
Where's the first key?
The location of the first key...
...will be found on the board.
Okay, that's us.
Um, maybe...
there's a-- a hint in here or some-- something.
Yeah, well, X marks the spot.
Did you see that?
I think you pissed it off.
Here, look in the box,
maybe there's something else in here.
Check out that knife.
Oh, shit, that's Dad's signature.
The spiral staircase.
Is that place still open?
Good morning.
How may I assist you?
Uh, we think our father bought this from your store
a few years ago.
"Robert Hardesty. 1991."
Well, I'm afraid it's a little late to make a return.
We were wondering if you knew where it came from.
That's of no consequence to either of you.
I trust you've played the tape?
We have.
Then I suggest...
--you play the game.
Wow!
Where do we find the keys?
Only the game has the answers you seek.
You're insane.
Come on, let's get out of here.
He's...
Hey, what's that?
Oh, yes.
This is my pet, Herbert.
- Hey. Look what I got. -
Boom.
I had to.
I can't believe you did that.
I...
...don't think she likes that.
Yeah, it doesn't look like it.
A wise man would read the instructions.
Uh, what?
To initiate your fate...
roll the dice.
The number played will dictate guidance
for your next action.
Snake eyes.
Flip over the first card.
The drifter.
Opening his poisoned organs
will reveal the first key.
That looks like our backyard.
Whoa.
There.
Oh, shit.
What are you doing here?
Well, I decided to play hooky from school,
so I thought I'd come on down here
and visit you, darlin'.
You got a job now?
You know me.
Always got a few things on the line.
What the fuck is that?
Go on, say it.
Say it.
You miss me.
Right?
No.
I'm on a break, so I wanna be left alone.
Aw, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Come here, come here, come here.
Come here.
Nothin'?
Nothin'.
Don't turn your fucking back on me, bitch.
- -
Is there anything else in there?
No. Let me see that.
I think something's in here.
- It's metal. - A key?
Maybe.
Do you need scissors or anything?
No, man.
- - Hank?
What the fuck is that?
Oh, my God!
- Hello? - Hey, man.
How you holdin' up?
Not well.
Come on, John.
I mean, some crazy girl kills her cheating ex-boyfriend
it's not on you.
Guess we should give it a try, right?
Wow.
No way.
Uh-oh.
Was this always here?
No.
This is freaking me out.
Where the hell did this come from?
Margot.
Don't-- don't-- don't mess with it.
What was that?
Let's get the fuck outta here.
I am not flipping those over.
Fuck it, I'll flip it over.
No, wait.
What if we just stopped?
I'm not gonna stop until we find Dad.
John.
We don't know if that's your dad in there.
What is it?
Fuck.
What do the rest of these mean?
I don't know.
I have a feeling we can't stop this thing
if we even wanted to right now.
I don't want you staying here any longer.
In the house?
Yeah, but...
...I don't want you around here
while we're messing with this stuff.
It's making me very nervous.
Well, if you're sleeping here, I am too.
Fine.
I'm gonna go upstairs.
Good night, John.
Why are you being such a dick to her?
I don't wanna freak her out anymore.
Hmm.
Sure she's the one that's freaked out?
I think we should stop messing with this.
I don't wanna provoke it any further.
Yeah, whatever, man.
I'm gonna hit the hay.
Gordon.
Margot! Margot!
Margot, wake up!
Wake up!
Oh.
Jesus Christ.
John.
Did you leave this on?
Dad finished the game.
Come again?
That's how they got him.
Well done.
You've acquired the first key.
Have you the courage to obtain the second?
Fuck this.
No, wait, let's hear her out.
How do we get it?
With the noble one possessed
by the forces of our world.
He will arrive knowing his fate
and be cast as the enemy.
The key will be located within his mind.
Requiring a choice of life and death.
What does she mean by that?
Hmm.
Mm, we can figure it out out here.
Hmm.
I can take a guess who that is.
Margot.
Your powers of deduction serve you well.
Uh, that's it.
I'm not risking her life over this.
Excuse me.
Well, hello, fair maiden.
Yeah. Um, are you the owner of this place?
Oh, yes, indeed.
I think my boyfriend was here a couple of days ago.
Dark hair, glasses.
Oh, yes, the short-tempered fellow.
I suppose.
Um, this is gonna sound fucking crazy
but... we think a game
killed a friend of ours.
I don't have another way to explain--
Once the game begins, only two paths exist.
Completion and death.
Can you tell me anything else about the game?
Mm, very little I'm afraid.
Only a scant number have played it
but, uh, every few years or so, it always ends up back here.
Uh, why do they return it?
They don't.
Has anyone ever beaten the game?
Never.
But that doesn't mean you should stop trying.
Unfortunately, I can guide you no further.
Heh, if you're the religious type,
I might consider an appeal to a higher power.
Huh.
- Remember this one? - Ah, yes.
The old castration by boat propeller scene.
Video nasty, a classic.
You expecting someone?
I hope not.
Gordon!
It's Derek.
Oh, shit!
- What the fuck is he doing? - I don't know.
Gordon.
Oh, no.
You did that.
He's not joining us?
No, I think he wants to be alone.
Sounds familiar.
What was it like to grow up here?
Ooh. Um...
Maybe he should tell you about that.
Well, I'm asking you,
and I've been feeding you all week,
so, maybe you should tell me.
Well, well, that's-- that's fair enough.
Um...
...it's kinda hard to summarize but, uh, our dad...
...he was a-- he was a pretty good guy
up until mom's car accident.
And I mean he-- he was always a drinker,
but I think that kinda... pushed him over the edge.
Yeah, we just both kinda lived with it.
Um... kept working at the store for a few years as kids,
and just, you know, tried not to piss him off.
Then... Gordon finally split,
and then things got a lot worse for Dad.
Wow.
I didn't know all that.
Gordon was a big drinker when we met.
Why'd he stop?
He had a little too much to drink one night.
We got in an argument,
and he grabbed my wrists a little too hard.
He was mortified.
Six weeks later, my wrist healed,
and he was off drinking for good.
Hi.
Oh, hey, man, what's up?
How you feelin'?
Not great.
I'm gonna go back upstairs.
Hey, wait, man.
Wait, man. Wait. Look. Look.
We weren't trying to upset you.
I never should have come back here.
Well, you did.
And if we don't finish this, you know what's gonna happen.
Hey.
What?
Be careful.
- - John!
-
Don't touch that again.
No problem.
John!
Holy shit!
What the fuck was that?
It-- it came through the gate.
Have you seen Margot?
Well played, gentlemen.
Only two keys left.
Where is she?
As the maiden crosses over...
a sacrifice of her soul...
...allows her to obtain... the third key.
Margot?
- - John, the key! Get the key!
I got it. I got it. I got it.
Let's-- let's go.
Do it!
What'll happen to us?
You'll be granted access... to the other side.
Only there can you see your father
and complete the game.
How do we save her?
Removing the poisoned heart
of the father with a pure dagger
will free all their captured souls
and allow you passage back into your world.
Either you go in, or it comes to you.
The-- the dagger, where'd you put the--
Where'd you put the dagger?
The dagger... The bureau!
- Go! -
The other side awaits you!
What the fuck is this?
Where'd she go?
Stay close.
Welcome.
Find your father,
take the final key,
and become one with your new reality.
How do we take her back with us?
Gordon!
Wait, wait.
You don't know if that's really her.
Help me!
Come on.
Let's go.
Gordon?
It's gonna be okay. I love you.
Come on out, Gordy.
Let's not make this any harder
than it has to be.
Well, well.
I missed you, Johnny boy.
Sayonara, motherfucker.
No!
You okay?
Hi, Gordy.
Go ahead, tough guy.
Try that on me.
- - No.
Grab his legs.
Stabbin' your old man in the back, huh?
Thank you, Gordon.
Good-bye, Dad.
John.
Here.
Do it!
Whoa.
Are we back?
Yeah, I think so.
I thought I'd lost you.
No, you're stuck with me.
You've now passed beyond the gates.
She's still here.
And proven yourself worthy.
Your father's soul is free.
Though his physical form can never return.
Henceforth, choose the living
for your attention...
...and not the dead.
Is that it?
I hope so.
I thought we were gonna save him.
We did.
Oh, my God.
We have to get you to a hospital. Come on.
Yeah that would be nice, thank you.
Well, how ya feelin', boss?
I've been worse.
Thanks for helping out with all that stuff.
Our pleasure.
You guys are gonna take off?
Sure you don't wanna spend an extra day?
We know it's in good hands.
Well, thanks.
Well, you guys should probably head out.
Traffic's gonna get heavy.
Right.
Take care, little brother.
Safe travels, guys.
But you're coming to us next time.
We have a spare room with your name on it.
For sure.
Good morning.
Seeking anything in particular?
Do you have anything from the '80s?
Do you like...
...board games?