The Brilliant Friend
Genre: Fantasy/Supernatural
Director: Reed Morano
Writer: Andrew Doster
Cast: Lily Collins, Samara Weaving, Chace Crawford, Adelaide Kane, Chandler Riggs
Plot: The film begins in a dark room lit only by a small patch of light. Inside, in the darkness, a female presence can be seen sitting in a corner with her hands in her hair and muttering phrases under her breath. At some point you start to hear noises that seem to come from outside. The girl leaps to her feet.
Karen Stone (Lily Collins) is in the bathroom in her quarters, putting on her makeup very carefully. Karen, her cousin Isaac (Chace Crawford) and her girlfriend Jennifer (Adelaide Kane) have been staying for a couple of days in a small town in southern Argentina. Their passion for trekking had brought them there, in the Santa Cruz region. The program included various excursions to be made over the next two weeks. The three had been waiting for that holiday for a long time and wanted to make the most of all the time trying to cover most of the routes that wound through those very beautiful areas. The previous day they had taken an undemanding walk towards the marvelous Chorrio del Salto waterfall. In the following days they also promised to attempt the climb of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, two very demanding routes in that area of Patagonia. Karen had promised her brother Greg a photo taken from the highest point, the one that allowed him to admire the best possible panorama. Greg was in fact practically in a wheelchair for almost three years and his only trips were to travel with the imagination thanks to the photographs that Karen sent him. That particular area of Patagonia was an irresistible attraction for anyone who was a lover of climbing or mountain walking and there were many people who stayed in the village, some were skilled and well equipped while others were decidedly unlikely and inexperienced. Karen approached a middle-aged couple asking about a route that she, Isaac and Jennifer couldn't quite figure out on the maps but got very vague answers. Karen and her two traveling companions set out on a search for lesser-known destinations to train a bit before heading to Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre in the following days. They found one and set off after a few kilometers by bus.
Karen was a rather shy and lonely girl and always walked several meters ahead of Jennifer and Isaac. In fact, Karen considered Isaac and petulant Jennifer barely tolerable but after her brother's accident she had only them left to do that kind of excursion. After Greg's accident Karen's temper had worsened and led her to be more and more introverted and lonely, as isaac points out, receiving only a snort from the girl. Plus, Jennifer's arrival on that trip had certainly not improved her mood. Karen considered Jennifer to be a fool who if she could she would go hiking in heels as well as always command Isaac what he had to do. The only good thing for Karen is that they don't really like crowded places either. The three were continuing the excursion and after having crossed a piece of wood they would have walked towards the Perito Moreno glacier. The journey was not tiring and as expected they did not meet any other tourists. The weather was splendid and the sky was clear. The three began to look at the surrounding panorama and the beautiful unspoiled landscape. Karen moved a few meters and closed her eyes to relax immersing herself in that magical silence until she was disturbed by Jennifer's complaints that she had cut herself while peeling an apple. For a moment Karen is tempted to insult her or worse to throw her into the surrounding lake but took a deep breath and told Isaac that she would head to a nearby spot that would give her a better view for photos. Isaac nodded and told her to be careful anyway before he was distracted again by Jennifer's new complaints. Finally Karen was alone and began to take several photographs which she immediately sent to her brother Greg reassuring him that those were only the first of the many she would send him. Karen climbed again from the side of the glacier where the path became a little steeper until it reached what was probably the highest point from which to observe it. At that point the feeling of stillness and tranquility was even more amplified for Karen even though in the distance she could still hear Jennifer and Isaac's chattering. However she concentrated until those voices disappeared. She noticed how the overhang towards the lake was not completely vertical and she would be able to descend a few meters before finding herself in front of the void. As she took a few steps she noticed how the rocks did not seem so firm and safe but with extreme attention Karen succeeded in her intent being a few centimeters from the precipice. At that moment the accident she had had with Greg, of the ruinous fall they had made during a trip together in the mountains, crossed her mind.
Karen set about climbing the few meters she had descended until she noticed a curious indentation that seemed small. Karen was seized by an irrepressible curiosity and decided that she would not come back without checking what it was. Karen cautiously reached that small cave and squatted carefully to look inside. Karen saw nothing strange until she noticed something peculiar at the base of the wall. There was a kind of rock that looked quite peculiar. Karen took out her small flashlight for better illumination and stepped into the hole. The place was not large enough to walk normally and she sneaked inside on all fours. The girl arrived in front of the strangely shaped rock looking at her with attention and amazed face. The shape was that of an old teapot until she realized it wasn't a rock, but a lamp, the ones Karen had only seen in fairy tales and cartoons. Karen reached out to touch her. He initially pulled it back but then placed his hand over it. The object was hot to the touch which almost burned the girl and the initial instinct was to move her hand. Karen managed to get her cell phone out of her pocket and take pictures of the object before exiting the ravine. Karen found herself outside and began to go back looking at the photographs she had taken of the mysterious lamp but to her enormous amazement the photos were empty and contained nothing of what she had seen. Karen began to think that maybe she had made a mistake because of the limited space but she didn't want to go back there anymore and shrugged. At that moment, an unknown voice surprised her from behind, "Incredible, right?" Karen whirled around and found herself in front of a beautiful girl (Samara Weaving) who must have been about her age or maybe a little younger. Her clothing was particular, it almost seemed to have come from the 80s from the Wham video. The girl wore an old windbreaker with bright colors and a heavy hat that covered her head, despite a blonde braid that fell on her back. Karen almost gave a half smile as she thought about the Wham video. The sure thing Karen thought was that her clothing was definitely overdone for the beautiful weather that morning. After a few moments of silence Karen scolded her in a friendly way for appearing so suddenly. The mysterious girl brightened up and seemed delighted when she heard Karen speak her language. Then the girl started pacing back and forth talking to herself about how lucky she was to find a woman and her nationality. Then she stopped and walked over to Karen pointing to the small cave and asking her if seeing that lamp in the cave was truly an amazing thing. Karen, confused, took two steps back, finding the girl's attitude a mixture of disturbing and strange. Karen asked who she was and how she knew about the lamp. The other girl smiled and said that the story would be too long to tell and that therefore she would only tell her that she is from that lamp and that she has lived there for many years. Then she adds with a creepy look at Karen that when the lamp was touched, she was released. The girl says that it is when the lamp is touched that the genie is released and that it is now available to Karen. Finally adjusting her hat she says her name is Dorothy. Karen looked at this monologue with an air of amusement and concern at the same time. Then he greeted the girl hastily, grinning to himself because the only person he had met was crazy. After a few meters Karen turned back to check that Dorothy wasn't following her but saw no one. Karen joined Isaac and Jennifer and told them about that strange encounter but the two confirmed that they had not seen anyone pass by. Isaac said it might have come from the other side. On the return trip Karen thought of that strange encounter and that girl who came out of nowhere who presented herself as a genius. At that moment Karen's thoughts were again interrupted by Dorothy's female voice which suddenly appeared beside her. The mystery girl scolded her for being rude for walking away so quickly earlier. She said that she had not finished her speech yet and that she must finish it in order not to have problems with her master. Karen turned to Isaac and Jennifer to seek their support but quickly realized that only she could see Dorothy. Dorothy stood in front of Karen who stopped more and more worried and anxious and said that she could fulfill three wishes and that she would have to fulfill them rather quickly. Karen looked her straight in the eye reluctant that this was really happening. Meanwhile she was overtaken by Isaac and Jennifer who asked Karen if everything was okay and Karen nodded saying she would join them right away. Karen told her that she only wanted one thing right now, that Dorothy disappear and leave her alone. Dorothy shook her head, apparently disappointed by those words. She said there are wishes she cannot fulfill and disappearing is among them. Then she said that she would stop tormenting her only when she expressed the three wishes and that the sooner she expressed them, the first he would leave her alone. At that point, seeing Karen's gaze, Dorothy rolled her eyes saying that she would give her some time to decide and wished her to think well about her wishes. A moment later Dorothy disappeared right in front of Karen, evaporating like a mist that suddenly clears. Karen stared into space, barely able to move. A little further on, Isaac and Jennifer were looking at her, exchanging confused nods. Then Karen joined the two and didn't say a word again. During dinner, in their quarters, Karen thought she saw Dorothy greet her for a moment among the people. Then she went to her room, kept tossing and turning in bed unable to fall asleep. Dorothy's face and words haunted her every time she closed her eyes. Suddenly near the window she saw a shadow, Karen jumped out of bed and turned on the light. Dorothy sat there in the chair in the same outfit as she had been in the morning and greeted Karen emphatically and asked her if she had thought of wishes. Then giggling she said that if she didn't express any that night she would be there and almost like a threat she added that it could get very annoying. Karen took the pillow and put the pillow in front of her face screaming at it and then gave a long sigh and nodded yes. Karen began to speak softly, raising her voice as she said the words. Karen expressed her wish for her brother to walk again. In fact, Karen did not give peace to the accident that had involved her brother and had always blamed herself. Dorothy looked at her strangely, she seemed almost disappointed or annoyed by that request. Then, a moment later, Dorothy disappeared.
After that disappearance Karen was almost more relieved and managed to sleep two to three hours until she was awakened by the phone call from her brother Greg. Greg was able to move his legs again and although he still couldn't stand up on his own, he seemed to be improving his condition every hour more. Karen was delighted and excited to hear Greg's words. Tears streamed down her cheeks. When the call ended Dorothy appeared again with her winking and enigmatic smile. Karen noticed that Dorothy was holding a mirror making her almost like Snow White's witch. Dorothy congratulated Karen saying she was very happy for her brother but then added that the next wish had to be about her. At that point Dorothy assumes a disgusted grimace on her face slowly scratching her head. Then she says in a haughty voice to poor Karen that those things were really disgusting, pointing at her with her index finger. Karen began to stammer wondering what she meant. Dorothy shook her head with a snort and held out the mirror in front of Karen. Some spell showed Karen's body in the mirror with no clothes on, just underwear. Karen was in fact full of scars caused by the accident with her brother and was doing everything to cover them all the time. In addition, the spell also shows an ugly scar from her forehead to Karen's right cheek, which she tries to hide, even quite well, with lots and lots of makeup. Karen looked at all this with so much pain until she had an anxiety attack in which she threw the mirror on the wall breaking it and yelling at Dorothy to shut up. Dorothy smiled and put her index finger in front of her mouth. Then Karen, with a dark-faced, said to Dorothy some simple words "Make them disappear." In a few moments the scars on the girl's body disappeared giving Karen a normal appearance. Then Dorothy approached Karen with satisfaction and touched her shoulder reminding her that there was another desire and then their paths would part forever. Then he approached Karen's ear telling her to make a wish that she would no longer have to worry about the future, neither about Karen nor her family. Karen looked up at Dorothy looking at her intently. Karen thought about the myriad of money her parents had shelled out for the countless care for her and Greg and the debt they owed them. Karen was a simple employee in a small company with a small salary. Karen said she had made up her mind but before expressing the wish she pressed the genius that he would never want to see her again. Dorothy nodded and said nothing. Karen asked in a low voice for three zeros in the balance in her checking account. Suddenly Dorothy's eyes lit up, she looked extremely happy as Karen heaved a sigh of relief as this strange rather disturbing story was finally coming to an end. A few moments later, however, something happened, a slight sense of emptiness and nausea began to hit Karen. Her vision began to blur and she had to squint to keep seeing correctly what was happening in front of her. Dorothy wasn't disappearing but she seemed to be transforming. Karen watched the scene shocked because Dorothy was turning into a girl, a girl identical to her. Karen looked at her hands and noticed that they were slowly evaporating, as was the rest of her body. Karen, speaking with difficulty, asked Dorothy, now she totally transformed into her what had done to her and what the hell was going on. Dorothy started walking towards Karen, stretching her muscles giving her the last scary explanation. Dorothy said she had done nothing, that she only expressed the three wishes and how she had made the same mistake in 1982 when she was interacting with a guy. Then she joked that that asshole at least had to live in a woman's body forever. Then Dorothy thanked Karen for removing those horrible scars and giving her a lot of money. Dorothy added that she will try to be a good sister and a good daughter, as far as possible, ending the sentence with a giggles and wishing Karen good luck. Karen was totally dissolved into thin air. When she opened her eyes, her scream echoed in a small room bordered by four purple walls, which from that day on will be her new home until someone finds that lamp.
Genre: Fantasy/Supernatural
Director: Reed Morano
Writer: Andrew Doster
Cast: Lily Collins, Samara Weaving, Chace Crawford, Adelaide Kane, Chandler Riggs
Plot: The film begins in a dark room lit only by a small patch of light. Inside, in the darkness, a female presence can be seen sitting in a corner with her hands in her hair and muttering phrases under her breath. At some point you start to hear noises that seem to come from outside. The girl leaps to her feet.
Karen Stone (Lily Collins) is in the bathroom in her quarters, putting on her makeup very carefully. Karen, her cousin Isaac (Chace Crawford) and her girlfriend Jennifer (Adelaide Kane) have been staying for a couple of days in a small town in southern Argentina. Their passion for trekking had brought them there, in the Santa Cruz region. The program included various excursions to be made over the next two weeks. The three had been waiting for that holiday for a long time and wanted to make the most of all the time trying to cover most of the routes that wound through those very beautiful areas. The previous day they had taken an undemanding walk towards the marvelous Chorrio del Salto waterfall. In the following days they also promised to attempt the climb of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, two very demanding routes in that area of Patagonia. Karen had promised her brother Greg a photo taken from the highest point, the one that allowed him to admire the best possible panorama. Greg was in fact practically in a wheelchair for almost three years and his only trips were to travel with the imagination thanks to the photographs that Karen sent him. That particular area of Patagonia was an irresistible attraction for anyone who was a lover of climbing or mountain walking and there were many people who stayed in the village, some were skilled and well equipped while others were decidedly unlikely and inexperienced. Karen approached a middle-aged couple asking about a route that she, Isaac and Jennifer couldn't quite figure out on the maps but got very vague answers. Karen and her two traveling companions set out on a search for lesser-known destinations to train a bit before heading to Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre in the following days. They found one and set off after a few kilometers by bus.
Karen was a rather shy and lonely girl and always walked several meters ahead of Jennifer and Isaac. In fact, Karen considered Isaac and petulant Jennifer barely tolerable but after her brother's accident she had only them left to do that kind of excursion. After Greg's accident Karen's temper had worsened and led her to be more and more introverted and lonely, as isaac points out, receiving only a snort from the girl. Plus, Jennifer's arrival on that trip had certainly not improved her mood. Karen considered Jennifer to be a fool who if she could she would go hiking in heels as well as always command Isaac what he had to do. The only good thing for Karen is that they don't really like crowded places either. The three were continuing the excursion and after having crossed a piece of wood they would have walked towards the Perito Moreno glacier. The journey was not tiring and as expected they did not meet any other tourists. The weather was splendid and the sky was clear. The three began to look at the surrounding panorama and the beautiful unspoiled landscape. Karen moved a few meters and closed her eyes to relax immersing herself in that magical silence until she was disturbed by Jennifer's complaints that she had cut herself while peeling an apple. For a moment Karen is tempted to insult her or worse to throw her into the surrounding lake but took a deep breath and told Isaac that she would head to a nearby spot that would give her a better view for photos. Isaac nodded and told her to be careful anyway before he was distracted again by Jennifer's new complaints. Finally Karen was alone and began to take several photographs which she immediately sent to her brother Greg reassuring him that those were only the first of the many she would send him. Karen climbed again from the side of the glacier where the path became a little steeper until it reached what was probably the highest point from which to observe it. At that point the feeling of stillness and tranquility was even more amplified for Karen even though in the distance she could still hear Jennifer and Isaac's chattering. However she concentrated until those voices disappeared. She noticed how the overhang towards the lake was not completely vertical and she would be able to descend a few meters before finding herself in front of the void. As she took a few steps she noticed how the rocks did not seem so firm and safe but with extreme attention Karen succeeded in her intent being a few centimeters from the precipice. At that moment the accident she had had with Greg, of the ruinous fall they had made during a trip together in the mountains, crossed her mind.
Karen set about climbing the few meters she had descended until she noticed a curious indentation that seemed small. Karen was seized by an irrepressible curiosity and decided that she would not come back without checking what it was. Karen cautiously reached that small cave and squatted carefully to look inside. Karen saw nothing strange until she noticed something peculiar at the base of the wall. There was a kind of rock that looked quite peculiar. Karen took out her small flashlight for better illumination and stepped into the hole. The place was not large enough to walk normally and she sneaked inside on all fours. The girl arrived in front of the strangely shaped rock looking at her with attention and amazed face. The shape was that of an old teapot until she realized it wasn't a rock, but a lamp, the ones Karen had only seen in fairy tales and cartoons. Karen reached out to touch her. He initially pulled it back but then placed his hand over it. The object was hot to the touch which almost burned the girl and the initial instinct was to move her hand. Karen managed to get her cell phone out of her pocket and take pictures of the object before exiting the ravine. Karen found herself outside and began to go back looking at the photographs she had taken of the mysterious lamp but to her enormous amazement the photos were empty and contained nothing of what she had seen. Karen began to think that maybe she had made a mistake because of the limited space but she didn't want to go back there anymore and shrugged. At that moment, an unknown voice surprised her from behind, "Incredible, right?" Karen whirled around and found herself in front of a beautiful girl (Samara Weaving) who must have been about her age or maybe a little younger. Her clothing was particular, it almost seemed to have come from the 80s from the Wham video. The girl wore an old windbreaker with bright colors and a heavy hat that covered her head, despite a blonde braid that fell on her back. Karen almost gave a half smile as she thought about the Wham video. The sure thing Karen thought was that her clothing was definitely overdone for the beautiful weather that morning. After a few moments of silence Karen scolded her in a friendly way for appearing so suddenly. The mysterious girl brightened up and seemed delighted when she heard Karen speak her language. Then the girl started pacing back and forth talking to herself about how lucky she was to find a woman and her nationality. Then she stopped and walked over to Karen pointing to the small cave and asking her if seeing that lamp in the cave was truly an amazing thing. Karen, confused, took two steps back, finding the girl's attitude a mixture of disturbing and strange. Karen asked who she was and how she knew about the lamp. The other girl smiled and said that the story would be too long to tell and that therefore she would only tell her that she is from that lamp and that she has lived there for many years. Then she adds with a creepy look at Karen that when the lamp was touched, she was released. The girl says that it is when the lamp is touched that the genie is released and that it is now available to Karen. Finally adjusting her hat she says her name is Dorothy. Karen looked at this monologue with an air of amusement and concern at the same time. Then he greeted the girl hastily, grinning to himself because the only person he had met was crazy. After a few meters Karen turned back to check that Dorothy wasn't following her but saw no one. Karen joined Isaac and Jennifer and told them about that strange encounter but the two confirmed that they had not seen anyone pass by. Isaac said it might have come from the other side. On the return trip Karen thought of that strange encounter and that girl who came out of nowhere who presented herself as a genius. At that moment Karen's thoughts were again interrupted by Dorothy's female voice which suddenly appeared beside her. The mystery girl scolded her for being rude for walking away so quickly earlier. She said that she had not finished her speech yet and that she must finish it in order not to have problems with her master. Karen turned to Isaac and Jennifer to seek their support but quickly realized that only she could see Dorothy. Dorothy stood in front of Karen who stopped more and more worried and anxious and said that she could fulfill three wishes and that she would have to fulfill them rather quickly. Karen looked her straight in the eye reluctant that this was really happening. Meanwhile she was overtaken by Isaac and Jennifer who asked Karen if everything was okay and Karen nodded saying she would join them right away. Karen told her that she only wanted one thing right now, that Dorothy disappear and leave her alone. Dorothy shook her head, apparently disappointed by those words. She said there are wishes she cannot fulfill and disappearing is among them. Then she said that she would stop tormenting her only when she expressed the three wishes and that the sooner she expressed them, the first he would leave her alone. At that point, seeing Karen's gaze, Dorothy rolled her eyes saying that she would give her some time to decide and wished her to think well about her wishes. A moment later Dorothy disappeared right in front of Karen, evaporating like a mist that suddenly clears. Karen stared into space, barely able to move. A little further on, Isaac and Jennifer were looking at her, exchanging confused nods. Then Karen joined the two and didn't say a word again. During dinner, in their quarters, Karen thought she saw Dorothy greet her for a moment among the people. Then she went to her room, kept tossing and turning in bed unable to fall asleep. Dorothy's face and words haunted her every time she closed her eyes. Suddenly near the window she saw a shadow, Karen jumped out of bed and turned on the light. Dorothy sat there in the chair in the same outfit as she had been in the morning and greeted Karen emphatically and asked her if she had thought of wishes. Then giggling she said that if she didn't express any that night she would be there and almost like a threat she added that it could get very annoying. Karen took the pillow and put the pillow in front of her face screaming at it and then gave a long sigh and nodded yes. Karen began to speak softly, raising her voice as she said the words. Karen expressed her wish for her brother to walk again. In fact, Karen did not give peace to the accident that had involved her brother and had always blamed herself. Dorothy looked at her strangely, she seemed almost disappointed or annoyed by that request. Then, a moment later, Dorothy disappeared.
After that disappearance Karen was almost more relieved and managed to sleep two to three hours until she was awakened by the phone call from her brother Greg. Greg was able to move his legs again and although he still couldn't stand up on his own, he seemed to be improving his condition every hour more. Karen was delighted and excited to hear Greg's words. Tears streamed down her cheeks. When the call ended Dorothy appeared again with her winking and enigmatic smile. Karen noticed that Dorothy was holding a mirror making her almost like Snow White's witch. Dorothy congratulated Karen saying she was very happy for her brother but then added that the next wish had to be about her. At that point Dorothy assumes a disgusted grimace on her face slowly scratching her head. Then she says in a haughty voice to poor Karen that those things were really disgusting, pointing at her with her index finger. Karen began to stammer wondering what she meant. Dorothy shook her head with a snort and held out the mirror in front of Karen. Some spell showed Karen's body in the mirror with no clothes on, just underwear. Karen was in fact full of scars caused by the accident with her brother and was doing everything to cover them all the time. In addition, the spell also shows an ugly scar from her forehead to Karen's right cheek, which she tries to hide, even quite well, with lots and lots of makeup. Karen looked at all this with so much pain until she had an anxiety attack in which she threw the mirror on the wall breaking it and yelling at Dorothy to shut up. Dorothy smiled and put her index finger in front of her mouth. Then Karen, with a dark-faced, said to Dorothy some simple words "Make them disappear." In a few moments the scars on the girl's body disappeared giving Karen a normal appearance. Then Dorothy approached Karen with satisfaction and touched her shoulder reminding her that there was another desire and then their paths would part forever. Then he approached Karen's ear telling her to make a wish that she would no longer have to worry about the future, neither about Karen nor her family. Karen looked up at Dorothy looking at her intently. Karen thought about the myriad of money her parents had shelled out for the countless care for her and Greg and the debt they owed them. Karen was a simple employee in a small company with a small salary. Karen said she had made up her mind but before expressing the wish she pressed the genius that he would never want to see her again. Dorothy nodded and said nothing. Karen asked in a low voice for three zeros in the balance in her checking account. Suddenly Dorothy's eyes lit up, she looked extremely happy as Karen heaved a sigh of relief as this strange rather disturbing story was finally coming to an end. A few moments later, however, something happened, a slight sense of emptiness and nausea began to hit Karen. Her vision began to blur and she had to squint to keep seeing correctly what was happening in front of her. Dorothy wasn't disappearing but she seemed to be transforming. Karen watched the scene shocked because Dorothy was turning into a girl, a girl identical to her. Karen looked at her hands and noticed that they were slowly evaporating, as was the rest of her body. Karen, speaking with difficulty, asked Dorothy, now she totally transformed into her what had done to her and what the hell was going on. Dorothy started walking towards Karen, stretching her muscles giving her the last scary explanation. Dorothy said she had done nothing, that she only expressed the three wishes and how she had made the same mistake in 1982 when she was interacting with a guy. Then she joked that that asshole at least had to live in a woman's body forever. Then Dorothy thanked Karen for removing those horrible scars and giving her a lot of money. Dorothy added that she will try to be a good sister and a good daughter, as far as possible, ending the sentence with a giggles and wishing Karen good luck. Karen was totally dissolved into thin air. When she opened her eyes, her scream echoed in a small room bordered by four purple walls, which from that day on will be her new home until someone finds that lamp.
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