Script Report

Title: Perennials

Writer: Blake Mawson

Director: Blake Mawson

Producer: GHARRETT PATRICK PAON (REBEL ROAD FILMS),Dan Bekerman (GOOD QUESTION MEDIA)

Cast: Unknown

Budget: USD6mil

Genre: Horror/Thriller

Setting: Upstate New York, Victorian Estate

Period: 1966

Pages: 103

Date: 16/11/2024

Reader: Barbora Sopoligova

PASS

SCORE: 1/10 (average of cast, concept, SR, IP, below)

LOGLINE

A young horticulturist, former ballerina, HAZEL (20s) accepts a live-in position to restore the grand conservatory garden of a secluded estate, only to uncover buried secrets and a peculiar botanical species that blurs the lines between reality, desire, and danger.

SYNOPSIS (include age of characters)

Hazel Midrib, a young horticulturist recovering from a ballet injury that ended her career applies for a job at a manor in upstate New York. She arrives at Battenhope Manor, a Victorian estate, and is tasked to revive dilapidated conservatory. Her arrival is met with suspicion by the estate’s residents, Lord Pfeiffer, the elderly, blind owner, his stern butler Roger and Moira, a young, attractive cook. As soon as Hazel starts working there, she is tasked with cultivating strange, rare plant species. She befriends Moira, sparking subtle romantic tension. Hazel stumbles upon a hidden cache of seeds in the cellar, including the mysterious Black Ornia. She experiments with the seeds, cultivating them secretly in the conservatory. The seeds germinate rapidly, and the Black Ornia exerts a strange influence over Hazel when she inhales its smell. The Black Ornia begins to affect Hazel physically and mentally, inducing hallucinations and granting her an ability to "tune in" to people’s thoughts and emotions. Her connection to the flower deepens, creating a rift between her and Moira when Hazel's strange behavior becomes more intense. Hazel's bond with the Black Ornia escalates when she experiences an out-of-body event, finding herself in Roger’s body for a moment while he’s having intercourse with Moira. Meanwhile, Lord Pfeiffer announces plans for a grand garden tour, bringing outside attention to Hazel's work. Hazel discovers that Pfeiffer and his brother were entangled in morally dubious actions during the war, and the conservatory’s rare plants are part of an unnatural experiment connected to his brother's botany. In a tense confrontation, Hazel learns that the Black Ornia holds the key to restoring or corrupting life. She eats Black Ornia and it turns her into a monster that connects her with people from the past that were influenced by Black Ornia as well. Moira ends up killing the Ornia monster that swallowed Hazel and ends up leaving the estate that is set on fire. The story ends in flash forward 30 years later a school trip to the estate where a young boy (teenager) discovers a mysterious plant – Black Ornia again.

CREDITS

Director (as director):

Has directed 0 feature films.

Producer:

Dan Bekerman

Has produced 23 feature films.

The Apprentice (2024) - USD15m budget, $11,890,037WW, Cannes Film festival nomination, no streaming deal

The Witch (2015) - $4,000,000 budget, $40,423,945WW, Sundance film festival winner, Netflix streaming deal

GHARRETT PATRICK PAON

Has produced 2 feature films:

Wildhood (2021), budget unknown, $3,433 WW, no major film festivals or awards, no streaming deal

CAST SCORE: 2/10

CONCEPT

What’s the concept? Standard horror film that revolves around one location at which strange events happen.

Is it original? No.

CONCEPT SCORE: 2/10

SOCIAL RELEVANCE

Is there any social relevance? If so what? No social relevance.

SOCIAL RELEVANCE SCORE: 0/10

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Is there any intellectual property? If so what? No intellectual property.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SCORE: 0/10

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

The characters are well developed, which is one of the strengths of the script, driving the story’s emotional core. Hazel’s growth, in particular, is compelling, as she transforms from a wounded outsider to a complex individual grappling with her choices and identity. The interactions between all of the characters deepen the narrative and amplify the impact of the story. Each character has layers of motivations, flaws, and vulnerabilities, making them relatable even when their actions are immoral or strange. The relationships between the characters, particularly Hazel and Moira, are dynamic, erotic and interesting. They add to the campy feeling of the script. The focus on a strong, complex female lead overcoming personal trauma and navigating relationships, layered depictions of women on screen.

STRUCTURE

The script follows a traditional three-act structure with a focus on gradual revelations, character development, horror and suspense. All these elements add to an atmospheric eerie feeling of the script. The structure is compelling, with strong character arcs and escalating tension, but it would benefit from strengthening the prologue’s connection, tightening Act 2’s pacing, clarifying the Ornia’s role besides just using it as a mystic force, and enhancing the emotional and thematic resolution.

PACE

The pacing is generally effective in maintaining tension and atmosphere, but it can be tightened and balanced for a more dynamic flow. Act 2 drags due to repetitive scenes of Hazel working in the conservatory, interacting with the Ornia, or having minor conflicts with Moira and Roger.

DIALOGUE

The dialogue is generally strong, effectively serving its purpose to reveal character, build tension, and deepen the story’s atmosphere. The characters’ voices are distinct from one another and effectively move the story forward. The dialogue effectively conveys the personalities and emotional states of the characters. It often hints at unspoken truths and hidden tensions which adds to the suspense.

AUDIENCE

Fans of horror genre and mystery. The mature themes and slow-burn storytelling are suited for an audience that enjoys introspective and atmospheric narratives rather than fast-paced action.

DIRECTOR’S PAST WORK

Blake Mawson is a Canadian filmmaker, actor, and screenwriter. From acting, Mawson transitioned into filmmaking and gained recognition for his short film PYOTR495 (2016) (watched by the reader), a sci-fi/horror film that addresses anti-LGBTQ+ violence in Russia. This film earned him some recognition, including the Emerging Artist Award at the Inside Out LGBT Film Festival and a nomination for Best Direction at the Canadian Screen Awards. His work often blends social commentary with genre elements, using horror and sci-fi to explore themes of identity, marginalization, and resilience.

COMPS

Ready or Not (2019)

Rebecca (2020)

Men (2022)

CONCLUSION

Overall, the script is entertaining and reads well. Hazel is a well-developed, layered character with relatable struggles, such as overcoming trauma and seeking identity. Her transformation over the course of the story is compelling, providing a strong emotional core. The blend of psychological and supernatural elements is effective. The Black Ornia’s influence is unsettling and ambiguous, leaving room for interpretation while maintaining tension. However, there is an interpretation that I am not sure the director wants to convey; the connection between Hazel’s use of marijuana and use of the mysterious flower Black Ornia is a connection that made me question whether the writer is intentionally making a statement that use of marijuana leads to dangers, death and making a statement that a use of illicit or recreational drugs can have detrimental effects on physical and mental health.

Elements which recommend the script?

Well-written main character, atmospheric, diverse representation of characters.

Elements which let the script down? Pacing issues; the script drags in the middle part, ambiguity in the Black Ornia’s rules and its history, not clear whether the connection with use of marijuana and Black Ornia is intentional or not.