Original subtitles

[ghostly whispers]

[girl in Khmer] ♪ One step, two steps ♪

♪ Can I play? ♪

♪ No, you can't ♪

♪ Why can't I? ♪

Mom! Mom! Mom!

♪ 'Cause you lost ♪

♪ When did I? ♪

Mom!

[man in Japanese] Let me out!

[woman breathing shakily]

[girl in Khmer] Mom!

[panting]

[ghostly whispers]

[girl] Mom!

Mom!

[metal clangs]

[girl] Mom!

Mom!

[gasps]

[girl] ♪ At the new year ♪

♪ Zero... Five... ♪

♪ Termites eat all ♪

[flesh squishing]

[evil laughter]

[eerie music]

[ominous music]

[thunder rumbling]

[thunder rumbling]

[keys jingling, then door opens]

[door closes]

[sobbing]

[in Japanese] I'm sorry I couldn't come back earlier.

Don't be. It just happened too fast.

Did your photo shoot go all right?

Mm.

It was good.

The client is happy with what we've got so far.

That's great.

Soriya, how about you?

How did your assistant work with the manga writer go?

I finished it last week. They said they will use me again next time.

That's great.

An old cassette player! How nostalgic!

Mom used to listen to music with this all the time.

Hmm?

Ah.

I remember seeing this box back in Cambodia.

Hey, where was this?

I don't know. But that's Mom.

What does that say?

"With Sister Mao and Aunt Mom. Metta Building 1984."

This was probably where she lived before I was born.

I wonder if the building is still around.

It would be amazing if it is.

Have you met them?

Sister Mao and Aunt Mom...

I don't know because Mom said her family all died

during the Khmer Rouge [1975-1979].

[eerie music]

[girl] Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

[train rumbling]

[office chatter]

You are not the only one with a manga to publish.

Okay.

Send it over by midnight.

Have a seat.

Good morning, Hiro-San. How are you?

Hectic as usual.

Sorry, I know you're busy.

Thank you for meeting me on such short notice.

It's okay.

Right...

About the stuff you sent.

Please help me, Hiro-San.

It's my first chance to debut.

I don't want to lose the opportunity.

Have you lived through it?

Or understand what the characters

are going through in the story?

You want to create something unique, right?

Yes.

If you want to make that breakthrough, you've got to dive deep.

Engage the readers and make your story stand out.

Maybe the horror genre is too difficult for someone so young.

The story you submitted to the competition,

it was raw and refreshing.

That's why we gave you this chance to get published.

Look...

You have such an interesting background. Make use of it.

Give your readers something worth reading.

You want to give your best work to your readers, don't you?

Yes.

Good luck, Soriya.

Thank you. I'll do my best.

[eerie music]

[Daichi] But that means Hiro sees

a lot of potential in you.

By the way, Soriya. I looked it up.

That Metta Building is still there in Phnom Penh.

Wow, it's really old.

People still live there?

Yes.

We should go there.

Imagine this place as the setting for a horror manga.

Raw and refreshing. I think the story would definitely stand out.

If you go and experience the place yourself,

you might create a manga that engages your audience

like Hiro wanted.

[pensive music]

[water lapping]

Hey, Soriya.

Let's go to Cambodia.

Hm?

I have an assignment that I want to do there.

So, what do you think?

[dramatic music builds]

[jet airplane swooshes]

[laughs]

[in Khmer] Excuse me, are you Soriya?

-Thep? -That's right.

[in English] And you must be Daichi, right?

-[in English] Yeah, nice to meet you. -Nice to meet you, too.

I hope you both had a nice flight.

And welcome to Phnom Penh.

Please follow me.

[in Khmer] Thank you.

[in English] Please wait right here.

[in Japanese] It's so hot.

[in Khmer] Hello?

What?

You told me about the flat tire an hour ago already.

I have customers waiting.

[in English] Hello, sir.

You need taxi?

Where are you from?

From China? Japan or Korea?

[in English] Japan.

Oh, Japan?

-[in Japanese] Hello. -[in Japanese] Hello.

[in English] My car made in Japan.

It's a good car. Japan is number one.

[in Khmer] Hey, we don't need you. We have a car already.

[in English] Okay, enjoy.

[in Khmer] Traffic jam? It's been two hours already.

You've got to be kidding.

Hurry up here.

[in English] Please wait, the car is almost here.

[in English] We can take a taxi.

Oh, no, no, no. We have a car.

[classic rock music]

[shutter clicks]

So... Welcome to Phnom Penh.

Oh, thank you.

Is it your first time?

Yes, this is my first time.

Oh. Very nice.

My name Jam.

James?

Like... J, A, M.

You know James Bond?

-Oh, yes, I know. -[all laughing]

And what is your name?

[in Khmer] Uh... My name is Daichi.

-[Jam] Oh... -[in English] Correct?

[in English] Nice... Kimchi.

[in English] Kimchi? No, I'm Japanese.

Oh, I heard like... Kimchi.

-Sorry, what is your name again? -Uh, Daichi.

Nice to meet you, Mr. Daichi.

Nice to meet you.

And you?

[in Khmer] My name is Soriya.

[in Khmer] You can speak Khmer?

I am Khmer, yes, but I live in Japan.

Wow. [laughs]

I thought you were a foreigner.

Soriya is a great name.

Thank you.

[in English] So... Mr. Daichi, you come here for tour?

[in Khmer] Please turn right at the next street.

[in Khmer] Why don't you just tell me where we are going?

I know the streets of Phnom Penh like the back of my hand. Don't worry.

Mmm. Just follow the directions I give you.

Okay.

[in Khmer] We're going to Metta Building.

What brings you to visit that place?

I'm planning to do some work there.

But I'm also visiting my relatives.

You have relatives living there?

Yes, my aunt.

Have you heard about...

the stories of what happened there years ago?

Pay attention to the car in front.

Don't worry, I saw it. It's fine.

[eerie music]

-[in English] Bye. -[in English] Oh. Sir. Sir. Sir.

I want to give you my name card.

-Mr. Jam Taxi. -Oh, yeah.

-Okay? -Okay, okay, okay.

This is my name card.

-[in Japanese] Oh, thank you. -[in Japanese] Thank you.

[in English] If you want taxi or guide, you can call me. Okay?

-[in English] Okay, I'll call you. -Yeah.

-[in Japanese] Thank you. Goodbye. -[in Japanese] Thank you. Goodbye.

-[in English] I'll call you. -[in Japanese] Goodbye.

[eerie music]

[in English] So, this is the main entrance to Metta building.

Please follow me.

Soriya.

[traditional music]

[shutter clicks]

[in Japanese] Is that a traditional dance?

Mm.

[Thep in English] It's good that you're interested.

Please come.

There's a lot more to show you.

[eerie music]

-[dog barking] -[banging on gate]

[in Japanese] That was scary.

[eerie music continues]

[door latch clicks]

[in English] Welcome to your new home.

[neck cracks]

[in Khmer] You're lucky, you know.

When you contacted me, this apartment was just made vacant.

You know, this building is very well located.

And famous.

Don't even get me started on the budget. This was a bargain.

[in Khmer] I was so happy when you got back to me so fast.

And when you offered to help find my aunt.

It was an easy search.

People in this building all know each other.

Plus, Aunt Mao really wants to meet you.

[door opens]

Are you my niece?

I'm so happy to finally meet you.

I'm Aunt Mao.

Good afternoon, Aunty.

I can't believe I never got to meet you.

And now...

You're all grown up already.

You have your mother's eyes.

And who's this handsome young man?

Is he your husband?

This is Daichi, my boyfriend.

[in Japanese] This is the aunt we were looking for.

[in Khmer] Good afternoon.

Yes, good afternoon.

[sighs]

We have so much to talk about.

It seems impossible to believe,

but fate has brought you back to me.

[door thuds]

[in Japanese] It's heavy.

Is that a house shrine?

Mm.

Is it something religious?

I'm not sure.

Is it normal to put kid figures here?

Maybe it's some sort of beliefs?

[shutter clicks]

Let's go.

[in Khmer] Dinner, everyone!

"Itadakimasu."

"Itadakimasu."

[Daichi in Japanese] Cute. [chuckles]

[in Khmer] Is the food all right?

[in Khmer] It's delicious.

[in Japanese] Delicious.

[in Khmer] If it's good, then have some more.

Here.

Eat more.

So, how long do you plan to stay here?

Hmm.

I'm not sure yet. It depends on when I finish my work.

Mom, can I go coloring now?

Aunty. Do you want to go coloring with me?

Sure.

[in Japanese] Me too?

Coloring pictures.

[in Khmer] Hmm, what color should I use?

Is green okay?

[chuckles]

[eerie music]

[Mao] Soriya.

Follow me.

Let me introduce you to someone.

[in Japanese] She wants us to meet someone.

[chair creaking]

[chair continues creaking]

[in Khmer] Sit down.

This is Soriya.

My niece.

[gasping]

And... this is...

Daichi, her boyfriend from Japan.

[Daichi in Khmer] Good evening.

They came to present themselves to you,

and to offer food to you.

[Mao] Let me take care of your meals.

You just focus on your work.

Thank you.

Take this flashlight.

Watch your steps, all right?

We will.

Good night.

Bye. We're going now.

Goodbye.

[Soriya and Daichi chuckle]

[Daichi in Japanese] What was that red room about? I didn't expect that.

I was freaked out, too.

[Soriya] And then suddenly

her boyfriend turns into a werewolf.

[Daichi growls]

[Soriya] No, no, wait.

Her boyfriend

turns into a little puppy.

[Daichi whimpers]

[toilet flushes]

[traditional music]

Feeling any better?

Not yet.

Just had some painkillers.

Are you sure it's the food?

I think so.

I started feeling weird after dinner.

You feel okay?

My tummy feels a bit funny, but not as bad as you.

Hey.

Are you really going to let your aunt take care of our meals?

She's so keen on doing it.

Also, I like the food.

It reminds me of my mom's cooking.

"Reminds me of Mom's cooking."

Whoa. [chuckles]

You mind if...

I don't eat the food?

That's fine.

I understand you're not used to the food.

Sorry.

[voices whispering]

[wind howling]

[metal rattling]

[ominous music]

[silverware clanging]

[metal rattling]

[utensils scraping]

[dripping]

[girl in Khmer] There's a rooftop over there.

Are they planting something?

They are planting flowers on it.

[shutter clicks]

Over there is a laundry shop.

[eerie music]

[faint gasping]

[girl] What are you looking at, Auntie?

It's nothing.

[in Japanese] Are you all right?

[in Japanese] Oh. Nothing.

I thought I heard something behind this door.

Looks like a storage room.

Maybe some rats inside.

Let's go.

[pensive music]

[in Khmer] Nobody lives here?

Not on this floor.

[in Japanese] Soriya?

What room is that for?

A punishment room?

A punishment room?

I don't want to be punished in that room.

I know someone is claustrophobic.

Shut up.

[shutter clicks]

Ni--? Where did Nimol go?

She was just here.

Nimol?

Nimol?

Nimol!

Where are you?

Nimol!

Nimol?

Nimol?

[eerie music builds]

Nimol?

Nimol, where are you?

Nimol?

Nimol?

Nimol, where are you?

Nimol?

Nimol?

Nimol!

Nimol, where are you?

Nimol!

[Nimol humming]

What a relief.

[humming]

-[slurping] -Did you get any good shots?

[Daichi] Hm.

Who's that?

Hmm.

[electricity flickering]

Power cut?

I'll find the flashlight.

[crosstalk in distance]

[ominous music]

[wind howling]

[squishing]

[ghostly whispering]

[Soriya] Hiro-san, I understand.

Yes.

I'll do my best. Okay.

Daichi?

I can't go to Angkor Wat with you.

I want to stay and work.

I have to send him something by this week.

[sighs]

Work is more important.

I'll need to cancel the hotel booking.

I'll tell Jam we are not going.

I want to work alone here.

But you go.

[Daichi] Would you be okay on your own?

I'll be fine. I've got everyone here.

If you see anything interesting, send me photos.

Contact me if anything happens.

Sure.

You're sweating.

[traditional music]

[static]

[woman sobbing on tape]

[in Khmer] Your grandaunt is gone.

Mom?

It's going to start looking for the next host.

I'm scared, my child.

But I cannot let that happen to us.

Especially to you, my dear Soriya.

I won't let this place ruin your life.

No matter what...

You and I...

We'll make it out of this place, at any cost...

[squishing]

[gasping in pain]

[screaming]

[fan whirring]

[screaming in distance]

[door opens]

[door closes]

[ghostly whispers]

[whispers continue]

[gasping]

[gasping]

[whispering chants]

[ringing]

[whimpering]

[whispers intensify]

[whimpering]

[squealing]

[screaming]

[gasping]

[panting]

[singing in distance]

[singing continues]

[girl] ♪ One step, two steps ♪

[gagging]

[sobbing]

[girl] ♪ Can I play? ♪

♪ One step, two steps ♪

[screaming in distance]

[thud]

[panting]

[ominous music]

It's all because of your mother!

Because of your mother, for sure!

Your mother did this to us!

Because she lied to me!

She lured me to live in this building!

I'm miserable because of her!

It's all her fault!

It's because of her mother that all this is happening!

Take your mother back home!

It's because of her!

Stay here. Don't come out till I return.

But, Aunt!

[door slams]

[singing in distance]

[breathing shakily]

[girl] ♪ One step, two steps ♪

♪ Can I play? ♪

♪ No, you can't ♪

♪ Why can't I? ♪

♪ 'Cause you lost ♪

[breathing shakily]

[clamoring in distance]

[screaming in distance]

-[banging in distance] -[clamoring in distance]

[clamoring continues]

[woman screaming]

[clamoring continues]

[woman crying]

[girl] ♪ When did I? At the new year ♪

♪ Zero to five The termites ate all... ♪

[banging in distance]

[child screaming]

[groans]

[Daichi in Japanese] Soriya. Are you okay?

[in Japanese] Daichi. You're back.

I saw your missed call, but couldn't get back to you.

Did I call you?

You did, right?

What happened?

I don't know.

All I remember was that...

I was working at my desk...

then...

this little girl appeared.

Where is she? Is she okay?

Little girl? Nimol?

No. Another one.

[door opens]

[in Khmer] Soriya. You're up.

Did you have a good sleep?

[in Khmer] No, Aunty.

I had a weird dream.

Oh? Really?

What did you dream of?

This little girl.

Her name was Metta.

You know her?

Oh.

No.

No such name here.

Don't overthink it.

It was just a dream.

Here. Drink this.

It will make you feel better.

No, Aunt. I'll drink it later.

You must drink lots of it.

Drink it, niece.

[in Khmer] No!

Daichi!

[door slams]

[in Japanese] Soriya. Let's go.

What was that?

She was forcing you too much.

Daichi.

This is not like you.

Soriya, I'm just concerned about you.

I just feel a bit weak, that's all.

And she was looking after me.

It could even be her food that made you sick.

You're talking about my aunt here.

But you barely know them.

You just met them about a week ago, Soriya.

They are...

the only family I have left.

Jam told me many things about this place.

I don't think your family is taking good care of you here.

Soriya. Have a look at yourself!

We shouldn't stay here anymore.

We need to get you to a hospital.

[line ringing]

[in English] Hello, Jam.

[Jam in English] Daichi?

Can you come now?

Yeah, yeah, I go now. I go now.

Wait, wait, wait.

Thank you.

[banging nearby]

[ominous music builds]

[man grunts]

Daichi!

[whispering chants]

[Mao in Khmer] My dear.

Don't fight it.

We would never hurt you.

After this is over,

we'll be a real family.

Forever.

I'm sorry that you have to pay for your mother's sin.

Metta chose you to be her host,

so we must obey.

We just want to live in this building in peace.

Just let it go.

You don't have to fight anymore.

We will take good care of you.

[panting]

[whispering chants]

[breathing heavily]

[ominous music]

[girl] Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

Mom, wake up!

Mom!

[ominous music]

[Daichi in Japanese] Help me!

Help me! Can anyone hear me?

[panting]

-Help me! -Daichi.

Help me!

[gong ringing]

[chiming]

[in Khmer] Mom?

[wind howling]

[tense music]

[screaming]

[Daichi in Japanese] Soriya!

Soriya! Can you walk?

It's gone.

How is this possible?

We're still on the same floor.

We keep coming back. What's going on?

[Mao in Khmer] Soriya? There's no need to run away.

Come back, my niece.

[ominous music]

Soriya.

Don't run away.

Come back to us, dear.

-[in Japanese] Give me that. -Soriya!

[girl] ♪ One step, two steps ♪

♪ Can I play? ♪

♪ No, you can't ♪

♪ Why can't I? ♪

[thud]

[metal clangs]

[whimpering]

No.

Nimol.

No.

No!

[sobbing]

[in Khmer] Soriya! Daichi! It's me, Jam!

-Jam. -Let's go!

[Daichi] Soriya.

Soriya.

You see?

I told you this place was messed up.

You didn't believe me. You're lucky I was here.

If not, you would have been fucked.

I'm taking you to the hospital. Just hang in there.

[soft dramatic music]

[in English] Thank you, Jam.

WELL DONE! CONGRATULATIONS! FROM HIRO.

[eerie sting]

[traditional music]

[pounding]

Help me!

Help me!

[switching between languages] Anyone out there?

Help me!

[groans]

Help me!

Somebody!

[pounding on door]

Somebody!

Help me!

Help me!

Help me!

Help me!

Help me! Help me!

Help me! Help me!

[somber music]

[traditional music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music ends]