Original subtitles

[dramatic music]

[Norman] One, two,

three, four,

five, six,

seven, eight,

nine.

16 17,

18, 19,

20.

[tense music]

Boysie, Boysie?

Boysie?

Boy?

What the hell took you so long?

I couldn't find you.

You're bad at this game, Norman.

[Norman] I don't want to.

[eerie music]

[tense music]

[door knocking]

Police, open up!

Leighton Johnson, this is the police.

We've got a warrant for your arrest.

Go!

Down to floor, to the floor.

Don't move.

Don't move, don't move.

[tense music]

What's this?

[Leighton] Nothing.

It's just papers, letters.

You've got one chance and one chance only.

Where's Evan Prinsloo?

What, Evan Prinsloo?

The missing boy, I don't know.

I swear, I don't know.

I didn't take any boy.

[Chris] AJ.

[Officer] All clear upstairs.

I promise!

I just wrote the letters.

I just wanted to mess with him, you have to believe me.

And?

No sign of Evan.

Definitely not our guy.

Are you sure, what does he do for a living?

Travelling salesman.

He was out of town when Evan was taken.

He just wanted to mess us around.

While kids are dying, for fuck sake.

It's Joey's post-mortem this morning.

I should be there.

I don't think it's necessary for her to be part of it.

I'll come and fetch you when it's time to go.

[dramatic music]

Small breaths through your mouth.

[speaking in foreign language]

It'll help.

Detective Eksteen, here for your boy?

Doctor, Captain Pistorius.

It's her first time.

I hope you can hold your stomach.

I don't have the staff to clean up after you.

Cause of death was asphyxiation.

It was done with the tracksuit pants around the neck.

Shallow and internal bruising confirms sodomy.

Some form of bondage,

you can see the bruises around the wrists.

He definitely struggled, but not for long.

[phone ringing]

Excuse me.

[colleague speaking indistinctly]

A colleague needs a quick consult.

Can I ask you both to wait in the corridor while I'm gone?

Of course.

What do you see?

This.

Look.

Hands tied, like she said.

Right, behind his back.

That's a pose displaying submission.

So assuming the killer is an adult,

why would he need to tie up a boy half his size?

It's not like the child was able to fight back.

[Chris] Some sadistic impulse.

Control.

That's what he craves, it's what the bondage indicates.

Then look at how neat he left the scene.

It's the same with all of them.

See how he doesn't leave a mess?

He works methodically, cleanly.

We know he's pedantic about details

from that corrected note,

but he's also organised.

Perfectionist.

Yeah, but not just with his work.

The way he leaves the bodies,

it tells us appearance is important to him.

He craves control, he exercises it.

The sodomy.

I think our killer's fantasy world is

fixated on the anal phase of development.

It's around the age when children

become obsessed with their anus,

withholding or expelling faeces.

Stay with me.

It's the age when children learn they're

able to control their own bodily functions,

and some of them relish that control.

Need to hold onto it.

That's where our Strangler's sexual fantasy sits.

Maybe some sort of trauma from

his childhood that he's reliving.

He'd have been sodomised or abused as a child.

Killing is his way of exerting control now,

when he was powerless then.

He's stuck in the anal phase.

It's a lot to take in.

We all have our demons.

We don't all kill kids because of them.

If you're subject to that kind of

abuse during your formative years,

the damage can change you.

I think our killer identifies with the aggressor.

He's taking the active role.

The boys represent his younger self

on a psychological level.

Every time he kills one of them, he's committing suicide.

I wish he would do it on a real level.

Joey's friend, Tino.

Can I speak to him?

He remembers nothing.

I'd really like to try.

I'll ask.

[Micki] Thank you.

[Crowd] [chanting] We want justice, we want justice,

we want justice, we want justice,

we want justice, we want justice.

[Chris] Shit.

[indistinct yelling]

[crowd chanting]

[speaking in foreign language]

Anal phase, psychological suicide.

No, man.

The way Micki explained it, think of them like clues.

From what he does, we can tell what he wants,

and from that, we can tell who he is.

I really think there's something in it.

Excuse my French, Lieutenant,

but I don't give a fuck what he wants.

I'm smarter than this bastard.

I'm not going to try and figure him out

like a crossword puzzle in the back of Huisgenoot.

You don't have a choice, Rossouw.

This is how we work from now on.

[crowd chanting indistinctly]

Your blood sugar must be through the roof.

Isn't that your fourth sandwich of the day?

[phone ringing]

Oliver?

Okay.

Thanks.

Good news.

We get to talk to Tino.

We're early.

Can I tempt you?

[AJ laughing]

Let's hope Tino can give us something to help us find Evan.

I have a kid the same age.

Ben.

I have these nightmares about coming home

from work and telling me he's gone.

You're not sleeping?

Not for weeks.

Those nightmares you're having won't come true, you know?

They're echoes, that's all.

You have them too?

Everything's terrifying in the dark.

How do you cope?

I keep thinking about the light,

how once morning breaks, the darkness just disappears.

Has to.

And I chain smoke.

Maybe don't do that part.

Your boy is safe, AJ.

I don't know, can we say any of them are?

Or any of us.

That's not comforting.

Sorry.

Guess I talked myself out of the positive thinking thing.

Job will do that.

So I'm learning.

Shall we go in?

Yeah.

Mom, can we get you a cup of tea?

Maybe some water?

No thanks, I just want to get him home.

Tino, I need to ask you some

questions about the man you saw.

Will that be okay?

Do you remember, was he nicely dressed or dirty looking?

He had a shirt with buttons on.

[Micki] It's very smart that you remember that.

And when he spoke to you and Joey, was he friendly?

[Tino] Yes, Aunty.

You like him?

No, but Joey did.

Was the man calm when he spoke to you?

Did the man seem like he was nervous?

No, but he spoke soft.

You weren't scared if him at all?

Do you think you'd remember the face of the man, Tino?

I think you could, because I think you're

very clever and you remember more than you think.

I need your help to find Evan.

Can you close your eyes for me?

Now, think about how you were feeling that day,

how tired you were from all that walking.

Do you remember Joey's voice?

Do you know what it sounds like?

Okay.

Now, here comes the man,

in his car, just like you said.

He drives up to you,

then Joey gets up and walks over to the car.

Do you remember anything about the car?

What colour it was, what sort of shape it was?

There was something on the car.

What kind of thing?

A sticker.

Can you read, Tino?

[Tino] A bit.

Okay.

You can open your eyes now.

Pastor Phillips, do you have a piece of paper?

Thank you.

Can you make the shapes of any of the letters?

Come on, show me.

Hmm, something "Is".

Can you remember any of the other letters?

[Tino] R and E, and A.

You are doing so well, promise.

We're gonna figure out what the rest

of that sticker said together, okay?

Like a puzzle.

So we have R-E-A, something IS.

Do you remember any of these letters?

Very good, let's circle it.

This one, hm?

"Reading is fun."

Thank you, Tino.

[tense music]

[AJ sighing]

You have a way with people.

Do you think we can rely on what he said?

Yeah.

Yeah, I do.

I've got so much more.

The soft voice, how they weren't scared.

This man is gentle, trustworthy.

Children don't trust just anybody.

What kind of people do you know like that?

Priests?

Or teachers.

"Reading is fun."

Yeah.

Okay, young man.

Was his hair shorter than this, or longer?

His hair is short.

[Artist] Like that?

[Tino] Yes.

The nose, was it pointed like this or more round?

[Tino] Yes, like that.

Round, huh?

And then the eyes?

[Tino] His eyes were small.

[Artist] Like that?

[Tino] Yes.

And then he was wearing glasses?

Yes.

[Artist] Those?

[Tino] No.

These?

Yes.

[Artist] This is our guy.

[dramatic music]

AJ and I spoke to the boy, Tino.

You were right, Colonel.

He's traumatised, but he's smart.

We have an identikit image and a lead.

I think our suspect is a teacher.

We need to get my profile and the image

out to all the schools with a warning to--

Let me remind you, I call operations on this case.

Yes.

The sticker on the car he used

when he took Joey said "Reading is fun,"

and a teacher would know how to communicate with children,

put them at ease.

His attention to detail, him being a perfectionist.

It all fits.

You buying this?

Yeah, Colonel.

It makes sense.

So we just trek around all the schools

asking if the teachers are killers?

Have you got a better idea?

Okay, let's get it out,

but a five kilometre radius only, got it?

Let's hope we're not wasting time that Evan doesn't have.

[eerie music]

[birds tweeting]

So, to me managing to drag you out of the office,

and to new beginnings.

Five years of marriage and he

moves on in five minutes, geez.

Maybe I should do the same.

Anyone in mind?

Hunky detective?

Definitely not.

They hardly give me the time of day,

let alone anything more.

Need your big sister to come

and knock some heads together?

Yeah, maybe.

Maybe you should come home.

All of this can't be good for you anyway.

Is that the reason for the surprise visit?

Come to bring me home?

No, they need me here.

Doesn't sound like they feel the same way.

Not the detectives.

The boys.

[suspenseful music]

[police siren ringing]

[speaking in foreign language]

[phone ringing]

Eksteen, good morning.

I'm calling about the identikit image.

I'm the head of Forest Close Primary School.

I think I recognise the man as a member of our staff.

What's the address?

[Mrs. Damons] He's been off for a few days,

said he wasn't feeling well.

[Children] [in unison] Sorry, Ma'am.

He's a nice man, good teacher.

The children love him.

But when I read the profile,

that part about him being a perfectionist,

plenty of teachers are neat and tidy,

it goes with the territory.

But Norman...

Appearances really matter to him, you know?

Something about that,

well, it made me think.

This is his classroom.

Mrs. Damons, have you noticed

anything suspicious before now?

He was playful.

He used to come knock on the doors

to the classrooms, scare the kids.

Scare how?

He'd shout out,

"Open up, it's the strangler."

I thought it was just a bad joke, really bad.

I told myself it was nothing.

I didn't think...

He didn't like to do ground patrol either, he just refused.

Why?

[Mrs. Damons] Never said.

Why would he?

He knew the strangler wasn't out there.

[suspenseful music]

[phone ringing]

[Micki] Hello?

Good morning, Micki.

Do you have a pen and paper?

Wrote this down.

36 Southeastern Road.

What's there?

Norman Simmons, possibly our killer.

27 year old primary school teacher.

The headmistress matched him to the identikit,

and some of what she says about him,

it all fits your profile.

I've got some of the guys heading over there now.

Micki?

Micki?

[AJ] Mrs. Simmons?

We're the police.

We're looking for Norman, is he here?

He's away for a few days for work.

We're going to need to ask you to let us in, Ma'am.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

Kitchen's clear.

[Micki] Who else lives here?

[Mrs. Simmons] Our daughter.

Norman's sister?

Anyone else?

Not anymore.

There used to be someone else?

My son, Boysie,

but he's long gone.

You've lived here a long time?

All their lives.

Why you come for him?

Mrs. Simmons, there's an identikit image of Norman.

It's everywhere.

If people see it, he's in danger out there.

Can I see his room?

It's upstairs.

[tense music]

[Chris] The nurse on duty confirmed that a man

matching his description checked in earlier.

[Nurse] He's just through there.

[dramatic music]

[Micki] Norman Simmons, who are you?

[Chris] We need to know if he took Evan,

as soon as possible.

Let's go and find out.

We'll be here if you need us.

You've had quite the run, Mr. Simmons.

I want to know where Evan Prinsloo is,

and we're not going to leave here until you tell us.

I don't--

[Cornelius] Think carefully about your answer.

Norman?

Do you mind telling us a bit about yourself, Norman?

What do you do for a living?

I'm a teacher.

What drew you to teaching?

Not relevant--

Everything is relevant.

I'd like to know more about--

This isn't a therapy session.

We need to know where the boy is.

Colonel, could we step outside please?

He's overwhelmed.

We need to give him an hour to acclimatise, then try again.

Thank you,

[keys rattling]

[dramatic music]

[indistinct chatting]

Hey, Linda.

Micki, do you want any?

Chris says you people never have time to eat.

Thank you.

[Chris speaking in foreign language]

[officers speaking in foreign language]

You sure you want to go in alone?

I only need a few minutes.

If the Colonel asks?

I pulled rank, don't worry.

Have you eaten anything?

Here.

Thank you.

Do you know what an umfufunyana is?

Ah, that voodoo cuck.

It's Xhosa culture.

The invasion of a person by an evil spirit.

Possession, basically.

Norman said this happened to him when he was younger.

When did you speak to him?

Possession?

Don't be stupid, man.

He's setting up his defence!

I took him some food.

He hadn't eaten for hours.

I think I can get somewhere with him.

Let me try?

Fine.

Do your best.

Tell me more about the umfufunyana.

The evil spirit.

It came over you, didn't it?

It was powerful and dark, and you couldn't resist it.

Yes, I felt him coming to me.

Who is he?

Okay.

So the spirit came.

What did it tell you to do?

Did it tell you to take Evan?

You tried to get help, didn't you?

You asked doctor's for help, but they couldn't--

You can't medicate this away.

No.

No, I don't think you can.

When did you kill the first boy?

Now, tell me.

I was 18.

Young.

You were in so much pain, weren't you?

You've been in my head, Norman.

You know that?

Like Boysie?

He's your brother?

He lives inside my head too,

but he isn't a good man.

What does he tell you to do when he's inside your head?

He tells me to hide,

and that if I hide, he will come find me.

[Micki speaking in French]

[Norman speaking in French]

[Micki speaking in French]

[Norman speaking in French]

[Micki speaking in French]

[Norman speaking in French]

[Micki speaking in French]

Did killing the boys help?

One time, I killed two of them at once.

One in this hand, and one in the other.

See, if you put your arms in the right position,

then they cannot move.

And all you have to do is squeeze.

And what about Evan, Norman?

Is that what you did to him, squeeze?

This is Evan.

Could you look at it please, Norman?

Can you tell me if this is one of the boys you took?

He'll take us to the crime scenes.

Nice work, Captain.

[suspenseful music]

[Chris] We can't go down there.

We can't be seen to have interfered.

He needs to point out the scenes without us.

That's where we found Joey.

[Officer] [over radio] Come in,

Lieutenant Eksteen for kilo one.

[Chris speaking in foreign language]

[Officer] [over radio] Suspect is pointing out

a spot close to Monwabisi Beach.

We don't have that listed as an active scene.

Evan?

[Officer] [over radio] We're heading over there now.

[Chris] Let's go for it.

[car engine rumbling]

[tense music]

He says he buried Evan's body out here.

We haven't found anything.

Keep on looking.

Can we put him in here with you?

Everyone else is out searching.

Of course.

Move.

Get in.

Stay with her.

[Micki speaking in French]

[Norman speaking in French]

[Micki speaking in French]

[AJ] Chris!

A long gap?

Micki!

We found the clothes Evan was last seen in.

We can charge him.

[phone ringing]

Hello?

[Micki] Hi, Doctor Hattingh.

It's a late call, sorry.

It's never too late, Micki.

You know that.

How are you?

Confused, exhausted,

scared, all of the above.

It's your first real case, it'll always leave a mark.

Yeah.

Not sure it's left a mark as much as

a hole the size of a cannonball.

They're lucky to have you, you know that?

I'm not sure they think that.

Is there something wrong with me?

[Hattingh] Why do you ask that?

I should hate the men who do these terrible things.

The detectives all do, but I can't.

What does that say about me?

It says you understand them.

You've never been black and white, Micki.

Never have and never will be.

Maybe that can be your superpower if you let it.

Can you?

[Micki sighing]

[emotional music]