Original subtitles

Windy nights in the fall

You sleep peacefully in my lullaby

All night long

All night long

I stayed up watching you sleep

Dear, my honey

Dear, my beloved

My mind is with you

My soul is with you

Don't cry, my baby

Sleep tight, my baby

We couldn't even land a fish.

My God.

What did you get caught in here for?

Look how small it is.

How come it's so weak?

Mister.

Who the heck just called me at this time?

Mister.

Who's there?

Do you know where my doll is?

Why did you rip off its head?

Did it scare you?

Yes.

Is that girl really the Ma Da, nanny?

Of course she is. She is the Ma Da indeed.

Nanny, does the Ma Da take kids?

Let me tell you. She takes naughty kids.

Those who play alongside the river will be taken by the Ma Da.

That's why you should never play alongside the river, got it?

Yes.

But I have one more question.

The Ma Da stays in the water all the time. Doesn't she get sick?

I can't believe that you really asked that question.

It makes sense, doesn't it?

I can get sick easily just by taking a long shower.

And the Ma Da lives in the river. Is that right, nanny?

- That's right. - Right.

That's what I expected from the class monitor.

That's not all.

Another question. Does she drink water?

- Does she drink water, nanny? - Does she?

- Hi, nanny. Jesus. - Hi.

Do you know what time it is? Go home. It's very late.

Calm down. Hear me out. It's late. You kids should go home.

I'll tell you more tomorrow.

Yes, nanny.

We are leaving. Bye, nanny.

- Happy birthday. - Happy birthday, Nhung.

- Bye, Nhung. - Bye-bye.

- Let's go home. - Let's go.

Thank you, kids.

You're welcome, nanny.

- Oh, you're home. - Yes.

She's been waiting for you all night.

She just fell asleep after whimpering.

- You must be starving, right? - Yes, I am.

I saved you a bowl of rice with some fish.

Thanks, nanny.

She celebrates her birthday only once a year

and you chose to miss it.

No.

Hoang's wife wouldn't stop crying. I had to try my best to find him.

- Did you find him? - Not yet.

I think his body will surface tomorrow. It has been three days.

What a hard job, Le.

Maybe you should quit this job.

What?

The job chose me, not the other around.

What is it?

I searched over here but couldn't find him.

Your husband's body probably washed out to the big river.

Go home and get some rest.

It's not good for pregnant women to be here.

Honey.

Honey. Honey, why did you leave me?

Honey.

I know that you have a talent for body fishing,

but if you want to quit, just quit.

You have to think of Nhung.

Hey, listen.

She doesn't have a father. It's only the two of you in this house.

You have to take care of Nhung.

I don't have to.

She has you.

She's safe and sound.

She won't starve.

Nonsense. Cut it out.

I'm leaving now.

Eat up and go to bed soon. Save your energy for tomorrow.

Roger.

We came here to be close to your school. Let's go.

Yes.

It's old, but it's still good.

We can fix it up and move in.

As long as there is a school for her to attend.

I brought you two pineapples, nanny.

What's your name?

My name is Nhung.

OK, sit still.

Let me push.

Yes.

Be careful.

One by one.

Be careful.

Are you mad at me?

The victim's family cried a lot yesterday.

I tried my best to find him, but I failed.

I'm not mad at you.

I'm worried about you.

Please don't leave me again.

OK.

I'll go to Xom Moi market to buy you a cake

and a duck to re-celebrate your birthday with Nanny.

We're even now, right?

Smile if you're not mad at me anymore.

If you don't smile, I'll go home and cook the duck.

Hell no.

Do you guys want to get anything else?

Nhung, you're already late for school.

Wait a bit.

Let's head out.

OK.

Who left you here? Come home and be friends with me, OK?

FIRST, LEARN YOUR MANNERS THEN, YOU CAN LEARN YOUR LETTERS

You can do this.

You can do this.

Nhung, do you want to jump rope?

Do you want to play, Nhung? Come play with us.

Sorry, I don't want to play.

- Let's go. - OK.

Nhung.

I told you that?

Come here and play, Nhung.

Come here and play.

Come to me.

Who's there?

Who called me?

Nhung, it's me.

Come here.

Nhung, come and play shuttlecock with us.

OK, I'll be there in a minute.

OK.

Come and play.

It's so much fun, Nhung.

Come and play.

Come to me.

Nhung.

Who's there?

Hey. What are you doing?

There's a lady over there.

- Where? - There.

Which auntie? There's no one there.

There is.

Cut the crap.

I can't believe that you're scared of ghosts.

There's no one there.

There.

- There. - Where?

Who?

You see? No one's here.

Behind you.

Behind me?

Peekaboo.

See? There's no one here.

My God.

Enough.

You can stay and keep looking.

I'm going to have some fun.

Here, I'll take these.

Put it here.

It will be half a kilo.

Late morning coffee, huh, Mr. Van?

Why are you here so early?

Why so late?

Forget about that. What's happening with Hoang's case?

This case makes no sense.

Hoang's a good swimmer. How did he drown?

We'll know the answer when we find the body.

Hey.

Did he get lost in the woods?

Are you crazy?

He fishes there every day. How could he get lost?

- Here's your tea. - Okay.

He knows that place better than his own house.

In that case,

do you think the Ma Da took him?

Rumor says that there is a Ma Da in the woods.

- How scary. - You don't say.

You mean the girl who jumped off from the bridge?

That's right.

I think it's just a rumor.

Rumor my ass. Fifty percent of all rumors are truths.

- There's a saying. - What?

The Ma Da can only take the lives of people

who are spiritually compatible with them.

That's right. My grandma said the same thing.

- That's correct. - There.

Hoang must have been compatible with the suicide girl.

But if he was compatible, why did she wait until now?

Let me enlighten you.

If Ma Da chooses someone,

she will wait until the date and time are correct.

Hey.

If Ma Da chooses someone,

she will wait until that person gets into the water.

- You did ask. - Really?

I get goosebumps just from listening. Even my jaws are numb.

I think I won't shower today.

Anyway, you two keep going. I have to go home now.

- I'll leave with you. - Bill, please.

Collect the money.

- How much is it? - That would be 10,000 VND.

Ten thousand VND?

What's that disgusting thing in its belly?

Hey, fatty.

- What? - Where did you get the doll?

- Let's go buy some snacks later. - OK then.

Which doll?

OK, and maybe some money for internet games.

- Let's go. - What's wrong with you lately?

- Want to go? - Nothing.

Hey, wait. My mom showed me a shortcut the other day.

Let's go this way.

What kind of shortcut is this?

What's wrong with it?

I'm here. You have nothing to worry about. Go.

Is this the right way, fatty?

Yes, it is.

Let's head back to the old road. This one is so scary.

You talk too much. Pick up your pace.

- Are you sure this road leads home? - Sure.

My mom took me home this way.

Nhung.

Hey, Nhung.

Why are you going that way?

Miss…

- The lady at noon? - Yes.

There's no one there. Cut it out. Let's hurry up.

Tell her not to show up anymore.

Mommy. I met a lady this morning.

But she was pretty weird. She kept staring at me.

Maybe it is because you are cute.

But?

She also called me.

How did she call you?

I could not hear properly.

I think it was, "Nhung, come here."

Don't ever follow a stranger.

But what if I meet her again tomorrow?

You run straight home.

You shouldn't follow anyone.

- Do you hear me? - Yes.

Mrs. Le, Mr. Hoang's body just surfaced.

That's all. Go to bed.

Yes, Mom.

Go to bed.

- The body is coming up. - It stinks.

Make way.

Get out of the way. Get out.

What a beautiful doll. Let me brush your hair just like mine.

One for me.

One for you.

Now you are as beautiful as me.

Go straight forward.

Cover him with a blanket.

It's all written in your fate.

There have been many deaths in our river.

Ma Da?

You're giving me goosebumps.

They pushed him down and pretended to retrieve him.

Stop that crap.

What did I say wrong? Your actions will irritate Ma Da.

Mark my words. She will take more people.

That's right.

How can I live!

Shut up.

Her husband just died.

- How can I continue living? - Sister.

You must live for your husband's sake,

to take care of the kids.

This brat swam like a fish when he was alive.

How could he drown?

That's right. Everyone says the same thing.

People say there is a Ma Da in our village.

It's the suicided girl who came back to get vengeance.

Look at my goosebumps.

There are two reasons why Ma Da takes people.

One is spiritual compatibility.

Second, someone taunted her.

- Is that real? - That's creepy.

Oh, he just smiled.

- Hey! - Oh my God, so scary.

It's midnight already. What if she takes you for real?

- Let's go home. - Let's go.

- I'm leaving, Uncle. - Stay with me.

I am the only one here.

What if he gets up and asks me for a drink?

Go buy him some fish for the party then.

- Let's get out of here. It's too scary. - You're on your own.

Leave now.

Timid as rabbits.

Not even three days yet.

Drowning.

How is it possible?

Is there anyone else who wants to cross over?

No one?

- Hieu. - Yes?

- Can you pick up Nhung this afternoon? - Roger.

ASSIGNMENT BOARD

Le.

Come here quickly.

What?

Stop body fishing.

Why?

Don't you understand?

You keep fishing up bodies.

People say that there's a Ma Da in this river.

Don't listen to them.

Right. Don't underestimate it.

The Ma Da will drag you down there someday.

And Nhung… Don't you worry that your job is affecting her?

- Brother Hieu. - Huh?

Why don't we take the main road?

This road is faster.

Huh?

Where did this strange doll come from?

Why is its hair so ugly? Let me fix it.

Why did you rip off my doll's head?

I'll fix it in no time.

There.

Now, let's get going.

Why did you put it on backwards?

Brother Hieu.

Hieu.

Hieu.

Hieu.

Hieu.

Hieu.

Hieu.

Hieu.

Nhung.

What are you doing? Why are you standing here?

There's a lady over there.

There's no one. It's been me and you all the time.

Let's go.

I'm here. You have nothing to be afraid of.

Why don't you eat?

Why have you been shaking your head?

Tell her to eat. She's been shaking her head for hours.

What's wrong?

What's the matter?

Scared?

Hey.

Remember when you said that there was a lady staring at you?

- Did she stare at you again today? - Yes, Mom.

Maybe she was there to pick up her kids,

she found you cute, and couldn't stop looking.

No, I was heading home when I saw her.

Oh, you saw her on the way home?

I'm sure she's fine.

She…

She looks very angry.

She wears a red dress, but she's all wet.

She even tried to take me.

Oh my God, did it really happen?

But brother Hieu showed up.

Hieu was there.

Stop crying. I'm here.

I asked Hieu. He said there was no one there.

There really was someone.

Right, baby.

Maybe it was because you played too much and got dizzy.

I really mean it. I'm not lying.

OK, you're telling the truth. You're not lying. Nanny believes you.

Don't cry. I believe you.

I'm so scared.

Don't be scared.

I got some things from town,

but when I returned, he was nowhere to be found.

He said he would stay home to fix your tire.

Now look, his tool box is here, but he's gone.

- Maybe… - Go to his best friend's house.

I'll search the river.

- Go now. - OK, I'll go to his friend's house.

What is it, honey?

- Nanny. - Huh?

Can you sleep with me tonight?

What happened?

I'm so scared.

Scared of what?

There's nothing to be afraid of.

Sleep.

I'll check on the rats.

Just in case they ruin our food, let me clean up first.

Go ahead and sleep.

Get in here.

Go to sleep, okay?

Miss, I'm stuck down here.

It's so cold.

Ghost!

- I'm here. - Nanny, there is a ghost.

What is it? I'm here.

Calm down. What is it? What scared you?

I'm here.

There's a ghost by the window.

Hey.

There's nothing here. I don't see anything.

Don't be scared. Calm down.

Hieu.

- Hieu. - Calm down.

My little boy.

Do you want to go inside?

You should go. She'll cry if she sees me.

Why did I have such a strange dream?

- Le, take this home. - Why do you keep giving me things?

We're neighbors. Don't be shy.

Little sis.

Come and get some vegetables for your meal.

- Thank you. - No need to be formal.

Le.

Uncle Ba.

Ma Da took Hieu.

If they're a spiritual match, Ma Da will reincarnate.

If it's vengeance, Hieu's body must be vertical.

But Hieu is just a kid. Why did Ma Da kill him?

I have no idea.

I think that Hieu somehow insulted her.

It won't stop with Hieu.

There will be more.

You and your family should be careful.

Mom?

Nhung.

Nanny.

Nhung.

Nhung.

Nhung.

Nhung.

Nhung.

Nhung,

Mom is looking for you.

Let Mom see you.

I asked Hieu. He said there was no one there.

There really was someone.

Yeah, right.

Maybe it was because you played too much and got dizzy.

I mean it. I'm not lying.

- I'm not lying. - Yeah, right.

- Mom. - Huh?

Mom, can you stop body fishing?

Ma Da may get to you some day.

Mom, do you find my drawing pretty?

What a masterpiece.

Why do I have long hair?

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH

That's great.

It hurts.

- Thank you, master. - You're welcome.

Mr. Luong.

What I'm about to do is called "Death eyes switching technique".

This technique needs a body as a conductor attached to Ma Da.

Both of us can connect to it.

I'll take it.

I'll take it all. Allow me.

You will be unconscious and feel getting pulled into the water.

Don't allow yourself to stay in that state for too long.

Are you ready?

I'm ready.

You can do this.

Come on. Let's get out of this place.

Go find Nhung.

Nhung.

Nhung.

Nhung.

- Nhung. - Time to get out.

- Nhung. - Hurry up.

Nhung.

Nhung.

Nhung.

Nhung.

Nhung.

Nhung.

Nhung is still alive. Mommy's here.

Gramp.

Gramp, Nhung is still alive.

What's wrong with you?

Gramp…

Gramp.

Are you awake?

Nhung.

Nhung.

Nhung, are you OK?

Nhung.

Nhung.

Nhung.

Come home with Mommy.

Let's go home.

Let's go. Let's go home, honey.

Mommy's here. Don't be afraid.

Okay?

Don't be afraid.

Nanny, change this bowl for me.

Get some sleep.

I asked a shaman to help find Nhung.

It's revenge.

When is Nhung's birthday?

- December full-moon day. - December full-moon day, right?

It's on the same day she died.

My darling, do you know that you're so beautiful?

He suddenly left you and me heartlessly.

Will you come with me?

I promise that I'll take him with us.

Take him with us.

Take him with us.

No, I can't let anything happen to Nhung.

Mrs. Le.

Windy nights in the fall

You sleep peacefully in my lullaby

All night long

All night long

I stayed up watching you sleep

Dear, my honey

Dear, my beloved

My mind is with you

My soul is with you

Don't cry, my baby

Sleep tight, my baby

Dear, my love

Dear, my love

Nhung.

- Nanny. - I'm here.

- What happened to my baby? - Nanny's here.

- What happened to her? Bring her up. - Let me go.

Take her home. It's dangerous.

- Take her home, quickly. It's dangerous. - Nhung.

- Nhung. - Nhung!

Be careful.

Sit down.

Nhung.

Uncle, what's happening to her?

Wait here.

Nhung, it's Mommy.

Hold her tight.

What's happening?

Nhung.

Hold her tight and open her mouth.

- Put it in her mouth. - That's it.

Nhung.

Nhung.

Nhung.

How did you know about this coin?

This is the Ma Da exorcism technique.

With this coin in her mouth, Ma Da cannot do anything.

You know this technique?

Actually…

I was also a body fisher.

But…

I could not save my wife and kids.

So, I understand your current situation.

Why did she choose Nhung?

Maybe it was because of a spiritual compatibility

or karma.

- Karma? - Correct.

Live by the sword, die by the sword.

Could it be,

the kids are paying for the karma

because of our body fishing job?

No.

The job is meant to help them reunite with their beloved families.

We're doing good things.

We don't know for sure.

What if some of the bodies down there

don't want to go back to their homes?

Windy nights in the fall

You sleep peacefully in my lullaby

All night long

- Mom. - Let her go.

- Le. - Mom… Uncle help me.

- Mommy, - Stay away.

Le. Three hun, nine po.

Mom.

Mommy.

Mommy.

Mommy.

Le.

Nanny.

- Nhung, honey. - Nanny.

Where's your mom? Where's your mom, huh?

- Mom was… - Was what?

- Mom. - Le.

Mom.

Nanny. Mommy.

Nanny.

Nanny.

Mommy. Mommy, what are you doing?

Mom.

Mom.

Mommy.

Shut up. I'm not your mother.

You and your mother are compatible with us.

I've been waiting for this moment.

You and your mom will go down there.

Shut up.

Mom. Mom.

Mom, please don't scare me.

Mom.

- It's Mom. - Mom.

Open your mouth, quickly.

Mom.

Mommy.

Mommy.

Mommy, where are you?

Please don't leave me.

Somebody, please help my mom.

Somebody, please help my mom.

Mommy.

Mom, please don't leave me.

Nhung.

Nhung.

Mom.

- Nhung! - Mom!

Nhung.

Don't be scared.

Mom.

- Honey. - I'm scared.

Nhung.

Mom.

Mom's here.

I'm here, Nhung.

I'm here.

Nhung, are you cold?

I promise I'll stay with you.

Don't cry.

Don't cry, my baby.

I promise I'll live with you.

I'm here.

- I'm here. - Please don't leave me.

I promise I'll live with you.

Nhung.

Nhung.

I'm here.

I love you.

I promise. I'll never break my promise.

I'll live with you.

I promise I'll live with you.

I love you.

Nhung.

- Le. - Stay away from my child.

- Nhung. - Le.

What are you doing? Let's go home.

- What's wrong with Nhung? - Let's go home.

- Nhung, come with me. - Let's go home.

- Go home. - Nhung.

- Let's go home. - Nhung.

- Go home now. - Let go of me.

Nhung, Mommy's here. Don't be scared.

Cover her.

Nhung, it's me.

It's Mommy.

Why don't you leave?

Let's go, honey.

Uncle Ba, something's wrong with Nhung.

Let's go.

Gramp Ba will take care of you.

You must get well, OK?

I'm also here. Mommy will be here with Nhung.

Mommy is here with you. I promise I'll never leave you.

My love, are you cold?

Are you cold?

Are you cold?

Nanny, Nhung…

Darling, listen to me.

Calm down.

Nhung,

she's dead.

- What are you saying? - She's dead.

She's here.

Nhung is right here.

She's dead, honey.

She's here.

Nhung. Nhung.

You were just here.

Nhung.

Nhung.

She was just here with me. Nhung.

Nhung.

- Stop. - Nhung.

Le.

- It's Mommy. - Don't be like this.

- Le. - It's Mommy.

- Le. - Where are you?

- Come home with me. - Mommy is here.

- I just held her in my arms. - Listen to me.

- Come home with me. - She's here.

- My daughter is there. I can see her. - Le, please calm down.

Nhung is dead. She is dead.

I told Nhung to sit here.

She had the coin in her mouth. She's still alive.

Uncle Ba said that

if she holds the coin in their mouth,

she will be spared, that no one can take her.

- Le. - She's still alive.

The coin is here.

The coin?

Why did you keep it?

What about my daughter?

- Le. - Le.

Le.

Nhung's gone.

You're lying.

Nhung's there.

Nhung.

There she is. Nhung.

Nhung.

Nhung.

Le.

Let me brush your hair.

Girls must be beautiful.

Mom will brush Nhung's hair.

Good girl.

What's wrong?

I'm not yelling.

Are you scared?

Mom's sorry.

Mommy loves you the most.

Don't be scared.

You're not my daughter.

Why aren't you eating?

Nhung must eat.

You're lying to me. It's not steamed rice.

You're lying.

Nhung.

Mom will get you some food. You can eat it.

I'll get you some food. You can eat it.

Nhung, please eat.

Please eat. Where are you?

Where are you? Who's there?

Please don't take her away. Please don't.

Let go of her.

Give her back.

Please give her back.

Eat, please. Eat your food.

Nhung.

Mommy's here.

It's Mommy.

Mommy loves you.

Are you cold?

Don't be scared.

According to old sayings,

Ma Da only comes for those

who's spiritually compatible with her.

Not long after, the victim's body will be found in bushes or tree trunks.

Some days later,

the villagers will also find a fetus hidden in the roots of mangroves,

plums alongside the river.

The story of the Ma Da is still around.

And its mystery

still remains unexplainable until today.

Where's my daughter?

My God.

Adults keep saying there's a ghost around here.

I guess they just don't want me to play internet games anymore.

Where?

Where's the ghost?

Peekaboo.

Peekaboo.

Oh God, there's no ghost here.

Oh, by the way,

I'll show you a very interesting challenge.

I'll look through my legs

to see if there's a ghost.

One, two, three.

I'm dizzy.

Oh my God! There's no ghost here.

I'm pretty lucky I got dizzy

if there's a real ghost.

Oh my God!

It's late. Why are you scaring me here instead of sleeping?

Mommy.

Mom, help me.

Mom.

There is a ghost.

What's your name?

My name is Tron.

Tron, sounds like "completeness". What a beautiful name.

How old are you?

I'm 40.

What do you do on this river?

I trade and weigh things.

I'm good at weighing, so I help them sell seafood.

Traveling many vast rivers and weighing seafood

means that you've been to many places, right?

Yes.

Have you ever seen Ma Da?

As we're sitting here, there can be many of them around us.

- I'm telling the truth. - Yes.

If a body doesn't get fished up, that person will turn into Ma Da.

For example, if someone dies in the river, people will fish them up.

Then they will exorcise the ghost.

In the past, there were many Ma Da.

- Uh-huh. - Really.

My uncle and my gramp said that they were everywhere.

What's your name?

My name is Muoi De.

Muoi De.

How long have you been making a living on the river?

More than years.

More than years.

Do you believe in Ma Da?

I heard some rumors a few days ago.

Two people drowned.

Did you see any Ma Da?

No.

But I hear many stories about them.

Really scary.

- Are you scared? - Of course.

More than 20 years on the river and it still cares you?

Because it's our job.

What's your name?

I'm Quang.

How old are you?

I'm more than 60 years old.

What would you do if you meet Ma Da?

Well…

If I have any food on the boat,

I will throw it down into the river for them.

Do you believe in Ma Da?

Of course.

There were many of them in this mangrove forest.

Can good swimmers survive them?

No.

Good swimmers are also taken.

The important thing is that if you're spiritually compatible with them,

they will take you.

If you're not, combined with some rituals, you can survive.

My gramp used to say that.

When you go fishing at night and you see things being pulled down,

there's surely Ma Da.

How does Ma Da jump? Up and down?

Up and down, like this, with a pitch black shadow, like this.

I don't know if my gramp saw one or not, but he was really there.

Slippery. The place where it grabs you will be very slippery.

- Uh-huh. - True.

When it takes someone, what will it do? Pull their legs?

Yes. It goes for the legs.

It pulls your legs down, so you won't be able to swim up and drown.

- Is that so? - I'm telling the truth.

- Really? - Yes.

Don't say that it's not true. It is.