NETFLIX PRESENTS
No, no, no!
Water.
"Binding refers to a psychic condition of impediment or inhibition
and a sense of domination as performed by a powerful malign influence
which affects a person's autonomy and capacity to decide and choose."
Commonly known as the evil eye, it is carried out through magic rituals
that establish THE BINDING between victim and perpetrator.
These practices have long been rooted in the South of Italy.
Sofia.
- What the fuck are you doing? - Mom, you said a bad word.
Shame on you!
I'll have my revenge.
Come on, honey. Sit back.
What is it?
No, it's just you haven't stopped since we got on the road.
You haven't looked outside once.
When I was a boy, I'd get lost in these fields.
I've never seen you as a boy.
Yeah, don't tell my mother,
or you'll see every picture from kindergarten to conservatory.
- Now I really want to see them all. - No.
- All of them. - Don't joke. She might make me.
I'll likely have to play the old scores. She's got 'em all preserved as keepsakes.
She's old-fashioned that way.
You'll be fine.
- You should have talked to her first. - No.
A surprise.
Hey! Hello!
- Oh, what's his name? - Tito.
Hi, Tito.
- Does he bite? - No, it's okay.
- But he stinks, so watch out. - Tito! Tito!
Tito! Come here!
I wasn't expecting a mansion.
She should move to the village instead of being here all alone.
- Teresa's not alone. - Hi, Sabrina!
- This is Emma. - Emma, it's a pleasure.
And this is Sofia.
- Welcome. - Thank you.
- Do you need help? - I can manage this.
- I'll take mine. - All right.
- This way. - Let's go.
How are you?
A bit tired, but it's been a nice trip.
- This is beautiful! - See?
Don't touch. Sofia!
I prepared the rooms for you upstairs.
Thank you, Sabrina.
Yeah, that's me.
Why, I'm so glad I met you without the mustache.
I like you like that. Is that your mom?
Yeah, a few years ago.
- Where is she, by the way? - She'll be here in a moment.
- If you need anything, I'm in the kitchen. - Thank you.
- This way. Let's go. - Hey. We'll check 'em out later.
Sofia?
Come on.
- Is that too heavy? - Uh, no, no.
I'm sleeping here, and you're there.
Uh, yeah. It's, uh, like, traditional.
We're not married, we can't sleep together.
- Really? - Yeah. It's just how it is here.
It would be offensive. It's like…
But I want to sleep on my own.
You can't. I'm sorry, but that's just how it is here.
We're not married, so we gotta sleep in separate rooms.
Sofia?
Mom, look.
What are they doing?
I don't know, love. It's none of our business, though.
Ah! There you are.
Hey, Mom?
Come on.
Who is this girl?
- Sofia. - Hello, Sofia.
- You settled in already? - Yeah, upstairs.
This is Emma.
Sorry for the welcome. I had to take care of a few things.
It's a real pleasure to meet you, Teresa.
At last my son managed to bring you here.
He's gotta have something important to say. Right, Sofia?
You've got beautiful eyes.
This house is magnificent.
Ah, thank you. It's all I've got left.
It took a lot of sacrifices to get it all done.
- You must have a lot to do here. - Speaking of which, how's it goin'?
You know, it's complicated.
Get someone to help.
We've always managed just fine on our own. Somehow, we'll figure it out.
Can we go for a walk?
Of course.
Don't go too far away, Sofia. It's not difficult to lose your way.
The guests will arrive soon. I've gotta get back into the kitchen.
- Why? Who'd you invite? - The usual crowd.
They wanted to see you. It's been so long.
Hey, Mom. I'll come with you. I need to tell you something.
- Um, see ya. - Yeah.
- Yeah, Mom. Come on. - Eh.
They're a nice couple, right? Good to see them together.
So nice to see you again.
What was that?
That was an old prayer from these parts.
It's meant to protect this family
as well as those about to become a part of it.
My son's getting married.
Oh! Congratulations!
Thank you.
- All right. Let's make a toast. Hmm? - Yes.
- Cheers! - Cheers!
Was your daughter born in Italy?
No, I moved here when she was a year old.
- What do you do? - I'm a construction engineer.
- Oh, you work in Milan? Rome? - Mostly abroad.
And what do you do with her?
If it's a long trip, she comes with us.
Doesn't it bother you, being away from home?
- I'm used to it by now. - And how about her?
- Stability's important for a girl her age. - Are we done with the Spanish Inquisition?
By the way, will it be a church or a civil ceremony?
Have you chosen a date already?
Maybe we'll get married here. It's so beautiful.
- Seriously? - Yeah. Let's have it here!
- Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to, Mom. Sorry. - Don't worry.
Hey.
I can't get it out.
Yeah.
Everything okay?
Mm-hmm.
Never seen you pray before.
Hmm.
It's for my mother.
She even invited the priest.
Come here. Come here. Come here.
Tito, come here.
Hmm? Huh?
Look! Look!
Want it? Go fetch!
Tito. Tito! Wait, Tito!
Tito, wait!
Tito!
Tito. Tito, enough.
What are you doing? Huh? Huh?
Huh?
Tito ran away.
- Mom, did you see how big this tree is? - I see.
It's over 1,000 years old.
But why have those trees been dug up like that?
Ah, well, because they're sick.
But I'll tell you a secret. My mother knows a way to cure them.
- Really? - Mm-hmm.
Like a kind of magic?
That's right.
Like magic.
Don't tell anyone.
- He's good with Sofia. - She adores him.
I even get a bit jealous.
You're lucky to have found a father for her.
Sofia already has a father.
Of course. I apologize.
What made you want to get a divorce?
We were much too young.
When Sofia was born, it was already over. We're pretty good friends, though, now.
It can't be easy with a job like yours.
A lot of folks would pay to be where I am.
- And Francesco loves traveling. - Hmm. He's been that way forever.
Brahms's "Quintet for Piano and Strings."
That's how I met him.
A chamber concert.
He was extraordinary.
But he doesn't feel comfortable on big stages.
He could always try again.
Bravo!
Hey, Mom. Did you hear? I played it all.
It was fantastic, sweetie.
- And how did you get so good? - Because I have a great teacher.
Don't be jealous of them.
The bond with a mother is unbreakable.
It went well.
You did well.
You even survived the interrogations from my relatives.
Your mother doesn't let her guard down much.
No. I know her.
She's happy for us.
And are you happy?
What do you think? Hmm?
I like the idea of getting married here.
Where you grew up.
We'll give it some thought.
I love you.
What?
Sofia?
- What is it? - Someone was spying on us.
- Who? - Sabrina.
Oh, come on.
- I thought I saw her. - That's impossible. Come on.
Darling, this is an old house. It's full of drafts.
You must have heard a noise and got scared.
Everything's all right.
But why is her arm covered in scars?
Look, Sabrina's had some problems,
and my mother began looking after her.
She helped her. They're very close.
Honey?
What happened?
- Uh… - Hmm?
I don't know. It hurts.
- Huh? Show me. - Okay.
It's nothing serious.
Don't you worry.
- Soon it'll be okay. - Everything okay?
Yeah. Uh, she got bitten.
Shouldn't we take her to the hospital?
Let me see.
No, no. We'll put something on it for now. It'll be fine.
Sofia, do you remember what I told you about the trees?
Huh? My mother knows how to do it with people, too.
- What is that? - It's just some medical herbs.
An old remedy that relieves the pain and disinfects the wound.
- Ow. - I know it burns,
but you're strong, aren't you?
Hmm.
That's it. You were very good.
Will you stay here with me?
Of course.
Keep this with you.
It will protect you.
- Good morning, Emma. - Morning.
It must have been scary last night.
A bit.
Unfortunately, these things happen here.
What's important is that Sofia's all right.
Where's Francesco?
He just went to the village. He didn't want to wake you.
He had to help his uncle with a piano.
Good morning.
- Hi, Emma. - Hi.
Excuse us, Emma. I'll see you in a bit.
Hey.
Does it still hurt?
No.
And what is that?
You can't touch it.
What are you doing?
I'm trying to cure it.
How?
Come here.
Look.
It's been wounded, see?
It looks like it's crying.
That's true.
But I think we can save it.
Can you teach me?
Of course. Put your hand over here.
…The structures to the main building. Oh, hold on.
Let me write that down.
What are you doing?
Are you all right, sweetie?
- What is it? - To heal her wound.
It's a natural remedy. I made it myself. You don't have to worry.
- Mom-- - Quiet.
- Leave me alone. - Quiet!
You're hurting me!
All right, what did she do to you?
- She wanted to cure me. - What?
- Like the trees. - You can't believe everything you're told.
- She's the mother of Francesco! - It doesn't matter.
You have to ask me.
Sofia, wait!
What's going on?
Your mother was doing something strange to Sofia.
Like what?
I don't know. They gave her something to drink.
Her concoctions are usually just herbs.
- I had them all the time. - I'm not gonna let other people touch her.
Come down, okay? I'll go speak to her.
Did you hurt yourself?
Come.
Sorry for earlier.
I didn't mean to get angry at you. I was just scared.
Are you tired?
Yes.
Teresa?
Looking for something?
You, actually. What were you doing to my daughter?
You're getting too worked up, dear. I do this all the time.
I know exactly what I'm doing. People seek me out.
And what are they looking for?
This stuff?
Some things are beyond comprehension.
Like what? What can't I comprehend?
Tomorrow morning, we're going home.
Why do you still keep this?
Mom?
FRANCESCO AND ADA ANNOUNCE THEIR WEDDING, 27 JULY 1980
You know what I'm telling you. Okay?
No.
I'm going to sleep now. Good night.
- How's Sofia? - Fine.
If she's hungry, Sabrina can bring something to her room.
No need for that. She's down for the night.
Be up in a sec.
Take your time. I'm sleeping with Sofia.
Sofia?
Sofia, what's wrong?
Hey.
Hey, wake up.
Sofia. Sofia!
- What's going on? - Don't know.
She was hurting herself in her sleep.
I've never seen her act this way.
She's hot. Let's get her back to bed.
Come on, sweetie. Come on.
It's gotten worse.
She needs a doctor.
Hi, Emma. You didn't need to come here.
One phone call, and we'd have been there immediately.
Let's go. The doctor's waiting for us.
Did she have nausea, muscle spasms, or difficulty breathing?
No.
Has she ever had any other episodes of sleepwalking?
Uh-uh.
A tarantula's venom is even weaker than a beesting.
They're usually disposed of by the body in a matter of a few days.
The wound is following its natural course.
So why is she like that?
It could be an allergy.
It could be a weak immune response as well.
It happens.
Hmm. Her temperature is going down.
She just needs to rest.
A simple fever reducer should do the trick.
And these drops to be applied twice a day.
All right, Sofia?
Tomorrow, I'll come see you.
- Thank you, Doctor. - Don't you worry.
I wanna take her back home.
Let's wait for the fever to drop.
And what if it gets worse?
Let's maybe wait till the medicine kicks in.
I won't give that stuff to my daughter.
Emma, you're overreacting. You heard what the doctor said.
Sofia.
What is it? What's going on?
Please don't let her touch her. Sofia will just get agitated.
Yeah, that's fine.
How is she?
She's better.
Mom.
I'm here, baby.
Help me, Mom. Please.
As soon as you're better, we will go back.
I promise.
No.
How many times have you been bitten by a tarantula?
Plenty.
- How many? - I don't know.
Wait.
- Emma. - What?
We need to talk to you.
What she has is no simple fever.
The medicines won't do anything.
What are you saying?
She's defenseless now, Emma.
Her body isn't in her control anymore.
Listen to her, please, Emma.
Sofia…
has been bound.
What?
Someone's cursed her.
- You've lost your minds. - Emma!
Wait! You have to trust her.
My mother knows what she's doing. You have to trust her.
- We have to get away from here now! - No!
Emma!
Sofia!
- Open the door! - Sofia, open up!
Sofia!
Open up!
- Sofia! - Sofia!
Sofia!
Oh, God!
Sofia…
What is that?
What have you done to her?
Answer me!
It's her.
She's returned.
Emma, there's something I never told you.
When I was still living here… there was a girl who worked for us, Ada.
We fell for one another.
I was a boy then.
And she got pregnant.
We were meant to get married, but…
all of a sudden, she fell ill.
I asked my mother to cure her,
to help her…
but she couldn't.
She lost the baby.
And she, uh…
she broke down and went mad with grief.
We did what we could to calm her, but…
…she just disappeared…
and then she was never seen again.
What's this got to do with Sofia?
When the tarantula bit Sofia,
Ada created a binding with her.
She only has to complete the binding, then she'll come and take her.
But why? What's she want with her?
Sofia is like a daughter to Francesco.
And that's all Ada ever wanted.
A daughter.
- We're telling you the truth. - We want to keep Sofia safe.
How do we save her?
I know how to sever the binding, but we need to hurry.
No one's gonna hurt her.
Emma! Emma, no!
- Emma! - Emma, open up!
Emma, I beg you!
- Emma! - Emma!
Emma!
- Open the door! - Listen to me! Emma!
Open the door, Emma!
Emma, open!
- Emma! - Emma!
Here.
Fuck!
She'll take her.
Look at what she did to me.
Sofia?
Sofia? Sofia?
Honey…
Sofia?
Sofia!
- Where's Sofia? - I saw her.
Where is Sofia?
She took her. I saw her.
- Sofia. - Oh.
Calm down.
Come on.
Wait. Wait. Don't move.
Don't move.
- I have to find Sofia! - Calm down.
- Calm down. Calm down, Emma. - Where is she? Where is she?
Calm down.
It's my fault.
It's not your fault, Emma. Emma.
Francesco went looking for her.
Listen to me.
At first, I couldn't comprehend it.
It wasn't a simple binding.
Ada had been touched by something powerful and malevolent.
Ada?
I'd never seen anything like it.
I did everything in my power that night to save her mind.
But she ran away.
And nobody ever managed to find her.
But then when she felt your presence here, she reawakened.
Whatever happened to her?
The baby wasn't lost by Ada because of some illness.
Something had happened to her.
And Francesco was responsible.
When Ada became pregnant, Francesco wasn't ready to become a father.
He was just a kid with his whole life ahead of him.
He tried to get her to change her mind, to think about it, but…
Ada put her foot down. She wanted that child, no matter the cost.
So then, my son…
he made a terrible mistake, the worst of his life.
He tried a ritual,
in secret.
One to make her lose the baby.
He just wanted everything to be as it was,
but he didn't know how to do it.
He didn't have the skill to call on those forces, to control them.
I tried to cure her, to reverse it,
but by then, it was already too late.
I had a duty to protect my son.
Same as I tried to protect Sofia.
What do we have to do to find her?
There is a way.
A unification ceremony, but it's dangerous.
The binding with Sofia nourishes Ada.
And every moment that goes by, she becomes more powerful.
You could end up bound to her too.
It doesn't matter.
I have to find my daughter.
I did all of this for us, you know?
So, you forgave me?
Ada…
It's just the three of us.
You just have to find them.
Do not confront her for any reason at all.
Francesco!
Did you see her?
Yeah.
Did Ada see you?
Yes.
We were somewhere in a cave.
Francesco was there.
Sofia.
No.
Sofia.
This is it.
Help me, please!
Okay.
Just like this?
I need to purify the blood before cutting the bind.
Okay.
I've gotta take some of her blood and mix it with yours.
It's the only way to bind her to you again.
What's going on?
Sofia? Sofia, wake up.
She can't hear you.
Take this.
Now I need some of your blood.
Emma, no!
Mama. Mama.
Yes!