Screenplay Title: Hush
by Ramsés Dávila-Luna @ The Writer’s Cavern
Logline: Peter and Ella escape from a psychiatric ward, embarking on a journey of self-discovery as they revisit and heal past traumas along the way.
Peter Belfry, a longtime patient at Agnews State Hospital in Santa Clara, CA, becomes drawn to a newcomer named Ella Darling. When the Medical Director, Dr. Abigail Demonia, introduces an experimental treatment for the patients, Peter devises a plan to escape the hospital with Ella by his side.
Their escape forces both Peter and Ella to confront old wounds as they cope with their newfound freedom. Their connection grows as they learn to accept who they have become. Peter gradually realizes Ella’s mental health issues are beyond his ability to heal, making a grounded relationship impossible.
On their journey, Peter keeps his promise and helps Ella find the Schnauzer dog she has long desired. They evade Dr. Demonia’s henchmen as they travel to San Francisco, where Peter visits his father one last time – a conversation that helps him close a chapter in his life and realize he has always been his own worst enemy.
The third act takes us aboard a tourist ship sailing close to the Golden Gate Bridge. What should have been a simple joyride takes a devastating turn, leading to a heartbreaking conclusion for Ella and those around her.
Hush is a screenplay that explores the complex experiences of people living with mental health challenges and aims to raise awareness about mental health. The film combines live action with animated sequences.
