Heavenly Creatures

In 1952, Juliet Hulme, a well-off 13-year-old English girl, starts at a new school in Christchurch. Here, she quickly forms a pivotal bond with Pauline Parker, a 14-year-old girl from a working-class background, setting the stage for a deep friendship.

As their friendship develops, both girls share their traumatic experiences from childhood illnesses and lengthy hospital stays. Juliet’s beauty and confidence enchant Pauline, creating an escape from Pauline's turbulent home life.

Together, Juliet and Pauline indulge in creative activities like painting and crafting figurines. They build an imaginary kingdom called Borovnia, inspiring novels and film adaptations, blending their imaginative world with their aspirations.

Juliet introduces Pauline to the concept of the Fourth World, an idyllic place where art and music flourish, devoid of Christianity. This notion captures their imaginations and becomes a shared sanctuary for both girls.

During a day trip to Port Levy, Juliet is distressed upon hearing her parents' plans to travel without her. Overwhelmed by the prospect of isolation, she experiences the Fourth World for the first time, which reinforces her bond with Pauline.

Tragedy strikes when Juliet contracts tuberculosis and is sent to a clinic for treatment. Despite their physical separation, Juliet and Pauline maintain their friendship through letters, adopting royal personas from Borovnia.

During their letter exchanges, Pauline becomes romantically involved with a lodger, igniting feelings of jealousy in Juliet. The innocence of their fantasy begins to darken as they both grapple with emotions and oppression.

As Juliet's father grows concerned about the intensity of their friendship, the girls become increasingly isolated. They concoct escape plans, viewing Pauline's mother as the main obstacle to their enduring bond.

Desperation mounts as Juliet faces family turmoil, leading the girls to discuss extreme measures. Their fantasies briefly turn dark, fixating on the idea of murder to remove what they see as barriers to their friendship.

In the last weeks of their friendship, the girls spend time together at Juliet’s home, growing increasingly unified in their plans. They prepare for an outing organized by Honora, Juliet's mother, marking a moment of critical decision.

During a family outing at Victoria Park, the moment climaxes when they enact their dark plan. As Honora bends down to pick up a dropped charm, Juliet and Pauline strike her down with a brick concealed in a stocking.

In the immediate aftermath of the shocking attack on Honora, both girls are apprehended and face severe legal consequences. The events unfold rapidly as the impact of their actions sets in, shattering their innocent bond.

Both girls are sentenced to five years in prison after their trial. Having narrowly avoided the death penalty due to their young age, they find themselves amidst the reality of their situation, forever altered.

The girls are released from prison in 1959, with a stipulation that they must never see each other again. The chilling conclusion of their story serves as a haunting reminder of the consequences of their overwhelming passion.