Hold Your Breath

In the 1930s Oklahoma, Margaret Bellum struggles to maintain her family's farm during the devastating Dust Bowl. The once-promising land is now barren, reflecting the family's ongoing hardships and loss, especially of their youngest daughter, Ada.

Margaret nurtures her two daughters, Rose and Ollie, the latter of whom is left mute and deaf due to scarlet fever. Ollie's silence symbolizes the family's deeper emotional scars and the heavy burden of grief that hangs over them.

The family's patriarch, Henry, leaves for Philadelphia in search of work, hoping that the rest of the family will eventually join him. Margaret's heartache over Ada’s grave, however, keeps her tied to their desolate land.

During a storytelling night, Rose reads *The Grey Man*, a dark tale that reflects their own fears. The story resonates with the family and adds an eerie sense of foreboding about the dangers lurking in their environment.

At the weekly sewing circle, terrifying rumors of a drifter who has harmed a neighboring family circulate. This unsettling news amplifies Margaret's anxiety, making her increasingly wary of the world surrounding her.

Margaret finds a stranger named Wallace hiding in their barn, claiming to be sent by Henry. Despite her initial suspicions, she allows him to stay after he heals Rose's injury, seeing potential hope in his arrival during a moment of despair.

With rain finally falling, it seems Wallace's presence has brought new life to their drought-ridden farm. His miraculous actions spark a glimmer of hope for Margaret and her daughters, though they remain unaware of his dark past.

A letter from Henry arrives, revealing Wallace's secrets of theft and potential murder, shattering the fragile peace the family has come to feel. The betrayal plunges Margaret into turmoil, leading her to confront Wallace and demand he leave.

Haunted by suspicion and fears, Margaret starts confining her family to a single room. Her determination to guard against Wallace's threats leads to increasing paranoia and a neglect of her own well-being as she gives up her sleeping aids.

On her sister Esther's advice, Margaret attends a local dance in hopes of confronting her community about Wallace. However, chaos ensues as she publicly accuses him of supernatural threats, leading her down a path of hallucinations and despair.

In a moment of overwhelming fear, Margaret mistakenly believes she has shot Wallace but ultimately harms Esther instead. This tragic blunder highlights the depths of her deteriorating mental state and the unraveling of family ties.

As Rose tries to escape with Ollie from the chaos, a dust storm looms on the horizon. Meanwhile, the sheriff arrives to assist, but Margaret's frantic state leads to a fatal confrontation that seals the family's fate.

Amidst the chaos, Margaret suggests a harrowing plan for the family to reunite with Ada in the afterlife. Her mental unravelling culminates in a chilling acceptance of their tragic fate.

In a final act of bravery and love, Rose tricks Margaret into facing the storm alone. This desperate measure allows her and Ollie to survive while letting their mother perish, solidifying their tragic escape from their past.

After the devastating events, Rose and Ollie set off towards Philadelphia to find their father, leaving behind the ghosts of their past. This bittersweet departure marks the beginning of a new chapter for the surviving sisters.