The Other

In 1935, brothers Niles and Holland Perry sneak into their elderly neighbor Mrs. Rowe's home. Holland attempts to steal preserves but breaks a jar, causing him to escape and leaving Niles to take the blame. This event sets off a series of mischievous and tragic incidents later in the story.

Holland, after their birthday, presents Niles with a family heirloom ring decorated with a peregrine falcon. Niles admires the ring, which has been passed down from their grandfather, symbolizing family ties and legacy amidst their mischievous behavior.

Holland, angry from being taunted by their cousin Russell, kills Russell's caged pet rat in the barn. Niles becomes distressed and buries the rat, highlighting Holland's darkening behavior and foreshadowing darker events.

Niles and his mother Alexandra share a moment where he brings her books, and she becomes startled when her son's treasures fall out. Later, Alexadra explains to Niles that death is part of life's cycle and shares her childhood fears of death, providing him with a sense of understanding.

While playing and imagining himself as a flying crow, Niles hears a terrible shriek when Russell impales himself on a pitchfork while attempting to jump into hay. Niles is distraught by the accident and begins to grasp the tragic consequences of the characters' actions.

Niles and Ada find Mrs. Rowe dead when they visit her house after she doesn't answer the door. The discovery marks a turning point, revealing the dangers lurking in their environment and intensifying the story's dark tone.

After the revelation of her mother's condition, Alexandra falls down the stairs during a struggle over the family ring and blue tissue. As a consequence, she becomes paralyzed and unable to speak, deepening the family's tragedy and Holland's culpability.

Ada reveals that Holland died on their last birthday, having fallen into the well after attempting to hang the family cat. Niles faints, overwhelmed by guilt, as Holland appears to instruct him to take his ring and continue their sinister 'game.'

Torrie and Rider leave their newborn under supervised care, but during a violent storm, the baby disappears. Niles, suspecting Holland's involvement, calls out for him, revealing that Holland has been responsible for multiple tragic events.

Under the stress of the events, Niles admits to Ada that Holland has caused numerous tragedies, including the deaths of their father and Russell, and the injuries to their mother. This confrontation underscores Holland's malevolent influence.

Determined to stop Holland's influence, Ada pours kerosene around the barn floor and, holding a lamp, ignites the fire after Holland's manipulative whispers. The barn burns down, symbolizing the destructive culmination of Holland's malevolence and Ada's tragic sacrifice.