A homely teacher is buried alive and takes revenge by shapeshifting into a seductive witch. It's classic film noir mixed with supernatural horror.

SYNOPSIS:

My name is Todd Bronson and I’ve written a classic film noir and supernatural horror inspired by Cat People that I’d like to share. This indie, low budget script was evaluated an 8 on the Bloodlist, a semi finalist at Genre Blast and a nominee for best screenplay at Genre Celebration.

There is a Cherokee myth about a witch they call “Spearfinger,” who preys upon humans by killing them with her sharp, flint-like finger. Once she murders them, she eats their liver which allows her to shapeshift into her victim to trick and further hunt humans to survive.

Gail, a modest Cherokee civics teacher, is drugged and buried alive in the snowy Carolina Appalachians without knowing her assailants. However, she is rescued by a cross country skier who takes her to a remote cabin. Upon awaking, Gail discovers the skier has imprisoned and shackled her. To add to her horror, the skier reveals her true self by shapeshifting back to the scary Spearfinger. Having been told the myth by her Cherokee ancestors, Gail is surprised the witch allows her to leave unharmed (and uneaten). But on Gail’s treacherous journey back, she is tricked into eating the witch’s own liver for nourishment. This relieves the witch from her curse and, soon, Gail is to discover the witch is now hidden inside her.

Gail comes back home to find her life in upheaval. Her property is on the market and her election as a County Commissioner is lost. In addition, she doesn’t know who buried her alive and wished her dead. Despite this, she gets in shape and gains confidence. However, her cheating girlfriend Marcy comes back drunk. Marcy speaks about how Gail’s reemergence has ruined “their” diabolical plans. To Gail’s surprise, Marcy has a gun and wants to make sure Gail is killed for good. However, Gail isn’t the pushover Marcy once knew. Gail discovers her new found power as her new flint-like finger emerges and knifes into her ex’s neck, killing her.

Though Gail is horrified of her new discovered curse, she must hide the crime and the body for self perseverance. Upon review of Marcy’s phone messages, she discovers Marcy was in conspiracy with Gail’s brother and his girlfriend in wanting her dead. Revenge takes hold as Gail shapeshifts into Marcy (by eating her liver) and fingers the brother’s girlfriend for the murder. Gail becomes empowered and takes a perverse sexual desire in wearing another person’s skin. Through her disguised sexual encounters she discovers more accomplices in her murder.

The handsome sheriff investigating Marcy’s murder is discovering the evidence doesn’t match the fingered killer. This leads him to the myth of the Spearfinger. As the leads begin to finger Gail as the murderer, the sheriff finds himself seduced by this transformed femme fatale.

In a well orchestrated shapeshifting, Gail finally gets her bloody revenge on those who initiated her murder, a casino CEO and a County Commissioner. It appears Gail’s winning of the election would have hindered gambling on Cherokee lands and keep her parent’s property being sold off for millions for a casino.

Though, to all witnesses, the murders are easily fingered to a dead suspect, the sheriff believes differently. He is the only one who believes Gail is guilty. Thus a seductive chase begins between Gail and the sheriff which leads to a bloody confrontation. However, the witch inside has reached her full power. As the sheriff is cornered as a wounded prey, he becomes disabled by Gail’s shadow seduction. For self perseverance, the Sheriff must succumb and join her.

If you ever wished you could be anyone for a moment in time, this story fulfills that wish and turns it into a horror. Fingered for Murder is a sexy film noir that would appeal to a variety of horror and thriller audiences. The strong female lead of Gail would be a complex and attractive role for any actress. Also, the story and character of the witch allows for an ongoing franchise. If you are interested in the script, please contact me.

Best regards, Todd Bronson

FINGERED FOR MURDER