Logline: When a teenage pizza driver crashes into a stray animal on a remote delivery, he’s taken in by a devout puppeteer.

Page Count: 7 pages

Genre: Psychological Horror, Religious Horror

Cast Breakdown:
LENNY (M 50s) A soft-spoken zealot with the patience of a priest and the eyes of a man who’s seen something he can’t unsee. Lenny speaks in scripture and riddles, wrapping violence in the language of salvation. Once a lonely craftsman and failed preacher’s son, he now “heals” the broken through his own divine creations. His calm demeanor masks a festering grief, the loss of his mother, his faith, and his sanity all tangled into one ritual of control. There’s tenderness in him, but it’s warped, obsessive. He’s not a monster in his own eyes; he’s a shepherd doing holy work. The actor must balance paternal warmth with quiet menace.
JORDAN (M 17) A restless, guarded teenager stuck between cynicism and survival. Jordan hides behind humor and shrugs, the kind of kid who’s been taking care of himself too long. His sarcasm is armor, quick, dry, and defensive, but underneath lies a real fear of connection and a lack of belief. He doesn’t trust anyone who claims to “save” him, especially someone like Lenny. When trapped in the basement, his skepticism becomes both his lifeline and his undoing. The actor should carry a sense of street-smart vulnerability; someone who’s used to bad luck but not this kind of horror.

Location:
INT. LENNYS BASEMENT

SFX / Stunts / Cheats
Wolf Carcass: Can be created using a stuffed prop or taxidermy replica wrapped in a pizza delivery bag to imply gore without showing it. Minimal fake blood and fur to suggest injury; lighting and shadows can conceal details.
Puppets: A mix of pre-made and DIY puppets—some human, some animal.
“Half-finished” wolf puppet can be achieved using fabric, fur, and one artificial glass eye (for safety). Subtle movement can bepuppeteer-controlled offscreen or achieved with a fishing line for string tension effects.
Optional blood substitute for Lenny’s glue work (opaque resin or colored corn syrup).
No stunts required; all action can be suggested through sound and cutting.

Credit:
Written by Nora Anderson

Contact Info: nanderson@chapman.edu

Read here: Sanctified