Screecher's Reach (short film)

"Screecher's Reach" is the second episode of the Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 that premiered on Disney+ on May 4, 2023. It is made by the Ireland-based animation studio Cartoon Saloon and directed by Paul Young. The episode draws on Celtic imagery.
==Official description==
A young girl, seeking reprieve from her days in a rural workhouse, discovers a legendary haunted cave with her friends. The cave's dark pull will change the trajectory of her life forever.
==Plot summary==
===Escaping drudgery===
The episode opens with workers of various species awakening from their multi-storied bunk beds and beginning their work shifts at a factory. Droids wake the workers. On the lower levels, workers pour coal into a furnace while other workers work with tools. At the top levels, various workers in suits man pipes. One teenaged worker named Daal leaves her work station and removes her overalls and helmet. She reaches the surface and is joined by her two friends Baython and Quinn.
Baython asks what Daal is doing. Daal replies that she is getting out of here. Quinn asks where they are going. Daal replies that she is going to Screecher's Reach, which Quinn believes is haunted. Baython says it is haunted. Quinn suggests stealing some speeders. A purple-skinned alien named Keena asks what is going on. Baython asks if she wants to see a ghost. The four friends steal three speeder bikes. While leaving, they pass by two walkers, causing one to trip and topple over. Daal rides with Keena while Baython and Quinn ride separate bikes. They pass rocky landscapes before driving through green plains.
===A scary story===
While taking shelter in a forest, Baython tells a scary story about the Ghost of Screecher's Reach. Quinn vows that their group will be the first. Baython asks if they are brave enough to enter the cave and face the sound. Keena asks if they are just stories. Daal replies that the ghost is something that they can't touch but manifests in their mind. Quinn vows to kick the ghost in the backside. Keena gives Quinn a playful kick before going on a chase.
Baython dreads having to return to the workhouse. While holding a golden amulet, Daal asks him to consider what it would be like not to return to the workhouse or farms. While Baython thinks that there are worse lives out there, Daal is hopeful for finding better lives. Baython asks who would take care of that "eejit" (idiot) while Keena and Quinn play. The two children shake a tree for fruits.
===Screecher's Reach===
Baython encourages Daal to be adventurous and take chances. He tells the two younger children to take it easy. Daal and Baython decide they should continue on foot into the mountain. Baython gives Keena a piggy back ride as they continue their journey. The four children approach Screecher's Reach, which Keena describes as a scary, dark place.
Daal clutches her amulet and vows to follow her path with strength and courage. She reasons that some bad places are here to test them as they enter the dark cave. Quinn thinks the cave is not scary enough and grumbles. Baython tells him to quieten down and switches on a portable lamp. Daal heads deeper into the cave on her own. Baython and the other children follow her. Baython calls out to Daal but she tells them to keep quiet.
The children sense shadows moving around them. Baython warns Daal as a dark apparition appears and shrieks at them, causing rocks and debris to fall. Keena tells Daal to come with them but Daal tells her to go with Baython and Quinn. Daal is separated from her friends by a rockfall. Clutching the amulet, she vows to follow her path with strength and courage and believes it is all in her mind. As the darkness surrounds here, she repeats the mantra several times.
===Daal's test===
A demonic figure with a lightsaber chases her. Daal follows a light which leads upwards. She climbs up towards the opening. The demonic figure pursues her there and grabs her leg. As the cave begins to close, she pleads for someone to give her strength. A piece of rock breaks off and traps the demonic figure, separating her from her lightsaber. Due to the sunlight filtering through the cracks, Daal finds herself in a room with a makeshift bed. She realizes that the demonic figure is a haggard woman with long hair. As Daal grabs the woman's lightsaber, she lets out a bellow of despair, which causes rocks to fall around them. Daal ignites the figure's lightsaber and the screen fades to an image of the mountain as she swings her blade. The screaming stop.
As dawn reaches the mountain, Daal reaches the top of the mountain. Keena, Baython and Quinn see Daal coming down the mountain. Quinn asks Daal why she endangered their lives by taking them inside the cave. A pale Daal says that "she" was a real person rather than a ghost. Baython asks Daal what she did. Daal replied that she was strong and clutches the amulet which turns red. A voice from the amulet says that it is now time for them to meet. Baython asks Daal what is the amulet.
===The Sith Mother===
A petal-shaped starship approaches from the horizon and a female figure known as the Sith Mother descends from the vessel. Daal approaches the Sith Mother, saying that she had promised that the test was in her mind. The lady responds that the true test is always in her mind and that she did what she had to do. The Sith Mother reassures Daal that she has passed and bids her to come. When Daal asks if her friends can come, the lady responds that the test was only for her.
Keena asks Daal who the lady is. Daal tells her friends that the Sith Mother promised her another life and a way out of a life of drudgery. The lady tells Daal to choose. A tearful Daal says don't look back. Keena sheds tears while Baython holds on to her. Baython, Keena and Quinn watch as Daal ascends up the bright starship and Daal takes one final look back as the doors close.
==Credits==
==Appearances==
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==Notes and references==
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