Audrey Rose

Audrey Rose is a 1977 American psychological horror drama film directed by Robert Wise and starring Marsha Mason, Anthony Hopkins, and John Beck. Its plot follows a New York City couple who are sought out by a stranger who believes their adolescent daughter is a reincarnation of his deceased one. It is based on the 1975 novel of the same name by Frank De Felitta, who also adapted the screenplay. Plot Bill and Janice Templeton live a privileged life in Manhattan's Upper West Side with their 11-year-old daughter, Ivy. They begin to notice a stranger following them in public places, and grow alarmed when the man follows Janice and Ivy home one afternoon. The man reaches out to the couple by phone, revealing himself as Elliot Hoover, a widower who lost his wife and daughter, Audrey Rose, in a car accident in Pittsburgh. The couple agree to have dinner with Elliot, during which he explains that he believes Ivy is a reincarnation of Audrey, and that psychics confirmed his suspicions; he learned from them intimate knowledge of the couple's apartment and that Ivy was born only minutes after Audrey died. Bill believes Elliot is extorting the family. He invites Elliot to their apartment, and arranges for his attorney friend, Russ, to listen covertly from upstairs. When Elliot speaks Audrey's name, Ivy enters a state of panic, which is only calmed by Elliot's presence. In this state, she bangs her hands against the cold window, and it leaves inexplicable burns. Elliot comforts her, after which she recognizes him as "Daddy" and falls asleep. Elliot insists that Ivy's burns are evidence of her reincarnation, as Audrey burned to death in the car accident. Bill grows enraged by Elliot and forces him out, punching him, but Janice and even Russ are sympathetic to the strange man's plea. One night while Bill is working late, Ivy experiences another night terror, in which she thrashes around violently. Janice is surprised by Elliot's appearance at her door and allows him in to help calm Ivy. During Ivy’s next episode, Elliot again arrives and Bill attacks him. After a struggle, Elliot locks the couple out of their apartment and disappears with Ivy through a service exit. An attendant informs them that Elliot rented an apartment in the building. Police discover him and Ivy in the apartment and charge him with child abduction.