Heavenly Creatures

In the tranquil landscape of Christchurch in 1952, Juliet Hulme (13), an affluent English teenager, transfers to a new school, where she forms an unlikely bond with Pauline Parker (14), from a working-class family. The two girls share a deep connection born from their shared experiences of childhood illness and hospitalization, which has left its mark on their fragile psyches. As they grow closer, Pauline is drawn to Juliet's confident arrogance and striking beauty.

In stark contrast to the idyllic life she shares with her family, Pauline's relationship with her mother, Honora, is a minefield of conflict and hostility. The two engage in constant verbal battles, leaving Pauline feeling unwelcome and unloved at home. It is within the walls of the Hulme household that she finds solace and acceptance.

Juliet and Pauline spend their days lost in a world of creativity, crafting intricate figurines, painting vibrant landscapes, and writing fantastical stories together. Their imagination knows no bounds as they construct an elaborate fantasy kingdom called Borovnia, where they hope to one day publish novels and bring their cinematic visions to life on the silver screen. Over time, this fictional realm becomes an integral part of their reality, a refuge from the harsh realities of their daily lives.

Juliet's introduction of the concept of "the Fourth World" – a heavenly realm where art, music, and beauty reign supreme, free from the constraints of Christian dogma – resonates deeply with Pauline. For Juliet, this mystical world is her ultimate destination upon death, where she will find eternal peace and safety.

When Juliet's parents announce their plans for a family trip, leaving her alone for the first time, she descends into hysteria at the prospect of being abandoned. In this moment of crisis, Juliet experiences the Fourth World for the first time, perceiving it as a realm of breathtaking beauty and serenity. She implores Pauline to join her on this metaphysical journey, and soon, the fantasy becomes a shared reality for both girls.

As their bond grows stronger, the two friends begin to write to each other not only as themselves but also as the royal couple of Borovnia. Meanwhile, Pauline's relationship with a lodger takes a romantic turn, leaving Juliet feeling increasingly insecure and jealous. Their fantasy life serves as a potent escape from the harsh realities of their everyday world, and they find solace in indulging in violent, even murderous, fantasies about those who have wronged them.

Upon Juliet's release from the clinic, where she was being treated for tuberculosis, her relationship with Pauline reaches new heights. As her father becomes increasingly uneasy about her attachment to Pauline, he confides in her parents, who seek professional guidance. The doctor suspects that Pauline may be homosexual and attributes her dramatic weight loss and growing anger towards her mother to this perceived orientation.

As the reality of their impending separation sinks in, Juliet's parents shockingly announce their decision to divorce, upending the girls' lives. In an effort to hold onto one another, Juliet and her friend Pauline (Kate Winslet) concoct a desperate plan to escape Christchurch and its heartache. Though this bold move ultimately proves impossible, the two share an intimate moment in the bathtub, their conversations veiled in secrecy and mischief as they contemplate taking drastic measures against Pauline's mother, perceiving her as the primary obstacle to their being together.

As the days tick by, Juliet and Pauline find solace in each other's company, spending their final three weeks together at Juliet's home. As their bond grows stronger, the girls finalize plans for a heinous crime, fuelled by their all-consuming desire to be reunited. Amidst this atmosphere of foreboding, Honora, Pauline's mother, unwittingly sets the stage for the tragic events that will unfold.

With an air of nonchalance, Honora arranges a trip to Victoria Park for the trio, which they follow up with tea and a leisurely stroll down a steep hillside path. It is during this seemingly innocuous outing that Juliet and Pauline strike without warning, taking advantage of Honora's brief distraction to bludgeon her to death with a makeshift weapon fashioned from a broken brick encased in an old stocking.

The tragic consequences of their actions are swiftly revealed as the authorities arrive on the scene. A sombre textual epilogue discloses that Juliet and Pauline were subsequently arrested, sentenced to five years in prison for their heinous crime, too young to face the possibility of capital punishment. After serving their time, they are released separately in 1959, with a stern condition imposed: they will never be allowed to reunite again.