Ripe

Description

Sammy (late-30s, glossy hair, glammed up) waits nervously behind a foggy door. Suddenly, lights shine and the doors open to reveal Dawson (early 20s, suited, handsome). Huge grins appear as they stride towards one another and hold each other in disbelief. Dawson gets down on his knee, opens a ring box and asks Sammy to marry him. Yes, yes, a million times yes. He fits the ring, sparks flying. Moments later, Sammy sits in a booth, talking to camera. She never expected to find love on a reality TV show but he’s head over heels in love with a man who loves her for the strong woman she is and can\'t wait to live with him. Off camera, a producer asks if she has any worries - how confident is he that she truly knows him? The opening title appears as Sammy frowns. Dawson turns out to be a vampire. Sammy shoots angry glances at him from the dinner table, while he texts and drinks blood at the kitchen island. She complains she wouldn’t have dated him if she’d known he’d be out so much. Dawson reminds her he needs blood to survive—he’s hardly out partying. He leaves and Sammy takes deep breaths. Later, Dawson crawls into bed with roses. Sammy, tired of the fighting, says they need a solution. Dawson suggests feeding on her instead and Sammy hesitantly agrees. The crew pretends to leave but secretly zooms in as Dawson feeds on her neck. At a barbeque with other couples, a pale and weak Sammy watches Dawson flirt with 18-year-old Mila. Barbara, an older contestant, asks if Dawson regrets not choosing someone closer to his age. Annoyed, Sammy strides over and asks Dawson if he’s sated. Dawson insists Sammy looks ill but admits he’s still hungry…. Sammy is passed out on the sofa when Dawson opens the front door loudly. She awakens, accusing him of using feeding as an excuse to see other women. Hurt, Dawson admits he hates what he’s become and leaves again. Later, Sammy watches videos about accepting your partner. Dawson returns at dawn with a bloody mouth and clean t-shirt. Suspicious, Sammy fails to remain calm and asks if he was with Mila. Dawson denies it, calling her insecure and needy. Tensions escalate as Sammy expresses her devotion, while Dawson questions if they should marry, doubting she truly accepts him. Devastated, Sammy flees from the cameras, but Dawson chases her, reassuring her he didn’t cheat but worries she’ll never understand him. Tearfully, Sammy asks if becoming a vampire would change things. Dawson hesitates but admits it might and Sammy pleads to be converted. As the sun rises, Dawson carries her inside. Despite being asked to leave, the crew film outside as Sammy screams—Dawson is killing her. Mila moves in, giggling at Sammy’s leftover belongings. She defends their relationship - Sammy left, and she and Dawson share a connection. Off camera, Dawson asks the producers what’s the plan with this one.

Biblical Connection

The story of Samson and Delilah warns against compromising your integrity for temporary pleasures and emotional attachments. Samson is persuaded by Delilah to reveal the source of his strength, breaking a promise that leads to his death. RIPE is an adaptation that centers around a romantic whose attempts to preserve her relationship end in her losing herself - and her life altogether. Samson’s weakness is women and Sammy’s is men. She goes on a dating show desperate to meet The One and falls head over heels for Dawson. Little does she know that, like Delilah, Dawson is not who he says he is. He’s a vampire who has been paid to seduce Sammy and create drama. The Philistine leaders are the TV producers, eager to make explosive TV. Sammy finds out Dawson’s true identity much sooner than Samson does, yet, Dawson has another secret - he is being paid to antagonise her. Like Samson, Sammy goes to extreme lengths to preserve her relationship, even offering her own blood. She grows so weak that she has a breakdown where she begs him to turn her into a vampire. The producers decide they no longer need her and Dawson feeds on her.