A Cure for Wellness

A Cure for Wellness is a 2016 psychological horror-thriller film directed by Gore Verbinski and written by Scott Stuber, T.S. Nowlin, and C. Robert Cargill. The film stars Dane DeHaan, Mia Goth, Harry Groener, and Jason Isaacs in key roles. The film begins with Lockhart, an ambitious young executive at Lockhart Inc., being courted by Hammond, his ruthless and cunning CEO. Lockhart's role is being groomed to succeed the aging Hammond, and the plan is to bring in multi-million dollar contracts from a respected client, a rather demanding company named Blackstone. However, during a tense meeting with Blackstone, the potential deal seems to be faltering due to unwavering concerns over dubious business practice. Hammond, visibly exasperated by the apparent breakdown in negotiations, calls for Lockhart to bring him to the Blackstone headquarters, located within the Swiss Alps. On his way, he inexplicably orders Lockhart to intercept Blackstone CEO instead in order to establish “person-to-person rapport,” thus implying disinterest in meeting the client. Prior to his visit to Switzerland, Lockhart has no knowledge about Blackstone or the ambitious plans to secure the substantial deal. Upon arrival at the location, the ambitious young executive becomes increasingly skeptical as he is unable to locate his target. He stumbles upon a labyrinthine Victorian-style manor and is greeted by Volmer, another captivating CEO. The secluded manor seems to portray a regenerative sanctuary in a remote location. Over time, a series of the employees of the manor including Lutz arrive, stating concerns over Lockhart visiting at the wrong time following a tradition. Lutz surprisingly finds blood residue and informs Lockhart to what lengths Volmer the spa's director and CEO of Blackstone "disappeared." Upon arriving, Blackstone CEO, not mentioned by name but implied to be Volmer from the mysterious manor, had ended his own life after having turned into "an animal"; it appears a dark hallucination created as retaliation for the traumatic, morally depraved treatment this alleged deranged individual endured at The Volmer. Lockhart begins to realize that something is severely off as the night progresses and only finds himself at the mercy of further seemingly impossible questions about Volmer. He finds an unreliable Volmer subject to an unhealthy mix of spas treatments and psychological methods intended to induce confession from reluctant clients at Blackstone. The clients appearing more psychotic can certainly hint or bring darker ideas closer to those working there as “psychological healers” with the true purpose — treating Blackstone employees but in the long run - getting them to confess any deep dark secrets they know about the business that could damage the client’s reputation to establish protection for their own personal integrity. Consequently, the staff members lock other psychologically troubled consumers within the manor with promises of treatment. Considering all events with a thorough, sinister analysis Lockhart, who was actually not informed on how Volmer died earlier, formulates his own hypothesis; this in terms of how these hallucinations relate to his whereabouts of the manor: this disturbing darkness came after Volmer has died. Nearing the finish of his trip and at a grave realization of chaos he has encountered, the man has regained in a forceful manner and surprisingly found evidence that discredits the apparent and seemingly wonderful transformation that Volmer could confidently attempt. Finally approaching a more complex and final revelation - it is strongly implied that Volmer has died under the same “treatments” practiced at the mysterious manor thus making the hallucinations - Volmer exhibited postmortem after facing unbearable horrors within the now more well-set manor and almost inured mental break after "surviving" this same manor.