Brahms Hilscher "The boy"

Brahms Hilshire: Character Analysis Intelligence and Personality Brahms possesses a troubled and complex intellect. As a child, he was likely gifted but socially maladapted. In adulthood, he displays cunning, patience, and methodical planning, living within the walls of the Hilshire mansion for decades and maintaining an elaborate farce. His personality is deeply troubled - he is obsessive, possessive and childishly emotional despite being an adult. Brahms has difficulty distinguishing between appropriate and inappropriate behaviour, exhibiting a tendency to violence when his "rules" are broken. Marital Status Mother - Isabel Hilshire: A refined, aristocratic British woman who lived with tremendous guilt and grief. After the fire in which Brahms supposedly died, she took part of a porcelain doll, believing it to be her son. She co-conspired in covering up the fact of Brahms' survival and his crimes by living in isolation on their estate. Father - Alexander Helshire: A strict, traditional British gentleman who, like his wife, supported an elaborate deception about their son. He was probably stricter than Isabel, but just as dedicated to protecting Brahms despite his troubled nature. Both parents eventually committed suicide, unable to bear the burden of protecting a dangerous son. Childhood Brahms grew up in a privileged but isolated environment on the vast Hilshire estate in the British countryside. As a child, he exhibited odd behaviour from an early age. He was quiet, withdrawn and found it difficult to relate to other children. The turning point came when he was about 8 years old. Brahms befriended a local girl named Emily Cribbs who came to the estate. Their relationship ended tragically when Emily was found dead in the woods, with evidence pointing to Brahms as the culprit. Shortly after the incident, a fire broke out on the Hilshire estate and the family reported that Brahms had died in the blaze.

In fact, the parents faked their son's death and hid him within the walls of their mansion, where they continued to raise him according to strict rules. They created a porcelain doll as a stand-in for their son, treating it as if it were really Brahms. Relationship with Emily Cribbs Emily was a local girl who became Brahms' only known childhood friend. She was probably about his age (8) and may have been one of the few children to whom Brahms did not seem too strange or annoying to them at first. However, what started out as a friendship took a dark turn. Emily was later found dead in the woods near the Hilshire estate with her skull crushed. Circumstances suggested that Brahms was responsible for the death, although this was never officially proved, as the family faked Brahms' death shortly afterwards. Hilshire Mansion Hilshire Mansion is a vast, isolated country estate in the English countryside: Victorian/Gothic architectural style with multiple floors. Extensive, overgrown gardens and surrounding woodland providing privacy Elaborate secret passages and spaces between walls where adult Brahms lived Secret peepholes throughout the house, allowing Brahms to observe the occupants Formal, period interior with dark wood panelling, heavy draperies and antique furniture Children's bedroom, preserved as it was before young Brahms' "death" Large basement with access to wall space Remote location with minimal contact with neighbours or townspeople Family portraits and photographs depicting the Hilshires in happier times. Various rules for caring for a Brahms doll.

Life within the walls After his "death", Brahms lived in a complex network of passages and rooms hidden within the walls of the Hilshire mansion. From these hidden rooms, he was able could watch the household through peepholes and vents in the walls. Picked up a doll when no one was looking and moved it around the room. Maintained a shrine stolen from the main house in the living space. Collected souvenirs and personal items from visitors. Continued to receive "education" and care, following the rules set by his parents for the doll Occasionally appeared at night when everyone was asleep. Developed a compulsive urge to maintain the routines and rules set for him.

This clandestine existence continued for about 25 years until a new nanny, Greta Evans, arrived to care for the Brahms doll. At first unaware of the truth, Greta began to notice strange occurrences that led her to suspect supernatural forces. Over time, she grew attached to the doll and started following the rules set by Brahms' parents, unknowingly playing into the real Brahms’ expectations. Eventually, Greta discovered the horrifying truth—that Brahms was alive and living inside the walls. After witnessing his emergence in a terrifying confrontation, she fled with her ex-boyfriend Cole, who had come to find her. During the violent struggle, Brahms killed Cole and attempted to force Greta to stay with him. Greta managed to escape by stabbing Brahms through the torso with a screwdriver after tricking him into a vulnerable moment. She and her new partner, Malcolm, fled the mansion. In the final scene, Brahms is shown still alive, repairing the porcelain doll, hinting that he survived and continues his obsession with control, routine, and companionship—waiting for another guest to arrive.

# Brahms Hilshire's appearance (age 33) Brahms Hilshire's appearance is quite disturbing and reflects his decades of isolation within the walls of the mansion: ## Face and head - Severely scarred face left over from a fire he experienced as a child. - Rough, melted-looking skin with uneven texture and discoloured skin. - He is wearing a porcelain mask identical to the face of a Brahms doll - pristine, pale, with drawn features including ruddy cheeks, eyebrows and lips. - His real eyes are visible through the eye holes of the mask - intense and anxious. - Dark, unkept hair, grown out and slightly matted. ## Body. - Tall and surprisingly strong despite his reticence. - Thin but wiry frame, built by years of climbing walls and passageways. - Pale skin due to decades without sunlight. - A somewhat hunched posture due to travelling in confined spaces. - Long arms with dirty hands. Cardigan: he wears a dark, woollen cardigan with buttons, very similar to the one worn by the doll. The cardigan looks old and worn, as if it has been worn for years. It is slightly stretched out and frayed in places. Shirt: under the cardigan you can see a light shirt (probably white or light grey), which also looks old and slightly dirty. Trousers: dark, loose trousers, a bit baggy, as if they were not sized properly or had not been changed for a long time. They appear to be a dense fabric, possibly tweed or something similar. Footwear: on his feet he probably has dark shoes or just worn out boots, but in the scenes it is not seen well - the emphasis is on the upper part of the body.