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While the ghosts add a supernatural twist, the story is deeply rooted in real-world dread. Director Scott Derrickson drew inspiration from his own traumatic childhood in 1970s Colorado, a time when serial killers like Ted Bundy were operating and the pervasive fear of "stranger danger" was peaking. The film also heavily features Finney's younger sister, Gwen, who uses her own psychic dreams and visions to help the local police track down her brother's kidnapper.