The Unholy (2021) Movie Script
1
[GIRL GASPING, SHUDDERING]
No.
[GIRL GASPING, CRYING]
[FLESH SQUELCHES]
[GIRL GASPS]
[GIRL GASPING]
[OBJECT PIERCES FLESH]
[GIRL SCREAMS]
[GASPS, SCREAMING]
[GIRL SOBBING, SCREAMS]
[MALLET POUNDING FLESH]
[FLAMES CRACKLING]
[ROPE CREAKS]
[GIRL GASPING, WHEEZING]
In the name of Christ,
our Lord,
and Mary, queen of heaven,
trap this corrupt soul.
Contain her!
[SPEAKING IN LATIN]
[GIRL SCREAMS]
[INSECTS CHIRPING]
[WIND WHISTLING]
[]
[]
GERRY:
Yeah, Max.
MAX [ON PHONE]: Gerry.
I'll get you tomorrow.
Party hard last night?
What do you want?
Cattle mutilations.
Small town, couple hours out.
Pays 150.
Cattle mutilations?
Well, that, for sure, that's--
That's 200 bucks.
Pays 150.
You know, I wouldn't even
get out of bed for less than 6k
when I worked for the Examiner.
Yeah. Well, Gerry,
you should try
getting your old job back.
You know what, Max? I don't
wanna talk to you anymore,
so send me the details.
I'm gonna run home
and grab some crap.
[BEEPS]
[]
[COW MOOS]
I don't know a lot about cows,
but doesn't look mutilated.
Yeah? Check her
behind there.
Right there.
Might be the work of
some of those Satanists
I keep hearing about,
you know, the--
They put on these animal masks,
strip down,
and they engage
in unholy orgies.
[CHUCKLES]
Mr. Geary,
may I ask you a question?
Yeah, sure.
Do you have a son?
Yeah.
Sixteen?
No, he's 15.
You ever hear
of the band Metallica?
[COW MOOS]
[CHURCH BELL RINGING]
[CHUCKLES]
Sorry, I, uh...
Not much happens around here.
[CHUCKLES, SIGHS]
Could have fooled me.
HAGAN: Geary?
Oh, jeez, here we go.
Yeah?
This is church property.
Get that cow out of here.
I'm-- I'm wicked sorry,
Father Hagan.
Uh, it won't happen again,
I swear to God.
You said that last week.
This cow craps everywhere.
I know. It's a mess. Sorry.
Now, Geary.
GEARY: You got it.
[WHEEZING, COUGHING]
I own the farm next door.
I've been meaning
to mend that fence.
You know what,
I-- I don't care.
What I do care about
is my employer is not gonna pay
for pictures
of that cow's ass.
I-- I don't know what to say.
Yeah, I know you don't.
[MOOS]
[VOICES WHISPERING
INDISTINCTLY]
Did you hear that?
Hear what?
Mr. Fenn?
[VOICES CONTINUES WHISPERING]
[CAWING]
[]
[]
What the hell?
"February 31, 1845."
[GIRL SCREAMS, ECHOING]
Kern baby.
[EXHALES SHARPLY]
Yeah, farmers used
to plant 'em in the fields,
uh, for good luck.
Man, never seen one
like that, though.
GERRY:
God, that is creepy.
"When the ancient talisman
was broken,
mysterious cattle mutilations
began."
This ain't broken.
[CERAMIC SHATTERS]
You-- You broke it.
Let's not argue
about who broke what.
You just got done
telling me my son--
Or who mutilated what.
Now we have a story.
Come on, help me out, man.
With what?
We'll get a big picture of
that lovable mug in the article.
Oh, no, I don't want a picture.
Yeah, yeah.
Come on.
Get down there by the thing.
Like I found it?
Yeah.
All right.
Yeah, that's good.
[CAMERA BEEPING, CLICKING]
GEARY: You like it?
Better than a cow's ass.
GEARY:
All right.
GERRY:
Ah, where does a fella get
something to eat around here?
[SILVERWARE CLATTERS]
GERRY:
This is a cool place.
Is it always this busy?
This?
This is rush hour.
[]
And an unidentified vandal
broke a protective talisman.
An unholy evil was released.
An evil thirsty for blood.
It began...
It began by sucking
on a cow's ass.
Good God, Fenn.
You were gonna win a Pulitzer.
Idiot.
Oh, shit.
[TIRES SCREECHING]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Oh, shit.
[GROANS SOFTLY]
Shit.
Hey!
[]
Hey.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[VOICES WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY]
ALICE:
I pledge my soul to you.
I pledge my soul to you.
I promise. I will.
[VOICES WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY]
I will.
Hey, are you okay?
Thank you.
[POUNDING ON DOOR]
HAGAN:
I'm coming.
[DOOR CREAKS]
Alice.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
HAGAN:
Yeah. Dr. Gates,
it's an emergency.
Please. As soon as you can.
[OWL HOOTING]
NATALIE:
How are you feeling?
HAGAN:
This has never happened before.
Could--?
Could she
have been sleepwalking?
She seems fine. I can check in
again tomorrow after Mass.
Hmm?
[DOOR OPENS]
So Alice, she lives
with Father Hagan?
He's her uncle. He's raised her
since her parents died.
That's-- The thing is...
she was talking.
[SCOFFS]
It's not possible. Alice has
never spoken in her life.
She has
congenital cholesteatoma.
Look, I get it.
You don't know me,
and I made
a bad first impression,
but I swear I heard her talking.
[LAUGHS]
Okay. What's your
blood alcohol level?
You are lucky
that Alice is okay.
If anything
had happened to her,
I would have made it
my own personal mission
to see you locked up.
Get in.
[CAR DOOR OPENS, CLOSES]
[ENGINE STARTS]
This, uh,
the best place you got?
This is the only place
we've got.
Okay.
Well, at least it's cheap.
At least it's not jail.
[]
[CHURCH BELL TOLLING]
[HIGH-PITCHED RINGING]
[TOOLS WHIRRING]
[LINE RINGING]
Hey, Gerry.
Hey, I'm still in Banfield.
Um, I got into a little bit
of an accident,
so I, uh--
Story gonna be late.
Forget it. Obscura.com ran a
cattle mutilation piece today.
[CHURCH BELL TOLLING]
What if I have
another story? Um...
Deaf-mute girl here,
connected to the church,
she spontaneously talked.
Religious angle.
Okay, Gerry.
Two hundred bucks.
Pays 150. And bring pictures.
Don't be such a cheap bastard.
Mm-hmm.
PARISHIONERS:
...you take away
the sins of the world.
Grant us peace.
[DOOR CREAKS]
Lamb of God, you take away
the sins of the world.
Grant us peace.
Lord, I am not worthy
that you should
enter under my roof,
but only say the word
and my soul shall be healed.
HAGAN:
Behold the Lamb of God.
Behold him who takes away
the sins of the world.
[HIGH-PITCHED RINGING]
WOMAN [WHISPERS]:
Alice...
[]
[]
[VOICES WHISPERING
INDISTINCTLY]
[HIGH-PITCHED RINGING]
The Lady...
[PARISHIONERS GASP, MURMURING]
[THUNDER RUMBLES]
[]
The Lady has...
an urgent message for all of us.
She wants us
to come again tomorrow.
She... She says...
She says her name is Mary.
[PARISHIONERS GASPING]
[SIGHS]
Alice, these tests will allow us
to evaluate your hearing.
Are you ready?
I'm gonna play
a series of sounds for you...
at different volumes.
[LIGHTS BUZZ]
[LONG HIGH TONES
OVER HEADPHONES]
Now you're gonna
hear some words,
and I'd like you to repeat them
back to me, okay?
RECORDED VOICE:
Cat.
Cat.
Apple.
Apple.
Number five.
Number five.
Ocean.
Ocean.
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
[KEYBOARD CLICKING]
[PHONE CLICKS]
[KEYPAD CLICKS]
[LINE RINGS]
MONICA: Slade here.
Burning the midnight oil,
I see.
I always thought
you worked too hard.
Fenn.
Monica. It's been a while.
Not long enough.
Listen, I have a story for you.
Uh, something I think
the Examiner will love.
An occurrence.
A healing, possibly divine.
I swear, it's the truth.
You were never interested
in the truth.
For you, it was all about fame.
All right, look, I totally
get the skepticism. But--
You still don't get it, do you?
You lied.
You were caught
fabricating stories.
You almost ruined
this paper's reputation.
People lost their jobs
because of you.
Next time you feel
the urge to call me, don't.
[PHONE BEEPS]
[DISCONNECT TONE BEEPS]
[]
[THUNDER RUMBLING]
[GROWLING]
[SNARLING]
[SCREAMS]
Fuck.
[]
[CAMERA BEEPING, CLICKING]
[CROWD CHATTERING]
You think Mary
will cure me, Dad?
Let's pray to her.
Friends.
Please. Please.
Uh...
I've asked Alice to stay inside.
I'm-- Obviously,
we're very happy
and grateful
that she's recovered,
but I think this is all
a bit overwhelming for her.
[CAMERA BEEPS, CLICKS]
So nothing is
gonna happen today.
[CROWD GROANS]
If you could
all please go home,
I'd appreciate it.
Thank you.
MAN: Look, there she is.
[CROWD GASPS]
Alice.
[CAMERA BEEPING, CLICKING]
HAGAN:
Alice.
[]
[VOICES WHISPERING
INDISTINCTLY]
Thank you.
[CROWD GASPING, MURMURING]
Do you believe in miracles?
Do you have faith in Mary?
Yes.
Then walk.
I can't.
Mary commands you to walk.
But I can't.
ALICE:
Believe.
[SIGHS]
[EXHALING SHARPLY]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[CROWD GASPING, MURMURING]
Hail Mary...
ALL:
Full of Grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is
the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour
of our death. Amen.
NEWSCASTER:
Next up, a strange story
from our local news affiliate.
FEMALE REPORTER:
The town of Banfield
in central Massachusetts.
A paralyzed boy
named Toby Walsh
claims he was healed by
an 18-year-old Alice Pagett.
Images of a miracle
have gone viral.
Bishop James Gyles
of the Boston Archdiocese
has announced a press
conference this morning.
1858, a French girl named
Bernadette Soubirous
claimed to have had
a series of visitations
from the Blessed Virgin
in a grotto
outside the town of Lourdes.
1917, Ftima, Portugal.
Three shepherd children reported
apparitions of the Virgin Mary,
followed by miracles,
prophesies.
1981, Medjugorje, Bosnia.
Six witnesses observed
a Marian apparition.
Many claim that
the Holy Mother continues
to visit this
shrine to this very day.
The present.
All three shrines draw millions
of faithful each year.
In Lourdes alone,
over 5000 miraculous cures
have been recorded.
GERRY: Excuse me.
Are you saying that Banfield
could become such a shrine?
Well, first
we have to, uh, confirm
that an actual miracle
has truly occurred.
And that is why
Monsignor Delgarde here
has been tasked by the Vatican
to investigate
these, uh, alleged healings.
Monsignor.
In the 18th century,
Pope Benedict XIV
laid out a procedure
to determine
the veracity of a miracle.
The main steps are:
the illness must be incurable,
the cure must be instantaneous,
the cure must be complete.
In my capacity as inquisitor,
I intend to use all medical
science and technology available
to disprove the alleged miracle
and expose any deceit.
If I fail, the miracle
is to be considered genuine.
Meanwhile,
the church has installed
a shelter over the site
to protect it from the elements
and, uh, public intrusion.
[REPORTERS CLAMORING]
Yes. Yes, yes. Go ahead.
When will we see
Alice Pagett and Toby Walsh?
Well, the Walsh family has asked
for privacy at this time,
and we intend
to respect their wishes.
Uh, Miss Pagett, however,
has, uh, offered
to speak with you
on her own accord.
Alice, you don't have to go--
You don't have to go in there
if you don't want to.
It's okay, Dr. Gates.
This is what the Lady wants.
[REPORTERS CLAMORING]
The lady you claim appeared
to you, is she the Virgin Mary?
REPORTER 1:
And what exactly were her words?
Do you have a history
of any mental illness?
REPORTER 2:
Have you received any financial
incentives to make these claims?
[REPORTERS CLAMORING]
What does the lady look like?
She's dressed
in flowing white robes.
She glows like how the sun
shimmers on a hazy day.
And how does she--
How does she speak to you?
Is it a voice in your head?
Alice, have you ever
used drugs before?
When did--?
When did you first see her?
Five nights ago, in the field.
You were there.
And what does Mary want?
Our faith.
I'm, uh-- I'm told
we'll have some privacy in here.
Please.
A little surprised
that, ahem,
Father Hagan missed
the press conference.
Uh, yes, well, uh,
Father Hagan is unfortunately
not feeling well.
I am sorry to hear that.
I imagine he is pretty excited
about his church
becoming a shrine.
Yet to be determined.
Alice is speaking
perfectly,
though she has never heard
any form of speech before.
How do you explain that?
There are various degrees
of deafness, Mr. Fenn.
Alice may have been
unconsciously hearing all along.
Come on.
Are you Catholic?
I was raised Catholic.
Lapsed.
Spiritually and professionally,
it would appear.
My lack of faith
could be an advantage.
Having
a neutral observer along
to record the process
would be healthy.
Now, you may find
someone more devout, but--
But they'd be
accused of bias. Yeah.
Give me the exclusive.
Only I talk to Alice.
I promise you
I will be fair.
And if, for whatever reason,
any of these miracles
turn to be false,
then I personally
will take the hit.
Alice certainly seems
more inclined to talk to you.
Your Grace,
this man's reputation is--
Yes, yes, I know, Vincent.
Everyone deserves
a second chance, though.
Even Mr. Fenn here.
[EQUIPMENT HAMMERING]
[MAN LAUGHS]
[CROWS CAWING]
[]
[BREATHES DEEPLY]
[MACHINERY CLATTERING,
EQUIPMENT HAMMERING]
[CERAMIC CLINKS]
[GRUNTING, BREATHING HEAVILY]
[GROWLS]
[WORKERS CHATTERING]
[GRUNTS SOFTLY]
I try to bear down
But they keep screamin'
And I'm just tryin'
To filter out somehow
But they don't
Wanna leave...
I asked if I could
join the church choir.
All my life, I've been watching
them sing from the sidelines.
You know the worst part
about being deaf?
All the voices in my head--
[MUSIC STOPS]
I said, you know
the worst part about being deaf?
What's that?
You can't listen to music.
But you can feel it.
You turn the volume way up
and play something really loud,
like the "1812 Overture," heh,
you can feel the vibrations.
Well, it's good to know
that you are
just like
every other teenager.
So any new favorites?
I think I might be
into country.
Oh, Alice, keep exploring.
[CHUCKLES]
All right, I think
I got this all set up.
Uh, what do you say we do
a couple real easy questions?
How many are gonna watch?
[SIGHS]
Well, that is--
That is hard to say...
but maybe millions.
Mary wants to reach
as many people as possible.
Well, we wanna
make Mary happy, don't we?
Okay.
[CLICKS TONGUE]
There are...
There are people out there that
don't believe in your miracles.
How would you respond
to those folks?
Seeing is believing.
And why do you think
Mary chose you?
Because she gives voice
to the voiceless,
and I've been silent
for a really long time.
I prayed so hard to her,
I yearned to be healed
and she answered.
I opened myself up to Mary
and welcomed her in.
And she heard me, Mr. Fenn.
More than that, she listened.
All my life,
people barely looked at me,
like I was invisible.
But now when I walk into
the room, everybody listens.
You understand
what that's like.
People used to listen to you.
They used to hang
on your every word.
You had so much power,
but now it's gone.
Wait, wait, Alice, how do you--?
Mary told me.
She looked at you in the field
and saw someone who needed her.
A soul yearning for her touch.
You and the Lady want
the same thing, Mr. Fenn.
Spread her word.
Seize this chance.
Spread her word and be rewarded.
HAGAN:
Alice, you have any idea
what I did with my book?
I can't--
[CLEARS THROAT]
Alice, I'd like to have a word
with Mr. Fenn
in private, please.
Uh, Gyles authorized me
to be here.
You just wanna
take advantage of her.
[COUGHS]
And I won't let--
[COUGHING]
I won't let you use her.
[BREATHES DEEPLY, SNIFFLES]
Emphysema?
[SIGHS]
My-- My grandmother
had emphysema.
You think that's a good idea?
[LIGHTER CLICKS OPEN]
Father Hagan, your niece,
she is a remarkable young woman.
She has a gift.
Now, imagine...
Imagine what the people
would think
if they were able to actually
see God's work in action?
[SIGHS]
Don't talk to me about God.
You'd sell your soul
for a story, and you know it.
I-- I guess I don't understand
what is wrong
with doing some good
and maybe a few people
profiting from it.
Like you and your church.
Everybody wins.
[SNIFFLES]
Everybody.
The bishop thinks a shrine
would be wonderful for Banfield.
Maybe.
I'm not sure it would
be wonderful for Alice.
When God builds a church,
the devil builds
a chapel next door.
I never thought
that I would hear
a Catholic priest
quote Martin Luther.
Mr. Fenn...
we are in an eternal battle
between good and evil.
Wherever God goes,
the unholy follows.
The girl who saw
the Virgin Mary at Lourdes...
the world
treated her like a freak.
She lived out the rest of her
life locked away in a convent.
In Ftima, three children
saw the Virgin Mary.
Two of them were dead
by the end of the year.
Miracles, Mr. Fenn.
[EXHALES SHARPLY]
Miracles.
They're strong acts of faith,
and there is nothing
that Satan likes more
than to corrupt our faith.
[]
[LIGHTS BUZZING, CRACKLING]
[VOICES WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY]
LIBRARIAN [ON VIDEO]:
Well, our town was founded
in the early 19th century
by Catholic farmers.
The earliest mention
in our records is found
in the county assessor's
almanac of 1852.
He refers to it as Banefield,
a place of strange
and terrible wonders.
GERRY [ON VIDEO]:
Wonders? What does that mean?
LIBRARIAN:
Well, it could've
been anything.
A two-headed calf,
a black goat.
Back then, people saw
the devil behind every tree.
[ALICE SINGING
"SANCTA MARIA" IN LATIN]
GERRY:
"There are various degrees
of deafness.
Alice may have unconsciously
been hearing all along."
Those are your words.
[INHALES SHARPLY]
I entered a seminary
when I was 19.
The Jesuits.
While still a novice,
I disproved a case of stigmata.
Caught the attention
of the Holy See.
I have read several libraries'
worth on the supernatural,
investigated half a dozen
cases of alleged miracles.
Proved them all false.
Oh, you know damn well
I didn't cook this up.
It wouldn't be the first time.
You know,
there's this part in the Bible
about forgiving sins,
kind of a major plot point.
If the sinner confesses
his sins and truly repents.
Anything you care to tell me?
No.
Amen
[INHALES, EXHALES SHARPLY]
That was very good, Alice.
That was-- That was excellent.
Next, we should try "Mary--"
[COUGHS]
"Mary of--"
[COUGHING]
"Promi--"
[PAINED GRUNTING, COUGHING]
Oh!
Ouch!
[GASPING]
[HEART BEATING]
Do you believe in Mary?
[SPUTTERS, GROANS]
Do you have faith in her?
I...
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Do you pledge to serve her
with all your heart and soul?
Yes.
[HEART BEATING RAPIDLY]
Yeah. I need an ambulance
at Church of Our Lady.
Father Hagan collapsed.
[GROANS]
[GRUNTS SHARPLY]
[]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[HEARTBEAT SLOWS]
Oh.
[INHALES, EXHALES DEEPLY]
[INHALES DEEPLY]
I can breathe.
I can breathe.
[CHUCKLING]
Alice, I can breathe.
[SHRIEKS]
NATALIE:
Father Hagan's
most recent physical.
You'll see the mass
in the left lower lung field,
causing complete collapse
in the lower left lobe.
They gave him six months tops.
Father Hagan's lungs today.
GERRY:
Wait...
are you saying
that he's healed?
Apparently so.
What about the kid, Toby Walsh?
Are results in for him?
Boston Children's Hospital
diagnosed him
as suffering
from muscular dystrophy.
No cure.
While impossible...
Toby's afflictions
have completely disappeared.
All right, let me make sure
I got this straight,
that I'm not missing something.
There are
three main requirements
to be considered a miracle.
The illness must be incurable,
the cure must be instantaneous
and the cure must be complete.
Correct?
Oh, come on.
This is the real deal.
This is genuine.
It certainly
appears that way, Mr. Fenn.
NEWSCASTER:
The main requirements for a
genuine miracle have been met.
The Pope has decreed
that the field
where the Virgin Mary appeared
is a holy shrine.
GERRY:
What does Alice mean to you?
Alice is my hero.
I felt invisible,
just like she did.
But now, seeing
what she's become,
she inspires me.
She's holy. You can tell.
She's gonna be bigger
than Taylor Swift. I know it.
Nothing ever happens
in Banfield.
No.
This-- This is huge, right?
GERRY: Where you going?
Anywhere but here.
GERRY:
Aren't you happy
about the miracles?
No, sir, I am not.
I like when God stays
where he belongs.
Up there. When he comes
down here, bad things happen.
Floods, plagues of locusts.
The Old Testament God
is wrathful.
What if something
pisses him off?
The impact to the economy of
Banfield cannot be overstated.
In Europe, the shrines
at Lourdes and Ftima
each attract
6 million tourists a year.
[CELL PHONE BUZZING]
[SIGHS]
[PHONE BEEPS]
Monica, I'm a little surprised
to be hearing from you.
Yeah, well, I talked
it over with management.
We decided ten years
was long enough.
You paid your dues.
Well, as tempting
as that sounds, I pass.
What?
I want a desk, Monica.
Special Sections...
Make me an editor.
[SCOFFS]
You're out of your bloody mind.
I'm fielding calls
from Chicago, New York, D.C.
Every major Catholic demographic
on this planet
is eating this up.
I have exclusive access
to Alice Pagett.
You wanna talk to Alice,
you have to go through me.
No story without Alice,
which means no story
without Gerry Fenn.
I'll get back to you.
I'm sure you will.
[SIGHS]
[SIGHS]
Who's back?
That guy's back.
I'm gonna need new headshots!
[]
This is my home.
I've never lived
anywhere else.
But my uncle felt I'd be
better off at the diocese.
I'm sorry, Alice.
It sucks.
I get it.
Where is your uncle,
anyway?
He has some work
at the church.
I just don't know
what he's gonna do without me.
Like, who's gonna catch him
if he tries to smoke?
I don't know for certain,
but I think he'll be okay.
He's a big boy.
Hey... think of it as
a new adventure you're going on.
And in honor of that,
I made you something.
A mix.
Now, please remember
that I'm an old dude,
so you're gonna have
to put up with some classics.
The Beatles,
Zeppelin, The Stones,
Eagles, some Tupac.
But I also tried
to figure out
what the kids
listen to these days.
So you get
some Billie Eilish,
Rufus Wainwright,
Smashing Pumpkins.
It's just really important
that you know
that there is a whole big world
out there besides, uh, country.
[CHUCKLES]
Thanks.
You know, you're not as big
a jerk as everybody thinks.
[LAUGHS]
Okay. Thank you.
[CHUCKLES]
The Lady is happy
with you, Mr. Fenn.
All these people praying to her,
believing in her
because of you.
Well, you tell the Lady
she's welcome.
[]
[WATER DRIPPING]
[BUILDING CREAKING]
[WIND WHISTLING]
[GRUNTING SOFTLY]
[BLOWS]
[MARY INHALING RASPILY]
WAITRESS:
From the lady.
The lady?
[GERRY CHUCKLES]
Different lady.
Why'd you do it?
What?
Why'd you fabricate
all those stories?
[SIGHS SOFTLY]
The truth?
Yeah.
Fame.
When you are on top of the world
and those lights are on you...
it is...
It's like a drug,
and it's intoxicating.
And I got caught up in it...
and I thought
I was untouchable.
Pride before the fall.
Does everyone
quote the Bible around here?
Banfield's always been
a place of faith.
Faith, yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Faith and superstition.
You know, the first day
I was here,
my farmer friend and I,
we found a kern doll.
A kern baby.
Baby, yeah.
Fields are full of them.
Yeah.
But according to my farmer
friend, not like this one.
This one was
wrapped up in a chain,
and the chain was stamped
with an impossible date,
February 31st.
[CLEARS THROAT]
What?
Uh, um...
What?
Kern babies
are good luck, right?
Yeah.
But they also believe
that you could trap
bad things in them, and so...
[SIGHS DEEPLY]
You know, they would
wrap it up in a chain
and they would put
an impossible date
on that kern baby,
like February 31st.
And they hoped that
that would just keep
that spirit trapped forever.
So how is Toby Walsh doing?
Actually, he made
the school soccer team.
So it's a real miracle.
Wait a minute. I thought doctors
didn't believe in miracles.
Science and God
are not mutually exclusive.
I could tell you stories.
Fenn?
[]
[MARY SCREAMS]
I've seen this place before.
Pequod Creek?
We used to come here
Easter Sunday
for the church picnics
until they sold it off.
Wait, this was church property?
Yeah.
Church owned most of Banfield
ever since Our Lady was built.
When? When was that?
Mid-1800s.
1845?
How did you know that?
[WATER BUBBLING]
[SIGHS]
[MARY SCREAMS]
Fenn?
[ROARS]
What's wrong?
I need to speak to Hagan.
Something happened here.
Something connected
to the church.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[CURTAIN RAIL RATTLES]
[]
[SIGHS]
[SIGHS]
Confession is from 7 to 8.
WOMAN:
Bless me, Father,
for I have sinned.
[SIGHS]
May the Lord be in your heart
and help you confess your sins.
It's been, oh, some while
since my last confession.
Uh-huh. Go on.
I've taken
the Lord's name in vain,
been covetous,
had impure thoughts...
destroyed many lives,
led many souls
into perdition...
and now I've come for you.
Say three Hail Marys and--
I healed you.
Instead of faith,
you repaid me with doubt.
And what did it gain you?
You discovered the truth
at the expense of your life.
And do you actually believe
you can stop me?
Shall I tell you what happened
to those who have tried?
I stripped the flesh
from their bones.
I slit their windpipes
and watched the breath
slowly leak out.
[GASPS, SCREAMS]
[DISTORTED VOICE]
Satan. He gave me the power
to perform miracles.
No! No!
Pray for your sweet
blessed Mary to save you.
Jesus--
Let's see who's stronger,
her or me!
[ORGAN PLAYS ECHOING TONES]
[MARY GROWLS]
No, please... Aah!
[WHISPERING IN LATIN]
[GROWLS]
[DOOR CREAKING]
Father Hagan?
[POUNDING ON DOOR]
Father Hagan?
[POUNDING CONTINUES]
Father Hagan?
[]
I don't get it.
Why would Hagan kill himself?
He had just been healed.
Who knows
what demons plagued him?
This will, of course,
be reported
as a tragic accident.
As I'm sure
you can appreciate,
suicide is somewhat frowned
upon in our profession.
So I must ask for
your discretion in this matter.
Father Hagan was
the shepherd of this community.
You can appreciate
the damage it would do
now that Banfield
has been reborn.
Let me ask you something.
When you turn on the news,
what do you see?
War, famine, disease,
suffering, hate.
The devil is winning, Mr. Fenn.
Faith is the only thing
that stands
between us and perdition.
And this place, this shrine,
will help
strengthen our faith...
thanks to you.
None of it...
would've been
possible without you.
[BELL TOLLING]
[CRYING]
My uncle loved me
and cared for me.
He was the only family I had.
[SIGHS]
You know what, this is...
This is dumb. We can do
this some other time. Um...
No, uh...
[SNIFFLES]
Mary relieved his suffering
before calling him
to his eternal reward.
She wants us
to continue her work.
Okay.
[BEEPS]
[SNIFFLES]
Okay.
You know...
your uncle believed
that wherever God went,
the devil was close behind.
Do you think that--?
Do you think there could be
other forces at play here?
Mary would
never let that happen.
Don't doubt her, Mr. Fenn.
She is the Blessed Virgin.
The mother of God.
Her love for us
is so deep it burns.
She--
Mary is speaking
to me right now.
She says, "Doubt weakens faith.
Doubt leads to damnation."
[INSECTS CHIRPING]
[LIGHTS BUZZING]
[VOICES WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY]
[]
[LAUGHING]
Blurry vision, wobbly knees.
No doctor could find
what was wrong with me.
But one look at Alice,
and I was cured.
Shut up.
She is the Blessed Virgin.
The mother of God.
Her love for us
is so deep it burns. She--
[]
[DISTORTED]
It burns. She--
[]
MARY [WHISPERS]:
I will save you.
[SHRIEKS]
[GASPS]
Doubt leads to damnation.
Natalie.
Hey.
I don't understand.
Father Hagan wouldn't
have done this.
I don't think he did.
Do you know where
the church records are kept?
Yeah, it's-- It's in the back.
I need to see the files.
Uh, the funeral's
about to start.
All right.
[ORGAN PLAYING HYMN]
We gather here today...
to pay our respects
to Father William Hagan.
[LOCK CLANKS]
[WIND WHISTLING]
[]
[BUILDING CREAKING]
Do you have any idea what
we're looking for down here?
Anything related to 1845.
Behold, I will tell you
a mystery.
We shall not all fall asleep...
but we will be changed
in an instant.
Natalie...
look at this.
Uh, in Latin.
Oh, God, okay.
Med school
had a Latin requirement.
Testamentum...
Testament of Father Prescott.
[CLICKS TONGUE]
[SPEAKS IN LATIN]
"Concerning the witch
and the bride of Satan."
Mary Elnor.
DELGARDE:
For the trumpet will sound,
the dead will be raised...
incorruptible...
and we shall be changed.
NATALIE:
Mary performed miracles.
She could heal the sick.
Jesus, this is...
No, no, keep-- Keep reading.
NATALIE:
She claimed the Virgin Mary
was speaking through her.
She would heal you if
you pledged your soul to her.
Anyone who challenged her
met tragic ends.
Finally,
the town fought back.
Mary was captured
and submerged
in the icy waters of--
Pequod Creek.
Mary confessed
to serving Satan.
As punishment, a mask
was nailed onto Mary's face...
in the image
of the Blessed Virgin.
[MARY GROANS, WHEEZING]
[SCREAMS]
NATALIE:
Mary was hanged
by an ancient oak
in the shadow of the church.
In the name
of Christ, our Lord...
NATALIE:
Her body was burned,
her ashes and her soul
imprisoned
inside a kern baby.
Contain her!
[SPEAKING IN LATIN]
[MARY SCREAMING]
We command the soul
of William Hagan.
MARY [WHISPERS]:
Alice...
In the sight of this world...
he is now dead.
Mary has spoken to me.
[CROWD GASPS]
Tonight is the Feast
of the Immaculate Conception.
To celebrate,
Mary wants us
to hold a service at the shrine.
[CROWD MURMURING]
NATALIE:
After Mary's death,
her miracles were extinguished.
Those she had healed
all relapsed.
Jesus. Father Hagan
must have found this book.
He discovered the truth.
That's why Mary killed him.
Hagan believed that...
wherever God goes,
the unholy follows.
These miracles,
they are not God.
Join us at this service.
It's Mary Elnor...
Pray to Mary.
...posing as the Virgin Mary.
Open your heart to her.
Doing the devil's work.
She brings an urgent message
to share with the entire world,
if you believe in her.
ALL:
I believe! I believe!
I believe!
I believe! I believe...
[WIND WHISTLING]
Natalie.
What?
[LIGHTS BUZZING, CRACKLING]
Fenn?
[]
[CHUCKLES]
[SHRIEKS]
Run!
[SCREAMS]
[GLASS SHATTERS]
GERRY:
Go!
[MARY SHRIEKS]
NATALIE:
We need to warn Alice.
[REPORTERS CLAMORING]
Alice, did you have a vision?
Alice, please, please.
What do you have to say
to the people--?
Not right now.
Please, please, please.
Back away.
Alice, a couple more questions.
Not right now.
WOMAN:
Alice, will she be healed?
[REPORTERS CLAMORING]
[]
[CELL PHONE BUZZING]
[PHONE BEEPS]
[SIGHS]
Now is not a good time, Monica.
You got a deal.
The Special Section desk
is yours,
but I want you
in the office today.
I want your interviews
with Alice,
and I want access to her.
The story, no, I, uh--
Listen to me,
I got it all wrong.
Wait, what is this?
Did you get a better offer?
No, you are not listening.
All right? We need to kill it.
Fenn, you're back.
This is your last chance.
You've got it all.
Look, I know you. You would
sell your soul for a story.
I'm pretty sure I already did.
[BEEPS]
We gotta hurry.
Alice is in the convent.
SECRETARY:
Sir, he's in a meeting.
Mr. Fenn.
Before he died, Father Hagan
discovered the truth.
Here, 175 years ago. 1845.
A woman named Mary Elnor
performed exactly
the same healings as Alice.
But the source of her power
wasn't divine. It was satanic.
I know all about this, Mr. Fenn.
As soon as
the first miracle was reported,
I had my staff
research Banfield.
Mary Elnor's confession
is preserved
in the diocese archives.
Why was I not
informed about this?
Informed about what?
An ugly occurrence
of vigilante justice
that happened almost
two centuries ago?
Mary killed him.
Father Hagan
committed suicide, Mr. Fenn.
Bullshit.
She will kill anyone
that tries to stop her.
What do you
expect me to do, hmm?
Call off the service?
What service?
The Lady spoke through Alice.
She asked for a service
to be held at the shrine
to celebrate the Feast
of the Immaculate Conception.
Absolutely not.
You cannot go through with this.
She will claim the souls
of everyone who believes her.
Why? Why do you do this
to yourself, Mr. Fenn, hm?
You have it all.
Why do you want to blow up
your career all over again?
Because it's the truth.
And make no mistake about it,
I will tell the world.
And who would believe you?
No, the sisters won't let me
in to see her. Bishop's orders.
Look, I am in
the diocese archives,
and I think
I found something here.
Uh, listen to this.
Mary's final confession.
She was pregnant.
Before she was captured,
Mary gave birth to a son.
And that infant was claimed
by a local landowner.
Um, all right, his name...
Jesus.
His name is Nicholas Pagett.
Pagett?
Yeah, Alice...
Alice is Mary's descendant.
And Mary made a pact
with the devil
for eternal life and power.
Um...
[READING IN LATIN]
"I live through my children."
Alice.
She's gonna live
again through Alice.
[STATIC CRACKLING ON LINE]
You're breaking up, Fenn. Hello?
Natalie? Natalie--
[FLAMES CRACKLING]
[CERAMIC CRACKING]
[]
[SHRIEKS]
[HISSES]
[GROWLING]
[SPEAKING IN LATIN]
[CHITTERS]
[ROARS]
[GROWLS]
[SPEAKING IN LATIN]
[SHRIEKING]
[PANTING]
Now? Now do you believe me?
Alice is Mary's descendant.
Mary's pact with the devil.
"I will live
through my children."
Mary can only live
through her own bloodline.
Alice is in danger.
Everyone is in danger.
Tonight's service.
[GASPS]
All those people
praying to Mary,
feeding her with their faith.
Faith in evil empowers evil.
[]
[CROWD CHATTERING]
Ah, gentlemen.
I'd like you
to keep an eye out for this man.
His name's Gerald Fenn.
He's a troublemaker.
We don't want any,
uh, unnecessary incidents. Okay?
Yes, sir.
Understood.
Thank you.
[PHONE SHUTTER CLICKS]
NATALIE:
The bishop has Alice sequestered
till after the service.
DELGARDE:
By then it will be too late.
According to the satanic rites,
Mary will perform a mockery
of the Holy Trinity.
She will call on the faithful
to pledge devotion three times.
The third time,
she will take their souls
and condemn them
to an eternity in hell.
[ORGAN PLAYING HYMN]
[CROWD CHATTERING]
So after the choir
finishes the Angelus,
I'll perform the supplications
and the responsorial psalm,
and then you come up...
MARY [WHISPERS]:
Alice, it's time.
[DISTORTED]
You okay?
[NORMALLY]
Alice, you listening?
Okay.
[VOICES WHISPERING
INDISTINCTLY]
[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE]
My queen and my mother,
I give myself entirely to you.
And to show
my devotion to you...
I consecrate to you this day
my eyes, my ears,
my mouth, my heart,
my whole being without reserve.
Wherefore, good mother,
as I am your own,
keep me and guard me
as your property and possession.
Amen.
ALL:
Amen.
[]
Let us pray.
DELGARDE:
This ritual is our last hope.
I will use the kern baby,
imprison her soul
like they did in the past.
It's my fault.
I broke that thing.
I released Mary. I--
I was trying to beef up
what I thought
was a ridiculous story.
You never told me that.
I-- I tried. I wanted to--
God always offers
an opportunity for redemption.
He often chooses a sinner
to serve his divine purpose.
Wait, are you saying
that God chose me?
I'm saying our Lord works
in mysterious ways.
Some more mysterious
than others.
This calls
for the blessing of a bishop...
or, in a pinch, a monsignor.
Next, the wax
must be sealed by holy fire.
This flame signifies
the presence of the living God.
DELGARDE:
Get back.
[CREAKS]
[GRUNTS]
[NATALIE SCREAMS]
Oh, no!
Oh! Oh, my God! Oh, my God!
Oh, we can't stop Mary
without Delgarde.
Look at all these people
praying to her.
She's feeding off their faith,
growing stronger.
What destroys faith?
Doubt.
Doubt weakens faith.
Doubt leads to damnation.
If we can get those people
to stop believing in Mary,
we can take away her power.
God, the father of heaven,
have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy.
ALL: Lord, have mercy.
God, the son, the redeemer,
have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy.
ALL: Christ, have mercy.
God, the holy spirit,
have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy.
ALL: Lord, have mercy.
Amen.
ALL: Amen.
[CROWD GASPING, CLAMORING]
WOMAN 1:
Alice!
WOMAN 2:
Alice!
MAN: Alice!
WOMAN 3: Alice. Bless us.
Mary is here.
[ALL GASPING, MURMURING]
She wants you
to pledge your faith to her.
Let her into your hearts.
Pray to her.
Pray to our Lady of Banfield.
[VOICES WHISPERING
INDISTINCTLY]
Hail, Mary.
You are the undying spirit.
The eternal, the all-powerful.
Hail, Mary of Banfield.
ALL:
Hail, Mary of Banfield.
We pledge our hearts to you.
We vow our everlasting devotion.
Our souls are at your mercy.
Hail, Mary of Banfield.
ALL:
Hail, Mary of Banfield!
In one voice we call to you.
Come to us.
Heal our pain,
relieve our suffering.
Lead us!
ALL [CHANTING]:
Hail, Mary of Banfield!
Hail, Mary of Banfield!
Hail, Mary of Banfield!
Hail, Mary of Banfield!
Hail, Mary of Banfield!
MARY [WHISPERING]:
Now, Alice. Now is the time.
Do you offer your souls to Mary?
ALL:
Yes!
It's all a lie.
[CROWD CLAMORING]
I faked the miracles.
Fenn.
GERRY: Listen to me.
Do you offer your souls to Mary?
ALL:
Yes!
Come on.
Alice! Alice!
MARY:
One more time, Alice.
Do you offer your souls to--
NATALIE: Alice!
[GASPS]
Alice! Mary is not
who you think she is.
She is deceiving you.
The miracles are false.
CROWD: Boo!
There's no Mary.
There never was.
MAN: It's a lie!
[CROWD CLAMORING]
No!
Let him speak.
Let him be.
[CROWD QUIETS]
Go ahead, Mr. Fenn.
I fabricated the entire story.
I made it up.
[CROWD BOOING]
MARY:
Lies!
Mary healed me.
Alice, I am so sorry.
Your illness,
it resolved on its own.
[CROWD BOOS]
She cured my boy.
[CROWD CHEERS, APPLAUDS]
It's called the placebo effect.
[CROWD BOOS]
Your boy...
Your boy believed he could walk.
And he did.
Father Hagan raised you.
He loved you.
He was your family.
She killed him.
I am Mary.
You prayed to me,
and I listened.
Father Hagan...
he hanged in your church.
[CROWD GROANS]
You asked me to hush it up,
to cover it up, and I did.
You can't believe this man.
He's a blasphemer.
An atheist.
Mary has been using you.
Trust me.
I need you to trust me.
Fight her!
It was all me.
I made it all up for a story.
[CROWD BOOING, MURMURING]
Just... let me
ask you something.
Tell me, what is easier
for you to believe, that--
That an unscrupulous journalist
created a hoax or that--
[CROWD CLAMORING]
Or that God himself
reached down and touched...
Banfield?
[CROWD CLAMORING LOUDLY]
Alice. Trust me.
You have to stop these people
from believing in her.
Fight her.
MARY: Alice, listen to me.
Finish the prayer.
They must pledge
their souls to me
or you will never speak again.
Mr. Fenn is telling the truth.
What?
[CROWD GASPING, MURMURING]
Mary isn't real.
Son of a bitch.
Mary's not real!
[CROWD YELLING]
WOMAN:
She lied!
[SOBS]
[CLAMORING CONTINUES]
MAN 1:
You should be ashamed
of yourself!
MAN 2:
It's all a fake!
[MARY GROWLS]
[ALL SCREAMING]
My legs!
SOPHIA: Toby!
I can't move my legs.
DAN: Toby!
[]
SECURITY:
Move! Get out!
[BONES CRACKING]
[GROWLS]
[SHRIEKS]
[GROWLING]
What in God's name?
[]
Christ our Lord.
[SCREAMS]
[GASPS]
[CHITTERS]
[SHRIEKS]
[SCREAMS]
[SCREAMS]
[SHRIEKS]
[GASPS]
[GROANS]
[SHRIEKS]
[ROARS, GROWLING]
[SCREAMING]
[SCREECHES]
Fenn!
[SHRIEKS]
No!
[GASPS]
[SCREAMS]
[SHRIEKS]
[]
[SHRIEKS]
Alice was your only descendent.
You will never live again.
[SCREAMS]
Alice. Alice.
[SIGHING]
All right, look.
We both know that
I'm not really good at this.
But, Alice, she, uh...
She sacrificed herself for me.
[]
Please, God.
Just... Just let her live.
Please.
[INHALES DEEPLY]
Hey! Hi.
[CHUCKLES]
[MOUTHING WORDS]
[HIGH-PITCHED RINGING]
[CRIES SOFTLY]
You can't hear me?
I have never said anything
worth hearing my whole life.
[GERRY SNIFFLES]
Thank you.
[]
[ENGINE SHUTS OFF]
[ALERT DINGING]
[COW MOOS]
He, um...
He was a good man, Alice.
I have no doubt
that he is watching over you.
How do I know?
Faith.
[WHISPERS]
I've been practicing.
Well, I heard the, uh--
The local paper's hiring.
Pretty sure
no one's gonna hire me
to be a journalist.
[CHUCKLES]
Well, I didn't say anything
about journalism.
It's more like
local zoning laws
and the Farmers' Almanac.
[CHUCKLES]
You can think about it.
Okay.
[NATALIE CHUCKLES]
Hey.
There was no pulse.
She wasn't breathing.
She was gone.
Maybe God was present after all.
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[GIRL GASPING, SHUDDERING]
No.
[GIRL GASPING, CRYING]
[FLESH SQUELCHES]
[GIRL GASPS]
[GIRL GASPING]
[OBJECT PIERCES FLESH]
[GIRL SCREAMS]
[GASPS, SCREAMING]
[GIRL SOBBING, SCREAMS]
[MALLET POUNDING FLESH]
[FLAMES CRACKLING]
[ROPE CREAKS]
[GIRL GASPING, WHEEZING]
In the name of Christ,
our Lord,
and Mary, queen of heaven,
trap this corrupt soul.
Contain her!
[SPEAKING IN LATIN]
[GIRL SCREAMS]
[INSECTS CHIRPING]
[WIND WHISTLING]
[]
[]
GERRY:
Yeah, Max.
MAX [ON PHONE]: Gerry.
I'll get you tomorrow.
Party hard last night?
What do you want?
Cattle mutilations.
Small town, couple hours out.
Pays 150.
Cattle mutilations?
Well, that, for sure, that's--
That's 200 bucks.
Pays 150.
You know, I wouldn't even
get out of bed for less than 6k
when I worked for the Examiner.
Yeah. Well, Gerry,
you should try
getting your old job back.
You know what, Max? I don't
wanna talk to you anymore,
so send me the details.
I'm gonna run home
and grab some crap.
[BEEPS]
[]
[COW MOOS]
I don't know a lot about cows,
but doesn't look mutilated.
Yeah? Check her
behind there.
Right there.
Might be the work of
some of those Satanists
I keep hearing about,
you know, the--
They put on these animal masks,
strip down,
and they engage
in unholy orgies.
[CHUCKLES]
Mr. Geary,
may I ask you a question?
Yeah, sure.
Do you have a son?
Yeah.
Sixteen?
No, he's 15.
You ever hear
of the band Metallica?
[COW MOOS]
[CHURCH BELL RINGING]
[CHUCKLES]
Sorry, I, uh...
Not much happens around here.
[CHUCKLES, SIGHS]
Could have fooled me.
HAGAN: Geary?
Oh, jeez, here we go.
Yeah?
This is church property.
Get that cow out of here.
I'm-- I'm wicked sorry,
Father Hagan.
Uh, it won't happen again,
I swear to God.
You said that last week.
This cow craps everywhere.
I know. It's a mess. Sorry.
Now, Geary.
GEARY: You got it.
[WHEEZING, COUGHING]
I own the farm next door.
I've been meaning
to mend that fence.
You know what,
I-- I don't care.
What I do care about
is my employer is not gonna pay
for pictures
of that cow's ass.
I-- I don't know what to say.
Yeah, I know you don't.
[MOOS]
[VOICES WHISPERING
INDISTINCTLY]
Did you hear that?
Hear what?
Mr. Fenn?
[VOICES CONTINUES WHISPERING]
[CAWING]
[]
[]
What the hell?
"February 31, 1845."
[GIRL SCREAMS, ECHOING]
Kern baby.
[EXHALES SHARPLY]
Yeah, farmers used
to plant 'em in the fields,
uh, for good luck.
Man, never seen one
like that, though.
GERRY:
God, that is creepy.
"When the ancient talisman
was broken,
mysterious cattle mutilations
began."
This ain't broken.
[CERAMIC SHATTERS]
You-- You broke it.
Let's not argue
about who broke what.
You just got done
telling me my son--
Or who mutilated what.
Now we have a story.
Come on, help me out, man.
With what?
We'll get a big picture of
that lovable mug in the article.
Oh, no, I don't want a picture.
Yeah, yeah.
Come on.
Get down there by the thing.
Like I found it?
Yeah.
All right.
Yeah, that's good.
[CAMERA BEEPING, CLICKING]
GEARY: You like it?
Better than a cow's ass.
GEARY:
All right.
GERRY:
Ah, where does a fella get
something to eat around here?
[SILVERWARE CLATTERS]
GERRY:
This is a cool place.
Is it always this busy?
This?
This is rush hour.
[]
And an unidentified vandal
broke a protective talisman.
An unholy evil was released.
An evil thirsty for blood.
It began...
It began by sucking
on a cow's ass.
Good God, Fenn.
You were gonna win a Pulitzer.
Idiot.
Oh, shit.
[TIRES SCREECHING]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Oh, shit.
[GROANS SOFTLY]
Shit.
Hey!
[]
Hey.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[VOICES WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY]
ALICE:
I pledge my soul to you.
I pledge my soul to you.
I promise. I will.
[VOICES WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY]
I will.
Hey, are you okay?
Thank you.
[POUNDING ON DOOR]
HAGAN:
I'm coming.
[DOOR CREAKS]
Alice.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
HAGAN:
Yeah. Dr. Gates,
it's an emergency.
Please. As soon as you can.
[OWL HOOTING]
NATALIE:
How are you feeling?
HAGAN:
This has never happened before.
Could--?
Could she
have been sleepwalking?
She seems fine. I can check in
again tomorrow after Mass.
Hmm?
[DOOR OPENS]
So Alice, she lives
with Father Hagan?
He's her uncle. He's raised her
since her parents died.
That's-- The thing is...
she was talking.
[SCOFFS]
It's not possible. Alice has
never spoken in her life.
She has
congenital cholesteatoma.
Look, I get it.
You don't know me,
and I made
a bad first impression,
but I swear I heard her talking.
[LAUGHS]
Okay. What's your
blood alcohol level?
You are lucky
that Alice is okay.
If anything
had happened to her,
I would have made it
my own personal mission
to see you locked up.
Get in.
[CAR DOOR OPENS, CLOSES]
[ENGINE STARTS]
This, uh,
the best place you got?
This is the only place
we've got.
Okay.
Well, at least it's cheap.
At least it's not jail.
[]
[CHURCH BELL TOLLING]
[HIGH-PITCHED RINGING]
[TOOLS WHIRRING]
[LINE RINGING]
Hey, Gerry.
Hey, I'm still in Banfield.
Um, I got into a little bit
of an accident,
so I, uh--
Story gonna be late.
Forget it. Obscura.com ran a
cattle mutilation piece today.
[CHURCH BELL TOLLING]
What if I have
another story? Um...
Deaf-mute girl here,
connected to the church,
she spontaneously talked.
Religious angle.
Okay, Gerry.
Two hundred bucks.
Pays 150. And bring pictures.
Don't be such a cheap bastard.
Mm-hmm.
PARISHIONERS:
...you take away
the sins of the world.
Grant us peace.
[DOOR CREAKS]
Lamb of God, you take away
the sins of the world.
Grant us peace.
Lord, I am not worthy
that you should
enter under my roof,
but only say the word
and my soul shall be healed.
HAGAN:
Behold the Lamb of God.
Behold him who takes away
the sins of the world.
[HIGH-PITCHED RINGING]
WOMAN [WHISPERS]:
Alice...
[]
[]
[VOICES WHISPERING
INDISTINCTLY]
[HIGH-PITCHED RINGING]
The Lady...
[PARISHIONERS GASP, MURMURING]
[THUNDER RUMBLES]
[]
The Lady has...
an urgent message for all of us.
She wants us
to come again tomorrow.
She... She says...
She says her name is Mary.
[PARISHIONERS GASPING]
[SIGHS]
Alice, these tests will allow us
to evaluate your hearing.
Are you ready?
I'm gonna play
a series of sounds for you...
at different volumes.
[LIGHTS BUZZ]
[LONG HIGH TONES
OVER HEADPHONES]
Now you're gonna
hear some words,
and I'd like you to repeat them
back to me, okay?
RECORDED VOICE:
Cat.
Cat.
Apple.
Apple.
Number five.
Number five.
Ocean.
Ocean.
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
[KEYBOARD CLICKING]
[PHONE CLICKS]
[KEYPAD CLICKS]
[LINE RINGS]
MONICA: Slade here.
Burning the midnight oil,
I see.
I always thought
you worked too hard.
Fenn.
Monica. It's been a while.
Not long enough.
Listen, I have a story for you.
Uh, something I think
the Examiner will love.
An occurrence.
A healing, possibly divine.
I swear, it's the truth.
You were never interested
in the truth.
For you, it was all about fame.
All right, look, I totally
get the skepticism. But--
You still don't get it, do you?
You lied.
You were caught
fabricating stories.
You almost ruined
this paper's reputation.
People lost their jobs
because of you.
Next time you feel
the urge to call me, don't.
[PHONE BEEPS]
[DISCONNECT TONE BEEPS]
[]
[THUNDER RUMBLING]
[GROWLING]
[SNARLING]
[SCREAMS]
Fuck.
[]
[CAMERA BEEPING, CLICKING]
[CROWD CHATTERING]
You think Mary
will cure me, Dad?
Let's pray to her.
Friends.
Please. Please.
Uh...
I've asked Alice to stay inside.
I'm-- Obviously,
we're very happy
and grateful
that she's recovered,
but I think this is all
a bit overwhelming for her.
[CAMERA BEEPS, CLICKS]
So nothing is
gonna happen today.
[CROWD GROANS]
If you could
all please go home,
I'd appreciate it.
Thank you.
MAN: Look, there she is.
[CROWD GASPS]
Alice.
[CAMERA BEEPING, CLICKING]
HAGAN:
Alice.
[]
[VOICES WHISPERING
INDISTINCTLY]
Thank you.
[CROWD GASPING, MURMURING]
Do you believe in miracles?
Do you have faith in Mary?
Yes.
Then walk.
I can't.
Mary commands you to walk.
But I can't.
ALICE:
Believe.
[SIGHS]
[EXHALING SHARPLY]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[CROWD GASPING, MURMURING]
Hail Mary...
ALL:
Full of Grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is
the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour
of our death. Amen.
NEWSCASTER:
Next up, a strange story
from our local news affiliate.
FEMALE REPORTER:
The town of Banfield
in central Massachusetts.
A paralyzed boy
named Toby Walsh
claims he was healed by
an 18-year-old Alice Pagett.
Images of a miracle
have gone viral.
Bishop James Gyles
of the Boston Archdiocese
has announced a press
conference this morning.
1858, a French girl named
Bernadette Soubirous
claimed to have had
a series of visitations
from the Blessed Virgin
in a grotto
outside the town of Lourdes.
1917, Ftima, Portugal.
Three shepherd children reported
apparitions of the Virgin Mary,
followed by miracles,
prophesies.
1981, Medjugorje, Bosnia.
Six witnesses observed
a Marian apparition.
Many claim that
the Holy Mother continues
to visit this
shrine to this very day.
The present.
All three shrines draw millions
of faithful each year.
In Lourdes alone,
over 5000 miraculous cures
have been recorded.
GERRY: Excuse me.
Are you saying that Banfield
could become such a shrine?
Well, first
we have to, uh, confirm
that an actual miracle
has truly occurred.
And that is why
Monsignor Delgarde here
has been tasked by the Vatican
to investigate
these, uh, alleged healings.
Monsignor.
In the 18th century,
Pope Benedict XIV
laid out a procedure
to determine
the veracity of a miracle.
The main steps are:
the illness must be incurable,
the cure must be instantaneous,
the cure must be complete.
In my capacity as inquisitor,
I intend to use all medical
science and technology available
to disprove the alleged miracle
and expose any deceit.
If I fail, the miracle
is to be considered genuine.
Meanwhile,
the church has installed
a shelter over the site
to protect it from the elements
and, uh, public intrusion.
[REPORTERS CLAMORING]
Yes. Yes, yes. Go ahead.
When will we see
Alice Pagett and Toby Walsh?
Well, the Walsh family has asked
for privacy at this time,
and we intend
to respect their wishes.
Uh, Miss Pagett, however,
has, uh, offered
to speak with you
on her own accord.
Alice, you don't have to go--
You don't have to go in there
if you don't want to.
It's okay, Dr. Gates.
This is what the Lady wants.
[REPORTERS CLAMORING]
The lady you claim appeared
to you, is she the Virgin Mary?
REPORTER 1:
And what exactly were her words?
Do you have a history
of any mental illness?
REPORTER 2:
Have you received any financial
incentives to make these claims?
[REPORTERS CLAMORING]
What does the lady look like?
She's dressed
in flowing white robes.
She glows like how the sun
shimmers on a hazy day.
And how does she--
How does she speak to you?
Is it a voice in your head?
Alice, have you ever
used drugs before?
When did--?
When did you first see her?
Five nights ago, in the field.
You were there.
And what does Mary want?
Our faith.
I'm, uh-- I'm told
we'll have some privacy in here.
Please.
A little surprised
that, ahem,
Father Hagan missed
the press conference.
Uh, yes, well, uh,
Father Hagan is unfortunately
not feeling well.
I am sorry to hear that.
I imagine he is pretty excited
about his church
becoming a shrine.
Yet to be determined.
Alice is speaking
perfectly,
though she has never heard
any form of speech before.
How do you explain that?
There are various degrees
of deafness, Mr. Fenn.
Alice may have been
unconsciously hearing all along.
Come on.
Are you Catholic?
I was raised Catholic.
Lapsed.
Spiritually and professionally,
it would appear.
My lack of faith
could be an advantage.
Having
a neutral observer along
to record the process
would be healthy.
Now, you may find
someone more devout, but--
But they'd be
accused of bias. Yeah.
Give me the exclusive.
Only I talk to Alice.
I promise you
I will be fair.
And if, for whatever reason,
any of these miracles
turn to be false,
then I personally
will take the hit.
Alice certainly seems
more inclined to talk to you.
Your Grace,
this man's reputation is--
Yes, yes, I know, Vincent.
Everyone deserves
a second chance, though.
Even Mr. Fenn here.
[EQUIPMENT HAMMERING]
[MAN LAUGHS]
[CROWS CAWING]
[]
[BREATHES DEEPLY]
[MACHINERY CLATTERING,
EQUIPMENT HAMMERING]
[CERAMIC CLINKS]
[GRUNTING, BREATHING HEAVILY]
[GROWLS]
[WORKERS CHATTERING]
[GRUNTS SOFTLY]
I try to bear down
But they keep screamin'
And I'm just tryin'
To filter out somehow
But they don't
Wanna leave...
I asked if I could
join the church choir.
All my life, I've been watching
them sing from the sidelines.
You know the worst part
about being deaf?
All the voices in my head--
[MUSIC STOPS]
I said, you know
the worst part about being deaf?
What's that?
You can't listen to music.
But you can feel it.
You turn the volume way up
and play something really loud,
like the "1812 Overture," heh,
you can feel the vibrations.
Well, it's good to know
that you are
just like
every other teenager.
So any new favorites?
I think I might be
into country.
Oh, Alice, keep exploring.
[CHUCKLES]
All right, I think
I got this all set up.
Uh, what do you say we do
a couple real easy questions?
How many are gonna watch?
[SIGHS]
Well, that is--
That is hard to say...
but maybe millions.
Mary wants to reach
as many people as possible.
Well, we wanna
make Mary happy, don't we?
Okay.
[CLICKS TONGUE]
There are...
There are people out there that
don't believe in your miracles.
How would you respond
to those folks?
Seeing is believing.
And why do you think
Mary chose you?
Because she gives voice
to the voiceless,
and I've been silent
for a really long time.
I prayed so hard to her,
I yearned to be healed
and she answered.
I opened myself up to Mary
and welcomed her in.
And she heard me, Mr. Fenn.
More than that, she listened.
All my life,
people barely looked at me,
like I was invisible.
But now when I walk into
the room, everybody listens.
You understand
what that's like.
People used to listen to you.
They used to hang
on your every word.
You had so much power,
but now it's gone.
Wait, wait, Alice, how do you--?
Mary told me.
She looked at you in the field
and saw someone who needed her.
A soul yearning for her touch.
You and the Lady want
the same thing, Mr. Fenn.
Spread her word.
Seize this chance.
Spread her word and be rewarded.
HAGAN:
Alice, you have any idea
what I did with my book?
I can't--
[CLEARS THROAT]
Alice, I'd like to have a word
with Mr. Fenn
in private, please.
Uh, Gyles authorized me
to be here.
You just wanna
take advantage of her.
[COUGHS]
And I won't let--
[COUGHING]
I won't let you use her.
[BREATHES DEEPLY, SNIFFLES]
Emphysema?
[SIGHS]
My-- My grandmother
had emphysema.
You think that's a good idea?
[LIGHTER CLICKS OPEN]
Father Hagan, your niece,
she is a remarkable young woman.
She has a gift.
Now, imagine...
Imagine what the people
would think
if they were able to actually
see God's work in action?
[SIGHS]
Don't talk to me about God.
You'd sell your soul
for a story, and you know it.
I-- I guess I don't understand
what is wrong
with doing some good
and maybe a few people
profiting from it.
Like you and your church.
Everybody wins.
[SNIFFLES]
Everybody.
The bishop thinks a shrine
would be wonderful for Banfield.
Maybe.
I'm not sure it would
be wonderful for Alice.
When God builds a church,
the devil builds
a chapel next door.
I never thought
that I would hear
a Catholic priest
quote Martin Luther.
Mr. Fenn...
we are in an eternal battle
between good and evil.
Wherever God goes,
the unholy follows.
The girl who saw
the Virgin Mary at Lourdes...
the world
treated her like a freak.
She lived out the rest of her
life locked away in a convent.
In Ftima, three children
saw the Virgin Mary.
Two of them were dead
by the end of the year.
Miracles, Mr. Fenn.
[EXHALES SHARPLY]
Miracles.
They're strong acts of faith,
and there is nothing
that Satan likes more
than to corrupt our faith.
[]
[LIGHTS BUZZING, CRACKLING]
[VOICES WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY]
LIBRARIAN [ON VIDEO]:
Well, our town was founded
in the early 19th century
by Catholic farmers.
The earliest mention
in our records is found
in the county assessor's
almanac of 1852.
He refers to it as Banefield,
a place of strange
and terrible wonders.
GERRY [ON VIDEO]:
Wonders? What does that mean?
LIBRARIAN:
Well, it could've
been anything.
A two-headed calf,
a black goat.
Back then, people saw
the devil behind every tree.
[ALICE SINGING
"SANCTA MARIA" IN LATIN]
GERRY:
"There are various degrees
of deafness.
Alice may have unconsciously
been hearing all along."
Those are your words.
[INHALES SHARPLY]
I entered a seminary
when I was 19.
The Jesuits.
While still a novice,
I disproved a case of stigmata.
Caught the attention
of the Holy See.
I have read several libraries'
worth on the supernatural,
investigated half a dozen
cases of alleged miracles.
Proved them all false.
Oh, you know damn well
I didn't cook this up.
It wouldn't be the first time.
You know,
there's this part in the Bible
about forgiving sins,
kind of a major plot point.
If the sinner confesses
his sins and truly repents.
Anything you care to tell me?
No.
Amen
[INHALES, EXHALES SHARPLY]
That was very good, Alice.
That was-- That was excellent.
Next, we should try "Mary--"
[COUGHS]
"Mary of--"
[COUGHING]
"Promi--"
[PAINED GRUNTING, COUGHING]
Oh!
Ouch!
[GASPING]
[HEART BEATING]
Do you believe in Mary?
[SPUTTERS, GROANS]
Do you have faith in her?
I...
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Do you pledge to serve her
with all your heart and soul?
Yes.
[HEART BEATING RAPIDLY]
Yeah. I need an ambulance
at Church of Our Lady.
Father Hagan collapsed.
[GROANS]
[GRUNTS SHARPLY]
[]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[HEARTBEAT SLOWS]
Oh.
[INHALES, EXHALES DEEPLY]
[INHALES DEEPLY]
I can breathe.
I can breathe.
[CHUCKLING]
Alice, I can breathe.
[SHRIEKS]
NATALIE:
Father Hagan's
most recent physical.
You'll see the mass
in the left lower lung field,
causing complete collapse
in the lower left lobe.
They gave him six months tops.
Father Hagan's lungs today.
GERRY:
Wait...
are you saying
that he's healed?
Apparently so.
What about the kid, Toby Walsh?
Are results in for him?
Boston Children's Hospital
diagnosed him
as suffering
from muscular dystrophy.
No cure.
While impossible...
Toby's afflictions
have completely disappeared.
All right, let me make sure
I got this straight,
that I'm not missing something.
There are
three main requirements
to be considered a miracle.
The illness must be incurable,
the cure must be instantaneous
and the cure must be complete.
Correct?
Oh, come on.
This is the real deal.
This is genuine.
It certainly
appears that way, Mr. Fenn.
NEWSCASTER:
The main requirements for a
genuine miracle have been met.
The Pope has decreed
that the field
where the Virgin Mary appeared
is a holy shrine.
GERRY:
What does Alice mean to you?
Alice is my hero.
I felt invisible,
just like she did.
But now, seeing
what she's become,
she inspires me.
She's holy. You can tell.
She's gonna be bigger
than Taylor Swift. I know it.
Nothing ever happens
in Banfield.
No.
This-- This is huge, right?
GERRY: Where you going?
Anywhere but here.
GERRY:
Aren't you happy
about the miracles?
No, sir, I am not.
I like when God stays
where he belongs.
Up there. When he comes
down here, bad things happen.
Floods, plagues of locusts.
The Old Testament God
is wrathful.
What if something
pisses him off?
The impact to the economy of
Banfield cannot be overstated.
In Europe, the shrines
at Lourdes and Ftima
each attract
6 million tourists a year.
[CELL PHONE BUZZING]
[SIGHS]
[PHONE BEEPS]
Monica, I'm a little surprised
to be hearing from you.
Yeah, well, I talked
it over with management.
We decided ten years
was long enough.
You paid your dues.
Well, as tempting
as that sounds, I pass.
What?
I want a desk, Monica.
Special Sections...
Make me an editor.
[SCOFFS]
You're out of your bloody mind.
I'm fielding calls
from Chicago, New York, D.C.
Every major Catholic demographic
on this planet
is eating this up.
I have exclusive access
to Alice Pagett.
You wanna talk to Alice,
you have to go through me.
No story without Alice,
which means no story
without Gerry Fenn.
I'll get back to you.
I'm sure you will.
[SIGHS]
[SIGHS]
Who's back?
That guy's back.
I'm gonna need new headshots!
[]
This is my home.
I've never lived
anywhere else.
But my uncle felt I'd be
better off at the diocese.
I'm sorry, Alice.
It sucks.
I get it.
Where is your uncle,
anyway?
He has some work
at the church.
I just don't know
what he's gonna do without me.
Like, who's gonna catch him
if he tries to smoke?
I don't know for certain,
but I think he'll be okay.
He's a big boy.
Hey... think of it as
a new adventure you're going on.
And in honor of that,
I made you something.
A mix.
Now, please remember
that I'm an old dude,
so you're gonna have
to put up with some classics.
The Beatles,
Zeppelin, The Stones,
Eagles, some Tupac.
But I also tried
to figure out
what the kids
listen to these days.
So you get
some Billie Eilish,
Rufus Wainwright,
Smashing Pumpkins.
It's just really important
that you know
that there is a whole big world
out there besides, uh, country.
[CHUCKLES]
Thanks.
You know, you're not as big
a jerk as everybody thinks.
[LAUGHS]
Okay. Thank you.
[CHUCKLES]
The Lady is happy
with you, Mr. Fenn.
All these people praying to her,
believing in her
because of you.
Well, you tell the Lady
she's welcome.
[]
[WATER DRIPPING]
[BUILDING CREAKING]
[WIND WHISTLING]
[GRUNTING SOFTLY]
[BLOWS]
[MARY INHALING RASPILY]
WAITRESS:
From the lady.
The lady?
[GERRY CHUCKLES]
Different lady.
Why'd you do it?
What?
Why'd you fabricate
all those stories?
[SIGHS SOFTLY]
The truth?
Yeah.
Fame.
When you are on top of the world
and those lights are on you...
it is...
It's like a drug,
and it's intoxicating.
And I got caught up in it...
and I thought
I was untouchable.
Pride before the fall.
Does everyone
quote the Bible around here?
Banfield's always been
a place of faith.
Faith, yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Faith and superstition.
You know, the first day
I was here,
my farmer friend and I,
we found a kern doll.
A kern baby.
Baby, yeah.
Fields are full of them.
Yeah.
But according to my farmer
friend, not like this one.
This one was
wrapped up in a chain,
and the chain was stamped
with an impossible date,
February 31st.
[CLEARS THROAT]
What?
Uh, um...
What?
Kern babies
are good luck, right?
Yeah.
But they also believe
that you could trap
bad things in them, and so...
[SIGHS DEEPLY]
You know, they would
wrap it up in a chain
and they would put
an impossible date
on that kern baby,
like February 31st.
And they hoped that
that would just keep
that spirit trapped forever.
So how is Toby Walsh doing?
Actually, he made
the school soccer team.
So it's a real miracle.
Wait a minute. I thought doctors
didn't believe in miracles.
Science and God
are not mutually exclusive.
I could tell you stories.
Fenn?
[]
[MARY SCREAMS]
I've seen this place before.
Pequod Creek?
We used to come here
Easter Sunday
for the church picnics
until they sold it off.
Wait, this was church property?
Yeah.
Church owned most of Banfield
ever since Our Lady was built.
When? When was that?
Mid-1800s.
1845?
How did you know that?
[WATER BUBBLING]
[SIGHS]
[MARY SCREAMS]
Fenn?
[ROARS]
What's wrong?
I need to speak to Hagan.
Something happened here.
Something connected
to the church.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[CURTAIN RAIL RATTLES]
[]
[SIGHS]
[SIGHS]
Confession is from 7 to 8.
WOMAN:
Bless me, Father,
for I have sinned.
[SIGHS]
May the Lord be in your heart
and help you confess your sins.
It's been, oh, some while
since my last confession.
Uh-huh. Go on.
I've taken
the Lord's name in vain,
been covetous,
had impure thoughts...
destroyed many lives,
led many souls
into perdition...
and now I've come for you.
Say three Hail Marys and--
I healed you.
Instead of faith,
you repaid me with doubt.
And what did it gain you?
You discovered the truth
at the expense of your life.
And do you actually believe
you can stop me?
Shall I tell you what happened
to those who have tried?
I stripped the flesh
from their bones.
I slit their windpipes
and watched the breath
slowly leak out.
[GASPS, SCREAMS]
[DISTORTED VOICE]
Satan. He gave me the power
to perform miracles.
No! No!
Pray for your sweet
blessed Mary to save you.
Jesus--
Let's see who's stronger,
her or me!
[ORGAN PLAYS ECHOING TONES]
[MARY GROWLS]
No, please... Aah!
[WHISPERING IN LATIN]
[GROWLS]
[DOOR CREAKING]
Father Hagan?
[POUNDING ON DOOR]
Father Hagan?
[POUNDING CONTINUES]
Father Hagan?
[]
I don't get it.
Why would Hagan kill himself?
He had just been healed.
Who knows
what demons plagued him?
This will, of course,
be reported
as a tragic accident.
As I'm sure
you can appreciate,
suicide is somewhat frowned
upon in our profession.
So I must ask for
your discretion in this matter.
Father Hagan was
the shepherd of this community.
You can appreciate
the damage it would do
now that Banfield
has been reborn.
Let me ask you something.
When you turn on the news,
what do you see?
War, famine, disease,
suffering, hate.
The devil is winning, Mr. Fenn.
Faith is the only thing
that stands
between us and perdition.
And this place, this shrine,
will help
strengthen our faith...
thanks to you.
None of it...
would've been
possible without you.
[BELL TOLLING]
[CRYING]
My uncle loved me
and cared for me.
He was the only family I had.
[SIGHS]
You know what, this is...
This is dumb. We can do
this some other time. Um...
No, uh...
[SNIFFLES]
Mary relieved his suffering
before calling him
to his eternal reward.
She wants us
to continue her work.
Okay.
[BEEPS]
[SNIFFLES]
Okay.
You know...
your uncle believed
that wherever God went,
the devil was close behind.
Do you think that--?
Do you think there could be
other forces at play here?
Mary would
never let that happen.
Don't doubt her, Mr. Fenn.
She is the Blessed Virgin.
The mother of God.
Her love for us
is so deep it burns.
She--
Mary is speaking
to me right now.
She says, "Doubt weakens faith.
Doubt leads to damnation."
[INSECTS CHIRPING]
[LIGHTS BUZZING]
[VOICES WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY]
[]
[LAUGHING]
Blurry vision, wobbly knees.
No doctor could find
what was wrong with me.
But one look at Alice,
and I was cured.
Shut up.
She is the Blessed Virgin.
The mother of God.
Her love for us
is so deep it burns. She--
[]
[DISTORTED]
It burns. She--
[]
MARY [WHISPERS]:
I will save you.
[SHRIEKS]
[GASPS]
Doubt leads to damnation.
Natalie.
Hey.
I don't understand.
Father Hagan wouldn't
have done this.
I don't think he did.
Do you know where
the church records are kept?
Yeah, it's-- It's in the back.
I need to see the files.
Uh, the funeral's
about to start.
All right.
[ORGAN PLAYING HYMN]
We gather here today...
to pay our respects
to Father William Hagan.
[LOCK CLANKS]
[WIND WHISTLING]
[]
[BUILDING CREAKING]
Do you have any idea what
we're looking for down here?
Anything related to 1845.
Behold, I will tell you
a mystery.
We shall not all fall asleep...
but we will be changed
in an instant.
Natalie...
look at this.
Uh, in Latin.
Oh, God, okay.
Med school
had a Latin requirement.
Testamentum...
Testament of Father Prescott.
[CLICKS TONGUE]
[SPEAKS IN LATIN]
"Concerning the witch
and the bride of Satan."
Mary Elnor.
DELGARDE:
For the trumpet will sound,
the dead will be raised...
incorruptible...
and we shall be changed.
NATALIE:
Mary performed miracles.
She could heal the sick.
Jesus, this is...
No, no, keep-- Keep reading.
NATALIE:
She claimed the Virgin Mary
was speaking through her.
She would heal you if
you pledged your soul to her.
Anyone who challenged her
met tragic ends.
Finally,
the town fought back.
Mary was captured
and submerged
in the icy waters of--
Pequod Creek.
Mary confessed
to serving Satan.
As punishment, a mask
was nailed onto Mary's face...
in the image
of the Blessed Virgin.
[MARY GROANS, WHEEZING]
[SCREAMS]
NATALIE:
Mary was hanged
by an ancient oak
in the shadow of the church.
In the name
of Christ, our Lord...
NATALIE:
Her body was burned,
her ashes and her soul
imprisoned
inside a kern baby.
Contain her!
[SPEAKING IN LATIN]
[MARY SCREAMING]
We command the soul
of William Hagan.
MARY [WHISPERS]:
Alice...
In the sight of this world...
he is now dead.
Mary has spoken to me.
[CROWD GASPS]
Tonight is the Feast
of the Immaculate Conception.
To celebrate,
Mary wants us
to hold a service at the shrine.
[CROWD MURMURING]
NATALIE:
After Mary's death,
her miracles were extinguished.
Those she had healed
all relapsed.
Jesus. Father Hagan
must have found this book.
He discovered the truth.
That's why Mary killed him.
Hagan believed that...
wherever God goes,
the unholy follows.
These miracles,
they are not God.
Join us at this service.
It's Mary Elnor...
Pray to Mary.
...posing as the Virgin Mary.
Open your heart to her.
Doing the devil's work.
She brings an urgent message
to share with the entire world,
if you believe in her.
ALL:
I believe! I believe!
I believe!
I believe! I believe...
[WIND WHISTLING]
Natalie.
What?
[LIGHTS BUZZING, CRACKLING]
Fenn?
[]
[CHUCKLES]
[SHRIEKS]
Run!
[SCREAMS]
[GLASS SHATTERS]
GERRY:
Go!
[MARY SHRIEKS]
NATALIE:
We need to warn Alice.
[REPORTERS CLAMORING]
Alice, did you have a vision?
Alice, please, please.
What do you have to say
to the people--?
Not right now.
Please, please, please.
Back away.
Alice, a couple more questions.
Not right now.
WOMAN:
Alice, will she be healed?
[REPORTERS CLAMORING]
[]
[CELL PHONE BUZZING]
[PHONE BEEPS]
[SIGHS]
Now is not a good time, Monica.
You got a deal.
The Special Section desk
is yours,
but I want you
in the office today.
I want your interviews
with Alice,
and I want access to her.
The story, no, I, uh--
Listen to me,
I got it all wrong.
Wait, what is this?
Did you get a better offer?
No, you are not listening.
All right? We need to kill it.
Fenn, you're back.
This is your last chance.
You've got it all.
Look, I know you. You would
sell your soul for a story.
I'm pretty sure I already did.
[BEEPS]
We gotta hurry.
Alice is in the convent.
SECRETARY:
Sir, he's in a meeting.
Mr. Fenn.
Before he died, Father Hagan
discovered the truth.
Here, 175 years ago. 1845.
A woman named Mary Elnor
performed exactly
the same healings as Alice.
But the source of her power
wasn't divine. It was satanic.
I know all about this, Mr. Fenn.
As soon as
the first miracle was reported,
I had my staff
research Banfield.
Mary Elnor's confession
is preserved
in the diocese archives.
Why was I not
informed about this?
Informed about what?
An ugly occurrence
of vigilante justice
that happened almost
two centuries ago?
Mary killed him.
Father Hagan
committed suicide, Mr. Fenn.
Bullshit.
She will kill anyone
that tries to stop her.
What do you
expect me to do, hmm?
Call off the service?
What service?
The Lady spoke through Alice.
She asked for a service
to be held at the shrine
to celebrate the Feast
of the Immaculate Conception.
Absolutely not.
You cannot go through with this.
She will claim the souls
of everyone who believes her.
Why? Why do you do this
to yourself, Mr. Fenn, hm?
You have it all.
Why do you want to blow up
your career all over again?
Because it's the truth.
And make no mistake about it,
I will tell the world.
And who would believe you?
No, the sisters won't let me
in to see her. Bishop's orders.
Look, I am in
the diocese archives,
and I think
I found something here.
Uh, listen to this.
Mary's final confession.
She was pregnant.
Before she was captured,
Mary gave birth to a son.
And that infant was claimed
by a local landowner.
Um, all right, his name...
Jesus.
His name is Nicholas Pagett.
Pagett?
Yeah, Alice...
Alice is Mary's descendant.
And Mary made a pact
with the devil
for eternal life and power.
Um...
[READING IN LATIN]
"I live through my children."
Alice.
She's gonna live
again through Alice.
[STATIC CRACKLING ON LINE]
You're breaking up, Fenn. Hello?
Natalie? Natalie--
[FLAMES CRACKLING]
[CERAMIC CRACKING]
[]
[SHRIEKS]
[HISSES]
[GROWLING]
[SPEAKING IN LATIN]
[CHITTERS]
[ROARS]
[GROWLS]
[SPEAKING IN LATIN]
[SHRIEKING]
[PANTING]
Now? Now do you believe me?
Alice is Mary's descendant.
Mary's pact with the devil.
"I will live
through my children."
Mary can only live
through her own bloodline.
Alice is in danger.
Everyone is in danger.
Tonight's service.
[GASPS]
All those people
praying to Mary,
feeding her with their faith.
Faith in evil empowers evil.
[]
[CROWD CHATTERING]
Ah, gentlemen.
I'd like you
to keep an eye out for this man.
His name's Gerald Fenn.
He's a troublemaker.
We don't want any,
uh, unnecessary incidents. Okay?
Yes, sir.
Understood.
Thank you.
[PHONE SHUTTER CLICKS]
NATALIE:
The bishop has Alice sequestered
till after the service.
DELGARDE:
By then it will be too late.
According to the satanic rites,
Mary will perform a mockery
of the Holy Trinity.
She will call on the faithful
to pledge devotion three times.
The third time,
she will take their souls
and condemn them
to an eternity in hell.
[ORGAN PLAYING HYMN]
[CROWD CHATTERING]
So after the choir
finishes the Angelus,
I'll perform the supplications
and the responsorial psalm,
and then you come up...
MARY [WHISPERS]:
Alice, it's time.
[DISTORTED]
You okay?
[NORMALLY]
Alice, you listening?
Okay.
[VOICES WHISPERING
INDISTINCTLY]
[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE]
My queen and my mother,
I give myself entirely to you.
And to show
my devotion to you...
I consecrate to you this day
my eyes, my ears,
my mouth, my heart,
my whole being without reserve.
Wherefore, good mother,
as I am your own,
keep me and guard me
as your property and possession.
Amen.
ALL:
Amen.
[]
Let us pray.
DELGARDE:
This ritual is our last hope.
I will use the kern baby,
imprison her soul
like they did in the past.
It's my fault.
I broke that thing.
I released Mary. I--
I was trying to beef up
what I thought
was a ridiculous story.
You never told me that.
I-- I tried. I wanted to--
God always offers
an opportunity for redemption.
He often chooses a sinner
to serve his divine purpose.
Wait, are you saying
that God chose me?
I'm saying our Lord works
in mysterious ways.
Some more mysterious
than others.
This calls
for the blessing of a bishop...
or, in a pinch, a monsignor.
Next, the wax
must be sealed by holy fire.
This flame signifies
the presence of the living God.
DELGARDE:
Get back.
[CREAKS]
[GRUNTS]
[NATALIE SCREAMS]
Oh, no!
Oh! Oh, my God! Oh, my God!
Oh, we can't stop Mary
without Delgarde.
Look at all these people
praying to her.
She's feeding off their faith,
growing stronger.
What destroys faith?
Doubt.
Doubt weakens faith.
Doubt leads to damnation.
If we can get those people
to stop believing in Mary,
we can take away her power.
God, the father of heaven,
have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy.
ALL: Lord, have mercy.
God, the son, the redeemer,
have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy.
ALL: Christ, have mercy.
God, the holy spirit,
have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy.
ALL: Lord, have mercy.
Amen.
ALL: Amen.
[CROWD GASPING, CLAMORING]
WOMAN 1:
Alice!
WOMAN 2:
Alice!
MAN: Alice!
WOMAN 3: Alice. Bless us.
Mary is here.
[ALL GASPING, MURMURING]
She wants you
to pledge your faith to her.
Let her into your hearts.
Pray to her.
Pray to our Lady of Banfield.
[VOICES WHISPERING
INDISTINCTLY]
Hail, Mary.
You are the undying spirit.
The eternal, the all-powerful.
Hail, Mary of Banfield.
ALL:
Hail, Mary of Banfield.
We pledge our hearts to you.
We vow our everlasting devotion.
Our souls are at your mercy.
Hail, Mary of Banfield.
ALL:
Hail, Mary of Banfield!
In one voice we call to you.
Come to us.
Heal our pain,
relieve our suffering.
Lead us!
ALL [CHANTING]:
Hail, Mary of Banfield!
Hail, Mary of Banfield!
Hail, Mary of Banfield!
Hail, Mary of Banfield!
Hail, Mary of Banfield!
MARY [WHISPERING]:
Now, Alice. Now is the time.
Do you offer your souls to Mary?
ALL:
Yes!
It's all a lie.
[CROWD CLAMORING]
I faked the miracles.
Fenn.
GERRY: Listen to me.
Do you offer your souls to Mary?
ALL:
Yes!
Come on.
Alice! Alice!
MARY:
One more time, Alice.
Do you offer your souls to--
NATALIE: Alice!
[GASPS]
Alice! Mary is not
who you think she is.
She is deceiving you.
The miracles are false.
CROWD: Boo!
There's no Mary.
There never was.
MAN: It's a lie!
[CROWD CLAMORING]
No!
Let him speak.
Let him be.
[CROWD QUIETS]
Go ahead, Mr. Fenn.
I fabricated the entire story.
I made it up.
[CROWD BOOING]
MARY:
Lies!
Mary healed me.
Alice, I am so sorry.
Your illness,
it resolved on its own.
[CROWD BOOS]
She cured my boy.
[CROWD CHEERS, APPLAUDS]
It's called the placebo effect.
[CROWD BOOS]
Your boy...
Your boy believed he could walk.
And he did.
Father Hagan raised you.
He loved you.
He was your family.
She killed him.
I am Mary.
You prayed to me,
and I listened.
Father Hagan...
he hanged in your church.
[CROWD GROANS]
You asked me to hush it up,
to cover it up, and I did.
You can't believe this man.
He's a blasphemer.
An atheist.
Mary has been using you.
Trust me.
I need you to trust me.
Fight her!
It was all me.
I made it all up for a story.
[CROWD BOOING, MURMURING]
Just... let me
ask you something.
Tell me, what is easier
for you to believe, that--
That an unscrupulous journalist
created a hoax or that--
[CROWD CLAMORING]
Or that God himself
reached down and touched...
Banfield?
[CROWD CLAMORING LOUDLY]
Alice. Trust me.
You have to stop these people
from believing in her.
Fight her.
MARY: Alice, listen to me.
Finish the prayer.
They must pledge
their souls to me
or you will never speak again.
Mr. Fenn is telling the truth.
What?
[CROWD GASPING, MURMURING]
Mary isn't real.
Son of a bitch.
Mary's not real!
[CROWD YELLING]
WOMAN:
She lied!
[SOBS]
[CLAMORING CONTINUES]
MAN 1:
You should be ashamed
of yourself!
MAN 2:
It's all a fake!
[MARY GROWLS]
[ALL SCREAMING]
My legs!
SOPHIA: Toby!
I can't move my legs.
DAN: Toby!
[]
SECURITY:
Move! Get out!
[BONES CRACKING]
[GROWLS]
[SHRIEKS]
[GROWLING]
What in God's name?
[]
Christ our Lord.
[SCREAMS]
[GASPS]
[CHITTERS]
[SHRIEKS]
[SCREAMS]
[SCREAMS]
[SHRIEKS]
[GASPS]
[GROANS]
[SHRIEKS]
[ROARS, GROWLING]
[SCREAMING]
[SCREECHES]
Fenn!
[SHRIEKS]
No!
[GASPS]
[SCREAMS]
[SHRIEKS]
[]
[SHRIEKS]
Alice was your only descendent.
You will never live again.
[SCREAMS]
Alice. Alice.
[SIGHING]
All right, look.
We both know that
I'm not really good at this.
But, Alice, she, uh...
She sacrificed herself for me.
[]
Please, God.
Just... Just let her live.
Please.
[INHALES DEEPLY]
Hey! Hi.
[CHUCKLES]
[MOUTHING WORDS]
[HIGH-PITCHED RINGING]
[CRIES SOFTLY]
You can't hear me?
I have never said anything
worth hearing my whole life.
[GERRY SNIFFLES]
Thank you.
[]
[ENGINE SHUTS OFF]
[ALERT DINGING]
[COW MOOS]
He, um...
He was a good man, Alice.
I have no doubt
that he is watching over you.
How do I know?
Faith.
[WHISPERS]
I've been practicing.
Well, I heard the, uh--
The local paper's hiring.
Pretty sure
no one's gonna hire me
to be a journalist.
[CHUCKLES]
Well, I didn't say anything
about journalism.
It's more like
local zoning laws
and the Farmers' Almanac.
[CHUCKLES]
You can think about it.
Okay.
[NATALIE CHUCKLES]
Hey.
There was no pulse.
She wasn't breathing.
She was gone.
Maybe God was present after all.
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]