Corpus Christi 2020

Daniel, a devout Catholic serving a sentence for second-degree murder, faces an uphill battle to achieve his dream of becoming a priest due to his troubling past. Upon his release, he finds himself assigned to work in a sawmill in a quaint village. In a clever twist, he feigns being a priest during visits to the local Catholic church. Surprisingly, the vicar, believing his ruse, leaves him to manage the church while he goes for medical treatment.

Embracing his unexpected role, Daniel starts performing the various duties of a priest and finds genuine enjoyment in it. The parishioners, including Lidia, appreciate his unconventional methods, even when he makes a shocking confession from the pulpit, admitting to his past crime. As he gains acceptance, the community’s feelings become more complicated when he begins to investigate a recent tragic car accident that claimed the lives of an adult man and six teenagers. The man’s reputation as a violent outcast does little to sway the villagers, who adamantly refuse to believe that the teenagers could be at fault.

Curiosity drives Daniel to learn more about the accident from Marta (Eliza Rycembel), whose brother was among the deceased. She reveals that her brother had sent her a video just hours before the crash, showcasing the group indulging in heavy drinking and drugs. Despite understanding the implications, she struggles with the decision to share this information. Pressured by the insistent mayor Walkiewicz to cease his inquiries, Daniel finds himself in a moral quagmire over whether the deceased driver should be interred alongside the teens.

As time passes, Daniel discovers the cremated remains of the driver are at the core of village turmoil. The driver’s widow has been the target of hateful letters from the villagers, making her live in isolation due to her unwavering belief in her husband’s innocence. Driven by guilt and a sense of justice, Daniel, along with a distressed Marta, confronts the villagers about their cruel letters. In a poignant moment, he decides to hold a burial service for the driver, regardless of the village’s divided sentiments. This act of defiance leads to Marta being expelled from her home by her mother for her involvement, prompting her to seek refuge in the makeshift rectory with Daniel, a situation that leads to an intimate connection developing between them.

During the burial service, the atmosphere shifts as the villagers momentarily set aside their grievances to pay their respects. However, the tension escalates when a priest from Daniel’s youth detention center arrives, having been alerted about the imposter. He orders Daniel to vacate the premises immediately. With quick thinking, Daniel escapes through a window and conducts his ‘farewell Mass,’ daringly revealing his tattoos before taking his leave.

Ultimately, Daniel finds himself back in prison, where fate places him face-to-face with the brother of the man he killed. Their confrontation escalates into a brutal fight, showcasing Daniel’s resilience as he prevails, earning newfound respect from his fellow inmates who allow him to exit, leaving him to ponder the personal cost of his actions and the journey he has undertaken.