Holy Smoke 1999

As Ruth Barron, who now prefers to be called Nazni, embarks on a profound journey into the mystical wisdom of Baba in India, her parents, Gilbert and Miriam, are left grappling with the upheaval back in Sydney. The news about their daughter’s spiritual transformation hits them hard, as they struggle to balance their worldly worries with her newfound conviction. To coax Nazni back into their world, Miriam fabricates a story about Gilbert’s health, which spurs her own journey to India. Yet, Nazni’s determination remains unyielding, only shifting when Miriam suffers a severe asthma attack, finally persuading Nazni to consider returning home.

In the Australian Outback, the stage is set for a dramatic family reunion. Miriam has orchestrated a clever deception, claiming that Gilbert is recovering at a secluded farm, hoping to entice Nazni to abandon her spiritual journey. The family, including Robbie and his outspoken wife Yvonne, alongside Tim and his partner Yani, converge at a resort to align with Nazni’s arrival. They enlist the help of P.J. Waters, a well-known American deprogrammer adept at “curing” those who they believe are lost to cult influence.

As Nazni meets her father at the farm, she is surprised by an intervention led by her family and P.J. Together, they challenge her unwavering belief in Baba, attempting to reveal the dangers of her new conviction. Although initially resistant, Nazni ultimately agrees to partake in P.J.’s deprogramming sessions, on the condition that she can return to India once completed.

The deprogramming unfolds in earnest as P.J. retreats with Nazni to a secluded cabin, working diligently to undermine her faith by drawing parallels between Baba’s teachings and Hinduism. The following day, Yvonne unexpectedly visits, bringing new clothes for Nazni, which leaves a disconcerting impression on her. Tensions increase when Ruth discovers P.J. has hung her sari up in a tree, inciting her to create a defiant “HELP” message with nearby stones.

As conflicts arise, P.J. makes the choice to reunite Nazni with her family, screening a documentary that unveils the manipulative techniques of various historic cults, including the notorious Manson Family, Heaven’s Gate, and the Rajneesh. This stark demonstration of the perils associated with blind faith serves as a pivotal moment for Nazni, igniting her path toward introspection and a deeper understanding of her beliefs.

As night envelops the cabin, a desperate Ruth breaks free from her oppressed spirit, incinerating her sari in a harrowing display. Her urgent appeals to P.J. blur the lines between desperation and desire, leading to a fleeting encounter filled with tumultuous emotion. However, this passionate interlude is soon interrupted by the arrival of Yvonne, Tim, and Yani, eager to whisk Ruth away to an event that compels P.J. to join.

In the days that follow, Ruth’s relentless provocations lead to increasingly humiliating exchanges with P.J., who grapples with self-worth amid Carol’s critical presence. Ruth undermines him at every chance, pushing him towards the edge, even compelling him to don a dress in jest. Just when all hope seems lost, P.J.’s unexpected depth and vulnerability awaken new feelings in Ruth, who confesses her fears regarding emotional closeness.

Post this cathartic revelation, Ruth declares her intention to leave; however, P.J. has fallen for her and cannot let go. Their ensuing physical struggle culminates in Ruth unconscious, confined in the boot of P.J.’s car as he drives away, increasingly desperate.

Under the relentless sun, P.J.’s reality begins to crumble upon encountering Yvonne, Tim, Robbie, and others heading to the cabin. With Ruth still held captive in the back, he devises a frantic plan to recover her, clinging to the notion of salvaging their toxic relationship. Yvonne’s insistence leads P.J. to halt the vehicle and free Ruth from her troubling confinement. As she escapes into the wild, P.J. chases after her, declaring his undying love, his voice echoing into the wilderness.

Eventually, exhaustion overwhelms him, and as he collapses onto the scorched earth, he catches a brief glimpse of Ruth as the fierce Durga. With the support of Yvonne, Tim, Robbie, and the others, P.J. must confront the ramifications of his choices, finding himself alongside a sympathetic Ruth in their truck as they depart from the chaos, hinting at the possibility of redemption even in the bleakest of circumstances.

As time flows, Ruth’s written correspondence to P.J. transcends the distances between them, detailing her evolution from the vibrant landscape of Jaipur. Living with her mother, she seeks to heal from the emotional scars left by her father’s absence, immersing herself in the sacred texts of India—her latest pursuit being the Bhagavad Gita. Amidst her renewed spirituality, Ruth acknowledges another romantic involvement, yet her heart continues to hold a candle for P.J., a feeling that remains unquenched despite the miles. Meanwhile, P.J.’s replies reveal his own life—a growing family with Carol and twin sons—but the lingering sentiment for Ruth serves as a poignant reminder of an unwavering love that time and distance cannot diminish.