The Banishment 2018

As the film opens, a tense scene unfolds as Mark arrives at Alex’s doorstep, his arm bearing a bullet wound that necessitates immediate attention. The brothers’ concern for Mark’s well-being is overshadowed by his reluctance to seek medical help at a public hospital due to his criminal connections and the ensuing police inquiries. As Mark recuperates, Alex invites his family - including wife Vera and their two children - on a trip to his childhood home in the idyllic countryside. The peaceful atmosphere is short-lived, however, as Vera reveals she’s pregnant, but not with Alex’s child. This shocking news sends their relationship into a downward spiral, with the couple struggling to maintain a united front amidst the scrutiny of their children and old friends who visit.

As tensions escalate, Alex turns to his brother Mark for guidance, seeking wisdom on how to navigate this crisis. During their journey to meet at the train station, their son Kir drops a bombshell: Alex’s young friend Robert had once visited their home while Alex was away working. This revelation solidifies Alex’s conviction that Robert is the father of Vera’s unborn child. The rift between Alex and his wife grows more pronounced as Vera becomes increasingly isolated from her husband, fearing their children will follow in the footsteps of their criminal relatives.

Determined to salvage their marriage, Alex forces Vera into an abortion, hoping that eliminating this unwanted pregnancy will allow them to rebuild their relationship. Under the guise of a family gathering, Mark uses his underworld connections to find a doctor willing to perform the procedure at their home. In a devastating turn of events, Vera takes her own life by overdosing on painkillers in the aftermath of the abortion. Alex and Mark rush through funeral arrangements as rumors spread like wildfire throughout the countryside.

In the aftermath of the funeral, Mark’s health begins to deteriorate dramatically, and despite medical advice to the contrary, he insists on attending Vera’s funeral service. However, his condition worsens before he can return home with his brother, ultimately succumbing to a heart attack that marks the tragic conclusion of this sorrowful tale.

As Alex rolls back into the city, a solitary figure with a singular purpose, he makes his way to Robert’s residence, intent on putting an end to their tumultuous history. However, fate has other plans as Alex dozes off in his car outside the house, only to be roused by Robert himself, who invites him in without a hint of hesitation. As Alex retrieves the gun from the glove compartment, he stumbles upon an envelope containing the results of Vera’s pregnancy test and a cryptic letter penned by Vera on its reverse side. The film then flashes back to a pivotal moment when Robert paid a visit to Alex’s home while he was away, revealing that just the day prior, Vera had attempted to take her own life by overdosing on pills, but was miraculously saved by Robert’s timely intervention.

The narrative unfolds further as we revisit the fateful day following Vera’s harrowing ordeal. It becomes clear that she discovered she was pregnant and confided in Robert, revealing a shocking truth: despite their strained relationship, the child was indeed Alex’s, although Vera admits it felt like it wasn’t his due to their infrequent communication. Her concerns about bringing another life into this dysfunctional partnership are palpable as she grapples with the uncertainty of their future together.