The Believer 2002

Following the devastating loss of his wife Lisa to an unforeseen electrical mishap, psychologist Dr. Cal Jamison (actor’s name) packs up his young son Chris and relocates from Minneapolis to New York City, where he commences a new chapter as a police psychologist for the NYPD. The city is gripped by a series of gruesome, ritualistic child murders that have left the authorities baffled. The first victim is discovered in a derelict movie theater, prompting a frantic 911 call from Officer Tom Lopez, who insists that the culprit is a member of a Hispanic cult practicing a dark form of brujería. As Cal delves deeper into the investigation, he’s appointed to assess Tom, who becomes increasingly unhinged while describing the cult’s enigmatic leader.

The second victim is found brutally eviscerated on an makeshift altar beneath a dock in Staten Island, prompting Cal to delve into the world of brujería with his housekeeper and nanny, Carmen. Her benevolent practices leave protection charms scattered throughout their apartment, a testament to her unwavering dedication to keeping them safe. Meanwhile, Tom’s paranoia reaches a fever pitch as he becomes convinced that mysterious figures are tailing him. In a desperate bid for control, he takes his own life in a diner, leaving Cal to unravel the tangled threads of this twisted case.

As Cal navigates the treacherous landscape of this investigation, he finds himself growing closer to Jessica, his new girlfriend. Their relationship is put to the test when they attend a party and encounter Palo, an enigmatic Caribbean man with an unsettling fascination for Jessica’s jewelry. Unbeknownst to her, Palo has been secretly manipulating the compact she left in the bathroom, leaving Cal with a sense of foreboding as he returns home to find Carmen performing a ritual on Chris. Despite her assurances that she’s merely attempting to protect them, Cal’s fear and mistrust boil over, leading him to banish Carmen from their lives - a decision that will have far-reaching consequences for his family’s safety and sanity.

As Chris accompanies his affluent Aunt Kate (actress) and Uncle Dennis on a trip to their country estate, a sense of unease settles over the group. Meanwhile, Cal and Jessica seek out Oscar Sezine, a friend of Tom’s who has stumbled upon ominous whispers about an imminent ritualized murder. Oscar, sensing the gravity of the situation, performs a purification ritual to safeguard Chris, whom he believes may be targeted as a sacrifice for the impending summer solstice. The next morning, Jessica’s health takes a turn for the worse as a boil on her face erupts into a frenzy of baby spiders crawling free.

As Cal prepares to depart and reunite with Kate, Dennis, and Chris in the country, a frantic phone call from police lieutenant Sean McTaggert interrupts his plans. The apartment is in disarray, and McTaggert sits amidst the chaos, rambling about the dangers that lurk in every corner. He imparts upon Cal a chilling revelation: Robert Calder’s dark secret, exposed through a photo and confidential file, reveals a ritual murder that shook the very foundations of society. As Cal departs with the files, he is unaware that McTaggert has taken his own life.

Back at the hospital, Jessica’s panic attack intensifies as her wound bursts forth, releasing an unholy swarm of baby spiders. As Cal tends to her, Kate leaves a cryptic voice message, altering her plans and arranging for Chris to be returned to him - but the message is abruptly cut short. Unbeknownst to Cal, Kate has reached out, and he sets off with his friend Marty, driving toward the country estate where Kate and Dennis await. Upon arrival, Dennis shares tales of their travels to Sudan, where they bore witness to the unyielding power of a human sacrifice, allowing their gravely ill son to be offered up in exchange for an end to a devastating drought.

As Cal enters the living room, he finds himself surrounded by Palo and Calder, accompanied by a coterie of cultists. They urge him to join their ranks, proclaiming that Chris has been predestined to become a sacrifice, his fate sealed by the machinations of the very people he thought he could trust.

As panic sets in, Cal (Cal) makes a desperate exit through an upstairs window, abandoning his initial search for Chris after finding him absent from their quarters. The discovery of Kate’s lifeless body in the boathouse only adds to the sense of urgency as he’s subsequently rendered unconscious by Palo’s brutal strike. When Cal regains consciousness, he finds himself at an abandoned factory, where a sinister cult has converged to carry out a gruesome ritual. Undeterred, Cal takes matters into his own hands, striking down Dennis and thwarting the intended sacrifice. Marty, who had been tracking them, arrives just in time to take down various cultists from the upper levels of the warehouse with precision shots. As the chaos unfolds, Cal seizes Chris and they ascend to the top of the warehouse via a freight elevator. However, their brief respite is short-lived, as Marty falls prey to Palo’s cunning blowpipe dart, leaving him severely burned and blinded. In a thrilling turn of events, Cal chases down Calder and delivers a fatal stab wound before reclaiming Chris. As they make their escape from the warehouse, they leave behind a maimed Palo who meets his demise at the hands of Chris, coaxed toward the rebar below.

Fast-forward to a serene idyll where Cal, Jessica (Jessica), and Chris live together in harmony on a picturesque farm. The tranquil atmosphere is punctuated by Jessica’s pregnancy, and their playful dog leads them to the barn. As Cal investigates the loft, he stumbles upon an unsettling altar adorned with sacred symbols, fresh produce, loaves of bread, and various animal sacrifices. His sense of unease intensifies when he discovers Jessica has been secretly constructing this shrine, proclaiming, “I did it for us. We’ll be safe now.” The revelation leaves Cal stunned as the screen fades to black, shrouding their seemingly idyllic existence in an air of uncertainty.