Welcome to Mercy 2018

As the cinematic canvas unfurls, we find ourselves transported to the ravaged landscape of war-torn Belgium, where Captain Hogie (Steve Carell) is engaged in a desperate dogfight against the German forces. His plane, however, meets an untimely demise, and he’s forced to make an emergency landing amidst the chaos. As he struggles to free himself from the wreckage, his feet catch fire, leaving him to limp away with nothing but the tattered remains of his dignity.

In a bizarre twist, Hogie stumbles upon a mysterious briefcase containing women’s attire, which he insists on donning, including a pair of high heels that become an unexpected solace. His newfound footwear, however, proves to be a magnet for ridicule as he encounters a group of Nazi soldiers who deride him with cruel taunts. Hogie’s response is swift and brutal, leaving the captain writhing in agony before a group of vigilante women intervene, dispatching the would-be tormentors with deadly precision.

As Hogie approaches one of these mysterious saviors, Wendy (Stefanie Von Pfetten), we’re suddenly jolted back to the present as Mark Hogancamp’s creator and counterpart, Mark (played by himself), attempts to capture a pivotal moment outside – only to be thwarted by the arrival of an errant truck. This abortive attempt at documentation serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of memory.

Meanwhile, Mark’s own world is one of isolation and torment, his existence shaped by the trauma of a brutal homophobic attack that left him with PTSD. His days are filled with the quiet desperation of trying to recapture memories of a life before the assault, as he pored over scrapbooks and photo albums, searching for glimmers of a past long forgotten.

The doll collection, meticulously crafted to recreate the events of Marwen, serves as both solace and a manifestation of his inner turmoil. Each figure holds a secret significance, with Anna (Gwendolyn Christie), his Russian caretaker, being one such representative, her presence a poignant reminder of the fragile connections that bind us together.

As Hogie returns to Marwen, he crosses paths with Elsa (Siobhan Williams), a charming French milkmaid who shares his appreciation for the surreal. He ushers her into the bar where he reunites with Anna, Julie, Carlala (Eiza Gonzalez), Roberta (Merritt Wever), and Suzette (Leslie Zemeckis). In a display of gratitude, Elsa attempts to express her thanks through a kiss, but their tender moment is abruptly disrupted by a Nazi sniper perched atop a tower. The other women spring into action, returning fire with their guns as the Nazi takes a fatal tumble, his body splitting in two upon impact. Hogie’s desperate attempt to save Elsa comes too late, and she succumbs to her injuries mere moments later. Deja’s arrival is met with shock and terror by the group, as they realize that her unique brand of magic allows the Nazis to cheat death just as easily.

Meanwhile, Mark receives a chilling phone call from his lawyer, serving as a stark reminder that the time for reckoning has arrived. The prospect of facing those responsible for his brutal assault sends Mark into a tailspin of panic and anxiety.

Mark’s attempts to cope with his emotions lead him to revisit the scene of the crime, where he finds solace in helping out at the same bar where his attack occurred. There, he encounters Carlala (the real one), who fills him in on Wendy’s whereabouts - California bound. As Mark navigates this new information, he becomes increasingly agitated.

Seeking a distraction from his turmoil, Mark visits a local doll store, where Roberta (again, the real one) works her magic. She invites him out for dinner later in the week, but Mark is too overwhelmed to accept. His anxiety spikes when Roberta presents him with a limited edition Nazi-themed doll, an unsettling nod to his recent trauma. As he struggles to process this eerie coincidence, he inadvertently triggers the TV’s volume, bathing him in the harsh light of a news report detailing the upcoming sentencing and the events that led up to it. The sheer intensity of the broadcast sends Mark fleeing the store without so much as a second glance at the dolls on display.

As Roberta arrives at Mark’s abode, bearing the doll and an air of familiarity, she finds him mired in a peculiar scenario - one that eerily parallels their prior encounter. Unbeknownst to them, Nicol, whose name is whispered in reverence by Mark’s treasured Marwen figurines, quietly observes their conversation from afar. The coincidence is not lost on Roberta, who begins to piece together the enigmatic connections between Mark’s miniatures and his own life.

As Mark takes Nicol on a tour of his Marwen world, he reveals the intricate roles each doll plays in his psyche - a testament to the profound impact they’ve had on his existence. It becomes apparent that “Marwen” is an amalgamation of Mark and Wendy, two women who hold significance in his life - although it’s later revealed that Suzette, one such figurine, is actually modeled after a porn actress he has a soft spot for.

The imaginative scenarios taking place within Marwen continue to unfold as Nicol becomes the latest addition to Mark’s doll family. In a dramatic turn of events, Captain Hogie finds himself in peril at the hands of the Nazis, prompting Nicol to join forces with her fellow dolls to stage a daring rescue mission. The ensuing battle is marked by Molotov cocktails and flames that claim the lives of the Nazi aggressors.

As the days pass, Roberta becomes a regular visitor to Mark’s life, this time arriving to escort him to the courthouse for his sentencing hearing. As the judge delivers her verdict, Mark’s imagination runs wild with visions of chaos and destruction within the courtroom - a Marwen-inspired scenario where the Nazis unleash havoc on the unsuspecting crowd. Fearing the worst, Mark makes a hasty exit, leaving his lawyer to navigate the fallout.

As Mark’s emotional investment in Nicol deepens, he finds himself lost in romantic reveries parallel to those unfolding within Marwen, where Hogie and Nicol’s blossoming love is tempered by Hogie’s crippling fear of vulnerability. The fragile connection between Mark and Nicol is put to the test when Kurt makes an unwelcome appearance at her doorstep, taunting Mark about his cherished dolls.

In a poignant turn of events, Mark attempts to propose to Nicol with a Purple Heart medal, a symbol of the undying love shared by their Marwen counterparts - only to be met with Nicol’s clarifying words, which leave him feeling deflated and defeated. As he departs, leaving Nicol’s back turned, it becomes clear that Mark’s emotional armor has been breached, and his heart lies in shambles.

As the weight of reality bears down on him, Mark’s emotional strain reaches a breaking point, prompting a desperate cry for escape through self-destructive means. Meanwhile, in the fictional realm of Marwen, Nicol finds herself fighting for her life after being shot and left in critical condition. The Marwen women rally around her bedside as the Nazi forces, now led by the cunning Major Meyer, launch a surprise attack. A fierce battle ensues, punctuated by the unexpected discovery of Hogie in a time machine that eerily mirrors the iconic DeLorean. Initially, Deja appears to offer aid, but Hogie soon uncovers her true allegiance: she has been secretly working as a spy for the Nazis, sustaining their forces and prolonging their reign. Defying her manipulation, Hogie asserts his independence and refuses to be swayed. As Major Meyer attempts to take aim at Hogie, Deja intervenes, inadvertently sacrificing herself in the process. Her selfless act not only sends her flying into the future but also culminates in the demise of the Nazi forces. Miraculously, Nicol is revealed to be alive and well.

As Mark returns to the courthouse, flanked by his loyal support system, he stands before the gathered crowd to deliver a poignant statement. Directly addressing the Nazis, Mark asserts that although they have stolen something precious from him, they can no longer wield power over him, for he has discovered solace in his art and the love of his friends. This stirring declaration brings even the most hardened neo-Nazis to tears.

Later, Mark attends a photography exhibit showcasing his Marwen-inspired work, now rebranded as Marwencol in honor of Nicol’s memory. A brief, bittersweet encounter with Nicol herself serves as a poignant reminder of their shared creative journey. As Mark looks to the future, he makes plans to share sushi with Roberta.

The camera lingers on Mark strolling home, surrounded by his beloved dolls and donning high heels – a symbol of his unapologetic self-expression.

In the final frames, we find Mark Hogancamp residing in upstate New York, where he continues to expand the fantastical world of Marwencol. A warm, intimate portrait of Mark and his diminutive Captain Hogie serves as a testament to his enduring spirit.