God Told Me To

God Told Me To 1976

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Plot Summary


In the vibrant pulse of New York City, an unexpected eruption of violence breaks out as a gunman stationed atop a water tower unleashes a merciless hail of bullets upon an unsuspecting crowd, tragically resulting in the death of 15 innocent lives. In the midst of this horror, Peter Nicholas, a dedicated and devout Catholic detective with the NYPD, finds the courage to ascend the perilous tower, seeking to engage with the shooter in hopes of deciphering the motivations behind such senseless brutality. Upon reaching the summit, the gunman’s chilling declaration—> “God told me”—lingers ominously in his mind long after the sniper takes his own life.

This harrowing incident serves as a precursor to a spate of disturbing, seemingly unrelated murders that plague the city. A horrific mass stabbing at a local supermarket, an officer’s violent outburst during a festive St. Patrick’s Day parade, and a tragic domestic massacre all share a curious thread: each perpetrator insists that divine instruction compelled them to commit these atrocious deeds. As Nicholas delves into the tangled web of these investigations, he stumbles upon a pivotal figure in this chaos—a young man named Bernard Phillips—whose shadowy presence appears to be the linchpin of these events.

Nicholas’s pursuit of clarity leads him to Phillips’ residence, where he is met by an armed figure—Phillips’ mother, wielding a knife in defense of her son. In a bizarre twist of fate, she encounters an untimely death, plunging down a staircase as if propelled by an unseen force. To add to the intrigue, an autopsy reveals that this previous assailant was a virgin who had claimed abduction by extraterrestrial beings.

The NYPD hierarchy is hesitant to entertain any notion of religious underpinning linked to these slayings, prompting them to suspend Nicholas from the ongoing case. However, resolved not to be silenced, he takes his findings to the media, inciting widespread panic throughout the city. Amid the unraveling turmoil, a corrupt officer meets a gory end at the hands of Zero, a merciless gangster, though the circumstances are framed as yet another murder inspired by divine will. Unruffled by this deception, Nicholas deduces that the incident is merely a cover-up for a murder unrelated to the rest.

In these sinister episodes, perpetrators often remain at large, willingly accepting capture or meeting their end after confessing their crimes under the influence of a purported higher power. These occurrences starkly illustrate the reality that, amid disorder and ruin, there are those who strive to twist the truth for their sinister ulterior motives. As Bernard Phillips’ followers grow increasingly entranced, they become aware of his malevolent grip over the criminals who execute his heinous wishes at his psychic beckoning. Following an invitation from a cultist to join their ranks, Nicholas’s probing into Phillips’ maternal lineage brings about a horrifying outcome, resulting in the acolyte’s convulsions and abrupt death.

A subsequent assassination attempt on Nicholas’ life fails when a devotee attempts to thrust him onto an oncoming subway train; however, Nicholas prevails and coerces the would-be assassin to guide him to Phillips’ hidden sanctuary—a fiery furnace room deep beneath the earth. Upon reaching their destination, despair overwhelms the follower, leading to a ghastly act of self-decapitation in the elevator shaft. A fleeting confrontation with Phillips intensifies Nicholas’s belief that he, too, possesses a unique significance, as though his survival is meant for a greater purpose.

As Nicholas delves into his own adoption history, an elderly woman claiming to be his birth mother unveils an astonishing revelation: she was savagely impregnated by an otherworldly energy while making her way home from the 1941 New York World’s Fair. This shocking disclosure sends them spiraling into confusion and astonishment as Nicholas comes to understand his extraordinary lineage and the powers that accompany it. Utilizing these abilities, he confronts and eradicates Zero, marking a pivotal moment in his quest for the truth.

The climactic face-off between Nicholas and Phillips reveals an astonishing secret: both are products of “virgin births” resulting from a mysterious extraterrestrial entity with advanced capabilities. While Nicholas harbors human DNA that conceals his true essence, Phillips mirrors their enigmatic progenitor. Faced with this startling knowledge, Phillips yearns to forge a new species alongside his “brother,” but Nicholas steadfastly refuses to acquiesce, opting instead to launch an attack against the hermaphroditic entity. Just as the structure around them descends into chaos, Nicholas manages to escape, leaving Phillips to face his fate.

Subsequently arrested for Phillips’ murder, Nicholas is escorted into court, where a reporter probes for the motives behind his actions. With unwavering conviction, he asserts, “God told me to.” The authorities, disturbed by the implications, confine him to the Matteawan State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, opening a new chapter in Nicholas’ tumultuous journey.

Timeline


Gunman Opens Fire

In a shocking outbreak of violence in New York City, a gunman stationed atop a water tower opens fire on a crowd below. The tragic incident results in the death of 15 innocent lives, leaving the city in a state of mourning and disbelief.

New York City

Detective Nicholas Ascends the Tower

Peter Nicholas, a dedicated NYPD detective, bravely ascends the water tower in hopes of confronting the shooter. Upon reaching the top, he is confronted by the gunman's chilling proclamation, *'God told me,'* which echoes in his mind after the shooter takes his own life.

Water Tower, New York City

Series of Murders Commences

Following the initial tragedy, a sequence of horrifying murders begins to plague the city. Each perpetrator claims that divine intervention compelled them to commit their heinous acts, creating a disturbing pattern that captures Nicholas's investigative focus.

Various Locations, New York City

Mass Stabbing Incident

A horrific mass stabbing occurs in a local supermarket, contributing to the growing chaos. The assailant claims to have been guided by a higher power, further entwining the disturbing thread linking these violent acts.

Supermarket, New York City

St. Patrick's Day Parade Violence

During a festive St. Patrick's Day parade, an officer exhibits a violent outburst, shocking attendees. This incident adds to the series of murder cases under investigation, with witnesses commenting on the influence of divine instruction behind the attack.

St. Patrick's Day New York City

Discovery of Bernard Phillips

As Nicholas delves deeper into the investigations, he uncovers the shadowy figure of Bernard Phillips. Phillips appears to be intricately linked to the series of murders, prompting Nicholas to pursue him further.

Various Locations, New York City

Confrontation with Phillips' Mother

Nicholas visits Bernard Phillips’ home, where he is unexpectedly met by an armed figure—Phillips' mother. In a tragic turn of events, she dies from a fall, raising further questions about the chaotic web of violence surrounding her son.

Phillips' Residence, New York City

Suspension from the Case

The NYPD hierarchy, wary of Nicholas's theories involving religious influences, decides to suspend him from the ongoing investigations. Undeterred, he takes his findings to the media, igniting widespread fear and panic among the city's residents.

NYPD Headquarters, New York City

Corrupt Officer's Death

In a brutal display of violence, a corrupt officer meets his demise at the hands of a gangster named Zero. While framed as another murder motivated by divine inspiration, Nicholas immediately suspects a cover-up is at play.

New York City

Nicholas Faces Assassination Attempt

An assassination attempt on Nicholas's life unfolds when a cultist tries to push him onto an oncoming subway train. Surviving the incident, Nicholas forces the follower to lead him to Phillips' hidden lair under the city.

Subway Station, New York City

Confrontation with Phillips

Nicholas eventually confronts Phillips, leading to a chilling revelation about their shared connection as products of supernatural birth. Phillips expresses his desire to create a new species, but Nicholas rejects his proposition.

Phillips' Sanctuary, New York City

Elderly Woman's Revelation

In a shocking encounter, Nicholas learns from an elderly woman claiming to be his birth mother that he was conceived by an extraterrestrial force. This revelation profoundly impacts Nicholas's understanding of his identity and abilities.

New York City

Final Showdown with Zero

Using the powers he gained from his extraordinary lineage, Nicholas confronts and defeats Zero, eliminating a significant threat in his pursuit of truth and justice. This marks a pivotal moment in his tumultuous journey.

New York City

Nicholas' Court Appearance

After the climactic events, Nicholas is arrested for the murder of Bernard Phillips. During his court appearance, he infamously claims, *'God told me to,'* unsettling the authorities and leading to his confinement in a psychiatric hospital.

Courtroom, New York City

Commitment to Hospital

Nicholas is finally confined to the Matteawan State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, marking a new and uncertain chapter in his life. His journey intertwines faith, violence, and existential questions about destiny and divine will.

Matteawan State Hospital, New York

Characters


Peter Nicholas

Peter Nicholas is a dedicated NYPD detective struggling with the surreal and violent events plaguing the city. As he navigates through gruesome investigations, his unwavering faith becomes both a strength and a source of internal conflict, especially when faced with the implications of a divine connection to crime.

👮‍♂️ Detective 🙏 Faithful

Bernard Phillips

Bernard Phillips is a shadowy figure intertwined with the disturbing events. His enigmatic connection to the murders and his followers highlights a manipulation of belief and power, positioning him as a significant antagonist whose actions stem from a complex and dark origin.

👁️ Manipulator 🌌 Cult Leader

Setting


Time period

The events of the movie unfold in a contemporary setting where societal issues such as violence, belief in the supernatural, and psychological turmoil are explored. Additionally, the references to the 1941 New World's Fair hint at a historical backdrop enriching the narrative.

Location

New York City

New York City, often referred to as NYC, is a bustling metropolis known for its iconic skyline and vibrant cultural scene. This city is recognized for its diversity, significant historical events, and as a hub for art, fashion, and entertainment.

🏙️ City 🚦 Urban

Themes


🕊️

Divine Intervention

The theme of divine intervention permeates the plot, where characters assert that their violent actions are divinely inspired. This unsettling notion raises questions about morality, faith, and the interpretation of religious messages in a modern context.

🔍

Truth and Deception

As Detective Nicholas investigates the bizarre circumstances surrounding the murders, the theme of truth versus deception unfolds. The characters' interactions with authority and the media reflect the struggle to differentiate between reality and manipulated narratives.

👽

Identity and Origins

The exploration of identity and origins is pivotal, particularly in Nicholas's journey to uncover his past. The revelations about virgin births and extraterrestrial influence challenge conventional ideas of lineage and what it means to be human.

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