The Banishing

The Banishing 2021

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Plot Summary


In the charming English countryside during the year 1935, a tragic event unfolded within the imposing confines of Morley Hall. The local vicar, overcome by jealousy and driven into madness, brutally ended the life of his wife before taking his own. In the wake of this horrific act, Bishop Malachi colluded with the town’s physician to cover up the incident, silencing the whispers that erupted among the townsfolk.

Years later, a new vicar, Linus Forster, arrived at Morley Hall with his young bride, Marianne, and her mysterious daughter, Adelaide. Unbeknownst to Linus, Adelaide was shrouded in secrecy as she pretended to be her niece, all while concealing her own hidden truths. As the newlyweds started their life together, their relationship experienced strain, largely due to Linus’s internal battle with intimacy, which he perceived as a sinful indulgence.

As they began acclimating to their new surroundings, ominous and strange occurrences plagued Morley Hall. Adelaide became embroiled in a series of supernatural events, engaging with invisible presences and playing with eerie dolls fashioned after monks. The mirrors of the estate played tricks on their reflections, while Marianne began experiencing unsettling visions of shadowy figures and precognition that hinted at a violent end for their deaf housekeeper, Betsy.

During this turmoil, the occultist Harry Reed, who was well-acquainted with the sinister history of Morley Hall, approached Linus with a foreboding warning. He revealed that the estate once served as a home for the Minassian Order, where members carried out cruel rituals and unrelenting punishments for those they deemed sinners. Bishop Malachi, however, vehemently opposed Harry’s meddling, openly threatening him and displaying dubious affiliations.

As tensions escalated, Marianne became increasingly captivated by Harry, who, despite his own wounds, remained undeterred in his pursuit of the truth. He warned her that Morley Hall would ultimately turn its inhabitants against one another and urged her family to escape for their own safety. However, Linus became consumed with unraveling the mystery surrounding his predecessor’s death, only to unearth Bishop Malachi’s web of deceit: that the former vicar and his family had supposedly moved to Australia.

This shocking revelation ignited a fierce argument between Linus and Marianne, exacerbated by his discovery of her secret meetings with Harry. The following day, an unsettling visit from Bishop Malachi ensued, as he revealed himself as Adelaide’s true guardian, having orchestrated Marianne’s introduction to Linus and their appointment at Morley Hall. He threatened to reclaim Adelaide if Marianne ever considered leaving the estate.

As the dynamic between Marianne and Adelaide grew increasingly tumultuous, the young girl’s interactions with an unseen force she claimed as her real mother took a menacing turn. Adelaide’s sudden disappearance after wandering into a mirror left Marianne desperately seeking answers, only to be dismissed by Linus, who was inebriated. At this juncture, Harry agreed to assist Marianne in her urgent search, leading them back to the ominous house where they stumbled upon a grotesque revelation: Betsy’s bloody corpse, viciously slain by Linus, who appeared entranced, eerily mirroring the harrowing visions that had plagued Marianne.

This grim discovery triggered a plea for help from Harry, who explained that Adelaide had been abducted by the vengeful spirit of a slain pregnant woman, a victim of the Minassian monks’ brutal efforts to erase the unborn child. As Marianne intensified her mission to recover her ward, she found herself confronting the dark forces that haunted the estate through a disturbing series of visions that unearthed long-buried secrets from her own flawed past.

Amid the chaos, Marianne discovered comfort in Linus’ support as he employed ancient rituals and mystical texts to help her retrieve Adelaide and face the wrathful spirits. As the stakes heightened, Marianne’s resolve surged, culminating in a heart-wrenching promise to the murdered woman: that she and the unborn child would receive a proper burial.

In a chilling climax, Bishop Malachi was seen exhuming bodies and delivering them to Nazi officials in Stuttgart, leaving Marianne and the audience with an overwhelming sense of dread as the full extent of the estate’s sinister history was finally revealed.

Timeline


Tragic Murder at Morley Hall

In the charming English countryside during the year 1935, a shocking event occurred when the local vicar, driven by intense jealousy, brutally murdered his wife. Following his heinous act, he took his own life, leaving Morley Hall shrouded in tragedy and sorrow.

1935 Morley Hall

Cover-Up Conspiracy

In the aftermath of the shocking murders, Bishop Malachi colluded with the town physician to conceal the truth about what transpired at Morley Hall. They worked tirelessly to silence the rumors and whispers among the unsettled townsfolk, ensuring that the dark events remained buried.

New Beginnings

Years later, a new vicar named Linus Forster arrived at Morley Hall with his young bride, Marianne, and her seemingly innocent daughter, Adelaide. Unbeknownst to Linus, Adelaide was not who she appeared to be, and secrets loomed over their fresh start.

Morley Hall

Strain and Secrets

As the newlyweds settled into their new life, Linus struggled with intimacy, believing it to be sinful. The strains in their relationship were exacerbated by Adelaide's hidden truths and her role in the mystery enveloping Morley Hall.

Morley Hall

Supernatural Events Begin

While acclimating to their new home, the couple began experiencing eerie occurrences at Morley Hall. Adelaide started interacting with invisible presences and eerie dolls, while strange reflections appeared in the estate’s mirrors, creating an unsettling atmosphere.

Morley Hall

Marianne's Dark Visions

As the disturbances continued, Marianne began encountering unsettling visions—shadowy figures that hinted at a violent fate for their deaf housekeeper, Betsy. These ominous signs pointed toward deeper, darker truths buried within the hall's history.

Morley Hall

Harry Reed's Warning

The occultist Harry Reed approached Linus with a dire warning about the malevolent past of Morley Hall, formerly home to the cruel Minassian Order. Harry’s foreboding message hinted that the estate had a way of turning its residents against each other.

Tensions Rise

As tensions escalated in the household, Harry became a source of intrigue for Marianne, drawing her closer to him. He urged her family to escape the looming dangers of Morley Hall, but Linus was fixated on uncovering the truth surrounding his predecessor’s mysterious demise.

Morley Hall

Bishop Malachi's Threat

An unsettling confrontation with Bishop Malachi revealed him as the true guardian of Adelaide. His chilling threats underscored the lengths to which he would go to maintain control, warning Marianne against any thoughts of leaving Morley Hall.

Adelaide's Disappearance

The situation escalated when Adelaide vanished after wandering into a mirror, prompting a frantic search led by Marianne. Linus, in a drunken haze, dismissed her frantic pleas for help, driving a wedge between the couple.

Morley Hall

Betsy's Corpse Discovered

Helped by Harry, Marianne returned to Morley Hall only to uncover the bloody corpse of Betsy, slain by Linus in a trance-like state. This gruesome revelation mirrored the haunting visions that Marianne had endured and deepened the sense of foreboding in the house.

Morley Hall

A Vengeful Spirit

Harry explained that Adelaide’s abduction was tied to a vengeful spirit of a slain pregnant woman, a casualty of the Minassian monks’ dark rituals. As Marianne intensified her efforts to find Adelaide, she was forced to confront the estate's terrifying past.

Morley Hall

Confronting the Past

Amid the chaos, Marianne found solace in Linus's newfound support, as he employed ancient rituals and mystical texts to combat the dark forces. Together, they prepared for a climactic confrontation with the spirits that haunted Morley Hall.

Morley Hall

A Heart-Wrenching Promise

In the midst of the turmoil, Marianne made a solemn promise to the murdered woman and her unborn child to ensure they received a proper burial. This vow symbolized her commitment to facing the dark truths of Morley Hall and seeking redemption.

Morley Hall

The Sinister Revelation

The film reached a chilling climax when Bishop Malachi was seen exhuming bodies for Nazi officials in Stuttgart. This shocking revelation about Morley Hall's sinister history left Marianne and the audience with a profound sense of dread and unease.

Characters


Frank Peerless

Frank Peerless is a pivotal character whose life is marred by the darkness of Morley Hall. His internal struggles and interactions with other characters highlight the complexities of good versus evil in the haunting narrative.

👤 Protagonist 🌌 Troubled Soul

Bishop Malachi

Bishop Malachi is a cunning and manipulative figure who embodies deceit. His web of lies and protective nature over Adelaide reveal his deeper, sinister motives, making him a central antagonist in the plot.

⛪ Churchman 🕷️ Deceitful

Linus Forster

Linus Forster serves as the new vicar at Morley Hall, struggling with his own demons and the burden of the house's past. His journey reflects themes of guilt and redemption as he tries to unravel the mysteries surrounding him.

⚖️ Vicar 🧠 Introspective

Marianne Forster

Marianne Forster is the young bride whose visions push her into the tragic depths of Morley Hall’s history. Her emotional resilience is tested as she navigates betrayal and supernatural forces threatening her family.

👰 New Bride 👁️ Visionary

Harry Reed

Harry Reed is the occultist with knowledge of Morley Hall's dark past, attempting to warn the Forsters about the dangers they face. His motivations straddle the line between protecting his own interests and genuinely wanting to assist.

🔮 Occultist ⚡ Warning

Setting


Time period

1935

The year 1935 was marked by a blend of historical tensions and a growing sense of unease. As Europe began to face the impending storm of World War II, the personal dramas and dark secrets of families like those at Morley Hall were woven into a backdrop of societal change.

Location

Morley Hall, English countryside

Morley Hall is an imposing estate steeped in dark history, once home to the Minassian Order. Set in the charming English countryside, it is known for its haunting atmosphere, eerie occurrences, and a tragic past that unfolds within its walls.

🏡 Morley Hall 🌳 Countryside

Themes


🕵️‍♀️

Secrets

The theme of secrets permeates the narrative, as hidden truths about past crimes and identities are unearthed. The tension between characters grows as they grapple with their concealed motives and the chilling legacy of Morley Hall, ultimately leading to tragic outcomes.

🔮

Supernatural

A significant focus is placed on the supernatural, as peculiar events and communications with unseen forces drive the plot. Characters experience visions and encounters with spirits, illustrating how the past continues to haunt the present and influence their choices.

💔

Betrayal

Betrayal manifests in various forms, from the deceitful actions of Bishop Malachi to the crumbling trust between married couples. The emotional turmoil created by hidden agendas results not only in personal conflict but also in tragic loss and violent outcomes.

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