The Child Remains

The Child Remains 2019

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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of The Child Remains (2019). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


In 1973, a young woman named Faith finds herself confined to a bed in the Mercy Home for Unwed Mothers as she goes into labor. The midwife, Rose Leeds, heartlessly hands Faith’s newborn to her brother Talbot to bury alive, deceiving Faith by claiming her child has died. Despite Rose’s lies, Faith hears the faint cries of her baby and desperately begs for the child’s life, only to be met with cruelty when Rose injects her with poison. With her last breath, Faith curses Rose. Meanwhile, Talbot’s sinister task is abruptly interrupted by an unseen force seemingly attacking him during the burial.

Fast forward to 2015, a musician named Liam Darrow takes his pregnant wife Rae Delatour, a crime reporter grappling with PTSD, to the now-transformed Mercy Home, known as The Mersey Inn, for her birthday celebration. The inn is run by Monica, Rose’s daughter, who welcomes the couple as her only guests. As Rae begins to experience haunting visions of Faith and odd occurrences like a bloody door, Liam, dismissing her fears as symptoms of her mental illness, tries to keep things light-hearted.

One day, Rae goes on a nature walk and encounters Talbot, who warns her to avoid a barbed-wire section of the path. That night, Liam sets up his keyboard in a separate room, where he hears a ghostly child’s voice. Monica later informs him about an antique ghost box that might connect him to the dead. As Rae shares her eerie experiences over dinner, Monica discloses the dark past of the inn, explaining its history as a sanctuary for unwed mothers, where the women were hidden from societal shame.

After a visit to a library reveals a grim history of child abuse and murders linked to the inn, Rae becomes increasingly determined to uncover the truth. Despite Liam’s attempts to persuade her otherwise, Rae feels that her PTSD is somehow connected to the house’s tragic past. As Rae digs deeper, she discovers a seemingly blank journal that reveals harrowing details about Rose’s actions, including the murder of minority babies.

The next day, Rae interviews police sergeant Grist about the inn’s sinister history, learning shocking information about a report of a baby brutally killed. Talbot, compelled by guilt, later admits to Rae that he assisted Rose in her vile deeds and reveals her true identity—Faith’s baby. This revelation only spurs Rae’s investigation further, leading to confrontations with Monica, who reveals her deeper connection to the dark history of the inn.

As Rae uncovers the truth, a series of horrific events unfold, including visions, strange encounters, and a confrontation that reveals Monica’s true nature. Under dire circumstances, Rae uncovers the chilling reality of the demon child and the sinister legacy that seeks to reclaim her.

On the final day of their stay, the supernatural escalates, culminating in a struggle for Rae’s survival against the twisted ambitions of Monica, who is revealed to be an embodiment of Rose’s malevolence. As the truth unfolds amidst betrayal, curses, and haunting memories, Rae’s fight for her child and her own life becomes a desperate chase against time and supernatural forces.

In a shocking end, Rae wakes up only to find a coffin at her feet, bringing the nightmare back into focus as the demon baby rises.

Timeline

Track the key events of The Child Remains (2019) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Faith's Confinement

In 1973, a young woman named Faith is taken to the Mercy Home for Unwed Mothers, where she is confined to a bed as she goes into labor. This moment marks the beginning of a tragic series of events in her life.

1973 Mercy Home for Unwed Mothers

The Birth and Betrayal

After giving birth, Faith's midwife Rose Leeds heartlessly deceives her by claiming her child has died. In a cruel twist, Rose hands Faith’s newborn to her brother Talbot to bury, leading to Faith's desperate pleas for her child's life.

Mercy Home for Unwed Mothers

Faith's Last Breath

As Faith becomes increasingly frantic about the fate of her child, Rose injects her with poison, condemning her to death. With her last breath, Faith curses Rose, sealing the fate of both women in a cycle of horror.

Mercy Home for Unwed Mothers

Talbot's Sinister Task

Talbot attempts to bury Faith's baby alive but is interrupted by an unseen force that seems to attack him during his sinister task. This moment foreshadows the supernatural events that will unfold in the future.

Near Mercy Home for Unwed Mothers

Introduction of Liam and Rae

Fast forward to 2015, musician Liam Darrow brings his pregnant wife, crime reporter Rae Delatour, to The Mersey Inn, the transformed version of the Mercy Home. This visit is meant to be a celebration but soon turns eerie as Rae starts experiencing haunting visions.

2015 The Mersey Inn

Unsettling Experiences

While at the inn, Rae begins to see apparitions of Faith and experiences strange occurrences like a bloody door. Despite her distress, Liam dismisses her fears as symptoms of her PTSD, adding tension to their relationship.

The Mersey Inn

Warning from Talbot

On a nature walk, Rae encounters Talbot, who ominously advises her to avoid a barbed-wire section of the path. This brief interaction sets the stage for the intertwined fates of the past and present within the inn.

Nature Trail near The Mersey Inn

Discovering the Ghost Box

That night, while setting up his keyboard, Liam hears a ghostly child’s voice and learns about an antique ghost box from Monica, which could connect him to the dead. This revelation deepens the mystery surrounding the inn.

The Mersey Inn

Revealing Dark Histories

Over dinner, Monica unveils the dark history of The Mersey Inn as a refuge for unwed mothers, where past atrocities took place. Rae’s haunting visions begin to correlate with the troubling tales shared by Monica.

The Mersey Inn

Investigating the Past

Rae visits a library and uncovers a grim past of child abuse and murders associated with the inn, becoming determined to learn the truth. Her investigation intensifies even as Liam tries to convince her to leave it alone.

Library

Uncovering the Journal

Rae discovers a seemingly blank journal that reveals horrific details, including Rose's actions regarding the murder of minority babies. This shocking discovery fuels Rae's obsession with the mysteries of the inn.

The Mersey Inn

Confrontation with Talbot

Rae interviews police sergeant Grist about the sinister history of The Mersey Inn, learning of a brutal baby murder case. Talbot, guilt-ridden, confesses to Rae about his complicity in Rose's vile actions, marking a pivotal moment in her investigation.

The Mersey Inn

Climactic Encounters

As Rae gets closer to the truth, she faces harrowing supernatural encounters and confrontations with Monica, who reveals her own dark connections to the inn's tragic past. The tension heightens as Rae fights to uncover the full extent of the horrors that have taken place.

The Mersey Inn

Final Struggles

The final day of Rae's stay erupts into chaos as the supernatural escalates, leading to a desperate struggle for her and her unborn child's survival against Monica’s malevolence. Rae's fight reflects a confrontation not just with evil but with the heritage of trauma.

The Mersey Inn

Nightmarish Revelation

In a shocking conclusion, Rae wakes up to find a coffin at her feet, bringing the horror of the demon baby back into focus. This chilling moment signifies the relentless cycle of trauma that transcends time and binds the living to the dead.

The Mersey Inn

Characters

Meet the characters that bring The Child Remains (2019) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Faith

Faith is a young woman trapped in a horrific situation, facing the cruelties of a society that shuns her. Her desperate love for her newborn child and the betrayal she endures shape her as a tragic figure. Faith's curse upon her midwife signifies the deep anguish she experiences, resonating as a haunting echo throughout the narrative.

💔 Heartbreak 👶 Maternal loss 😢 Tragedy

Liam

Liam is a well-meaning husband who initially fails to grasp the weight of Rae's trauma and the inn’s dark past. His light-hearted demeanor contrasts sharply with the horrors they encounter, placing him in a position of denial until confronted with undeniable evidence. His character represents the struggle of husbands trying to support their partners in the face of unrelenting stress.

🎹 Musician 👫 Support 🤔 Denial

Rae Delatour

Rae is a crime reporter with a complicated history of PTSD, which becomes intertwined with the supernatural occurrences in the inn. Her journey unravels the layers of her mental health struggles, pushing her to confront both her past and the malevolent history of the inn. Rae's resilience in seeking the truth makes her a compelling figure of strength.

🧠 PTSD 🕵️‍♀️ Investigative spirit 💪 Resilience

Monica

Monica is the innkeeper with ties to the dark past of the Mercy Home. Her seemingly warm demeanor masks a deeper malevolence, inherited from her mother, Rose. As the story unfolds, Monica embodies the twisted legacy of cruelty, creating a suspenseful and chilling atmosphere as Rae uncovers the truth.

🏠 Innkeeper ⚔️ Malevolence 😈 Deception

Talbot

Talbot initially appears as a mere background character but harbors dark secrets about the past. His guilt over his complicity in the sins of Rose creates a complex relationship with Rae and the haunting legacy of the inn. Talbot symbolizes the burden of guilt that lingers across generations.

😔 Guilt 🔮 Connection to past 🧟‍♂️ Tragic figure

Sgt. Grist

Sergeant Grist provides crucial insights into the inn's sinister past, acting as a bridge between the present and the historical horrors. His character helps frame the narrative by revealing bitter truths that shape Rae's investigation. Grist's revelations serve as a catalyst for the unfolding drama.

🚔 Authority 📜 Truth-seeker 🕵️‍♂️ Investigator

Setting

Uncover the settings of The Child Remains (2019), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

1973, 2015

The movie spans two significant time periods: 1973, when Faith experiences the horrific events surrounding the birth of her child, and 2015, when Liam and Rae visit the transformed location. The stark contrast between the two periods highlights the haunting legacy of past traumas and their impact on the present, as the characters struggle with the remnants of that dark history.

Location

Mercy Home, The Mersey Inn

The Mercy Home for Unwed Mothers, later known as The Mersey Inn, serves as a chilling backdrop for the film. Once a sanctuary for pregnant women shunned by society, it is now an eerie inn that hides dark secrets beneath its facade. The inn's haunting history of child abuse and murder casts a shadow over the present, making it a central character in the unfolding drama.

🏨 Inn 🏚️ Haunted

Themes

Explore the core themes of The Child Remains (2019). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


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Motherhood

The theme of motherhood is explored in its most tragic form, as Faith's desperate fight for her child's life illustrates the horrors that come with societal rejection. Rae's journey mirrors Faith's as she grapples with her own pregnancy amidst the supernatural aftermath of past maternal traumas. This intertwining of narratives emphasizes the fragility and strength inherent in the maternal bond.

👻

Supernatural

The supernatural plays a pivotal role in the film, with ghostly apparitions and eerie occurrences serving as manifestations of unresolved pain and guilt. As Rae uncovers the inn's dark history, the haunting presence of the past reveals itself through chilling visions and encounters. This theme accentuates how the shadows of history can linger, demanding recognition and resolution.

🕵️

Investigation

Rae's determination to uncover the truth about the Mercy Home's past reflects a deeper theme of investigation and revelation. Her quest symbolizes the need to confront uncomfortable histories to find healing. As she delves into the disturbing legacy of the inn, Rae embodies the pursuit of truth that aims to break the cycle of violence and silence surrounding the unwed mothers' plight.

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