Sin Eater (2022) Movie Script
Oh gosh.
Oh my god.
Sheriff, copy?
Don't move. Just stay there.
Stay there.
Stay there. Don't move.
Do you copy?
Isaac, did you find her, over?
She's dead.
We got a live one.
Elijah
Isaac. Just came
to check on my patient.
Don't you have to be an actual
doctor to have patients?
Nurses help people too sheriff.
Can't shoot every problem.
She awake?
I don't know.
She's been in bed all day.
You have any -
will you back up Isaac?
I just want to check on her,
okay? She's been through a lot.
Hey Christine.
Elijah is here to see you.
Your nurse from the hospital.
Hey Christine. How's the-
this junkyard
that used to be my teeth?
Look, I, understand how
frustrated you must feel.
But if we didn't wire your jaw
shut -
I know. I know.
Look, it's not for long, okay.
Soon, it won't even be a memory.
I know it.
I'm sorry, I, thank you.
For coming to see me.
It means a lot.
Too bad you couldn't stay
with someone with better
fashion sense.
You have any other shirts with-
out heavy metal bands on them?
Or are you still fifteen?
Beggars can't be choosers.
Well Elijah, unless you came to
do something other than
insult my taste in music-
yeah, yes, actually,
I uh, I brought this.
It's the stuff you had with you
when you came into the hospital.
I know most of your stuff didn't
survive the crash so-
I figured you'd want this.
And you can keep that box too.
It's not valuable or anything.
Oh, and this.
I know it's gonna be hard to eat
and stuff and-
it' s gonna be a huge strain to
talk., especially at first.
So I brought you this.
What is it?
Hey there beautiful.
What the hell?
It's a -
it's a text to talk device.
You type it, she says it.
Uh, well, I guess I'll go now.
Yeah.
Elijah.
Thanks again. Really.
I was just checking her okay?
I don't need you to check on me.
I got everything under control.
Oh, Jesus.
No, not quite.
I'm sorry.
No, I'm sorry. I scared you.
It's okay.
I'm Abraham. I, uh, don't mean
to be rude but-
Isaac said you needed some
space.
I'm Christine. Chris.
You're Isaac's dad?
First and foremost I'm also the
minister of our small town.
Yeah, I think I heard someone
say that.
Have you heard anything
about our faith?
Dad, would you knock it off?
I think 2 minutes without
preaching is a new record for you.
It's okay.
Look Christine sorry I didn't
introduce you earlier, but
you were - you know. Tired.
Christine, I do hope you'll
join us for dinner later.
Dad-what I'm not an idiot.
We'll give her a smoothie or
something.
This old man doesn't get to eat
to many meals with
pretty young girls anymore.
Sorry about him, he's a,
he's harmless.
Oh, I thought he was sweet.
What are those for?
Oh, I thought I'd try and bribe
you out of your hiding place
for a bit.
I know Elijah said not to mix
alcohol with the pain meds but-
I think it will just make them
work better.
To a speedy recovery.
I don't know. I'm,
I'm not really in the mood.
C'mon. My dad always says "never
let a man drink alone".
I know it's difficult to talk.
It's not as hard as Elijah
thinks.
I don't really need that thing,
but uh-it was a nice thought.
I mean it's difficult to talk
about the accident.
You think you can
tell me about that night?
I-
please.
It's my job to look out for
the people in this town.
That means you to now.
I have to understand what
happened to this girl.
What was she
even doing out there?
I shouldn't share this.
You can't say anything.
She's a patient at the hospital.
Suicide watch.
She was very... troubled.
It's a beautiful
sunny day here in Gideon, NY.
Expect mild temperatures to
finally melt that snow.
Just in time for our annual
community gathering.
Ma'am, ma'am are you okay?
Just leave me alone.
I, I'm not going to hurt you.
I promise.
You look sick. Let me help you.
I don't know you.
I know. I know you're not
supposed to take a ride
from a stranger,
but I'm harmless.
I promise.
Let me give you a ride. C'mon.
Get in. Here.
Where you headed?
Anywhere that's fine,
please just, just drive.
Okay.
That's a pretty earring.
Thanks.
My god. Are you okay?
I'm fine. Please just go.
No, you, oh, you are not okay.
I'm fine. Really, i'm
fine, please I'm just really
hungry.
I am taking you to the hospital.
No!
I am taking you to the hospital.
No!
You are going to the hospital.
No!
Everything I owned was in
that car. My clothes, my cellphone.
You know, if you hadn't agreed
to let me stay I, I don't-
please,
it's the least I could do.
Look, we'll hear from insurance
about your car soon and then
as for the phone.
I know. I know.
It'll take a few days.
I mean what town doesn't have a
cellphone store?
It's like I crash landed in
mayberry.
Yeah, well, in the meantime
isn't there someone you want
to call? Maybe a boyfriend?
Or a parents?
Uh, no, uh, there's no one.
Um.
I think I need to go lay
down a little longer.
Well, what are you waiting for?
We don't know
anything about her.
Don't make excuses.
She could have a boyfriend or a
husband out there looking for her.
I need more time.
Alright. Don't take to long.
Hey.
Ah, I know you wanted some
space, but-
I thought maybe you could
keep me company at dinner
with the old man?
Sorry.
Wait.
Ah, there's our guest.
I, I made this drink for you.
Elijah's recipe.
Fresh fruit and veggies.
Hmm.
Thank you. It's perfect.
Hold on a second now.
We've got to pray.
Don't you pray dear?
I, uh, haven't prayed
in a long time.
Would you humor an old man?
Hail. Hail. The hunt has ended.
The meat is on the table.
We honor our benefactor who
feeds us tonight.
And we offer him a share.
Great one, accept my gift.
And upon my hearth leave
your blessings.
Amen.
Amen.
It's a strange prayer.
Our town has it's own
special kind of religion.
Are you religious Christine?
I was raised catholic.
Raised? Not anymore?
We had a falling out.
Well, their loss. I'm grateful
to have you here to eat with.
Dad.
What? It's not like she's going
to forget that her jaw is
wired shut. How about-
we talk to her like a person,
and not a wounded bird.
It's okay.
Eating together
is very important.
It's why so many religious
ceremonies revolve
around food.
A family that eats
together, stays together.
See.
She gets it.
And isn't a religion like
a great big family?
I guess so.
Are you close with
your family Christine?
I have a brother.
We talk sometimes.
What about your parents?
They are maybe a
little too religious.
Yes.
A little religion goes
a long way doesn't it?
But you can't judge a religion
based on the people who
take it to far, you know.
What do you mean?
Well, I mean...
Most people who don't trust
religion, don't trust it
because they don't
understand it.
You know the early people,
they persecuted the christians
because they thought the whole
body and blood of Christ
thing meant that they were
cannibals.
It's true.
So,
you can't confuse fear with faith.
It was really nice
having you at dinner.
Well, uh, be down the hall if
you need anything.
Oh. Elijah wanted me
to give these to you.
In case of an emergency,
I guess.
Um, okay.
Good night.
You too. Good night.
No.
No.
In nomine patris,
et fili,
et spiritus sanci.
God would
not forgive us our sins.
We give easement and rest,
now to thee.
Come not down the lanes
for in our meadows.
[]
And for our peace,
we pawn our soul.
Did you see
what happened to her?
She's weak, she needs help.
She needs help.
We need her around a lot more
than she needs us.
We need to get on with it.
I told you-
we don't know what she knows.
Who she told.
You heard her.
She has no one but us now.
Oh, hello.
Hi. I'm Abbie.
Are you a friend of daddys?
I...
Yes, I was hurt.
He's letting me stay here.
That's nice.
That's a very pretty
dress you have on Abbie.
Thank you.
I didn't even know you
were here yesterday.
You're so quiet.
Daddy told me to stay inside
because I was bad.
What did you do?
Daddy's mad because I went
downstairs during worship.
Worship. Downstairs?
In the holy room. We're
not supposed to go in there.
Why? What's in there?
I'm not supposed
to talk about it.
Why do you talk with a machine?
Because I was in an accident.
And it's hard to talk.
I didn't want to scare you.
I don't think you sound scary.
You should use your real voice.
Well, thank you.
When I grow up will
I be pretty like you are?
Oh please. You're
already very pretty.
I have to go now.
I'm sorry I woke you up.
I'll see you tonight.
Yeah, man.
Hey sheriff.
Hey. Wait.
We're eating here buddy.
No, that's okay.
Can I help you sir?
Yeah, I'm looking
for a young woman.
She was in an accident here the
other day and hospital won't
tell me where she is.
And, uh, who is she to you?
She's my sister.
Christine sinclair. I'm James.
She uh, she said
she didn't have any family.
She doesn't mean literally. Our
parents they don't talk anymore.
She's been on the road most of
her life. I just want to find
my sister, please.
Tell you what - why don't you
come down to the station
fill out a report,
we'll get it all figured out.
Thank you sheriff. Thank you.
Come down, let's say uh,
tomorrow. We'll get you taken
care of.
Tomorrow morning. Sheriff,
what if she is in trouble?
Tomorrow, alright. In the
meantime we'll make a few
calls and see if I can find
her. Look, i"ll call some
neighboring departments,
I've got friends there okay.
Sheriff please, i-
tomorrow morning. You got it?
I'm sorry Barney fife. I didn't
realize how busy you
were out here in
the middle of bumfuck.
What did call me cowboy?
I said 19 people and 2 cats in
this fucking shithole and
you can't help me find
a missing girl?
That's enough.
Tomorrow, okay.
I'll keep a look out, I promise.
Let's go.
You can only have one.
The effects linger.
I see you skulking
back there girl.
Hello, I'm Christine.
I know who you are girl.
You're that - stray that
Isaac's taken in.
Stray.
Must you use that stupid thing?
It's... it's hard to talk.
Amazing.
You city girls.
Usually just can't shut up.
Minister!
Who are you anyway?
I'm Mrs. Van den berg.
I bring the minister his
groceries, medications.
You know, make myself useful.
Minister!
Did I do something
to offend you?
Oh, what, you just going to
stand there gaping?
While I put this all away?
Don't even offer to help?
I can't help it jeez.
The second you are in trouble
you have no problem freeloading
off of somebody else.
Abraham!
You have no idea who I am.
Who the hell do you think-
oh, sorry about her Christine.
Mrs. Van den berg help is much
appreciated, she's a bit old
fashioned.
It's time for your medication,
minister.
Thank you and please, be nicer
to Christine, she is our guest.
And we are grateful that fate
has brought her to us.
Of course minister.
I'm, I'm sorry.
Did you bring
me those candies I like?
Yes, but I got the one with
peanuts in them because they are
a little healthier.
Chris.
Hello Elijah.
Thank god.
Bet you wish you stayed
up in your room, huh?
That woman is just the worst.
So it's not just me?
Oh, no. She pretty much hates
any woman that doesn't
have their sweater buttoned
up to their Adams apple.
Well she, would
hate this game then.
Why's that?
Because the queen is the most
powerful piece.
Check.
Damn.
It's a religious thing.
Town's all about tradition.
What religion is it anyway?
I think it started out as
quaker.
Like Dutch settler stuff.
Oh, so it's christianity.
Not exactly, there's a lot of
like...
Native rituals like pagan.
Oh, that's not so strange.
No?
No. The catholics did it.
A Christmas tree is pagan.
You know a lot about religion.
My parents were real zealouts.
I, was a catholic school
girl for 18 years.
Woah, must've been tough.
Somedays.
These followers though.
It's weird they convert.
You can't judge them.
It was hard in those early days.
Kids were starving.
People would do anything
to keep their mouths full.
Abe once told me.
Americans don't know hunger.
We only know appetite.
Sounds like he's everyone's dad.
He can kind of be a pain.
He and Isaac seem close.
Must be nice.
I'm jealous.
My parents are gone.
You close with your parents?
Oh, I'm sorry.
No.
I haven't seen my mom and dad
since I was a kid.
Really?
I'm sorry. That's terrible.
No, no its-
you know it's cool. They did
some messed up shit.
And I got out.
That sounds crazy, i'd-
I hate that
that happened to you.
Thank you.
I get why you had to leave.
I am just lucky that I didn't
end up in the psych ward like
that hitchhiker.
What?
The uh, hitchhiker.
Didn't she escape the hospital?
No I don't think so, where did
you hear that?
Well, I'm sorry I'll have
to out again in a little while.
Don't get to clock out when
you're in charge.
After leading the congregation
for so many years that's one
thing I have learned the
difference between
being a grunt and
being in charge.
When you're in charge,
you can't slack off.
Mrs. Van den berg come by today?
She did.
I see Christine's still here,
so she couldn't of been
too awful.
No, she was terrible.
We're lucky Christine
didn't kill her.
Christine if you kill
Mrs. Van den berg
I will make you a deputy.
She's an annoying old codger and
I can say that, because so am I.
But she's a woman
of great faith.
She serves congregation well.
Yeah, yeah.
Besides if you had met Mr. Van
den berg before he passed on
you'd know why she was so mean.
Is Abbie joining us tonight?
How's that?
Abbie? Abigail, your daughter?
How? How did you know about her?
We met, this morning.
What is she talking about?
They met?
It's okay, she doesn't know.
Does she live with her mom?
Christine, Abigail is-
she's gone.
What?
Christine, my um-
my daughter went missing.
Awhile ago.
What are you talking about?
It's okay, you didn't know.
No. No, that's not possible.
We met this morning.
Christine.
It's the toughest
in the morning.
Sometimes I forget you know.
Maybe a second or two right
after I wake up.
It's the happiest I am all day.
I do shut the door because
everytime I look in here I,
I expect to see her.
Remember Isaac,
things happen for a reason.
Even if it doesn't
make sense right away.
I'm sorry.
How did you know?
I feel like I'm going crazy.
What are you doing
in here sheriff?
Everything alright?
Yeah, it's fine.
Let's go, you're driving.
Hey, is this Christine?
Man, she's way
prettier than you said.
Really? I hadn't noticed.
Okay then.
What's she doing
asking about Abigail?
Don't worry about it.
Let's just go.
She's fucking hot man.
Have some respect.
She just had her goddamned jaw wired shut.
Mouth full of metal never
stopped you from getting a blow-
job from what's her name -
that skank from the trailer park
Coquit wim christin tui!
Why are you doing this to me?
Something dark
has a hold on you child.
But your soul is strong
Christine.
Your soul can win.
But it's shackled to the flesh.
Once we break the flesh.
Your soul will be free.
Chris, please let us fix you.
There's nothing to fix!
But Christine it's not natural.
Can't you see the
devil made you this way.
You're the only devil here!
Be cleansed!
Be reborn.
In the waters of saving grace.
Stop it please.
The water is saving grace.
Chris are you okay? Open up.
Chris! Oh my god. Are you okay?
Come here. What happened?
What happened?
Here this should help.
Thank you.
Like I feel so bad I didn't
tell you dad sleep walked.
He just hasn't done it in awhile
so I figured that-
I don't think it was your dad.
Well, who else
would it have been?
I don't know it was big, tall.
I think that...
The shadows, the dark, played
tricks on you.
I know what I saw.
Look, you've been holed
up in this house for 2 days.
The only thing worse than being
cooped up alone is being
stuck with my dad.
Yeah, maybe you're right.
I, I think I'll go
to town tomorrow.
Yeah, get some fresh air.
You know I have a shift in the
afternoon, but I can be back
in the evening if, uh-
you want some company.
I, uh, feel bad that you are so
spooked out, i-
really wanted you to
feel at home here.
I have, it's...
Not you.
Look, I know it's this
backwards small town...
Weird religion, hell,
I don't even own a TV.
No wonder we're so strange.
What is that?
Relax.
Wait a sec, no.
Let me take care of you.
No!
What the hell was that?
What the fuck is your problem?
What are you some kind of
fucking tease?
Something wrong with me?
I'm too much of a hick for a
girl like you?
What the fuck is it?
I'm a gay.
What?
I'm gay.
Fucking dyke.
Whoa, hey there Christine.
Hey, um, deputy.
What's your name again?
Isaac said you could use some
company going into town.
I thought I'd come by,
take you for a ride.
No, it's okay.
C'mon, you're bags
already packed.
Got an extra jacket in the car
just in case.
I gotta go.
Let me know if you
change your mind.
Minister, I didn't mean
to interrupt.
Elijah, come in. Come in.
I don't suppose you're here to
visit with me are you?
No minister it's not like that.
Relax, it's alright if
you came to see her.
I just want to check on her.
Make sure she's recovered.
Um, is that all? I'm sure
she'll be glad to see you.
She's been pretty depressed.
Poor thing.
I'll try and cheer her up.
I admire you Elijah.
You're compassion.
Well, it's why you're in the
inner circle.
That's what this
congregation needs.
Thank you, minister.
I wish Isaac were
more like you sometimes.
He's, he's a good man sir.
He'll be a good leader one day.
I used to think so, but uh -
he hasn't been the same since...
Abigail.
Your son is strong.
It takes more than strength,
it's his compassion...
Empathy that worries me. He's a
bull in a China shop now.
Isaac can be, a little pushy
sometimes I guess.
A little.
A lot.
Still, you could learn a thing
or two from him.
Like?
Like you can't keep waiting for
life to happen to you.
Sometimes you just got to go for
it. Take what you want.
She's upstairs.
Last night?
Yes.
But, but he didn't.
No, no, no. I stopped him, but
he was just so mad.
He was like an animal,
he just snapped.
I can't imagine.
And I feel like I'm being
watched.
Watched?
Look! Look!
So? It's just Sam.
It's what mailman do.
It's the third time he's been
down this street. Just today!
He's not a very good mailman.
And Isaac,
he won't let me leave.
He has his stormtrooper down
here to show me around
town and I'm like-
it's just so that I won't leave.
Christine, I understand Isaac's
a jerk but -
I think you might be just a
little stir crazy.
I'm not crazy!
No that's not what I mean,
I just mean-
a little cabin fever that's all.
I'm not crazy, i'm
not seeing things.
Seeing things?
What kind of things?
I'm having these nightmares.
These awful nightmares.
And the last one I saw my
family.
I'm waking up to these sounds-
these awful, clawing sounds.
Like animals in the walls, like-
clawing sounds. Christine.
And I saw Isaac's daughter.
Daughter?
You saw, Abigail?
UN, huh.
She, she showed me.
This place downstairs.
And there is like, another door.
And there was chanting.
And there was a person in a
robe-
I think I know what's wrong
okay?
There's something we should have
shown you awhile ago.
No.
Come here, come here.
I know we've told
you our religion has some...
Unusual traditions.
In the new world,
the founders well,
they sort of mixed with
local traditions.
Formed their own thing.
Hold this a second.
Don't be fooled by the darkness,
it's a-
it's a holy place. An old room.
Nothing sinister about it.
Now that's the ancestors chair.
We believe when are minister
sits in that chair he has
the combined wisdom of all the
minsters who led the church
before him. If he's
worthy that is.
It's how we choose who leads our
congregation.
Congregation?
Yeah, it's what
we call ourselves.
Well,
I guess that's kind of nice.
Having a whole
family to watch over you.
Yeah and its, we don't mean it
literally.
It's not like he hears
voices or anything.
I think we have been so
embarrassed about our religion
that we made it this
mysterious thing.
It's not that weird right?
I mean lots of religions honor
ancestors, ofrendas or
things like that.
No. No, no, no.
No, it's um, sorry, it's-
it's just, it's like
the pope's chair.
It's special.
So, your full church
worships in a basement?
No. Not anymore I mean.
Back in the old days when
Gideon was settled
they built this place.
We'd be standing under their
church right now.
Yeah.
What happened to the
church here?
It uh...
Burned down.
There was a fire, it was a long
time ago.
Oh, ritual gone wrong?
Yeah, something like that.
And... this?
Some kind of altar?
Yeah, it's um...
We're sort of an
offshoot of christianity.
It's not like for sacrifices
or anything.
C'mon. It gets kinda weird down
here in the dark.
Anyways I can swing by
after my shift to pick you up.
Going somewhere?
Isaac, hey.
Yeah, we're going out later.
Elijah, I'll walk you out.
What did you tell her?
Look,
she's scared out of her mind.
Okay.
Keeping her in the dark now-
why would you
take her into that room?
Because it's just a room.
Now isn't it?
It's not some deep dark secret.
Who the hell do you
think you are?
Those aren't your secrets.
Why? Because you think when
daddy dies we're just going
to bow down you?
This is why it'll never be you.
You have no respect for tradition.
Tradition. This isn't a
monarchy. We don't follow
bloodlines. The chair decides
who leads.
And you aren't half the man
your father was.
Was? He's
still alive you asshole.
Exactly. He's
not even cold in his grave
and your trying to
take his spot.
Leaders aren't chosen,
they are born.
There's something inside them that
makes people shut up and listen.
No wonder you want
Christine so bad.
Of course your perfect woman has
her mouth sown shut.
Don't high road me Elijah.
You're a smart guy, but you
can't learn what it takes
to lead.
It takes-it takes what?
What does it take Isaac?
Balls! Alright?
Piss and vinegar and
you're soft. Look at the way
you coddle her.
I'm coddling her because I am
nice to her? Not wanting
to fuck her?
Please.
You can't even look at
her without breathing through
your mouth.
Of course she's attractive.
But at least I never tried to
rape her.
Rape? What the
hell are you talking about?
Yeah, she told me what happened.
I didn't try to rape-
Isaac,
you can't force yourself on her
anymore than you can force
yourself on our congregation.
You know what - fuck you!
Get the fuck out of here!
Seriously, leave!
It sounds primitive at first.
But even while accepted
religions have this concept
Jesus Christ for example,
is the most famous sin eater.
Christians believe he died to
take on their sins.
And to sanctify god's people.
And how is that sacrifice
commemorated?
By the eating of the eucharist,
the body of Christ and,
christians take that literally.
Which is why early persecutors
accused them of
cannibalism.
The sin eater rituals varied
from faith to faith but,
there were alarming
common denominators.
Sometimes the sin eater ritual
involved eating
a ritual meal of a dead body
to consume its sins.
In some extreme cases a sin
eater would consume
the body itself, but
other times the
the consumption was a sort of-
inversion. Instead of the sin
eater it was the sinners who
did the eating because once
the sin eater became defiled by
sin. The now pure congregation
would paradoxically
consume the sin eater to erase
those sins forever.
The earliest sin eater rituals
required a sacrifice to a
demon called azazel.
I'm coming back for her and
she's staying with me.
Like hell she is.
She's scared out of
her mind here.
She thinks she's seeing things.
She thinks she's going crazy.
What does it matter anyway?
We're running out of time.
Look, I'll see you tonight, ok?
Christ!
Sorry I didn't mean
to scare you.
What do you got there?
Um, it's just Elijah's phone.
I was going to run it out to
him, but-
you were fighting.
Yeah, you heard that huh?
No, I... I heard a little but-
I wasn't listening.
Is he gone?
Yeah, yeah he's gone.
Are, um, you sure you want to
go with him?
I think it's for the best.
Yeah, listen um,
I gotta go out on patrol.
Please, please don't leave
till I get back.
I, um...
I want to try and
make it up to you.
Stay for a bit?
Oh, um, why don't you give me
Elijah's phone I will take
it to him while I am out.
No that's okay.
Yeah, I think it's-
I think it's better
if I take it.
Hey!
Going out to look for my sister
sheriff?
Jesus! What the hell
are you doing here?
I know you're not telling me
something.
This is my home, you come
to my home?
I will turn this whole town
upside down to find Christine!
Do you understand me?
Look, look calm down.
I know you're scared-
you listen to me you
king shit cop.
You may have all these other
sheep under your thumb
you don't scare me.
You better get your
goddamn hands off me!
I know you're hiding something
and I want to know why?
Follow me.
A dark force hovers over you.
It's grip is strong.
Can't you help her father?
We might not be able to save her
life, but we may be able to save
her eternal life.
What does that mean father?
It means...
To set her soul free.
The flesh may perish.
Please let me go.
I didn't do anything.
Do not listen.
The whore of Babylon
deals only with lies.
May the holy spirit
purge your sinful desires.
Please stop it. Please stop it.
If the holy water
cannot wash away your urges.
The holy fire be the light
to guide you to your salvation.
What are you doing?
What are you doing?
What are you doing?
Fire reveals all child.
It consumes the unworthy.
How can you do this
to your daughter?
But the righteous cannot
be burned.
Fire reveals the worthy.
You're insane.
All of you!
Elijah Chris! Chris!
Chris!
Jesus Christ what's going on?
You killed her. You killed her!
She was trying to warn me.
I'm not crazy.
You killed her.
You killed her!
Christine wait. Christine wait.
Christine.
Look, we'll think of something,
I'll, I'll-
call his deputy okay?
No! No he's-
what is going on up here!?
I can't let you see this.
See what?
Christine, just calm down.
Wait a second okay.
No, give me your phone.
No, no-
we can't do that.
I'm sorry sweetheart.
Not you too.
You're not going anywhere.
I'm sorry Chris. It's for the
greater good.
The greater good.
My god-
Is it. Is it time minister?
I suppose so.
It's always a shame how it turns
out being the pretty one.
Good work son.
Women like you...
You have no respect for
tradition.
You want so badly to speak your
single voice.
And you call it progress.
But the individual is nothing.
It's the congregation
that endures.
And the tradition that binds
that congregation.
No.
Let us pray.
Oh great benefactor help us to
realize that we
all have a role to play.
Young, old, men, women.
Each with a unique purpose.
Mine is to be the voice of
truth.
And yours.
Your purpose is the most
important of all.
Sorry Christine.
I know you killed Abigail you
piece of shit.
You don't understand.
You think I wanted this?
I think you're a fucking
monster.
She saw the ritual.
I tried to explain.
She's to young to understand.
So you killed her to save your
own ass.
Abbie had to die.
So the ritual could endure.
Shut up.
You think we want to do this?
Eat people like fucking savages.
If we don't do this-enough!
Don't you see child. We all have
our sins.
We all have an Abigail hiding in
our closet.
Elijah's parents.
Mrs. Van den berg's dearly
departed husband.
The sin eater protects us all.
You. Are our salvation.
When our ancestors came here.
They knew only hunger.
They raped and pillaged and made
war upon the native peoples.
Our original sin.
In turn the natives cursed our
ancestors.
Famine and pestilence brought
death upon them.
Dutifully our ancestors prayed
to god for salvation.
And god.
Did not come.
For god would
not forgive us our sins.
There was another.
The great benefactor. Azazel.
Accept our gift
and upon our hearth.
Leave your blessings.
Blood in, blood out.
Blood in, blood out.
For even god
told his chosen people.
To sacrifice first - to azazel.
We give easement and rest.
Now to thee.
Come not down the lanes
or in our meadows.
And for thy peace we paw
our souls.
Amen.
It's the only way darling.
Stop.
We love you Christine.
Oh god.
Protect her from the punishment
of the grave.
And the torment.
Of the fire.
No, don't do this.
Please.
Bless our sins.
And make honorable our
reception.
But our sin eater sates our
benefactors righteous
vengeance.
Christine, no!
Christine. Father.
No!!
You sick.
No.
Thanks to you our sin eater.
Your flesh shall now
become our flesh.
Eat of her body.
Stop her!
She defiles-
no, no.
Bitch!
Fuck! She's escaping.
Oh, father.
Father. Oh my god?
Father. Elijah!
Elijah help him.
Me? Do you see what she did to
my fucking face?
Fuck your fucking face
can't you do anything without a
doctor holding your hand?
What do you want me to do?
He's fucking dead.
Don't you about him that way.
That's my father.
Yeah. And the bitch who killed
him is getting away right now.
Go!
Even if you get her
back, how will you finish the ceremony?
Who will preside?
Who will bring the spirit of
azazel upon us-
stop whining. You sound like a
little baby.
I'm the minister now, so shut
your fucking face.
You!
You think you are going to lead,
huh?
Open the door. Open the door.
Let us out of here. Open the
door.
Oh no.
You ungrateful piece of shit.
You have no idea what I've
sacrificed for you.
All of you!
I don't care.
We don't owe you anything you
entitled little prick.
Elijah!
Stop. No. It's the second time
he's fucked up in a week.
And he just thinks we're going
to bow down to him.
And you think we should bow down
to you?
We need a real leader not some
fucking candy striper.
Still think he's fit to sit in
that chair?
Ever try that again. I will skin
you alive.
Then line the walls of this
house-
it's decided by the chair.
Chair. The chair will decide.
You can't do this.
Actually we can.
On your knees.
Where you belong.
You killed my father.
But I will be a merciful
minister like he was.
I'll get out and then I'll come
back and kill you.
Take it off.
Still going to give you the
honor.
Of being our sin eater.
I like you Chris.
Truly I do.
But the sin eater is more
important.
Without you. The bad times come.
Disease. Starvation.
What's the fate of one.
Compared to that of so many.
What's the matter?
To chicken shit to sit?
I pray you're unworthy.
When you face your fears.
You prove your worth.
Our ancestors will decide.
What's happening.
Sheriff?
Sheriff!
Somebody get
an extinguisher now.
No. No, don't let her go.
Sheriff!
What the fuck are we supposed to
do now?
You.
- Me?
- Yeah.
Yes.
Yes that's right. You can lead
us.
- You get on the chair.
- Me, no.
Are you fucking kidding me.
Did you see what just happened?
There is no way I am getting in
that chair.
No.
Get a hold of yourself.
Did you believe in the chair or
didn't you?
Well, yeah.
Seeing is believing.
Shut up you skank.
Elijah listen to me.
Isaac wasn't meant to lead us.
The chair. It knows.
You are meant to lead us.
You need to take that seat so we
can complete the sacrifice.
- No. Nope. No way!
- Yes.
I can't take that chair.
Wait, no. No. No fricking way!
No, wait.
No. Woah.
Chris, take it easy.
Hey, relax.
She doesn't know how to use that
thing.
Shit.
Stay away!
You don't have it in you girl.
You are a runner, not a fighter.
I will kill everyone one of you
before I let you eat me.
She can't get all of us if we
make a rush at her right now.
C'mon! C'mon!
C'mon. I will take out at least
one of you before you get to me.
Who's gonna be the hero huh?
Christine. Christine.
Even if you get out of here.
We're just the high council.
The whole town is outside waiting
for us to finish the ritual.
You, you just don't have enough
bullets.
No. No, don't.
- Chris.
- I only need one bullet.
I am done running.
No.
What happened?
No.
It jammed.
You see girl.
It's him. Azazel.
He doesn't mean for you to die
like this.
We need you.
A sin eater is a savior.
You're whole life.
All of it. Was meant to bring
you here to us.
Right now.
Oh.
Your parents.
The hitchhiker.
It was azazel's plan on all
along.
Just like Isaac wasn't meant to
lead us.
You are not meant to-
kill yourself.
I don't need a gun to kill
myself.
No! No don't.
Oh my children.
Look at you.
All so pathetic and weak.
Oh my god.
No. No.
We can not bow down before a-
her!
We are servants-quiet!
I will be silenced no longer!
Minister.
The sin eater?
We shall proceed.
But who?
A herd is only as fast as it's
weakest member.
What? Wait?
Wait?
Please. No. Wait. Please.
No. No get your hands off me.
You can't do this. No please.
I can. It's for the greater
good.
Please no. Please.
No...
Hail. Hail. The hunt has ended.
The meat is on the table.
Accept our gift.
And on our hearth leave your
blessing.
This is the body.
Shall we give enough for you.
Please!
Amen.
Oh my god.
Sheriff, copy?
Don't move. Just stay there.
Stay there.
Stay there. Don't move.
Do you copy?
Isaac, did you find her, over?
She's dead.
We got a live one.
Elijah
Isaac. Just came
to check on my patient.
Don't you have to be an actual
doctor to have patients?
Nurses help people too sheriff.
Can't shoot every problem.
She awake?
I don't know.
She's been in bed all day.
You have any -
will you back up Isaac?
I just want to check on her,
okay? She's been through a lot.
Hey Christine.
Elijah is here to see you.
Your nurse from the hospital.
Hey Christine. How's the-
this junkyard
that used to be my teeth?
Look, I, understand how
frustrated you must feel.
But if we didn't wire your jaw
shut -
I know. I know.
Look, it's not for long, okay.
Soon, it won't even be a memory.
I know it.
I'm sorry, I, thank you.
For coming to see me.
It means a lot.
Too bad you couldn't stay
with someone with better
fashion sense.
You have any other shirts with-
out heavy metal bands on them?
Or are you still fifteen?
Beggars can't be choosers.
Well Elijah, unless you came to
do something other than
insult my taste in music-
yeah, yes, actually,
I uh, I brought this.
It's the stuff you had with you
when you came into the hospital.
I know most of your stuff didn't
survive the crash so-
I figured you'd want this.
And you can keep that box too.
It's not valuable or anything.
Oh, and this.
I know it's gonna be hard to eat
and stuff and-
it' s gonna be a huge strain to
talk., especially at first.
So I brought you this.
What is it?
Hey there beautiful.
What the hell?
It's a -
it's a text to talk device.
You type it, she says it.
Uh, well, I guess I'll go now.
Yeah.
Elijah.
Thanks again. Really.
I was just checking her okay?
I don't need you to check on me.
I got everything under control.
Oh, Jesus.
No, not quite.
I'm sorry.
No, I'm sorry. I scared you.
It's okay.
I'm Abraham. I, uh, don't mean
to be rude but-
Isaac said you needed some
space.
I'm Christine. Chris.
You're Isaac's dad?
First and foremost I'm also the
minister of our small town.
Yeah, I think I heard someone
say that.
Have you heard anything
about our faith?
Dad, would you knock it off?
I think 2 minutes without
preaching is a new record for you.
It's okay.
Look Christine sorry I didn't
introduce you earlier, but
you were - you know. Tired.
Christine, I do hope you'll
join us for dinner later.
Dad-what I'm not an idiot.
We'll give her a smoothie or
something.
This old man doesn't get to eat
to many meals with
pretty young girls anymore.
Sorry about him, he's a,
he's harmless.
Oh, I thought he was sweet.
What are those for?
Oh, I thought I'd try and bribe
you out of your hiding place
for a bit.
I know Elijah said not to mix
alcohol with the pain meds but-
I think it will just make them
work better.
To a speedy recovery.
I don't know. I'm,
I'm not really in the mood.
C'mon. My dad always says "never
let a man drink alone".
I know it's difficult to talk.
It's not as hard as Elijah
thinks.
I don't really need that thing,
but uh-it was a nice thought.
I mean it's difficult to talk
about the accident.
You think you can
tell me about that night?
I-
please.
It's my job to look out for
the people in this town.
That means you to now.
I have to understand what
happened to this girl.
What was she
even doing out there?
I shouldn't share this.
You can't say anything.
She's a patient at the hospital.
Suicide watch.
She was very... troubled.
It's a beautiful
sunny day here in Gideon, NY.
Expect mild temperatures to
finally melt that snow.
Just in time for our annual
community gathering.
Ma'am, ma'am are you okay?
Just leave me alone.
I, I'm not going to hurt you.
I promise.
You look sick. Let me help you.
I don't know you.
I know. I know you're not
supposed to take a ride
from a stranger,
but I'm harmless.
I promise.
Let me give you a ride. C'mon.
Get in. Here.
Where you headed?
Anywhere that's fine,
please just, just drive.
Okay.
That's a pretty earring.
Thanks.
My god. Are you okay?
I'm fine. Please just go.
No, you, oh, you are not okay.
I'm fine. Really, i'm
fine, please I'm just really
hungry.
I am taking you to the hospital.
No!
I am taking you to the hospital.
No!
You are going to the hospital.
No!
Everything I owned was in
that car. My clothes, my cellphone.
You know, if you hadn't agreed
to let me stay I, I don't-
please,
it's the least I could do.
Look, we'll hear from insurance
about your car soon and then
as for the phone.
I know. I know.
It'll take a few days.
I mean what town doesn't have a
cellphone store?
It's like I crash landed in
mayberry.
Yeah, well, in the meantime
isn't there someone you want
to call? Maybe a boyfriend?
Or a parents?
Uh, no, uh, there's no one.
Um.
I think I need to go lay
down a little longer.
Well, what are you waiting for?
We don't know
anything about her.
Don't make excuses.
She could have a boyfriend or a
husband out there looking for her.
I need more time.
Alright. Don't take to long.
Hey.
Ah, I know you wanted some
space, but-
I thought maybe you could
keep me company at dinner
with the old man?
Sorry.
Wait.
Ah, there's our guest.
I, I made this drink for you.
Elijah's recipe.
Fresh fruit and veggies.
Hmm.
Thank you. It's perfect.
Hold on a second now.
We've got to pray.
Don't you pray dear?
I, uh, haven't prayed
in a long time.
Would you humor an old man?
Hail. Hail. The hunt has ended.
The meat is on the table.
We honor our benefactor who
feeds us tonight.
And we offer him a share.
Great one, accept my gift.
And upon my hearth leave
your blessings.
Amen.
Amen.
It's a strange prayer.
Our town has it's own
special kind of religion.
Are you religious Christine?
I was raised catholic.
Raised? Not anymore?
We had a falling out.
Well, their loss. I'm grateful
to have you here to eat with.
Dad.
What? It's not like she's going
to forget that her jaw is
wired shut. How about-
we talk to her like a person,
and not a wounded bird.
It's okay.
Eating together
is very important.
It's why so many religious
ceremonies revolve
around food.
A family that eats
together, stays together.
See.
She gets it.
And isn't a religion like
a great big family?
I guess so.
Are you close with
your family Christine?
I have a brother.
We talk sometimes.
What about your parents?
They are maybe a
little too religious.
Yes.
A little religion goes
a long way doesn't it?
But you can't judge a religion
based on the people who
take it to far, you know.
What do you mean?
Well, I mean...
Most people who don't trust
religion, don't trust it
because they don't
understand it.
You know the early people,
they persecuted the christians
because they thought the whole
body and blood of Christ
thing meant that they were
cannibals.
It's true.
So,
you can't confuse fear with faith.
It was really nice
having you at dinner.
Well, uh, be down the hall if
you need anything.
Oh. Elijah wanted me
to give these to you.
In case of an emergency,
I guess.
Um, okay.
Good night.
You too. Good night.
No.
No.
In nomine patris,
et fili,
et spiritus sanci.
God would
not forgive us our sins.
We give easement and rest,
now to thee.
Come not down the lanes
for in our meadows.
[]
And for our peace,
we pawn our soul.
Did you see
what happened to her?
She's weak, she needs help.
She needs help.
We need her around a lot more
than she needs us.
We need to get on with it.
I told you-
we don't know what she knows.
Who she told.
You heard her.
She has no one but us now.
Oh, hello.
Hi. I'm Abbie.
Are you a friend of daddys?
I...
Yes, I was hurt.
He's letting me stay here.
That's nice.
That's a very pretty
dress you have on Abbie.
Thank you.
I didn't even know you
were here yesterday.
You're so quiet.
Daddy told me to stay inside
because I was bad.
What did you do?
Daddy's mad because I went
downstairs during worship.
Worship. Downstairs?
In the holy room. We're
not supposed to go in there.
Why? What's in there?
I'm not supposed
to talk about it.
Why do you talk with a machine?
Because I was in an accident.
And it's hard to talk.
I didn't want to scare you.
I don't think you sound scary.
You should use your real voice.
Well, thank you.
When I grow up will
I be pretty like you are?
Oh please. You're
already very pretty.
I have to go now.
I'm sorry I woke you up.
I'll see you tonight.
Yeah, man.
Hey sheriff.
Hey. Wait.
We're eating here buddy.
No, that's okay.
Can I help you sir?
Yeah, I'm looking
for a young woman.
She was in an accident here the
other day and hospital won't
tell me where she is.
And, uh, who is she to you?
She's my sister.
Christine sinclair. I'm James.
She uh, she said
she didn't have any family.
She doesn't mean literally. Our
parents they don't talk anymore.
She's been on the road most of
her life. I just want to find
my sister, please.
Tell you what - why don't you
come down to the station
fill out a report,
we'll get it all figured out.
Thank you sheriff. Thank you.
Come down, let's say uh,
tomorrow. We'll get you taken
care of.
Tomorrow morning. Sheriff,
what if she is in trouble?
Tomorrow, alright. In the
meantime we'll make a few
calls and see if I can find
her. Look, i"ll call some
neighboring departments,
I've got friends there okay.
Sheriff please, i-
tomorrow morning. You got it?
I'm sorry Barney fife. I didn't
realize how busy you
were out here in
the middle of bumfuck.
What did call me cowboy?
I said 19 people and 2 cats in
this fucking shithole and
you can't help me find
a missing girl?
That's enough.
Tomorrow, okay.
I'll keep a look out, I promise.
Let's go.
You can only have one.
The effects linger.
I see you skulking
back there girl.
Hello, I'm Christine.
I know who you are girl.
You're that - stray that
Isaac's taken in.
Stray.
Must you use that stupid thing?
It's... it's hard to talk.
Amazing.
You city girls.
Usually just can't shut up.
Minister!
Who are you anyway?
I'm Mrs. Van den berg.
I bring the minister his
groceries, medications.
You know, make myself useful.
Minister!
Did I do something
to offend you?
Oh, what, you just going to
stand there gaping?
While I put this all away?
Don't even offer to help?
I can't help it jeez.
The second you are in trouble
you have no problem freeloading
off of somebody else.
Abraham!
You have no idea who I am.
Who the hell do you think-
oh, sorry about her Christine.
Mrs. Van den berg help is much
appreciated, she's a bit old
fashioned.
It's time for your medication,
minister.
Thank you and please, be nicer
to Christine, she is our guest.
And we are grateful that fate
has brought her to us.
Of course minister.
I'm, I'm sorry.
Did you bring
me those candies I like?
Yes, but I got the one with
peanuts in them because they are
a little healthier.
Chris.
Hello Elijah.
Thank god.
Bet you wish you stayed
up in your room, huh?
That woman is just the worst.
So it's not just me?
Oh, no. She pretty much hates
any woman that doesn't
have their sweater buttoned
up to their Adams apple.
Well she, would
hate this game then.
Why's that?
Because the queen is the most
powerful piece.
Check.
Damn.
It's a religious thing.
Town's all about tradition.
What religion is it anyway?
I think it started out as
quaker.
Like Dutch settler stuff.
Oh, so it's christianity.
Not exactly, there's a lot of
like...
Native rituals like pagan.
Oh, that's not so strange.
No?
No. The catholics did it.
A Christmas tree is pagan.
You know a lot about religion.
My parents were real zealouts.
I, was a catholic school
girl for 18 years.
Woah, must've been tough.
Somedays.
These followers though.
It's weird they convert.
You can't judge them.
It was hard in those early days.
Kids were starving.
People would do anything
to keep their mouths full.
Abe once told me.
Americans don't know hunger.
We only know appetite.
Sounds like he's everyone's dad.
He can kind of be a pain.
He and Isaac seem close.
Must be nice.
I'm jealous.
My parents are gone.
You close with your parents?
Oh, I'm sorry.
No.
I haven't seen my mom and dad
since I was a kid.
Really?
I'm sorry. That's terrible.
No, no its-
you know it's cool. They did
some messed up shit.
And I got out.
That sounds crazy, i'd-
I hate that
that happened to you.
Thank you.
I get why you had to leave.
I am just lucky that I didn't
end up in the psych ward like
that hitchhiker.
What?
The uh, hitchhiker.
Didn't she escape the hospital?
No I don't think so, where did
you hear that?
Well, I'm sorry I'll have
to out again in a little while.
Don't get to clock out when
you're in charge.
After leading the congregation
for so many years that's one
thing I have learned the
difference between
being a grunt and
being in charge.
When you're in charge,
you can't slack off.
Mrs. Van den berg come by today?
She did.
I see Christine's still here,
so she couldn't of been
too awful.
No, she was terrible.
We're lucky Christine
didn't kill her.
Christine if you kill
Mrs. Van den berg
I will make you a deputy.
She's an annoying old codger and
I can say that, because so am I.
But she's a woman
of great faith.
She serves congregation well.
Yeah, yeah.
Besides if you had met Mr. Van
den berg before he passed on
you'd know why she was so mean.
Is Abbie joining us tonight?
How's that?
Abbie? Abigail, your daughter?
How? How did you know about her?
We met, this morning.
What is she talking about?
They met?
It's okay, she doesn't know.
Does she live with her mom?
Christine, Abigail is-
she's gone.
What?
Christine, my um-
my daughter went missing.
Awhile ago.
What are you talking about?
It's okay, you didn't know.
No. No, that's not possible.
We met this morning.
Christine.
It's the toughest
in the morning.
Sometimes I forget you know.
Maybe a second or two right
after I wake up.
It's the happiest I am all day.
I do shut the door because
everytime I look in here I,
I expect to see her.
Remember Isaac,
things happen for a reason.
Even if it doesn't
make sense right away.
I'm sorry.
How did you know?
I feel like I'm going crazy.
What are you doing
in here sheriff?
Everything alright?
Yeah, it's fine.
Let's go, you're driving.
Hey, is this Christine?
Man, she's way
prettier than you said.
Really? I hadn't noticed.
Okay then.
What's she doing
asking about Abigail?
Don't worry about it.
Let's just go.
She's fucking hot man.
Have some respect.
She just had her goddamned jaw wired shut.
Mouth full of metal never
stopped you from getting a blow-
job from what's her name -
that skank from the trailer park
Coquit wim christin tui!
Why are you doing this to me?
Something dark
has a hold on you child.
But your soul is strong
Christine.
Your soul can win.
But it's shackled to the flesh.
Once we break the flesh.
Your soul will be free.
Chris, please let us fix you.
There's nothing to fix!
But Christine it's not natural.
Can't you see the
devil made you this way.
You're the only devil here!
Be cleansed!
Be reborn.
In the waters of saving grace.
Stop it please.
The water is saving grace.
Chris are you okay? Open up.
Chris! Oh my god. Are you okay?
Come here. What happened?
What happened?
Here this should help.
Thank you.
Like I feel so bad I didn't
tell you dad sleep walked.
He just hasn't done it in awhile
so I figured that-
I don't think it was your dad.
Well, who else
would it have been?
I don't know it was big, tall.
I think that...
The shadows, the dark, played
tricks on you.
I know what I saw.
Look, you've been holed
up in this house for 2 days.
The only thing worse than being
cooped up alone is being
stuck with my dad.
Yeah, maybe you're right.
I, I think I'll go
to town tomorrow.
Yeah, get some fresh air.
You know I have a shift in the
afternoon, but I can be back
in the evening if, uh-
you want some company.
I, uh, feel bad that you are so
spooked out, i-
really wanted you to
feel at home here.
I have, it's...
Not you.
Look, I know it's this
backwards small town...
Weird religion, hell,
I don't even own a TV.
No wonder we're so strange.
What is that?
Relax.
Wait a sec, no.
Let me take care of you.
No!
What the hell was that?
What the fuck is your problem?
What are you some kind of
fucking tease?
Something wrong with me?
I'm too much of a hick for a
girl like you?
What the fuck is it?
I'm a gay.
What?
I'm gay.
Fucking dyke.
Whoa, hey there Christine.
Hey, um, deputy.
What's your name again?
Isaac said you could use some
company going into town.
I thought I'd come by,
take you for a ride.
No, it's okay.
C'mon, you're bags
already packed.
Got an extra jacket in the car
just in case.
I gotta go.
Let me know if you
change your mind.
Minister, I didn't mean
to interrupt.
Elijah, come in. Come in.
I don't suppose you're here to
visit with me are you?
No minister it's not like that.
Relax, it's alright if
you came to see her.
I just want to check on her.
Make sure she's recovered.
Um, is that all? I'm sure
she'll be glad to see you.
She's been pretty depressed.
Poor thing.
I'll try and cheer her up.
I admire you Elijah.
You're compassion.
Well, it's why you're in the
inner circle.
That's what this
congregation needs.
Thank you, minister.
I wish Isaac were
more like you sometimes.
He's, he's a good man sir.
He'll be a good leader one day.
I used to think so, but uh -
he hasn't been the same since...
Abigail.
Your son is strong.
It takes more than strength,
it's his compassion...
Empathy that worries me. He's a
bull in a China shop now.
Isaac can be, a little pushy
sometimes I guess.
A little.
A lot.
Still, you could learn a thing
or two from him.
Like?
Like you can't keep waiting for
life to happen to you.
Sometimes you just got to go for
it. Take what you want.
She's upstairs.
Last night?
Yes.
But, but he didn't.
No, no, no. I stopped him, but
he was just so mad.
He was like an animal,
he just snapped.
I can't imagine.
And I feel like I'm being
watched.
Watched?
Look! Look!
So? It's just Sam.
It's what mailman do.
It's the third time he's been
down this street. Just today!
He's not a very good mailman.
And Isaac,
he won't let me leave.
He has his stormtrooper down
here to show me around
town and I'm like-
it's just so that I won't leave.
Christine, I understand Isaac's
a jerk but -
I think you might be just a
little stir crazy.
I'm not crazy!
No that's not what I mean,
I just mean-
a little cabin fever that's all.
I'm not crazy, i'm
not seeing things.
Seeing things?
What kind of things?
I'm having these nightmares.
These awful nightmares.
And the last one I saw my
family.
I'm waking up to these sounds-
these awful, clawing sounds.
Like animals in the walls, like-
clawing sounds. Christine.
And I saw Isaac's daughter.
Daughter?
You saw, Abigail?
UN, huh.
She, she showed me.
This place downstairs.
And there is like, another door.
And there was chanting.
And there was a person in a
robe-
I think I know what's wrong
okay?
There's something we should have
shown you awhile ago.
No.
Come here, come here.
I know we've told
you our religion has some...
Unusual traditions.
In the new world,
the founders well,
they sort of mixed with
local traditions.
Formed their own thing.
Hold this a second.
Don't be fooled by the darkness,
it's a-
it's a holy place. An old room.
Nothing sinister about it.
Now that's the ancestors chair.
We believe when are minister
sits in that chair he has
the combined wisdom of all the
minsters who led the church
before him. If he's
worthy that is.
It's how we choose who leads our
congregation.
Congregation?
Yeah, it's what
we call ourselves.
Well,
I guess that's kind of nice.
Having a whole
family to watch over you.
Yeah and its, we don't mean it
literally.
It's not like he hears
voices or anything.
I think we have been so
embarrassed about our religion
that we made it this
mysterious thing.
It's not that weird right?
I mean lots of religions honor
ancestors, ofrendas or
things like that.
No. No, no, no.
No, it's um, sorry, it's-
it's just, it's like
the pope's chair.
It's special.
So, your full church
worships in a basement?
No. Not anymore I mean.
Back in the old days when
Gideon was settled
they built this place.
We'd be standing under their
church right now.
Yeah.
What happened to the
church here?
It uh...
Burned down.
There was a fire, it was a long
time ago.
Oh, ritual gone wrong?
Yeah, something like that.
And... this?
Some kind of altar?
Yeah, it's um...
We're sort of an
offshoot of christianity.
It's not like for sacrifices
or anything.
C'mon. It gets kinda weird down
here in the dark.
Anyways I can swing by
after my shift to pick you up.
Going somewhere?
Isaac, hey.
Yeah, we're going out later.
Elijah, I'll walk you out.
What did you tell her?
Look,
she's scared out of her mind.
Okay.
Keeping her in the dark now-
why would you
take her into that room?
Because it's just a room.
Now isn't it?
It's not some deep dark secret.
Who the hell do you
think you are?
Those aren't your secrets.
Why? Because you think when
daddy dies we're just going
to bow down you?
This is why it'll never be you.
You have no respect for tradition.
Tradition. This isn't a
monarchy. We don't follow
bloodlines. The chair decides
who leads.
And you aren't half the man
your father was.
Was? He's
still alive you asshole.
Exactly. He's
not even cold in his grave
and your trying to
take his spot.
Leaders aren't chosen,
they are born.
There's something inside them that
makes people shut up and listen.
No wonder you want
Christine so bad.
Of course your perfect woman has
her mouth sown shut.
Don't high road me Elijah.
You're a smart guy, but you
can't learn what it takes
to lead.
It takes-it takes what?
What does it take Isaac?
Balls! Alright?
Piss and vinegar and
you're soft. Look at the way
you coddle her.
I'm coddling her because I am
nice to her? Not wanting
to fuck her?
Please.
You can't even look at
her without breathing through
your mouth.
Of course she's attractive.
But at least I never tried to
rape her.
Rape? What the
hell are you talking about?
Yeah, she told me what happened.
I didn't try to rape-
Isaac,
you can't force yourself on her
anymore than you can force
yourself on our congregation.
You know what - fuck you!
Get the fuck out of here!
Seriously, leave!
It sounds primitive at first.
But even while accepted
religions have this concept
Jesus Christ for example,
is the most famous sin eater.
Christians believe he died to
take on their sins.
And to sanctify god's people.
And how is that sacrifice
commemorated?
By the eating of the eucharist,
the body of Christ and,
christians take that literally.
Which is why early persecutors
accused them of
cannibalism.
The sin eater rituals varied
from faith to faith but,
there were alarming
common denominators.
Sometimes the sin eater ritual
involved eating
a ritual meal of a dead body
to consume its sins.
In some extreme cases a sin
eater would consume
the body itself, but
other times the
the consumption was a sort of-
inversion. Instead of the sin
eater it was the sinners who
did the eating because once
the sin eater became defiled by
sin. The now pure congregation
would paradoxically
consume the sin eater to erase
those sins forever.
The earliest sin eater rituals
required a sacrifice to a
demon called azazel.
I'm coming back for her and
she's staying with me.
Like hell she is.
She's scared out of
her mind here.
She thinks she's seeing things.
She thinks she's going crazy.
What does it matter anyway?
We're running out of time.
Look, I'll see you tonight, ok?
Christ!
Sorry I didn't mean
to scare you.
What do you got there?
Um, it's just Elijah's phone.
I was going to run it out to
him, but-
you were fighting.
Yeah, you heard that huh?
No, I... I heard a little but-
I wasn't listening.
Is he gone?
Yeah, yeah he's gone.
Are, um, you sure you want to
go with him?
I think it's for the best.
Yeah, listen um,
I gotta go out on patrol.
Please, please don't leave
till I get back.
I, um...
I want to try and
make it up to you.
Stay for a bit?
Oh, um, why don't you give me
Elijah's phone I will take
it to him while I am out.
No that's okay.
Yeah, I think it's-
I think it's better
if I take it.
Hey!
Going out to look for my sister
sheriff?
Jesus! What the hell
are you doing here?
I know you're not telling me
something.
This is my home, you come
to my home?
I will turn this whole town
upside down to find Christine!
Do you understand me?
Look, look calm down.
I know you're scared-
you listen to me you
king shit cop.
You may have all these other
sheep under your thumb
you don't scare me.
You better get your
goddamn hands off me!
I know you're hiding something
and I want to know why?
Follow me.
A dark force hovers over you.
It's grip is strong.
Can't you help her father?
We might not be able to save her
life, but we may be able to save
her eternal life.
What does that mean father?
It means...
To set her soul free.
The flesh may perish.
Please let me go.
I didn't do anything.
Do not listen.
The whore of Babylon
deals only with lies.
May the holy spirit
purge your sinful desires.
Please stop it. Please stop it.
If the holy water
cannot wash away your urges.
The holy fire be the light
to guide you to your salvation.
What are you doing?
What are you doing?
What are you doing?
Fire reveals all child.
It consumes the unworthy.
How can you do this
to your daughter?
But the righteous cannot
be burned.
Fire reveals the worthy.
You're insane.
All of you!
Elijah Chris! Chris!
Chris!
Jesus Christ what's going on?
You killed her. You killed her!
She was trying to warn me.
I'm not crazy.
You killed her.
You killed her!
Christine wait. Christine wait.
Christine.
Look, we'll think of something,
I'll, I'll-
call his deputy okay?
No! No he's-
what is going on up here!?
I can't let you see this.
See what?
Christine, just calm down.
Wait a second okay.
No, give me your phone.
No, no-
we can't do that.
I'm sorry sweetheart.
Not you too.
You're not going anywhere.
I'm sorry Chris. It's for the
greater good.
The greater good.
My god-
Is it. Is it time minister?
I suppose so.
It's always a shame how it turns
out being the pretty one.
Good work son.
Women like you...
You have no respect for
tradition.
You want so badly to speak your
single voice.
And you call it progress.
But the individual is nothing.
It's the congregation
that endures.
And the tradition that binds
that congregation.
No.
Let us pray.
Oh great benefactor help us to
realize that we
all have a role to play.
Young, old, men, women.
Each with a unique purpose.
Mine is to be the voice of
truth.
And yours.
Your purpose is the most
important of all.
Sorry Christine.
I know you killed Abigail you
piece of shit.
You don't understand.
You think I wanted this?
I think you're a fucking
monster.
She saw the ritual.
I tried to explain.
She's to young to understand.
So you killed her to save your
own ass.
Abbie had to die.
So the ritual could endure.
Shut up.
You think we want to do this?
Eat people like fucking savages.
If we don't do this-enough!
Don't you see child. We all have
our sins.
We all have an Abigail hiding in
our closet.
Elijah's parents.
Mrs. Van den berg's dearly
departed husband.
The sin eater protects us all.
You. Are our salvation.
When our ancestors came here.
They knew only hunger.
They raped and pillaged and made
war upon the native peoples.
Our original sin.
In turn the natives cursed our
ancestors.
Famine and pestilence brought
death upon them.
Dutifully our ancestors prayed
to god for salvation.
And god.
Did not come.
For god would
not forgive us our sins.
There was another.
The great benefactor. Azazel.
Accept our gift
and upon our hearth.
Leave your blessings.
Blood in, blood out.
Blood in, blood out.
For even god
told his chosen people.
To sacrifice first - to azazel.
We give easement and rest.
Now to thee.
Come not down the lanes
or in our meadows.
And for thy peace we paw
our souls.
Amen.
It's the only way darling.
Stop.
We love you Christine.
Oh god.
Protect her from the punishment
of the grave.
And the torment.
Of the fire.
No, don't do this.
Please.
Bless our sins.
And make honorable our
reception.
But our sin eater sates our
benefactors righteous
vengeance.
Christine, no!
Christine. Father.
No!!
You sick.
No.
Thanks to you our sin eater.
Your flesh shall now
become our flesh.
Eat of her body.
Stop her!
She defiles-
no, no.
Bitch!
Fuck! She's escaping.
Oh, father.
Father. Oh my god?
Father. Elijah!
Elijah help him.
Me? Do you see what she did to
my fucking face?
Fuck your fucking face
can't you do anything without a
doctor holding your hand?
What do you want me to do?
He's fucking dead.
Don't you about him that way.
That's my father.
Yeah. And the bitch who killed
him is getting away right now.
Go!
Even if you get her
back, how will you finish the ceremony?
Who will preside?
Who will bring the spirit of
azazel upon us-
stop whining. You sound like a
little baby.
I'm the minister now, so shut
your fucking face.
You!
You think you are going to lead,
huh?
Open the door. Open the door.
Let us out of here. Open the
door.
Oh no.
You ungrateful piece of shit.
You have no idea what I've
sacrificed for you.
All of you!
I don't care.
We don't owe you anything you
entitled little prick.
Elijah!
Stop. No. It's the second time
he's fucked up in a week.
And he just thinks we're going
to bow down to him.
And you think we should bow down
to you?
We need a real leader not some
fucking candy striper.
Still think he's fit to sit in
that chair?
Ever try that again. I will skin
you alive.
Then line the walls of this
house-
it's decided by the chair.
Chair. The chair will decide.
You can't do this.
Actually we can.
On your knees.
Where you belong.
You killed my father.
But I will be a merciful
minister like he was.
I'll get out and then I'll come
back and kill you.
Take it off.
Still going to give you the
honor.
Of being our sin eater.
I like you Chris.
Truly I do.
But the sin eater is more
important.
Without you. The bad times come.
Disease. Starvation.
What's the fate of one.
Compared to that of so many.
What's the matter?
To chicken shit to sit?
I pray you're unworthy.
When you face your fears.
You prove your worth.
Our ancestors will decide.
What's happening.
Sheriff?
Sheriff!
Somebody get
an extinguisher now.
No. No, don't let her go.
Sheriff!
What the fuck are we supposed to
do now?
You.
- Me?
- Yeah.
Yes.
Yes that's right. You can lead
us.
- You get on the chair.
- Me, no.
Are you fucking kidding me.
Did you see what just happened?
There is no way I am getting in
that chair.
No.
Get a hold of yourself.
Did you believe in the chair or
didn't you?
Well, yeah.
Seeing is believing.
Shut up you skank.
Elijah listen to me.
Isaac wasn't meant to lead us.
The chair. It knows.
You are meant to lead us.
You need to take that seat so we
can complete the sacrifice.
- No. Nope. No way!
- Yes.
I can't take that chair.
Wait, no. No. No fricking way!
No, wait.
No. Woah.
Chris, take it easy.
Hey, relax.
She doesn't know how to use that
thing.
Shit.
Stay away!
You don't have it in you girl.
You are a runner, not a fighter.
I will kill everyone one of you
before I let you eat me.
She can't get all of us if we
make a rush at her right now.
C'mon! C'mon!
C'mon. I will take out at least
one of you before you get to me.
Who's gonna be the hero huh?
Christine. Christine.
Even if you get out of here.
We're just the high council.
The whole town is outside waiting
for us to finish the ritual.
You, you just don't have enough
bullets.
No. No, don't.
- Chris.
- I only need one bullet.
I am done running.
No.
What happened?
No.
It jammed.
You see girl.
It's him. Azazel.
He doesn't mean for you to die
like this.
We need you.
A sin eater is a savior.
You're whole life.
All of it. Was meant to bring
you here to us.
Right now.
Oh.
Your parents.
The hitchhiker.
It was azazel's plan on all
along.
Just like Isaac wasn't meant to
lead us.
You are not meant to-
kill yourself.
I don't need a gun to kill
myself.
No! No don't.
Oh my children.
Look at you.
All so pathetic and weak.
Oh my god.
No. No.
We can not bow down before a-
her!
We are servants-quiet!
I will be silenced no longer!
Minister.
The sin eater?
We shall proceed.
But who?
A herd is only as fast as it's
weakest member.
What? Wait?
Wait?
Please. No. Wait. Please.
No. No get your hands off me.
You can't do this. No please.
I can. It's for the greater
good.
Please no. Please.
No...
Hail. Hail. The hunt has ended.
The meat is on the table.
Accept our gift.
And on our hearth leave your
blessing.
This is the body.
Shall we give enough for you.
Please!
Amen.