Abattoir

The story unfolds in contemporary times, using familiar modern settings and technology. It blends everyday investigative work with a mythic premise about torn realities and sacrificed rooms. The era is present-day, with no explicit historical anchors beyond the modern world.

New English is a secluded, divided town where rooms can be removed from buildings after tragedy. The town is shrouded in mystery and religious fervor, with an ominous presence in the forest where rooms are assembled into a colossal structure. Its history centers on pastor Jebediah Crone and a cycle of sacrifice that ties residents to a shared past. The setting blends everyday life with eerie, supernatural elements, creating a place where truth is dangerous to uncover.

💔 Grief & Ritual

Tragedy acts as a catalyst in the town of New English, creating a tear in reality that Crone exploits to gather rooms. The community channels grief into ritualized acts, linking personal loss to a toxic, collective power. Julia's pursuit of answers confronts the price of turning sorrow into control. The film shows how ritualized mourning can become a weapon that demands further violence.

🪞 Reality & Illusion

Crone's plan hinges on blurring what is real and what is staged, using forged videos and hidden rooms to mislead investigators. The Abattoir operates by siphoning fear and making people question their own memories. Julia's discoveries reveal that the town's history is a carefully constructed illusion designed to sustain Crone's project. The boundary between truth and manipulation becomes the central conflict.

🧩 Mystery & Agency

Julia drives the investigation, piecing together shell companies, purchased rooms, and a chilling origin story. Grady provides restraint, but ultimately joins Julia in danger as the mystery deepens. The characters' choices determine whether the truth will surface or be corralled by those who benefit from secrets. The narrative treats curiosity as a dangerous but essential force.

🏚️ Small-town Secrets

New English embodies how a community hides dark histories behind quiet facades. The church, the adoption past, and the real estate network reveal a pattern of manipulation and sacrifice. The film uses a claustrophobic setting to show how secrets accumulate, becoming a living structure. The ending exposes the town's willingness to betray family for a supposed greater goal.