Apostasy

Apostasy

Year: 2017

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: English

Director: Daniel Kokotajlo

DramaFaith and religionReligious faith sin and forgivenessFaith and spiritual journeysHeartbreaking and moving family drama

A devout Jehovah’s Witness faces a painful crisis when she is compelled to disown her own sister due to a violation of religious doctrine. As the forced separation continues, she grapples with profound doubts and begins to question the very essence of divine love and the principles she has always held dear.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Apostasy (2017)

Trace every key event in Apostasy (2017) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Family setup and Alex's illness

Ivanna Whitling, an Oldham-based Jehovah's Witness, lives with her two adult daughters, Alex and Luisa. Alex suffers from anemia and faces a medical dilemma because her faith forbids blood transfusions in emergencies. The family's religious commitments and health concerns set the stage for the conflicts to come.

Ivanna's home, Oldham
2

Door-to-door ministry among Urdu-speaking locals

Alex and Luisa go door-to-door to spread their faith among local Urdu-speaking residents. They persevere despite cultural and language barriers, illustrating their dedication to the ministry. The scene establishes the sisters' bond and the community's varied responses.

Local neighborhood during door-to-door ministry
3

Luisa reveals pregnancy during a park outing

During a walk in the park, Luisa reveals to her mother and sister that she is pregnant. The news compounds the tension between personal desire and strict religious expectations. The revelation becomes a catalyst for future estrangements.

Park
4

Disfellowshipping and shunning begin

Ivanna condemns Luisa for having sex outside of marriage, triggering Luisa's disfellowshipping. An announcement is made at the Kingdom Hall declaring that Luisa is no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses, and she is to be shunned by family and congregation. Luisa moves out, and the elders insist that contact with her be kept to an absolute minimum.

Kingdom Hall; Luisa's home
5

A newly arrived elder makes his presence felt

A newly arrived elder named Steven introduces himself to Ivanna and Alex at a congregation meeting. His presence signals changes in leadership and expectations within the group. The scene marks the beginning of new pressures surrounding their relationships.

Congregation meeting
6

Steven begins courting Alex

Steven visits Alex at her home under the pretense of shepherding, but his true aim appears to be courting her. The encounter challenges the boundaries set by the shunning and the congregation's rules. Alex's reaction foreshadows personal conflict with religious authority.

Alex's home
7

Alex collapses at a gathering

During a gathering with friends, Alex collapses, and the scene cuts to Ivanna in despair outside a hospital. The medical crisis elevates the stakes of faith versus family duty. The audience is left to wonder about the outcome.

Friends' gathering; hospital exterior
8

Luisa attends the funeral and faces ostracism

Luisa attends Alex's funeral but is largely ignored by the others due to the disfellowshipping. The cold reception underscores the harsh enforcement of community rules. The moment highlights the cost of the schism within the family.

Funeral venue
9

Cloak room moment after the funeral

In the cloak room after the funeral, Ivanna and Luisa share a quiet, strained hug as Luisa sheds tears. The moment reveals a fragile thread of connection that persists despite the division between them.

Funeral venue cloak room
10

Ivanna helps Luisa and discusses support

Ivanna visits Luisa and helps clean her flat, arguing that Luisa still deserves basic support and care. They discuss the possibility of reconciliation and what a path back to faith might entail for the family. Ivanna hints at the hope of a future where Leanne and the family could be together again in some form.

Luisa's flat
11

Reinstatement discussions with Steven

Ivanna meets with elder Steven to ask whether Luisa is ready for reinstatement. He cautions that she is on her way but not yet in her heart, and urges Ivanna to minimize contact further, warning that unnecessary contact could itself be a disfellowshipping offense.

Congregation meeting room / office
12

Luisa's repentance evaluated by elders

Luisa meets with the elders to demonstrate repentance, stating that she has lived on her own for seven months, attended meetings, and prayed. The elders assess her sincerity and the steps she has taken toward restoration. The exchange emphasizes how far Luisa still has to go in their eyes.

Elders' meeting
13

Leanne's birth and Ivanna's visit

Luisa gives birth to a daughter named Leanne, and Ivanna visits to hold her granddaughter and discuss spiritual teaching. They talk about Leanne learning about God, while Ivanna expresses love and a hope that faith will guide the child's life. The moment deepens the emotional stakes for the family.

Luisa's home
14

Ivanna's attempt to take Leanne

Ivanna grabs Leanne out of the bassinet and takes her to the car, declaring she will save her granddaughter. Luisa runs after and snatches Leanne back, furious at the attempt to separate mother and child. The confrontation crystallizes the clash between maternal bonds and doctrinal enforcement.

Luisa's home and car
15

Final image of isolation and faith

The film ends with Ivanna standing alone in a public space beside a stand of pamphlets promoting the faith. The final image underscores the personal and familial costs of rigid religious enforcement and the unresolved rift within the family.

Public square with pamphlet stand

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:57

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Apostasy Summary

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