In God We Tru$t

In God We Tru$t

Year: 1980

Runtime: 97 mins

Language: English

Comedy

Brother Ambrose, a naïve monk, is tasked by his abbot with raising $5,000 to keep the monastery from shutting down. He journeys to Hollywood, where he bumps into a cast of eccentric personalities while trying to secure the needed funds, leading to comedic misadventures.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen In God We Tru$t yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – In God We Tru$t (1980)

Trace every key event in In God We Tru$t (1980) 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

Ambrose's mission to save the monastery

The abbot entrusts Brother Ambrose with raising five thousand dollars to stave off the monastery's closure. Ambrose travels to Hollywood to seek donations and encounters a host of eccentric characters along the way. This mission sets the stage for a clash between naive faith and opportunistic showmanship.

Monastery
2

Robbed, then befriended by Melmoth

In Hollywood, Ambrose is first robbed by a street con artist. Dr. Sebastian Melmoth then unexpectedly befriends him, taking him under his wing. Together they drift through the city, forming an uneasy partnership on the brink of exploitation.

Hollywood
3

Mary offers shelter in her apartment

Ambrose meets Mary, a prostitute who offers him a place to stay at her apartment. Despite their initial distance, she grows to care for him, providing shelter in a city full of temptations. The arrangement complicates his resolve as he tries to stay faithful to his monastic upbringing.

Mary's apartment
4

Mary's seduction in the shower

One night Mary seduces him while he is taking a cold shower. The moment unsettles Ambrose, blurring the lines between piety and desire. The scene deepens the emotional entanglement between them.

Mary's apartment
5

Visit to Church of Divine Profit and Thunderbird

Ambrose attends a service at the Church of Divine Profit led by Armageddon T. Thunderbird and is repulsed by the sermon that equates salvation with money. He tries to meet Thunderbird afterward, but gets thrown out at every attempt. The encounter foreshadows the profit-driven gospel that dominates the film.

Church of Divine Profit
6

Church on Wheels begins

Melmoth and Ambrose take to the streets in a modified school bus, staging makeshift church services to solicit donations. They tour town after town, broadcasting their 'ministry' to crowds. The bizarre venture catches the attention of local media and Thunderbird.

Hollywood streets
7

Bus accident and baptism

During a service, the bus brakes fail and it careens into a river. The passengers escape into the water and emerge on the news, baptized by the pair as a spectacle. Thunderbird, watching from afar, begins to fear Ambrose's influence.

City river
8

Thunderbird enlists Ambrose

Thunderbird prays to G.O.D., who commands collaboration with Ambrose because of his ‘innocent’ image. Thunderbird contemplates a new, money-driven partnership, inviting Ambrose to join his enterprise. Ambrose is unsure but curious about the possibility.

Thunderbird's office
9

Ambrose kidnapped; plan revealed

Ambrose is kidnapped by Thunderbird's minions and brought to his headquarters. There, Thunderbird lays out a plan for a rival church-on-wheels and offers $5000 to secure Ambrose's help. Ambrose, curious about G.O.D.'s will and determined to do good, agrees to consider the partnership.

Thunderbird's headquarters
10

G.O.D. speaks; Ambrose reads Bible

In Thunderbird's private chamber, Ambrose overhears G.O.D. speaking to Thunderbird. When Thunderbird leaves, Ambrose secretly encounters G.O.D., reading the Bible to the computer and finding a moral compass. G.O.D. decides to divert Thunderbird's funds and reveal a path of charity.

Thunderbird's headquarters - private chamber
11

Power transfer and chase

Thunderbird discovers someone is tampering with the computer and crashes into pursuit of Ambrose, destroying the machine. Amid the chaos, Ambrose grabs the monastery mortgage certificate and escapes through a city chase. Bags of money explode from the office window as G.O.D.'s plan unfolds.

Thunderbird's office
12

Mary and Melmoth rescue Ambrose

Meanwhile, Mary and Melmoth search for Ambrose and discover that Melmoth is her father, indicated by a distinctive tattoo. They locate Ambrose and rescue him from the pursuers. The reunion clarifies loyalties and motivates the next steps.

Hollywood
13

Return to monastery; marriage

Ambrose returns to the monastery with the mortgage certificate as proof of the claim. He relinquishes his mission to the abbot and then leaves with Mary, whom he marries. Mary is pregnant from their single night together, sealing a new life for both.

Monastery
14

Ending credits and new journey

The end titles show Melmoth’s bus traveling down the road, with a note that they all lived happily hereafter. The film closes on a nomadic, reformulated gospel enterprise continuing their journey.

Road

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:59

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of In God We Tru$t

Don't stop at just watching — explore In God We Tru$t in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what In God We Tru$t is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

In God We Tru$t Summary

Read a complete plot summary of In God We Tru$t, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

In God We Tru$t Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in In God We Tru$t

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape In God We Tru$t. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in In God We Tru$t

More About In God We Tru$t

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about In God We Tru$t: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About In God We Tru$t

Similar Movies to In God We Tru$t

Discover movies like In God We Tru$t that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.