Mandrake

Cathy Madden, a probation officer, is assigned to supervise Mary Laidlaw, who has just been released from prison after serving twenty years for the murder of her husband. Cathy learns that Mary has been labeled as a witch due to her mysterious and tragic past, prompting her to delve deeper into Mary's life and situation.

Cathy's chief, Bill, shares Mary’s backstory, detailing a history of abuse where her husband brutally attacked her. The story reveals that in an act of revenge, Mary eventually killed her husband after he set her on fire, leaving Cathy to grapple with her sympathy for Mary.

Cathy visits Mary to install a monitoring tag to keep track of her activities, reflecting her commitment to aiding Mary on her path to redemption. However, the environment around Mary's home indicates her involvement in dark practices, raising concerns for Cathy's safety.

As Cathy continues her supervision, the suspicion surrounding Mary grows stronger with accusations of her involvement in the murder of two children and a man named Duggan. Cathy, however, remains unconvinced of Mary’s guilt, despite the community's increasing outrage.

Following pressure from the victims' families, Cathy visits Mary to confront her about the allegations. During this visit, Cathy uncovers dark secrets about Mary's practices and the dangerous nature of her powers, leading to a terrifying encounter.

Mary and her son Thomas capture Cathy, chaining her and subjecting her to brutal torture in the moss forest. This highlights Mary's descent into madness and her desperate desire to complete her dark rituals involving the mystical Mandrake.

While imprisoned, Cathy learns about the Mandrake root and its connection to Mary's dark rituals. As Cathy digs up the root under duress, she realizes the horrifying intentions behind Mary’s actions and the sacrifices made to awaken evil.

After an intense ordeal, Cathy awakens to the horrifying truth about Mary being a witch, having sacrificed her husband to the Devil. This discovery connects all the ominous events and murders surrounding Mary, which Cathy now fully understands.

Desperate to escape from Mary’s clutches, Cathy utilizes a phone to call for help. However, before she can strategize her exit, Mary captures her, further complicating her chances of fleeing.

Cathy witnesses the tragic death of Jason, her estranged husband, as he tries to confront Mary. This event deepens Cathy's sense of urgency to save herself and her son while highlighting the dangers posed by Mary.

In a frantic moment, Grace, Cathy's friend, realizes her son Luke is missing, leading to a frantic search. The search culminates in the discovery that Luke has been taken by Thomas, reinforcing the perilous situation Cathy faces.

In a desperate bid, Cathy confronts Thomas, knocking him unconscious to reclaim her son Luke. This pivotal moment shifts the course of her fight for survival against the horrors unleashed by Mary.

The grieving parents of the murdered children, along with Grace, enact their vengeance on Thomas in the woods. They hang him alive, showcasing the deep-rooted fear and anger Mary has instigated within the community.

Cathy flees with Luke, finally escaping the horrors of Mary's twisted world. However, the baby-shaped Mandrake root they inadvertently carry signifies that the evil unleashed by Mary may still haunt them.

In a final act of desperation, Mary confronts the loss of her son Thomas and is seen either committing suicide or igniting a fiery rage in the forest. This moment encapsulates the tragedy of her life and the darkness she brought upon herself and others.