Revelation

Revelation

Year: 2001

Runtime: 111 mins

Language: English

Director: Stuart Urban

Science FictionHorrorFantasyFaith and religionFaith and spiritual journeys

Since AD 50 a sacred relic called the Loculus has fueled a hidden, bloody war. After disappearing for centuries, the artifact resurfaces today, carrying a secret that could doom humanity. Magnus Martel must infiltrate a murderous secret society, uncover the truth about the ancient treasure, and stop the looming catastrophe.

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Timeline & Setting – Revelation (2001)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Revelation (2001). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present day with ancient and medieval flashbacks

The main narrative unfolds in the present day as researchers pursue the Loculus, with crucial flashbacks to 50 AD when the relic was created and to medieval Rennes-le-Château during the Crusades. These shifts connect the relic's origin and its enduring allure to power, faith, and conflict across time. The film uses these periods to contrast modern science and ancient mysticism.

Location

Rennes-le-Château, Wormwood Scrubs Prison (London), Cambridge, Patmos, Rome, Mount Hebron

Rennes-le-Château is a small French village steeped in legends and occult lore, the cradle of the relic's long-hidden history. The story expands to locations of religious and historical significance, including a London prison, Cambridge libraries, the Greek island Patmos, and the religious heart of Rome, each shaping clues and confrontations. The settings weave ancient rites and secret societies around the Loculus, underscoring its gravity across eras.

🗺️ Occult locales 🧭 Time-spanning 🏛️ Historic sites

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 11:52

Main Characters – Revelation (2001)

Meet the key characters of Revelation (2001), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jake Martel (James D'Arcy)

An ace cryptographer released from Wormwood Scrubs and recruited by his father to unlock the Loculus. He navigates a dangerous chase between the Order and his own quest to determine whether the relic should be destroyed or safeguarded. His skill with codes makes him central to deciphering the Loculus' true meaning.

🧩 Protagonist 🧠 Genius 🕵️ Reluctant hero

Magnus Martel (Terence Stamp)

Father of Jake and a scholar who recognizes the Loculus' potential for good or evil. He pursues research discreetly while trying to shield the relic from the Order, and ultimately pays a fatal price for his involvement. His leadership anchors the mission, even as his legacy invites danger.

🗡️ Mentor 🧭 Secretive 🔒 Protector

The Grand Master (Udo Kier)

Leader of the Order, determined to exploit the Loculus to resurrect and control a Christ-like figure. He embodies the film's antagonist force, orchestrating torture and military action to seize the relic. His ambition reveals the dangers of unchecked power within secret societies.

🗝️ Villain 🏛️ Power-seeker ⚔️ Opponent

Sir Isaac Newton (Ron Moody)

A historical scientist whose involvement with the Loculus adds scientific credibility to the legend. His attempts to unlock the Loculus foreshadow present-day genetic manipulation and the ongoing tension between reason and mysticism. He appears as a figure who narrates influence over the relic's fate.

🧪 Scientist 🧠 Historian 🕰️ Mentor

Father Ray Connolly (Liam Cunningham)

A Roman Catholic priest who provides backup to Jake and Mira. He advocates cautious handling of the Loculus and seeks a trustworthy solution, but ends up making tough choices that shape the film's climax. His faith and pragmatism anchor the trio's effort to decide the relic's fate.

🙏 Faith 🛡️ Protector 💬 Confidant

Mira (Natasha Wightman)

An occultist and Magdalene's descendant who partners with Jake on the Loculus investigation. She shares in the pursuit of knowledge and the peril it attracts, while bringing a vital emotional and spiritual perspective. Her connection to Mary Magdalene deepens the stakes surrounding the relic.

🧭 Ally 🕯️ Mystic 👩‍🔬 Collaborator

Librarian (Derek Jacobi)

A keeper of ancient texts who assists in Cambridge and other archival searches. His presence underscores the documentary-like pursuit of obscure clues that tie historical events to the Loculus. He acts as a guide through esoteric knowledge.

📚 Archivist 🧭 Guide 🗺️ Scholar

New Age Man (Heathcote Williams)

A mysterious figure representing occult fringe beliefs. His dialogue and presence add a philosophical counterpoint to the rational searches and religious authority. He embodies the era's hunger for hidden truths and their seductive appeal.

🧘‍♂️ Philosopher 🕵️‍♂️ Mystic ⚖️ Skeptic

Curé at Rennes-le-Chateau (Vernon Dobtcheff)

A priest figure connected to Rennes-le-Château's lore and the Loculus history. He participates in the village's ritual atmosphere and adds local color to the hidden saga. His role helps ground the mystery in the real-world setting.

⛪ Cleric 🗺️ Local 🧭 Connector

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 11:52

Major Themes – Revelation (2001)

Explore the central themes of Revelation (2001), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Power

The Loculus embodies immense power that both tempts and corrupts. Secret orders and religious authorities seek to control or destroy it, revealing how knowledge can be weaponized. The pursuit exposes moral ambiguities when ends are used to justify means.

🔎 Mystery

A web of cryptic clues, codes, and hidden symbols drives the plot. Jake and Mira constantly decode unfamiliar sigils and confront cryptic pasts that tie together the relic's origin with present-day conspiracies. The mystery intensifies as truth threatens to upend established power structures.

🧬 Science & Faith

The Loculus' proposed resurrection plan pits genetic science against sacred belief. Newton's experiments and the Grand Master’s manipulation highlight competing approaches to salvation and control. The film questions whether faith can be validated—or weaponized—through biology.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 11:52

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Revelation Summary

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More About Revelation

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