The Crucifixion (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie is set in Bucharest, Romania, often called 'Little Paris' for its blend of modern and historical architecture. The urban city serves as the backdrop for the dramatic exorcism, creating a clash between urban modernity and ancient religious practices.

• bucharest
• romania
• setting
• location
• exorcism

The film takes place in 2004, during Romania's post-communist era. This time period is significant as it reflects a society navigating traditional beliefs and superstitions against the backdrop of modern mental health understanding.

• 2004
• romania
• time period
• post-communist era

The central theme explores faith versus doubt, particularly through Nicole Rawlins' journey as she investigates the case while grappling with her own loss of faith following her mother's death. The film examines the tension between belief and skepticism, especially when confronted with tragedy and the supernatural.

• faith
• doubt
• theme
• belief
• skepticism

The film features the demon Agares as its primary supernatural threat, manifesting through haunting visions and unsettling dreams that plague the protagonist. The supernatural elements intertwine with the mundane world, raising existential questions about good, evil, and unknown forces influencing human lives.

• demon
• agares
• supernatural
• possession
• horror

Nicole Rawlins is the protagonist, a determined journalist investigating the death of Sister Adelina during an exorcism. Her personal struggle with faith, stemming from her mother's death, deeply influences her perception throughout the investigation as she confronts dark forces.

• nicole rawlins
• journalist
• protagonist
• sophie cookson

Father Anton is a priest who serves as a guiding figure for Nicole, offering religious insight and emotional support. He performed the exorcism on Sister Adelina that led to her death and his subsequent arrest, representing the complex tension between traditional spiritual beliefs and the emerging evidence of mental illness.

• father anton
• priest
• exorcism
• spiritual authority

Sister Adelina Marinescu is the tragic young nun at the center of the story. Her death during an exorcism performed by Father Anton raises critical questions about demonic possession versus psychological illness. Her life and death serve as the catalyst for the entire narrative, highlighting themes of misunderstanding and tragedy.

• sister adelina
• nun
• possession
• death
• tragedy

Tavian is a mute gypsy boy whose mysterious presence adds an enigmatic layer to the investigation. He serves as a connection between the spiritual world and the living, embodying the magical and occult elements of the story whileprovoking deeper reflections on belief, reality, and unseen forces.

• tavian
• gypsy
• mute
• occult
• spiritual world

Tragedy and loss permeate the film, centered on Sister Adelina's death and its ripple effects on those left behind. Nicole's journey is profoundly shaped by her own loss of her mother, adding layers to her investigation as she draws connections between personal grief and the events she uncovers.

• tragedy
• loss
• grief
• death
• emotional weight

Bucharest's urban environment creates a stark contrast with the supernatural events, heightening the horror elements. The city transforms from a modern cultural hub into a place where ancient religious rituals and demonic forces clash with contemporary skepticism, amplifying the film's dark and unsettling atmosphere.

• bucharest
• urban setting
• religious horror
• atmosphere

The narrative prominently explores the tension between demonic possession and psychological illness through Sister Adelina's case. This ambiguity reflects the broader theme of faith versus science, as characters and viewers must question whether her experiences stem from supernatural forces or mental health struggles.

• possession
• mental illness
• demonic
• psychological
• faith vs science