The Man from Rome

The Man from Rome

Year: 2023

Runtime: 107 mins

Language: Dutch

Director: Jaap van Heusden

ThrillerDramaComedy

A Vatican priest, known for his skepticism, is sent to the Dutch province of Limburg to examine claims of a miracle. While investigating, he finds himself increasingly involved in a succession of extraordinary occurrences that challenge his beliefs and threaten his faith. He must grapple with the possibility that the events are indeed miraculous, forcing him to question everything he thought he knew.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Man from Rome 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!

The Man from Rome (2023) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The Man from Rome (2023), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

A hacking attack on the Pope triggers a tense investigation into two mysterious deaths in a Seville church, prompting the Vatican to dispatch a dedicated special agent, Father Quart, to lead the inquiry under orders from his superior, Spada. The mission quickly centers on a clash over who should own the church: Macarena Bruner’s family estate currently shelters the sacred site, while her estranged banker husband Pencho Gavira longs to replace it with a gleaming skyscraper. As long as the Bruner family maintains a mass in honor of the church’s founder, the building cannot be touched; if the church were to be sold, the diocese would become the richest in Spain and hold unprecedented power.

Behind the surface, the planned skyscraper is revealed to be a cover for a sweeping money‑laundering scheme funneled through Pencho’s bank. With that truth at risk, Pencho resorts to blackmail, pressing the Bishop of Sevilla with allegations against priests he suspects of abuse. His aim is to force the Bruner family to sell the church and to sideline Father Ferro, a crafty priest who stands in the way of his plan.

As events unfold, Ferro’s true identity comes to light: he is a former Vatican special agent named Bosch who, with the help of Spada, had faked his own death and lived in disguise to conceal billions hidden in secret deposits by the Mafia, the Nazis, and other criminals. The exposure of these hidden accounts would plunge the Vatican into an even larger scandal if discovered, so Ferro’s cover is suddenly at risk as the murders draw renewed scrutiny to the church.

Pencho abducts Ferro and threatens to frame him for a third murder unless ownership is transferred. Quart and his assistant manage to locate and free Ferro, and Pencho is arrested. In a dramatic turn, Gris Marsala, the church’s head restorer, confesses to being directly or indirectly responsible for every one of the three deaths. Quart absolves her, declaring that she acted in service of God to protect the church, and he proclaims her actions as part of a divine will. Spada then informs the Pope about the recovered secret bank accounts, closing a case that blends faith, crime, and political power in a single, perilous arc.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:22

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.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Institutional investigative thrillers like The Man from Rome

Tense procedurals where agents uncover corruption from within powerful systems.If you enjoyed the investigative core of The Man from Rome, you'll like these movies about agents and insiders uncovering deep-seated corruption and secrets within powerful organizations. They blend suspense with moral complexity in a steady, procedural narrative.

suspensefulinvestigativeinstitutionalmorally complexseriousproceduralfaith-challenging

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically center on a dedicated investigator methodically peeling back layers of deception and malfeasance within a rigid institutional structure. The protagonist often faces a personal crisis of faith or loyalty, questioning the very system they represent as the truth becomes more dangerous and morally ambiguous.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are grouped by their shared focus on a tense, methodical investigation set against the backdrop of a powerful, secretive institution. They create a specific mood of serious, cloak-and-dagger suspense where the stakes are both professional and deeply personal.

Movies about a crisis of faith and conscience like The Man from Rome

Stories where characters face profound challenges to their core beliefs.If you were captivated by the priest's struggle with belief in The Man from Rome, explore these movies where characters face profound challenges to their core convictions. These films are serious, thought-provoking stories about questioning ideology, faith, and personal morality.

thought-provokingseriousfaith-challengingmoral ambiguityintrospectivedoubtsoul-searching

Narrative Summary

The central narrative pattern involves a character, often a figure of authority or strong belief, being confronted with evidence or experiences that directly contradict their worldview. The plot is driven by their internal struggle as they weigh skepticism against the possibility of the extraordinary, leading to a mixed or ambiguous resolution that reshapes their identity.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their deep focus on a protagonist's internal, psychological journey of doubt and re-evaluation. The shared experience is one of serious, weighty contemplation, where the external plot serves to catalyze a fundamental internal crisis.

Unlock the Full Story of The Man from Rome

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Man from Rome 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 The Man from Rome is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Man from Rome Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Man from Rome with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Man from Rome Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Man from Rome

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Man from Rome. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Man from Rome

The Man from Rome Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Man from Rome that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Man from Rome Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Man from Rome

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Man from Rome: 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 The Man from Rome