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The Unholy (2021) movie poster

Characters & Themes

The Unholy (2021) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2021 · 99 min · English
Echo score 51
JustWatch #5,432 3
Directed by
Evan Spiliotopoulos
Starring
Janelle Feigley, Celeste Oliva, Gisela Chipe, William Sadler, Cary Elwes, Katie Aselton
Budget
$10M

A young girl’s extraordinary ability to hear and heal captivates a small New England town, bringing both wonder and fear. A skeptical journalist investigates the miraculous events, but his inquiries reveal a disturbing darkness lurking beneath the surface. As he digs deeper, he questions whether the perceived divine intervention is a prelude to something sinister, forcing him to confront a potential evil that could devastate the community.

On this page (9)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 The book behind the movie
  7. 7 Movie threads
  8. 8 Movies like The Unholy
  9. 9 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Unholy (2021)

Where can you watch The Unholy? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on fuboTV, Hulu and YouTube TV: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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5 main characters · contains spoilers

The Unholy Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Unholy (2021), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Gerry Fenn

    played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan

    A disgraced journalist with a specialization in the bizarre, Gerry serves as the film's central character. His journey begins with skepticism but transforms into a desperate quest for redemption as he grapples with the supernatural occurrences in Banfield. His relationship with Alice adds depth to his character, showcasing his determination to protect her amidst chaos.

    • 📰 Journalist
    • 🔍 Investigator
  • Alice Pagett

    played by Cricket Brown

    Alice is a young girl who initially appears as a miraculous figure after claiming to have been healed by the Virgin Mary. However, as the story unfolds, her innocent beliefs lead to dire consequences. Her character embodies the theme of faith and the tragic consequences that can stem from misunderstanding the nature of miracles.

    • 👧 Innocent
    • ✝️ Believer
  • Mary Elnor

    The tragic figure whose spirit haunts the film, Mary Elnor is crucial to the unfolding mystery. Once accused of witchcraft, her wrath manifests in a horrifying quest for vengeance against those who invoke her name. Her character serves as a haunting reminder of the past and its connection to present-day beliefs.

    • 👻 Spirit
    • ⚡ Vengeful
  • Father William Hagan

    played by William Sadler

    Alice's maternal uncle, Father Hagan serves as a moral compass amidst the unfolding chaos. His skepticism regarding Alice's 'miracles' drives the tension in the film as he seeks to unveil the dark truth behind Mary Elnor. His tragic fate serves as a warning of the dangers inherent in blind faith.

    • ⛪ Priest
    • ⚖️ Moral
  • Bishop Gyles

    played by Cary Elwes

    Bishop Gyles represents the Catholic Church's response to the growing phenomena in Banfield. His concern for the church's reputation often puts him at odds with the truth as he tries to cover up tragedies to protect the narrative of miracles. He plays a vital role in the community's escalating belief in Mary.

    • ⛪ Religious
    • 🎩 Authority

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:54

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Setting

Where and When Does The Unholy Take Place?

The setting of The Unholy (2021): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

1845

The film oscillates between two time periods, with a significant focus on the year 1845 when Mary Elnor was accused of witchcraft and met a brutal execution. This time reflects an era of superstition and fear regarding the occult, setting the stage for the haunting legacy that extends into contemporary times where Jerry Fenn confronts the repercussions of the past.

Location

Banfield, Massachusetts, Boston

Banfield, Massachusetts, serves as the central setting for the movie, intertwining with the themes of horror and the supernatural. Initially, it appears as a quaint town overshadowed by its dark history, particularly concerning witchcraft and the tragic figure of Mary Elnor. Boston, on the other hand, represents the modern world where Gerry Fenn begins his investigation, contrasting the eerie occurrences back in Banfield.

  • 🏙️ City
  • 🌳 Nature
  • ⛪ Religion

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:54

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3 major themes

The Unholy Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Unholy (2021) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Supernatural

    The supernatural plays a pivotal role in 'The Unholy,' where the spirit of Mary Elnor is tied to a doll, leading to a series of alarming events. Her presence serves to manipulate the perceptions of the living, blurring the lines between faith and malevolence. The themes of deception and belief challenge the characters, particularly Gerry, as they navigate miraculous claims and the inherent dangers tied to them.

  • Faith

    Faith is a recurring theme throughout the narrative as characters struggle with their beliefs in the face of miraculous claims and horrifying revelations. Alice's initial belief in her healing powers speaks to a child's innocence, while Gerry's skepticism evolves into a desperate quest for truth. The film explores how faith can be both a source of comfort and a tool for manipulation.

  • Investigation

    An investigation of supernatural events forms the backbone of the plot as Gerry Fenn delves into the mysteries surrounding Alice's supposed miracles. His journalistic background drives the narrative forward, pushing him to uncover the truth about Mary Elnor and the dark legacy of the town. This theme highlights the clash between rationality and the inexplicable.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:54

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Character & theme questions

The Unholy Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Unholy (2021): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is The Unholy set?

The movie takes place primarily in Banfield, Massachusetts, a small New England town with a dark history rooted in witchcraft. Boston also appears as a secondary location where journalist Gerry Fenn begins his investigation before traveling to Banfield.

  • banfield massachusetts
  • setting
  • new england town
  • boston
Q2

What is Banfield like in The Unholy?

Banfield appears as a quaint New England town overshadowed by its dark history of witchcraft accusations and executions. The town is characterized by its eerie atmosphere and the lingering legacy of Mary Elnor, a woman executed for witchcraft in 1845 whose spirit continues to haunt the community.

  • banfield
  • new england
  • small town
  • witchcraft history
Q3

When does The Unholy take place?

The story unfolds across two time periods. The historical context centers on 1845 when Mary Elnor was accused of witchcraft and executed. The main narrative takes place in contemporary times, exploring how the traumatic events of 1845 continue to affect the present-day community.

  • 1845
  • time period
  • historical
  • contemporary
  • witchcraft
Q4

What are the main themes in The Unholy?

The Unholy explores three primary themes: the supernatural, where Mary's spirit manipulates perceptions and blurs the line between faith and evil; faith, which serves as both comfort and a tool for manipulation; and investigation, as a journalist uncovers the dark truth behind miraculous claims.

  • themes
  • supernatural
  • faith
  • investigation
  • religion
Q5

What does the supernatural theme explore in The Unholy?

The supernatural theme centers on Mary Elnor's spirit, which is tied to a doll and manipulates the perceptions of the living. It explores the blurring of lines between divine intervention and malevolence, questioning whether miraculous events are truly benevolent or deceptive.

  • supernatural
  • mary elnor
  • spirit
  • manipulation
  • witchcraft
Q6

What does the movie say about faith?

The film presents faith as a double-edged force. Alice's innocent belief in her healing powers demonstrates how faith can be pure, while the community's growing devotion to supposed miracles shows how faith can be manipulated. The movie explores how belief can bring comfort but also make people vulnerable to deception.

  • faith
  • belief
  • miracles
  • religion
  • deception
Q7

Who is Mary Elnor?

Mary Elnor is the tragic historical figure at the center of the film's mystery. Accused of witchcraft in 1845, she was executed brutally, and her vengeful spirit now manifests to manipulate those who invoke her name. She represents the dark legacy of the town's past and the dangers of blind faith in historical contexts.

  • mary elnor
  • witch
  • spirit
  • 1845
  • vengeance
Q8

Who is Gerry Fenn?

Gerry Fenn is a disgraced journalist specializing in bizarre events who serves as the film's protagonist. Initially skeptical of miraculous claims, his investigation transforms into a desperate quest for both truth and personal redemption as he confronts the supernatural occurrences in Banfield.

  • gerry fenn
  • journalist
  • protagonist
  • investigator
  • skeptic
Q9

Who is Alice Pagett?

Alice Pagett is a young girl who claims to have been healed by the Virgin Mary, making her appear as a miraculous figure to the town. Her innocent belief in her healing abilities leads to tragic consequences, embodying the theme of faith and the dangers of misunderstanding the nature of miracles.

  • alice pagett
  • young girl
  • miracles
  • faith
  • healing
Q10

Who is Father William Hagan?

Father William Hagan is Alice's maternal uncle who serves as a moral compass in the film. Skeptical of Alice's claimed miracles, he works to uncover the dark truth behind Mary Elnor's influence. His character represents the tension between blind faith and critical examination of supernatural claims.

  • father william hagan
  • priest
  • uncle
  • skeptic
  • moral compass
Q11

Who is Bishop Gyles?

Bishop Gyles represents the Catholic Church's institutional response to the miraculous events in Banfield. Concerned with protecting the Church's reputation, he often prioritizes managing the narrative over uncovering the truth, creating conflict between religious authority and factual investigation.

  • bishop glyes
  • catholic church
  • authority
  • reputation
  • cover-up
Q12

How does the 1845 witchcraft trial connect to the present story?

The 1845 execution of Mary Elnor for witchcraft establishes the foundational horror that haunts Banfield in contemporary times. Her unjust death and vengeful spirit create the supernatural threat that emerges when the town begins invoking her name through supposed miracles, connecting past injustice to present-day danger.

  • 1845
  • witchcraft trial
  • historical connection
  • past
  • legacy

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Unholy, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Unholy tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Supernatural Investigation Movies Like The Unholy

A skeptic uncovers a dark truth behind seemingly benevolent miracles. If you enjoyed the investigative plot of The Unholy, you'll find similar movies here. These films feature characters unraveling supernatural mysteries where miracles or strange events conceal a dark and demonic truth, perfect for fans of religious horror and suspenseful journalism.

  • supernatural
  • sinister
  • suspenseful
  • demonic
  • unsettling
  • anxious
  • Tone: dark, suspenseful
  • Pacing: steady, investigative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern follows a rational protagonist investigating a series of unexplained, often miraculous events within a community. The investigation arc gradually peels back layers of deception, revealing a malevolent supernatural entity manipulating faith or hope for its own evil ends, culminating in a dangerous confrontation.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by the core narrative of a truth-seeker challenging a supernatural deception. They share a steady pacing that builds mystery, a dark tone centered on corrupted faith, and a heavy emotional weight from the exploitation of vulnerable believers.

Slow Burn Supernatural Horror Movies Like The Unholy

A pervasive sense of evil builds steadily in a seemingly ordinary setting. For viewers who appreciated the building dread in The Unholy, this list features similar slow burn horror films. These movies focus on a sinister, demonic presence that methodically escalates a threat, creating a suspenseful and heavy viewing experience with often bittersweet conclusions.

  • slow burn
  • dreadful
  • sinister
  • demonic
  • tense
  • unsettling
  • Tone: dark, dreadful
  • Pacing: steady, slow burn
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The emotional journey begins with a subtle, disquieting event that slowly escalates into a full-blown supernatural crisis. The pacing is deliberate, allowing dread to accumulate as the characters and audience realize the true scale of the evil. The climax often involves a significant sacrifice to achieve a somber victory.

Why they belong together: This thread groups films based on their shared mood of pervasive dread and a steady, methodical pacing that intensifies the supernatural threat. The experience is defined by high tension, a dark tone, and a heavy emotional impact stemming from the corruption of innocence and safety.

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Movies Like The Unholy

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Every angle

The Unholy (2021) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Unholy in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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