The Vigil

The film opens with a chilling scene where a young boy is compelled by a man in a black Nazi uniform to shoot a young woman. This dark moment sets a sinister tone for the narrative, leaving viewers in suspense about the boy's fate and the identity of the figure watching from the shadows.

The story shifts focus to Yakov Ronen, a former Jew dealing with a haunting past and experiencing severe financial difficulties. Struggling to find work, Ronen embodies the challenges faced by those grappling with trauma and loss.

Reb Shulem, a member of Ronen's old Orthodox Jewish community, approaches him for help. He requests Ronen to act as a Shomer for Rubin Litvak, a Holocaust survivor who has recently died, highlighting the intertwining of the characters' histories.

After some negotiation for a higher fee, Ronen agrees to take up the vigil over Litvak's body. This decision marks the beginning of an unsettling night steeped in the past traumas of both Ronen and Litvak.

Ronen meets Mrs. Litvak, who is struggling with Alzheimer's disease. Initially hesitant, she eventually allows Ronen to proceed with the vigil, unaware of the paranormal events that await.

As Ronen begins the vigil, he hears strange noises and sees a shadowy figure, which heightens the tension in the house. The discovery of a family photograph of Litvak reveals a familiar shadow looming behind them, deepening the enigma.

After dozing off, Ronen is haunted by a nightmarish vision of his younger brother being tormented. This dream hints at Ronen's unresolved guilt and trauma from his past, showcasing the psychological burden he carries.

Upon waking, Ronen receives an inexplicable video on his phone featuring Mrs. Litvak approaching him while he sleeps. The mysterious disappearance of this video adds to the eerie atmosphere and heightens his sense of dread.

During a conversation with Mrs. Litvak, she reveals her heartache over losing her children. This moment of vulnerability connects Ronen to her past suffering, as he begins to understand the emotional weight of his surroundings.

Ronen discovers a recording in the basement where Litvak describes being tormented by a Mazzik, a malevolent spirit. This revelation reveals the supernatural elements tied to their shared history and foreshadows the confrontation ahead.

Suddenly, the Mazzik manifests before Ronen, prompting a frantic escape from the basement. This moment catalyzes Ronen's internal struggle, forcing him to confront both the supernatural and his own fears.

Ronen receives distressing phone calls from both his physician and his deceased brother, asking him why he let him die. These messages symbolize Ronen's deep-seated remorse and illustrate the haunting nature of his past.

With Mrs. Litvak's help, Ronen confronts the Mazzik, which has taken on his own appearance in a twisted reflection of his fears. In a moment of courage, he ignites the spirit's true face, believing that this act will free him from its grip.

A pivotal flashback reveals that Litvak was the boy forced to shoot a young woman, a traumatic act that bonded the Mazzik to him. This revelation unveils the tragic connections between the characters and their shared histories of violence and guilt.

As dawn arrives, the mortuary men come to take Litvak's body away, marking the end of one chapter. Ronen declines Shulem's invitation for morning prayers, leaving with an ominous sense that his ordeal is not yet over, as a dark figure follows him down the street.