The Pyx

The Pyx

Year: 1973

Runtime: 108 mins

Language: English

Director: Harvey Hart

HorrorCrimeThrillerMysteryThrillers and murder mysteries

See It…Find Out What It Means! A detective investigating the death of a heroin-addicted prostitute uncovers evidence pointing to the existence of a murderous devil cult.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Pyx 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!

Timeline – The Pyx (1973)

Trace every key event in The Pyx (1973) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Elizabeth's death and initial discovery

Elizabeth Lucy falls to her death from a Montreal tenement, and the scene is punctuated by religious imagery. Police discover a crucifix and a small metal pyx clenched in her hand, hinting at a Catholic thread to the case. Detective Sergeant Jim Henderson is assigned to investigate and quickly learns Elizabeth was a heroin-addicted prostitute and that the apartment she leapt from was unoccupied, with the building also serving as a brothel.

night of Elizabeth's death Montreal tenement building
2

Henderson questions Meg Latimer

Henderson interviews Meg Latimer, the brothel's madam, who explains Elizabeth often worked outside the establishment and Meg had warned that this was unsafe. Meg portrays Elizabeth as fragile, chasing dangerous clients and money while trying to stay afloat. The interview begins to reveal the dangerous underworld surrounding the victim.

following day Meg Latimer's brothel
3

Meg and an employee are found dead

Returning to Meg for a follow‑up, Henderson discovers Meg and one of her employees dead, their throats slashed. The brutal discovery deepens the mystery and binds the case to a network of powerful clients and secrecy. Henderson starts to link Elizabeth's life to the brothel’s operations and the occult rumors swirling around them.

the following day Meg's brothel
4

Superintendent refuses to speak

Henderson interrogates the building superintendent and shows him Elizabeth's crucifix, hoping for a witness or clue. The superintendent refuses to talk, adding to the wall of silence around the building. This lack of cooperation pushes Henderson to consider hidden powers at work behind the scenes.

shortly after building premises
5

Jimmy shares Elizabeth’s humanity

Henderson meets Jimmy, Elizabeth’s gay roommate, who recalls her rare kindness and their long friendship. Jimmy hints at a new, wealthy client and Elizabeth’s increasingly erratic behavior in the days before her death. His recollections provide a personal glimpse into the victim’s life and fears.

before Elizabeth's death Elizabeth's apartment / Jimmy's residence
6

Ambush and Jimmy’s death

Henderson escorts Jimmy back to Elizabeth's apartment, but they are ambushed by an unseen assailant who shoots Jimmy dead. A tense shootout then unfolds as the attacker flees, eventually taking to a docked boat. The violence underscores the reach of the case beyond the immediate crime scene.

immediate aftermath Elizabeth's apartment and nearby docked boat
7

Elizabeth visits Sandra in hospital

Parallel to the investigation, Elizabeth visits Sandra, a fellow heroin addict detoxing in the hospital, seeking help and information. The hospital scenes expose the depth of her addiction and isolation from the world she’s trying to leave behind. This helps illuminate Elizabeth’s state of mind in her final weeks.

before the final night Hospital (Sandra’s ward)
8

Elizabeth meets Keerson

Elizabeth meets Keerson, a mysterious French-Canadian man who owns the building that Meg runs from. She expects a transactional encounter, but Keerson instead has her disrobe and tells him her life story. The meeting marks a turning point toward an occult framework rather than a simple sexual exchange.

first meeting night Keerson's building
9

Paranoia grows as she is followed

Elizabeth grows paranoid after suspecting Keerson’s associates are following her, though Meg tries to reassure her and downplay the danger. The fear tightens around her; a sense of surveillance foreshadows the ritualistic events to come. The tension blends with Elizabeth’s deteriorating mental state.

days after first meeting around the brothel / city streets
10

Night of the planned festivities

Elizabeth arrives at the brothel for the promised large payoff, the prelude to the occult rites. Meg drugs Elizabeth’s drink to subdue her ahead of the ritual. Elizabeth senses something is wrong but is overwhelmed by fatigue and fear as the night unfolds.

night of the death Meg's brothel
11

Black Mass and the desecrated host

Keerson, revealed as a Roman Catholic priest, and other occultists begin a Black Mass inside the brothel. He offers Elizabeth a desecrated host from a pyx, a ritual act that shatters her resolve. Moments after taking the host, Elizabeth leaps from the window to her death, interrupting the ceremony.

during the ceremony Meg's brothel
12

Henderson hunts Keerson to the parish

Henderson follows Keerson’s trail to his parish, convinced he is behind Elizabeth’s death. Keerson admits forsaking his faith for Satan and reveals that he performed the Black Mass that night. The confession marks a shift from criminal investigation to spiritual warfare in Henderson’s mind.

after Elizabeth's death Keerson’s parish
13

Confrontation and final death

In a climactic confrontation, Keerson reveals telepathic knowledge of Henderson’s life and hints at possession. Henderson shoots Keerson multiple times, and the priest dies with the line, You have set me free. The act closes the fragmentary case but leaves Henderson changed by the encounter.

final confrontation Keerson’s parish

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:47

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Unlock the Full Story of The Pyx

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The Pyx Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Pyx, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Pyx Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Pyx

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Pyx

More About The Pyx

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More About The Pyx