The Sacrifice

Alexander and Adelaide live in a beautiful house by the sea with their son Little Man. They plant a tree by the seaside as a symbol of hope and stability. Otto arrives with a birthday card for Alexander, and Alexander remarks that his relationship with God is nonexistent.

Alexander gives a long monologue to Little Man about how he and Adelaide found the house, their love for its surroundings, and then launches into a bitter tirade against the state of modern man. Little Man hides from him and jumps onto his back; Alexander accidentally knocks him, causing a nosebleed.

Victor, Otto, Maria, and Julia join for dinner at the house. Otto reveals he studies paranormal phenomena and collects inexplicable but true incidents. Maid Maria departs early, while nursemaid Julia stays to help with the dinner; jet fighters are heard in the distance.

The rumbling of low-flying jet fighters interrupts dinner, and a news program announces the beginning of what may be World War III. Adelaide has a complete nervous breakdown and is comforted and sedated by Victor. In despair, Alexander vows to renounce all he loves, even Little Man, to undo the catastrophe.

Otto advises Alexander to slip away and lie with Maria, whom he calls a witch 'in the best possible sense'. The suggestion hints at an escape from the crisis through a radical, mystical intimacy.

Alexander steals a pistol from Victor's medical bag, leaves a note, and rides Otto's bike to Maria's house. He recounts the story of repairing his mother's garden only to see it lose its beauty when he imposed order. At Maria's place, he places the gun to his temple as jet fighters return; Maria soothes him and they make love while floating above the bed, leaving his reaction ambiguous.

The next morning, Alexander wakes in his own bed and everything seems normal. Yet a renewed resolve takes hold as he decides to give up all he loves and possessions.

Alexander tricks the family and friends into going for a walk and then sets fire to their house while they are away. They return, alarmed by the blaze, and Alexander confesses that he started it, running around in a frenzy.

Maria reappears, but Alexander is restrained by others. An ambulance arrives, and two paramedics chase him, ultimately taking him away with them.

Maria bicycles away as Little Man waters the planted tree. The mute child speaks his only line, quoting the opening of the Gospel of John: 'In the beginning was the Word. Why is that, Papa?'