We Have Always Lived in the Castle

The story begins by introducing 18-year-old Mary Katherine 'Merricat' Blackwood, who navigates life within her family's intricately woven estate. Her days are characterized by a close bond with her older sister Constance and their ailing uncle Julian, setting the stage for their isolated existence.

Constance Blackwood's life has been marred by her six-year estrangement from the outside world. This follows her acquittal for the tragic poisoning of their parents, creating an atmosphere of tension and unspoken doom within the household.

Merricat regularly ventures into the village, yet faces harassment and disdain from the locals. This social rejection reinforces the sisters’ isolation and adds a layer of complexity to Merricat's protective instincts towards her sister.

In a desperate attempt to protect her and Constance from perceived dangers, Merricat engages in eccentric rituals. She buries talismans in the earth with the belief that her unique magic will ward off the ill intentions of the outside world.

Helen Clarke, a family friend, visits the sisters weekly, bringing gifts and encouragement. Unknown to her, her gentle efforts serve to gradually stir Constance from her reclusive life, leading to potential changes in their sheltered existence.

During a critical moment, Constance inadvertently sends Merricat on an errand into town, leaving their home unguarded. When Merricat returns, she is horrified to find that her protective magical barriers have been destroyed, exposing them to danger.

Their estranged cousin Charles unexpectedly arrives, disrupting the sisters' delicate balance. His arrival brings a blend of charm and hidden intentions as he attempts to seduce Constance while plotting to access the family's hidden wealth.

As Charles ingratiates himself with Constance, tension escalates between him and Merricat. Merricat retaliates with sharp retorts based on her knowledge of poisonous plants, showcasing her fierce protectiveness and mystical worldview.

In a fit of rage, Merricat vandalizes Charles's belongings in a desperate bid to maintain control. When Charles threatens her, she retaliates, leading to a chaotic incident that results in significant destruction fueled by pipe smoke.

As chaos escalates with the arrival of the fire department and a hostile mob of villagers, Constance and Merricat are forced to abandon their home. They seek refuge in the woods, leaving behind a once-familiar life now engulfed in flames.

In the aftermath, the sisters face a drastically altered world as they emerge from the woods. The reality that their sheltered existence is irrevocably lost weighs heavily on them, accentuated by the grief of Uncle Julian’s death from smoke inhalation.

As dawn breaks, Merricat and Constance cautiously return to their devastated home. The upper floors, once splendid, now stand in ruins like a medieval castle, prompting Merricat to declare her desire for vengeance against the village.

Villagers, burdened with remorse, come bearing offerings to make amends for their actions. However, Merricat and Constance remain unyielding in their silence, choosing to isolate themselves from the apologies of those who harmed them.

Charles returns with a visible desperation to reconnect with Constance, attempting to force his way into their home. When met with silence and hostility, he escalates to violence, prompting Merricat to intervene in a drastic act of protection.

In a moment of raw rage, Merricat murders Charles with a snow globe, marking a dark and irreversible turning point. Together, the sisters lay his body to rest in their garden, creating an unsettling calm amid the turmoil of their lives.

As the sisters begin to clear the remnants of their ruined home, they confront two village children intent on tormenting them. In a surprising moment of vulnerability, Constance confesses her love for Merricat, eliciting a glimmer of warmth in Merricat amidst their bleak reality.