The Crucifixion
When Nicole comes in contact with Father Anton (Corneliu Ulici) more and more inexplicable events occur. The pair begin to believe that the priest lost the battle with a demon.
The film earned $6.6M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Crucifixion (2017) demonstrates strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Xavier Gens's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 30 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.9, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Nicole Rawlins
Father Anton
Vaduva
Father Dumitru
Sister Adelina
Main Cast & Characters
Nicole Rawlins
Played by Sophie Cookson
A journalist investigating an exorcism that resulted in death, skeptical of supernatural explanations but driven to uncover the truth.
Father Anton
Played by Corneliu Ulici
A Romanian priest who performed the fatal exorcism, wrestling with faith and responsibility for the tragic outcome.
Vaduva
Played by Ada Lupu
The deceased nun who underwent the exorcism, believed to be possessed by demonic forces.
Father Dumitru
Played by Catalin Babliuc
A senior priest at the monastery who supported the exorcism and defends the church's actions.
Sister Adelina
Played by Brittany Ashworth
A nun at the monastery who witnessed the possession and exorcism, torn between faith and horror.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The film opens with the brutal exorcism of Adelina Marinescu in Romania, performed by Father Dumitru. She dies during the ritual, crucified and gagged. This disturbing opening establishes the dark world of religious extremism and demonic possession.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Nicole accepts the assignment to travel to Romania to cover the trial of Father Dumitru. This disrupts her comfortable life as a skeptical journalist in New York and sets her on a collision course with the supernatural.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Nicole decides to dig deeper into the case beyond simple reporting, choosing to investigate whether Adelina was truly possessed. She commits to uncovering the truth about what happened in the monastery, crossing from observer to active participant., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Nicole discovers that Adelina may have been genuinely possessed and that the demon has not been destroyed - it has transferred. She experiences a terrifying supernatural encounter that she cannot explain rationally, forcing her to confront the possibility that demons are real., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Nicole becomes fully possessed by the demon. She loses control of her body and mind, experiencing the same torment that killed Adelina. Father Anton and others realize she is now the vessel, and an exorcism becomes necessary. Nicole faces spiritual death., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 73 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Nicole, in a moment of lucidity during the possession, chooses to embrace faith. She calls upon God and allows Father Anton to perform the exorcism. Her acceptance of faith becomes the weapon against the demon - synthesizing her mother's beliefs with her own struggle., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Crucifixion's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Crucifixion against these established plot points, we can identify how Xavier Gens utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Crucifixion within the horror genre.
Xavier Gens's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Xavier Gens films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Crucifixion represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Xavier Gens filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Thinner, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Mary Reilly. For more Xavier Gens analyses, see Hitman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The film opens with the brutal exorcism of Adelina Marinescu in Romania, performed by Father Dumitru. She dies during the ritual, crucified and gagged. This disturbing opening establishes the dark world of religious extremism and demonic possession.
Theme
Nicole's editor challenges her skepticism about the supernatural, asking whether she believes demons could be real or if this is simply a case of murder disguised as religion. The theme is established: the tension between faith and skepticism, and whether evil is supernatural or human.
Worldbuilding
We meet Nicole Rawlins, a cynical American journalist in New York who has lost her faith following her mother's death. Her editor assigns her to cover the story of Father Dumitru's trial in Romania for the death of Adelina during an exorcism.
Disruption
Nicole accepts the assignment to travel to Romania to cover the trial of Father Dumitru. This disrupts her comfortable life as a skeptical journalist in New York and sets her on a collision course with the supernatural.
Resistance
Nicole arrives in Romania and begins her investigation. She interviews locals, visits the monastery, and meets Father Anton, a priest who believes the exorcism was justified. She debates with herself about the nature of the case - murder or legitimate spiritual warfare.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Nicole decides to dig deeper into the case beyond simple reporting, choosing to investigate whether Adelina was truly possessed. She commits to uncovering the truth about what happened in the monastery, crossing from observer to active participant.
Mirror World
Nicole meets Father Anton more intimately and learns about his unwavering faith. He represents what Nicole has lost - genuine belief. Their relationship becomes the thematic mirror, as his faith contrasts with her skepticism.
Premise
Nicole investigates the case, interviewing witnesses, reviewing evidence, and experiencing increasingly strange occurrences. She visits the site of the exorcism, speaks with villagers who knew Adelina, and begins to experience unsettling visions and nightmares that challenge her rational worldview.
Midpoint
Nicole discovers that Adelina may have been genuinely possessed and that the demon has not been destroyed - it has transferred. She experiences a terrifying supernatural encounter that she cannot explain rationally, forcing her to confront the possibility that demons are real.
Opposition
The demonic presence intensifies its attacks on Nicole. She suffers visions, physical manifestations, and psychological torment. Her investigation reveals that the demon targeted Adelina because of a past sin, and now it has set its sights on Nicole. Father Dumitru is convicted, but Nicole realizes the real evil is still at large.
Collapse
Nicole becomes fully possessed by the demon. She loses control of her body and mind, experiencing the same torment that killed Adelina. Father Anton and others realize she is now the vessel, and an exorcism becomes necessary. Nicole faces spiritual death.
Crisis
Nicole is in the grip of the demon, her body contorting and her soul at stake. Father Anton prepares for an exorcism while Nicole's skepticism is shattered - she now knows evil is real and is consuming her. She must find the faith she lost.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Nicole, in a moment of lucidity during the possession, chooses to embrace faith. She calls upon God and allows Father Anton to perform the exorcism. Her acceptance of faith becomes the weapon against the demon - synthesizing her mother's beliefs with her own struggle.
Synthesis
Father Anton performs the exorcism on Nicole. The ritual is violent and harrowing, with the demon fighting to maintain its hold. Nicole must actively participate by maintaining her newfound faith. Through the combined efforts of Father Anton's ritual and Nicole's spiritual surrender, the demon is expelled.
Transformation
Nicole survives the exorcism, transformed from a skeptic into a believer. She leaves Romania with her faith restored, having confronted genuine evil and found redemption through belief. The final image shows her at peace, contrasting with the cynical journalist who arrived.