The Unholy
Alice is a young hearing-impaired girl who, after a supposed visitation from the Virgin Mary, is inexplicably able to hear, speak and heal the sick. As word spreads and people from near and far flock to witness her miracles, a disgraced journalist hoping to revive his career visits the small New England town to investigate. When terrifying events begin to happen all around, he starts to question if these phenomena are the works of the Virgin Mary or something much more sinister.
Despite its small-scale budget of $10.0M, The Unholy became a commercial success, earning $30.8M worldwide—a 208% return. The film's compelling narrative found its audience, illustrating how strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
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 Unholy (2021) exhibits carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of Evan Spiliotopoulos's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 39 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Gerry Fenn
Alice Pagett
Father Hagan
Bishop Gyles
Natalie Gates
Monica Slade
Main Cast & Characters
Gerry Fenn
Played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan
A disgraced journalist seeking redemption who investigates miraculous healings in a small town.
Alice Pagett
Played by Cricket Brown
A deaf teenage girl who seemingly begins performing miracles after an encounter at a sacred tree.
Father Hagan
Played by William Sadler
A skeptical Catholic priest who investigates the alleged miracles with caution and faith.
Bishop Gyles
Played by Cary Elwes
A Catholic bishop sent by the Church to investigate the miraculous events and determine their authenticity.
Natalie Gates
Played by Katie Aselton
Gerry's editor and former colleague who reluctantly gives him a chance at the story.
Monica Slade
Played by Christine Adams
Alice's overprotective and religiously devout mother who believes in her daughter's miracles.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Disgraced journalist Gerry Fenn fabricates stories for tabloids in small-town Massachusetts, desperate and morally compromised after his career collapse.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Gerry destroys a creepy doll at a haunted tree shrine, unknowingly releasing the demonic entity Mary Elnor. Alice Pagett suddenly regains her hearing and claims the Virgin Mary appeared to her.. 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 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Gerry commits to covering the miracle story and staying in Banfield. He actively chooses to pursue this story despite warning signs, seeing redemption for his career., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False defeat: Gerry discovers evidence that the entity isn't the Virgin Mary but something demonic. His attempts to expose the truth are dismissed, and he realizes the "miracles" are a trap with deadly consequences., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 75 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Father Hagan is killed by the demon during an exorcism attempt. Gerry realizes his exploitation of the story has enabled this evil. Alice is fully possessed and the entity prepares for a mass possession at a public gathering., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 80 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Gerry accepts responsibility and chooses faith over skepticism. He commits to stopping the demon even at personal cost, synthesizing his journalist skills with newfound genuine faith., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Unholy's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The Unholy against these established plot points, we can identify how Evan Spiliotopoulos utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Unholy within the horror genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Thinner, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Mary Reilly.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Disgraced journalist Gerry Fenn fabricates stories for tabloids in small-town Massachusetts, desperate and morally compromised after his career collapse.
Theme
Father Hagan discusses the nature of faith and deception: "People believe what they want to believe." Theme of faith versus exploitation established.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Banfield, the declining church community, deaf teenager Alice Pagett, and the backstory of Mary Elnor, a witch executed in the 1800s. Gerry's ethical bankruptcy and desperation for a story are established.
Disruption
Gerry destroys a creepy doll at a haunted tree shrine, unknowingly releasing the demonic entity Mary Elnor. Alice Pagett suddenly regains her hearing and claims the Virgin Mary appeared to her.
Resistance
Gerry investigates Alice's miracle with skepticism, seeing it as his ticket back to credibility. Bishop Gyles and Monsignor Delgarde debate the authenticity. Gerry debates whether to exploit the story or investigate truthfully.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Gerry commits to covering the miracle story and staying in Banfield. He actively chooses to pursue this story despite warning signs, seeing redemption for his career.
Mirror World
Gerry develops a relationship with Dr. Natalie Gates, a skeptical scientist who represents rational investigation. She mirrors his journey from skepticism to belief, carrying the film's thematic tension.
Premise
Alice performs increasingly dramatic miracles and healing. Pilgrims flood Banfield. Gerry's career resurrects as the story goes viral. The church investigates. Strange deaths begin occurring among those who question the miracles.
Midpoint
False defeat: Gerry discovers evidence that the entity isn't the Virgin Mary but something demonic. His attempts to expose the truth are dismissed, and he realizes the "miracles" are a trap with deadly consequences.
Opposition
The entity's power grows as more people believe. Gerry and Natalie investigate Mary Elnor's true history. Deaths escalate. Alice becomes fully possessed. The Church struggles to control the situation. Gerry's warnings are ignored.
Collapse
Father Hagan is killed by the demon during an exorcism attempt. Gerry realizes his exploitation of the story has enabled this evil. Alice is fully possessed and the entity prepares for a mass possession at a public gathering.
Crisis
Gerry confronts his guilt and moral failure. Natalie and Monsignor Delgarde discover the ritual needed to stop Mary Elnor. Gerry must choose between fleeing or taking responsibility for unleashing this evil.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Gerry accepts responsibility and chooses faith over skepticism. He commits to stopping the demon even at personal cost, synthesizing his journalist skills with newfound genuine faith.
Synthesis
Gerry and allies confront the possessed Alice at the mass gathering. Exorcism battle ensues. Gerry destroys the cursed tree and breaks the demon's hold. Alice is freed. Mary Elnor is banished. Gerry saves the crowd through sacrifice and faith.
Transformation
Gerry, now spiritually transformed and redeemed, has found genuine faith through his ordeal. He understands that truth and faith matter more than career advancement, contrasting with his exploitative opening.