The Reckoning Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A grieving widow says no to her gross landlord, so he naturally calls her a witch during a plague, leading to pointy-stick-based misunderstandings and a surprisingly glamorous revenge.

🍿 The Reckoning: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Widow’s Desperate Circumstance

Set in England during the Great Plague of 1665, Grace Haverstock is a young wife and mother living with her husband, Joseph. Tragedy strikes when Joseph contracts the plague and, to protect his family, takes his own life. Left alone and struggling to pay rent to her landlord, Squire Pendleton, Grace finds herself in a precarious position. When she rejects Pendleton’s forceful advances, his indignation turns into cruel retaliation.

False Accusation and Trial

Enraged by Grace’s defiance, Squire Pendleton falsely accuses her of being a witch. Driven by superstition and fear fueled by the plague, the villagers turn on Grace. She is violently apprehended and imprisoned. The notorious witchfinder, Judge Moorcroft, is summoned to extract a confession from Grace. Known for his brutal methods, Moorcroft begins a relentless process of interrogation and torture aimed at proving her guilt.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Grace Haverstock (Charlotte Kirk): The protagonist falsely accused of witchcraft who must endure torture and fight for her life.
• Judge Moorcroft (Sean Pertwee): The brutal and relentless witch-hunter who presides over Grace’s trial and torment.
• Joseph (Joe Anderson): A key individual who may offer Grace help or stand in her way during her ordeal.
• Reverend Malcolm (Suzanne Magowan): A church official potentially involved in validating or enforcing the persecution of alleged witches.
• Ursulak (Ian Whyte): A menacing presence, possibly an executioner or supernatural entity, adding to Grace’s terror.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Grace Haverstock: “My will is stronger than yours.” – Said defiantly to Judge Moorcroft while enduring torture during her trial.
• Grace Haverstock: “I am no witch!” – Repeatedly declared by Grace under duress, refusing to confess to the false accusations.
• Squire Pendleton: “Confess, and your suffering will end.” – A manipulative plea made by her accuser, Squire Pendleton, attempting to break Grace’s spirit.
• Judge Moorcroft: “God will uncover the truth.” – Spoken by the witchfinder, Judge Moorcroft, reflecting his zealous and twisted belief system during the trials.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $143,532
• Worldwide Gross: $596,806

💥 The Reckoning Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched The Reckoning, and wow, it’s pretty intense. The historical setting is cool, even if some people online say it’s not totally accurate – it still *feels* dark and grim with the plague and everything. I really felt for the main character, Grace, going through all that awful stuff after losing her husband. The torture scenes are tough to watch, they really get under your skin and make you angry at what she has to endure. Honestly, some parts dragged a bit, and the dream sequences were… weird? But when it got going, especially towards the end, it was a wild ride. Sean Pertwee is fantastic as the villain you just love to hate. Not a perfect movie, but definitely stuck with me.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas with dark themes”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about witch trials and persecution”
  • “Fans of director Neil Marshall’s previous work (‘Dog Soldiers’, ‘The Descent’)”
  • “Those who enjoy gothic or period horror”
  • “Audiences looking for female-led revenge thrillers”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and gore (torture scenes)”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Suicide (depicted or referenced)”
  • “Sexual content / attempted sexual assault (implied or depicted)”
  • “Strong thematic elements (persecution, religious extremism, brutality)”

Professional Reviews

• The Film Observer: “Neil Marshall’s return to period horror attempts grim atmosphere but often falls flat. While Sean Pertwee delivers a reliably solid turn as the witchfinder, the film struggles with inconsistent pacing and historical details that feel more like dress-up than 17th-century England. An uneven experience.
• Indie Lens Magazine: “A brutal, often uncomfortable look at the horrors of the witch trials, ‘The Reckoning’ doesn’t shy away from depicting torture. The lead actress shows commitment to the role, though the script and dialogue occasionally feel a bit thin. Best appreciated by those who can look past historical quibbles for sheer gothic grit.

Audience Reactions

Viewers were split, finding the historical grit both compelling and frustratingly inaccurate.: Many praised Sean Pertwee’s performance as the relentless witchfinder and the atmospheric score.

The brutal torture scenes were frequently mentioned for their intensity and difficulty to watch.: Some appreciated the film as a throwback to old-school gothic or Hammer horror styles.

Overall Consensus: Audience opinions are divided, with some finding it a dull, historically inaccurate disappointment and others appreciating its grim atmosphere, solid performances, and brutal depiction of the witch hunt era.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot on location in Hungary, utilizing the country’s landscapes and historical architecture to double for 17th-century England.”
• “The estimated budget for the film was around $2 million.”
• “Director Neil Marshall co-wrote the screenplay with the lead actress, Charlotte Kirk, and Edward Evers-Swindell.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Reckoning?

As of late 2023, ‘The Reckoning’ is available to stream on platforms like AMC+ and Shudder. It can also be rented or purchased digitally on major services including Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play. Availability may vary by region and subscription.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Reckoning, you might like these similar films:

• Witchfinder General (1968): A classic and brutal historical horror film also centered on a ruthless witch hunter in 17th-century England, sharing themes of persecution and religious extremism.
• The Witch (2015): Explores paranoia, religious fervor, and accusations of witchcraft within a secluded historical setting, with a strong focus on the female protagonist’s struggle.
• The Nightingale (2018): A harrowing period piece focusing on a young woman seeking violent revenge after suffering horrific abuse, similar in its themes of female resilience and retribution in a brutal historical setting.
• Black Death (2010): Also directed by Neil Marshall and set in a plague-ridden medieval England, dealing with themes of religious fanaticism and the search for dark forces.
• The Descent (2005): Another acclaimed horror film by Neil Marshall, known for its intense survival scenario and focus on strong female characters pushed to their limits.

🛒 The Reckoning Related Products

• Witchfinder General (Vincent Price) [Blu-ray]: The classic 1968 film that heavily influenced subsequent witch hunt movies. Stars Vincent Price in a chilling role.
• A Brief History of the Witch Trials: The Persecution That Swept Europe and America: An accessible historical account exploring the real events, beliefs, and societal forces behind the witch trials.
• Medieval Village Model Kit: A detailed scale model kit allowing fans to build a representation of a 17th-century European village.
• Plague Doctor Mask: A replica of the iconic mask worn by plague doctors, often seen in depictions of the era featured in the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Reckoning features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Reckoning” – performed by Christopher Drake
• “The Sickness” – performed by Christopher Drake
• “The Witch Finder” – performed by Christopher Drake
• “The Torture” – performed by Christopher Drake
• “My Will Is Stronger” – performed by Christopher Drake

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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