The woman and girls in an unnamed religious sect in an unknown colony are being drugged, raped, and abused. At first, they are told it is demons or delusions, but it eventually becomes undeniable. Some attackers are caught in the act, and one of the women tries to kill one of them. The attackers are arrested and taken off the colony for their own protection. The women are told they must forgive the attackers if they want to get into the Kingdom of Heaven. They have two days to decide while the men are away. The movie is a discussion the women have about whether they stay and fight or leave.
There is a standout performance by Claire Foy, but the film belongs to Rooney Mara as Ona. She emerges as a de facto leader of the women’s exodus. But the whole film is an acting showcase, every character is well-played.
It’s a very depressing tale. Even though it’s set in an anachronistic colony, it makes a lot of clear parallels about how women are treated, and how men are raised to treat women in our modern society. It’s an important conversation to have but it’s by no means a fun watch.