Original subtitles

(mysterious music)

(solemn music)

(tense music)

(man grunts)

- Nice try, David.

Isn't it interesting how far a man can run on desperation?

David David, David.

Where are the negatives?

(tense music)

Where are the negatives?

- Fuck you.

Fuck all of you!

- It's no matter.

We'll find them intact.

It's too bad they won't find you in that condition.

(tense music)

(heartbeat thumping)

(tense music)

- No, no!

No! (heartbeat thumping rapidly)

No!

(David shouting)

(mysterious music)

(birds chirping)

- Can I help you?

- I'm here about the job, the secretary's job?

- You are in the right place.

I'm Paul Henson, the new editor

of "The Copperton Chronicle."

Well, can you type?

- 80 words a minute.

- Good, good.

Can you answer the phone?

Then you're hired.

How about helping me with these boxes?

- Daddy, aren't you gonna introduce us?

- I'm sorry, this is my daughter, Christine,

she's helping me sort things out here in the office.

Just got back from Florida, but soon

she'll be back in school.

And your name is? - Evelyn.

Evelyn Spyker.

- Well, Evelyn, welcome aboard.

- Excuse me.

I'm looking for a Paul Henson.

- You got him.

What can I do for you?

- Hi, I'm Shannon Cornell.

I'm here about the reporting position.

- Yeah, I just didn't expect anybody this quick.

I mean, this is such a small town and all.

- Well, I need a break.

I've been working as a staff reporter

for "The New York Times" for a while,

and I just feel I need to get away.

- Yeah, I know what you mean, I just bought this paper

last month, after 15 years at "The Chicago Tribune."

City can be a real pain in the ass after a while.

This is my daughter, Christine.

- Hi. - Hi.

- So you need a job, and I need a reporter.

So, I guess you're hired.

I remember back in Chicago when I wa...

Excuse me.

Sheriff, Sheriff!

Hey.

Hey, Sheriff!

Sheriff!

Hey, Sheriff, got any news for us?

Come on, Sheriff, god dammit.

It's the right of the people to know

what's going on in the town they live in, don't you think?

- And is it their right to harass the process of the law?

- Hey, who's harassing who here, Sheriff?

- You news people are all the same, aren't you?

Think you can just walk all over people to get a scoop.

Damn blood suckers.

(people chattering on police radio)

Kid found a body out by the Bailey place.

Guy's been dead a couple hours.

I'm heading out there now.

Find your own damn ride.

- And how long you been standing there?

- Long enough to say, "let's go, boss."

(camera clicks)

(bird cawing)

- Jesus.

What coulda done this?

- Every so often, some damn smugglers

get a little too careless with their bosses and slip up.

- You don't think this is drug related, do you?

- It's drug related.

- Shannon.

You wanna take a look at this?

Hey, it's okay.

He's a John Doe.

If they don't even know who he is.

- It's nothing.

(siren trills)

(tense music)

- Hey.

God.

(tense music)

- Paul, I've done a lot of drug follow-ups,

and this doesn't look like anything on that order.

Take a look at the marks on the leg.

The entry point.

That's not even torture.

It's more like...

God, I don't know.

- Got a hunch, don't ya?

- It's a long shot.

But I need to check it out.

- Sheriff says it's an open and shut case.

All right.

Go for it.

- Oh, I didn't know you were here.

There you are. - Thanks.

(door opens and closes)

(shop bell rings) (solemn music)

- Hi.

- Finish creating the office yet, Mr. Henson?

- Well, it's proven to be a little harder than it looks.

You know, we had to chase the rats away first.

- Oh my.

- I'm just kidding.

I'm just kidding.

(shop bell rings)

- Reverend Donovan.

- Hello, Beatrice.

Hello.

You must be Mr. Henson, our new newspaper editor.

I'm Reverend Donovan.

I've looked forward to meeting you.

Certainly will be nice to have our own newspaper now,

won't it, Beatrice?

- Yes it will.

- And you must be Christine Henson.

It's a pleasure to meet you, young lady.

- Thanks.

- Well, now that we've met, I'll expect

to see both of you in church this Sunday.

- Well, we don't really go to church.

- Please.

I'll look forward to seeing you,

(shop bell rings)

(solemn music)

- Julia.

My dear Julia.

Only you would choose such an appropriate place to meet,

here among the souls who guard the gates of hell.

- Reverend, when you said you needed to talk...

- I have a gift for you.

A token of my trust in your abilities.

Don't fail me.

- I'm sure this gift comes with a price.

- Copperton has several new arrivals.

Inquisitive and fresh.

They must be integrated.

- The shepherd must increase his flock.

- Don't challenge my authority, Julia.

- I wouldn't think of it.

Your control is firm, Reverend.

You should have no fear from me.

- I want their souls.

(church bell rings)

(reverent organ music)

- Friends.

I would like to take this opportunity

to welcome to our community Mr. Paul Henson

and his daughter, Christine.

I'm sure Mr. Henson will find Copperton

to be quite hospitable.

(dramatic organ music)

Last week, I spoke of loyalty and trust.

Loyalty to your community and loyalty to your church.

Now I speak today of discipline.

Discipline of all of us.

Not just the smaller members of our society,

but each and every one of us.

Now, what do I mean by discipline?

By discipline, I mean the complete refusal

to tolerate anyone who tries to infect us

with the disease of their own ideas.

It says in the Bible, "be vigilant, and watch for traitors."

And we as a community must not allow liars

and infiltrators into our midst.

They must be sought out.

They must be uncovered.

Lest we allow them to destroy all the power we have gained.

We have the power to control our own destiny.

And we must not let others take that away from us.

We must not disappoint the master

when he returns to inherit his kingdom.

- [Congregation] Yes.

(people chattering)

- How nice to see you.

Doing well?

- You were just wonderful.

(people chattering)

- What did you think, Mr. Henson?

- Interesting.

- I'd like to talk to you some more, Mr. Henson,

about our church and its members.

And what did you think, Christine?

- It was fantastic.

- You certainly take a very defensive position

in the church, Reverend.

- We prefer to call it protective.

- Protective?

(typewriter clacking)

(ribbon tears) Shit.

- Mr. Henson, what's wrong?

- I just snapped another ribbon.

I'm gonna have to go to the store and get another one.

And Evelyn, would you please stop calling me Mr. Henson?

It's Paul, okay?

- Want me to get you one?

- No, I need the damn exercise.

Any word yet from Shannon?

- Sorry.

(Paul sighs)

(ominous music)

- Excuse me.

Excuse me, but why have all of these pages been blacked out?

- Protection.

- Protection?

Protection from what?

- From you.

(ominous music)

- Mr. Thompson.

- What can I do for you, Mr. Henson?

- I need a 40 CC typewriter ribbon, but they're pretty rare.

I hope you've got one.

- Let me check.

Hell, we've got shit left over from World War II.

I saw that someplace down here the other day.

I thought I'd never get rid of it.

But I knew somebody would one, want something like that.

(tense music)

(ominous music)

Found 'em.

(church bell ringing)

- God, I'm sorry.

I don't know where I was looking.

- You're Paul Henson.

Editor of the...

- "Copperton Chronicle." - yeah.

That's right.

Well, I'm Julia Francine.

I teach at the school.

Your daughter? - Christine.

- Yeah.

Bright girl.

So how do you two like Copperton?

- It's different.

Not exactly what I expected from a small town.

- Many things aren't what we expect, Mr. Henson.

- Call me Paul, please.

- Call me Julia, Paul.

Anytime.

(thunder crashing) (ominous music)

(shop bell rings)

- Evening, Larry.

- Reverend, I can explain everything.

(thunder crashing)

- Not locking up well, eh Larry?

- There you are.

I was wondering where you've been.

- Paul, listen to me.

I found something you should take a look at.

This is not a drug related murder.

I couldn't understand it at first.

But then when I saw the marks,

my god, Paul, they're identical.

- Come on, Shannon.

Identical markings are not everything.

Just proves that maybe...

- It proves that my hunch could be true, Paul.

Suppose it's possible that we may have

stumbled onto us onto- - Onto what?

- Sheriff will put us both in the jail for lunacy.

- Something's going on here.

1974, Springfield, Illinois, satanic cult

kills two teenage kids, markings and cuts

all over their bodies.

1982, bodies found in a deserted parking lot near Miami.

Cult markings all over.

Blood removed by needles, found later

in the stomachs of people caught.

1986, Athens, Ohio, Paul.

Two teenagers killed by possible satanic cult,

including a 16 year old girl.

- Daddy?

Daddy?

- Write up a story for tomorrow.

Include a drawing of the marks.

- Daddy?

What's wrong?

(cheerful organ music)

(discordant organ music)

- Very nice, Mary.

Very nice.

How's school for you this year?

- Fine.

- And that boy you're dating.

What's his name?

- Rob, Robbie.

- Robert.

How is he?

- We're going to college this fall, at the state university.

- How wonderful.

Copperton hates to lose one of its fine young people.

You'll be missed.

(tense music)

So I guess this is goodbye, Mary.

- Well, I won't be leaving for a few more weeks.

- Goodbye, Mary. (siren wailing)

(chattering on police radio)

(birds cawing)

- You god damn son of a bitch!

What the hell you doing?

- Sheriff! - What are you?

Get off of me.

Why?

- Why are you trying to stir up trouble here?

Ever since you moved here, all this shit's going down,

and now you trying to scare people even more!

Why, god dammit, why?!

- Sheriff, you have got to believe me.

The evidence we have, it all points to something

much bigger than a damn drug murder.

You gonna tell me this was a drug murder too, Sheriff?

Look, somehow, some way, this girl and the guy

killed last week, they tie into a larger picture.

The wounds...

The wounds are the same.

Sheriff, what did Mary do?

Did she have a job?

An after school activity, what?

Sheriff, god dammit, open your eyes!

- Back the fuck off, Henson, or I'll throw your ass in jail!

- On what charge?!

- I'll make one up!

(birds cawing)

(tense music)

- Mary never did nothing to nobody.

Hell, she used to babysit for the mayor

and some other people in town.

- Who do you think did this?

- Couldn't really tell you.

But I will tell you one thing.

She used to play the organ for the Reverend.

- Donovan?

(Paul clears throat)

- May I help you?

- I'd like to see the mayor.

I'm Paul Henson, editor of "The Copperton Chronicle?"

- Hmm.

Strange first edition, Mr. Henson.

If you ask me, it wasn't any kinda satanic cult.

No, it was UFOs.

- UFOs.

- Yeah, strange things been happening around here.

- Mr. Mayor?

- Oh yes, you must be...

- Paul Henson, "Copperton Chronicle."

- How are you, Mr. Henson?

- Just fine.

Sir, I'd like to ask you a few questions about Mary Rhodes.

- Oh, sad.

Very, very sad.

She was such a bright girl, too.

- I understand she babysat for you and your wife.

- Of course, she never could really stay away

from that Robby boy.

- Sir, did she ever show any signs of being in a-

- Into drugs?

Drugs?!

America's war on drugs not strong enough

for our young people, I'm afraid.

Damn shame.

- Sir, I have a stack of evidence here,

if you could just take some-

- Yes, well I'd give those to the DA.

I have to rush off, but good luck to you in your newspaper.

(bubble pops) (tense music)

- Drugs.

It's an opening shut case, drugs.

- That's it?

That's all the attention you're gonna give

to these two murders that happened right in your backyard?

- Look, I can't really help you guys.

I think you're jumping to conclusions.

- Conclusions?!

For Christ's sakes, sir, you have two people,

one of 'em a teenage girl, hacked up,

and you think it's all related to drugs?

You're crazy!

I mean, what the hell do I have to do

to get a decent criminal investigation

going on in this town?

I can't get any cooperation from you, not from the sheriff,

not from anyone.

Maybe it's me.

Maybe mutilated bodies are an everyday occurrence

here in Copperton.

Tell me, what! (thunder rumbling)

- I wish I could help you guys.

But my resources are limited.

- I'll say limited.

You're not doing a damn thing.

- I'm sorry.

- Paul. (Rain pattering)

- You got lousy taste and paperweights, counselor.

(thunder crashing)

(baby crying) (ominous organ music)

- Another one for you, master.

Another child in your holy name.

(congregation applauding)

- Soon, ladies, you too will know

the benefits of motherhood.

The benefits of giving another gift from our lord and master

to our sacred church.

How I do envy you.

We must now seal up the open wound in our town.

Purge the sick plague that has infested

our homes and even...

Even our church.

They must be stopped!

At all costs.

(tense music)

- Who else has access to the maternity ward?

- Only me and another nurse.

Susan Richardson.

- Is she the one who was killed?

- Oh god, I'm so sorry.

So very sorry.

- [TV Reporter] Repeating our final story tonight,

The Bellevue Hospital maternity ward

was broken into late last night

and all 12 of the children have been taken.

Their whereabouts at this hour are still unknown.

(thunder crashing)

(mysterious music)

- He's been in all morning waiting for you.

- Who is he?

- Kane, Reverend Kane, old fart.

(Paul clears throat)

- Can I help you?

- Paul Henson?

I'm Reverend Kane.

I've read your articles.

- Articles?

- The ones about the cult.

Excuse me.

Possible cult.

That's why I'm here.

- This is Shannon Cornell, the journalist on the story.

You know, I still don't understand why-

- Why I'm here.?

I spend my life traveling to hundreds of towns

like Copperton.

Small, tiny spots on the map that no one

seems to ever pay any attention to,

except when something bizarre occurs,

something, no one can explain.

Some label it druggies, hippies, freaks,

but they all have something in common,

a basic common element of pure evil.

Malicious intent?

Oh yes, quite.

Only their intent goes much deeper and darker

than others ever imagine.

A satanic cult?

Very interesting.

Someone here finally has the courage to speak up.

These murders you've had here.

Did you know this isn't the first time

something like this has happened here?

10 years ago, man by the name of Dobson,

good old black Dobson, butchered several infants

in a shack not too far from here.

The local police ruled it a simple case of sick insanity,

but it went much deeper than that.

If you truly have this type of situation here,

I'll be able to identify it.

- Take a look at these.

- Police ruled this a drug case.

Is this all the evidence you have?

- Concrete, yeah.

- We need to speak to Dobson.

- Where is he?

- Loganville prison.

I helped put him there.

(solemn music)

- Beats the hell outta me why anybody'd

wanna see this freak.

We shoulda given him the chair, crazy bastard.

(tense music)

- Dobson.

- Who the hell are you?

- Kane.

Reverend Kane.

I've come to ask you a few questions.

- Kane, Reverend Kane?

Bastard.

You fuckin' son of a bitch!

- Be still!

Be still.

Where's the holy place?

Where is the holy place?

Is it the forest?

The woods near Copperton?

(Dobson laughing)

- No, no.

Only for the unworthy.

Only for the unworthy.

- Where is the holy place?

- Fuck you, holy man.

- Is it the church?

Or is it the lake?

The Briar lake.

Or is it...

The quarry?

- [Dobson] Go to hell!

- Who is in Copperton?

Come here.

Who is it? (Dobson spits)

(solemn music)

We'll find him out.

Dobson.

You can be sure of that.

Don't forget Dobson.

In the eyes of God, all is forgiven.

- I didn't tell them.

I didn't tell them anything.

I didn't tell them anything.

I didn't tell them.

I didn't tell them anything.

- Shannon's at the library doing research.

- Let's pray she finds something.

- Where do you think they'd have it?

- Wherever the sun's rays are the brightest at dawn.

- Why?

- That's when they like to perform their black mass.

It looks like a flat part at the bottom near the water.

Let's try over there.

(tense music)

- They could cover everything up.

- Yes.

Or they could move it.

(eerie music)

- My god.

- Oh dear god.

You better get over here.

(dramatic music)

- Those bones.

- Babies.

Newborn babies.

Sacrificed to Satan for his gift of power

and the hope for his gift of strength.

A child's blood is precious in their eyes.

- The hospital.

They were taken here.

This happens all the time, all over.

Usually it's an isolated case.

Police figure it's one of the parents took it.

Never like this.

Never.

- Thompson.

Christ, killing their own.

- We have a problem here.

Who is the local preacher?

- Some psycho named Donovan.

- I wanna speak with him.

He may know something about this.

- Reverend, wonder if we might talk to you for a minute?

Your cross is upside down, Reverend.

- What?

- Your cross.

- Oh, yes.

So it is.

- Reverend Donovan, this is Reverend Kane.

He's here looking into the possible connection

with satanic cults and the murders

of those two people this week.

- Reverend Kane.

Is that the same Kane that found those unfortunate children

down in Hillsborough last year?

And the man who put Dobson away for the baby murders?

Ah, yes.

I've heard a lot about you indeed.

So now you've come to Copperton to hunt

for more witches and warlocks, eh Reverend?

Well, I can tell you one thing.

You won't find them here.

- That's why we came to you, to see if you knew anything,

seen anything.

The church says that-

- Whose church?

Your church, not mine.

My church obeys the rules I create,

not some long ago superstitious ideology

that speaks of right or wrong, good and evil.

A church is the creation of its believers,

not the other way around.

It's going to rain now.

I have to finish the work, if you'll excuse me.

(mysterious music)

"And they shall go forth and look upon the dead bodies

of the men that have rebelled against me,

for their worm shall not die, their fire

shall not be quenched, and they shall be

an abhorrence to all flesh."

Isaiah 66-24.

(ominous organ music)

(school bell rings)

- Christine.

- Miss Francine.

God, you scared me.

- You're one of our brightest students.

Tell me, what do you think of the topics

we've covered in class since you've moved here?

- Well, interesting, but, well, a little...

- Peculiar?

- But it is an interesting look at history.

I never heard of Alistair- - Crowley.

- Yeah, or his works.

And your perspective on Adolf Hitler

and his position on complete authority.

Interesting.

- How does your father feel about our town

and what we believe in?

- He's looking into it.

- Tell me, Christine, wouldn't you wanna be one of us?

Control your own destiny.

Dominate others.

See your dreams and fantasies come to life

before your very eyes?

- I've got to go.

- Think about the offer, Christine.

Happiness and fulfillment await.

(mysterious music)

- We found bones.

Bones that could be linked to numerous murders

here and around the state.

Now, I think that deserves some attention.

- Oh, excuse me.

Damn allergies, I hate rain.

So what's the sheriff think about your quarry hopping?

- He won't return my phone calls, or see us.

- Hmm.

- Look, Mayor, I think this matter

needs to be taken more seriously.

I mean the sheriff is practically ignoring me,

the district attorney is pretending

like the situation doesn't exist.

I mean, Jesus, we found bones.

Children's bones.

I can't get these people interested

when in fact I probably need the FBI.

Mayor, quite frankly, I need your support on this one.

I need you behind me every step of the way on this.

(Mayor coughing)

(Mayor blowing nose)

Children's bones.

But I realize that you are a very, very busy man.

So thank you, Mr. Mayor.

We'll be leaving you now.

(thunder rumbling) (rain pattering)

(thunder crashing)

So we have a conspiracy involving the mayor, the DA,

several townspeople, possibly many more.

- Possibly the sheriff.

- Yeah, well that would explain his actions, but why?

I mean, why a conspiracy?

Protect someone?

- Donovan.

This upside down cross on the arm tells me

this is a cult whose leader insists upon

discipline and service.

The mark of Satanism, and of Donovan.

- How does the first victim tie into all this?

I didn't see any marks on his body resembling a cross.

- Possibly an innocent victim, or...

Maybe he knew something about them,

something they had to kill him for.

- Like Thompson.

- I think Thompson let you see too much that day.

And he paid for it.

Mary wanted to leave.

For college.

- And they didn't want her to.

- Many people join these cults.

Few people come out.

(solemn music)

(mysterious music)

This upside down cross on the arm

tells me this is a cult whose leader

insists upon discipline and service.

The mark of Satanism, and of Donovan.

- So the whole town's behind this nut.

- I'm going to talk with Donovan.

- Are you crazy?

This guy's sick.

He'll kill you.

- We can't let them scare us.

If we do, they've already won.

(door banging)

- Hello, Charles.

- I didn't tell him anything.

- Donovan, I swear to you.

(tense music)

- No.

No, not like that.

- Put it in your arm.

- No, please, Donovan.

- Put it in your arm, or we'll put it in your eye.

(ominous music)

(man shouting)

(insects chirping)

(tense music)

- I thought I heard you come in.

I heard Mary Rhodes was killed.

What happened?

(solemn music)

- I don't know, honey.

But I don't think it had anything to do with drugs.

- She was an A student.

She was going to college.

Just doesn't make any sense.

- Nowadays, nothing really does.

- Thinking about Mom?

- Yeah. - Me too.

Mom used to say that when a little kid gets scared

or lonely, God sends down one of his angels to protect them.

Why are there so many sick people in this world.

- I don't know, honey.

- Maybe Mom was wrong.

(rain gushing)

- Donovan.

I know all about you now.

(thunder crashing)

- Alistair Crowley.

A man well ahead of his time.

A great Satanist.

But a poor leader of souls.

- You're finished.

I'm breaking it up.

(Donovan laughing)

- You amuse me, Kane.

I never thought a man of a forgotten god could be so funny.

- How dare you defile God in his house?

- Whose god?

My god is having the time of his life.

You are too blind to see the power he gives us

for being his servants.

Power to rule over our own brethren.

Power to destroy the meek and the treacherous.

(thunder crashing)

Does your god give you power, Kane?

No.

You follow a myth.

A legend.

We have the world at our command.

He will soon return.

And the world will know he is truly our savior.

- You sick, pathetic creature.

Innocent people have-

- Innocent people have died all over the world

at different times in history.

They've died for holy reasons more so than any other.

It has always been the case that the strong

dominate the weak, for us it is no different.

What do a few measly souls mean to a new nation,

to a new religion, to a new god?

To proclaim a new god in blood.

Holy, holy blood.

My people shall join me in joy as we sacrifice

countless weak, useless lives for the glory of the master.

And you and all your religion...

Can't stop us.

- No more, Donovan.

Your sick game is over. (gun clicks)

- No, my foolish friend.

It's just begun.

- Ooh!

(solemn organ music)

(Donovan laughing)

- Cheers. (Laughing)

(thunder crashing)

(rain pattering)

(tense music)

(Kane coughing)

(thunder rumbling)

(thunder crashing)

- Just a game, eh, old man?

Is this fun for you?

You'll be our latest sacrifice.

(thunder crashing)

But don't worry.

You'll have plenty of company.

Tell your god about me.

Warn him.

- You'll rot in hell!

- How exciting.

(thunder crashing)

We look for light... (thunder crashing)

But find only darkness.

(thunder rumbling)

- Why was Kane so desperate to see Donovan without us?

Do you think he's holding something back from us?

- I don't know.

Stuff about the rest of the town makes sense, though.

I mean, they follow him around like little pets.

Are you okay?

- [Shannon] How about you?

- I'm fine.

God, do I need some sleep.

- [Shannon] Paul?

- Hmm?

- [Shannon] What happened to your wife?

- She was killed by a drunk driver

while picking up Christine from school.

Bastards never sleep.

We moved here to get away from the horrors of the city.

Ran right back into it.

(solemn music)

I hope that wasn't outta pity.

(phone ringing)

- Hello.

Hello?

- Daddy?

Is anything wrong?

- No, honey.

It's just a wrong number.

Go back to sleep.

(dial tone beeping)

(water running)

- Shannon.

- [Shannon] Who the hell are you?

- Julia Francine.

We haven't met yet, but we do have a common interest.

Paul Henson.

- What about him? (eerie music)

- The longer you continue to work for him,

the more trouble you're gonna bring him

and that pretty little daughter of his.

- Look, how the hell did you get in here?

- Leave Copperton, Miss Cornell.

It'll do us all a lot of good.

- Look, if you don't get out of here,

I'm gonna call the police.

- Do it, bitch.

(tense music)

How easy it would be to break you.

Leave here now.

(solemn music)

(tense music)

(cheerful music)

(mysterious music)

(knocking on door)

- Miss Francine.

- Julia.

Remember?

May I come in?

- It's really, really late.

- Please, Paul, it's important.

- Now what can I do for you?

- Paul, listen to me.

I'm afraid for you and Christine.

- Why?

- Because things, events have taken place here,

which, they could affect you and your daughter.

I wouldn't want that to happen.

- Do you mean the cult?

What do you know about it?

- Enough to know you're in danger

if you stay on the outside.

- Outside?

Are you saying-

- Paul, safety and security for you and your daughter

is no problem if you just listen to us.

(mysterious music)

Paul.

- I'd like you to leave.

Now.

- When you see the truth, you know where

you can reach me, Paul.

(gun clicks)

(knocking on door)

- Sheriff, what?

- Don't fuck with me, Henson!

Where were you last night around 11 o'clock?

- 11 o'clock last night.

I just got back from driving Shannon Cornell home.

Is there something wrong, Sheriff?

- Damn right something's wrong.

I got me a goddamn dead man, and all indicators tell me

you had something to do with it.

- Jesus, who's dead?

- Slit throat, right across here.

- Sheriff, I know the man that did this.

He's right here in your town, you could arrest him now.

- Hold on.

What proof do you have?

I need proof before you go off rattling names.

Could get us in a whole lot of trouble.

That's all he had.

(tense music)

What'd you find?

- Nothing, nothing, Sheriff.

It's just an old hat, I guess.

Thanks for your help.

(tense music)

What happened to him?

- Suicide.

(tires squeal)

(knocking on door)

- Paul.

Kane.

- [Paul] I don't know who to trust anymore.

- Paul, I have a confession to make.

I'm here because I'm part of a team

looking into satanic cults in this part of the country,

with "The Times."

My partner is the John Doe they found last week.

He was killed because he had proof of their blood rituals.

I know this sounds hard to believe.

I don't even know if I believe it, but it's the truth.

- Your friend sent these to Kane.

- He knew.

The sheriff didn't find any of those things, did he?

- He didn't check inside the hat.

I also found the name of Thomas Crane.

Apparently he's an ex-member of Donovan's cult

who managed to escape last year.

I wanna meet with him.

Maybe you can identify the people in these photos.

- It'll be dangerous.

I don't want you hurt, Paul.

- Hello, Paul.

- The hell do you want, murderer?

- Is that any way to talk to a reverend?

- You killed Kane, but not before

we got some very interesting negatives.

(tense music)

- Negatives?

He gave you negatives?

- I've got 'em.

I've got the proof of what you're doing here.

I've got the proof that you are one sick bastard.

- Where are the negatives, Mr. Henson?

(gun clicks)

- If you kill me, you'll never get 'em.

- Join us, Paul.

You have no idea of the power we have

because of our allegiance to the master.

Anything you desire.

(tense music)

- Mr. Henson, these are simply incredible.

God, these people are animals.

Who else have you showed these to?

- You're it.

Look, Mr. Davidson.

You're the state attorney general.

What can you do to stop them?

- Betty?

Get me Richardson in the governor's office.

(tense music)

Tied up till four.

All right, listen carefully.

Arrange a meeting with him for this afternoon.

Yes.

Priority six.

He'll know.

Thank you.

- What's priority six?

- Possible criminal and subversive acts.

The governor instigated it 14 years ago

after the student riots.

It applies here.

All we can do now is wait.

- I have an appointment.

Can I come back?

- Call first.

If I have anything, I'll let you know.

Can I keep these?

- No.

I think I better keep 'em.

- [Davidson] Very well.

(country music)

- Thomas Green?

- Paul Henson?

They're always, always watching.

- Donovan?

In the capital?

- How do you think he's managed so far?

He's got so many officials under him,

he could be governor of the state.

Were you followed?

- I'm not sure.

Maybe.

- Mr. Henson, do you believe in God?

- Why?

- Because if you go up against Donovan, you'd better start.

Yes!

God, you can put him away with these things!

(mysterious music)

Who else have you shown them to?

- Just you.

Oh, and the attorney general.

- Dear god, no.

- It goes as high as him?

(tense music)

(gun clicks)

(gunshots banging)

- [Man] The hell, man?

(tires squealing)

(gunshots banging)

(tires squealing)

(heavy metal music)

- God.

- Help you, Mister?

- Thank God.

Look, I'm being shot at by some nuts on the highway.

I need to call ahead for some help.

Do you have a phone?

(rodents squaking)

- My babies.

Ain't they pretty?

(heavy metal music)

- Come on.

Come on.

(tires squealing)

(Paul grunts)

(glass shatters)

(solemn music)

Christine?

(tense music)

Fucking bastards.

(ominous music)

(tires squealing)

(sign crashing)

(tense music)

(gunshot bangs)

Christine.

(gunshot bangs)

What have you done with my daughter, you son of a bitch?

- She's waiting for her daddy.

(gunshot bangs)

I'd offer you a glass of lemonade,

but we're still squeezing out the juice.

(gunshot bangs)

- You son of a bitch!

(gun clicks)

(Donovan chuckles)

I know how high up this goes.

I know how to stop you.

- I don't think you really do, Mr. Henson.

- So Crane was right.

- Only the governor is the last to know.

We're working on that, though.

- Where are the negatives, Mr. Henson?

- Where's my daughter?

- Really, Mr. Henson.

There's nothing you can do.

- Donovan.

If you touch one hair.

- It's truly useless to resist.

(tense music)

- Fuck you!

Fuck all of you!

(tires squealing)

(tires squealing) (horn honking)

(woman shouts)

(explosion booming)

Jesus!

(siren wailing)

- What in the name of...

- Where the hell is my daughter, you sick bastard?!

- What are you talking about?

I don't know where she is.

What the hell's the matter with you?

Sheriff.

It's Donovan.

He did this. - What?

- He's destroying this town piece by piece.

And killed most of his opponents.

And taken my daughter.

(solemn music)

(knocking on door)

(tense music)

(suspenseful music) (gun clicks)

- Paul, I thought it was-

- They got Christine.

- She could still be- - Alive?

I'm betting on it.

Wire's been cut.

- I have a friend at the capital.

He can get us in to see the attorney general.

- He's one of 'em.

It's gotta be the governor.

- [Davidson] Only the governor is the last to know.

We're working on that, though.

- We don't have much time.

- Get me to a phone.

(church bell rings)

- Reverend?

- He came to set the captives free.

- What are you doing to this town?

- Sheriff, you and I are a lot alike.

We both have our flocks to protect.

- Donovan, we're gonna get to the bottom of this.

- Like primal wolves, thirsty for the blood of our enemies,

we thrive upon the knowledge of power and fear.

Fear keeps-

- You have the right to remain silent.

- The domination of the weak always gives

power to the strong.

- Anything you say can and will be used against you

in a court of law.

- The holy blood of the innocent, the wretched vow

remains of the dead shall rise under him.

- You have the right to an attorney-

- And the new order shall emerge,

and the feeble nonbelievers shall bleed,

oh yes, bleed for their ignorant sins.

(solemn organ music)

- Okay, nobody move.

- We will become the lion.

(Sheriff shouting)

The rest will become sheep.

- One hour.

Yeah, right.

All set.

- All right, let's get on the bus, slowly.

(tense music)

- All aboard, folks.

Follow me.

(door hissing)

(tense music)

- Donovan.

I didn't hear you come in.

Are you reveling in your now complete glory, Reverend?

Satisfied knowing all your enemies are dead and defeated?

When you get your chance to taste sweet virgin blood,

a ritual reserved for only the most sacred of hosts.

Donovan, Donovan, there truly is no end

to your maniacal reach, is there?

- You failed me, Julia.

Failure has no forgiveness or sorrow.

Only revenge.

(bones crack)

An errant disciple must be punished.

Punished.

- Dave, we've got enough evidence to put Donovan

and the attorney general away for murder,

not to mention kidnap and embezzlement.

- It's a goddamn miracle you made it this far.

Paul, we'll find your daughter, that's a promise.

- Ready, Paul?

(alarm ringing)

- What in the living hell?

- Get him! - No, listen to me!

You've gotta hear this tape!

- [Davidson] Only the governor is the last to know.

We're working on that, though.

- Isn't that Richard?

- [Paul] Where's my daughter?

- [Davidson] Really, Mr. Henson.

There's nothing you can do.

It's truly useless to resist.

- Who are you people?

- We're from Copperton!

The town's been taken over by this fanatical reverend

who's leading a group of satanists.

Several people have been killed.

My daughter's been kidnapped.

- What's this have to do with the attorney general?

- He's one of them.

- And the end of the world is in 23 hours,

10 minutes, right?

Let's get them the hell out of here.

- Look at the pictures!

- What pictures? - These!

(tense music)

- Not here.

Not in my state.

Let him go.

If this is true, how high up?

- We've got to stop them now, sir.

If you're the last stop before God knows what,

we have got to stop them.

- They have your daughter?

Tom, organize the grand jury.

Special code 112.

And I'll be there in just a few minutes.

Something I'm just beginning to understand.

God help us.

This evidence must have been very difficult

to obtain, Mr. Henson.

- A lot of people died to get it here.

- You have nothing to worry about.

The evidence is now in the hands of the state

and soon we'll be examining it.

It's almost over.

(tense music)

(gunshots banging)

(people shouting)

(helicopter whirring)

- Detective Stevens said that the evidence

was ripped from the governor's hand when he was killed.

That rules out these two.

- They know something.

- So.

- You're telling me these fanatics-

- Satanists.

- Satanists, killed the governor because

the evidence you brought him earlier?

- Yes, yes.

Look, we don't have much time.

- They- - They what?

- They already have what they want.

The pictures are back in their hands.

- So?

- So they're gonna kill my daughter,

you stupid son of a bitch!

- Okay, okay.

Let's start from the beginning.

- No, gpd dammit!

No more fucking questions!

You people are sitting on your asses

while these sick freaks are about to kill my daughter

in some pagan ritual.

Now, I've told you everything you need to know,

so help us, god dammit.

The entire town is run by this man,

this sick, murdering, self-made leader, who...

Jesus

(solemn music)

Who's got my baby.

- We're ready, Donovan.

- The state police will detain them for a long, long time.

We have the negatives.

Prepare the little bitch.

Tonight we have the black mass.

(Donovan laughs)

- Okay, old man, make a sound or a move,

and I'll splatter your brains all over that front window.

Where's the party tonight?

Say good night. - The quarry.

(Paul shouts)

(gunshot bangs)

(tense music)

- Companions!

We are gathered in this sacred spot

to perform the most holy of rituals.

Black mass.

(ominous music)

A passage from the book of Alistair Crowley

speaks of how virgin blood is the most blissful of nectars

in the underworld.

Tonight, we have a feast!

(Christine whimpering)

The cutting of young flesh, the drinking of salty blood.

The hunger.

- [Shannon] Our father, who art in heaven.

Hallowed be vthy name.

- Who dares!

- Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,

on Earth as it is in heaven.

(gunshot bangs)

- Touch her and I'll blow your ass off that rock, freak.

- You're a fool, Henson.

There are too many of us.

You don't stand a chance of living!

(tense music)

- Mistake.

(gunshot bangs)

(gun clicks)

- Got a couple more left.

Who's next?

- [Man On Loudspeaker] You are surrounded.

Drop your weapons and step back.

(tense music)

You are surrounded.

Drop your weapons and step back.

(tense music)

(man grunts)

- Damn you!

(gun clicks)

(gunshot bangs)

(Donovan grunts)

(gun clicks)

- [Man On Loudspeaker] Drop your weapons

and put your hands in the air.

(helicopter whirring)

(Donovan laughs)

- See you in hell.

(water splashing)

- Drop your gun!

(chattering on police radio)

- Well, sir, this should just about do it.

Wish I could have gotta pop at the guy.

Sick bastard.

Now don't you worry, sir.

We'll take good care of her.

And that's a promise.

(solemn music)

- Thank God it's over.

- Thank you.

- You can repay me by taking us far, far away from here.

- Bitch.

(gunshot bangs)

(tires squeal)

(solemn music)

- No.

(church bell ringing)

(tense music)

(gun clicks) (Christine whimpers)

- Darkness was upon the face of the Earth.

- Let her go, Donovan.

- And God said to the fallen angel,

"upon your belly, you shall go,

and dust you shall eat all the days of your life."

Here to join us for our service, Mr. Henson?

Oh, but please don't look in the collection basket.

You'll find your daughter's head inside.

- No!

(tense music)

(both grunting)

- Your soul will soon be immersed in flames,

and your heart will burn an agony at my lord's delight.

Hell is calling, Mr. Henson.

(Paul grunts)

Henson.

Henson!

Help me, Henson.

Your god is a god of mercy, you must help me.

My god does have mercy.

But I don't.

(ominous music)

(blood squelching)

(solemn organ music)

(eerie music)

(gentle music)

- [Whispering Voices] Hallelujah.

(suspenseful music)