The Unholy

In a quiet New England town a hearing impaired girl named Alice experiences a sudden surge of abilities after reports of Marian visitation. She can hear again, speak clearly, and heal illnesses, drawing crowds who believe the signs are real. Gerry Fenn, a disgraced journalist hoping to revive his career, comes to investigate by documenting what people claim are miracles. As the sightings spread, unsettling events begin to ripple through the community, testing faith and fear in measure. The film keeps the source of the phenomena opaque, inviting questions about what is truly happening without revealing a final answer. Pressure grows as doctors and clergy offer competing explanations, and the reporter interviews witnesses while the town teeters on edge.

Directed by Evan Spiliotopoulos and adapted from James Herbert's novel The Unholy, the film brought a midbudget to life with a veteran cast led by Jeffrey Dean Morgan. It marks the director's shift toward claustrophobic horror grounded in Herbert's premise.

The Unholy grossed 30,832,137 worldwide against a 10,000,000 budget, marking a respectable return for a mid-range horror title. Its release drew audiences despite mixed reviews, and the cast and crew leaned into a bleak atmosphere that divided critics on overall flavor.

Critics praised the performances, especially Jeffrey Dean Morgan and William Sadler, while noting the story’s tension and eerie atmosphere. The film wrestles with belief, manipulation, and the price of zeal, offering a grim look at how faith can be weaponized in a small town, it questions the ethics of cures.

The Unholy sparked conversations about sensational miracles and media ethics, especially how communities react to claims of the miraculous. It contributes to a wave of religious horror that ponders the limits of belief and the harm crowds can inflict on vulnerable. Ending lingers, prompting viewers to weigh faith against skepticism.