Killing Faith (2025)
Director: Ned Crowley
Screenplay: Ned Crowley
Story by: Ned Crowley, David Martin
Stars: Guy Pearce, DeWanda Wise, Raoul Trujillo, Jamie Neumann, Jack Alcott, Joanna Cassidy, Emily Ford, Bill Pullman
Release date: October 3, 2025
Plot: In 1849, a recently freed slave believes her mysterious Caucasian daughter is possessed due to everything she touches dying and convinces a widowed physician to take them on a journey to find a distant faith healer.
* * *
Killing Faith (2025) | Transcript
[playing cards riffling]
[playing cards riffling]
[playing cards riffling]
[playing cards riffling]
[rider] Whoa.
[clears throat]
That him?
Yeah.
[gasps] How you know?
‘Cause I drug him around with my horse till he told me.
Looks like somebody ran away from home.
Somebody with a big mouth.
I’I’ll go back, talk to him.
Ain’t gonna matter none.
[inhales sharply] Alright.
Let’s get on with it, shall we?
I’I got money!
Ain’t enough.
How do you know?
It’s never enough.
Wait, wait!
I-I got something.
I-I got something real valuable.
Show me.
Where was that? They…
[muttering] Here we go.
I think I…Here it is.
[screaming]
[clicking]
Did you check his pockets?
This is your own damn fault, then, ain’t it?
And that goes for you, too.
No. God!
Close. But it ain’t God you got all riled up.
It’s worse.
[gunshot]
♪♪
[narrator] It’s said that a great sickness took hold of the country that summer of 1849… …taking Christian and heathen with equal justice… and killing horse, cow, and anything with four legs almost as swiftly as the outlaw John Glanton and his murderous gang, who were slaughterin’ their way across the Western territories in search of valuable scalp bounties. But this is not his story of evil. There was another.
[horse snorts]
No!
[horse grunts]
♪♪
That’s all I got.
We’ve been through this, Miss Abraham.
Worthington.
You know that well as the next.
You signed the papers.
Yes.
Miss Worthington.
Like I was saying, we’ve been through this.
And ain’t no one gonna escort you nowhere right now.
And that’s fact.
On account of me being a Slate?
Slate. Injun. Twoheaded Mexican. Don’t matter a shake.
It ain’t safe out there right now.
And you know that. No matter how much silver you got.
What about you?
Surely this town can survive five days without your steady hand on the tiller of justice, Deputy.
Acting Sheriff, Miss Worthington.
You know that well as the next.
Has been since Sheriff Buford went missin’.
She needs help.
Well, I’ll see to it Doc Steelbender comes to take a look at her as soon as he is fully conscious and in possession of his faculties.
Ain’t that right, Doc?
[muttering] Yeah.
Now, you know that’s not the kind of help I’m talking about.
I need to get her to Ross Corner.
How about it, Doc? Little paid excursion?
Look after Miss Worthington?
[Sarah] The man can’t look after himself.
[Sheriff]
And you can’t travel alone.
I’m not alone.
And how is she with a pistol?
Now, I suggest you take that little girl of yours home.
Before she causes a stir.
You know you’re not supposed to be in town with her.
It’s a superstitious lot we have here.
And you remember what happened the last time they got riled up.
Thank you for your time…Acting Sheriff.
[door opens]
[sighs]
[door closes]
♪♪
The food.
Do you for five or six days.
And you could fill the bladders out back where the pump is.
As long as she doesn’t touch anything.
[Sarah] Much appreciated.
I also need to get this telegraph to Ross Corner.
Alert the preacher that I’m on my way and in need of his assistance.
You are in touch with Ross Corner, are you not, Mr. Grayson?
I’ll see what I can do.
Oh. Miss Atwater.
Uh, pleased to see you.
I wish I could say the same.
Yes, well, we were just in town picking up a few supplies and–
Then you come alone. Or not at all.
That was the agreement.
Yes, ma’am.
You bring that…thing… into town one more time, and I’ll have you both strung up.
On charges, that is.
How’s the curing business, Doc?
Not as good as the dying business.
Well, at least the sickness seems to have abated.
It’s a shame it took so many.
What’s in Ross Corner?
Why don’t you ask her?
I don’t reckon I’m that curious.
Is that all there is?
Tell me, Bender.
What’s it like to be a doctor who can’t save a life?
I’ll let you know next time you find yourself sick.
[door closes]
♪♪
Would you like to recite us a little scripture, Edward?
Oh, I surely would, Miss Sarah, but you know I-I ain’t much of a reciter.
I’m more of a listener.
But y-you know what I heard the other day outside the general?
I heard this-this-this Tubman woman been–
She’s been building a railroad under the ground for-for years.
All this time, they’s been worried about the slaves escaping topside, and she just goes and builds aa railroad under the ground like that sure as sunrise.
Is that so?
It certainly is so.
Because the two gents playing checkers out on the porch said it was.
And I-I believe they was both speaking truth.
Although, I have to admit that the-the gent with the whiskers did seem to be using this conversation as a-as a distraction mechanism, which made the other gent miss several jumps and a kingme.
But I-I believed his words nonetheless.
And y-you know what else I heard?
How about we save the rest for morning?
It’s getting a little late.
I have some things to prepare.
[Edward] Yes, ma’am.
Come on, flapjack.
Let’s get you in your jammies so your mama can tuck you in all snug as a bug.
Which is a funny expression if you ask me, because I-I have never seen a snug bug.
Especially not in a rug, which is the part of the expression that I seem to have left off.
Alright.
I need you to get a good night’s sleep because we’re gonna go on a long trip and I need you to be brave, okay?
I need you to be a big girl.
How about a smile for mama?
[sighs]
♪♪
[exhales]
Papa?
[horses galloping]
I don’t feel right, Papa!
[gunshot] [gasps] Fell off your horse in the middle of town again, Doc.
Speaking in tongues like some kind of lunatic.
Yeah. Won’t-Won’t happen again.
No, it certainly will not.
Oh. Miss Atwater. What a–
What a pleasant surprise.
Mr. Steelbender.
Doctor.
Hm. Questionable.
Tell me. Why are you here?
Not this jail. We all know you are an inebriate.
Why here? This town?
I don’t know.
I suppose after the army, I wanted a clean start.
Tired of guns and killing people.
Seems you’ve succeeded in killing people without any guns, Mr. Steelbender.
Doctor.
Hm.
The town has decided it’s time you moved along.
The whole town decided that or is it just you?
I’m calling your note.
I ain’t behind.
You are now.
As of this minute.
Unless you can pay in full?
I thought not.
One week.
See to it that the good…doctor has departed by then.
Deputy.
Acting Sheriff.
Hm.
[door closes]
She can’t do that.
I’m afraid she can.
Well, I ain’t digging up my whole family for that old witch.
She ain’t the law.
She’s the bank. Even better.
Now, promise me you won’t go doing something stupid.
I can’t.
Why?
Where you off to?
To do something stupid.
[door opens]
[pounding]
[pounding]
[pounding]
[pounding]
I’m not a very good shot, but I reckon at this range I don’t have to be.
[Bender] I’d rather not test that theory. It’s Bender.
Well, what do you want?
[Bender]
To take you up on your offer.
We can leave at sunrise, but I expect half up front.
Sunrise it is!
♪♪
[chuckles softly]
♪♪
Come on! We gotta go! Let’s get a move on!
[Edward] Gotcha!
What are you doing here, you scoundrel?!
Get off me!
Don’t you lie to me.
‘Cause I saw you sneaking around here last night like some kind of nefarious character!
I-I even recognize your voice on account that I’m a good listener.
Get off!
I bet you didn’t know there’s a little drum in each one of our ears.
Get off me, you idiot!
What did you call me?
Stop it! Please!
I called you an idiot!
No, hehe don’t mean no harm.
He works the farm.
This-This here is–
Edward. Edward T. Yacht.
Pleased to meet you. I…
Edward, um, that here’s Dr. Steelbender.
He’s agreed to escort me on a little journey, so I might be gone for a while.
Oh. G-Gone? Gone where?
Just keep doing what you’re doing. Alright?
And I need you to put these documents in a safe place.
They mean nobody can take our ranch away.
Well, why-why would anyone try as hotheaded a thing as that, Miss Sarah?
This here ranch, it’s yours, s-sure as sunrise.
Mr. Worthington, I mean, h-he gave it to you on his deathbed.
God rest his soul.
And now I’m bestowing it to you.
In case I don’t come back.
You understand?
Um…
I’m not certain I do, Miss Sarah.
Take good care of the ranch.
And if anybody asks any questions, show ’em these here papers.
I-I’m still struggling with something you said a couple phrases back.
I-I could have sworn you said, uh, “In case I don’t come back.”
And-And that-that just must be me misreading the verbal situation.
‘Cause y-you always come back, Miss Sarah.
S-Sure as sunrise.
Remember what I said, Edward.
Sweetpea, let’s get a move on, now!
Mr. Worthington said for me to look after you!
♪♪
What kind of name is that? Edward Yacht?
Name he came with.
The name he came with?
Mr. Worthington, uh, took him in after his wife passed.
Found him out living on the streets with the pigs.
Asked him his name. Edward goes…
“People call me idiot.”
Without raising an eyebrow, Mr. Worthington says, “Well, that’s a right proud name, but I don’t much care for nicknames like Eddie, so from here on out, your name’s gonna be Edward Yacht, not Eddie Yacht.”
Huh.
Mr. Worthington was a good man.
He could be.
Is that why you took his name?
Man frees his slaves, you take his name.
That’s the custom.
You know where we’re headed?
Mmhmm.
S-Somewhat.
I beg pardon.
Just you don’t strike me as much of a frontiersman.
I’m not much of a doctor, neither.
♪♪
[Sarah] Good girl.
You stay where I can see you. Alright?
So?
So what?
So we gonna talk about it?
There ain’t nothing to talk about.
I just never got to offer my condolences is all.
I mean, her taking her life like that.
Lord knows my Joseph was no saint, but your wife…
Your wife was a good woman.
Yeah. She was.
Until she wasn’t.
[Sarah] ♪ Fair as a lily,
joyous and free ♪
♪ Light of that prairie home,
was she ♪
♪ Everyone who knew her
felt the gentle power ♪
♪ Of Rosalie
the prairie flower ♪
What’s so important in Ross Corner?
Come on, now, Doctor.
Everyone within a hundred miles knows about my little girl.
And you think the doctor there is gonna help?
No.
If I thought a doctor could help, I would have taken her to you.
Going to see Preacher Ross.
What, and he’s gonna cure her?
He gonna save her.
He’s got the touch.
She’s got the devil.
A powerful one. Make no mistake.
You sound like those crackpots in town.
She’s a carrier is all.
You’re smart to keep those hand covers on her.
Keep the sickness contained.
But she’s no more wicked than you or me.
You don’t believe in the devil, Doctor?
I wish I did. Then maybe I’d believe in the good Lord, too.
Just tall tales and fiction designed to get us through the night.
No better than a campfire.
Hmm.
[humming]
[gun cocks]
Toss your steel this way, and things won’t get a mess.
Gibson!
Took you long enough.
Button it.
Alright. Let’s get you over to your…your proper owner.
Ain’t his nothing.
I’m a free woman.
Well.
Well, you hear that, Gibson?
She’s a–
She’s a free woman.
Free as a feather.
Well, I reckon you’re free… you’re free to go, then.
Ain’t that right?
Didn’t think so.
She’s a quiet one.
What’s wrong with you, little bird? Cat got your tongue?
[gasps] Oh, they wanna stand.
Okay. Stand. Come on. Stand. Stand up!
Okay.
Toss your food bag.
Toss it to him.
Now the water.
Now…
Take off them clothes.
[horse neighs] Seems your ears are workin’.
All of it.
Alright.
We’re gonna take your things.
But we’re gonna leave your horses so you can get on home.
‘Cause that’s what a mannered person does.
But to make sure you ain’t gonna follow, we’re gonna take this little bird with us.
No! [grunts]
[gasping]
I always wanted me a little girl.
I’m very womanly in that way.
Don’t.
You wait a day.
We’re gonna let her loose by the ravine about two miles west of here.
But iffin you come lookin’ for her before, let’s just say… there ain’t gonna be much left to find.
And that is a promise, bullet to Bible.
You call yourself a woman?
Maybe I do.
Maybe I don’t.
Perhaps you’d prefer iffin I was a man.
Is that it?
Go on. Show me.
Go ahead.
Go on.
Please.
Please.
[laughs] Calm yourself.
We ain’t gonna take her to the ravine.
We’re gonna drop her in it.
No.
[Edward] Gotcha!
[grunting]
God damn, fuck.
Go on, git!
[screams]
[fire crackling]
[Sarah gasps]
[Sarah inhaling sharply]
It’s gonna be tender for a while.
Turn over.
That’s the best I can do without any water.
She take everything?
Yeah.
We’ll find some on the way.
We’re turning back.
What you mean?
Ain’t no quitting over a couple thieves.
They weren’t thieves. Thieves wouldn’t leave those horses.
They were after your girl.
[Sarah] Why? Why-Why would they be after her?
I don’t know.
Maybe you should ask him.
[Sarah] Think he’s alright?
[Bender]
It was his choice to follow.
[Sarah] I just want to make sure he’s okay.
[Bender] He had the wind knocked out of him is all.
Which, of course, don’t mean he’s okay.
[Sarah chuckles]
[Edward]
You know what else I heard?!
A few years back, the United States government laid claim to a place at the top of the world called Ant-Artrica!
And that-that entire country is made of ice!
Imagine that?
A whole country made of ice?
I-I say we bring some of that ice down here right now, and then we’d all have us plenty of water.
That’s what I say.
‘Cause, you know, you know, you know, ice is just frozen water!
Maybe you should save your breath, Edward!
[Edward]
Don’t you worry, Miss Sarah!
I-I can peddle this here bone shaker all day iffin I have to, and it seems I do at the moment.
Cannot ride a horse if the heavens depended on it.
AAs I mentioned, in truth, there weren’t a horse on the farm that weren’t–
Yah!
…lying dead in the dirt.
You go right on ahead, Doc Steelbender!
I-I can keep up as long as I can see you!
I’m pretty good at following tracks.
♪♪
She needs water.
Well, we ain’t gonna find none standing idle.
I might climb that butte and take a look around.
You wait here for the simpleton.
Edward.
Right. Mr. Yacht.
[grunting]
[grunting, panting]
[panting]
[breathing heavily]
[bottle opens]
[liquid pours]
[inhales deeply]
♪♪
Annie?
Think it was the Indians did that?
I don’t think nothin’.
All’s I know is we need to find a different way around.
Hm.
Won’t make it another day in this heat.
I’m aware of the situation.
Weren’t your fault, you know.
I used to blame myself, thinking there was something I did to drive him into her arms, but…they was just moths to a flame is what I think.
I’d rather not discuss the matter.
You think that’s gonna make like it didn’t happen?
What, put a feed bag over your head? Well, it did.
Weren’t your fault and weren’t mine. Was his and hers.
Well, they surely paid for it, didn’t they?
I’m sorry.
She couldn’t look me in the eye once the shame set in.
I had to pry this out of her fingers when I found her by the river.
I can still smell that gunpowder in her hair.
Hm.
Ain’t no running from it, is it?
I think that’s why I left that old noose up all these years.
My way of atoning.
To the lynch mob?
To you.
We–
You best sleep. I’ll keep a look.
♪♪
[blade scraping]
[blade scraping]
That’s it.
There we are.
That’s all I got, I’m afraid.
Yeah?
I just want to take a look inside your mouth.
Can you open up your mouth for me?
I’m not gonna hurt ya.
I’ll tell you what. If you let me take a little peek…
I’ll… I’ll let you hold this for a little while.
Used to belong to someone very special to me.
Can I take a look inside your mouth?
It’s not gonna be hurt.
There we go.
[Sarah] Doctor!
Found a way around!
[grunts] Get up!
♪♪
[Edward] Hey! Y-You ever hear about t-the game they play up in New York City?!
In their pajamas?
[breathlessly]
Seems a bunch of grown men stand around in-in a field whacking a ball with a stick.
Just running around like schoolchildren.
Call themselves the-the Knickerbockers.
I examined her, you know.
Told you. Ain’t that kind of sickness.
Well, I didn’t see any sign of the devil, neither.
Now you’re just trying to get a rise.
People come from all over, pay money to watch ’em do it.
It’s like-like going to the circus to see a– see a two-headed goat.
All I know is… some preacher hocuspocus ain’t gonna make a damn bit of difference.
I heard he healed a bullet hole just by touching it.
Tall tales and fiction.
[Edward] Now, if you have a–
If a two-headed goat could whack a ball with a stick, t-that’d be something I’d pay to see.
Especially if it was… w-wearing…pajamas…
[Sarah] Edward!
He’s gonna be alright, ain’t he?
[Bender] Here.
Breathe this in.
Breathe it in. Breathe it in.
[coughs]
You alright?
Sorry, Doc.
I do tend to go on a bit, don’t I?
[sighing]
♪♪
[guitar strumming]
Excuse us.
[strumming stops]
We’re looking for some water.
Well, now, that’s something we have plenty of.
Stanton, get these folks some water.
Can’t you see they’re about to drop?
[slurps]
Easy, now. Not so fast.
[Edward coughs]
There, now. Little girl’s got the hang of it.
We appreciate your hospitality.
Oh, there’s plenty of food there for everyone… but not till it’s cooked and ready.
Got enough troubles without everyone getting food-sick.
[squelching]
What’s wrong with them?
Well…
Emma there, my niece… just seen too much life, the best I can describe it.
Stanton…
[squelching]
Well, he’s my eldest, and…
I just got tired of looking at him, I suppose.
You know, he got the sickness a while back and just keeps getting worse and worse.
Don’t know how much longer he’s got, but judging by the liquid oozing out of him, I’d say…maybe a week or two.
Ain’t that right, Stanton?
[Stanton grumbles]
Well… now that we’re all acquainted…
If you don’t mind, I’d like you to put your weapons over there near the barrel.
That’s where we keep ours when they’re not in use.
Uh, I might hang on to mine, if you don’t mind.
Got some sentiment attached to that?
It’s the last thing my wife ever held.
Well, we can’t take that away from a man, now, can we?
If you don’t mind, Stanton will hold onto his, too.
Got some sentiment there as well.
Ain’t that right, Stanton?
[Stanton grumbles]
Well, look at us.
All civilized and such.
Name’s Maggie.
Now, I’d ask yours, but I have a feeling I wouldn’t get a straight answer.
Much appreciated.
What brings you out this way, ma’am?
Well, them horses.
Till they died and we ate ’em.
[laughing]
[Stanton laughs]
[Maggie]
You have to forgive an old woman a piece of humor.
There ain’t been much to talk to out here.
No, we come out west for gold.
Well, I-I know all about thethe rush for gold.
I-I heard inin February a whole boatload of people pulled right up onon the sands of Frisco and dropped to all fours and just started digging before they even had a proper meal or washed their armpits.
Yes. Gold fever. Mmhmm.
We caught it, as well.
Started out with 12 wagons, a proper family.
Now it’s just us.
Got plenty of water, but…
That there is last of the food.
What happened?
Well, I’m not so sure where to start on that. I…
We survived two onslaughts.
The first one… most of the men was killed.
Just outright butchered.
Being scalped is probably as close to being raped as a man will ever get.
Just having the flesh ripped off the top of your head like that?
Them Injuns is an inhuman set of creatures, you ask me.
The second attack was worse.
Mostly because it was inflicted on us by white men.
Descended on us like a posse from hell… just whoopin’ and hollerin’.
Worse than any Injun.
Leader had black eyes.
Like a doll.
They raped all the women.
Killed all the horses.
Maybe they raped the horses, too. Wouldn’t surprise me.
But they left us alone on account of Stanton.
It seems like the one thing that everybody respects is the sickness.
[Stanton coughing]
And then…
They just vanished.
They took all the scalps they could collect and disappeared like vapor.
Never knew who they were.
Maybe they was ghosts.
Just gonna relieve myself.
I think the good Lord sent you to us. That’s what I think.
And I think that with some food in your belly and a good night’s sleep… we’re gonna be like one big family.
That’s what I think.
[inhales deeply]
Here you go, darlin’.
Bless you.
And there’s some for you.
Thank you.
And you come on with me. Ooh!
Oh. No, no.
That’s fine. She’s, uh…
Now, you’re not gonna deny an old woman the small pleasure of holding a child.
My goodness. There you go.
Alright.
Now let us give thanks.
[sniffs]
[girl, echoing] Papa? [Maggie] Amen.
Amen.
Don’t eat that.
Leave it.
[Stanton grumbles]
What’s wrong?
Nothing’s wrong.
We’re just leaving is all.
[Maggie] It appears that your friend ain’t too fond of my cookin’.
I don’t blame him.
Emma ain’t too fond of it, neither. Poor girl.
There was no choice!
It was God’s truth!
[Sarah gasps]
Gather up the girl, and let’s be on our way.
[Maggie] No, you sit down right where you are!
And I’d appreciate you not pointing your gun at my son.
Now, the fact of the matter is, you may get a shot off before he does in his current state of affairs, but not before I twist this little rabbit’s neck.
And I can assure you… my state of affairs is quite acute.
[Stanton grumbles]
[Maggie]
Intelligent decision.
We may make it out west after all. Ain’t that right, Stanton?
[Stanton grumbles]
In the morning… we’re gonna hitch up our horses.
And who knows, maybe your huntin’ luck is better than ours, and we won’t have to resort to any…unfortunate measures.
Now, you best be grateful.
A less refined group of individuals might simply choose to leave you behind to…
[squelching]
Leave you behind to…
[squelching]
[Stanton] Mama?
[Maggie groaning]
[Stanton] Mama!
[Maggie gagging]
[Stanton] What’d you do?
What’d you do to her?!
[Maggie retching, coughing]
Mama!
[knife slices]
Ooh.
[Maggie coughing]
Pardon the intrusion.
[Maggie retching]
I suggest we depart immediately.
[Maggie] Come back!
[gagging, vomiting]
You sheep fucker
Ohh!
[Maggie retching, vomiting]
♪♪
[buzzards crying]
We call this “irony.” [chuckles] I thought it was a buzzard.
[laughs]
[William] Thank you again for allowing me to accompany you.
Oh. We’re the ones should be grateful.
Is it, uh, “Chief”?
William. William Shakespeare.
Is that so?
[William] It is.
[Sarah chuckles]
Why have you been tracking us, Mr. Shakespeare?
I needed traveling companions, preferably white.
Safer that way.
What happened to your people?
My people vanquished me.
I thought when Injuns vanquish you, they do it with a blade.
You are a suspicious man.
Only when it comes to Injuns.
I assure you, it’s not the “Injuns” you should be concerned about.
[Sarah]
[gasps] Oh, my God.
Oh. Uh, forgive me.
It’s quite alright, ma’am.
The Quechan are, for the most part, peaceful farmers.
When they took me in, they were dazzled by my verbal skills.
Thought I could protect them.
But they were wrong.
There was no negotiating with the White Riders.
Only running.
And after the slaughter, my people banished me.
Said I could not return unless I bring stronger magic.
[Edward]
W-What kind of magic?
Bakotahl.
What’s a…Bakotahl?
[William]
More of a “who,” lad.
Bakotahl is the evil half of the great Quechan creator Kokomaht.
His…dark twin, if you will.
Legend has it that Bakotahl was born blind, and this angered him, so he unleashed a great evil onto the world and then disappeared into hiding.
The Quechan believe that Bakotahl still walks amongst us in disguise, and, if captured, his spirit can be harnessed as a powerful magic.
A living talisman, if you will.
Well, perhaps that magic talisman of yours can find us some water.
Wait here.
I don’t trust him.
You don’t trust nobody.
You know, the first time I-I saw an Injun, I wasShut up.
[Edward] [laughs]
Whoo! Come on, flapjack!
Last one in’s a rotten road apple!
[Edward laughs]
Gonna have to be quicker than that. [gasps] Ohh! [laughs]
[William]
Ah. These will make a fine stew.
No shepherd’s pie, mind you.
You’re probably wondering about my history, Dr. Steelbender.
[Bender]
Don’t really concern me.
[William] Don’t come across many Indians who speak proper English, I’ll wager.
[Bender] I’ve not come across many English who speak proper English, neither.
[William]
[laughs] Wit.
You would do well in London, sir.
[Bender]
Is that where you’re from?
[William] My village was raided by trappers back when I was a boy.
French. Horrible people.
Never bathe, far as I could tell.
They rounded us up and sold us to the British.
“Red savages,” they called us.
I ended up in the custody of a naval officer named Wilkinson.
Went to work in the manor.
His wife was so kind to me.
On Sundays, she used to teach me the king’s tongue.
“If you’re going to live with us, you’re gonna be a proper gentleman,” she used to say.
Even named me after her favorite author.
[Bender] Well, like I said, it don’t really concern me.
♪♪
[sighs]
I-I didn’tI didn’t mean nothing.
I-I swear. I…
Y-You know that, right?
I’d tear my heart out for your ma.
Would just teartear it right out, I would.
[William] I suggest you keep your sidearm dry.
I’ve seen a wet pistol blow a man’s hand clean off.
You don’t much care for my kind, do you, Doctor?
Well, on the contrary.
If it weren’t for Injuns, I wouldn’t be able to put food on the table.
[William chuckles]
There’s not a lot of money in doctorin’, but there’s certainly money in making chains to lock up Injuns.
Bit of a blacksmith, are you, Doctor?
When I have to be.
There. See? Now we’re having a right proper conversation.
There’s an old Quechan saying “Even the stiffest reed will eventually bend to the wind.”
We have a saying, too.
“Some steel don’t bend.”
[wings flapping]
♪♪
Everything alright, Edward?
I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you this quiet.
I’m just tired is all, Miss Sarah.
Well, here. Have some stew.
Our friend made it special.
Thank you, ma’am.
Alright. Eat up. Get some rest.
We’ll be at Ross Corner soon enough.
[inhales deeply]
[Sarah] Here you are.
Oh. Thank you.
[Sarah] Mmhmm.
[grunts]
[Sarah sighs]
It’s pretty good.
Needs a little something.
Uh-huh.
[Bender chuckles]
Never claimed to be a lady. Hm.
I don’t– I don’t drink.
Well, aren’t you full of surprises, Dr. Steelbender?
I promised my daughter.
And “Bender” is fine.
Alright. Bender.
Where’s Chief William?
I don’t know. He’s out there somewhere taking watch.
Still don’t trust him?
Nope.
[laughs] Well, he hasn’t killed us yet.
So that’s something.
[Sarah] Mmhmm.
I’ll wager you believe me now.
About what?
The old woman. My girl.
I believe people get sick.
And judging by her companions, I’d say she was carrying for a while.
You got it all figured out, don’t you?
Well-Well, all except him.
Why are you so attached to that halfwit?
I got my reasons.
Uh-huh.
And don’t you call him no halfwit.
I’m just sayin’ a fact.
He’s sweet on you, you know.
Don’t be silly.
Well, a man has eyes…
What make you such an expert on people?
‘Cause I’m a doctor.
I have a certificate and everything.
Mmhmm. Mm-kay.
You’re such an expert on people, why you ain’t got more of them around?
Ah.
I forgot myself. I’m sorry.
It don’t matter.
It’s, uh…
It’s hard to say.
Edward…
Was right after they hanged my Joseph.
Sheriff Buford came callin’.
Asked who was responsible for such a crime.
Like he ain’t know.
Said we should pray together.
That God would see justice done.
So we knelt.
Prayed in silence.
Next thing I know, I’m on all fours.
With the good sheriff behind me serving up a dose of God’s justice.
He would have killed me after.
If it weren’t for Edward.
We buried him in the foothills.
Edward and me.
The sheriff’s disappearance became a mystery, and…
Nine months later, had me that baby girl.
White as chalk on bone.
Townsfolk whispered, but they…
They pretty much let us be.
Until people and animals started dying, and… the truth about my little girl started spreading.
No more truth than the lies coming out of Ross Corner.
What is the matter with you?
Why’d you even come with us?!
I told you. I needed the money.
Oh, you needed the money?
You needed the money?
Then here. Take it!
I relieve you of your contract.
[sniffles]
I understand trying all you can to save what’s yours.
That, I couldn’t do.
[coins jingle]
[inhales sharply]
I’d tear my heart out… for her.
You…
You know I…
I would.
[thud]
♪♪
[both groan]
[Bender]
Oh, my God. Oh, my…
[sniffs]
He said it right to our face.
She’s his goddamn talisman!
Hey! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!
We gotta go.
We gotta go. He took her.
He took her.
Who? Who?
We-We gotta find her.
Edward?!
No! Come on. Come on.
No!
He’s gone. Let’s go.
♪♪
[both panting]
[Sarah panting]
[scraping]
[Bender grunting]
[Sarah sobs]
It was them bounty hunters, most likely.
‘Course.
Unless it was another tribe.
‘Course.
Least he got his due.
The chief.
Not like the boy did that to himself.
‘Course.
Come on, sweetpea.
Let’s get you all washed up.
Come on. Come to Mama.
Good girl.
Ohh…
Don’t go too far.
Just taking her down to the river.
[grunting]
[panting]
♪♪
No!
[Sarah whimpers]
Stop! She’s just a girl!
[whispers] Has to be.
[Bender] Sarah!
And we both know it.
Sarah! Stop!
Stop! Aah!
[groaning]
Sarah!
[Bender grunting]
[Bender groaning, panting]
[coughing]
[groaning]
[clanging]
That’s far enough, now.
You just turn right back around.
Take that unholy creature with you.
Please.
“Please” don’t work here.
If you noticed…
I didn’t use the word.
Now, you best retreat.
And don’t let her touch nothin’ on the way out!
[man] Sheriff!
[rattling]
Alright. That’s enough posturin’ for one day.
Can’t you see this fella’s in need of some hospitality?
Welcome! I’m Ross.
Preacher Ross or Doc Ross.
Whichever you prefer.
It makes no difference in the eyes of the Lord.
And I answer to both.
I’m-I know who you are, Doctor.
And I know why you’ve come.
Let us help you.
We can carry this weight.
Fine. Yes.
As you will. Alright.
Now, you all know this child.
And you’ve heard all the stories.
But this girl is not to be feared.
In truth, she’s to be praised.
For she carries in her all that is wicked in this world, and she soaked it in like a sponge.
So, yes, this girl should be praised, for what she has contained… is the devil himself.
And come tomorrow in our church, I shall release her from this evil… through the righteous power these hands have been granted!
You all know this power!
Do it now.
Cure her or kill her!
Makes no difference.
Preacher said tomorrow!
My predilection is today.
It’s alright.
We’re a family here, so… let’s put it to a vote.
All in favor of Willard’s predilection here?
Huh?
No?
Then it’s settled!
Tomorrow it is.
Now I want you all to go and pray, for I need every ounce of faith come morning.
Come, Doctor. You’ll be comfortable in our home.
♪♪
[tuts]
She’ll just be over here, you know? Right in eyesight.
Here.
Your mama fixed, uh… fixed him for ya.
She loves you very much, no matter what.
[Ross]
There we are. Almost done.
[chuckles] There you go.
Here. Go ahead.
[groans] No.
What? [chuckles] No bad habits, Doctor?
I got plenty of those.
That’s right. Um…
Perhaps then instead you might prefer… a little of this?
You see… that is the wonder of modern invention.
Right here.
You ask it questions, and it answers.
[clicking]
I believe that one day everyone will have one of these devices in their home.
And who knows… maybe even we’ll walk around with them, tapping out messages.
I don’t know what your play is, Ross.
All I know is I made a promise to that young girl’s mother.
Oh. I-I’m very sorry. I…
Yes. These are simple people, and I…
But I don’t often have an occasion to converse with someone of intellect and reason.
As you can see, my confidant, he’s not much on idle conversation.
He had his tongue cut out when he was a boy.
There is such evil in this world.
I’m not particularly one for evil.
Hmm.
Sure.
[chuckles]
This girl… she simply has a sickness.
Just as your poor daughter did.
Right? Am I right?
That’s right.
I will tell you, Doctor.
And others here will attest to this.
Miracles do happen.
[scoffs softly] And I have seen them.
These hands… have been part of them.
I’m sure you’ve heard my stories.
Just as I heard of yours.
Tall tales and fictions.
Yeah.
Faith is the currency of fools.
That’s your belief.
Am I right, Doctor?
[chuckles]
Well, what if you’re wrong?
What if there is evil in this world?
I’m not saying bad men.
I am saying true evil.
Evil of the purest form.
Well, doesn’t that also mean there is good?
Well, if there’s shadow, there must be a light.
And if there is a hell, then there must be a heaven.
And if you can accept this, your loved ones, your dear daughter… she’s not dead and gone.
She’s here.
She’s living eternal. And she’s at peace.
Can you allow yourself just that flicker of hope, you know, for the briefest moment?
Could you also allow yourself to believe, to hope, to even… even pray for evil?
I promise you.
Tomorrow we shall free that girl.
And in the aftermath… you shall believe… anew.
On that… you have my word.
Bullet to Bible.
Tomorrow.
“Bullet to Bible”?
[grunts]
[wagon rolling]
[muffled voices]
[body thuds]
[Bender groans]
Where’s the girl?
She’s sleeping.
No. No, no. It don’t–
It don’t have to be…
[Ross] Yeah, I’m afraid it does, Doctor.
I-I tried to keep it from coming to this.
I sent Miss White here to keep that girl from ever showing up on my doorstep.
Well, we all know how that turned out, don’t we?
She’s just a girl.
[Ross] Yeah.
I’ve got a whole town full of people that believes that she’s the devil.
They’re fools.
[Ross] On that we both agree.
But how’s it gonna look when I wave my hands over that little thing… and then a week later, a flock of sheep just drop dead… a child gets ill… schoolmarms just start choking up blood?
The good people of this community will think me a charlatan and string me up.
There is one thing that I do believe, Doctor.
The ignorant.
You never fear the ignorant getting smart.
You fear the ignorant getting scared.
Please. We’ll disappear.
Oh, oh, no.
It’s too late for that.
“Cure her or kill her.”
You-You heard it yourself.
Since I can’t cure her…
…I got this.
You evil son of a bitch.
[chuckles] Come, Doctor.
We both know there’s no evil.
There’s just very bad men.
[tutts]
[thudding]
I say we put a bullet in him.
The desert does the killing, Miss White.
We merely set things in motion.
[groaning]
[gasping]
Well, look who it is.
You should be asleep, child.
It’s late. Here.
Come on. Get up on here.
There we go.
[laughs]
You know…
Why don’t I read you a story, huh?
You like stories, don’t you? Hm?
Yeah.
My father, he used to read to me when I couldn’t sleep.
You know?
Ah, back…
That was a long, long time ago.
Yes.
Back when things were simpler.
Hm? Oh!
Now, look. Now, that is one of my favorites.
Alright. Here we go.
[gasping]
[girl] Ain’t your fault.
[Bender] Annie.
You did the best you could.
Well, I couldn’t… I couldn’t save you.
You tried.
But I lost you.
And I lost your mother.
Everyone.
What was it you always told me?
About being a Steelbender?
That some steel don’t bend.
So break it.
[screams]
[bones crack]
[grunting]
♪♪
[clicking]
What the hell is that?
[clicking]
The sheriff wants to know if we’re in the need of more reliable security.
Tell that fuckin’ gimp he’s a fuckin’ gimp.
[Bender grunts]
Yeah…
[Bender grunting]
You’re alive.
Hardly.
How did you find me?
You’re an easy horse to track.
Well…
My sweetpea. Where is she?
Is she alright?
She-She will be.
Oh, God forgive me.
Uh, I-I don’t know what came over me.
That wasn’t you.
Wasn’t it?
I’m the one should be in that pit.
Stop it. That’s idiot talk.
We–
Come on.
I-I can’t.
I can’t. I can’t. Not…
She’s your daughter.
I can’t!
You go.
Please go.
[match strikes]
♪♪
[coyote howling in distance]
[cigarette lands]
[gun clicking]
[thud]
[groans]
[squishing]
[creaking]
[gun cocks] Don’t.
Throw it over here.
[laughing]
Well, well, well!
Look what the cat
[gasps]
[thud]
[clicking]
You gonna shoot me, Doctor?
I’m not a killer.
I think Miss White would beg to differ.
The sheriff’s on his way.
We’ll be gone. Wake up.
She’s already gone, Doctor.
[Bender] Wake up.
Wake up. Wake up.
Wake–
Come on.
Hey. Here. Breathe this in.
Yeah. See? There-There was a glimmer of hope.
Quiet!
[Ross]
T-There’s no shame in it.
I saw it in your eyes.
Please. Please.
Clear as day.
I said quiet!
[chuckles]
Look.
Doctor. [chuckling] It’s another miracle.
You stay right there.
Yes. They move.
Who are you?
Oh, I’ve been so many different people.
I kind of lose track.
Who are you?
Oh.
That’s right. You’re a poor man.
You don’t have any family, do you?
Don’t you come any closer.
And that… that is too much for one soul to bear.
Is there a comfort… possible for you now?
Is there?
No comfort?
Ah!
It’s a shame that it has to come to this.
[grunts]
[cork pops]
[spits]
Once word gets out about what you’ve done here, taking that little girl’s life like you did, they’re going to have to take yours… and they’re gonna put this evil to rest.
[Bender grunting]
There you go.
[Bender grunting weakly]
No. There’s no need to beg.
No. No begging.
[Bender grunts weakly]
There’s some things I’ve grown immune to.
So have I.
[Ross grunting]
[grunts]
Ho-ho!
You’re gonna need that chair now.
Oh! God damn!
[Ross cackles]
Come on. Come on.
Come on. Come on.
[flames flaring]
[gurgling]
[Bender] Oh, no.
[crying] No.
[flames flaring]
[Bender breathing heavily]
[flames crackling]
[inhales sharply]
[flames whooshing]
[Ross gurgling]
[door thuds]
[Leg Splint] Ross!
[pounding on door]
[Ross laughing]
[laughing and mumbling]
[pounding on door]
[Leg Splint] Ross!
[Ross mumbling]
[Leg Splint] Ross!
Ross!
[Ross laughing]
[pounding on door]
[Leg Splint] Ross!
[Ross laughing weakly]
[laughter stops]
[pounding on door]
[Leg Splint] Ross!
[gun cocks]
[pounding on door]
[Bender sobs]
[girl humming]
[humming]
[humming]
[humming]
[humming]
[humming]
[pounding on door]
[Ross gurgles]
[echoing]
I don’t feel right, Papa.
No! No! No!
[gunshot]
[thud]
[Sarah panting]
[narrator] Some say the ghost of Preacher Ross still walks these hills. Others say he wriggled away, like a worm cut into pieces. But I couldn’t tell you, and I was witness. And in truth, perhaps we need people like him in this world. The horror they inflict. For their very existence, be it truly evil or not, may be the only hope that tethers us to proof of the divine.
♪♪
♪ You better watch out ♪
♪ The devil’s gonna get you
one of these days ♪
♪ One of these days,
you better watch out ♪
♪ The devil’s gonna get you
one of these days ♪
♪ By and by ♪
♪ He’s a liar
and a pretender, too ♪
♪ If you ain’t careful,
he’ll conjure you ♪
♪ You better watch out ♪
♪ The devil’s gonna get you
one of these days ♪
♪ Hey, you done let
your beard grow out ♪
♪ And I know
what it’s all about ♪
♪ Keep that Bible
out your hand ♪
♪ I know you’re
no preacher man ♪
♪ You better watch out ♪
♪ The devil’s gonna get you
one of these days ♪
♪ One of these days,
you better watch out ♪
♪ The devil’s gonna get you
one of these days ♪
♪ By and by ♪
♪ He’s a liar
and a pretender, too ♪
♪ If you ain’t careful,
he’ll conjure you ♪
♪ You better watch out ♪
♪ The devil’s gonna get you
one of these days ♪
♪ One of these days ♪
♪ You got on
your frocktail coat ♪
♪ And the collar back
was around your throat ♪
♪ A high silk hat
and a walkin’ cane ♪
♪ Looks to me like
you’s going insane ♪
♪ You better watch out ♪
♪ The devil’s gonna get you
one of these days ♪
♪ One of these days,
you better watch out ♪
♪ The devil’s gonna get you
one of these days ♪
♪ By and by ♪
♪ He’s a liar
and a pretender, too ♪
♪ If you ain’t careful,
he’ll conjure you ♪
♪ You better watch out ♪
♪ The devil’s gonna get you
one of these days ♪
♪ One of these days ♪
♪ You better stop
your gambling ♪
♪ And telling
all your big lies ♪
♪ ‘Cause a lowdown hypocrite,
I sure do despise ♪
♪ You better watch out ♪
♪ The devil’s gonna get you
one of these days ♪
♪ One of these days,
you better watch out ♪
♪ The devil’s gonna get you
one of these days ♪
♪ By and by ♪
♪ He’s a liar
and a pretender, too ♪
♪ If you ain’t careful,
he’ll conjure you ♪
♪ You better watch out ♪
♪ The devil’s gonna get you
one of these days ♪
♪ One of these ♪
♪ Days ♪
♪♪
♪♪
