Master 2022

Narvel Roth, a meticulous horticulturist at the stunning Gracewood Gardens, has always sought solace from his troubled past through the delicate art of gardening and ritualistic journaling, believing it represents “a belief in the future.” The estate, owned by the affluent dowager Mrs. Haverhill, is the focal point of his life. However, she decides to change his routine when she orders him to mentor her recently orphaned grandniece, Maya, to ensure the gardens remain “in the family.”

Initially resistant to the idea of being trained by Roth, Maya’s relationship with Mrs. Haverhill is strained, but as they navigate their new dynamic, a sense of closeness develops between her and Roth. The situation becomes perilous when Maya is assaulted by her drug dealer, R.G., prompting Roth to intervene by sending his case agent to intimidate him. In a moment of vulnerability, Maya attempts to seduce Roth, but he instinctively recoils when she tries to remove his shirt, afraid of exposing his hidden tattoos. Displeased by witnessing this encounter, Mrs. Haverhill fires them both in a fit of jealousy.

In defiance, Roth and Maya choose to leave together, making a stop at her apartment, where she indulges in one last high while Roth confronts R.G. and his ally Sissy. After spending days on the run, Roth slowly starts to unveil his guarded side to Maya, ultimately revealing his tattoos in their motel room—an unexpected shock for Maya. Unbeknownst to Maya, Roth carries a burdensome secret as a former White supremacist under witness protection due to his betrayal of his associates after refusing to harm a black preacher’s family. When Maya inquires about the tattoos’ removal, Roth assures her he will change, and that night, they share an intimate moment for the first time.

However, their newfound tranquility is shattered when Roth learns of vandalism at the gardens. They rush back to assess the damage, and Maya suspects R.G. and Sissy are behind it. Roth visits Mrs. Haverhill, cleverly disarming her of a WWII trophy Luger, which she intended to use for protection. That evening, driven by a need for justice, Roth and Maya confront R.G. and Sissy during a raucous party, reigniting the chaos with gunfire. While Roth hands Maya a gun, she chooses not to kill, leading Roth to enact violence by breaking their legs instead.

Returning to Gracewood Gardens, Roth confronts Mrs. Haverhill with a threefold proposal: returning her father’s Luger, rejuvenating the gardens, and declaring that he and Maya will now live together “as husband and wife”—an assertion she finds obscene. A standoff ensues, but when the unloaded Luger poses no threat, she reluctantly allows them to leave. In a moment of joy and freedom, Roth and Maya share a dance on the porch of his cabin nestled within the gardens, looking forward to their new life ahead.