The Banishment 2018

In the gripping opening of the film, Mark finds himself at Alex’s home, seeking urgent assistance to extract a bullet from his arm. Fearing the repercussions of his criminal ties and police scrutiny at a hospital, Mark relies on Alex’s help. As Mark recuperates, he, along with Vera and their two children, embarks on a nostalgic trip to Alex’s idyllic childhood home in the countryside, bringing a sense of calm and tranquility. However, this peace shatters when Vera drops a bombshell—she is pregnant, but the child is not Alex’s. This revelation creates a growing rift between the couple, even as they strive to maintain appearances for the sake of their children and visiting friends.

Feeling lost and desperate for guidance, Alex seeks counsel from his brother Mark. On his way to meet Mark at the train station, Alex’s son Kir inadvertently reveals something troubling: their young friend Robert had been at their house during one of Alex’s work absences. This realization hits Alex hard, leading him to the conclusion that Robert is the true father of Vera’s unborn child. Meanwhile, Vera grows increasingly distant from Alex, haunted by the fear that Kir might emulate the criminal paths of Alex and Mark.

Ultimately, in a moment of desperation, Alex pressures Vera into having an abortion, convinced that eliminating this unwanted pregnancy will enable them to salvage their crumbling marriage. With their children safely occupied at a friend’s house, he coerces Mark to use his underworld connections to secure a doctor who can perform the procedure discreetly at their home. Tragically, after undergoing the abortion, Vera takes her own life by overdosing on pain medication. In the wake of her death, Alex and Mark hastily manage the funeral arrangements as rumors swirl throughout the countryside.

As they navigate the grieving process, Mark suffers a severe heart attack, yet stubbornly attends Vera’s funeral despite the doctor’s advice, passing away shortly after their return home. Alone and consumed by grief, Alex returns to the city with revenge in mind, planning to confront Robert. Falling asleep in his car outside Robert’s house, Alex is startled awake by Robert, who invites him inside. In this fateful moment, Alex reaches for the gun stowed away in his glove box, only to stumble upon an envelope revealing the results of Vera’s pregnancy test—alongside a letter penned by Vera.

In a poignant flashback, we learn of the turmoil surrounding Vera’s tragic circumstances. It is revealed that, days before, she had attempted suicide but was saved by Robert. The subsequent day, she discovered her pregnancy and confided in Robert, sharing her fears about the relationship with Alex, whom she felt distant from. She confesses that despite the pregnancy, it never truly felt like Alex’s baby, reflecting their profound lack of communication and emotional connection.