The Order 2003

Alex Bernier, portrayed by Heath Ledger, is initiated into a secretive group of priests known as the Carolingians. Following the enigmatic death of the Order’s leader, Alex is dispatched to Rome by a fellow priest, Driscoll (Peter Weller), to uncover the truth behind this peculiar demise. The deceased bears distinctive markings on his chest that hint at the existence of a Sin Eater, played by Benno Fürmann. As Alex delves deeper into his investigation, he learns that the Sin Eater is a supernatural being who transcends time; the current one dates back to the Renaissance. This figure offers absolution and last rites, providing a pathway to Heaven for individuals the Church has deemed unworthy for conventional spiritual redemption.

To aid him in this complex undertaking, Alex turns to his old friend, Father Thomas Garrett, portrayed by Mark Addy, and a troubled artist named Mara, a character brought to life by Shannyn Sossamon, whom he previously exorcised. Thomas seeks advice from a cryptic hooded figure who seems to lead a pagan cult lurking in the depths of Rome. This figure reveals the way to locate the otherworldly Sin Eater. Eventually, the Sin Eater, William Eden, contacts Alex at St. Peter’s Cathedral. During their encounter, Eden shares his backstory and shows Alex the ritual involved in being a Sin Eater, hoping to persuade him to take on this eternal burden.

Conflicted by his feelings, Alex confronts his love for Mara and ultimately chooses to abandon his priestly vows for her. However, Eden ruthlessly eliminates Mara, seeing her as the sole barrier to Alex’s acceptance of the Sin Eater’s role. Fueled by rage and sorrow, Alex resolves to kill Eden, believing he can eliminate the Sin Eater’s influence. Yet, in that moment of vengeance, he unwittingly completes the rite of succession to become the Sin Eater himself.

The story reaches a dramatic climax with Alex answering Driscoll’s call for absolution. To his shock, he learns that Driscoll, the head of the pagan sect and an outcast from the Vatican, plans to end his own life. When Alex arrives instead of Eden, he forces Driscoll to confront his sins, resulting in the latter’s damnation. The film closes with Alex’s haunting narration, revealing his new existence as the Sin Eater, wandering the earth to grant absolution to the deserving while denying it to the unworthy.