What Is The Banishment About?
The premise of The Banishment in 314 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the quiet lull of a countryside retreat, Alex brings his family back to the house of his childhood, a place where the rhythm of the seasons once promised simplicity. The rolling fields and weather‑worn homestead form a stark contrast to the tangled lives the characters carry with them, setting a tone that feels both nostalgic and unsettling. The idyllic setting acts as a silent witness to the fragile equilibrium of a marriage that has settled into routine, hinting that beneath the pastoral calm lies an emotional storm waiting to break.
When Vera shares news that shatters the couple’s expectations—a pregnancy that cannot be hers, at least not in the way they imagined—their world tilts on its axis. The revelation unfolds in a domestic sphere populated by two young children, old friends, and lingering ties to a past that refuses to stay buried. The film’s atmosphere leans heavily on restrained tension, allowing the audience to sense the weight of unspoken doubts and the pressure of maintaining appearances while internal doubts fester.
Against this backdrop, Alex finds himself seeking counsel from his brother Mark, a figure whose own history hints at a life lived on the edges of the law. Their conversations, set against the backdrop of the countryside’s enduring silence, draw out questions of loyalty, pride, and the lengths one might go to protect a fragile family. Meanwhile, the presence of Kir, an old acquaintance, adds another layer of complexity, suggesting that the past relationships and unresolved grievances may influence the choices ahead.
The story invites viewers to linger in the space between betrayal and redemption, letting the mood of the landscape and the subtle shifts in character dynamics suggest the possible paths—whether toward vengeance, forgiveness, or something in between. It is a portrait of a couple at a crossroads, with the weight of their decisions echoing far beyond the fields that surround them.
What Happens in The Banishment?
The complete story of The Banishment, from the first scene to the last, in 460 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
In the film’s opening scene, Mark comes to Alex’s house for help removing a bullet from his arm. Mark is wary of going to a hospital because of his criminal affiliations and the police inquiries which would result from visiting a public hospital. Mark recovers, and in the days that follow, Alex brings his wife Vera and their two children on a trip to his childhood home in the countryside. The serenity of the countryside is disrupted when Vera tells Alex that she is pregnant, but that this baby is not his. The rift between the couple widens, yet they try to maintain appearances in front of their children and the old friends who visit them.
Alex is unsure about what to do and turns to his brother Mark for advice. On the way to meet Mark at the train station, Kir reveals that Alex’s young friend Robert was at their house one day while Alex was away for work. Alex concludes that Robert is the baby’s father. Vera feels estranged from her husband and fears that Kir will follow in Alex and Mark’s criminal footsteps.
In the end, Alex forces Vera to have an abortion, hoping they will be able to rebuild their relationship and save their marriage once this unborn baby is out of the way. While their children are at a friend’s house, he enlists Mark’s criminal connections to find a doctor to perform the procedure in their own house. After the abortion, Vera commits suicide by overdosing on pain-relieving medication. Alex and Mark rush the funeral arrangements as gossip spreads quickly through the countryside. After returning home from the funeral parlour, Mark suffers a heart attack. Against the doctor’s advice, he attends Vera’s funeral but dies before he and his brother reach home.
Alex returns to the city alone and goes to Robert’s house with the intention of killing him. He falls asleep in his car outside the house and is awakened by Robert, who invites him in. As he retrieves the gun from the glove box, he discovers an envelope containing Vera’s pregnancy test results and a note from Vera on the back. The film then cuts to a flashback showing the time Robert came to Alex’s home while he was away. It is revealed that the day before, Vera had attempted suicide by overdosing on pills but was saved by Robert. The next day, Vera learns she is pregnant and confides in Robert, revealing that she never had an affair and that the baby was, in fact, Alex’s, even though she says it sometimes felt as though it wasn’t his since they hardly spoke. She also expresses concerns about having another baby in a relationship that had been marked by a lack of communication.
The Banishment Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Mark arrives to remove the bullet” to “Vera confides about pregnancy and truth to Robert”. 12 events name a place, across 9 locations.
- 1
Mark arrives to remove the bullet
In the opening scene, Mark arrives at Alex's house to have a bullet removed from his arm. Mark is wary of going to a hospital because of his criminal affiliations, fearing police attention. Alex tends to the wound and keeps the situation private, avoiding public hospital involvement.
When:Opening scene Where:Alex's house
- 2
Trip to the countryside with Vera and the kids
After Mark recovers, Alex takes Vera and their two children to his childhood countryside home. The trip offers a fragile moment of peace that is soon shadowed by Vera's news. The family tries to maintain appearances for visiting old friends and for the children.
When:Days after initial scene Where:Countryside home
- 3
Vera reveals pregnancy and it’s not his
During the countryside visit Vera tells Alex she is pregnant, but that the baby is not his. The revelation widens the rift between them and stirs guilt and doubt. They still attempt to present a united front to their children and to guests.
When:During the countryside trip Where:Countryside
- 4
Kir hints that Robert could be the father
On the way to meet Mark at the train station, Kir reveals that their young friend Robert was at Alex's house while Alex was away. Alex deduces that Robert could be the baby's father. This knowledge deepens his sense of betrayal and complicates his decisions.
When:On the way to meet Mark Where:On the road to the train station
- 5
Vera fears Kir following their path
Vera feels estranged from Alex and fears that Kir will follow them into the criminal life. The fear underscores the fragility of their family unit and the pressure of surrounding gossip begins to mount.
When:During the countryside trip Where:Countryside
- 6
Abortion arranged at home
Alex pressures Vera to terminate the pregnancy, hoping to salvage the marriage. He uses Mark's criminal connections to arrange a doctor who will perform the abortion at their own house. The intimate home setting makes the procedure feel immediate and perilous.
When:After the children are at a friend's house Where:Alex and Vera's house
- 7
Vera's suicide by overdose
Following the abortion, Vera overdoses on pain-relieving medication and dies. The tragedy sends shockwaves through the country village as gossip spreads. Alex and Mark begin funeral arrangements while grappling with their own guilt.
When:Immediately after abortion Where:Alex and Vera's house
- 8
Funeral arrangements and Mark's heart attack
Alex and Mark rush the funeral arrangements as rumors swirl through the countryside. After returning from the funeral parlour, Mark suffers a heart attack and dies shortly after. The community mourns as the brothers confront the consequences of their choices.
When:After Vera's funeral Where:Countryside
- 9
Alex confronts Robert and finds evidence
Alex returns to the city alone and goes to Robert's house with the intention of killing him. He falls asleep in his car outside, is awakened by Robert, and is invited in. As he reaches for a gun in the glove box, he discovers an envelope with Vera's pregnancy test results and a note from Vera on the back.
When:In the city after Mark's death Where:Robert's house
- 10
Flashback: Robert visits Alex's home
The film cuts to a flashback showing Robert visiting Alex's home while he was away. This memory hints at the closeness between Robert and the family and foreshadows the pregnancy link. It broadens the web of relationships surrounding Vera and the baby.
When:Previous day Where:Alex's home (flashback)
- 11
Flashback: Vera's suicide attempt and rescue
In another flashback, Vera attempts suicide by overdosing but is saved by Robert. This incident triggers a chain of revelations that culminate in Vera confiding more about her pregnancy. The rescue event marks a turning point in their complicated dynamic.
When:Previous day Where:Various locations (flashback sequence)
- 12
Vera confides about pregnancy and truth to Robert
Vera reveals to Robert that she is pregnant and that the baby is more likely Alex's, though she questions whether there was an affair at all. She expresses fear about having another child in a relationship strained by lack of communication. The revelation further complicates the moral landscape for all involved.
When:Day Vera learns of pregnancy (flashback) Where:Robert's home
Who Are the Main Characters in The Banishment?
5 characters, among them Vera (Maria Bonnevie), Alex (Konstantin Lavronenko) and Mark (Aleksandr Baluev): who each one is and the part they play in the story. 4 of them link to the actor’s page.
- V(
Vera (Maria Bonnevie)
Played by Maria Bonnevie
Vera is emotionally distant and torn between love, pregnancy, and the fear of an unsustainable marriage. Her reliance on appearances masks vulnerability as she grapples with the unborn child and suspicions about paternity. She seeks connection, but the lack of open communication drives drastic choices, including considering abortion. Her arc reveals a complex, tragic resilience within a constrained relationship.
- 💔 Troubled marriage
- 🧭 Hidden pregnancy
- 🕊️ Hidden pain
- A(
Alex (Konstantin Lavronenko)
Played by Konstantin Lavronenko
Alex is morally cautious and image-conscious, trying to preserve a fragile family facade while navigating a web of past crimes and present tensions. His reaction to Vera's pregnancy shows a readiness to exert control, even at the cost of trust. He leans on criminal connections to manage personal crises, revealing a complicated blend of loyalty and calculation. His actions propel the tragedy that unfolds.
- 💼 Calculated
- 💔 Strained marriage
- 🥀 Control freak
- M(
Mark (Aleksandr Baluev)
Mark is the pragmatic, loyal brother whose criminal world intrudes into family life. He balances duty to his brother with dangerous associations, and his health falters under the emotional toll of the crisis. He embodies a fatalistic sense of inevitability that surrounds the family scandal. His involvement highlights the inescapability of the life he leads.
- 🕵️♂️ Criminal ties
- 🤝 Family loyalty
- 💔 Tragic fate
- K(
Kir (Maksim Shibayev)
Played by Maksim Shibayev
Kir is young and impulsive, carrying the weight of his family’s legacy and the lure of following in the footsteps of his brother. He catalyzes the plot by revealing past events that connect the adults and hint at future choices. His presence marks a bridge between youth and the countryside’s criminal underworld. He fears becoming another link in a doomed cycle.
- 🧭 Young influence
- 🕵️♂️ Family legacy
- 🗣️ Gossip catalyst
- R(
Robert (Dmitri Ulyanov)
Played by Dmitri Ulyanov
Robert is a friend who becomes central to Vera's pregnancy truth and a confidant to Vera. He embodies the tension between loyalty and risk of exposing painful secrets. His involvement triggers revelations that redefine relationships and foreshadow the tragedy to come. He acts as a catalyst that exposes the fragility of trust in the circle.
- 🕊️ Confidant
- 🎭 Catalyst of revelation
- 🩸 Emotional trigger
Where and When Is The Banishment Set?
The Banishment is set in Alex's house, the countryside (Alex's childhood home), train station, Robert's…. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
Alex's house, the countryside (Alex's childhood home), train station, Robert's house, funeral parlour, city
The story moves between a quiet countryside residence and urban spaces, anchored by Alex's house where a wound and a secret initiate the unraveling. The countryside around Alex's childhood home is serene yet claustrophobic, its old friends and neighbors acting as observers to the couple's strain. The train station and Robert's house become pivotal spaces for revelations and confrontations, while the funeral parlour marks the social consequences of private choices. The city reappears at the end, highlighting the tension between private crisis and public life.
- 🏡 Rural setting
- 🚂 Train station
- 🏘️ Village gossip
- 🏙️ City
What Are the Themes of The Banishment?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Marriage Strain, Secrets and Guilt and Consequences of Crime.
-
01
Marriage Strain
The relationship between Alex and Vera is defined by distance and the pressure to maintain appearances. Vera's pregnancy creates a moral and emotional crisis that neither partner fully addresses. Alex's attempts to control the situation reveal his fear of scandal and loss of control. The abortion and Vera's subsequent suicide show how private conflict can escalate into irreversible tragedy.
-
02
Secrets and Guilt
Secrets drive the narrative: Vera's pregnancy, the real paternity, and what is withheld shape every decision. Robert's involvement and the revelations about Vera's past deepen the sense of guilt. Letters, tests, and memory flashes reveal how truth becomes a tool that can destroy trust. The emotional burden of secrets culminates in tragedy.
-
03
Consequences of Crime
Mark's criminal ties intrude into family life, showing how crime can permeate domestic space. Alex's reliance on Mark's network reveals how criminal affiliations masquerade as protection. The ensuing chain—abortion, suicide, and death—demonstrates that crime's reach extends beyond the immediate actors. The film suggests that involvement in crime corrodes safety and stability within a family.
-
04
Countryside Backdrop
The rural setting provides a quiet stage for intimate betrayals. Open fields, familiar faces, and small-town gossip amplify the pressure on Vera and Alex. The serenity of the countryside is pierced by internal turmoil, turning private pain into public spectacle. The contrast with urban life underscores how environment shapes the characters' decisions.
What Kind of Film Is The Banishment?
Dark in tone, with slow pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Slow
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bleak
A slow-paced, somber drama that builds a tense and oppressive atmosphere as a family vacation unravels into tragedy, exploring betrayal and grief with a heavy, melancholic weight.
- somber
- tense
- melancholic
- oppressive
- tragic
- grieving
- marital betrayal
- family crisis
- miscommunication
- grief and loss
Content notes: suicide, forced abortion, domestic abuse, drug overdose, gun violence.
Quiz
How well do you remember The Banishment? Test yourself on the story.
Where to Watch The Banishment
Stream it on Kanopy, or rent or buy it from Fandango At Home and Google Play Movies. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 1
Kanopy 
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
