The Righteous

The Righteous is a 2021 Canadian psychological thriller film, written, executive produced, and directed by Mark O'Brien. The film stars Henry Czerny and Mimi Kuzyk as Frederick and Ethel Mason, a former priest and his wife who are grieving the death of their adopted daughter, when Aaron Smith (O'Brien) arrives at their home, initially in need of help but gradually revealing his real motives for wanting to see Frederick. The film's cast also includes Kate Corbett as Doris, the troubled birth mother of the Mason's daughter, as well as Mayko Nguyen and Nigel Bennett in supporting roles. The film premiered at the 2021 Fantasia Film Festival. It was subsequently picked up for streaming distribution in Europe by Arrow Films, while North American distribution will be handled by Vortex Media. Plot The film opens with Frederic Mason, a former priest, desperately praying to God for "swift" penance. Frederic and his wife Ethel are mourning the recent death of their young daughter Joanie. His former colleague Graham suggests that her death may be God’s way of telling him to re-join the church, but Frederic believes it was God who took his daughter away. Despite Graham’s worries about his occasional mental lapses, Frederic insists that he return to his isolated countryside home with Ethel.