Pilgrimage (2017) is a gripping historical drama set in 13th century Ireland, where religion, war, and survival intertwine. The story follows a small group of monks tasked with a sacred and politically charged mission: transporting a holy relic—a stone from the shrine of St. Matthias—to Rome. This relic is believed to possess divine power, and its safe passage is seen as essential to bolstering the Church’s influence during a time of instability.
Leading the mission is Brother Geraldus (Stanley Weber), a devout and ambitious cleric who sees the relic as a tool for religious authority. He’s joined by Brother Ciaran (John Lynch), the wise and steady elder; young and naive novice Brother Diarmuid (Tom Holland); and a mysterious, mute lay-brother (Jon Bernthal), a man with a dark, violent past who becomes the group’s unlikely protector.
Their journey quickly descends into chaos as they trek across a hostile landscape plagued by political unrest. Norman soldiers and Irish clansmen, both aware of the relic’s importance, pursue them with ruthless intent. The monks’ path is lined with bloodshed, betrayal, and crisis of faith.
As the pilgrimage grows darker, Brother Diarmuid begins to question everything he believes in, while the silent lay-brother reveals himself to be a brutal force of nature, fighting to keep the group alive. Violence and morality clash, as internal discord threatens to destroy them before they reach their goal.
Directed with gritty realism, Pilgrimage presents a visceral portrait of medieval Europe, blending spiritual themes with stark brutality. The film probes the cost of faith and the weight of belief, all set against a brutal, unforgiving world. It’s a tense, morally complex journey—one where the road to salvation is paved with blood.
