Is The Sacrament Based on a True Story? Ending Explained
by Aishwarya R
Updated Apr 29, 2023
The Sacrament
The Sacrament is a found footage horror movie directed and written by Ti West, which was released in 2013. It features VICE journalists, played by A. J. Bowen and Joe Swanberg, documenting the search of their co-worker (Kentucker Audley) for his sister (Amy Seimetz) after she joins a secluded religious community. The plot is based on the real-life Jonestown Massacre of 1978.
In September 2012, Eli Roth agreed to produce the movie, and he deemed it to be West's first mainstream film. The cast, including Swanberg, Bowen, Audley, Seimetz, and Jones, was announced in October 2012, and West had complete creative control.
Swanberg, who also served as the cameraman for some scenes, had West's confidence because of his filmmaking background. West aimed to make the film more horrific than his previous works and intended to create upsetting violence. When casting Jones as the cult leader Father, West wanted the character to appear genuinely well-meaning yet driven to evil by his paranoia. The movie was filmed in Savannah, Georgia.
The Sacrament premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September 2013 and was released on video-on-demand on May 1, 2014. The film had a limited theatrical release on June 6, 2014, and was released on home video on August 19, 2014.
Is The Sacrament Based on a True Story?
Yes, The Sacrament is based on the real-life events of the Jonestown Massacre of 1978, in which over 900 members of the People's Temple cult died by mass suicide/murder in a commune in Guyana. However, the film is a work of fiction and portrays a fictional cult with fictional characters, although it draws heavily on the events and themes of the Jonestown tragedy.
The Jonestown Massacre was a tragic event that took place on November 18, 1978, in the remote jungle of Guyana, South America. The event resulted in the deaths of more than 900 members of the People's Temple cult, including women and children. The cult was led by Jim Jones, who had moved his followers to the commune in Guyana to escape perceived persecution in the United States.
The Jonestown Massacre is often considered to be one of the largest mass suicides in history. Jones convinced his followers to drink a mixture of cyanide and fruit punch, which resulted in their deaths. Many people were forcibly injected with the poison, while others willingly drank the mixture. Some cult members attempted to flee into the jungle, but most were either killed or forced back to the commune by armed guards.
The aftermath of the massacre was shocking and tragic. The international community was stunned by the scale of the event and the loss of innocent lives. The United States government was also criticized for failing to prevent the tragedy, despite receiving warnings from concerned family members and former members of the cult.
The Jonestown Massacre has become a symbol of the dangers of cults and the power of charismatic leaders. It has also served as a reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable populations from exploitation and manipulation. Today, the site of the massacre in Guyana is a tourist attraction and a place of pilgrimage for those who lost loved ones in the tragedy.
The Sacrament Plot
Patrick, a fashion photographer, receives a letter from his sister Caroline, a recovering addict, inviting him to visit Eden Parish, a secluded utopian community founded by a religious leader. Intrigued, Patrick accepts the invitation and invites his co-workers, reporter Sam and cameraman Jake, to join him in making a feature documentary on the topic.
Upon arriving at the commune, the group is delayed by armed guards, causing Sam and Jake to become uneasy about the trip. However, Patrick's sister Caroline appears and welcomes them warmly, apologizing for the misunderstanding. The filmmakers are given their own cabin and begin interviewing members of the community.
Despite their initial skepticism, the group is surprised to find that the members seem genuinely happy and have accomplished much under Father's leadership. Wendy, the commune's nurse, reveals that the community has a well-stocked medical center funded by donations from the members.
As the filmmakers prepare to interview Father, he initially answers their questions openly but becomes more evasive and threatening as the interview progresses. Father's followers begin to engage in a party, and Father raises the subject of Sam's pregnant wife, which catches him off guard and causes him to lose control of the interview.
Despite their misgivings, the group continues to film at the commune. However, as tensions rise and dark secrets are revealed, they realize that Eden Parish is not the utopia they had believed it to be.
The Sacrament Ending Explained
During the party, Savannah, a young, mute girl, secretly hands Sam a note begging for help. However, when Sam and Jake go to look for Patrick, they find that he has been taken aside for a threesome, and Caroline admits that they need Patrick's money. As the filmmakers continue their investigation, they uncover a dissident group who wish to leave, alleging abuse and brainwashing within the community.
Despite initial hesitation, Sam insists that they help the dissidents, even though the helicopter is too small to carry everyone. As tensions rise, Jake and Sam spend a restless night, unable to sleep due to growing distrust of Father and the community. In the morning, the dissidents become increasingly rebellious, and gunshots are heard. Jake rushes back to the helicopter to find the pilot injured and unable to help. He returns to the camp to find almost everyone dead, with roving, armed guards patrolling the area.
In a cabin, he discovers Savannah and her mother, Sarah, hiding. Sarah sacrifices herself to save her daughter, and Caroline self-immolates. When Jake finally confronts Father, he places blame on the filmmakers for the community's downfall. However, Father ultimately commits suicide, and Jake and Sam are left to flee the burning camp. The only survivors of the massacre of Eden Parish, they film a firsthand account of the horrific events that occurred. The documentary ends with the sobering message that 167 people lost their lives in the tragedy.
The Sacrament Trailer
Is The Sacrament Based on a True Story - FAQs
The Sacrament is a 2013 American found footage horror thriller film directed by Ti West. It is a fictional story about a group of journalists who visit a mysterious religious community called Eden Parish.
Although The Sacrament is a work of fiction, it was inspired by the real-life events that took place at the Jonestown massacre in Guyana in 1978.
The Sacrament was directed by Ti West, who is known for his work in the horror genre, including films such as The House of the Devil and The Innkeepers.
The Sacrament starred AJ Bowen, Joe Swanberg, and Amy Seimetz, among others.
Yes, The Sacrament is a found footage film, meaning that it is presented as a documentary-style movie shot by the characters within the story, giving the film a sense of realism.