In medieval Sweden, a devout Christian farmer named Töre and his wife Märeta send their innocent and naive daughter, Karin, to deliver candles to their church. Karin, dressed in her finest clothing, is accompanied by her pregnant and troubled foster sister, Ingeri, whose belief in pagan gods creates a contrast with the family's Christian faith. En route, Karin's path intersects with two herdsmen and a young boy. Unbeknownst to her, these seemingly friendly strangers harbor sinister intentions.

As the day progresses, Ingeri becomes separated from Karin, whose fate takes a dark turn during the encounter with the herdsmen. Amidst the unfolding events, tension rises and eventually reaches the family's farmhouse, where an unexpected twist of fate brings the perpetrators face-to-face with Töre and Märeta. The pastoral tranquility is shattered as Töre grapples with grief, seeking solace and understanding in both faith and vengeance. From this point forward, the story delves into profound themes of justice, retribution, and redemption, examining the human struggle between brutality and forgiveness in the face of immense sorrow.