Father James, a priest in a small Irish village, receives a death threat during a confessional. The man revealing his intention explains that he was abused by a priest as a child and plans to kill Father James—not because he is guilty, but because he is innocent, making him a more impactful target. Given one week to make his peace, Father James continues with his pastoral duties, encountering various villagers who embody the moral and spiritual decay surrounding him. His interactions with an atheist doctor, a cynical butcher, a lustful wife, and others highlight both their personal struggles and the disillusionment they feel toward the church.

Throughout the week, Father James contends with his own crisis of faith and questions about forgiveness and redemption. His relationship with his emotionally troubled daughter, Fiona, whom he had neglected after the death of his wife, adds complexity to his sense of responsibility and guilt. As he navigates these challenges, he must decide whether to confront or evade the looming threat on his life. The story unfolds with a grim sense of inevitability, underscoring themes of sacrifice, existential dread, and the search for meaning in a morally ambiguous world.