Summary
In the heart of London, as dusk settles over Westminster Bridge, Lester Furnival reflects on the city's glowing lights and the reassuring hum of a plane above, symbols of a returned peace and natural order. But soon, an eerie silence pervades, leading to the startling revelation that Lester is no longer among the living. This realization sets the stage for her journey beyond death.
Encounter Beyond Life
Lester, once a vibrant and spirited woman, finds herself wandering through the city alongside Evelyn, her companion in the fatal crash. The two women, discovering the superficiality of their earthly friendship, strive to forge a genuine connection in the afterlife. Their new reality intertwines with the lives of those they left behind, particularly Lester’s husband, Richard, and his artist friend, Jonathan. Jonathan, deeply in love with Betty, a school acquaintance whom both Lester and Evelyn had disfavored, becomes central to their ethereal mission. Betty's life is dominated by her mother, Lady Wallingford, who has fallen under the sway of Simon the Clerk, a dubious faith healer.
The Struggle with Darkness
Lady Wallingford and Betty visit Jonathan to view a commissioned portrait of Father Simon. Unbeknownst to Jonathan, a committed Christian, the painting inadvertently exposes the malevolence embodied by Simon. Enraged, Lady Wallingford breaks off Betty’s engagement to Jonathan and spirits her daughter away. Desperate, Jonathan turns to Richard, as a battle ensues between the forces of love and the sinister influence over Betty.
The Antichrist Revealed
Operating from his dilapidated quarters, Simon, a reincarnation of the notorious Simon the Magus, captivates a crowd of fervent followers. His ultimate ambition is to separate Betty's soul from her body, inserting his will in its absence. Yet, his efforts are continuously foiled by the force of love, which he fails to comprehend. When Simon attempts his final ritual in Betty’s room, Lester intervenes, having arrived to seek Betty’s forgiveness. The act of forgiveness dissolves Lester’s tether to this world, allowing her spirit to shield Betty from Simon's spell. As Simon's dark magic falters, Betty breaks free from her mother’s control and reunites with Jonathan. Simon, turning his attention to Evelyn, who allied with him to haunt Betty, finds his malevolent plans thwarted once more. Lester's love extends to Evelyn, merging with her distorted form, which Simon conjures. Attempts to snare Betty, Jonathan, and Richard ultimately collapse as Lester’s love prevails, dismantling Simon's sinister aspirations.
A Haunting Halloween
On a rainy All Hallows’ Eve, the narrative crescendo occurs as Lester and Evelyn’s misshapen form roams London’s streets towards Jonathan’s flat. Invited inside, Richard joins the engaged couple, and they prepare for the looming confrontation. Lester, seeking to alert Richard to the impending danger, resorts to a payphone near Charing Cross. Richard, upon hearing Lester’s voice, recalls her spectral appearances in recent days. Her message prompts them to wait for the arrival of the mysterious figure. Instead of venturing out, they share a humble meal of bread, cheese, and wine, girding themselves for the night’s challenges. The trio, accompanied by the grotesque figure, traverses the rain-soaked city in a taxi, confronting Simon and Lady Wallingford's last desperate enchantment. In a final blaze of white light, love overcomes darkness, and Lester’s presence fades, victorious.
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