The story is narrated by Fenton Meiks (played by Matthew McConaughey), a man who walks into an FBI office claiming to know the identity of a notorious serial killer known as the “God’s Hand” killer. He reveals that the killer is his own brother, Adam, and that their father was also involved in the murders.
The film then flashes back to the 1970s in the small town of Thurman, Texas. Fenton and his younger brother Adam (played by Matt O’Leary as young Adam and Jeremy Sumpter as teenage Adam) live with their devoutly religious father, played by Bill Paxton. Their father is a single parent who raises them after the death of their mother. One night, their father awakens them, claiming to have been visited by an angel who has given him a list of names of “demons” who must be destroyed to protect the world from evil.
Their father believes that God has chosen him and his sons to carry out this mission, and he begins abducting people from their community whom he believes are demons. He forces Fenton and Adam to participate in these killings, using a steel pipe named “Otis” as the weapon. Fenton, however, is skeptical of his father’s beliefs and the existence of the supposed demons.
As the killings continue, tensions rise within the Meiks family. Fenton becomes increasingly troubled by his father’s actions and struggles with his own beliefs. He eventually confronts his father, begging him to stop the killings, but his pleas fall on deaf ears.
In a twist, it is revealed that Fenton’s father was correct about the existence of the demons, and that Adam is continuing their father’s work as the “God’s Hand” killer. Fenton’s narration explains that he had been driven to stop his brother’s murders, believing them to be wrong.
The film concludes with Fenton revealing to the FBI agents that he has killed his brother in self-defense. He then commits suicide by asking the agents to kill him, as he feels he has fulfilled his purpose by stopping Adam.
“Frailty” is a chilling and thought-provoking film that explores the complexities of faith, morality, and the consequences of fanaticism. Through its gripping storyline, powerful performances, and atmospheric direction, the film keeps viewers on the edge of their seats while delving into darker themes of religion and family dynamics.