The film follows Frankie Paige (played by Patricia Arquette), a hairdresser living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who begins experiencing strange and terrifying phenomena. Frankie, who is not religious, suddenly starts displaying signs of stigmata — wounds that mimic the injuries suffered by Jesus Christ during his crucifixion.
As Frankie’s stigmata worsens, Father Andrew Kiernan (played by Gabriel Byrne), a Vatican investigator and former scientist, is sent to investigate the inexplicable occurrences. Father Kiernan is skeptical at first but becomes convinced that Frankie’s wounds are genuine stigmata.
As Father Kiernan delves deeper into Frankie’s case, he discovers a shocking connection between her and a deceased Catholic priest named Father Alameida (played by Jack Donner). Father Alameida was a controversial figure who believed in the existence of ancient Christian texts that were suppressed by the Church.
Through a series of flashbacks and revelations, it is revealed that Father Alameida was murdered by Vatican officials who feared his unorthodox beliefs. Before his death, Father Alameida had discovered an ancient Gospel that challenged fundamental beliefs of the Catholic Church, including the nature of God and the true message of Jesus Christ.
Frankie, who unknowingly received the ancient Gospel from Father Alameida, becomes the target of powerful forces within the Church who seek to suppress the truth at any cost. As her stigmata intensifies, Frankie becomes increasingly vulnerable to spiritual and physical attacks.
In a climactic showdown, Father Kiernan confronts the corrupt officials within the Church and exposes their role in Father Alameida’s murder. With the help of Frankie, Father Kiernan ultimately reveals the truth behind the ancient Gospel and the Church’s attempts to silence dissenting voices.
In the end, Frankie’s stigmata disappears, and Father Kiernan returns to the Vatican to continue his work as a skeptic and investigator. The film ends with a sense of ambiguity, leaving viewers to ponder the implications of the revelations uncovered during the course of the story.
“Stigmata” is a provocative and thought-provoking film that explores themes of faith, corruption, and the search for truth in the face of institutional power. Through its compelling storyline and compelling performances, the film offers a gripping and suspenseful journey into the mysteries of religion and spirituality.