A cop is enlisted by his ex-fiancee to look for her missing daughter who disappeared in a cult commune. Edward receives a letter from his ex-fiancee Willow that her daughter Rowan is missing. Willow lives on a remote Washington island in a paganistic community led by Summerisle. Edward travels to the secluded place and learns their culture. They subsist on culturing bee products, now in a decline, and they are a group consisting mostly of females, deemed the more superior sex. Edward is somewhat treated with hostility, and the villagers do not cooperate with his investigation. He finds strange clues to Rowan's disappearance, such as her old sweater and a fresh grave in the churchyard. The school teacher denies having known her, and Edward discovers her lie when he sees the record book with Rowan's name crossed out from it. The teacher slips and says that Rowan will burn to death. Leading up to a big festival, Edward senses that Rowan will meet a terrible fate, in disguise, he attends the festivities, and rescues Rowan who is tied up and about to be sacrificed. They run into the woods, however, they end up in Summerisle's hands. Turns out, Summerisle is Rowan's grandmother and everyone was in on the plan, which is to lure Edward to the island, as the sacrifice. Edward is caged in a mask, where bees attack his face. He is then placed in a giant wicker man and burned to death.
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Best part of story, including ending:
I didn't like it because Nic Cage seems out of place in a horror-mystery plot. Plus the story's a bit hokey.
Best scene in story:
I like when we get acquainted with the island's customs, and see their simple life and rituals.
Opinion about the main character:
I find it a little stupid that Edward went to the island without any police back-up whatsoever.