The year is 1348. Europe has fallen under the shadow of the "Black Death". As the plague decimates all in its path, fear and superstition are rife. There are rumors of a village, hidden in marshland that the plague cannot reach. There is even talk of a necromancer who leads the village and is able to bring the dead back to life. Ulric (Sean Bean), a fearsome knight, is charged by the church to investigate these rumors with the help of Osmund (Eddie Redmayne), a young novice monk. Their journey to the village and the events that unfold take them into the heart of darkness and to horrors that will put their faith to the ultimate test.