The Unhealer

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The Unhealer

Overview
The Unhealer is an American supernatural horror film about a bullied teenager who gains powerful healing abilities after a botched faith healing linked to a stolen Native burial site. It was directed by Martin Guigui, written by Kevin E. Moore and J. Shawn Harris, and produced by Cristi Harris, J. Shawn Harris, Tony Hannagan, and Galen Walker. The cast includes Elijah Nelson, Kayla Carlson, Natasha Henstridge, Lance Henriksen, Adam Beach, Branscombe Richmond, and others. The story follows how the teen’s powers grow and lead to a violent path of revenge, tragedy, and the fight to end the powers.

Plot (easy-to-follow)
- A drifter named Pflueger steals powers from a Native American burial site and uses them to pose as a faith healer, drawing the attention of Red Elk, the guardian of the grave.
- Kelly Mason, a high school student with a rare eating disorder (Pica) who is bullied at school, survives a botched healing and finds that Pflueger’s powers have transferred to him.
- Kelly now heals instantly, but he also can deliver pain to those who hurt him. He keeps the power secret while trying to live his life with his mother Bernice and his friend Dominique.
- The bullies torment Kelly and cause a car accident in which Brad dies. Kelly heals from the injuries, raising suspicion that he is involved.
- Bernice dies in a gas explosion caused by the bullies trying to destroy Kelly’s trailer, deepening Kelly’s grief and rage.
- As Kelly’s power grows, he discovers he can hurt others by taking on their pain. He considers revenge against the bullies, while Dominique tries to keep him from going too far.
- Tony melts after a confrontation with Kelly; Kelly’s plan to force confessions escalates into violent acts against the bullies, including Nelson and Reed.
- Red Elk and Sheriff Adler try to intervene and help end the power, but a ritual to remove the powers goes wrong. Dominique urges Kelly to stop, but the situation spirals.
- In the climactic moments, more people are killed, and Dominique is accidentally killed during a police confrontation.
- Grief-stricken, Kelly contemplates continuing the cycle of violence but ultimately chooses to end the powers by dying himself. Red Elk declares the powers are gone, but Dominique wakes up in an ambulance and reveals that Kelly accidentally transferred the powers to her.

Release
- World premiere: Grimmfest film festival in Manchester, United Kingdom, on October 9, 2020.
- US/Canada release: June 8, 2021, on DVD, Blu-ray, and streaming platforms.
- South Korea release: December 2, 2021 (theatrical).

Reception
- The film has an approval rating of 83% on Rotten Tomatoes.