In the heart of Iraq, a seasoned Catholic priest named Father Merrin embarks on an archaeological expedition. His discovery of a diminutive, ancient statuette leaves him utterly astonished. The artifact’s presence causes him to feel increasingly alienated from reality. As he wanders the city, he encounters a series of eerie occurrences: an old clock ceases its ticking while he stands nearby, and he narrowly escapes being struck by a horse-drawn carriage.