Directed by rising auteur Maya Karim, The Black Veil is a moody psychological thriller set in the atmospheric streets of modern Edinburgh. The story centers on Inspector Isla Murray (Emma Stone), a skilled but emotionally guarded detective investigating a series of ritualistic murders. Each crime features the victim covered with a black veil and left with a single black rose—a haunting signature that ties them to a mysterious cult known as The Veiled Order.
The film excels at building suspense through its intimate cinematography: fog‑shrouded alleyways, dimly lit stairwells, and old stone churches create an oppressive, gothic mood. As Isla digs deeper, she uncovers the cult’s esoteric lore—an ancient belief that veiling the dead shields them during their journey into the afterlife. Each clue carries emotional weight, especially once Isla finds that the cult’s victims all have some hidden connection to her own past.
Emma Stone delivers a nuanced performance, balancing sharp intellect with quiet vulnerability. As the pressure mounts, Murray begins experiencing unsettling dreams—and even hallucinations—of her own deceased sister. The line between hunter and haunted blurs. Supporting characters include Detective Marcus Reid (Mahershala Ali), whose quiet loyalty provides Isla with a confidant, and Professor Laird (Tilda Swinton), a cryptic academic who both guides and unsettles her.
Thematically, The Black Veil explores grief, guilt, and the desire to control death. It asks whether controlling the afterlife can bring peace—or simply prolong pain. The film moves at a deliberate pace; some viewers might find moments stretch too long, but this gives space for its layered twist: the cult isn’t merely superstitious—it has political ambitions to influence city leaders under the guise of sanctifying their passing.
The sequel picks up two years later. Inspector Murray, now promoted and partially recovered, faces a new crisis when the Veiled Order, thought dismantled, resurfaces with darker, global ambitions. A high‑profile death—of a prominent politician found eerily veiled—pushes the cult into the public eye.
This time, Isla travels beyond Edinburgh, chasing leads across Europe—from cryptic ceremonies in rural France to catacombs beneath Rome. Accompanied by Marcus and a reappearing Professor Laird, she uncovers evidence of their leader: a charismatic figure named The Preceptor, who claims the power to veil not only bodies, but memories.
The Black Veil: Rising Shadows dives deeper into supernatural territory. Isla must decide whether to uphold her rational policing methods—or embrace elements of the cult’s forbidden wisdom in order to save lives. The emotional core re-centers on Isla’s evolving reckoning with her sister’s death and how far she’s willing to go to keep others from suffering.
Visually, the sequel would broaden its palette—marine caverns, misty vineyards, subterranean rituals—while maintaining the original’s gothic elegance. It raises moral stakes: should hidden knowledge be shared for the greater good—or destroyed to prevent its misuse?
