Two timelines. One American place. History informs the present in this comic tragedy intersecting Salem’s infamous witch trials and contemporary policing. When Carly Cruz is assigned as the new Salem Sheriff, she is determined to protect both the department and the rights of Monte, a man accused of murder. Pulled between duty and identity, Carly struggles to rise above systemic pressures and function as person of color within the criminal justice system. Ultimately, she succumbs to the forces of the state and is crushed by it.
------------------------------------------------------
The year is 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts and GILES COREY (60s) stands mute. At least that’s what DEPUTY DESMOND (30s) tells SHERIFF CROWLEY (40s). The cantankerous old man is the latest villager accused of witchcraft, but the only one that refuses to submit a plea, robbing the court of its authority to try him and govern lawfully. Crowley must find a way to make Corey speak, though he’d prefer to get back to gardening his petunias. There’s only one thing to do: press Corey. Crowell orders his deputy to strip Corey, lie him flat, place a board across his body, and apply stones in increasing weight until he submits a plea. He goes back to tending petunias. Finding a marble, he casts it aside.

In the present day office of the Salem Sheriff, DEPUTY DOYLE (30s) interrogates a suspect, MONTE SINCLAIR (teenager), whom he encountered near a murder crime scene. The deputy tells the suspect a story, “The Curse of Giles Corey,” which he claims is the reason every Salem Sheriff has met an untimely demise since Corey’s death. The Sheriff position has been vacant for years. This is why Doyle is surprised when CARLY CRUZ (40s) enters and presents herself as the new Sheriff.

The new Sheriff is there to prevent a lawsuit, but she is a haunted woman. She only took this position after getting let go of her policing gig following the death of a young man in Chicago. Now she’s in fucking Salem. In any case, Cruz is determined to start anew, which is why she can’t stand this bad cop bullshit from Doyle. She tells the deputy to stop resorting to shady interrogation methods.

Back in 1692, Deputy Desmond and Sheriff Crowley observe the results of Corey’s pressing. They’re smelly. Privately, Crowley admits to Corey that he does not believe in witches, but he demands Corey submit a plea. The deputy adds weight to the load, but Corey remains silent. Finally, he speaks, “More weight.”

Sheriff Cruz interrogates Monte to no avail. It’s been 48 hours and she has to let him go, though she is hesitant to do so without an alibi to shield him from a potential mob. Despite her reservations, she has no legal authority to hold him. She lets him go.

Back in 1692, Deputy Desmond tells Sheriff Crowley that Giles Corey has cursed Crowley. The Sheriff discovers an unnatural infestation in his petunia bed. Is Giles Corey sending out his spirit from beneath the stones? He calls out to God, then realizes he’s made himself vulnerable by indulging in petunias. He rips them from the earth. The deputy calls for help. Crowley’s been witched.

In the present, Doyle looks for a lost marble and Carly’s past is revealed. The mayor calls Carly and tells her a video of the Councilman’s murder has gone viral.

Deputy Desmond tells Crowley that Corey is ready to submit a plea. Relieved, Crowley goes to the site where Corey lies beneath rock, but instead of submitting a plea Corey curses the Sheriff publicly. In an effort to stop Corey’s curse, he beats his head in with a rock. Corey expires.

Doyle drags Monte into the station after discovering him being beaten by a group of men. Monte threatens to sue the police station and demands to speak to the mayor. A mob forms outside the station.

Deputy Desmond and Crowley continue their work in the town, but strange phenomenon continue to haunt and provoke the Sheriff, who denies they are strange in any way.

The mayor threatens to fire Sheriff Crowley if she cannot produce a confession from Monte.

Planting new petunias in the garden, Crowley tells the Deputy that he does not believe in curses but he does believe in witches. As the sheriff’s logic begins to crumble, Desmond confesses that he heard Crowley tell Corey he did not believe in witches. He accuses the Sheriff of lying and approaches with a knife.

Monte tells Doyle a story about seeing Giles Corey when he briefly passed out while beaten. Carly interrupts to get a confession from Monte who tells her she has made a deal with the mayor and is determined to sue her instead of the city. Carly becomes violent with Monte. The deputy pushes Carly into his no-sneaking machine and she is killed.

Deputy Desmond buries the bodies of Corey and Crowley in the same grave.

Doyle reconsiders the no-sneaking machine. The mayor calls off the deal with Monte. Monte admits his part in the complicated murder. Doyle struggles with the injustice that seems inevitable and his own role in the system. In a flashback, Desmond gives vinegar to Giles Corey. In the present, Doyle gives Monte water, but ultimately reads him his rights.