Elijah, a young Sanpietrino, spends his days maintaining the Vatican’s grand halls and hidden passageways. Beneath the church, in the ancient catacombs, he crosses paths with a priest and a boy shortly before a violent earthquake seals the tunnels.

The priest is later found dead. The boy is nowhere to be seen.

Although the Church dismisses the incident as a tragic accident, Elijah cannot forget what he witnessed – or the strange details surrounding the priest’s death. As he begins searching for answers, he discovers that others may know more than they are willing to admit.

An old book, a mysterious stone pendant, and a bright yellow bird begin drawing Elijah into a world where the boundaries between faith, folklore, and reality start to disappear. The deeper he looks, the more Rome seems to conceal beneath its beauty.

Someone – or something – is guiding him.

When Elijah’s investigation brings him too close to a secret protected by powerful men, he is forced to decide where his true loyalties lie.

Genre

Crescent is a supernatural mystery thriller with elements of folk horror, religious horror, and psychological drama. Set against the ancient architecture and hidden history of Rome, the film blends Vatican intrigue with pagan mythology, suggesting that an older and more mysterious power exists beneath the surface of the modern world.

Tone

The tone is dark, atmospheric, mysterious, and unsettling, gradually shifting from quiet realism into surreal supernatural horror. The story should feel slow-burning and dreamlike, using silence, shadow, ancient stone, religious imagery, and natural elements to create a sense of unease.

Rather than relying on constant violence or explicit horror, Crescent builds tension through implication and uncertainty. The audience should question what is real, who can be trusted, and whether the forces surrounding Elijah are protecting him, manipulating him, or using him for a larger purpose.

The film’s visual world contrasts the bright beauty and public grandeur of Rome with the damp darkness beneath the Vatican. Its mood moves from reverence and mystery to paranoia, dread, and ultimately a strange sense of supernatural justice.

Status:
In Development

Film/Episode Runtime:
25 mins short film

Films/Seasons Planned:
1

Pilot Status:

Language:
English and Italian (with subtitles)

Format:
4K 16/9

Estimated Budget:

Financial:

Seeking:

Contact Name:
Susan Rutledge

Studio Name:
Ohwa Film

Contact Email:
susan@ohwafilm.com

Telephone: