The Last Sin Eater

In a remote colony of Welsh immigrants in 1850s Appalachia, a young girl (Liana Liberato) seeks expiation of her guilt over the death of her sister by going to see the Sin Eater, a shunned hermit who, according to Celtic superstition, can take on the transgressions of those about to enter the next world. Adapted by Brian Bird and director Michael Landon Jr. from a novel by Francine Rivers, the movie’s Christian subtext is plain (and not always “sub”). It has earnestness but not a lot of conviction; the story seems forced and contrived, and overstuffed with plot in the last act. The Welsh accents are a little strained, but young Liberato has a natural way with the camera, as does Soren Fulton as a sympathetic neighbor boy. Louise Fletcher plays a pioneer matriarch, Henry Thomas a traveling preacher.