The Last Sin Eater

In this treacly family drama set in 1850s Appalachia, ten-year-old Cadi (Liberato) becomes obsessed with a burial custom practiced in her community of Welsh immigrants when she sees a “sin eater” (Wingfield) absolve her departed grandma. Cadi feels responsible for an accident that killed her younger sister, consequently harboring a grave sense of guilt more appropriate to death-row inmates. Despite neighbors’ warnings to avoid the sin eater, she pursues the shrouded figure in search of redemption. Ultimately, Cadi learns a lesson about Christian forgiveness, but unfortunately for God-fearing youths in desperate need of counseling on the horrors of sin-eating, her spiritual awakening will likely put audiences to sleep. (Opens Fri; AMC Empire 25.) — Erin Clements