John White settles and establishes the Roanoke Colony in what is now North Carolina. He leaves his wife Thomasin (Kathy Bates) in charge while away on business.
The other members of the colony revolt against Thomasin and exile her.
Thomasin swears allegiance to Scáthach (and eats a boar's heart) and becomes the Butcher. Under her new rule, the rest of the colony bends to the will of Scáthach.
Eventually, Ambrose (Wes Bentley) attempts to sway the Butcher away from the witch; the Butcher, in turn, murders every member of the colony and binds their spirits to the land.