In a city in the Brazilian northeastern backwoods, the political chief is assassinated by a professional gunman. From there, the city begins to live the climate of the event. The killer, concealed by important people, is hidden in the house of a humble family. Time passes and the gunslinger leaves his hiding place, being killed soon after. Also the family that hid the criminal is assassinated, as well as the judge who was conducting the investigation of the murder of the political chief.
In the Brazilian countryside, poor sharecroppers join a messianic group led by Joaquim, who believes he is the reincarnation of Jesus Christ. Gaining power over the peasants, he begins to persecute those who do not pay absolute obeisance.
