The Shack explores the mental and emotional trouble Missy’s father, Mack, goes through after his daughter goes missing. His daughter is declared to have died and killed by a serial killer, but they never find her body.

Mack has told himself that his daughter is dead; however, never gets closure because he never sees her body and never gets a chance to catch her killer. This mystery keeps troubling him and kills him inside.

The movie shows the struggle Mack goes through to deal with his traumas. Unconsciously, he meets God (Papa), God’s Son, and spirit; they help him confront his difficulties and get closure to Missy’s death.

The movie is a representation of Christian beliefs. Papa, her son, and spirit are three facets of Christianity that form the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. Papa represents The Father, son represents Jesus Christ, and spirit represents Holy Spirit.