Whoa! Solid movie. Here's stuff I picked up from my first viewing...

SPOILERS AHEAD.

This movie was a solid watch; there was so much depth. We were shown, and not told. Here's what happened, as I saw it.

The Uncle broke taboo while the gods (the alien/otherwordly presence) were watching him. Child molestation - which is strongly hinted at - was the taboo. Once Maisie was violated by her uncle - someone who was supposed to watch her and care for her, the gods took swift action in making the crime known to his family. This ignoble act provoked the ire of the gods, and we have the universe literally making a presence at Maisie's family's door.

There's one important thing to consider. The gods were most likely testing the character of the sheriff - especially since he has such an authoritative position in society (being the sheriff and all). The Uncle was tempted to break the taboo. He did not put up a good fight. He did not demolish the ungodly passions inside him. Lust, chiefly.

So the gods arrived and personally haunted the sheriff with the knowledge that he was found lacking. He was not a decent man. He failed as a human being.

Such a profound movie that makes it clear that we are being watched over by benevolent gods that love, teach, and help us. Gods, as they are represented by the stars in the sky. Always watching... always there... and only seemingly distant.