A Candle for the Devil

A Candle for the Devil

Year: 1973

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: Spanish

Director: Eugenio Martín

HorrorHorror the undead and monster classicsGory gruesome and slasher horrorTerrifying haunted and supernatural horrorGraphic violence and brutal revenge

Spine-chilling suspense! Two sisters running a small hotel in Spain kill female tourists whose morals do not meet their strict religious standards.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – A Candle for the Devil (1973)

Trace every key event in A Candle for the Devil (1973) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

May's topless sunbathing leads to murder

May, a British guest, sunbathes topless on the inn's terrace, provoking the sisters' strict religious views. A heated quarrel erupts, and May is pushed down the staircase, dying after smashing through a glass window. Marta and Verónica scramble to hide the body, setting the inn on a path of concealment and fear.

Day 1, afternoon Inn terrace and stairwell
2

Laura arrives as the murder is hidden

As the sisters hide May's corpse, Laura arrives at the inn. Marta lies that May checked out and paid her bill earlier that day to cover up the murder. Laura decides to stay in a room, unaware of the grisly truth unfolding around her.

Day 1, evening Inn
3

Helen checks in; Verónica's affair begins

The following day, Helen Miller checks in to the inn. Verónica visits Luis for an affair and the two have sex. Afterwards, Verónica tells Luis that Marta has discovered money missing, which Verónica had given to him.

Day 2, morning Inn
4

Marta spies on skinny-dipping; Helen's late-night return

Marta wanders the grounds and spies on several young men skinny-dipping, revealing her strict moral code. Later that night, Helen returns to the inn and the two argue about a curfew Marta enforces. The confrontation ends with Marta stabbing Helen to death.

Day 2, night Inn grounds and kitchen
5

Norma arrives; Laura consults the police chief

The next morning, Norma arrives to stay with her infant child. Bothered by Helen's disappearance, Laura checks out and goes to meet the local police chief, who reveals Marta's fiancé disappeared on their wedding day years before. Laura returns to the inn later that night.

Day 3, morning Inn
6

Marta and Verónica confront Norma; Norma is killed

That night, Norma encounters Marta and Verónica in the kitchen with her baby. Marta chastises Norma for being unmarried and a mother. A struggle ensues, and Marta stabs Norma in the back, killing her and tightening the sisters' grip on the inn.

Day 3, night Inn kitchen
7

Laura investigates the vats; is discovered

Laura breaks into the inn to search for evidence of the disappearances and investigates the large wine vats in the basement. The sisters hear her and she flees, narrowly escaping capture.

Day 3, night Inn basement vats
8

Eduardo enters as Laura's husband; suspicion grows

The next day, Laura returns to the inn with Eduardo, posing as her husband, to rent a room. Marta grows suspicious, believing she recognizes the man from town.

Day 4 Inn
9

A meal turns deadly; a meat clue appears

During a meal at the inn's restaurant, a woman falls violently ill with food poisoning. Her husband notices an odd piece of meat on her plate and wraps it to give to the police. This clue foreshadows the horrors occurring in the inn's vats.

Day 4 Inn restaurant
10

Eduardo discovers the gruesome truth

Late that night, Eduardo goes to inspect the inn's basement. In one of the vats, he finds pieces of flesh and bones floating in red wine, along with Norma's severed head. As he steps back, Marta stabs him to death.

Night Day 4 Inn basement vats
11

Police uncover the grisly evidence

At the local police station, it is determined that the meat is flesh with an eyeball attached, a clue stirred up after Laura's earlier attempt to probe the vats. The police and a band of villagers head toward the inn to confront the sisters.

Day 5, morning Police station; village
12

Laura confronts the sisters; dramatic reveal

Laura discovers Eduardo's body in the sisters' bedroom and is confronted by Marta and Verónica. They bind and gag her, then corner her against a window. She opens the drapes, revealing the police and villagers who witness the confrontation.

Day 5, night Inn; staircase/window area

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 09:19

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Characters, Settings & Themes in A Candle for the Devil

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