A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin

A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin

Year: 1971

Runtime: 104 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Lucio Fulci

ThrillerMysteryHorrorThrillers and murder mysteriesIntense violence and sexual transgression

Carol Hammond, the daughter of a prominent politician, is plagued by vivid, drug‑filled nightmares that feature chaotic sex orgies and LSD trips. In one dream she kills a neighbor she envies, only to awaken and discover police have opened an investigation into her neighbor’s murder, forcing her to confront blurred line between fantasy and reality.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin (1971)

Trace every key event in A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin (1971) 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

Carol's therapy and disturbing dreams

Carol begins sessions with Dr. Kerr, trying to unpack the source of her anxiety. She describes vivid dreams of a fur cloak, a long hallway, naked partygoers, and sexual encounters with Julia Durer. The dreams blur the line between nightmare and memory, hinting at a hidden danger around her neighbor.

London - Dr. Kerr's office
2

Julia Durer's murder echoes the dream

The next day, Julia Durer is found dead in her apartment, murdered in the exact manner Carol had foreseen. The fur coat and the paper knife appear at the crime scene, making the coincidence impossible to ignore. Inspector Corvin arrives to lead the investigation, noting the eerie connection to Carol's visions.

Julia Durer's apartment, London
3

Investigation begins and evidence stacks

As the police search the building and surrounding areas, the case tightens around Carol. The police collect fingerprints and trace them to Carol on the fur coat and the knife, strengthening the case against her. Corvin and his team start to doubt whether the dreamer could really be the killer.

Julia Durer's apartment and surrounding area
4

Carol is arrested

With the forensic ties mounting, Carol is arrested on suspicion of Julia's murder. She is moved to a secure facility as the evidence is reviewed. The weight of the case rests on the precarious theory that her nightmares foretold the crime.

London area - police custody
5

Corvin questions the case's plausibility

Inspector Corvin questions whether Carol could be the killer after all; he notes that she described the murder to Dr. Kerr before it happened. The possibility of a false confession or manipulation adds complexity to the investigation. Carol remains in custody while the case twists and turns.

Police interview room
6

Hippies appear in Carol's world

During a shopping trip with her daughter Joan, Carol spots the two hippies from her dream who deny recognizing her. The sighting compounds the suspicion against Carol and deepens the sense that the symbols from her dream have real consequences. The encounter expands the mystery beyond Carol's own actions.

London streets / shopping trip
7

Julia's blackmail plot exposed

Edmund uncovers that Julia had been blackmailing Frank to conceal his affair with Deborah. He uses this information to push for Carol's bail, arguing her potential innocence. The revelations widen the web of secrets surrounding the family.

Edmund's estate
8

Carol is released on bail

With the new information in hand, Edmund secures Carol's release on bail while the investigation continues. Carol's temporary freedom offers a chance to gather witnesses and reassess the case. The marital and corporate intrigues around Frank and Edmund remain unresolved.

Edmund's country estate
9

Meeting at Alexandra Palace and the rooftop chase

Carol is contacted by the female hippie to meet at Alexandra Palace. Inside, she is pursued by the male hippie through the cellar and onto the roof, where he mortally wounds her before fleeing as the police arrive. The chase heightens the danger surrounding Carol and the truth behind the killings.

Alexandra Palace
10

Joan is murdered

The day after the Alexandra Palace confrontation, Joan is found dead in a field, deepening the tragedy and complicating the public narrative around the case. The timing suggests the hippies may be targeting the family to silence witnesses. Corvin continues to connect disparate clues.

A field
11

Hippies arrested and confession partly revealed

Police arrest the hippie couple, Hubert and Jenny, after tracking them down. Hubert admits stalking Carol and murdering Joan, but they claim memory gaps about Julia's night, mentioning only 'a lizard in a woman's skin.' Corvin tightens the case and starts to see the bigger web of manipulation.

Police custody
12

Edmund's suicide and the final note

Edmund commits suicide at his estate, leaving a note that confesses to Julia's murder. Corvin learns of the note and the broader implications for the rest of the family. The apparent confession upends the inquiry and shifts focus back to Carol.

Edmund's estate
13

Final confrontation and implied guilt

At Edmund's grave, Corvin accuses Carol by linking her to the day of the crucial phone call and the threats Julia made. He asserts that Frank's affair and Julia's coercion explain Carol's alleged crime, though the hippies' testimonies are compromised by LSD. Corvin leads Carol to a waiting police car, ending the case with her presumed guilt.

Edmund's grave; police car

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:34

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Characters, Settings & Themes in A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin

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