A Page of Madness

A Page of Madness

Year: 1926

Runtime: 71 mins

Director: Teinosuke Kinugasa

HorrorDramaHorror

A man takes a job at an asylum with hopes of freeing his imprisoned wife.

A Page of Madness (1926) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at A Page of Madness (1926) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the sleepless grip of a relentless rainstorm, a solitary figure finds himself among the dim corridors of a remote psychiatric hospital. The janitor, once a sailor who spent years away from home, has taken a low‑paying position not for duty but for a desperate hope: to stay close enough to the woman he once loved, now confined within the institution’s walls. The building itself feels alive, its aging stone and flickering lights echoing the turbulence outside, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere where reality seems to slip between the shadows.

His wife, a fragile soul whose mind has fractured under grief and guilt, drifts through the ward in a state that renders her unrecognizable even to the man who once promised her a future. The daughter arrives with news that threatens to pull the fragile family further apart, her anger and bewilderment mirroring the janitor’s own shame. Their strained reunion underscores a lingering tension between duty to the institution and the lingering thread of familial love that refuses to be entirely severed.

The hospital’s staff, led by an austere doctor, maintain a strict routine that clashes with the janitor’s quiet, almost reverent vigil over his wife. Their interactions hint at unspoken histories and the weight of past neglect, while the ever‑present storm outside serves as a relentless backdrop to the characters’ inner turmoil. The tone is melancholy yet tinged with a surreal stillness, inviting viewers to linger in the muted spaces between the ticking clocks and the soft murmur of distant rain.

Through restrained performances and a visual palette of muted grays and washed‑out blues, the film cultivates an oppressive yet intimate mood. It raises questions about redemption, the limits of love, and whether the walls of an asylum can ever truly contain the yearning of a heart that refuses to surrender.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 10:22

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Psychological Asylum Dramas like A Page of Madness

Films that explore the blurred realities within mental institutions.Looking for more movies like A Page of Madness that delve into the unsettling world of mental asylums? This list features films that use the institutional setting to explore themes of guilt, fractured reality, and the psychological collapse of characters trapped by their own minds in a claustrophobic environment.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread often revolve around a protagonist, who may be a patient, staff member, or visitor, whose own sanity is tested by their experiences within the asylum. The story structure is frequently non-linear or expressionistic, weaving together hallucinations, memories, and present-day events to create a subjective and often unreliable viewpoint on the events unfolding.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they share a powerful, oppressive setting and a core thematic focus on subjective reality and mental illness. They create a specific, claustrophobic mood where the architecture of the asylum mirrors the architecture of a troubled mind, resulting in a consistently intense and unsettling viewing experience.

Surreal Psychological Journeys like A Page of Madness

Films that use visual and narrative surrealism to depict a character's mental collapse.If you liked the dreamlike and expressionistic style of A Page of Madness, explore these films that use surreal visuals and fragmented narratives to portray a character's internal breakdown. These movies prioritize mood and psychological insight over conventional storytelling, creating a uniquely intense and artistic viewing experience.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern is one of disintegration. A character's grip on reality weakens, and the film's structure reflects this through flashbacks, fantasies, and symbolic imagery that replace a straightforward chronology. The conflict is primarily internal, fought within the character's mind, and the external world becomes a canvas for their projections and fears.

Why These Movies?

These movies are connected by their shared commitment to an expressionistic film language. They use visual metaphor, distorted perspectives, and a fluid sense of time to convey complex psychological states directly to the viewer. The similarity lies in the artistic approach to depicting internal turmoil, resulting in a challenging, complex, and deeply immersive vibe.

Unlock the Full Story of A Page of Madness

Don't stop at just watching — explore A Page of Madness in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what A Page of Madness is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

A Page of Madness Summary

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A Page of Madness Summary

A Page of Madness Timeline

Track the full timeline of A Page of Madness with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

A Page of Madness Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in A Page of Madness

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape A Page of Madness. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in A Page of Madness

More About A Page of Madness

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