A Taste of Evil

A Taste of Evil

Year: 1971

Runtime: 73 mins

Language: English

Director: John Llewellyn Moxey

ThrillerTV MovieHorror

After a horrific ordeal that forced her into hiding for seven years, Susan returns home, only to discover the terror has followed her. Fresh from a mental institution after a traumatic rape, she suspects someone is deliberately trying to drive her insane, pushing her into a nightmarish battle with her sanity.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen A Taste of Evil yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – A Taste of Evil (1971)

Trace every key event in A Taste of Evil (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

Rape at thirteen and resulting silence

Susan is raped by an unknown man in the woods when she is 13. The trauma leaves her mute for two years and lands her in a Swiss sanatorium, beginning a long, fragile healing process. Her memory of the event haunts her as she grows older.

age 13 woods; Swiss sanatorium
2

Return home after release from the sanatorium

Upon leaving the sanatorium, Susan returns to her old family mansion. Her mother Miriam is in an unstable marriage with Harold Jennings, an alcoholic, which creates a tense and uneasy home life. Susan senses that the past trauma is not fully behind her.

shortly after release old family mansion
3

Return to the woods and suspicion of Harold

Susan goes back to the woods where she was raped, hoping to confront the memories. She is followed, and she distrusts Harold as the possible watcher, though Miriam insists Harold left the previous night. The tension between the characters deepens as secrets begin to surface.

soon after returning home woods
4

Night shadow and dead man in the bathtub

One night a shadow appears by Susan's window and she later finds a dead man in her bathtub. She faints, and Dr. Michael Lomas arrives to help. There is no trace of a body, and Susan fears someone is trying to drive her insane.

that night mansion
5

Miriam doubts Susan; psychiatrist's take

Miriam questions Susan's perceptions, believing she may be hallucinating after release. She doubts the safety of letting Susan stay at home. Dr. Lomas's involvement introduces the possibility that Susan's subconscious is processing Harold as the source of trauma.

following the bathtub incident mansion; Dr. Lomas
6

Chase at night and missing car

On another night, Susan is chased from the mansion as if by Harold. Outside, she finds a dead body in a car and seeks help from John, the gardener, only to return and find the car missing. The sequence intensifies the sense of danger around the house.

that night mansion grounds
7

Dr. Lomas's assessment: subconscious rejection of Harold

After Susan recounts her experiences, Dr. Lomas concludes that her subconscious is rejecting Harold as the cause of her trauma. This assessment shifts Susan's focus and fuels new questions about who truly harmed her. The therapy scene deepens the psychological tension between the characters.

after recounting to Dr. Lomas Dr. Lomas's office
8

The woods call and Susan confronts the dead man again

Harold returns to the mansion, and the woods seem to call out to Susan. She goes into the forest and finds the same dead man who grabs her leg, forcing her to flee. She hides in the cabin where she was raped as danger closes in.

the same day woods; cabin
9

Harold's apparent murder

Harold arrives at the mansion and is later found dead, apparently shot by Susan. His death marks a dramatic turn in the mystery and deepens the suspicion on Susan. The scene unsettles Miriam and others and raises questions about Susan's innocence.

shortly after the forest incident mansion
10

Conspiracies revealed: Miriam and John against Susan

Authorities declare Susan will be returned to the Swiss sanatorium, but a larger plot comes to light. Miriam admits she has long envied Susan for the father's attention and conspired with John to disinherit her. It is revealed that John was the one who raped Susan when she was 13.

after Harold's death mansion; hospital
11

A stalking plot against Miriam

A stalker targets Miriam, appearing to be Harold. She concludes John is tormenting her, and she fires him. The stalking continues, revealing a broader conspiracy behind the scenes.

after reveal mansion
12

Miriam's fatal decision and the counter-conspiracy

One rainy night, Miriam confronts the stalker and shoots John fatally, believing Harold is threatening her. She tries to leave the mansion, only to find Harold alive in the doorway. In a dramatic confession, she learns that the stalking was a counter-conspiracy masterminded by Dr. Lomas, who uses Harold's supposed danger to trap Miriam.

climax mansion
13

Miriam's arrest

In the wake of the confession, Miriam is arrested as the truth about the conspiracies surfaces. She must confront the consequences of her manipulation and jealousy, and Susan's future remains uncertain under the shadow of a new plan.

end of the events mansion; authorities

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:23

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of A Taste of Evil

Don't stop at just watching — explore A Taste of Evil 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 Taste of Evil is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

A Taste of Evil Summary

Read a complete plot summary of A Taste of Evil, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

A Taste of Evil Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in A Taste of Evil

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in A Taste of Evil

More About A Taste of Evil

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about A Taste of Evil: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About A Taste of Evil

Similar Movies to A Taste of Evil

Discover movies like A Taste of Evil that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.