Amityville: The Haunting

Amityville: The Haunting

Year: 2000

Runtime: 42 mins

Language: English

Director: Daniel Farrands

Documentary

A two-part documentary of the infamous haunted house on Long Island that inspired the motion picture “The Amityville Horror.”

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Amityville: The Haunting 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 – Amityville: The Haunting (2000)

Trace every key event in Amityville: The Haunting (2000) 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

Family moves into 112 Ocean Avenue

Belle Walker and her family relocate to the Amityville house so they can be near Dr. Milton, hoping for James to recover from his injuries. The move places them in a home with a notorious and unsettled history. The house itself becomes a character as they settle in.

112 Ocean Avenue, Amityville
2

James flatlines, then revives

That first night, James's heart flatlines, but he is mysteriously revived and opens his eyes. The revival unsettles the family and hints at a supernatural influence tied to the house. It marks the first sign that something dark is affecting James's fate.

That night James's room, 112 Ocean Avenue
3

School taunts and the house's dark past

At school, Belle endures taunts about moving into the infamous Amityville house. She learns the home was the site of Ronald DeFeo Jr.'s mass murder in 1974, which deepens the fear surrounding the family. The stigma follows them beyond the walls of the house.

Belle's high school
4

Bloodstains hidden in the third-floor bedroom

Belle discovers blood stains concealed behind wallpaper in the third-floor bedroom. The discovery hints at violence past and present fusing with James's fragile condition. It adds to the sense that the house is actively shaping events around them.

Third-floor bedroom
5

The Amityville Horror viewing and blackout

Belle and friends Terrence and Marissa watch The Amityville Horror (1979) in the house. At 3:15 am, the power goes out, sending them to the basement where they are confronted by Joan, who mistakes them for intruders. The scene blurs the line between cinema and the house's reality as fear escalates.

3:15 am Basement, 112 Ocean Avenue
6

Dr. Milton's EEG and the flies

Dr. Milton conducts an EEG on James to assess his neurological status and suspects locked-in syndrome. During the test, flies swarm the room, frightening him and prompting him to leave shaken. The moment links James's revival to a darker force in the house.

In the house, during James's EEG
7

James communicates; possession theory emerges

James gains the ability to communicate using an AAC computer, typing by looking at letters. Terrence suggests James's revival could be possession connected to the house, and the group notices a ground ring that might represent a magic circle. The idea of possession begins to overshadow mundane explanations.

James's room, 112 Ocean Avenue
8

James asks to be killed; Belle acts

James types 'Yes' and 'Help' through the AAC and asks Belle to kill him. In response, Belle shuts off his ventilation, momentarily cutting off his life support, and he eventually starts breathing again. The exchange deepens the sense of an external intelligence controlling James.

James's room
9

Next day: search for the Red Room and dog attack

The next day, Belle types 'Outside walk' to distract her mother and locate the Red Room in the basement, hoping to find the source of James's power. Meanwhile, Larry the dog is found mauled to death in the lake, escalating Belle's fear. Belle's confrontation with Joan follows as she voices her concerns about the haunting.

the next day Red Room basement
10

Joan reveals motive for moving to the house

Joan explains that she moved the family to the house after losing faith in God, hoping to harness demonic energy to bring James back. The revelation reframes the haunting as a misguided, desperate experiment rather than a simple menace. The family begins to confront the dangerous consequences of their decisions.

Living room, 112 Ocean Avenue
11

Joan knocks Belle out and the night begins

That night, as Belle prepares to leave, Joan ambushes and knocks her unconscious, trapping her in the house. The stage is set for the final confrontation between the living family and the possessed James. The tension inside the home grows to a breaking point.

That night Hallway, 112 Ocean Avenue
12

Three fifteen am: resurrection and Candice arrives

Belle wakes at 3:15 am to Aunt Candice arriving as James rises, drawing power from the Red Room to revitalize his body. Candice's arrival signals a deadly showdown looming inside the house. The sequence tightens the suspense as old allies come to terms with the house's influence.

3:15 am House, Red Room vicinity
13

Candice is shot; Juliet is retrieved; doors lock

James shoots Candice with a shotgun as he asserts control, killing her in the chaos. Belle retrieves Juliet and tries to keep them from escaping as the house physically locks its doors. The violence increases as the family fights for survival.

Upper floors, 112 Ocean Avenue
14

Final confrontation: Joan is killed; James dies

James shoots Joan in the chest, then in the head when she wields a crucifix, proving the power of the possessed is growing. He lures Juliet to the third floor, but Belle intervenes, and the two tumble from a window. Belle frees James from the circle, and his body withers back to paralysis as he dies, thanking her for releasing him.

Third floor / outside the house
15

Epilogue: newsreel reassesses the tragedy

A newsreel reveals Belle is being questioned for the murders of her mother, aunt, and brother, but Juliet corroborates Belle's story and James's fingerprints are disputed by Dr. Milton due to his paralysis. The report notes yet another tragedy surrounding the Amityville house, closing the case with a haunted finality.

Epilogue Newsroom / TV broadcast

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:36

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 Amityville: The Haunting

Don't stop at just watching — explore Amityville: The Haunting 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 Amityville: The Haunting is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Amityville: The Haunting Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Amityville: The Haunting, 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.

Amityville: The Haunting Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Amityville: The Haunting

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Amityville: The Haunting. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Amityville: The Haunting

Amityville: The Haunting Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Amityville: The Haunting that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Amityville: The Haunting Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Amityville: The Haunting

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Amityville: The Haunting: 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 Amityville: The Haunting