Bad Moon

Bad Moon

Year: 1996

Runtime: 80 mins

Language: English

Director: Eric Red

HorrorHorror the undead and monster classicsGory gruesome and slasher horrorSci-fi horror creatures and aliensBloody vampire horror

A man cursed with a werewolf transformation battles to keep the beast within hidden, clinging to his family's love as his only salvation. As the curse threatens to overwhelm him and endanger everything he cherishes, the family dog Thor becomes the unexpected key to breaking the curse and protecting his loved ones.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Bad Moon (1996)

Trace every key event in Bad Moon (1996) 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

Attack in Nepal

During a work expedition in Nepal, photo-journalists Ted Harrison and Marjorie are attacked by a werewolf. The creature snatches Marjorie away while Ted tries to rescue her and gets bitten in the shoulder. Ted manages to kill the werewolf with a shotgun, but Marjorie is killed in the process.

Nepal
2

Seeks Isolation

After the attack, Ted moves into a trailer in the woods to seek solitude and hide from the trauma. His isolation is marked by his attempt to recover and escape from the past, living far from society and his family.

Woods near his trailer
3

Family Dinner and Discovery

Ted invites his sister Janet and her son Brett for a meal at his cabin by the lake. Thor, the family dog, reacts suspiciously and runs into the woods, leading Janet to find human remains hanging from a tree, revealing recent violence nearby.

Ted's home by the lake
4

Deception and Investigation

Ted lies to Janet, claiming that Marjorie left him and returned to Seattle. Authorities begin investigating multiple missing hikers and a forest ranger, who are found dead in the woods near Ted’s trailer, heightening suspicion.

Woods near Ted’s trailer
5

Ted’s Transformation Revealed

Thor senses something is wrong and follows Ted into the woods, discovering Ted transformed into a werewolf and chained to a tree. Janet goes into the forest in search of Thor, who safely leads her back to the house.

In the woods near Ted’s trailer
6

Media Coverage and Confrontation

Janet watches a news report about the killings and confronts Ted about his silence. Ted warns her to watch Thor’s strange behavior, hinting that a wolf may be behind the murders, but Janet dismisses his warnings.

Janet’s home
7

Ted Attempts to Chain Himself

As sunset approaches, Ted tries to chain himself up again to prevent transforming into the werewolf. Thor, sensing danger, escapes from the house and finds Ted in the woods, but Ted is too late in his attempt to restrain himself.

Woods near Ted’s trailer
8

Ted’s Attack and Rescue Effort

Ted attacks Thor in the backyard but is fought off by the dog. Janet intervenes, scaring Ted away with the deck lights and finds Thor injured. She discovers a gruesome book and journal revealing Ted’s inner turmoil and his werewolf curse.

Janet’s house
9

The Salesman’s Attack

A traveling salesman, previously accused of framing Thor, returns and tries to kill the dog but is fatally wounded by Ted. Janet learns about the salesman’s death and considers Thor’s innocence in the killings.

Janet’s yard
10

Revelation and Confrontation

Janet questions Ted about the attacks, and he provocatively causes Thor to attack, leading to the dog being taken to the pound. Ted's hostility increases as he begins to fully transform during a confrontation with Janet.

Woods near Janet’s house
11

The Transformation and Fight

During a confrontation in the woods, Ted fully transforms into a werewolf and attacks Janet. Brett sneaks out, frees Thor from the pound, and joins the fight. A violent struggle ensues, ending with Janet shooting Ted and Thor knocking him down.

Woods near Janet’s house
12

Ted’s Final Defeat

Severely injured, Ted retreats into the woods but is tracked by Thor. As dawn approaches, Ted emerges as a human and, under Thor's command, is killed by the dog-turned-werewolf. Janet and Brett breathe a sigh of relief, healing from their ordeal.

In the woods at dawn
13

Nightmare and Aftermath

In a final nightmare, Thor's growling as a werewolf symbolizes their lingering fears. The film closes with Janet, Brett, and Thor healing from the traumatic events, hinting at peace or an uncertain future after the ordeal.

Night, after the confrontation

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:14

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Bad Moon Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Bad Moon

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