Blackout

Blackout

Year: 1986

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: Norwegian

Director: Erik Gustavson

CrimeThriller

Corpses speak the clearest truth, and private investigator Werner gets a cryptic case. The affluent and striking Stella Hvidsteen arrives at his rundown office, pleading for help locating her missing sister Evy, a red‑haired woman who vanished without a trace. Werner takes the case, beginning an investigation into Evy's disappearance.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Blackout (1986)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Blackout (1986). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Ohio, California

Ohio provides the grim Midwest setting where a brutal murder unfolds and a tight-knit community reels from tragedy. California later becomes the sprawling stage for memory recovery, investigation, and the climactic pursuit that ties the past to the present. The contrast between these two locations underlines how danger can cross state lines and alter a family’s narrative.

🏙️ Midwest 🌅 West Coast

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:57

Main Characters – Blackout (1986)

Meet the key characters of Blackout (1986), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Joe Steiner

A veteran homicide detective who refuses to let a cold case stay buried. He remains relentless and skeptical of Allen Devlin, convinced there is a deeper truth behind the apparent amnesia and disguise. His pursuit tests personal boundaries as he balances duty with the fragile safety of Chris and her children.

🕵️‍♂️ Detective 🎯 Persistent 🧭 Investigator

Allen Devlin / Ed Vincent

An amnesiac whose memories are gradually rebuilt with the help of a nurse, only to be revealed as Ed Vincent, the actual killer from the Vincent murders. He forms a complicated bond with Chris, blurring lines between victim and perpetrator and fueling the central mystery of identity.

🧩 Dual identity 💔 Love 🧠 Amnesia

Chris Graham

A nurse who treats Allen after the crash and becomes his partner, eventually starting a family with him. She believes in Allen’s humanity even as danger encroaches and fights to protect her children. Her relationships with Allen and Patterson create a web of loyalty, fear, and resilience.

💖 Love interest 🛡️ Protector 👩‍⚕️ Caregiver

Michael Patterson

The police chief who is entangled with Chris and seeks to steer the case away from Allen. He manipulates information, becoming a suspect in a broader scheme and embodying how power can corrupt justice and trust. His actions complicate Steiner’s pursuit of the truth.

🎭 Power 🗝️ Secrets 🌀 Manipulation

John Davey

A private investigator hired to verify leads and uncover connections in the Vincent case. Operating in tense shadow, he navigates partial information and shifting loyalties while the truth inches closer. His work acts as a catalyst that helps expose who is truly tied to the murders.

🕵️‍♂️ Investigator 💬 Informant 🧭 Shadowy

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:57

Major Themes – Blackout (1986)

Explore the central themes of Blackout (1986), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧠 Identity

Allen Devlin's amnesia and the detective's mounting suspicions build a fractured sense of self. The plot explores how memory can fragment under trauma, and how a person may live with hidden facets that the past refuses to relinquish. As revelations unfold, the line between survivor and killer blurs, forcing characters to confront uncomfortable truths.

🕵️ Deception

The investigation is laced with misdirection, newspaper tips, and a chief's calculation that threatens to derail justice. False leads and concealed motives propel Steiner toward a dangerous conclusion about Allen and Ed Vincent. The film toys with trust, showing that truth can be buried beneath carefully constructed appearances.

👪 Family

The protection of Chris and her children drives much of the action, as a killer's shadow looms over their home. Loyalty, fear, and the will to defend loved ones push characters toward risky choices. The finale hinges on whether a detective can intervene in time to save a family from a killer who hides in plain sight.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:57

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Unlock the Full Story of Blackout

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Blackout Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Blackout, 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.

Blackout Summary

Blackout Timeline

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

Blackout Timeline

More About Blackout

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More About Blackout

Explore More About Movie Blackout

Blackout (1986) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Blackout (1986) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Blackout (1986) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow