Boardinghouse

Boardinghouse

Year: 1982

Runtime: 99 mins

Language: English

HorrorHorror the undead and monster classicsGory gruesome and slasher horrorGothic and eerie haunting horrorTerrifying haunted and supernatural horror

When a once‑infamous boarding house reopens after years of standing empty following a series of gruesome murders, the new tenants assume they’ve left the horror behind. Yet the rent isn’t the only threat, as a fresh wave of bloodshed erupts, forcing everyone to confront the house’s deadly legacy.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Boardinghouse (1982)

Trace every key event in Boardinghouse (1982) 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

Hoffman deaths and Debbie's witness

On September 18, 1972, Dr. Hoffman and his wife are found dead at their Mulholland Drive ranch home, with the deaths ruled a double suicide. Their thirteen-year-old daughter Debbie witnessed the tragedy and later suffers a nervous breakdown that lands her in an institution.

September 18, 1972 Mulholland Drive ranch
2

Following deaths at the house

After the Hoffmans' deaths, subsequent buyers of the property begin to die in gruesome, unexplained ways, lending the house a reputation of being cursed. The supernatural legacy of the site seems to persist across owners.

Unknown date after 1972 Mulholland Drive ranch
3

Boarding house is reopened

In 1982, Jim Royce reopens the residence as a boarding house and inherits the property from his uncle. He posts a newspaper ad inviting single women to move in, signaling his occult interests.

1982 Hoffman residence
4

New tenants arrive

Several aspiring actresses and models—Sandy, Suzie, Cindy, Gloria, Pam, and Terri—move into the house, settling into its eerie atmosphere. The stage is set for the Hoffman curse to resurface through the new tenants.

1982 Hoffman residence
5

Debbie joins the household

An English woman named Debbie arrives and asks for the last remaining room, joining the household. Her quiet presence hints at a deeper, unsettling connection to the mansion's dark past.

1982 Hoffman residence
6

Detective Grant observes the house

Detective Richard Grant begins casing the house for unknown reasons, and a private investigator is dispatched to look into matters. The investigator is electrocuted in a bathtub and buried in the backyard by an unseen assailant, signaling that danger lurks inside.

1982 Hoffman residence
7

Jim shows his telekinetic power to Victoria

Jim demonstrates his telekinetic abilities to Victoria, an aspiring singer who becomes intrigued by his powers. Their bond deepens as Victoria begins to believe she too could wield supernatural abilities.

1982 Hoffman residence
8

Cindy vanishes and a clue emerges

Cindy vanishes on the beach, leaving behind a note claiming she has reunited with Richard. The disappearance intensifies the mystery surrounding the house and its occupants.

1982 Beach near residence
9

Housewarming party begins; violence erupts

During the housewarming, the discovery of Cindy's body is announced and the 10th anniversary of the Hoffmans' deaths is noted. A supernatural force overpowers a police officer outside, causing him to shoot a guest before killing himself.

1982 Hoffman residence
10

Pam is attacked by the haunting

Pam argues with Debbie, then is seized by the haunting and claws out her own eyes. The shocking act marks a turning point as the haunting tightens its grip on the house.

1982 Hoffman residence
11

Debbie reveals her identity and motive

Debbie reveals herself as Deborah Hoffman, the daughter of Dr. Hoffman, returning to claim her home. She explains an incestuous relationship with her father and implicates herself in the deaths of both him and his mother.

1982 Hoffman residence
12

Final confrontation and aftermath

Jim and Victoria confront Debbie in a psychic battle and manage to defeat her. The house is set ablaze that night, and Debbie's body remains unfound as Jim and Victoria begin new lives as a programmer and a singer.

Night of the party, 1982 Hoffman residence

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:28

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Boardinghouse Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Boardinghouse, 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.

Boardinghouse Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Boardinghouse

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Boardinghouse

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