Body Parts

Body Parts

Year: 1991

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: English

Director: Eric Red

ThrillerHorrorIntense violence and sexual transgressionHorror the undead and monster classicsThrillers and murder mysteries

Is evil rooted in the heart, mind, or flesh? After a car accident severs a criminal psychologist’s arm, he undergoes an experimental transplant using limbs harvested from an executed serial killer, joining two other recipients. When one patient is murdered brutally, the remaining two experience increasingly horrific and unexplained phenomena.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Body Parts 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 – Body Parts (1991)

Trace every key event in Body Parts (1991) 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

Car crash and arm loss

Bill Chrushank, a psychologist working with killers, is on his way to the prison when a horrific car crash occurs. The accident leaves him severely injured and he loses one arm. The event sets the stage for the medical experiments that follow.

On the road to the prison
2

Experimental arm transplant

At the hospital, Dr. Agatha Webb pushes Bill's wife to consent to an experimental transplant using the killer's arm. Bill awakens after the surgery and begins to adjust to his new limb. The procedure raises hopes for recovery but hints at future complications.

Hospital
3

Return to work and routine

Bill is released from the hospital and tries to resume his work at the prison. He initially settles into a routine, but the new arm feels unfamiliar and sometimes unreliable. The sense of normalcy is fragile and tinged with unease.

Prison
4

Visions and loss of control

Soon Bill begins seeing horrific visions as if he is committing murders while using the arm. He also experiences moments where the arm seems to act on its own, undermining his control. The experience blurs the line between medicine and menace.

5

Tattoo and fingerprint reveal

A prison convict mentions the tattoo on the arm is linked to death row inmates. A police check of Bill’s new fingerprints reveals the arm belonged to Charley Fletcher, a notorious serial killer who was executed. The truth shakes Bill to his core.

Prison/Police facility
6

Meet the other transplant recipients

Dr. Webb reveals two other patients, Mark Draper and Remo Lacey, who received the killer's legs and other arm. Bill visits Remo, who has become successful painting with his new limb. Bill tries to warn them that they may be seeing what the killer saw, but Remo ignores the warning.

Dr. Webb's clinic
7

Remo's success and Bill's warning

Remo's paintings bring him wealth, and Bill's warnings go unheeded as Remo dismisses the danger. The two men drift apart as Remo chases fame and the arm's visions seem to grow stronger for Bill. The conflict heightens the tension around the transplant.

Remo's studio
8

Bar fight and public display

Bill confronts Remo and Mark at a bar when a drunk patron demands to see Bill's arm. A violent bar fight erupts, and Bill showcases his enhanced strength as he takes down several attackers before security intervenes. The incident confirms to Bill that the arm’s power is real and dangerous.

Bar
9

Mark's decline and murder

Back home, Mark's legs suddenly fail and he calls Bill in fear. Bill arrives to find Mark dead with both legs missing, a chilling sign that the arm transfer is connected to killings. He realizes the danger has escalated beyond their control.

Mark's apartment
10

Charley shows himself and attacks Remo

Charley Fletcher, still alive with a head transplant, reappears and attacks Remo, tearing off his arm and flinging him out a window. The killer's remnants begin to assert themselves in the world again. The scene raises the stakes of the confrontation.

Remo's location
11

High-speed pursuit and handcuff

At a traffic light, Charley pulls up beside Bill and handcuffs his wrist to Bill's. A tense pursuit follows as Charley speeds away while the detective tries to keep up. Bill uses the detective's gun to snap the makeshift cuff and escape danger.

City street
12

Confrontation in the hospital lab

Bill and the detective track Charley back to the hospital where Charley's torso and limbs lie in a glass case. Dr. Webb reveals she is ready to reclaim the arm, and Charley knocks Bill unconscious to seize control again. The hospital becomes a battleground between science and revenge.

Hospital
13

Showdown and the fall of Charley

Bill wakes strapped to an operating table as Dr. Webb advances with a circular saw. After breaking his restraints, Bill fights Charley for a shotgun, and Charley is killed when Bill snaps his neck and destroys the jointed limbs. The fall of Charley brings a fragile peace, but violence lingers.

Hospital operating room
14

Ending in the park

Bill sits with his wife in a park, reflecting on the strange journey and the arm that now seems to work. In his journal he notes there have been no further problems since Charley's death, and he remains grateful for Dr. Webb and Charley for the new arm. The ending frames a cautious, uneasy peace.

Park

Last Updated: October 10, 2025 at 16:04

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 Body Parts

Don't stop at just watching — explore Body Parts 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 Body Parts is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Body Parts Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Body Parts, 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.

Body Parts Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Body Parts

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Body Parts

More About Body Parts

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Body Parts: 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 Body Parts

Similar Movies to Body Parts

Discover movies like Body Parts 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.