Cast a Dark Shadow

Edward fakes Monica’s death by staging a drunken gas-fire incident, knowing she had been drinking heavily. He deliberately encouraged her to drink to reinforce his control. The murder is designed to secure his future, and the circumstances set the plan in motion.

An inquest rules Monica’s death accidental, but Phillip Mortimer begins to suspect Edward’s involvement. The investigation hints that not everything is as it seems, planting the seeds for later confrontation. The doubt surrounding the death fuels the looming threat to Edward.

Edward learns Monica intended to leave him nothing, with the fortune placed in trust for her sister Dora. The will leaves him only the mansion from a previous arrangement, reshuffling the wealth to Dora and her line. This revelation sharpens his motive to secure the fortune by any means.

Edward convinces the elderly maid that the £200 left to her was payment in lieu of wages. He then persuades her to continue working for free at the mansion. This manipulation widens his control over the household and its resources.

Edward meets Freda Jeffries, a merry widow, at a seaside hotel and wins her affection. He invites her to stay at the mansion, courting her while she remains wary. Freda soon becomes friendly with the maid, complicating the household dynamics.

Edward marries the wealthy widow Freda and moves her into the sprawling house, tightening control over her finances. He acts to prevent any future losses and to secure his position. The new marriage creates a tense balance, as Freda is more calculating and less trusting than Monica.

Edward encounters Charlotte Young, who is looking to buy a property for an equestrian school. As an ex-estate agent, he shows her several houses, which makes Freda jealous of his closeness with another potential beneficiary. Charlotte’s interest places her at risk of becoming entangled in his schemes.

Late at night, Edward lures Charlotte to the mansion under false pretenses and discloses that he knows she is Dora, Monica's sister. He brazenly confesses killing Monica and tries to persuade her to leave and not testify. Charlotte remains cautious, recognizing the danger but resisting his pressure.

Freda and Emily return home unexpectedly, stumbling into the tense moment at the door. Freda escorts Charlotte to the door, maintaining her own safety while sensing the danger. The confrontation between killer and would-be victim continues to escalate.

Phillip Mortimer enters the room, having heard Edward’s confession, followed by Charlotte, who is actually Dora. The lawyer confronts Teddy with the truth, signaling the collapse of his schemes. The momentum shifts toward exposure and accountability.

Edward flees in his car, but the mansion’s entrance is blocked by the cars of Charlotte and Phillip. He seizes a second vehicle, hoping to dodge the pursuit, only to realize too late that he has taken Charlotte's car. The chase tightens as the escape fails.

On a road leading to a cliff, Edward loses control and dies after crashing Charlotte’s car. The murderer's downfall is complete, ending his manipulative reign. The rest of the characters are left to deal with the consequences of his greed.