Creature of Destruction

Creature of Destruction

Year: 1967

Runtime: 80 mins

Language: English

Director: Larry Buchanan

HorrorTV MovieScience Fiction

When darkness falls, the deranged stage hypnotist Dr. John Basso transforms his stunning assistant Doreena into the physical incarnation of a prehistoric sea monster—a being she embodied in a past life. He then exploits this terrifying power, claiming to foresee murders and using the creature to carry them out in a quest for fame and fortune.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Creature of Destruction 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!

Creature of Destruction (1967) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Creature of Destruction (1967), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Dr. Basso Les Tremayne, a suave, silver-haired stage hypnotist and self-proclaimed clairvoyant, runs experiments in hypnotic regression that pull his unwilling subject Doreena Pat Delaney back to a prehistoric past life as an amphibious humanoid—the Gill Monster. Using the entranced Doreena to summon the hideous fish-faced creature from the depths of a nearby lake, Basso commands the savage she-beast to commit brutal murders, partly out of revenge on a world that mocked his occult theories and his unshakable belief that mindlessly destructive primeval monsters still lurk within us all, and partly for the notoriety they bring to his performances when he predicts the killings before they happen.

While detective Lt. Blake Roger Ready suspects the misanthropic mentalist behind the crimes, the police have little real evidence—only a webbed footprint at the first crime scene and an eyewitness sketch of a creature, leaving them seemingly powerless to stop Basso’s reign of terror.

Handsome Air Force psychologist Captain Ted Dell [Aron Kincaid], a respected scientist in psychic research, becomes involved when his fiancée Lynn [Suzanne Roy] drags him to a party hosted by retired business tycoon Sam Crane [Neil Fletcher] at his Tanglewood Country Club and Resort, where Basso is providing the entertainment. Sam Crane views Basso as just another con artist hoping to cash in on gullible audiences, but Ted grows fascinated with Doreena—the true source of Basso’s paranormal power—and vows to free her from the unhealthy mental domination that the romantically obsessed Basso has over her.

With Ted’s help, Doreena begins to gain the willpower to resist Basso, but the police confront the murderous Gill Monster down at a closed-off beach, and bullets prove useless against the indestructible creature. Angered by Ted’s interference, Basso turns the gun on him, but Doreena leaps in front of the shot and is killed instead. Her death causes the Gill Monster to slump to the ground and vanish back into the distant past. Heartbroken by the loss of the only person he has ever loved, Basso turns the gun on himself and ends his own life.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:09

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 Creature of Destruction

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

Creature of Destruction Timeline

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

Creature of Destruction Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Creature of Destruction

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Creature of Destruction

More About Creature of Destruction

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Creature of Destruction: 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 Creature of Destruction