Dark August

Dark August

Year: 1976

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: English

Director: Martin G. Goldman

MysteryHorror

After a careless city driver runs over a young girl, her grieving grandfather invokes ancient mystical powers to lay a death‑curse on the perpetrator. Determined to avoid the fatal penalty, the driver, Barry, turns to a local psychic medium for help, hoping to break the hex before it claims his life.

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Timeline & Setting – Dark August (1976)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Dark August (1976). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present day

The events take place in the contemporary era, with everyday modernities like a grocery store, hospital, and fire department anchoring the horror in a recognizable reality. The slow, ordinary rhythm of small-town life collides with sudden, inexplicable occurrences, amplifying the sense that something ancient yet near is at work. The timeframe grounds the paranormal in a believable world, making the supernatural feel personal and immediate.

Location

Stowe, Vermont, New York City

The story unfolds in rural Stowe, Vermont, a forested small town that creates a quiet, isolating backdrop for supernatural tension. Sal's move from bustling New York City into this quiet landscape exposes him to unfamiliar customs and a community with secretive rumors. The natural surroundings—woods, creeks, and a covered bridge—mirror Sal's mounting unease and become active elements in the mystery. The town atmosphere blends close-knit scrutiny with a lingering sense of dread.

🏞️ Rural Vermont 🗽 NYC origins

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:03

Main Characters – Dark August (1976)

Meet the key characters of Dark August (1976), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Sal Devito (J.J. Barry)

A New York City-born visual artist who relocates to rural Stowe and struggles to fit in. He is intelligent and sensitive, yet increasingly paranoid after a car accident that results in a girl's death. Sal experiences inexplicable physical pain and a growing sense that he is being haunted by a hooded figure. His attempts to understand and resist the supernatural drive him toward drastic actions, including seeking help from Adrianna.

🎨 Creative 😨 Anxious 🧠 Burdened

Adrianna Putnam (Kim Hunter)

A local psychic branded as a witch by the townspeople, Adrianna acts as Sal's ally and the catalyst for uncovering the curse. She provides guidance on breaking the malevolent hold and leads the group through a ritual designed to transform negative energy. Her knowledge of occult practices makes her both trusted and dangerous within the town's beliefs. Her sudden death during the ritual intensifies the conflict with the forces at play.

🔮 Psychic 🧭 Mysterious 🕯️ Ritualist

Ned McDermott (The Grandfather)

The grieving grandfather of the young girl who died in the car accident. He appears to stalk Sal, driven by fear, guilt, and a belief that Sal is connected to his granddaughter's death. His presence fuels suspicion and fear around the curse, and his occult practices become a point of tension in the town. Ned's hostility injects a human antagonist into the supernatural conflict.

💔 Grief 🕵️ Suspicion 🏚️ Rumors

Jackie (Sal's Girlfriend)

Sal's partner who relocates with him and remains a source of support despite the mounting danger. She seeks Adrianna's help and organizes the group to participate in the protective ritual. Her fear and loyalty drive her to confront Ned and advocate for Sal's safety, highlighting the personal stakes at the heart of the mystery.

💖 Loyal 🤝 Supportive

Paul (Friend)

Sal's friend who helps build the art studio and becomes entangled in the supernatural events after the hooded figure appears. His injury while assisting Sal adds to the sense of peril, and his presence reinforces the theme of friendship under strain when confronting unknown forces.

🧰 Builder 🤝 Loyal

Theo

Sal and Jackie's friend who attends the dinner and shares in the group's attempt to address the curse. Theo's role helps ground the human social circle around Sal, illustrating how the town's collective life intersects with the supernatural occurrences.

🎭 Social 🗺️ Observant

Lesley

A clairvoyant friend who senses danger around Sal and participates in the ritual with Adrianna and Jackie. Her readings align with the tarot insights that foreshadow danger and guide the group's actions, adding a spiritual dimension to the investigation.

🔮 Clairvoyance 🧠 Insightful

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:03

Major Themes – Dark August (1976)

Explore the central themes of Dark August (1976), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔮 Curse

A malevolent force attaches to Sal after the car accident, driving the central mystery of the film. The curse is tied to Ned McDermott's suspicions and Adrianna's occult world, creating a sense of inescapable fate. Sal's experience of pain, visions, and near-collapses underscores the personal cost of disturbing hidden powers. The narrative builds toward a ritual attempt that tests whether the curse can be broken or if it will consume him.

🌲 Isolation

The forested, small-town setting amplifies Sal's sense of being cut off from his old life and support network. Gossip, suspicion, and fear circulate within the close-knit community, turning strangers into potential threats. The physical distance between Sal and his former urban world mirrors the emotional distance growing between him and those who might help. This isolation heightens the tension and makes every creak in the woods feel menacing.

🕯️ Ritual

Adrianna's ritual to transform negative energy into protective power becomes the pivotal moment of the film. The ceremony gathers Sal, Jackie, Theo, and Lesley to confront the curse, only to be interrupted by a violent act that reshapes the supernatural dynamics. The ritual's intention is to heal, yet the cost is high, exposing the perils of meddling with dark forces. In the end, the ritual outcome catalyzes a confrontation with the demonic presence.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:03

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Unlock the Full Story of Dark August

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

Dark August Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Dark August, 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.

Dark August Summary

Dark August Timeline

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Dark August Timeline

More About Dark August

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