Deadly Friend

Deadly Friend

Year: 1986

Runtime: 91 min

Language: English

Director: Wes Craven

Sci-FiDramaThrillerHorror

A gifted but socially awkward teenager uses sophisticated robotics technology to revive a deceased girl. As the teenager and the reanimated girl develop a unique connection, the lines between human and machine become increasingly unclear. Their bond leads to unsettling questions about life, death, and the potential consequences of playing God.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Deadly Friend 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 – Deadly Friend (1986)

Trace every key event in Deadly Friend (1986) 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

The Thief Encounter

Outside 'Burger Heaven', a thief attempts to break into a Volkswagen van. His efforts are thwarted when a robot named BB, created by Paul, incapacitates him momentarily but then lets him go.

Burger Heaven
2

Paul and Jeannie's Arrival

Paul and his mother Jeannie arrive at their new home in Welling, Pennsylvania. They unpack their belongings, and Paul proudly introduces BB, the robot he built himself.

Welling, Pennsylvania
3

Meeting the Neighbor

As they settle in, Paul meets Tom Toomey, a local paperboy who is intrigued by BB. Paul shares his expertise in programming, showcasing his intelligence and passion for robotics.

4

The University Visit

Paul, Jeannie, and BB visit the university where Paul meets his mentor, Dr. Johanson. They receive a tour of the lab, emphasizing Paul's academic accomplishments in neurology and artificial intelligence.

University
5

Samantha's Bruise

While tidying the yard, Paul and BB meet Samantha Pringle, the girl next door. Paul notices bruises on her arms that she tries to hide from him, hinting at trouble in her home life.

6

Harry's Threat

Samantha's father, Harry, emerges and threatens her, showcasing his abusive nature. Samantha seeks solace in Paul and Jeannie's home, but is soon dragged back home by her father.

7

Teaching BB

Tom joins Paul in teaching BB to deliver newspapers. Their adventures lead them to encounter Elvira Parker, who frightens them with a shotgun, marking their first comedic yet dangerous experience.

8

The Halloween Prank

On Halloween, Samantha arrives at Paul’s home with a bloody nose, indicating more trouble. The kids devise a reckless prank against Elvira, but BB reveals himself, leading to disastrous consequences.

Halloween
9

Thanksgiving Dinner

During Thanksgiving, the atmosphere is warm as Paul and Jeannie invite Samantha for dinner. This leads to a heartfelt moment between Paul and Samantha, culminating in their first kiss.

Thanksgiving Paul's home
10

The Fatal Attack

When Samantha returns home, Harry brutally attacks her, leaving her gravely injured and in a coma. Paul's desperation grows as Dr. Johanson reveals there is little hope for her survival.

11

The Resurrection Plan

Inspired to save Samantha, Paul decides to use BB’s microchip technology to restore her life. With Tom's assistance, they hatch a plan to access the hospital's power system.

Hospital
12

Successful Revival

In a tense sequence, Paul manages to insert the microchip into Samantha's brain just as power is cut. To everyone's astonishment, she awakens, but with newfound powers and a different demeanor.

Hospital
13

Samantha's Revenge

The story takes a dark turn as Samantha seeks revenge against her father, leading to a horrific confrontation. In a shocking twist, she eliminates him in a moment of vengeance, leaving Paul horrified.

Samantha's home
14

The Final Confrontation

Samantha's revenge escalates further as she confronts Elvira, resulting in a violent showdown. The police soon become involved, leading to a tragic clash between their intentions and love.

15

A Heartbreaking Sacrifice

Samantha, in a moment of clarity, sacrifices herself to protect Paul from the police. As she dies in Paul's arms, he is left to grapple with his devastating loss amidst the chaos surrounding them.

16

The Sinister End

In the morgue, Paul confronts the reality of his loss. In a shocking twist, BB emerges as a sinister presence from Samantha's body, hinting at an ominous fate for Paul.

Morgue

Last Updated: October 25, 2024 at 10:09

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.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Science Gone Monstrously Wrong like in Deadly Friend

Stories where a scientific breakthrough leads to terrifying and unintended consequences.If you liked the terrifying consequences of playing God in Deadly Friend, you'll find more movies like it here. This list features similar sci-fi horror stories where technological or scientific ambition leads to bleak outcomes and monstrous creations.

unsettlinggrimsuspensefultragiccautionarybody horrormoral dilemma

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow a brilliant but obsessive protagonist who pushes ethical boundaries. Their creation, often meant to solve a human problem like death or loneliness, becomes a source of horror. The plot escalates from tragedy to violence, culminating in a bleak realization of failure and the destructive power of the new creation.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are united by the central theme of 'playing God' and its catastrophic fallout. They share a dark, cautionary tone, high emotional weight from the loss of control, and a steady pacing that methodically builds dread towards a horrific climax.

Grief-Fueled Stories with Tragic Revenge like in Deadly Friend

A story of profound loss that propels a character down a path of tragic vengeance.Fans of Deadly Friend's tragic core and its vengeful spiral will appreciate these movies. Discover similar thrillers and horror films where a character's heavy grief and desire for retribution unleash dark and irreversible consequences.

tragicmelancholicgrimvengefuluneasyheavy dramadesperate

Narrative Summary

The journey begins with a devastating personal tragedy that shakes the protagonist's world. Their emotional pain becomes the engine for the plot, driving them to make morally questionable choices in the name of love or justice. This descent is often linear and straightforward, focusing on the cause-and-effect relationship between loss, desperate action, and a bleak, unforgiving outcome.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their heavy emotional core rooted in grief and loss. They share a melancholic and uneasy mood, a steady pacing that allows the weight of tragedy to settle, and a narrative arc where love or friendship becomes the catalyst for a dark and destructive transformation.

Unlock the Full Story of Deadly Friend

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

Deadly Friend Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Deadly Friend, 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.

Deadly Friend Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Deadly Friend

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Deadly Friend

Deadly Friend Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Deadly Friend that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Deadly Friend Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Deadly Friend

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Deadly Friend: 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 Deadly Friend

Similar Movies to Deadly Friend

Discover movies like Deadly Friend 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.