Death Screams

Death Screams

Year: 1982

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: English

Director: David Nelson

HorrorHorror the undead and monster classicsGory gruesome and slasher horrorGothic and eerie haunting horrorTerrifying haunted and supernatural horror

The last scream you hear is your own. Late one night a young couple is brutally killed at a secluded spot, their bodies dumped in a river. While the town prepares for its carnival, a machete‑wielding maniac with a twisted grudge lies in wait. When teens throw a midnight after‑party in the cemetery, they become his next victims.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Death Screams 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!

Death Screams (1982) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Death Screams (1982), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

In a quiet Southern town, Ted and Angie are brutally murdered while they are together by the riverfront, their bodies cast into the water.

Several days later, Bob and Kathy, both young college students home for summer, plan to attend the traveling carnival on its last night. Later, Lily Carpenter feels she is being followed as she walks home. The next day, Lily visits the carnival with her grandmother Agnes, as do Bob and [Kathy]. Also in attendance are Sheila, a young coed named Walker, a waitress named Ramona and her boyfriend, Tom; and prankster Diddle and his girlfriend, Sandy. Together, the group make plans to have a bonfire near the river that night.

During the carnival, Neil, a local coach whom Bob and Kathy work for, makes romantic advances toward Lily. When his jealous ex-girlfriend Sara witnesses this, she covers Neil’s car in shaving cream. Shortly after, while sitting alone in an unpopulated part of the carnival, she is shot with an arrow, and stumbles to an abandoned carousel, where an assailant suffocates her to death with a plastic bag.

At nightfall, Lily drops off Bob and Kathy at their homes, and they convince her to meet them later at the river for the planned bonfire. Ramona arrives at Neil’s house and makes sexual advances toward him, but he rebukes her. She leaves in tears, and is confronted by the local sheriff, Sheriff Avery, who denigrates her and blames her for a car accident she was in that resulted in his son, Casey, sustaining a brain injury that left the boy intellectually disabled. Shortly after, Avery’s wife phones him and tells him Casey has run away from home.

Neil prepares to leave for the bonfire, but hears noises in the attic above his garage. Shortly after, Avery arrives at Neil’s house and finds the garage covered in blood before a corpse falls from the rafters. Meanwhile, at the bonfire, Sandy goes swimming alone in the river while Ramona and Tom begin making out. While floating in the water, the corpses of Ted and Angie drift into Sandy, and her throat is subsequently slashed by the killer. Soon after, Bob, Kathy, and Lily arrive at the bonfire, and the group all decide to visit the local cemetery, a short distance away through the woods. The group begin to tell scary stories, but are interrupted by a rainstorm.

Seeking shelter, the group break into a nearby abandoned house. Diddle ventures outside to use an outhouse, and the group plan to scare him. After waiting several minutes, they barge into the outhouse, but find his bloody corpse hanging from the ceiling. Walker rushes to retrieve his truck, only to be decapitated by the killer upon arriving at the vehicle; Sheila, having followed Walker, meets the same fate shortly after. Tom finds their severed heads, and falls victim to the killer moments later in the cemetery. Lily, Kathy, Bob, and Ramona are soon attacked by the killer, who breaks into the house. As they try to flee upstairs, Ramona falls through the broken staircase and is murdered. The killer, revealed to be Neil, bursts into the attic. He attempts to attack Lily, but she manages to stop him by slashing his throat with a shard of broken glass. Neil falls, but stands up again and charges madly forward in the direction of a large window.

Avery—having earlier discovered his son Casey’s body in Neil’s garage—arrives at the abandoned house, and watches as Neil crashes through the attic window. Avery shoots Neil multiple times in the head, avenging his son. Multiple police arrive on the scene to save Lily, Bob, and Kathy. Meanwhile, the corpses of Angie, Ted, and Sandy float in the river against the edge of a dam.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:43

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 Death Screams

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

Death Screams Timeline

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

Death Screams Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Death Screams

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Death Screams

More About Death Screams

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Death Screams: 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 Death Screams

Similar Movies to Death Screams

Discover movies like Death Screams 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.