Devil Returns (1982) Plot Summary Explained

The rapist returns because his son was subjected to an exorcism. The demonic connection between father and child means that when the temple ceremony attempts to rid the boy of evil, it enrages the dead rapist enough to bring him back from the grave seeking revenge against those who harmed his son.

• rapist returns
• undead
• demonic son
• exorcism revenge

The baby is conceived through the violent act of rape, and the supernatural presence within him becomes evident early on. He torments his mother when alone, displays abilities like making objects break and spinning his head during the exorcism, and responds to the ritual in a clearly inhuman manner.

• demonic baby
• supernatural child
• evil child

When Mei-hsun tries to have a secret abortion, an invisible supernatural force attacks the doctor and nurse, flinging the doctor out a window. The procedure cannot proceed, suggesting the demonic presence within the unborn child protects itself from destruction.

Foreshadowing: The baby's supernatural nature is foreshadowed by Mei-hsun's nightmares and visions of her attacker.

• abortion
• supernatural protection
• demonic fetus

The rapist kills the nanny because she is the one who arranged the temple exorcism to cleanse the child of evil. Enraged that his son has been subjected to the ritual, the undead rapist follows her home and kills her as payback for interfering with his demonic offspring.

• nanny killed
• exorcism revenge
• revenge killing

The temple ceremony involves rituals intended to rid the child of whatever evil presence corrupts him. During the exorcism, the baby's head spins around and objects break, indicating a supernatural struggle. The ritual appears successful, as the child begins acting normal afterward, until his father's return enrages the situation.

• temple exorcism
• demonic ritual
• child cleansing

Desperate to rid herself of what she believes is an evil child, Mei-hsun attempts suicide by throwing herself down a flight of stairs. The attempt fails to kill her but causes premature birth of the child one month early, binding her to the demonic baby she tried to escape.

• suicide attempt
• premature birth
• forced delivery

The undead rapist returns to Mei-hsun's home and murders a visiting female friend and her suitor. He impales the man with a knife and kills the woman by asphyxiation and crushing her head. These killings serve as part of his campaign of terror against Mei-hsun and those close to her.

• murder
• supernatural killer
• home invasion

During the final confrontation, Mei-hsun's husband and a police officer arrive and manage to banish the undead rapist by drenching him in wine and shooting him multiple times. The combination of sacred wine (often used in exorcism rituals) and bullets destroys the supernatural menace.

• final confrontation
• exorcism wine
• banishment

Even after the rapist is executed by firing squad, Mei-hsun continues to be plagued by nightmares and visions of him. She dreams of his execution at the exact moment it occurs, showing the psychological trauma of her assault and the supernatural connection she has with her attacker.

Foreshadowing: The dream foreshadows the supernatural bond between Mei-hsun and her attacker that enables his later return.

• nightmares
• execution dream
• psychological trauma

The supernatural child torments his mother specifically when no one else is around to witness his actions. While her husband, nanny, and friends all believe the baby is normal, he psychologically tortures Mei-hsun in private, making her appear paranoid or unstable to others.

• psychological terror
• isolated torment
• gaslighting