Disconnected

Disconnected

Year: 1984

Runtime: 82 mins

Language: English

Horror

After ending her relationship with boyfriend Mike, whom she suspects is cheating with her twin sister Barbara Ann, Alicia begins receiving bizarre and unsettling phone calls. She befriends the shy, well‑meaning film enthusiast Franklin, only to discover he is a violent psychopath who enjoys carving up young women. As the mystery deepens, Alicia wonders whether Franklin is behind the disturbing calls.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Disconnected (1984)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Disconnected (1984). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Waterbury, Connecticut

Waterbury, Connecticut serves as the compact town backdrop where Alicia works at a video rental store and the mysterious events unfold. The setting centers on a close-knit neighborhood with apartments, bars, a theater, and a detective presence that heightens the sense of danger. The film uses the town as a stage for an escalating cycle of murder and paranoia, affecting everyday life.

🏙️ Small town 🎭 Crime drama setting

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:16

Main Characters – Disconnected (1984)

Meet the key characters of Disconnected (1984), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Alicia (Frances Sherman)

A young woman who works at a Waterbury video rental store and becomes entangled in a string of bizarre events after a mysterious visitor. She endures unsettling phone calls, disturbing nightmares, and a deteriorating mental state as the town's murders unfold around her.

🎬 Protagonist 🧠 Mental strain 🕵️‍♀️ Investigation 📞 Phone torment

Barbara Ann (Frances Sherman)

A glamorous twin sister to Alicia who becomes involved with Franklin and ultimately becomes a victim in the killer's spree. She exudes charisma but harbors dangerous secrets that intersect with the murder plot.

👯‍♀️ Twin 💃 Allure 🔪 Fatal encounter

Mike (Carl Koch)

Alicia's boyfriend and local DJ who leads a duplicitous life, hinting at an affair and a complex relationship. He embodies the blurred lines between normal life and the town's deadly mystery.

💿 Lover 🎭 Deception 🎵 DJ

Franklin (Mark Walker)

An awkward suitor who appears normal but is revealed to have a double life connected to dead bodies. He becomes a primary suspect and is ultimately killed by Tremaglio.

🗝️ Suspect 🗡️ Killer 🕳️ Double life

Detective Tremaglio (Carmine Capobianco)

A detective investigating the serial killings in Waterbury, who confronts the murders and ultimately shoots Franklin. He embodies the procedural drive of the investigation.

🕵️ Detective 🧯 Crime investigation

Old Man (William A. Roberts)

A mysterious elderly figure who appears at Alicia's apartment, contributing to the film's eerie atmosphere and sense of watching danger lurk nearby.

👴 Mysterious neighbor 🗝️ Omniscience

Alicia's Mother (Bette Kintzer)

Alicia's mother, referenced in her life, providing familial connection and support amidst the unsettling events and Alicia's unraveling state.

👩‍👧 Family 💬 Support 🥀 Strain

Girl Franklin Takes Home (Donna Dervoin)

A woman who becomes involved with Franklin and is murdered, reinforcing the reach of the killer and the danger surrounding Franklin's double life.

🚺 Victim 💔 Tragedy 🩸 Violence

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:16

Major Themes – Disconnected (1984)

Explore the central themes of Disconnected (1984), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌀 Reality vs Nightmare

Alicia experiences distorted, dreamlike sequences and nightmare loops that blur the line between what is real and what is imagined. Unsettling phone calls and surreal visions destabilize her grip on normal life as the serial killings unfold around her. The tension arises from the character's slipping sense of reality and the fear of unseen threats. This theme probes how fear can warp perception and control.

🔍 Suspense & Mystery

The town's murders create a mystery driven by clues, misdirections, and a mounting sense of danger. Alicia's interactions with Franklin and the eerie phone calls heighten the sense of suspense and ambiguity. Detective Tremaglio represents investigative pursuit, while the killer's identity remains unsettled until the culmination. The narrative uses uncertainty to maintain tension.

💔 Toxic Relationships

Romantic and familial ties are saturated with secrets, lies, and violence. Alicia's relationships—especially with Mike and Barbara Ann—become entangled with the murder plot, reflecting how intimacy can become a dangerous conduit for wrongdoing. The characters navigate deception and dependency amid a lethal mystery. The film suggests that intimate connections can deteriorate into violence and coercion.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:16

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Unlock the Full Story of Disconnected

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Disconnected Summary

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Disconnected Summary

Disconnected Timeline

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Disconnected Timeline

More About Disconnected

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