Elves

Elves

Year: 1989

Runtime: 89 mins

Language: English

Director: Jeffrey Mandel

HorrorHorror the undead and monster classicsChilling experiments and classic monster horrorGothic and eerie haunting horrorShow All…

While conducting a pagan ritual in the woods with friends, Kirsten unintentionally summons the spirit of a demonic Christmas elf linked to a neo‑Nazi plot for a master race. After the rent‑a‑Santa in her department store is murdered, an alcoholic ex‑cop takes the job, and together they pursue the dark mystery, exposing deeper sinister forces.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Elves 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 – Elves (1989)

Trace every key event in Elves (1989) 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

Kirsten's ritual awakens the elf

During an Anti-Christmas pagan ritual in the woods, Kirsten and her friends accidentally spill blood, waking an ancient demonic Christmas elf. The elf becomes entwined with a modern Neo-Nazi plot aimed at realizing a master race. Kirsten remains largely unaware of the danger as she continues through the Christmas season.

Evening Woods outside town
2

Elf linked to a hidden Nazi conspiracy

The elf's awakening ties into a secret Neo-Nazi scheme to forge a master race using elf-human hybrids. The group worships elves as part of a hidden pseudo-religion that operates behind the scenes. Kirsten is identified as a pivotal figure in the plot because of her lineage.

Night Secret Nazi hideout
3

Revelations about Kirsten's bloodline

A shocking revelation ties Kirsten to a Nazi lineage, with her family history playing a crucial role in the plot. It’s hinted that her grandfather’s past and bloodline manipulation are connected to the elf’s power. The discovery raises the stakes for Kirsten as she becomes a target.

Evening Kirsten's home
4

Mike becomes Santa after the previous Santa is killed

An ex-cop with a drinking problem has lost his badge and his home, drifting toward desperation. The department store manager recruits him to fill the Santa role after the prior Santa is murdered by the elf. Mike’s new gig traps him deeper into the store’s nocturnal world.

Night Department store
5

Kirsten and friends infiltrate the store

Kirsten and her friends sneak into the department store after hours, waiting for their boyfriends to join a late-night party. The shadowy Nazi group arrives with the intent to kidnap Kirsten and retrieve the elf. The store becomes a dangerous battleground as loyalties blur.

Night Department store
6

Friends fall and Kirsten escapes

The elf and the Nazi team attack the group inside the store, and Kirsten’s friends are killed in the ensuing chaos. Kirsten manages to flee with the help of a narrow escape and a growing sense of resolve. The night’s violence hardens Kirsten’s determination to uncover the plot.

Night Department store
7

Kirsten and Mike team up to unravel the plot

Scarred by the loss of her friends, Kirsten allies with Mike and they vow to dismantle the threat around them. They shift from mere survival to actively pursuing answers about the elf and the Nazi scheme. Their uneasy partnership marks a turning point in their fight.

Night Store vicinity
8

Library trip to dig for clues

Kirsten and Mike visit the local college library to research the elf and the broader conspiracy. They uncover references to the elf’s supposed power, as well as the religious underpinnings of the Nazi operation. The library visit broadens their understanding and sets new investigative goals.

Christmas Eve Local college library
9

Confronting a professor for information

The duo breaks into a professor’s home to demand information about the elf and the master plan. They press the professor for answers, risking exposure and retaliation for probing dangerous secrets. Their confrontation pushes the investigation toward a dangerous crossroads.

Night Professor's home
10

Realization and resolve to protect Kirsten

Mike recognizes the full scope of the threat and commits to protecting Kirsten at all costs. The realization solidifies their partnership and reframes their mission from simple survival to preventative action. The stakes are now personal and urgent.

Night Professor's home / town
11

Final showdown at home and in the woods

Mike, Kirsten, and her grandfather confront the Nazis and the elf in Kirsten’s home, culminating in a climactic confrontation in the surrounding woods. The battle blends old family history with present danger, pushing the characters to their limits. The confrontation ends with a precarious sense of victory.

Christmas Eve night Kirsten's home, then nearby woods
12

Elf destroyed by elfstone ritual

Kirsten uses an elfstone from her grandfather’s study to perform a ritual that destroys the elf. The ritual weaponizes ancestral power and personal courage to end the immediate threat. The elf’s demise provides a temporary reprieve from the conspiracy’s grip.

Night Kirsten's home / grandfather's study
13

Morning after: snow begins to fall

The next morning, Kirsten sits in the now-destroyed forest as snow begins to fall for the first time that winter. The landscape reflects the new, uneasy calm after the night’s violence. The characters brace for an uncertain future under a white morning light.

Morning Destroyed forest
14

Ending image hints at a troubling future

The film closes with an image of a fetus, suggesting the plot may have succeeded despite the elf's demise. It leaves a haunting implication about the future and the cycle of the conspiracy. The final shot lingers on unresolved consequences and the price of power.

Morning Forest

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:31

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