Experiment in Terror

Experiment in Terror

Year: 1962

Runtime: 123 mins

Language: English

Director: Blake Edwards

CrimeThrillerCrime

A menacing caller with a wheezy, asthmatic voice breaks into clerk Kelly Sherwood’s home, threatening her and demanding she use her position at the bank to help him steal a sizable sum. As terror and tension mount, Kelly must confront the harrowing ordeal and the impossible choice it forces upon her.

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Timeline & Setting – Experiment in Terror (1962)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Experiment in Terror (1962). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

early 1960s

The events take place in the early 1960s in San Francisco. The era features traditional investigative methods and a moody, film noir atmosphere. The period predated modern digital surveillance, emphasizing tension and human intelligence.

Location

San Francisco, California, Candlestick Park

San Francisco serves as the gritty urban backdrop for a crime driven plot. The city locations include the bank, the FBI office, and Candlestick Park where the final chase unfolds. The fog, crowded streets, and waterfronts heighten tension between the criminals and law enforcement.

🎭 Crime 🗺️ City 🏟️ Stadium 🕵️‍♂️ Investigation

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:00

Main Characters – Experiment in Terror (1962)

Meet the key characters of Experiment in Terror (1962), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Kelly Sherwood (Lee Remick)

A bank teller who becomes an unwilling participant in Lynch's scheme after being pressured under threat. She remains morally aware and resilient even as fear dominates her actions. Her courage is tested as she cooperates with the FBI and tries to protect her sister.

💪 Determined 🧠 Resourceful 😨 Fearful

Toby Sherwood (Stefanie Powers)

Kelly's teenage sister who is kidnapped by Lynch. She is thrust into serious danger but shows moments of resilience as she endures the ordeal. Her situation heightens the stakes for the investigation and Kelly's choices.

👧 Teenage 🧭 Vulnerable 💪 Resilient

John Ripley (Glenn Ford)

An FBI agent who leads the investigation, coordinating with local authorities and tracking Lynch's moves. He uses sharp instincts to uncover clues and connect suspects. His steady, professional approach anchors the pursuit and the final confrontation.

🕵️‍♂️ Investigator 💼 Professional 🧠 Strategic

Red Lynch (Ross Martin)

A sadistic killer who manipulates others through fear and coercion. He has a history of violent crimes and uses charm to stay a step ahead of the law. His control over victims and the situation drives the story toward a dramatic showdown.

🔥 Manipulative 🧠 Cunning 🗝️ Dangerous

Lisa Soong (Anita Loo)

Lynch's girlfriend who finances his life and initially resists cooperating with investigators. Her loyalty is tested by the criminal relationship she is tied to, and she becomes a focal point for uncovering Lynch's true nature.

💸 Financially Bound 💔 Loyal 🧠 Naive

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:00

Major Themes – Experiment in Terror (1962)

Explore the central themes of Experiment in Terror (1962), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

😨 Coercion

Red Lynch uses fear and coercion to push Kelly toward crime. The threat to her younger sister Toby amplifies the moral pressure. The film examines how intimidation can drive ordinary people to cross legal boundaries. It also shows the long term damage caused by coercive control.

🔎 Investigation

FBI Agent John Ripley leads a methodical investigation that peels back Lynch's criminal history and the blueprint of the crime. The pursuit weaves through San Francisco with witnesses and false leads. The cat and mouse dynamic creates suspense as time runs out. The stadium finale tests the city police and the agency to act under pressure.

🎭 Deception

Lynch thrives on deception and control, presenting a public image that masks a dangerous underworld. The relationship with Lisa Soong demonstrates how wealth and loyalty can be manipulated to secure criminal aims. Deception shapes every action as the truth slowly emerges. The film uses misdirection to keep the audience guessing until the final confrontation.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:00

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Extortion Thrillers like Experiment in Terror

Stories where ordinary people are forced into crime by a menacing outside force.If you liked the high-pressure cat-and-mouse game in Experiment in Terror, you'll find similar tension in these movies about psychological extortion. This list features crime thrillers and suspense stories where vulnerable protagonists are forced into heists or crimes by a terrifying antagonist.

suspensefulanxiousmenacingparanoidclaustrophobicthreateningfearfulhigh-stakes

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves an ordinary protagonist's life being shattered by the arrival of a threat—often a voice on the phone or a shadowy figure—who demands they perform a criminal act. The story unfolds as a battle of wits and nerves, with the protagonist searching for a way out while under constant surveillance and fear for their safety or that of their loved ones.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on psychological manipulation as the primary engine of suspense. They create a specific kind of dread rooted in the violation of personal safety and the exploitation of fear, rather than outright graphic violence, resulting in a consistently tense and paranoid viewing experience.

Methodical Crime Thrillers like Experiment in Terror

Thrillers built on steady escalation and meticulous pursuit between hunter and hunted.For viewers who appreciated the steady, building pressure of Experiment in Terror, this list features similar methodical cat-and-mouse thrillers. Discover movies with a focused FBI investigation, a calculating criminal, and a pacing that methodically tightens the suspense until the final clash.

suspensefulmethodicaltensecalculatedproceduralinvestigativerelentlesscat and mouse

Narrative Summary

These narratives often follow a dual perspective, alternating between the pursuer (like an FBI agent) and the pursued (the criminal or victim). The plot avoids frantic action in favor of a steady, logical progression where each clue discovered or move made raises the stakes, leading to a tightly constructed and satisfying climax.

Why These Movies?

They are united by a specific approach to pacing and structure. The similarity lies in the controlled, non-flashy build-up of suspense, the intelligence of the central conflict, and the feeling of being a step-by-step observer in a high-stakes game where every detail matters.

Unlock the Full Story of Experiment in Terror

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

Experiment in Terror Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Experiment in Terror, 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.

Experiment in Terror Summary

Experiment in Terror Timeline

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

Experiment in Terror Timeline

Experiment in Terror Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Experiment in Terror 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.

Experiment in Terror Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Experiment in Terror

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Experiment in Terror: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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