From Beyond

From Beyond

Year: 1986

Runtime: 85 min

Language: English

Director: Stuart Gordon

Sci-FiHorror

A psychiatrist and detective investigate the suspicious death of Dr. Pretorius, leading them to Dr. Tillinghast, a researcher fixated on the connection between pleasure and pain. Their inquiry reveals unsettling experiments and a descent into disturbing realities, blurring the lines between the physical and the unknown. As they delve deeper, they must confront not only a potential killer but also the fragility of their own perceptions and sanity.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen From Beyond 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 & Setting – From Beyond (1986)

Explore the full timeline and setting of From Beyond (1986). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The movie appears to take place in a contemporary setting, reflecting the technological exploration of the mind during a time when science fiction delves into themes of psychological and bodily transformation. This mirrors real-world advancements in psychology and the interest in human consciousness.

Location

Pretorius' attic laboratory, psychiatric facility

The story unfolds primarily in Dr. Edward Pretorius' attic laboratory, a secluded and eerie setting filled with scientific apparatus, where the Resonator is operated. Also featured is a psychiatric facility where Dr. Crawford Tillinghast is confined, highlighting the tension between sanity and madness as they explore the perils of expanded perception.

🏠 House 🏥 Hospital

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:18

Main Characters – From Beyond (1986)

Meet the key characters of From Beyond (1986), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dr. Crawford Tillinghast (Jeffrey Combs)

Dr. Tillinghast is a driven and ambitious scientist who becomes entangled in the horrific outcomes of the Resonator. His character grapples with fear and desperation, showcasing both vulnerability and a fierce determination to uncover the truth and protect those around him.

🔬 Scientist 😨 Vulnerability 💡 Determination

Dr. Katherine McMichaels (Barbara Crampton)

Dr. McMichaels is a courageous and inquisitive psychiatrist who believes in Dr. Tillinghast's innocence. Her character oscillates between rationality and curiosity, ultimately taking reckless risks to uncover the mysteries of the Resonator, and showing strength in the face of terror.

🩺 Psychiatrist 🔍 Curiosity ⚡ Courage

Dr. Edward Pretorius (Ted Sorel)

Dr. Pretorius is a brilliant yet reckless scientist whose obsession with expanding consciousness leads to horrifying consequences. He transforms into a grotesque figure representing the darker side of ambition and the dangers of losing oneself to extraordinary experiments.

🔬 Scientist 🧟 Transformation ⚠️ Obsession

Detective Bubba Brownlee (Ken Foree)

Detective Brownlee is a pragmatic officer who initially investigates the murder but finds himself intertwined in the chaos unleashed by the Resonator. His character embodies a sense of grounded realism amid the supernatural events and showcases the struggle between duty and survival.

👮‍♂️ Detective 🚀 Grounded ⚔️ Struggle

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:18

Major Themes – From Beyond (1986)

Explore the central themes of From Beyond (1986), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔍 Reality vs. Illusion

The film explores the thin line between reality and illusion as the characters' perceptions are transformed by the Resonator. It challenges the understanding of what is real, leading to terrifying experiences and existential questions about human nature and consciousness.

👾 Monstrous Transformation

Transformation is a key theme as characters undergo grotesque changes under the influence of the Resonator. This metamorphosis symbolizes the loss of humanity and the horror of becoming something unrecognizable, reflecting deeper fears about the human psyche.

🧠 Madness

Madness permeates the narrative as characters grapple with their altered states of mind. It addresses themes of insanity, the quest for knowledge, and the consequences of unchecked scientific exploration, provoking discussions about mental health and the fine line between genius and madness.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:18

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.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Mad Science Horror Movies like From Beyond

Stories where obsessive scientific ambition tears reality apart.If you liked the obsessive experiments and terrifying consequences in From Beyond, you'll find similar stories here. These movies explore the dark side of scientific curiosity, featuring unhinged researchers, grotesque transformations, and realities shattered by ambition, all within the sci-fi and horror genres.

body horrorscientific obsessiongruesomeunsettlingfeverishmonstrous transformationpsychological trauma

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow a clear arc: a scientist's obsessive pursuit of a breakthrough leads to the activation of a dangerous device or process. This event triggers a chain of horrific, uncontrollable consequences, often involving bodily transformation or interdimensional incursions, forcing characters into a desperate battle for survival against the very knowledge they sought.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared focus on the 'mad scientist' trope executed with high intensity and dark tone. They feature a straightforward cause-and-effect narrative driven by obsession, and deliver a heavy emotional weight through graphic body horror and psychological terror, creating a coherent experience of scientific ambition gone horribly wrong.

Sensory Overload Horror Films similar to From Beyond

Horrifying journeys where perception unravels and reality distorts.Fans of the overwhelming, perception-shattering horror in From Beyond will appreciate these selections. These films create a similarly claustrophobic and anxious mood, using intense body horror and disturbing imagery to plunge viewers and characters into a shared descent where sanity is the first casualty.

feverishclaustrophobicanxiousunsettlingoppressivebody horrorpsychologicaldark ecstasy

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves characters being exposed to a phenomenon or environment that directly attacks their senses and perception of reality. This leads to a progressive unraveling of their sanity, depicted through intense visual and psychological horror. The story is a downward spiral into a nightmarish state where the threat is as much internal as external.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by a specific vibe: a high-tension, fast-paced experience that is psychologically oppressive and physically gruesome. They share key moods like claustrophobia, feverish dread, and body horror, creating a cohesive thread for viewers seeking movies that are as mentally disturbing as they are visually shocking.

Unlock the Full Story of From Beyond

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

From Beyond Summary

Read a complete plot summary of From Beyond, 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.

From Beyond Summary

From Beyond Timeline

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

From Beyond Timeline

From Beyond Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of From Beyond 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.

From Beyond Spoiler-Free Summary

More About From Beyond

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about From Beyond: 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 From Beyond

Similar Movies to From Beyond

Discover movies like From Beyond 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.