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!

From Beyond (1986) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at From Beyond (1986) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a secluded town where the ordinary and the uncanny seem to whisper to one another, a mysterious death pulls together two unlikely investigators. Dr. Edward Pretorius was a brilliant but reclusive scientist whose work hinted at the edges of perception, while Detective Bubba Brownlee carries the weight of a pragmatic law‑enforcement mindset. Their collaboration is born out of curiosity and professional duty, setting a tone that balances clinical analysis with gritty, street‑level scrutiny.

Their search leads them to Dr. Crawford Tillinghast, a researcher whose obsession with the thin line between pleasure and pain has driven him into the shadows of experimental science. Alongside him, Dr. Katherine McMichaels, a psychiatrist with a keen interest in the mind’s hidden capacities, offers a lens through which the unfolding mystery can be examined. The quartet becomes a study in contrast: the methodical detective, the skeptical psychiatrist, the daring scientist, and the visionary researcher, each bringing a distinct worldview that clashes and interlocks as they venture deeper into the unknown.

The film’s atmosphere is drenched in a slow‑burning dread, where stale attic rooms and humming laboratory equipment become characters in their own right. A strange device, hinted at but never fully explained, promises to expand perception beyond the limits of human experience, inviting both awe and terror. As the investigators probe the laboratory’s secrets, the line between reality and a more unsettling realm begins to blur, creating a palpable sense of unease that permeates every corridor and conversation.

Stylistically, the story weaves together stark, clinical dialogue with surreal, almost hallucinatory visuals, producing a mood that feels both intellectual and visceral. The tension lies not in overt action but in the creeping realization that the pursuit of knowledge can unlock forces far beyond human control, leaving the characters—and the audience—to wonder whether some doors are better left unopened.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 14:06

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in From Beyond

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape From Beyond. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in From Beyond

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.