Games

Games

Year: 1967

Runtime: 100 mins

Language: English

Director: Curtis Harrington

ThrillerHorror

Passion wears a mask of terror in this strangest of all games! A mysterious woman in black moves in with married Manhattan thrill-seekers and helps one trick the other.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Games 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 – Games (1967)

Trace every key event in Games (1967) 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

Lisa's arrival and the first game

Lisa Schindler arrives at the Upper East Side townhouse and is invited to stay for the night. She claims psychic abilities, and Jennifer asks her to organize entertaining 'games' for their circle. The couple begins to anticipate the provocative scenarios that will unfold.

Evening Upper East Side townhouse, New York
2

The staged affair as dinner-table spectacle

Lisa orchestrates several setups of simulated domestic discord for the couple, including a phony affair between Jennifer and Norman the grocery deliveryman. Paul and Jennifer react with a mix of amusement and discomfort as the scene plays out. Lisa reveals that all of it is part of her game.

That night Townhouse parlor, Upper East Side
3

Norman's advance and the fatal shot

The next day Norman delivers groceries and makes a romantic advance toward Jennifer. Paul confronts him with a revolver, initially firing blanks, then shoots Norman in the head after the joke is revealed. The couple laughs, but a real murder has just occurred.

Daytime Townhouse
4

Stash and cover-up begin

In a panic, Paul hides Norman's bloodied corpse in a small elevator inside the house. Jennifer sends Lisa to the drugstore to buy a salve, attempting to cover up the evidence and keep the secret from unraveling.

Afternoon Townhouse
5

Disposal through sculpture

That night, Jennifer drugs Lisa so Paul can decide how to dispose of the body. Paul decides to encase Norman in plaster, turning him into a new statue for their collection. The act deepens their commitment to the deception.

Night Parlor / studio, Townhouse
6

Tarot omen

In the morning, Lisa performs a tarot reading for Jennifer and draws the Death card, unsettling her. The reading foreshadows more turmoil to come. The mood is tense as the consequences of their games loom closer.

Morning Parlor, Townhouse
7

Ghostly warning

Late at night, Lisa confides that she senses a ghost in the house. In the parlor, Jennifer is horrified when she sees an apparition of Norman with a bullet through his eye. The haunting deepens the sense that the deception is leaking into reality.

Late night Parlor, Townhouse
8

Lisa exits, Paul departs

Lisa departs in the morning after a confrontation with Paul, who announces a business trip to Maine and leaves Jennifer alone in the townhouse. The house feels emptier, but the fear remains. The absence of Paul signals plans behind the scenes.

Morning Townhouse
9

Jennifer's deadly misidentification

That night, Jennifer hears noises and the electricity fails. In the kitchen, she sees a man resembling Norman approaching and flees to the elevator to escape upstairs. She shoots him several times, killing him, convinced she is defending herself and the illusion.

Night Townhouse
10

The frame-up revealed

Paul arrives moments later and calmly removes a prosthetic from Norman's eye, exposing the ruse. He phones the police and reports that Jennifer has committed a murder. Jennifer realizes she has been used by Paul and Lisa to eliminate Norman and secure her fortune.

Moments after the shooting Townhouse
11

The downfall and the poison

Jennifer is arrested for murder while Paul and Lisa celebrate with a drink. Paul gives Lisa a ten-percent cut of Jennifer's fortune as their partnership seems secure. He soon collapses, realizing Lisa has poisoned his drink and sealed her own escape.

Following Jennifer's arrest Townhouse
12

Exit with the fortune

Lisa leaves the townhouse with a briefcase full of Jennifer's fortune, slipping away after the killer's schemes come to fruition. She disappears into the night, carrying the spoils of the elaborate manipulation. There are no witnesses left to challenge her ascent.

After Paul's death Townhouse

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:16

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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.

Thrillers about deadly deception among the wealthy like Games

Stories where immense wealth and privilege conceal murderous plots and betrayals.If you liked the manipulative mind games and murder-for-inheritance plot of Games, you'll appreciate these movies. This list features similar stories of cold-blooded conspiracy, betrayal, and psychological manipulation set against a backdrop of wealth and decadence.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically center on affluent characters whose lives of privilege are a facade for sinister intentions. A plot—often for inheritance or financial gain—is hatched, involving deception and psychological manipulation of a close associate or partner. The narrative follows the meticulous execution and inevitable unravelling of this conspiracy, often culminating in further betrayal.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on crime motivated by greed within a high-society context. They consistently feature a dark, cynical tone, a steady pace that builds tension through manipulation rather than action, and an emotionally heavy weight derived from the cold calculation of the characters.

Psychological paranoia thrillers with a steady pace like Games

Narratives where a meticulous plan breeds claustrophobic distrust and fatal consequences.Fans of Games who enjoyed its methodical build-up of paranoia and the feeling of being ensnared in a manipulative plot will find similar tension here. These movies feature steadily paced stories of psychological manipulation, claustrophobic distrust, and bleak outcomes for their calculating characters.

paranoidmanipulativeclaustrophobicsuspensefulunsettlingcalculatingcoldtense

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a clever, often complex plot initiated by one or more characters. Instead of external forces, the primary conflict arises from the psychological fallout of the scheme itself. The story meticulously charts the escalation of paranoia and distrust among the conspirators, leading to a collapse from within and typically a bleak resolution for all involved.

Why These Movies?

These films share a specific mood of claustrophobic suspense generated by psychological manipulation rather than physical danger. They are united by a steady, deliberate pacing that allows dread to build, a high intensity of psychological tension, and a uniformly dark tone that results in a heavy emotional impact.

Unlock the Full Story of Games

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

Games Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Games, 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.

Games Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Games

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Games

Games Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Games 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.

Games Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Games

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

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Discover movies like Games 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.