Gargoyles

Gargoyles

Year: 1972

Runtime: 74 mins

Language: English

Director: Bill L. Norton

HorrorFantasyHorror

After learning of a mysterious carcass uncovered in the Arizona desert, a father and his daughter transport the skeleton to a research site. Their actions awaken a hidden colony of gargoyles dwelling in nearby caves, which then descend on the pair and the surrounding town, turning the area into a terrifying siege.

Gargoyles (1972) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

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In the stark heat of the Arizona desert, a remote research outpost becomes the backdrop for a chance encounter that blurs the line between science and myth. Dr. Mercer Boley, a dedicated paleontologist, and his spirited daughter Diana Boley tumble upon an unusually intact skeleton—its horns and wing‑like remnants hinting at a creature that defies ordinary classification. The discovery ignites their curiosity and sets them on a reluctant journey back to civilization, where the promise of academic breakthrough looms as large as the dust‑laden horizon.

As they transport the enigmatic remains toward a modest desert town, the pair find themselves navigating a world where old folklore whispers through the wind and the quiet of the landscape feels charged with unseen expectation. The townspeople, accustomed to the slow rhythm of desert life, watch the outsiders with a mixture of bemusement and unease, their own histories tangled with stories of supernatural beings that have long been dismissed as legend. The atmosphere swells with an uneasy blend of awe and dread, hinting that some mysteries may be better left undisturbed.

Unbeknownst to the Boleys, the very act of moving the ancient carcass awakens a concealed colony of gargoyles that have slumbered in the surrounding caves for centuries. Their emergence turns the quiet settlement into a tinderbox of tension, as the hidden denizens begin to assert a presence that feels both primordial and terrifying. The desert, once a backdrop for quiet study, now throbs with an ominous pulse, suggesting that the land itself holds secrets far older and more dangerous than any academic journal could contain.

Against this backdrop, the bond between father and daughter becomes a quiet anchor amid the growing sense of isolation and impending threat. Their shared determination to understand the past collides with an emergent reality that challenges the limits of rationality, setting the stage for a suspense‑rich confrontation where curiosity may either illuminate the darkness or draw them deeper into it.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 23:02

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Claustrophobic Siege Horror Movies like Gargoyles

Stories where isolated groups are relentlessly assaulted by ancient or unknown forces.If you liked the tense, isolated siege in Gargoyles, you'll find similar thrills here. These movies feature groups under supernatural assault, where survival depends on holding a defensive position against a relentless, otherworldly threat. Discover more films with a palpable sense of claustrophobia and desperate, last-stand battles.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically begins with a discovery or intrusion that alerts the characters to a hidden menace. This quickly escalates into a full-scale attack, confining the protagonists to a specific location. The story unfolds as a series of assaults, with tension mounting as resources dwindle and the true nature of the enemy is revealed, often leading to a costly victory or a pyrrhic survival.

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Cryptid and Monster Encounter Movies like Gargoyles

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a discovery phase, where evidence of a strange creature is uncovered, often in a remote setting. This leads to an investigation that quickly turns into a fight for survival as the true threat is revealed. The journey is one of shifting from curiosity to primal fear, culminating in a confrontation that leaves the characters and the world permanently altered.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by their focus on cryptozoology and the theme of 'hidden menace.' They share a mood of suspenseful dread and a often bleak outlook, where humanity's place in the world is challenged by a tangible, biological horror. The emotional weight is typically heavy, stemming from loss and the unsettling realization that such creatures are real.

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Gargoyles Summary

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Gargoyles Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Gargoyles

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Gargoyles

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