Graveyard Shift

Graveyard Shift

Year: 1990

Runtime: 89 min

Language: English

Director: Ralph S. Singleton

Horror

Seeking stability, drifter John Hall takes a job at a textile mill in rural Maine, working the night shift. He and his colleagues soon discover a horrifying secret hidden within the mill – a monstrous entity that thrives on fear. As the terror escalates, the workers must confront the unholy force and fight to survive the chilling events unfolding beneath the mill.

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Timeline – Graveyard Shift (1990)

Trace every key event in Graveyard Shift (1990) 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

Late Shift Worker

The story begins with a late-shift worker laboring in the dimly lit basement of a textile factory. As he feeds bales of cotton into an industrial machine, the oppressive heat frustrates him, leading to an impulsive action that changes everything.

Night Textile Factory Basement
2

Injury and Solace

Frustrated by the sweltering conditions, the worker slams his fist against a support beam, driving a rusty nail into his hand. He takes a moment to treat his injury, but as he tries to find solace during his break, he notices a gathering of rats watching him.

Night Textile Factory Basement
3

Confronting the Rats

Driven by a mix of anger and bravado, the worker begins to taunt the rats, demonstrating his disregard for their presence. In a moment of cruelty, he throws one into the industrial machine, leading to a gruesome scene that marks the beginning of his downfall.

Night Textile Factory Basement
4

A Horrific End

As the worker mocks the rodents, he is caught off-guard by a looming shadow and stumbles backward into the machine. The eerie fate of being consumed by the very rats he taunted marks a dark turning point in the story.

Textile Factory Basement
5

The Exterminator Arrives

The next day, an exterminator goes to the roof of the industrial building to combat the rising rat issue. He prepares to eliminate the infestation with a fire hose; this sets the stage for the larger battle against the rodents.

Day Industrial Building Roof
6

John Hall's Arrival

A drifter named John Hall arrives in town looking for employment and applies at the local textile factory. He reluctantly gets hired after foreman Warwick disparages his background, agreeing to work during the challenging graveyard shift.

Day Textile Factory
7

Bribery and the Inspector

Foreman Warwick faces troubles with a building inspector threatening to shut down operations due to the rat problem. He resorts to bribery, offering $200 to the inspector to postpone his report, illustrating the lengths management will go to conceal the issue.

Day Textile Factory
8

Workers Go Missing

With the inspector’s report lingering, Warwick sends workers to the basement to prepare for the cleanup. However, one by one, they disappear, falling prey to an unknown creature lurking in the dark, with the rat infestation signaling their doom.

Night Textile Factory Basement
9

The Holiday Closure

As the Fourth of July approaches, Warwick informs his employees that the factory will close for the holiday. Non-union workers face a layoff unless they agree to assist with the cleanup, setting the stage for a dangerous mission.

Day Textile Factory
10

The Trap Door Discovery

During the cleanup effort, John discovers a trap door leading deeper into the factory's underbelly. Along with the other workers, they venture down, triggering a chaotic series of events that sees them trapped and hunted.

Night Textile Factory Basement
11

Panic and Tension

As the monster begins to pick them off one by one, panic sets in among the group of trapped workers. The mounting tension creates an atmosphere of fear and desperation as they try to survive the onslaught.

Night Textile Factory Basement
12

Confrontation with Warwick

In the midst of their battle for survival, Warwick’s fear of losing control culminates in a confrontation with the creature. His desperate attempts to maintain his leadership lead to his own tragic demise, leaving John to face the monster alone.

Night Textile Factory Basement
13

The Final Showdown

In a dramatic confrontation, John faces off against the monstrous bat that has terrorized them. Utilizing the industrial machine, he turns it against the creature in a fierce battle that culminates in a grisly outcome.

Night Textile Factory Basement
14

Escape and Relief

After the climactic battle, John manages to escape the nightmare that has plagued him and his coworkers. Breathing a sigh of relief, he reflects on the ordeal and the horrors he faced during the night.

Dawn Textile Factory
15

New Management and Closure

The film concludes with the factory operating under new management, suggesting a mysterious continuity despite the horrors that occurred. The chilling implication of past events lingers, providing an unsettling close to the story.

Textile Factory

Last Updated: October 28, 2024 at 18:23

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Graveyard Shift Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Graveyard Shift

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Graveyard Shift

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