Haunted

Haunted

Year: 1995

Runtime: 108 mins

Language: English

Director: Lewis Gilbert

HorrorMysteryRomanceFantasyHorror

A supernatural tale of love and mystery, Professor David Ash, a skeptic who debunks false spiritualists and mediums, is called to the village of Edbrook to help a family tormented by fear. Upon arrival, Ash's senses betray him as the residents' odd behavior deepens the unease, leading him to discover secrets beyond his explanations.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Haunted 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!

Haunted (1995) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Haunted (1995), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

In 1928 England, David Ash, a professor of parapsychology, has spent much of his life trying to debunk the existence of ghosts, haunted by the death of his twin sister Juliet Ash when they were children. After Juliet’s death, he and his mother moved to America, seeking distance from the past that still clung to him.

During a laboratory séance, he exposes the medium’s tricks, only to be startled when a voice that sounds like Juliet calls his name. The incident blurs the line between skepticism and something troublingly real, drawing him back toward the very mysteries he rejects.

A request comes from a woman who identifies herself as Miss Webb, pleading for help with spectral disturbances at a house named Edbrook. At Oxford, [David Ash] is told the caller is actually their Nanny Tess, and that she has inspired the Mariell siblings—Robert Mariell and Simon Mariell—to worry about her sanity. The siblings insist Tess is slipping, doubting her ghosts, and urge David to come to the palatial Edbrook House to test the phenomena firsthand. He travels to Sussex, where he is picked up by Christina Mariell, who explains the complicated web behind the plea: Tess is their nanny, and she wrote to him at their urging to verify what they fear.

At Edbrook, David begins a careful forensic examination of the house, seeking any sign of supernatural activity. The atmosphere tightens as Christina’s flirtatious charm lingers around him, while Robert Mariell resists the growing bond and guards his siblings’ secrets. As the investigation deepens, Tess’s alarming visions become intertwined with memories of the Mariell family. Christina discloses a painful truth about her past—her mother drowned in the lake and Tess was the one who discovered the body—suggesting that Tess’s trauma might be feeding the haunting of the house.

David contemplates leaving Edbrook and asks Christina to accompany him. She refuses, yet their kiss and later a night of passion complicate the emotional terrain. When dawn breaks, the house is shrouded in wind and shadow, its rooms draped in black and strewn with fallen leaves. Following the ghostly guidance of Juliet, David travels to a graveyard where a tombstone reveals a grim secret: [Robert Mariell], [Christina Mariell], and [Simon Mariell] all perished in a fire at Edbrook in 1923.

Seeking answers, David seeks out Dr. Doyle, the family doctor, only to be told, through Juliet’s spectral warning, that Doyle appears to be dead. Undeterred, he rides with Christina, but on the road the vision of Juliet reappears, causing him to swerve and crash the car. Christina is killed, and David staggers back to the house to confront Tess. Tess confirms that the Mariell siblings are dead and that their ghosts will stop at nothing to keep him from leaving. The trio of siblings materializes and compels Tess to confess to their murder; Tess herself is slain as the ghosts tighten their hold.

The supernatural horror crescendos as the mansion is set ablaze. David fights his way across the burning corridors, pursued by the living dead of the Mariell siblings and blocked by Doyle. In a final blaze of flames, Juliet returns, walking through fire to reach him, take his hand, and lead him away from the ruin. She frees him from guilt over her death and steps toward the afterlife, leaving David to face the quiet aftermath of the night’s terror.

Back on solid ground, David is met at the station by his assistant, Kate, a calming return to normalcy. Yet the fog swallows the platform, and out of the shadows, Christina quietly follows the departing couple, hinting that the danger at Edbrook may not be fully behind them.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:05

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.

Movies about skeptical investigators like in Haunted

Stories where a logical investigator confronts forces beyond their understanding.If you enjoyed Haunted's story of a rational professor facing the supernatural, you'll find more movies like it here. These films feature protagonists who debunk or investigate the paranormal, only to be drawn into a mystery that challenges their core beliefs and forces them to accept the inexplicable.

suspensefulatmosphericpsychologicalunsettlingmysteriousgothicmelancholic

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread often begin with a character grounded in logic and science, tasked with disproving a supernatural claim. As their investigation deepens, they encounter increasingly undeniable evidence, blurring the line between reality and the paranormal. The central conflict is internal as much as external, pitting their rational mind against overwhelming, terrifying truths.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on the shared protagonist archetype and core thematic conflict. They deliver a similar intellectual and emotional thrill by watching a character's certainty crumble, replaced by dread and awe. The experience is one of discovery intertwined with fear, as the known world gives way to the unknown.

Gothic ghost story movies with a melancholic vibe like Haunted

Atmospheric tales where decaying mansions hold secrets of grief and guilt.For viewers who loved the gothic, melancholic atmosphere of Haunted, this section collects similar movies. Discover more stories set in eerie mansions, filled with haunting visuals, heavy emotional weight, and a focus on tragic pasts, family secrets, and bittersweet resolutions.

gothicmelancholicatmosphericsomberhauntingoppressivesuspenseful

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist, often carrying their own grief, entering an isolated, historically rich location like a mansion or estate. The story slowly unveils a tragic history tied to the location, where secrets of the past directly haunt the present. The climax typically reveals the truth behind the haunting, leading to a resolution that is often bittersweet, freeing some characters while the melancholy of the past endures.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared aesthetic and emotional core. They prioritize mood and atmosphere over sheer terror, creating a sense of pervasive sadness and dread. The similarity comes from the gothic setting, the focus on psychological trauma and secrets, and the overall melancholic, somber tone.

Unlock the Full Story of Haunted

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

Haunted Timeline

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

Haunted Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Haunted

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Haunted

Haunted Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Haunted 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.

Haunted Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Haunted

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

Similar Movies to Haunted

Discover movies like Haunted 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.