Haunts of the Very Rich

Haunts of the Very Rich

Year: 1972

Runtime: 75 mins

Language: English

Director: Paul Wendkos

HorrorMystery

An eclectic group of affluent but deeply troubled individuals escapes to a secluded island resort, hoping for leisure. A sudden, life‑threatening incident forces each of them to confront their hidden anxieties, sparking an intense introspection about the meaning of their privileged lives and the purpose of their existence.

Haunts of the Very Rich (1972) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Haunts of the Very Rich (1972) 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 an exclusive, tropical hideaway known as the Portals of Eden, a collection of the world’s most affluent yet quietly unsettled guests arrive seeking the perfect escape. The resort’s opulent villas, endless ocean vistas, and meticulously curated comforts promise a temporary suspension of the pressures that normally accompany their power and wealth. Beneath the veneer of sun‑drenched leisure, however, an atmosphere of restrained unease lingers, as each visitor brings a private history that refuses to be left behind.

Among them are Dave Woodrough, a successful executive haunted by a recent brush with mortality; Ellen Blunt, a celebrated socialite whose polished exterior masks deeper anxieties; Annette Larrier, a glamorous heiress whose recent experiences have left her questioning the stability of her marriage; the couple Lyle and Laurie, whose shared trauma from a sudden accident shadows their interactions; Reverend John Fellows, a charismatic clergy member grappling with his own doubts; and Al Hunsicker, a seasoned financier whose past indulgences now feel weighty and uncertain. Their introductions are marked by polite conversation that barely conceals the currents of fear, guilt, and longing that flow beneath.

The resort’s tranquil rhythm is abruptly shattered when a sudden, life‑threatening incident isolates the group from the outside world. Stripped of staff, supplies, and the illusion of safety, the guests must confront the very anxieties they hoped to leave ashore. In the stark silence of the island, the luxury that once defined them becomes a backdrop for a stark, introspective journey, prompting each individual to weigh the meaning of their privileged existence against the stark reality of vulnerability.

The film unfolds with a tone that balances eerie, atmospheric tension and thoughtful, character‑driven contemplation. Its sleek visual style mirrors the polished worlds the characters inhabit, while the encroaching isolation of the island serves as a quiet crucible for self‑examination. As the guests wrestle with the unsettling space between opulence and dread, the story invites viewers to ponder what truly sustains a life built on wealth when the comforts of civilization disappear.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 23:03

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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.

Purgatorial nightmare movies like Haunts of the Very Rich

Characters trapped in a seemingly idyllic place that reveals itself as a personal hell.If you enjoyed the psychological torment of Haunts of the Very Rich, you'll find more movies like it here. These films explore similar themes of characters trapped in deceptive retreats that become personal hells, featuring stories of existential horror and moral reckoning in isolated settings.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically begins with a promise of paradise or respite, which quickly devolves as the environment itself turns hostile or revelatory. Characters are systematically confronted with their deepest anxieties and moral failings, with the story arc focused on their psychological unraveling and the grim realization that there is no true escape from their circumstances.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared premise of a deceptive, confined setting that serves as a crucible for psychological and existential terror. They create a coherent experience of claustrophobic dread, where the world itself is the antagonist, leading characters toward a bleak reckoning.

Movies with existential dread like Haunts of the Very Rich

A steady, oppressive buildup of psychological tension centered on life's biggest questions.Fans of the heavy existential themes in Haunts of the Very Rich will appreciate this collection of similar movies. Discover other tense, psychologically heavy films that explore existential crisis and philosophical horror with a steady, dreadful pacing and bleak conclusions.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread avoid sudden shocks in favor of a persistent, growing atmosphere of doom. The plot steadily dismantles the characters' sense of reality and purpose, leading them through a harrowing introspective journey. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the weight of existential questions to fully settle on both the characters and the audience.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their shared emotional core: a heavy, pervasive sense of existential dread. They prioritize a specific mood and pacing—a steady, tense burn that leads to a psychologically crushing conclusion—making the viewing experience feel consistently oppressive and thought-provoking.

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Haunts of the Very Rich Summary

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Haunts of the Very Rich Summary

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Haunts of the Very Rich Timeline

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Haunts of the Very Rich

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