Horror High

Horror High

Year: 1973

Runtime: 85 mins

Language: English

Director: Larry N. Stouffer

Science FictionHorrorIntense violence and sexual transgressionGory gruesome and slasher horrorGraphic violence and brutal revenge

An ancient evil awakens, determined to kill. A gifted but socially awkward teen creates a chemical that turns his guinea pig, Mr. Mumps, into a ravenous monster. Fueled by rage, Vernon Potts goes on a killing spree, targeting the gym coach, the star athlete, the creepy janitor and his hated teacher, Ms. Grindstaff.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Horror High (1973)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Horror High (1973). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

High School, Science Classroom, English Classroom, Locker Room, Park

The events unfold primarily within a suburban high school. Key locations include the science classroom where the experiment is conducted, the English classroom and literature club setting, and the locker rooms where team dynamics and discipline play out. The park at night provides a setting for personal encounters outside the classroom, highlighting the campus as a closed social world.

🏫 High School 🧪 Science Lab 🗺️ Hallways 🌳 Park

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:23

Main Characters – Horror High (1973)

Meet the key characters of Horror High (1973), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Vernon Potts (Pat Cardi)

A shy, clever high school student who endures bullying from peers and teachers. His scientific curiosity leads him to secretly brew a drug, but the experiment spirals out of control, turning him violent. By the end, the creature within him takes over, culminating in a tragic confrontation.

⚠️ Bully 🧪 Scientist 🕯️ Tragic Hero

Robin Jones (Rosie Holotik)

Vernon’s classmate and ally who sees his potential but disapproves of his violent tendencies. She offers a safer project collaboration and acts as a moral counterpoint to Vernon’s darker impulses. Her concern for Vernon drives part of the plot’s emotional arc.

❤️ Ally 🧬 Curiosity 🕊️ Hope

Roger Davis (Mike McHenry)

The popular football player who bullies Vernon and becomes a central obstacle in the story. He embodies the toxic social dynamics of the school and ultimately becomes a catalyst for Vernon's escalating violence.

🏈 Bully 😠 Popularity 🧭 Turf-war

Mr. Griggs (Jeff Alexander)

The creepy school janitor who reinforces the abuse of power and serves as the first victim of the drug’s consequences. His confrontation with Vernon accelerates the thriller’s violent turn.

🧯 Authority 🗡️ Enforcer 🪤 Mistrust

Mrs. Grindstaff (Joye Hash)

The English teacher who imposes extra work to coerce Vernon into the literature club. Her stern, punitive approach highlights the film’s theme of control through curriculum and discipline.

📚 Authority 🧭 Teacher 💢 Punishment

Lieutenant Bozeman (Austin Stoker)

The detective investigating the murders, trying to piece together Vernon’s role while dealing with the lack of solid evidence. He represents the law’s attempts to restore order amidst escalating violence.

🕵️‍♂️ Investigator 🧯 Law 🔎 Mystery

Coach McCall (John Niland)

The school coach who pressures Vernon into helping a football-player bully cheat, testing loyalty and the boundaries of what Vernon will do to fit in. His confrontation with Vernon marks a key turning point.

🏟️ Authority 🗡️ Pressure 🧽 Conflict

School Principal (Charles Mann)

The administrator figure who closes the loop of authority in the school environment, interacting with teachers and students in moments of crisis.

🏫 Authority 🧩 Control 🏁 Administration

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:23

Major Themes – Horror High (1973)

Explore the central themes of Horror High (1973), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

😡 Bullying

The film centers on a culture of cruelty in which Vernon and his peers are tormented by bullies, while teachers sometimes perpetuate the power imbalance. The environment treats intimidation as a normal part of school life, shaping Vernon's impulses and responses. The narrative uses escalating harassment to drive the plot and character choices.

🔬 Science & Ethics

A dangerous drug created by a student becomes a catalyst for violence, revealing how scientific curiosity without ethics can spiral into tragedy. The science room becomes a laboratory for moral transgression as Mr. Griggs manipulates Vernon to drink the drug. The story critiques the abdication of responsibility in experimental settings.

🧬 Identity & Transformation

Vernon’s shy, academically gifted persona is undone as the drug causes a monstrous transformation. The film tracks the tension between intellect and violence as Vernon's identity splits under pressure. Robin’s relationship with Vernon becomes a mirror for the consequences of hidden desires and the danger of unchecked power.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:23

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Horror High Summary

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Horror High Summary

Horror High Timeline

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Horror High Timeline

More About Horror High

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