Hotline

Hotline

Year: 1982

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: English

Director: Jerry Jameson

ThrillerMysteryTV MovieCrimeHorror

When a crisis‑helpline operator receives a disturbing call, she discovers the caller is a serial killer who toys with her by delivering cryptic, nursery‑rhyme riddles that hint at his next victim. As the puzzles grow more sinister, she must stay one step ahead or be silenced forever.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Hotline (1982)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Hotline (1982). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Bar, Brianne's home, Reno, Airport, Hotline clinic

The story unfolds largely in intimate indoor spaces—bars, Brianne's home, and the hotline clinic—creating a claustrophobic feel as danger inches closer. The plot travels to Reno for a key lead and includes an airport sequence that heightens the pursuit. These settings establish a tense, urban backdrop where surveillance, intrusion, and personal stakes drive the thriller.

🏙️ Bar setting 🏡 Domestic locale 🛬 Airport 🗺️ Reno

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:49

Main Characters – Hotline (1982)

Meet the key characters of Hotline (1982), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Brianne O'Neill (Lynda Carter)

An art student who volunteers at a hotline and becomes increasingly fixated on the Barber's clues. She demonstrates resourcefulness and courage while grappling with fear and paranoia. Her persistence to solve the mystery culminates in a tense confrontation that tests her resilience.

🎨 Artist 🔎 Curious 💪 Determined

Charlie Jackson (James Booth)

A Reno murder suspect connected to the Barber's trail, whose presence intensifies the mystery. He represents a potential lead that complicates Brianne's pursuit, adding danger as the clues converge.

🕵️‍♂️ Suspect 🧠 Enigmatic 🗺️ Connected

Tom Hunter (Steve Forrest)

An actor and long-time suitor of Brianne, whose affection is a driving emotional undercurrent. He becomes entangled in the investigation as others suspect his involvement, intensifying the love-driven tension.

🎭 Lover 🕵️‍♀️ Suspicious 💼 Actor

Kyle Durham (Monte Markham)

The Barber, a domineering and deceptive killer who orchestrates the horrors from afar and then physically confronts Brianne. His revelation as the murderer culminates in a deadly showdown that ends with his death at Brianne's hands.

🗡️ Killer 🧠 Manipulative 🧍‍♂️ Dominant

Justin Price (Granville Van Dusen)

A friendly psychiatrist connected to the hotline who initially follows Brianne home to protect her. He plays a pivotal role in evaluating suspects and guiding Brianne, offering rational analysis amid escalating paranoia.

🧑‍⚕️ Psychiatrist 🧠 Rational 🤝 Supportive

Rick Hernandez (Harry Waters Jr.)

Brianne's colleague at the hotline who shifts from skepticism to support as the calls become more threatening. He helps anchor the human, professional side of the crisis and provides practical backing.

🗨️ Colleague 🤝 Supportive 🧭 Steady

Barnie (Frank Stallone Jr.)

A bartender coworker who ties into the bar-based setting and the social circle around Brianne. His presence helps ground the group dynamic and the flow of information between shifts and investigations.

🍺 Bartender 🤝 Friendly 🗣️ Social

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:49

Major Themes – Hotline (1982)

Explore the central themes of Hotline (1982), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️‍♀️ Stalking

The Barber's constant surveillance of Brianne creates a pervasive sense of being watched. The thriller leans on fear, misdirection, and the constant threat of an unseen attacker. Brianne's investigative drive grows from the pressure of this stalking, pushing her toward dangerous, real-world consequences.

🧩 Mystery

Clues arrive as unsettling phone calls and coded messages, turning everyday interactions into a puzzle. Brianne pieces together disparate hints to identify the killer and his motive. The narrative keeps the audience guessing about who is behind the attacks until the final confrontation.

💔 Love Obsession

Romantic feelings and jealousy braid into the plot, shaping motivations and conflicts among characters. Justin's protective concern contrasts with Tom's hidden entanglements, driving suspicion and tension. The pursuit of affection becomes a dangerous incentive for the killer and a catalyst for the climax.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:49

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Hotline Summary

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Hotline Summary

Hotline Timeline

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Hotline Timeline

More About Hotline

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