Hour of the Wolf

Hour of the Wolf

Year: 1968

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: Swedish

Director: Ingmar Bergman

DramaHorrorHorror the undead and monster classicsHumanity and the world around usTerrifying haunted and supernatural horror

The hour of the wolf, the liminal time between night and dawn, is when death is most common, sleep deepest, and nightmares feel most vivid. While vacationing on a remote German island with his pregnant wife, an artist experiences a psychologically intense emotional breakdown as he confronts his repressed desires.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Hour of the Wolf 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!

Timeline – Hour of the Wolf (1968)

Trace every key event in Hour of the Wolf (1968) 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

Johan's visions and rising insomnia

Johan Borg begins sketching his terrifying visions for Alma and names them the Birdman, the Insects, the Meat-Eaters, the Schoolmaster, and the Lady With a Hat. His insomnia grows worse, and Alma stays by his side through the nights, trying to soothe him. The small island of Baltrum becomes a backdrop for their creeping dread.

Evening Baltrum Island - Johan and Alma's home
2

Alma reads Johan's diary

An elderly lady urges Alma to read Johan's diary, and she discovers that Johan is haunted by Veronica Vogler and has been approached by Baron von Merkens. The diary entries hint that Veronica lingers in Johan's memories and that the Baron is part of the web around him. Alma's fear grows as the past seems to reach into their present.

Night Baltrum home
3

Visit to the baron's castle and Veronica portrait

Johan and Alma travel to the von Merkens castle for a reception. After dinner, the baron's wife shows them into her bedroom, where she has a portrait of Veronica painted by Johan. The image of Veronica intensifies Johan's obsession and foreshadows the later entanglement with the demons.

Evening Castle (von Merkens)
4

Alma's fear and resolve after leaving the castle

As they depart the castle, Alma confesses her fear of losing Johan to the demons and voices her determination to persevere if such a fate comes. She articulates a mix of love and dread, acknowledging the fragility of their bond. The moment marks a turning point in their relationship.

Night Baltrum - on the way home
5

The Hour of the Wolf and Johan's confessions

That night, Johan explains the so‑called Hour of the Wolf, a time when births and deaths occur. He recounts childhood trauma of being locked in a closet and recalls a confrontation on the island that ended with him killing a boy. Alma is shocked by these revelations and struggles to process the depths of his past.

Night Baltrum home
6

Heerbrand's invitation and the pistol

Heerbrand, a guest of the Baron, arrives at Johan and Alma's home to invite them to another castle party and mentions Veronica Vogler will be among the guests. He leaves a pistol on the table, telling them it is protection against 'small animals.' The ominous gesture underscores the sense of danger surrounding Johan.

Evening Johan and Alma's home
7

The quarrel and Alma shot

Johan and Alma quarrel over Veronica, and in a sudden act he grabs the pistol, shoots Alma, and then runs toward the castle. Alma survives the gunshot but is left reeling as Johan escapes into the night. The couple's relationship fractures under the pressure of Johan's obsessions.

Night Home
8

The castle party reveals demons

At the castle, the guests are revealed to be the demons Johan described—manifestations of his fears. He rushes through the halls in search of Veronica, aided by Lindhorst, who applies cosmetics to his pale face and dresses him in a silk robe. The staged encounter propels Johan toward his dangerous confrontation with Veronica.

Night Castle
9

Veronica's corpse awakens and Johan is attacked

Veronica, though initially appearing dead, sits up and laughs, shocking Johan. The demons physically assault him, forcing him to flee into the surrounding underbrush. Alma, wounded but alive, races to follow and witness the horror from a distance.

Night Castle and surrounding forest
10

Alma searches the forest as Johan disappears

Alma, with a scar from the earlier shooting, searches the forest for Johan and witnesses the attacks on him before he vanishes. She is left alone in the woods, surrounded by the spectral threats that haunted their life. The pursuit ends with Johan's disappearance into the darkness.

Night Forest around Baltrum
11

Alma's retelling and reflection on Meat-Eaters

Back home, Alma shares Johan's diary and contemplates how their long closeness might have allowed her to glimpse his Meat-Eaters. She wonders whether she could have protected him differently, or if love itself fed his visions. The memories bind her to the night and to what remains unresolved.

Evening Baltrum home
12

The enduring solitude of Baltrum

With Johan gone and the diary in her possession, Alma remains alone, reflecting on the nightmarish revelations and what they mean for her memory of him. She carries the weight of the diaries and the lost life on Baltrum as the island settles around her.

Post-events Baltrum

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:38

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Hour of the Wolf Summary

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Hour of the Wolf Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Hour of the Wolf

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