It Lives Again

It Lives Again

Year: 1978

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: Larry Cohen

HorrorScience FictionHorror the undead and monster classicsChilling experiments and classic monster horrorSci-fi horror creatures and aliens

The “It’s Alive” baby returns, now multiplied into three infant terrors. Maternity wards reverberate with the scrape of tiny claws as murderous, baby‑faced monsters are delivered. Instead of eliminating the offspring, the cursed parents escape to hidden incubation shelters, hoping to survive the nightmare.

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It Lives Again (1978) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of It Lives Again (1978), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Frank Davis, still reeling from the death of his child and the part he played in it, seeks atonement by helping other would-be parents of mutant children. He tries to warn soon-to-be parents Jody Scott and Eugene Scott about a conspiratorial plot to murder their baby and other unborn mutant children born across the country. Their fears are proven when they are confronted by Mallory and a heavy police presence at the hospital as Jody nears labor. She is rescued by Frank from the maternity ward before labor begins. The baby is delivered in a truck built specifically for this purpose, and the family manages to slip away from their pursuers.

The infant is placed with two others in a secluded confinement for observation by the doctors Frank has been working with. Frank informs a skeptical Eugene about the special bond the babies share with their parents. Despite appearing to settle into society, the children seize an opportunity to escape and begin wreaking havoc. While one of the other babies attacks Eugene in the pool, the Scott baby corners Jody with unclear intentions until Frank arrives to defuse the situation. Frank discovers a homing device placed in Jody’s purse by her mother, and he takes the baby to safety. On his way into the woods, Frank is stopped by a night watchman; the flashlight spooks the previously calm baby, and it attacks and kills Frank in an attempt to escape.

Mallory is revealed to be the father of the monster baby born in Seattle and tries to sway a recovering Eugene and Jody. Through the homing device placed in Jody’s purse by her mother, Mallory and his people track Jody to the Los Angeles location where her baby is taken. The baby itself locates them and Jody steadies a frightened Eugene, revealing that the baby only wanted to be part of the family, just as Frank had explained. Mallory enters with the intent to kill the baby, but it strikes first, forcing Eugene to shoot it in defense of Mallory’s life.

With this truth in hand, Eugene begins to warn other expectant couples in the streets, offering help and guidance just as Frank Davis did to him.

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 09:42

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