It Lives Again

It Lives Again

Year: 1978

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: Larry Cohen

HorrorHorror

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.

It Lives Again (1978) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at It Lives Again (1978) 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 a world where the nightmare of “It’s Alive” refuses to stay buried, maternity wards across the country pulse with an unsettling new rhythm. The arrival of three infant terrors—tiny beings whose claws scrape against sterile steel—has turned the very act of birth into a whispered threat. The atmosphere is drenched in cold, clinical dread, a blend of hospital fluorescents and shadowed corridors that feels both familiar and grotesquely altered. Beneath the surface, a network of concealed shelters offers desperate parents a chance to hide their cursed offspring, hinting at a secretive community that has learned to survive by staying unseen.

Frank Davis carries the weight of his past tragedy, haunted by the loss of his own child and the role he played in that darkness. Determined to find redemption, he now devotes himself to guiding expectant couples who may be unknowingly walking toward the same horror. His expertise and empathy position him as both a guardian and a conduit to the hidden world of these anomalous births, where science and superstition intertwine.

Jody Scott and Eugene Scott stand on the brink of parenthood, unaware that the miracle they anticipate may be something far more terrifying. Their relationship is grounded in love and hope, yet the looming presence of the mutant infants casts a long, unsettling shadow over their future. As they navigate the murky terrain of hospital politics and whispered conspiracies, the couple is drawn into a fragile alliance with Frank, whose knowledge of the subterranean shelters offers a precarious lifeline.

Together, these characters move through a setting that feels simultaneously ordinary and nightmarish, where the ordinary act of caring for a newborn becomes a high‑stakes gamble. The film teeters between visceral horror and tense suspense, inviting the audience to wonder what lengths parents will go to protect their children when the very definition of “family” is called into question.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 18:00

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Explore Movie Threads

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.

Sympathetic monster tragedies like It Lives Again

Stories where horrifying creatures are also victims deserving of compassion.If you were moved by the tragic parents in It Lives Again, you’ll find similar stories here. This thread gathers movies like It Lives Again where monstrous creatures evoke sympathy, exploring themes of prejudice, humanity, and the heavy cost of survival in horror and sci-fi films.

tragicdisturbinggrimsuspensefulmoral conflictsympathetic horror

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern revolves around the emergence or creation of a monstrous entity that is also a victim. Protagonists, often the creators or protectors of the monster, face external persecution while wrestling with their own moral conflict. The story unfolds as a tense struggle for survival that questions the nature of monstrosity and often ends on a bittersweet or bleak note.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on blurring the line between monster and victim. They share a dark tone, high emotional weight from themes of loss and prejudice, and a narrative structure that pits sympathetic characters against a hostile world.

Relentless pursuit stories with protective parents like It Lives Again

Desperate parents on the run, protecting their children from a hostile world.For viewers who enjoyed the frantic escape and protective themes of It Lives Again, this section features similar movies about parents on the run. Discover more films like It Lives Again with high-stakes chases, conspiratorial threats, and the heavy emotional burden of safeguarding a child in a hostile world.

anxiousoppressiveparanoidsuspensefulfearfuldesperaterelentless

Narrative Summary

The narrative is driven by a immediate, life-threatening pursuit. The protagonists are parents whose primary goal shifts from a normal life to sheer survival as they flee with their child. The plot is linear and fast-paced, focusing on evasion, hidden sanctuaries, and confrontations with the pursuers, creating a consistent atmosphere of paranoia and fear.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by the core dynamic of protective parents under siege. They share a fast pacing, high intensity from constant threat, an oppressive and anxious mood, and a focus on the themes of survival and the strength of the parental bond against impossible odds.

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It Lives Again Summary

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It Lives Again Summary

It Lives Again Timeline

Track the full timeline of It Lives Again with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

It Lives Again Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in It Lives Again

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Characters, Settings & Themes in It Lives Again

More About It Lives Again

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Similar Movies to It Lives Again

Discover movies like It Lives Again that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.