Year: 1974
Runtime: 91 min
Language: English
Director: Larry Cohen
A young couple's joy turns to terror when their newborn son is revealed to be a ravenous, grotesque creature. Driven by primal instinct, the monstrous child exhibits terrifying strength and threatens the family and everyone around them. The parents must confront the horrifying reality of what they've brought into the world and struggle to contain the unimaginable danger they’ve unleashed.
Get a spoiler-free look at It's Alive (1974) 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 quiet suburban setting, the promise of new life fills the air for a young couple on the brink of parenthood. Lenore Davis feels the weight of her upcoming birth with a mixture of excitement and a growing, inexplicable unease, while her husband Frank tries to balance his own anxieties with the desire to protect the fragile happiness they have built. Their modest world, anchored by routine and the support of close friends, suddenly feels poised on the edge of something far larger than ordinary family concerns.
The arrival of their child should mark a joyous turning point, yet the newborn quickly becomes a source of unsettling mystery. Subtle clues—a strange cry, an unnerving presence—suggest that the infant is not the innocent being they anticipated. As the couple grapples with this bewildering reality, the ordinary comforts of home begin to feel suffocating, and the line between parental love and primal fear blurs in unsettling ways.
Support arrives in the form of Charley, a trusted family friend whose steady presence offers a temporary refuge from the growing dread. Yet even with his help, the couple faces an escalating sense of paranoia, as whispers of hidden forces and corporate secrets hint at larger, unseen pressures shaping their fate. The atmosphere tightens, wrapping the household in a claustrophobic blend of domestic normalcy and eerie, inexplicable danger.
Caught between the instinct to shield their child and the terrifying possibility that something monstrous lies within, the parents must confront the unimaginable. Their struggle becomes a tense, emotionally charged journey through love, denial, and the dark shadows that can emerge when the miracle of birth is tainted by an unknown horror. The film lingers on this unsettling premise, inviting viewers to feel the creeping terror that lurks behind every ordinary moment.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 14:15
Don't stop at just watching — explore It's Alive in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what It's Alive is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of It's Alive, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
Track the full timeline of It's Alive with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover movies like It's Alive 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.
It's Alive (1974) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
It's Alive (1974) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
It's Alive (1974) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like It's Alive – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
It’s Alive (2009) Movie Recap & Themes
It Lives Again (1978) Movie Recap & Themes
It’s Alive (1969) Story Summary & Characters
It’s Alive III: Island of the Alive (1987) Movie Recap & Themes
Alive (2018) Film Overview & Timeline
The Baby (1973) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
The Unborn (1991) Film Overview & Timeline
Dead Alive (1993) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Eaten Alive (1977) Story Summary & Characters
It Lives Inside (2018) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Offspring (2009) Full Movie Breakdown
Immure (2016) Full Movie Breakdown
Village of the Damned (1995) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
The Abomination (1988) Story Summary & Characters
Who Can Kill a Child? (1976) Full Summary & Key Details