Madhouse

Madhouse

Year: 1981

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: English

Director: Ovidio G. Assonitis

HorrorHorror the undead and monster classicsIntense violence and sexual transgressionGory gruesome and slasher horrorGothic and eerie haunting horror

Many people visit… no one ever leaves. A woman is pursued by her murderous, psychopathic twin sister in the days leading up to their birthday.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Madhouse (1981)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Madhouse (1981). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah, Georgia provides the humid, sunlit backdrop for Julia's life. Its old houses and moss-draped streets create a moody, southern atmosphere that mirrors the movie's claustrophobic tension. The large house at the center of the story anchors the plot and becomes a stage for secrets and danger.

🌆 Southern city 🏛️ Historic architecture

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:41

Main Characters – Madhouse (1981)

Meet the key characters of Madhouse (1981), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Julia Sullivan

A young schoolteacher for deaf children living in Savannah who carries scars from a cruel, twin sister. The fear of Mary's return drives her to protect those around her, and she evolves into a resourceful survivor as the house reveals its deadly secrets.

Sam Edwards

Julia's psychologist boyfriend who supports her through her unraveling. He returns from a business trip and faces the danger in the house, ultimately helping Julia confront the terror within.

Mary Sullivan

Julia's sadistic twin sister whose escape from the mental institution triggers a wave of violent deaths. Her presence haunts the house, and she is ultimately confronted and killed as the truth about Julia's fear comes to a head.

Father James

Julia's uncle, a local Catholic priest, who orchestrates the horrifying events. He manipulates others, but his own obsession leads to brutal acts inside the house, including the killing of Amantha and Mary.

Amantha Beauregard

The landlord who helps carry a heavy bag into the basement, only to become entangled in the deadly secret of the house. Her fate is sealed when she encounters Father James.

Sacha Robertson Jr.

A student of Julia who becomes another victim of the house's terror, killed by the Rottweiler in a park as the body count rises.

Helen

Julia's friend who stays to support her; she is brutally attacked by the Rottweiler and dies, heightening the sense that danger lurks in every corner of the house.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:41

Major Themes – Madhouse (1981)

Explore the central themes of Madhouse (1981), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧠 Twin Trauma

The film centers on Julia's memories of her sadistic twin Mary, exploring the lasting impact of childhood abuse and fractured family bonds. The dual identities of the sisters blur the line between fear and memory, driving Julia's paranoia as she confronts a threat from within her own home. The theme examines how trauma can resurface through violence, manipulation, and a haunting sense of being watched. The tension between sisterly bonds and cruelty fuels the horror as Julia fights to reclaim control over her life.

🏚️ Haunted House

Set primarily in Julia's large Savannah house, the film uses the home as a trap where secrets fester. Windows, stairs, and basements become stages for attacks by Mary or the unseen threat, turning domestic spaces into sites of danger. Lighting and sound design heighten the sense of menace as occupants disappear or die. By turning a familiar living space into a malevolent setting, Madhouse probes how safety can invert into threat.

🩸 Violence & Fear

The Rottweiler acts as a constant physical threat, embodying the movie's pervasive fear. The dog mauls victims and punctuates the escalating tension as Julia and others confront a relentless killer in close quarters. Violence is personal and brutal, tied to family trauma and betrayal within the home. The climax sees Julia asserting control through decisive, deadly action.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:41

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Madhouse Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Madhouse, 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.

Madhouse Summary

Madhouse Timeline

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Madhouse Timeline

More About Madhouse

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