Manhattan Baby

Manhattan Baby

Year: 1982

Runtime: 89 mins

Language: Italian

HorrorHorror the undead and monster classicsTerrifying haunted and supernatural horrorGothic and eerie haunting horrorCreepy chilling and terrifying horror

When an archaeologist unwittingly breaks the seal of an ancient Egyptian tomb, a malevolent spirit is freed. The entity possesses his young daughter, and after the family returns to New York, a series of brutal murders erupts as the demonic presence seeks vengeance.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Manhattan Baby 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 – Manhattan Baby (1982)

Trace every key event in Manhattan Baby (1982) 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

Susie receives the amulet

On holiday in Egypt, Susie is approached by a mysterious blind woman who hands her an amulet. The moment she takes it, a sense of otherworldliness lingers around the family. This small moment begins the family’s brush with an ancient, dangerous force.

On holiday in Egypt Egypt
2

George goes blind in the tomb

Susie’s father George, an archaeologist, enters an unexplored tomb and loses his sight. The loss is sudden and unsettling, tied to the amulet’s awakening powers. The family begins to realize the danger is more than a local superstition.

Shortly after the amulet is given Egypt
3

George regains sight back in New York

George’s vision returns after the family returns to New York City, suggesting the curse travels with them. He recounts the wall design from the tomb to a colleague named Wiler, hinting at a larger mystery. The amulet’s influence appears to extend beyond Susie alone.

Upon returning to NYC New York City
4

Susie and siblings gain access to doorways

Susie, her younger brother Tommy, and their au pair Jamie Lee discover they can access dimensional doorways through the amulet. They begin to appear and disappear from familiar spaces, blurring the line between reality and the otherworldly realm. The family’s ordinary routine turns into something dangerous.

Shortly after returning from Egypt Home
5

Luke vanishes through a portal

Emily and her colleague Luke are researching the Egypt events when Jamie Lee calls in a panic about the children. Luke tries to help by unlocking a door, but is sucked into a dimensional portal and ends up in a desert, where he dies of dehydration. The disappearance is initially treated as a prank by those left behind.

During the investigation at home House / Portal location
6

Central Park photos and Polaroid link to Marcato

Jamie Lee takes the children to Central Park for photographs. A discarded Polaroid of Susie, showing only the amulet against the grass, draws a mysterious woman’s attention. That woman contacts Adrian Marcato, initiating a new thread in the conspiracy around the amulet.

Soon after Luke's disappearance Central Park
7

Polaroid with Marcato’s details reaches Mrs. Hacker

The woman drops a Polaroid containing Marcato’s contact details down to Mrs. Hacker from a window. This creates a direct link between the amulet’s power and Marcato, deepening the danger for Susie and her family. The pursuit of the amulet shifts toward Marcato’s involvement.

Following Central Park incident Mrs. Hacker’s home
8

Voyages intensify; Jamie Lee disappears

The children repeatedly appear and disappear from their bedrooms on what Tommy calls voyages. Jamie Lee disappears after entering Tommy’s room, and Tommy explains that she has not come back from her voyage. The house becomes a place of unpredictable danger as the doorways proliferate.

During the voyages Home
9

Wiler is bitten; Susie receives the amulet photo again

Wiler studies a photograph of the amulet and is fatally bitten by a cobra that appears in his office. The amulet’s energy seems to move; the photo reappears in Susie’s hand as she recovers from a mysterious fit. The line between study and danger grows thinner.

While studying the amulet photo Wiler’s office
10

Hackers confront Marcato about the amulet

The Hackers trace Marcato to his antique shop, where he explains the amulet’s evil symbolism and suggests Susie has absorbed its energy. He hints that the curse is real and dangerous, underscoring the need to prevent its spread. The conversation deepens the sense that Marcato is a pivotal figure.

During investigation Marcato’s antique shop
11

Susie glows blue and faints; amulet is found

George and Emily discover the amulet in Susie’s bedroom as she glows with an unearthly blue light and then faints. Medical staff are perplexed as the child’s condition becomes a visible manifestation of the curse. The family’s fear escalates with the physical signs of energy from the amulet.

Shortly after discovery of the amulet Susie’s bedroom / hospital await
12

Marcato is possessed and links minds with George

Marcato is summoned to the apartment to examine Susie, but his inner voice possesses him and he briefly links minds with George, offering a glimpse into the eldritch Egypt the children have visited. The possession reveals the amulet’s deep, uncanny power. Even without full control, Marcato becomes a conduit for the dangerous forces at work.

Shortly after Susie’s glow Their apartment
13

Susie is hospitalized; cobra mark is found

The family takes Susie to a hospital where Dr. Forrester examines her. An X-ray reveals the dark hooded cobra mark inside her chest, confirming the ominous effect of the amulet. Emily stays by her daughter’s side as the alarm bells ring louder in the medical and magical senses.

After Susie’s glow and possession Hospital
14

Jamie Lee returns as a reanimated cadaver; energy converges on Marcato

Jamie Lee bursts back through a wall as a reanimated rotting cadaver and collapses. A blue stream of negative energy flows from Tommy, Susie, and the dimensional doorways into Marcato’s home, where he recites an ancient Egyptian spell. The surge confirms the amulet’s far-reaching reach and the danger to everyone involved.

Evening, during the energy surge Marcato’s home / apartment
15

Marcato killed; amulet discarded; curse persists in Egypt

Marcato is killed at his shop by the reanimated carcasses of his stuffed birds as the energy consumes him. The next morning, George discards the amulet by flinging it into the East River, attempting to end their ordeal. In the final office, the blind woman reappears in Egypt and gives the same amulet to another young girl, indicating the curse will continue to loop back into the world.

Following morning; ending scene in Egypt Marcato’s shop / East River / Egypt (final scene)

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:50

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Manhattan Baby

Don't stop at just watching — explore Manhattan Baby 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 Manhattan Baby is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Manhattan Baby Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Manhattan Baby, 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.

Manhattan Baby Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Manhattan Baby

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Manhattan Baby. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Manhattan Baby

More About Manhattan Baby

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Manhattan Baby: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Manhattan Baby

Similar Movies to Manhattan Baby

Discover movies like Manhattan Baby 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.