Meatcleaver Massacre

Meatcleaver Massacre

Year: 1977

Runtime: 85 mins

Language: English

Directors: Edward D. Wood Jr., Keith Burns

Horror

An occult horror film follows a grieving father whose wife, son and daughter are brutally murdered by four deranged killers. On his deathbed in a hospital, he invokes occult powers to exact a terrifying revenge, unleashing a nightmarish fury that will never be shown on television.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Meatcleaver Massacre 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!

Meatcleaver Massacre (1977) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Meatcleaver Massacre (1977), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

In the film set in Los Angeles, the story begins with Professor Cantrell, a renowned expert in the occult, delivering a lecture at his university about a Gaelic demon known as Morak. The lecture introduces viewers to the dark and mysterious world of supernatural entities, setting the tone for the terrifying events that follow. After his lecture, a group of reckless students—Mason Harrue, Robert Clark portraying Sean Allen, Dirk Kramer, and Phil Jones—feeling rebellious and intoxicated, decide to visit Professor Cantrell’s home as part of a prank. What seems like a harmless joke quickly turns sinister when Mason, in a fit of rage, bludgeons the professor, prompting the others to participate in a horrifying act of violence by murdering Cantrell’s wife and children. They each stab the innocent family members, sealing a night of darkness and horror.

The assault leaves Professor Cantrell alive but severely injured, resulting in him becoming paraplegic and slipping into a coma. The investigation into the brutal massacre is led by Detective Wexler, played by [J. Arthur Craig], who searches for clues and finds only a small piece of triangular cloth at the crime scene. Meanwhile, in his unconscious state, Cantrell begins to summon the demon Morak, calling upon it with the hope of revenge—setting the stage for supernatural retribution.

As the story unfolds, Sean begins to experience intense feelings of guilt and hallucinations. He has a vivid nightmare where he is chased by an elusive force through a mausoleum and across an empty beach. Upon waking, his girlfriend Darlene, played by [Alisa Beaton], confronts him about his altered behavior. Desperate for clarity, Sean takes a walk into the desert to clear his head but is haunted by disembodied voices and a disturbing vision of Cantrell’s blood and his deceased daughter. Soon after, he is violently attacked by an invisible demonic force that slashes him open and disembowels him—a harrowing scene illustrating the terrifying power of the supernatural entity.

When Sean fails to return home, Dirk and Phil grow increasingly anxious. They confide in Mason, worrying that they will be arrested for their involvement, although Mason remains defiant, claiming that Professor Cantrell’s curse will prevent any chance of his recovery or return of speech. Dirk, overwhelmed with fear, contemplates suicide by cutting his wrists but instead locks himself into his role as a mechanic in Topanga Canyon. During his shift, he hears strange noises in the garage before the demonic entity slams a car hood onto him repeatedly, crushing him to death.

Detective Wexler correlates the triangular cloth from the crime scene with Dirk’s jacket, deepening the suspicion of occult influence in the murders. Meanwhile, Phil ventures into Hollywood, visiting a massage parlor where he engages in an intimate encounter with Patty. That night, working alone as a projectionist at a local movie theater, Phil begins experiencing disturbingly vivid visions of the Cantrell family murders. These visions culminate in his gruesome death—an explosion from a malfunctioning film projector ending his life.

Realizing that the supernatural force might be behind these deaths, Detective Wexler becomes convinced that Cantrell inadvertently or intentionally used occult rituals to invoke Morak, causing chaos and destruction. He attempts to reach Mason, who is now confined to a psychiatric hospital, hoping that Mason might possess a counter-incantation to halt Morak’s wrath. However, Mason, overwhelmed by guilt and fear, murders Wexler in a desperate act. The demonic presence, Morak, intervenes, attacking Mason and perpetuating its reign of terror.

In the aftermath, Mason’s claims of being attacked by a demon are dismissed, and he is mocked by others at the psychiatric facility. The film culminates in a chilling exploration of guilt, supernatural vengeance, and the devastating consequences of tampering with forbidden knowledge, leaving viewers with a sense of unease about the unseen forces that lurk beneath the surface of our world.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:13

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 Meatcleaver Massacre

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

Meatcleaver Massacre Timeline

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

Meatcleaver Massacre Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Meatcleaver Massacre

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Meatcleaver Massacre

Meatcleaver Massacre Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Meatcleaver Massacre that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Meatcleaver Massacre Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Meatcleaver Massacre

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Meatcleaver Massacre: 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 Meatcleaver Massacre

Similar Movies to Meatcleaver Massacre

Discover movies like Meatcleaver Massacre 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.