Moon of the Wolf

Moon of the Wolf

Year: 1972

Runtime: 75 mins

Language: English

Director: Daniel Petrie

HorrorMysteryTV MovieThrillerHorror the undead and monster classics

When the full moon rises over rural Louisiana, deadly secrets creep from the shadows. After a string of brutal murders claims several locals, the county sheriff begins to suspect that a werewolf may be stalking the town, forcing him to confront ancient folklore and a growing wave of terror.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Moon of the Wolf (1972)

Trace every key event in Moon of the Wolf (1972) 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

Discovery of the victim's body

Two farmers in Marsh Island discover the mauled body of a local young woman and summon Sheriff Aaron Whitaker. The grim discovery triggers the town's murder investigation and stirs fear about what killed her. The case quickly becomes a focal point for rumors and suspicion among residents.

Marsh Island crime scene
2

Autopsy and early theories

Dr. Drutan performs the autopsy and determines the victim died from a blow to the head. The sheriff begins interviewing townsfolk who offer competing theories, including an attack by wild dogs. The investigation widens as the mystery deepens.

Marsh Island crime scene
3

Burrifors arrives and accuses a lover

Lawrence Burrifors arrives at the scene in a fit of rage and insists the killer is the victim's mysterious lover, a man his sister would not name. The sheriff remains wary of the brother's volatile temper and possible motive. The personal feud within the Burrifor family complicates the case.

Crime scene, Marsh Island
4

Father warns of the loup-garou

The victim's dying father, Hugh Burrifor, warns the sheriff about the loup-garou and hints at folklore beyond the sheriff's understanding. He offers a cultural context that there may be a supernatural cause behind the murder. The warning plants the seeds for a folklore based explanation.

Hugh Burrifor's home
5

Investigation at Rodanthe plantation

The sheriff visits the plantation of Andrew Rodanthe and meets his sister Louise. Andrew claims to have malaria the night of the murder and denies involvement with the victim. The sheriff begins to suspect a possible affair with the victim and a link to the Rodanthe family.

Rodanthe plantation
6

Lawrence's arrest and the fatal jailbreak

Lawrence assaults Dr. Drutan, drawing the sheriff's suspicion away from others. He is jailed, and as the full moon rises, violence erupts in the jail when steel bars are torn from the wall. Lawrence and the sheriff's deputy are killed in the brutal attack.

Marsh Island jail
7

Transformation at the hospital

Andrew Rodanthe, exposed to Hugh Burrifor's voodoo potion, suffers an apparent epileptic seizure and is taken to the hospital. There, he undergoes a brutal transformation into a werewolf. The town's sense of safety dissolves as fear spreads.

Hospital
8

Louise decodes Rougarou

Louise reveals she can speak French fluently and agrees to talk with Hugh Burrifor about the term Rougarou. While discussing, Louise deciphers that Rougarou is a mispronunciation of Loup Garou, meaning werewolf. The revelation reframes the killer's identity in folklore terms.

Hugh Burrifor's home
9

Family secret and inheritance

Louise explains a family secret: her grandfather suffered spells of sickness that align with werewolf lore, implying the curse could be inherited by Andrew. The sheriff gains a lineage-based explanation for the killer and a bridge between folklore and danger. This moment ties the supernatural belief to real threat.

Louise's plantation/home
10

Werewolf Andrew on the run

Transformed into a werewolf, Andrew escapes the hospital and becomes the target of a townwide manhunt. The community braces for a dangerous pursuit under the looming threat of the full moon. The chase pushes the town to its limits as fear spreads.

Marsh Island vicinity
11

Mayor and posse mobilize

A posse forms to track the werewolf while Louise pushes the mayor to recognize the danger and to consider possible drug-based remedies. She offers folklore-informed insight to help the town respond. The authorities scramble to act under mounting pressure.

Mayor's office
12

Homefront confrontation begins

Louise returns to the Rodanthe plantation; Andrew, still in werewolf form, enters the house. She flees to the barn and attempts to set him on fire, then returns to the house to seek safety. The tense indoor-outdoor chase intensifies the danger.

Rodanthe plantation
13

Final pursuit and death

The werewolf confronts Louise, and she shoots him just as the sheriff arrives. Andrew dies and briefly reverts to human form before dying. The sheriff's arrival marks the end of the immediate threat to Marsh Island.

Rodanthe plantation
14

Aftermath and legend lingers

With the danger over, Marsh Island processes the bizarre events and the tale of Rougarou folklore turning real. The sheriff closes the case and the community reflects on the fear and the strange turn of events that touched their town.

Marsh Island

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:30

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Moon of the Wolf Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Moon of the Wolf

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