Night of the Living Dead

Night of the Living Dead

Year: 1968

Runtime: 96 min

Language: English

Director: George A. Romero

Horror

As darkness descends, a group of strangers barricades themselves inside a rural farmhouse, seeking refuge from a terrifying wave of the undead. Facing a relentless and growing horde of flesh-eating ghouls, they must learn to work together to survive the night and uncover the horrifying truth behind the sudden outbreak. Their desperate fight for survival tests their courage and forces them to confront their own fears in the face of unimaginable horror.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Trace every key event in Night of the Living Dead (1968) 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

Siblings Begin Their Trip

Johnny and Barbra set out on a seemingly simple journey to visit their father's grave at a rural cemetery. The siblings engage in playful banter, which highlights their different attitudes towards the trip.

Daytime Car
2

Teasing at the Cemetery

As they arrive at the cemetery, Johnny teasingly nudges Barbra about her fear of the dark. His ominous remark, 'They're coming to get you, Barbra!' sets the tone for the impending doom.

Evening Cemetery
3

First Encounter with Danger

Their lighthearted visit takes a terrifying turn when they encounter a tall, pale-faced man who stumbles towards them. The situation escalates quickly as the man violently attacks Barbra.

Evening Cemetery
4

Johnny's Struggle

Johnny instinctively intervenes to protect Barbra, but during the brutal struggle, he is knocked unconscious. A graveyard becomes the backdrop for chaos and terror, leaving Barbra in a precarious position.

Evening Cemetery
5

Barbra's Desperate Escape

In a panic, Barbra races back to their car to escape but realizes she cannot start it without Johnny's keys. Her attempt to shift the car results in it rolling away and crashing into a tree, deepening her crisis.

Evening Cemetery
6

Fleeing Down the Road

With no other options, Barbra flees down a lonely road, pursued by the staggering man. The night is filled with her despair as she struggles against the encroaching terror.

Nighttime Lonely Road
7

Discovery of the Farmhouse

Barbra stumbles upon a seemingly deserted farmhouse, seeking refuge. However, her hope quickly shatters when she discovers that the phone is dead, leaving her isolated and vulnerable.

Nighttime Farmhouse
8

The Horrifying Discovery

Upon exploring the upper levels of the farmhouse, Barbra discovers the gruesome remains of a body that has been feasted upon. This chilling realization heightens her panic and fear.

Nighttime Farmhouse
9

Ben Comes to the Rescue

Just when Barbra's fear peaks, Ben arrives in a pickup truck, armed with a tire iron to confront the creatures outside. His decisive actions instill a glimmer of hope in Barbra as they unite against the threat.

Nighttime Farmhouse
10

Barricading the House

Ben takes charge and begins fortifying the house with furniture and scrap wood. Together, Ben and Barbra share their harrowing experiences, leading to moments of camaraderie amid chaos.

Nighttime Farmhouse
11

Tensions Rise

As the night progresses, a tense debate erupts between Ben and Harry, who is hiding with his family in the basement. The group is torn between staying to fight or retreating to the cellar for safety.

Nighttime Farmhouse
12

Unfolding Chaos

Radio reports reveal that ghouls are roaming the area, preying on the living. Amidst growing panic, Ben takes up arms, while Harry's cowardice fuels further tensions among the survivors.

Nighttime Farmhouse
13

Tragic Explosion

An attempt to escape results in a catastrophic explosion, claiming the lives of Tom and Judy. The group's dynamics worsen as blame and frustration surface in the wake of the disaster.

Nighttime Farmhouse
14

Clash Among Survivors

As darkness envelops the farmhouse, tensions boil over into violence when Ben confronts Harry. Their argument escalates to physical confrontation, highlighting the deteriorating morale in the face of danger.

Nighttime Farmhouse
15

The Tragic Conclusion

As dawn breaks, a rescue team arrives, but a tragic misunderstanding leads to Ben being shot by sheriff's men, mistakenly believing he was one of the ghouls. The horror concludes as his body joins others in a fiery burial, sealing the fate of those who survived the night.

Dawn Farmhouse

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 14:26

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Claustrophobic siege horror movies like Night of the Living Dead

Groups trapped and tested under relentless pressure in a confined space.If you liked the desperate fight for survival in Night of the Living Dead, explore more movies where characters are trapped under siege. These films share a tense, claustrophobic vibe, pitting groups against monstrous threats or human monsters while testing their sanity and alliances in confined spaces.

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Narrative Summary

Stories typically begin with a group seeking refuge in an isolated location, only to find themselves besieged. The narrative unfolds in real-time or over a compressed period, focusing on the deteriorating group dynamics, disastrous escape attempts, and the psychological toll of being trapped. Survival is often physically and morally costly.

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These movies are grouped by their shared core premise: confinement under siege. They create a specific, intense viewing experience defined by spatial limitations, relentless external pressure, and the breakdown of social order within the group, leading to a consistently tense and anxious mood.

Bleak horror movies with futile endings like Night of the Living Dead

Stories where survival efforts lead only to grim, shocking conclusions.For viewers who appreciate the shocking, hopeless conclusion of Night of the Living Dead, this section collects similar horror films with bleak and futile endings. These stories leave a lasting impact by subverting survival tropes, offering no catharsis and emphasizing the meaningless of the struggle against overwhelming forces.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a conventional horror survival arc, but culminates in a conclusion that negates the entire journey. The final act delivers a twist or outcome that renders the characters' efforts pointless, often through ironic fate, a larger unstoppable threat, or the revelation that there was never any hope to begin with.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their profoundly bleak and hopeless conclusions. While the plots may vary, they share a core thematic commitment to futility and a specific emotional payoff that leaves the audience with a sense of shock, despair, or grim reflection, rather than relief.

Unlock the Full Story of Night of the Living Dead

Don't stop at just watching — explore Night of the Living Dead 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 Night of the Living Dead is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Night of the Living Dead Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Night of the Living Dead, 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.

Night of the Living Dead Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Night of the Living Dead

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Night of the Living Dead

Night of the Living Dead Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Night of the Living Dead 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.

Night of the Living Dead Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Night of the Living Dead

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