Night of the Werewolf (1981) Plot Summary Explained

Karen discovers Bathory's tomb while exploring the castle and is hypnotically compelled by the Countess to perform a bloody ritual. Bathory uses her supernatural influence to control Karen's mind, forcing her to complete the resurrection spell that brings the ancient vampire back to life.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes establish that the castle contains Bathory's tomb and that supernatural forces linger within its walls.

• karen
• bathory resurrection
• ritual
• hypnosis
• control

Daninsky is not truly alive but placed in a state of living death by his executors in 16th-century Hungary. The silver dagger through his heart and iron mask preventing him from biting keep him in this suspended animation. He cannot die because werewolves are nearly impossible to kill, so the authorities chose to imprison him rather than destroy him.

Foreshadowing: The opening scene establishes that Daninsky was condemned alongside Bathory for his crimes.

• silver dagger
• iron mask
• living death
• werewolf immortality
• centuries

Although Daninsky was once Bathory's lover and companion in evil, her resurrection threatens to unleash vampiric terror on the region and specifically endangers Karen, whom Daninsky has come to love. His feelings for Karen motivate him to betray his former mistress and fight to protect the living.

Foreshadowing: Daninsky's growing affection for Karen is shown developing throughout the middle section of the film.

• daninsky
• bathory
• love
• karen
• betrayal
• protection

The curse is broken when Karen drives the silver dagger into Daninsky's heart. The same dagger that kept him in living death for centuries becomes the instrument that frees him from his monstrous condition. When Daninsky bites Karen and she dies, she manages to stab him with the dagger, ending his bloodlust and curse forever.

Foreshadowing: The silver dagger is established early as the only thing capable of containing Daninsky's werewolf nature.

• silver dagger
• curse break
• werewolf curse
• karen sacrifice
• destroyer

After Bathory is defeated, Daninsky's bloodlust overcomes him and he bites Karen, mortally wounding her. As she is dying, Karen gathers her remaining strength to plunge the silver dagger into Daninsky's heart, breaking the curse and saving any future victims from his wrath.

Foreshadowing: Daninsky's struggle to control his werewolf nature is shown throughout the film, foreshadowing his eventual loss of control.

• karen
• daggers stab
• bloodlust
• death
• sacrifice

Bathory is resurrected through a ritual performed by Karen, who is under Bathory's hypnotic control. After centuries of death, the Countess uses her supernatural powers to mentally compel Karen to find her tomb and perform the bloody ceremony that restores her to unlife.

Foreshadowing: The discovery of Bathory's tomb by one of the girls triggers the chain of events leading to her return.

• bathory resurrection
• ritual
• vampire return
• hypnosis
• tomb

Yes, Karen dies at the end. After Daninsky bites her during his post-victory bloodlust, Karen is mortally wounded. However, she uses her final moments to stab Daninsky with the silver dagger, breaking the curse before she dies. Her sacrifice saves Daninsky and ends the threat to the region.

Foreshadowing: The romantic relationship between Daninsky and Karen builds throughout the film, making her tragic fate emotionally significant.

• karen death
• ending
• tragedy
• sacrifice
• bite

Daninsky and Bathory were both executed in 16th-century Hungary for their crimes. Daninsky was her satanic lover and fellow practitioner of dark arts. They were condemned to die together, and Daninsky was left in a state of living death alongside Bathory's execution site, binding their fates for centuries.

Foreshadowing: The opening establishes they were sentenced together and suggests a romantic connection between the werewolf and the Countess.

• daninsky
• bathory
• lover
• history
• 16th century
• connection

Daninsky is a werewolf who lived in 16th-century Hungary. His lycanthropy is the source of his cursed existence and explains why he could not be killed normally. The film establishes that he was a satanic nobleman who practiced dark magic alongside Bathory, making them natural partners in evil.

Foreshadowing: The title explicitly identifies him as a werewolf, and the opening establishes his supernatural nature.

• werewolf
• daninsky
• lycanthropy
• cursed origin
• 16th century

The two graverobbers steal the silver dagger from Daninsky's chest while looting the tomb, not realizing they are releasing a dangerous werewolf. Their greedy curiosity about the valuable-looking dagger inadvertently breaks the spell that kept Daninsky imprisoned for centuries.

Foreshadowing: The graverobbers are established as treasure hunters who care only for profit, ignoring the danger.

• graverobbers
• dagger release
• tomb
• accidental awakening
• looting