Paper Mask

Paper Mask

Year: 1990

Runtime: 105 mins

Language: English

Director: Christopher Morahan

CrimeDramaThrillerFantasyMystery

A lowly hospital orderly seizes the identity of a recently deceased doctor, stepping into the hectic emergency room of a small hospital. While he fumbles through real medical emergencies, he befriends a savvy nurse who gradually uncovers his ruse and, intrigued, assists him in preserving the deception.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Paper Mask (1990)

Trace every key event in Paper Mask (1990) 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

Harris — hospital porter in London with big dreams

Mathew Harris works as a porter at a busy London hospital. He spends evenings playing the banjo in his bedroom and dreaming of a medical career after dropping biology. This quiet life sets up his hunger for advancement.

Evening (in his bedroom) London
2

Car accident near a pub reveals a link to Dr. Hennessey

One evening Harris witnesses a car crash outside a local pub; the driver is killed in a collision with a lorry. He recognizes the victim, Dr. Simon Hennessey, a doctor at his hospital who is seeking a Bristol residency. Harris takes the dead man's mail and submits a job application under Hennessey's name.

Evening Outside local pub
3

Hennessey alias accepted for Bristol residency

After studying medical texts and observing procedures at his hospital, Harris is accepted into a residency under the late doctor's identity. The newfound access gives him a chance to move into a medical role he dreamed of. The deception marks the start of his dangerous impersonation.

Hospital
4

Harris relocates to Bristol and starts in A&E

Harris quits his porter job and relocates to Bristol to assume Dr. Hennessey's post. He is assigned to the busy Accident & Emergency department and begins practicing as if he were the real doctor. His new role brings demand and pressure in equal measure.

Bristol, A&E
5

Early days: promise tempered by poor record-keeping

In his first days, Harris handles cases with growing confidence but is reprimanded for sloppy patient records. The reprimand highlights the risks of his deception. He must balance speed with accountability as he slides into the role.

Bristol, A&E
6

Christine Taylor enters his orbit

Nurse Christine Taylor meets Harris and offers help to cope with the workload. She becomes friendly with him and is quickly drawn to his charm. Her support gives him a steadier footing in this high-stakes environment.

Bristol hospital
7

A successful rescue boosts Harris's arrogance

Harris saves the life of a woman patient, earning praise and a surge of self-assurance. He becomes more capable and confident, but arrogance begins to seep in. The line between competence and deception starts to blur.

Bristol hospital
8

Harris and Taylor begin an affair

Harris and Taylor's professional closeness deepens into an affair. The relationship further complicates their work and loyalty to patients. It also makes Harris more reckless.

Bristol hospital
9

A patient dies; Taylor takes the blame and resigns

The wife of the chief medic dies while under Harris's care, triggering a negligence inquiry. Taylor takes the blame for the mistake and resigns in response. The incident exposes the fragility of his deceit.

Bristol hospital
10

Moran confronts Harris about the impersonation

Harris unexpectedly reunites with Moran, who has moved to Bristol to study nursing. He confesses his impersonation to Moran and asks him to keep quiet and leave the area. Moran threatens to report him if he doesn't disappear.

Remote area near Bristol
11

Harris tries to silence Moran; Moran is injured but alive

In a pursuit to silence Moran, Harris pushes him off a cliff. Moran survives with critical injuries and is brought back to the hospital. The attempted cover-up intensifies the danger Harris faces.

Remote area; hospital
12

A nurse finds Harris's engraved cigarette case

During Moran's struggle, a nurse finds a silver cigarette case engraved with Harris's name. She suspects the identity of the mysterious doctor and connects it to the ongoing impersonation. The discovery adds pressure on Harris to maintain his ruse.

Hospital
13

Taylor uncovers the impersonation through the gravestone

Taylor visits the grave of the real Dr. Hennessey in London and realizes Harris has been masquerading as him. She confronts Harris with this truth, forcing him to face exposure. Their relationship strains under the weight of the revelation.

London
14

Taylor's discovery leads to a plan to keep the deception alive

Harris persuades Taylor to identify Moran as Harris so the real Harris can be declared dead and the impersonation can continue legally. Facing mounting scrutiny, Harris transfers to a Salisbury hospital while plotting to move to London with Taylor, but he heads to Salisbury instead.

London/Salisbury
15

Final scene: Harris persists in the ruse at a new hospital

In the film's ending, Harris continues impersonating a doctor at his new hospital in Salisbury. Taylor hesitates to report him, fearing the consequences and potential misidentification of Moran. The deception remains unresolved as Harris keeps up the act.

Salisbury

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:05

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Paper Mask Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Paper Mask

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