Paranoiac

Paranoiac

Year: 1963

Runtime: 80 mins

Language: English

Director: Freddie Francis

HorrorThrillerIntense violence and sexual transgressionTwisted dark psychological thrillerTerrifying haunted and supernatural horror

A deranged brother plots to drive his sister into madness in order to seize her inheritance, but his twisted scheme is disrupted when a mysterious imposter appears, turning the rivalry into a deadly cat‑and‑mouse game filled with tension, deception, and shocking revelations.

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Timeline & Setting – Paranoiac (1963)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Paranoiac (1963). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1960s

The events unfold in a contemporary 1960s Britain setting, with a bourgeois family estate as the backdrop. The period mood emphasizes social status, inheritance disputes, and the closed-circle dynamics of a wealthy household. Modern attitudes toward psychology and secrecy intensify the tension between reality and illusion.

Location

Ashby Estate

The Ashby family estate serves as the main setting, including the sprawling manor and its chapel. It is an isolated, old-world residence known for hidden corridors and a ritual atmosphere that suits secrets and manipulation. The chapel becomes a focal point for music, deception, and confrontation, culminating in a dramatic blaze.

🏰 Gothic manor 🎭 Family estate 🕯️ Secluded country house

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:05

Main Characters – Paranoiac (1963)

Meet the key characters of Paranoiac (1963), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Simon Ashby (Oliver Reed)

Cruel spendthrift and alcoholic who schemes to keep the inheritance to himself. He attempts to have his sister Eleanor committed and engineers accidents to protect his grip on power. His increasing paranoia leads to a breakdown as reality and illusion collide within the estate's walls.

🧠 Manipulation ⚡ Inheritance 🥃 Alcoholism

Tony Ashby (Alexander Davion)

The elder son who supposedly died years ago, returning as an impostor. He is initially believed by Eleanor but dismissed by Aunt Harriet as fake. He becomes entangled in the family's secrets while seeking the truth about his own identity.

🎭 Impostor 🕵️‍♂️ Mystery 💘 Romance

Eleanor Ashby (Janette Scott)

The sister who believes the impostor is her dead brother and falls for him, torn between familial love and disturbing thoughts. She becomes a key witness to the deception and a potential target of Simon's manipulation.

💔 Forbidden love 🕊️ Vulnerability 👀 Suspicion

Aunt Harriet (Sheila Burrell)

Caretaker of the estate who knows the secrets but outwardly dismisses the impostor. She orchestrates parts of the deception to keep Simon stable and ultimately destroys evidence by sealing the chapel in flames.

🕷️ Schemer 🕯️ Secrets 🔒 Protector

Keith Kossett (John Bonney)

Son of the family attorney who hires the impostor to facilitate embezzlement and protect the family's wealth. His scheming contributes to the web of lies surrounding the inheritance.

💼 Corruption 🧭 Embezzlement 🗝️ Access

John Kossett (Maurice Denham)

The family attorney who guides the legal machinery that permits the manipulation of Tony's inheritance. He is calculating and complicit in maintaining the status quo through cunning plans.

⚖️ Attorney 🕵️ Manipulation 🏛️ Legal

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:05

Major Themes – Paranoiac (1963)

Explore the central themes of Paranoiac (1963), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Imposture

A man who claims to be Tony tests the family’s trust and blurs who is real. The impostor’s presence exposes how appearance and alias can unlock or lock away the inheritance. The plot centers on deception, truth, and the danger of believing appearances over reality.

💰 Inheritance

The looming inheritance drives characters to manipulation and crime. Embezzlement schemes, forged identities, and calculated moves reveal wealth as a corrupting force. The house’s secrets become collateral for the family fortune, shaping every confrontation.

🔥 Madness

Simon’s guilt and obsession with control push him toward dangerous impulses. The estate’s atmosphere becomes a pressure cooker for paranoia and ritual performance. The deception spirals into tragedy as sanity unravels.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:05

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Paranoiac Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Paranoiac, 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.

Paranoiac Summary

Paranoiac Timeline

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Paranoiac Timeline

More About Paranoiac

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Paranoiac (1963) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Paranoiac (1963) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Paranoiac (1963) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow