Rats: Night of Terror

Rats: Night of Terror

Year: 1984

Runtime: 97 mins

Language: Italian

Directors: Claudio Fragasso, Bruno Mattei

Science FictionHorrorHorror the undead and monster classicsMonsters aliens sci-fi and the apocalypseSurvival horror and zombie carnage

One hundred years after a nuclear war has ravaged Earth, humanity is split between an underground community and surface scavengers roaming the wastelands. A biker gang of scavengers discovers a deserted town overrun by grotesque, flesh‑eating rats. As the infestation spreads, the survivors face relentless gore and a desperate fight for survival against the mutated vermin.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Rats: Night of Terror yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Rats: Night of Terror (1984)

Trace every key event in Rats: Night of Terror (1984) 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

Group discovers abandoned village and settles

A party of 11 survivors from underground and surface factions stumbles upon an apparently abandoned village. They discover a surplus of food, a greenhouse, and a water reservoir, which convinces them to settle there. Despite the numerous mutilated corpses, they choose to establish a safe base to exploit the resources.

Shortly after arrival Abandoned village
2

Rats swarm the village at night

That night, hundreds of mutated rats arrive and attack the settlement from the darkness. The group fights back with improvised defenses as fear and hunger push the situation toward desperation. The village becomes a deadly maze as the rats hunt the survivors.

Night Abandoned village
3

Lucifer and Lilith are killed during the attack

Lucifer and Lilith are expelled by the group for being too loud during lovemaking, triggering a confrontation. Lucifer is knocked into the sewer and consumed by rats, while Lilith is attacked and dies from within. A rat later emerges from her mouth, underscoring the brutality of the outbreak.

Night Village streets and sewer
4

Noah is killed by Kurt with a flamethrower

During the chaos, Noah is attacked and Kurt shoots him with a flamethrower to end his suffering and prevent infection. The act solidifies Kurt's leadership in the crisis, even as it deepens tensions within the group. The survivors retreat to reinforce their shelter as danger closes in.

Night Village
5

Diana is bitten; Chocolate tends her

The survivors barricade themselves inside until dawn as the rat assault continues. Diana is bitten multiple times and becomes ill, while Chocolate tends to her wounds and urges the group to fetch medicine and water. Duke refuses to help anyone and remains isolated in safety.

Night to dawn Underground shelter
6

Tarus is killed during escape attempt

Tarus slips on the stairs during an attempted basement escape and is devoured by the approaching rats. The brutal death accelerates the group's decision about how to proceed under siege. The attack leaves them more vulnerable and wary.

Dawn Basement stairs
7

Duke mutinies and captures Myrna

Duke loses his mind, challenges Kurt for leadership, and captures Myrna to force an escape. The plan collapses when a grenade detonates, killing both Duke and Myrna. The survivors are left to confront a fractured, dangerous power dynamic within their ranks.

Dawn Near the vehicles
8

Diana commits suicide

Following the cascade of horrors, Diana retreats and takes her own life by slashing her wrists. Her partially eaten body is found later by the dwindling survivors. The loss adds to the sense of despair and the mounting toll of the night.

Dawn Sheltered area
9

A distress recording warns of the rats

The survivors retreat again and stumble upon a recording from a distressed man warning that the rats will kill anyone who finds the town. The message heightens the sense of isolation and hopelessness as the danger closes in. They realize the town itself is a trap.

Soon after dawn Shelter/underground
10

Final barricade and escape attempt

The rats assault once more, and Deus and Kurt sacrifice themselves to barricade the door and allow Video and Chocolate to escape outside. The escape exposes them to a likely chance of survival, as rescue appears imminent. The act emphasizes the thin line between sacrifice and survival in a ruined world.

Late night to early morning Town entrance/exit
11

Delta-2 rescuers arrive and gas the rats

Hazmat-equipped rescuers from Delta-2 emerge from the sewers and gas the rats, saving Video and Chocolate. The rescuers reveal themselves as fellow underground dwellers who came above to aid those in need. The survivors gratefully accept help, though uncertainty remains about their future.

Moments after escape Sewer exit / outside town
12

A humanoid rat leads the Delta-2 team

As the survivors thank their saviors, the leader of Delta-2 removes his mask, revealing a humanoid rat. The reveal challenges assumptions about humanity and hints at larger, hidden beings living beneath the surface. The final moment mixes relief with unsettling ambiguity.

Ending scene Outside the village

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:48

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Rats: Night of Terror

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

Rats: Night of Terror Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Rats: Night of Terror, 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.

Rats: Night of Terror Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Rats: Night of Terror

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Rats: Night of Terror

More About Rats: Night of Terror

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Rats: Night of Terror: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Rats: Night of Terror