Rest in Pieces

Rest in Pieces

Year: 1987

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: José Ramón Larraz

Horror

A newlyweds' dream of a perfect home turns nightmarish when they inherit the mansion of the bride’s recently deceased aunt. As they settle in, the house’s long‑standing tenants and servants refuse to leave, and unsettling events unfold, trapping the couple in a deadly struggle to escape the hostile neighbors.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Rest in Pieces 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 – Rest in Pieces (1987)

Trace every key event in Rest in Pieces (1987) 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

Inheritance and arrival at Catherine's estate

Catherine Boyle commits suicide by ingesting strychnine, an act she records on video. Helen Hewitt and her husband Bob travel from Los Angeles to Catherine's sprawling Pennsylvania estate to pay respects and claim the inheritance. Their relocation marks the beginning of a tense new life among the houseguests.

Catherine Boyle Estate, Pennsylvania
2

Arrival and the living guests

Upon moving in, Helen and Bob discover Catherine's friends already inhabiting the property, living in the estate's various buildings. The group includes Lisa the live-in maid, an ex-military man, a blind concert pianist named David Hume, Dr. Anderson, Gertrude Stein, Jack Ritchy, Whitmore the writer, and Reverend Faherty. The presence of so many strange guests unsettles the couple from the start.

Estate interiors
3

Search for the hidden fortune

Bob begins searching for Catherine's rumored eight-million-dollar fortune, convinced it is hidden somewhere on the property. In the basement, he uncovers piles of rotten food infested with rats, hinting at the house's decayed, sinister secrets. Catherine's fortune, though believed to be real, remains elusive and its location unknown.

Estate basement
4

Recital concert and gruesome reveal

The houseguests stage a small recital featuring guest performers, seemingly for their staff and each other. At the end of the performance, they murder the unsuspecting musicians, dismember the bodies, and burn the instruments in a furnace, revealing themselves to be part of a death cult. Helen's sense of safety begins to crumble as the group's true nature comes to light.

Main house music room; furnace area
5

Helen's haunting visions and unsettling moves

Helen is plagued by apparitions of her aunt Catherine and feels her belongings being moved around the house. She becomes convinced the guests are attempting to drive them away, and starts to suspect that the apparitions are real rather than mere tricks. The uncanny disturbances intensify as the estate seems to close in on them.

Various rooms of the estate
6

Bob confronts the six houseguests

Bob confronts the six houseguests who remain devoted to Catherine and claim to know the money's location but insist they have no interest in taking it. The confrontation reveals a chilling indifference to the couple and hints at deeper loyalties within the group. The tension escalates as the couple realizes they are outmatched.

Parlor
7

Candlelight session and Catherine's alleged message

The group gathers in the parlor to light candles, and as the flames extinguish, the Reverend claims Catherine is communicating with them. Helen remains unsettled as the room grows darker and the cult's control over the house seems to deepen. The ritual atmosphere underscores the power the guests wield within Catherine's legacy.

Parlor
8

Louis the attorney is murdered on the road

Bob summons Louis, an attorney, to the house to handle the estate's affairs. On the road, Louis is intercepted by David and stabbed to death, eliminating the legal challenge surrounding Catherine's will. The murder signals the extent of the cult's ruthlessness and the danger closing in on Helen.

Road outside the estate
9

Pool confrontation and Bob's downfall

Helen is confronted by the houseguests in the estate's swimming pool as they close in on her. Bob tries to intervene to protect her, but Lisa and Gertrude stab him to death before sedating Helen. The couple's defenses crumble as the cult asserts its control over the property.

Estate swimming pool
10

Anderson's revelation and the truth about Catherine

Dr. Anderson explains that he was a doctor at Catherine's hospital and reveals the others are former patients who have since committed suicide. The revelation confirms that the 'death cult' comprises people who died rather than living in the real world. The cultists intensify their pursuit of Helen as they insist they merely follow Catherine's instructions.

Estate
11

Bob's deal and Helen's captivity

Helen awakens to find the cultists informing her they are following Catherine's instructions and that Bob has made a deal with them. They offer the money if they can coerce Helen into suicide. The power dynamic shifts as Helen grapples with betrayal and the looming choice about her own life.

Estate interior; fireplace area
12

Final confrontation and escape

A violent struggle erupts as Helen sabotages the gathering to prevent the ritualized suicide. She slashes Gertrude's throat, and she and Bob manage to flee the estate. The couple's escape is underscored by fear and guilt as they realize the danger may follow them.

Estate interior
13

Return flight and haunting finale

On the flight back to Los Angeles, Helen notices Lisa and Louis seated near her, and she begins to sense the cult's presence around the cabin. Looking at the surrounding seats, she realizes the cultists may be everywhere, with Catherine appearing among the passengers. The ending leaves Helen unsettled about whether she has truly escaped Catherine's influence.

Airplane

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:37

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 Rest in Pieces

Don't stop at just watching — explore Rest in Pieces 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 Rest in Pieces is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Rest in Pieces Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Rest in Pieces, 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.

Rest in Pieces Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Rest in Pieces

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in Rest in Pieces

More About Rest in Pieces

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Rest in Pieces: 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 Rest in Pieces

Similar Movies to Rest in Pieces

Discover movies like Rest in Pieces that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.