Rumpelstiltskin

Rumpelstiltskin

Year: 1995

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: English

Director: Mark Jones

HorrorHorror

When the fairy tale ends, the nightmare begins. In the 1400s, the mischievous spirit Rumpelstiltskin is sealed inside a tiny jade figurine. Centuries later in modern Los Angeles, a recently widowed police officer’s wife visits a witch’s shop with her infant, purchases the figurine and unwittingly releases the cackling creature, which demands the baby’s life.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Rumpelstiltskin (1995)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Rumpelstiltskin (1995). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

15th century and present-day

The film begins in the 15th century with a tale of straw, gold, and a vengeful imp, then jumps to present-day Los Angeles where a grieving mother encounters the same ancient threat. The narrative alternates between these two periods, showing how the magical curse resurfaces in modern times. The progression culminates in a modern showdown that mirrors the fairy-tale roots.

Location

15th century Europe, Los Angeles, Bakersfield

The story shifts between a medieval European village under a desperate pact and a contemporary Southern California setting centered on Los Angeles and the Bakersfield outskirts. The medieval segments establish the cursed tale, while the present-day scenes follow Shelley's desperate attempts to undo the magic. The contrast between eras highlights how myths intrude into modern life.

🗺️ European setting 🏙️ Modern city 🗺️ Rural outskirts

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:28

Main Characters – Rumpelstiltskin (1995)

Meet the key characters of Rumpelstiltskin (1995), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Shelley Stewart

A grieving, pregnant widow who buys a mysterious stone in hopes of reconnecting with her deceased husband. Her determination pushes her to face the supernatural threat, risking both her life and her child's. She pieces together the rules of the magic while racing to stop Rumpelstiltskin.

💔 Grieving 🤰 Pregnant 🛡️ Determined

Rumpelstiltskin

A malevolent, soulless imp who emerges from the stone to claim Johnny as payment for Shelley's wish. He pursues Shelly and Johnny across landscapes, using cunning and magic to stay one step ahead. His true vulnerability lies in the power of his own name, which can imprison him again.

🗝️ Villain 🔮 Magic 👹 Monster

Max Bergman

A flamboyant television show host who initially doubts the supernatural story but becomes a reluctant ally in the chase. His bravado gives way to resourceful action, helping Shelly navigate danger. He plays a key role in the plan to confront Rumpelstiltskin.

🎭 Flamboyant 🧭 Resourceful 🚗 Fast-thinking

Hildy

Shelley's loyal friend who offers support and practical advice through the escalating nightmare. She becomes a bridge between Shelley's world and the strange forces at work, even as she faces danger herself. Her presence underscores themes of friendship and resilience.

👩‍🦳 Friend 🕊️ Loyal 💪 Supportive

Matilda

Owner of Matilda's Place, an antique witch's shop, and a seasoned guide who explains the ritual's rules. She provides crucial knowledge to stop the rise of Rumpelstiltskin, even at a personal cost. Her involvement connects the modern plot to the ancient tale.

🔮 Wise 🪄 Mentor 🧭 Guide

Baby John

The infant whose existence triggers the central bargain. Johnny is the living payment sought by Rumpelstiltskin, around whom the plan to end the curse revolves. Shelley's concern for his safety motivates every major decision.

👶 Innocent 🧿 Precious 🏷️ Target

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:28

Major Themes – Rumpelstiltskin (1995)

Explore the central themes of Rumpelstiltskin (1995), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🪄 Magic

A mysterious stone acts as a living wish-granting artifact that reanimates Rumpelstiltskin. The film explores how magic can reshape reality and drive characters toward desperate actions. The presence of magic destabilizes ordinary life and creates a boundary between myth and modernity.

🕯️ Curses and Consequences

Wishes come with a heavy price, as Shelley's wish brings forth a dangerous entity that desires her child. The narrative emphasizes the moral costs of desire and the peril of bargaining with powerful forces. The consequences ripple across family and community, forcing tough choices.

🧭 Dual Realities

The film juxtaposes a fairy-tale past with a contemporary thriller, showing how legends seep into real life. Characters must navigate two overlapping worlds to attempt a final resolution. This duality drives the tension and reveals how old tales still haunt modern existence.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:28

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Movies with a supernatural child hunt like Rumpelstiltskin

Desperate chases against ancient evils where a child's soul is the prize.If you liked the relentless chase and high stakes of Rumpelstiltskin, this list is for you. Discover similar horror and thriller movies where ancient evils or demonic entities pursue innocent children, creating a tense, fast-paced narrative of desperation and protection. These films share a dark tone, high intensity, and a focus on the ultimate fear of child endangerment.

franticsinisterdesperatechase-drivennightmarishanxious

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically begins with an unwitting act that unleashes a dormant supernatural threat. The central conflict is a direct, physical pursuit, with the monster's goal being simple and horrifying: to claim a child. The plot is a linear sequence of escalating escapes and confrontations, testing the limits of the protectors' courage and ingenuity.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared core premise: a relentless, supernatural hunt for a child. They deliver a specific kind of adrenaline-fueled horror defined by high intensity, fast pacing, a dark tone, and the heavy emotional weight of protecting innocence against impossible odds.

Grief-driven horror stories with desperate deals like Rumpelstiltskin

Where profound personal loss opens a door to supernatural terror and desperate deals.Fans of Rumpelstiltskin's heavy emotional core will appreciate these films. This collection features horror movies where a protagonist's grief and loss make them susceptible to supernatural forces and Faustian bargains. These stories blend terrifying sequences with a profound exploration of sadness, desperation, and the lengths one goes to for love.

sinisteranxiousdesperatehopefulmelancholicnightmarish

Narrative Summary

The narrative arc begins with a character grappling with a significant loss, which clouds their judgment or leads them to a fateful decision. This emotional vulnerability is exploited by a supernatural entity, turning their personal sorrow into a literal battle for their soul or the safety of a loved one. The horror directly reflects and amplifies their internal pain.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their use of grief as a central narrative engine for the horror. They share a heavy emotional weight, a dark tone, and often a bittersweet or bleak resolution, as the characters' trauma is never fully separate from the supernatural threat they face.

Unlock the Full Story of Rumpelstiltskin

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Rumpelstiltskin Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Rumpelstiltskin, 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.

Rumpelstiltskin Summary

Rumpelstiltskin Timeline

Track the full timeline of Rumpelstiltskin with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Rumpelstiltskin Timeline

Rumpelstiltskin Spoiler-Free Summary

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Rumpelstiltskin Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Rumpelstiltskin

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