Runaway Nightmare

Runaway Nightmare

Year: 1982

Runtime: 105 mins

Language: English

ThrillerHorrorComedy

Dreams of adventure turn into a runaway nightmare when two bumbling Nevada worm‑wranglers are seized by a seductive crew of women. The gang uses them in a daring scheme to infiltrate the mafia and steal a cache of platinum, thrusting the unlikely heroes into chaotic danger.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Runaway Nightmare (1982)

Trace every key event in Runaway Nightmare (1982) 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

Discovery of Fate in the coffin

Ralph and Jason secretly observe a coffin being buried in a desolate ravine. They uncover the shallow grave and find a beautiful woman named Fate unconscious inside the box. After pulling Fate to safety, they realize they have stepped into a dangerous situation that could draw attention from the people who buried her.

desert ravine
2

Abduction by cultists

Once Fate is saved, the men are abruptly abducted by a group of female cultists who are searching for Fate. The cultists transport them to a remote commune where Fate's fate and the group's beliefs begin to collide. Ralph and Jason realize they have become part of a larger, perilous ritual.

cult commune
3

Ralph and Jason join the cult

At the commune, Ralph and Jason endure a series of lunatic ordeals that test their nerve and loyalty. Completing these trials earns them an uneasy membership in the cult. They begin to understand the dynamics and hierarchies of the group.

cult commune
4

Romance and contempt within the clan

Jason quickly finds romance among the group, forming a connection with one of Fate's sisters. Meanwhile Ralph is treated with contempt by the cult's matriarchal leaders. The contrasting fates of the two men underline the volatility within the clan.

cult commune
5

Revelation of the platinum plan

Hesperia, the cult boss, reveals that Fate had been negotiating with a gunrunning cartel to sell a priceless item called platinum on the world market. Fate was betrayed, and the cartel buried her as a warning. The revelation motivates the cult to act to recover the item.

cult commune
6

Plan to steal back the platinum

Hesperia leads a break-in to steal back the platinum, using Ralph and Jason as expendable decoys. The assault targets the cartel desert warehouse and relies on the cult's numbers and misdirection. The operation succeeds in retrieving the item, but their success triggers a furious cartel response.

desert cartel warehouse
7

Cartel attack and escape

The successful theft is followed by a brutal cartel assault on the commune, resulting in a ferocious gun battle. Hesperia orders the group onto a helicopter and they escape from the roof toward the worm ranch. Ralph is captured and brought back to the desert warehouse for torture.

cult commune
8

Ralph's escape via time bomb

As torture begins, an explosion from a time bomb Ralph had set earlier detonates, killing his tormentors and saving his life. The blast disrupts the interrogation, allowing Ralph to survive despite severe injuries. The cartel assault ends in catastrophe for those who pursued him.

desert cartel warehouse
9

Fate confronts Ralph and shoots him

Fate answers a help call and drives to the commune, where she confronts Ralph. She coaxes him to reveal where he hid the platinum box, then casually shoots him. Unknown to Fate, Ralph is wearing an armored vest and plays dead as Fate drives away.

on the road toward the commune
10

The glowing box and the commune's destruction

Arriving at the commune, Fate finds the priceless suitcase and opens it, lifting out a mysterious metal box. The box glows and its contents begin to unseal, moving on the table and unleashing a bright light that ignites walls and floors. Fate struggles to close the lid as the structure collapses in flames and vaporizes around her.

cult commune
11

Hesperia abandons the cult

Ralph learns that Hesperia has abandoned her cult and fled as quickly as she arrived. The loss of leadership creates a power vacuum that Ralph wants to exploit. He begins to consolidate control over the remaining women at the worm ranch.

desert
12

Ralph asserts control over the worm ranch

With Hesperia gone, Ralph puts the confused women to work on his worm ranch, consolidating power and enjoying the control. Jason remains wary, but stays at Ralph's side as the new head of the operation. The dynamic shifts toward Ralph's dark, opportunistic leadership.

worm ranch
13

A new burial hints at vampiric ambitions

From the hillside near the ranch, Ralph and Jason glimpse another burial. The coffin's payload appears far worse than Fate's, hinting at something vampiric that Ralph has long desired. The discovery unsettles the pair and foreshadows an even darker turn ahead.

hill near worm ranch

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:57

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Runaway Nightmare Summary

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Runaway Nightmare Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Runaway Nightmare

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Runaway Nightmare

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