Savage Weekend

Savage Weekend

Year: 1979

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: English

Director: David Paulsen

ThrillerHorrorHorror the undead and monster classicsIntense violence and sexual transgressionGory gruesome and slasher horror

Several couples travel upstate to the countryside to observe the construction of a boat, hoping for a tranquil weekend. Their getaway turns nightmarish when a mysterious figure in a grotesque mask begins stalking them, turning the serene setting into a deadly hunt. The tension builds as the group realizes they are being hunted, and survival becomes their only option.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Savage Weekend (1979)

Trace every key event in Savage Weekend (1979) 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

Arrival in upstate New York

Marie Pettis and her companions arrive late in the evening in upstate New York and head to a small town to gather supplies. Shirley buys a sinister face mask as a joke, hinting at the weekend's unsettling mood. Nicky goes to the bar across the street and is briefly harassed by two homophobic men, whom he ultimately beats off.

late evening small town, upstate New York
2

The remote farmhouse and the crew

The group proceeds to the remote farmhouse Robert has recently purchased. Jay Alsop arrives to oversee the boat's progress, while Mac Macauley hints at a local rumor about Otis and a possible murder. The tense mood grows as the strange setting and rumors loom over the weekend.

following afternoon remote farmhouse, upstate New York
3

Jay is murdered in the barn

Jay checks the barn for progress on the schooner and is suddenly attacked by a killer wearing the mask Shirley bought. He is strangled and his body is hung from the rafters to look like a suicide. The killer remains unseen as the rest of the group contends with the night.

afternoon barn, farmhouse
4

Dinner and Jay's discovery

That night the group dresses for a formal dinner at the house. After dinner, Marie and Robert walk the property and stumble upon Jay's body hanging in the barn. The discovery unsettles everyone and raises the fear of a hidden killer among them.

night farmhouse grounds
5

Nicky attacked during Shirley's tango

Shirley performs a Tango-themed dance with Nicky on the second floor, letting the festive mood mask growing tension. The killer then attacks Nicky upstairs, stabbing him through the head with a large sewing needle. Nicky dies as Shirley is drawn deeper into the danger.

late night house upstairs
6

Shirley captured near the table saw

The killer pursues Shirley into the basement and ties her to a table saw, attempting to kill her while a power outage prevents the tool from working. She survives the initial attack as the saw remains powerless. The house's danger escalates as the threat shifts between floors.

late night basement, farmhouse
7

Marie and Robert confront the killer

Marie and Robert return to the house and confront the killer, who remains looming in the shadows. Robert discovers Nicky's body upstairs and is thrown to his death from a second-story window. The killer's true plan begins to take shape as the danger closes in.

late night farmhouse interior
8

Greg is revealed as the killer

The killer unmasks himself as Greg, Marie's estranged husband, who intends to take Marie to the lake for a murder–suicide. He explains his motives with chilling calm and reveals the lengths he will go to achieve his goal. The group braces for a final, desperate confrontation.

night farmhouse
9

Mac arrives to a silent, empty house

The next morning, Mac arrives and finds the house empty and eerily silent. He heads to the basement and flicks on a light, which triggers the power to the table saw. Shirley, bound to the table, is killed by the sudden machinery.

morning farmhouse basement
10

Greg abducts Marie; Mac intervenes

Greg tries to abduct Marie toward the lake, intending to complete the murder–suicide. Mac intervenes and a fierce struggle ensues between the two men. The confrontation draws Otis into the escalating nightmare.

morning farmhouse grounds / lake area
11

Otis arrives and ends Greg

Otis arrives on the scene and engages Greg in a brutal confrontation. He kills Greg with a chainsaw, ending the killer's spree. The survivors regroup, aware that the weekend's violence is finally over.

morning outside farmhouse near lake
12

Aftermath and escape

With Greg dead and the others shaken, the remaining survivors consider their safety and future. Mac helps Marie process what happened as they leave the property and begin to move on. The farm stands silent, its dark events lingering in their memories.

morning farmhouse outskirts

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:09

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Savage Weekend Summary

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Savage Weekend Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Savage Weekend

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Savage Weekend

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