Shadow Play

Shadow Play

Year: 1986

Runtime: 98 mins

Language: English

Director: Susan Shadburne

MysteryHorror

Plagued by anxiety about what lies ahead and tormented by memories of what she has lost, Morgan Hanna’s reality begins to fracture. The grieving playwright, whose fiancé died by suicide, finds his lingering spirit haunting her every moment while she stays on a remote island with his mother, forcing past and future to collide.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Shadow Play (1986)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Shadow Play (1986). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Northwest, Lighthouse

The story unfolds in the Pacific Northwest, a coastal region known for rugged shores and foggy towns. The lighthouse is a central setting where the past tragedy occurred and where Morgan confronts her memories. The Northwest environment contributes to a moody, introspective tone as she returns to the scene of the trauma.

🗺️ Northwest 🗼 Lighthouse

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:45

Main Characters – Shadow Play (1986)

Meet the key characters of Shadow Play (1986), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Morgan Hanna (Dee Wallace)

A struggling playwright and grieving fiancée who returns to the Northwest to confront the past. She is haunted by dreams and reflections of Jeremy, and her grip on reality becomes precarious as she writes the play that mirrors the mystery. Her resilience drives her toward discovering the truth, even as she fears losing herself.

🎭 Protagonist 😢 Grief 🧠 Vulnerable

Jeremy Crown (Barry Laws)

The late fiancé whose death at the lighthouse haunts Morgan. Through supernatural echoes, he appears to influence the living world and the play she constructs. His memory fuels the central mystery, blurring lines between guilt, love, and the desire to be with Morgan again.

💔 Loss 👁️ Ghost 🗝️ Mystery

John Crown (Ron Kuhlman)

Jeremy's brother who insists that Jeremy killed himself, using his certainty to manipulate Morgan. He embodies suspicion and seduction, exploiting Morgan's vulnerability while keeping the truth buried. His actions complicate Morgan's path toward healing.

🧩 Antagonist 🗣️ Manipulation 🗝️ Secrets

Millie Crown (Cloris Leachman)

Jeremy's mother, emotionally touched by the loss and drawn into the struggle to protect both her son’s memory and her family. She provides a link to the past and a witness to the trauma that reshapes the household. Her presence anchors the family’s grief in the Northwest setting.

👵 Family 🕊️ Grief 🫂 Support

Lois (Michele Mariana)

Jeremy's would-be mother-in-law who invites Morgan back to the Northwest to face the tragedy. She is affected by the death and participates in the fragile web of memory and expectation surrounding the family.

👩 Family 🧠 Memory 🫂 Support

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:45

Major Themes – Shadow Play (1986)

Explore the central themes of Shadow Play (1986), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕯️ Grief

Morgan's loss drives the narrative as nightmares and memories pull her back to the night of Jeremy's death. The play she writes becomes a vessel for processing trauma, guilt, and longing. The film examines how grief can distort perception and push a person toward the truth.

🪞 Supernatural

The boundary between memory and spectral presence blurs as Jeremy's reflection appears in windows and mirrors. Supernatural elements dramatize inner conflict and the pull of a past that refuses to stay buried. Characters must discern superstition from reality as revelations unfold.

🧭 Truth

The story builds toward uncovering the real cause of Jeremy's death and the lies that surrounded it. Morgan shifts from self-blame to a reluctant acceptance as she learns Jeremy did not die by suicide, but due to an accident related to another attempt. The ending reframes memory, freeing her to move forward.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:45

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Unlock the Full Story of Shadow Play

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

Shadow Play Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Shadow Play, 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.

Shadow Play Summary

Shadow Play Timeline

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Shadow Play Timeline

More About Shadow Play

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More About Shadow Play

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