Shock Waves

Shock Waves

Year: 1977

Runtime: 85 mins

Language: English

Director: Ken Wiederhorn

Science FictionWarHorrorHorror the undead and monster classicsSurvival horror and zombie carnage

The Deep End of Horror! Visitors to a remote island discover that a reclusive Nazi commandant has been breeding a group of zombie soldiers.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Shock Waves (1977)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Shock Waves (1977). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

island, wrecked ship, ruined hotel

An isolated island hosts a long-abandoned hotel and a centuries-old wreck resting on a reef. The surrounding sea and streams create a claustrophobic arena where the survivors must navigate danger both on land and underwater. The ruined hotel and shipwreck establish a decaying backdrop that shapes the group's fears and decisions.

🏝️ Island 🏚️ Hotel 🌊 Ocean 🧭 Reef

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:19

Main Characters – Shock Waves (1977)

Meet the key characters of Shock Waves (1977), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Captain slug (John Carradine)

The group's initial leader who tries to manage the crisis and inspect the damaged vessel; his sudden disappearance creates fear and a power vacuum. He is later found dead, drowned while checking the ship's underside, highlighting the peril of authority in a lawless crisis.

🧭 Leader 🗝️ Authority ⚠️ Crisis

Rose slug (Brooke Adams)

A tourist who endures the perils of the island and becomes a survivor alongside Keith. Her resourcefulness is tested by fear and trauma, and the ending reveals a psychological breakdown as she writes nonsensically in a journal.

🧭 Survivor 💔 Trauma 🧠 Mindset

Keith slug (Luke Halpin)

The dependable companion who acts to protect others, but is ultimately drowned by zombies during the escape attempt.

🛡️ Protector ⚔️ Conflict 🧟 Danger

Norman slug (Jack Davidson)

An abrasive tourist whose behavior escalates the group's tensions; he is killed when a zombie drowns him in a stream.

🔥 Tension 🗯️ Arguments ⚰️ Victim

Chuck slug (Fred Buch)

The boat's cook who improvises to help the group; his panic and poor decision-making culminate in a fatal drowning while a zombie closes in.

🍳 Cook 🧭 Survival ⚠️ Danger

Beverly slug (D.J. Sidney)

A tourist who becomes a focal point during the chaos; she is blinded by a flare and later found dead, drowned in a fish tank.

🎯 Survivor 🩸 Tragedy 🧊 Containment

Dobbs slug (Don Stott)

The boat's cook who scavenges for survival items but is killed early in the water by a cluster of sea urchins.

🦀 Casualty 🧭 Scavenger

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:19

Major Themes – Shock Waves (1977)

Explore the central themes of Shock Waves (1977), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧭 Survival

The group is thrust into a fight for survival after being stranded at sea, facing dwindling supplies and a deadly environment. Fear and tension fuel distrust, driving infighting as they search for a way off the island. Leadership and resourcefulness become the hinge on which their fate turns.

🧪 War Experiments

The reclusive old man reveals a chilling origin: the Death Corps, a Nazi experiment to create aquatic super-soldiers. The zombies are weapons that cannot be controlled, turning a battlefield technology into a haunted hazard. The presence of these undead forces casts a shadow over human conflicts and ethics.

🧠 Psychological Collapse

Stress and isolation corrode the characters' mental states, triggering paranoia and bitter confrontations. The environment magnifies every fear, and the survivors' trust frays as they encounter more threats. The ending hints at trauma: the survivor Rose descends into madness, writing nonsense in a journal.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:19

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Unlock the Full Story of Shock Waves

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

Shock Waves Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Shock Waves, 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.

Shock Waves Summary

Shock Waves Timeline

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

Shock Waves Timeline

More About Shock Waves

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More About Shock Waves

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