Spasms

Spasms

Year: 1983

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: William Fruet

Science FictionHorrorHorror the undead and monster classicsSci-fi horror creatures and aliensGory gruesome and slasher horror

The story follows a terrifying new source of evil that cannot be contained. A massive serpent is seized on a distant island, then transported to an American university where scientists begin dangerous experiments. As its powers spread, victims scream, swell and ultimately explode, showing the creature’s uncontrollable menace.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Spasms (1983)

Trace every key event in Spasms (1983) 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

Kincaid's brother's death and the telepathic link

During a hunting trip in Micronesia, Kincaid loses his brother to a massive taipan. The venom also bites him, but he survives and appears to develop a telepathic link with the snake. Haunted by visions of the creature's killings, he begins to seek a cure for the link through psychic research.

Before the main events Micronesia
2

Kincaid moves to contain the threat and hires Brasilian

Kincaid arranges for a poacher to capture the snake and deliver it to his mansion outside San Diego. He hires Tom Brasilian, an ESP researcher and psychiatrist, promising to underwrite Brasilian's ongoing work in exchange for help severing the link. This marks the formal beginning of the battle to control the creature.

Shortly after the hunting trip San Diego area (Kincaid mansion)
3

Satanic cult targets the snake

A Satanic cult fixates on the serpent as a demonic symbol and hires ex-CIA agent Warren Crowley to steal it. Crowley bribes a sailor aboard the transport to help secure the snake, but the mole is killed when he peeks inside the container and is bitten, dying overboard.

During shipment On the ship transporting the snake
4

Snake moved to university lab under surveillance

Brasilian insists the snake stay at a university laboratory until Kincaid’s private lab is ready, and oversees its transport there. Crowley and his minder Deacon Tyrone tail the operation, pursuing the snake's path toward the center of research. The pursuit sets the stage for further confrontations.

During transport to university University laboratory
5

Suzanne attempts to kill the snake

Kincaid’s niece Suzanne secretly increases the container’s temperature to a lethal 150 degrees, believing the psychic link is a delusion. Her risky experiment foreshadows the deadly consequences of tampering with the creature. The attempt happens in the lab setup.

Night University laboratory
6

Break-in and the snake escapes

That night Crowley and Tyrone break into the lab. Tyrone, realizing the snake is overheated, opens the container, allowing the creature to break loose. The snake kills Tyrone and the lab director before escaping outside.

Night University laboratory
7

Police involvement and custody threat

Brasilian and Suzanne are summoned to the scene by police, while Kincaid senses the snake has broken loose. Authorities are skeptical of the tale and worry about potential manslaughter charges for illicitly importing such a deadly animal. The trio is kept under scrutiny as the danger continues to spread.

After break-in University laboratory
8

Snake attacks the sorority house

Without warning, the serpent strikes a nearby sorority house, killing its inhabitants. Kincaid witnesses the slaughter through his telepathic link, unable to stop the carnage in time. The rampage demonstrates the creature's reach beyond the lab.

Shortly after lab incident Sorority house
9

Crowley advances toward Kincaid's residence

Threatened by the cult for failing to secure the snake, Crowley bribes access to Kincaid's residence and travels there by van, convinced the creature will eventually arrive at the house. He plans to capture it at the target location, escalating the chase.

Mid-to-late sequence Route to and at Kincaid residence
10

Brain-link monitoring and a fatal vision

Brasilian uses a brain-pattern monitoring device to tap into Kincaid’s psychic link and track the snake. During a telepathic episode, Kincaid sees the snake arrive at his house and kill Crowley, but the connection is interrupted before he can explain further. Suzanne realizes the vision refers to their own home.

During monitoring Kincaid residence
11

Homecoming confrontation begins

Kincaid arrives at his house to discover the snake has already killed a groundskeeper. He grabs an assault rifle and searches the grounds, but intense visions push him toward the limit and he loses his weapon. The impending confrontation threatens to erupt at any moment.

Evening/late Kincaid residence
12

Final close-quarters duel

In the backyard, the psychic energy surrounding the fight triggers explosive phenomena. He attacks the snake with a knife, but the creature overpowers him in a brutal struggle. The final confrontation leaves Kincaid mortally wounded.

Final confrontation Kincaid residence backyard
13

Brasilian kills the snake

Brasilian arrives with Suzanne and retrieves Kincaid's gun, shooting the snake to death. They watch as the creature's remains burn, ending the immediate threat to the neighborhood and marking the tragic end for Kincaid.

After the fight Kincaid residence backyard
14

Aftermath and departure

Brasilian and Suzanne depart the scene, reflecting on the cost of taming a dangerous psychic link. The mansion quiets as the snake and Kincaid lie in ruin, signaling the heavy price paid for trying to master otherworldly power.

After the confrontation Kincaid residence vicinity

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:42

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Spasms Summary

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Spasms Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Spasms

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Spasms

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