Still of the Night

Still of the Night

Year: 1982

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Benton

HorrorCrimeThrillerDramaThrillers and murder mysteries

When a patient of psychiatrist Dr. Sam Rice is found brutally dead, a police officer questions him but Rice stays silent. The victim’s lover, Brooke Reynolds, draws him in despite being a prime suspect. Pressured relentlessly by the investigation, Rice pursues the case himself and soon learns someone is also trying to kill him.

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Timeline & Setting – Still of the Night (1982)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Still of the Night (1982). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

early 1980s

Set in contemporary New York during the early 1980s, the narrative situates its drama within a fast-paced social world of wealth and prestige. The era's fashion, nightlife, and media presence amplify the stakes of personal and professional betrayals. This time frame anchors the plot in a milieu where discreet dealings and public appearances collide with deadly consequences.

Location

Manhattan (New York City), Crispin's auction house, Long Island estate

The story unfolds primarily in Manhattan, centered around a prestigious New York auction house modeled after Christie's. A secluded estate on Long Island provides a contrasting backdrop for private secrets and dangerous confrontations. These locales reflect the film's mix of urban sophistication and hidden motives, heightening the tension between public personas and private agendas.

🏙️ New York City 🏛️ High-end auction house 🏞️ Long Island estate

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:00

Main Characters – Still of the Night (1982)

Meet the key characters of Still of the Night (1982), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dr. Sam Rice (Roy Scheider)

A Manhattan psychiatrist who becomes entangled in a dangerous murder case after a high-society visit. He initially resists police involvement, balancing professional ethics with curiosity, then is pulled deeper by Brooke's allure and the mounting threats. His clinical mindset is challenged as personal feelings conflict with duty, pushing him toward a perilous confrontation.

🧠 Intelligent 🕵️ Secretive 👨‍⚕️ Doctor

Brooke Reynolds (Meryl Streep)

A glamorous socialite connected to George Bynum's circle, entangled in an affair that fuels suspicion and danger. Her guarded demeanor conceals a troubling past, and she uses charm to manipulate those around her. As loyalties shift, her motives remain ambiguous until the final confrontation.

💘 Charismatic 🎭 Socialite 🗝️ Secretive

George Bynum (Josef Sommer)

A patient whose affairs and fears hint at a deeper conspiracy. His concerns about a wealthy friend and past threats contribute to the sense that someone powerful may be involved in deadly schemes. Bynum's shadowy history remains a key driver of the plot's tension.

🎭 Enigmatic 🧭 Influential 🔒 Secretive

Gail Phillips (Sara Botsford)

An assistant at Crispin's whose ambitions and resentments fuel a dangerous plot to frame Brooke. She escalates the danger by targeting key figures and ultimately driving the confrontation toward a deadly outcome. Gail's actions reveal how jealousy and manipulation can murder trust.

🗝️ Deceptive 💔 Jealousy 💥 Dangerous

Det. Joseph Vitucci (Joe Grifasi)

An NYPD detective pursuing the case who becomes a target in the escalating confrontation. His investigation adds procedural momentum to the drama, and his fate marks a turning point in the pursuit of truth.

👮‍♂️ Lawman 🔎 Investigator

Grace Rice (Jessica Tandy)

Sam's mother, a psychiatrist who helps interpret the case files and offers psychological insight. Her perspective provides a generational counterpoint to Sam's approach, highlighting how family history shapes motive and perception. She contributes a steady, analytical presence in the unfolding mystery.

🧠 Psychiatrist 👩‍👦 Mother 🗝️ Insightful

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:00

Major Themes – Still of the Night (1982)

Explore the central themes of Still of the Night (1982), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Mystery

The mystery unfolds through a web of secrets surrounding Bynum's murder and the elite world of Crispin's. Brooke's guarded past and the killer's potential identity keep Sam probing for answers. Clues emerge from case files and dream-like motifs, guiding the investigation toward dangerous revelations. The tension hinges on whether truth will surface through deduction or deception.

😔 Guilt

Guilt drives the actions of multiple characters, shaping their choices and justifications. Brooke's concealed family secret and Gail's frame-up plan hinge on past misdeeds coming to light. Sam's ethical restraint clashes with personal fascination, amplifying the moral stakes. The film uses guilt to complicate loyalties and propel the plot to its confrontational climax.

💘 Obsession

Romantic obsession fuels the narrative, pulling Sam and Brooke into a tense, boundary-crossing entanglement. Sam's fixation threatens professional duty and personal safety, while Brooke leverages affection to conceal her true motives. The affair intensifies danger by tying intimate desires to a web of secrets and potential murder. Their allure becomes a catalyst for the thriller's escalation.

🧠 Psychology

Psychology frames the drama through Sam's clinical perspective and his mother Grace's interpretive readings. Dream sequences and subconscious cues reveal hidden connections between characters. The story uses psychological tension to blur perception, turning ordinary clues into ambiguous signals. This focus on inner states sustains the unsettling mood and drives the investigation.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:00

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Still of the Night Summary

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Still of the Night Summary

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Still of the Night Timeline

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Still of the Night (1982) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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Still of the Night (1982) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow