Still of the Night

Still of the Night

Year: 1982

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Benton

HorrorCrimeThrillerDrama

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.

Still of the Night (1982) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Still of the Night (1982) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the restless streets of Manhattan, Dr. Sam Rice has built a reputation as a steady, thoughtful psychiatrist, a quiet anchor amid the city’s relentless pulse. His days are usually filled with the measured rhythm of appointments, the soft confessions of patients, and the careful boundary between professional detachment and personal empathy. That equilibrium is shattered when one of his patients is discovered dead under grim circumstances, thrusting his usually insulated world into an unsettling spotlight.

The shock of the death draws the attention of the NYPD, and Detective Joseph Vitucci arrives with a steady stream of questions that Sam meets with a guarded silence. The investigator’s persistence hints at forces beyond a simple case file, suggesting that the ramifications of the murder may reach far deeper into the city’s hidden networks. As the police pressure mounts, Sam finds himself navigating a maze of suspicion and expectation, his professional poise tested by the encroaching threat that his quiet life is no longer shielded from the tide of criminal inquiry.

Into this tension steps Brooke Reynolds, an enigmatic figure whose connection to the victim is both intimate and fraught. Her arrival is marked by a lingering sense of danger and a magnetic pull that draws Sam into a complex emotional knot. Though she is a prime suspect, her presence also awakens a curiosity in Sam that blurs the line between duty and desire, compelling him to look beyond the obvious and confront the shadows that linger in the lives of those around him.

The film unfolds with a moody, noir‑tinged atmosphere, where the sleek veneer of New York’s high‑society circles masks a darker undercurrent of secrecy. Sam’s relationship with his mother, the wise and steady Grace Rice, adds a layer of familial counsel as he wrestles with his own instincts and the growing sense that someone is watching his every move. Against a backdrop of rain‑slicked streets and hushed corridors, the story teeters between psychological intrigue and a palpable sense of impending danger, inviting the audience to wonder how far the psychiatrist will go to untangle the web that has been woven around him.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 16:20

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Neo-Hitchcockian thrillers like Still of the Night

Stylish thrillers where love and danger intertwine, echoing classic suspense.If you liked the stylish tension and romantic danger of Still of the Night, explore more movies that capture a classic Hitchcockian vibe. These films often feature similar themes of murder, manipulation, and a protagonist caught in a web of suspicion, perfect for fans of intricate psychological suspense.

suspensefulparanoidstylishromantic tensionmysteriousanxiouspsychologicalHitchcockian

Narrative Summary

Stories typically revolve around a respectable, often professional, protagonist who becomes entangled with an alluring but potentially dangerous stranger linked to a crime. The plot unfolds through a series of suspicious events, red herrings, and rising paranoia, where the line between romance and threat becomes dangerously blurred.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together for their shared aesthetic and narrative DNA. They replicate the masterful blend of suspense, visual style, and psychological tension found in Hitchcock's work, creating a specific, sophisticated, and anxious viewing experience centered on the theme of forbidden or dangerous attraction.

Movies about dangerous patient relationships like Still of the Night

When a therapist or doctor's patient draws them into a deadly investigation.Find more films like Still of the Night where a psychiatrist or similar professional is drawn into a murder mystery through their relationship with a patient. These stories focus on the collapse of professional boundaries, themes of guilt and secrets, and the high-stakes tension of an amateur investigation.

suspensefulmorally complexanxiousinvestigativeclaustrophobicdangerous attractionguiltprofessional crisis

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a highly competent professional whose life is upended when a patient becomes the subject of a violent crime. The professional's unique knowledge makes them both a resource for the official investigation and a target for the killer, forcing them to step outside their role and confront danger directly, often developing a complicated relationship with a key suspect.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a very specific plot engine: the violation of a sacred professional space by violence and intrigue. The similarity lies in the protagonist's arc from controlled expert to vulnerable investigator, the theme of manipulated trust, and the intense, claustrophobic pressure that comes from the collision of two separate worlds.

Unlock the Full Story of Still of the Night

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

Still of the Night Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Still of the Night, 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.

Still of the Night Summary

Still of the Night Timeline

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

Still of the Night Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Still of the Night

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Still of the Night. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Still of the Night

More About Still of the Night

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Still of the Night: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Still of the Night

Similar Movies to Still of the Night

Discover movies like Still of the Night that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.