Sting of Death

Year: 1966

Runtime: 80 mins

Language: English

Director: William Grefé

Horror

Neil Sedaka makes a special cameo as a singing star while a group of biology students travel to the Florida Everglades for a vacation. Instead of sun and relaxation, they are stalked by a mutated, blood‑thirsty jellyfish‑man monster that turns their holiday into a fight for survival.

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Sting of Death (1966) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Sting of Death (1966), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

A young blonde woman in a black bikini lies on a dock in Florida, sunbathing and listening to her transistor radio. She turns it off after hearing a news report about unexplained local murders. Then, without warning, a monstrous hand reaches up from the water and grabs her ankle, dragging her under, where she drowns.

Meanwhile, five of six college friends arrive at the home of Dr. Richardson, the father of one of them, Karen Richardson. [Dr. Richardson] is a marine biologist who studies the “evolution of sea life” with his assistant, Dr. John Hoyt. Karen and the others — Louise, Jessica, Donna, and Susan — are staying at Dr. Richardson’s house. They all wonder why Ruth, who had gotten there earlier, hasn’t joined them on the patio for a cold glass of orange drink.

The mood shifts when a pool party brings a group of rowdy college students to the scene. They taunt Egon, the mildly facially disfigured helper who is secretly in love with Karen. Unfortunately for him, Karen has fallen for John. Yet Egon has his own plan for revenge, and he chooses to act on it by transforming himself into a half-man, half-jellyfish monster. From that moment, he begins to pick off the girls one by one: Ruth is killed while sunbathing; Louise is seriously injured in the pool during the party; Donna dies while being chased through a swamp; Jessica is killed during the search for Donna; and Susan is murdered while taking a shower. The chaos spills into the water as many of the other students die when their boat sinks, and the monster is seen attacking a hull cut through with an axe, as a swarm of Portuguese Man O’ War jellyfish drifts nearby.

Egon forces Karen to swim to his secret laboratory in an underwater cave. There, he reveals an enormous Portuguese Man O’ War imprisoned in an aquarium that is connected to the device powering his transformation. John fatally injures the now-transformed Egon during a fight and rescues Karen. Just as she and John surface, the laboratory machine explodes, finishing off Egon and his evil alter ego.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:24

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Gruesome creature features like Sting of Death

Relentless, bloody battles for survival against a terrifying monster.If you enjoyed the monster-on-the-loose terror of Sting of Death, you'll find similar thrills here. This collection features movies where characters must survive against a grotesque creature, focusing on fast-paced action, suspenseful chases, and gruesome monster violence. Explore more films with terrifying creatures and desperate fights for survival.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a simple, effective structure: a monster is introduced, often through a scientific mishap or from a remote location, and proceeds to systematically hunt down a group of characters. The plot is driven by successive attacks, building tension until a final, deadly confrontation where the survivors must use their wits to defeat the beast.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their core premise of human vs. monster survival. They share a high-intensity, fast-paced vibe with a dark tone focused on visceral horror and suspense. The shared narrative pattern of being hunted creates a cohesive and thrilling viewing experience.

Isolation horror movies with a pace like Sting of Death

Trapped and hunted in a remote location with no escape.Fans of the trapped-in-the-Everglades terror of Sting of Death will appreciate this selection. These movies feature characters isolated in remote settings, facing a fast-moving threat that picks them off one by one. If you like stories of survival in confined or isolated locations with high tension, explore these similar titles.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves characters becoming stranded or choosing to visit a remote location (island, swamp, forest, secluded campus) where they are systematically hunted. The isolation amplifies the fear, stripping away safety nets and forcing desperate strategies. The story moves quickly from one attack or scare to the next, maintaining high tension throughout.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by the potent combination of an isolated setting and a fast-paced, relentless threat. This creates a specific vibe of paranoia and inescapable danger. The shared elements of location-as-trap and a high body count make for a coherent and intense horror experience.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Sting of Death

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