Curfew (1989) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Ray and Bob Perkins are escaped death row inmates seeking revenge against District Attorney Walter Davenport, who prosecuted them. Their plan is specifically vengeance against Stephanie's father for convicting them, and they systematically target the family to settle the score.

Foreshadowing: The brothers' escape is described as having a "burned-in plan for revenge" against Stephanie’s father from the moment they leave prison.

• ray perkins
• bob perkins
• walter davenport
• revenge
• district attorney
• death row

The film doesn't show the specifics of the escape, only that they escaped from death row with a pre-planned scheme. Their escape sets the entire chain of events in motion as they arrive in the small California town where the Davenport family lives.

• escape
• death row
• prison break
• perkins brothers

Stephanie returns home at 10:00 PM to fulfill her curfew requirement, not yet realizing the danger that has already infiltrated her house. She simply wants to check in with her parents before going out again, which leads her directly into the nightmare unfolding inside.

Foreshadowing: The title "Curfew" directly references the 10:00 PM deadline that brings Stephanie home at the exact wrong moment.

• curfew
• stephanie
• davenport house
• 10pm

Mrs. Alva is found dead in the guest bedroom when Stephanie returns home. She was murdered by Ray and Bob during their invasion of the Davenport house, though Stephanie initially thinks she's just sleeping. Her corpse is later discovered by Pete, adding to the night's terror.

Foreshadowing: Timeline item 5 notes the discovery "foreshadows the danger that has infiltrated her house."

• mrs alva
• babysitter
• dead body
• house invasion

With her family held hostage in the basement and Ray planning to kill everyone, Stephanie uses her charm to manipulate Bob, who is attracted to her. She persuades him to release her from confinement to see her mother, which creates an opportunity for Walter to incapacitate Bob and for the family to make their escape attempt.

• stephanie
• bob perkins
• manipulation
• escape plan

After Ray kills his brother Bob during their fight, shoots Officer Sam, and prepares to execute the family with electric chairs, Stephanie frees herself from restraints and emerges from the shadows to shoot and kill Ray. She takes advantage of the chaos after Ray is distracted by the fight with Bob and the confrontation with Sam.

• stephanie
• ray perkins
• final confrontation
• electric chair

In the closing nightmare, Stephanie leaves her home and gets into John's car only to find Bob Perkins seated in the driver's seat. This dream symbolizes the lingering psychological trauma from the night's events, the terror of the invasion will haunt her, and the threat she thought was eliminated remains alive in her memory.

• nightmare
• bob perkins
• trauma
• ending
• psychological

Ray kills Bob after Stephanie manipulates him by offering herself to him, causing a brief fight between the brothers over her. The jealousy and conflict between Ray and Bob escalates to violence, and Ray murders Bob with an electric drill during their struggle.

• ray
• bob perkins
• brother
• electric drill
• killed

When Sam escorts Stephanie back to the Davenport house, he misinterprets her frantic warnings as a prank or teenage exaggeration. He releases her inside without fully investigating, not realizing Ray and Bob are holding the family hostage. Only after finding evidence outside does he understand the true danger.

• officer sam
• police
• misunderstanding
• stephanie

John arrives drunk with his friends Pete and Monica to see Stephanie. Pete discovers Mrs. Alva's corpse, and Ray then murders both John and Monica in separate rooms. Their arrival intended as a romantic encounter becomes another tragedy, cutting off Stephanie's potential rescue.

• john
• pete
• monica
• murdered
• davenport house

Ray and Bob subject Walter to walking on broken glass while shooting at him, driving him to collapse. Megan is forced to apply garish makeup and then placed in a bathtub. The family is confined to the basement with Bob guarding them, experiencing humiliation and psychological torment throughout the night.

• torture
• walter
• megan
• basement
• glass

After Stephanie escapes and hitchhikes with an elderly man for help, Ray and Bob pursue them and force the car off the highway. They beat the elderly man and leave him unconscious, continuing their violent spree without regard for innocent victims who just happen to cross their path.

• elderly man
• hitchhike
• car
• highway
• attack