Year: 2016
Runtime: 86 min
Language: English
Director: André Øvredal
A father and son working as coroners are called to investigate the puzzling death of an unidentified woman known only as Jane Doe. With no apparent cause of death or visible injuries, they begin an autopsy in their morgue. As they examine her body and try to piece together her history, unsettling discoveries come to light, suggesting a supernatural explanation for her demise. The deeper they dig, the more terrifying their work becomes, as they begin to suspect that Jane Doe might not be as dead as they initially believed.
Get a spoiler-free look at The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016) 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 a rain‑slick small town, a morgue sits beneath the county courthouse, its fluorescent lights flickering over rows of cold metal tables. The story revolves around Tommy Tilden, a seasoned coroner who runs the facility with methodical precision, and his eager assistant—Austin, his son, who has inherited his father’s steady hands and his restless curiosity. Their routine is interrupted when the sheriff delivers an unmarked, charred corpse that defies identification; the woman is catalogued only as Jane Doe, and the lack of obvious injuries turns a routine autopsy into a puzzling puzzle.
From the moment the slab is pulled into the dimly lit examination room, an unsettling atmosphere settles over the night shift. The air feels heavy with the scent of antiseptic and something older—an echo of forgotten rituals that once marked the boundary between life and death. As Tommy and Austin begin their meticulous work, they discover that the body reveals anomalies that cannot be explained by modern pathology: pristine skin, inexplicable bruises, and symbols etched beneath the flesh. These subtle hints suggest that Jane Doe may be more than a mere victim, inviting the pair to confront a darkness that lingers just beyond scientific understanding.
Amid the cramped corridors, the bond between father and son is tested by the weight of what they cannot see. Tommy’s seasoned pragmatism clashes gently with Austin’s yearning for answers, creating an uneasy rhythm that mirrors the building dread. Their isolated world is further underscored by Sheriff Burke, whose insistence on a swift conclusion adds pressure to an already strained night. The film balances clinical precision with creeping horror, allowing the sterile glow of the morgue to become a character in itself—an oppressive space where every breath seems to echo with unanswered questions. The result is a slow‑burning, atmospheric thriller that asks how far one will go when the line between the dead and the living begins to blur.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 03:32
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.
Unraveling a terrifying supernatural mystery within a single, confined location.If you liked the methodical horror of The Autopsy of Jane Doe, explore more movies like it where characters are trapped in a single location, piecing together a supernatural mystery. These films share a similar vibe of escalating dread, clinical detail, and a sense of being hunted by an ancient evil.
The narrative follows a logical, investigative process that turns increasingly illogical. Characters, often experts like doctors or scientists, begin with rational inquiry, but their methodical work leads them to undeniable supernatural evidence. The conflict shifts from solving a mystery to surviving the consequences of their discoveries.
Movies in this thread are grouped by their shared core premise: a contained investigation into the supernatural. They create tension through intellectual curiosity clashing with primordial fear, a steady pacing that builds terror through revelation, and a dark, claustrophobic atmosphere where the setting itself becomes a character.
Unearthing ancient witchcraft that inflicts terrifying consequences in the present.For viewers who appreciated the historical witchcraft elements in The Autopsy of Jane Doe, this section features similar horror movies where ancient curses and vengeful spirits from the past wreak havoc in the present. These films share a bleak tone, heavy emotional weight, and a focus on supernatural forces with a dark history.
The narrative pattern involves uncovering a historical injustice—often the persecution of a witch or a forbidden ritual—that has created a powerful, lingering evil. Characters inadvertently disturb this dormant force, becoming targets of its rage. The story often explores the idea that the past is not dead and that some wounds never heal, leading to a cyclical, often hopeless, confrontation with ancient evil.
These films are connected by their thematic core of historical witchcraft as a source of horror. They share a dark, bleak tone, a high level of supernatural intensity, and an emotional weight derived from confronting a malevolence that is both personal and centuries old. The endings are often tragic, emphasizing the power and inevitability of the ancient curse.
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Autopsy of Jane Doe 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 The Autopsy of Jane Doe is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of The Autopsy of Jane Doe, 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.
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Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Autopsy of Jane Doe. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Autopsy of Jane Doe: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like The Autopsy of Jane Doe 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.
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