The Believers

The Believers

Year: 1987

Runtime: 114 min

Language: English

Director: John Schlesinger

DramaMysteryThrillerHorrorCrime

A group of unconventional individuals, including a brilliant scientist and a young, gifted teenager, dedicate themselves to unlocking the potential of cold fusion. Facing resistance from the established scientific community, they push the boundaries of research, encountering unexpected challenges and uncovering disturbing secrets that put their lives in danger. The pursuit of this groundbreaking discovery tests their resolve and exposes a web of hidden agendas.

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Timeline & Setting – The Believers (1987)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Believers (1987). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The events of 'The Believers' unfold in contemporary times, specifically in the late 20th century. This period is characterized by urban challenges, an increase in crime, and a growing interest in spirituality and the occult, reflecting the societal issues that the film grapples with.

Location

New York City, Staten Island, Minneapolis

The movie takes place primarily in New York City, a bustling metropolis known for its diverse culture and vibrant life. Staten Island features prominently as a site of a gruesome crime, symbolizing the darker elements lurking beneath the city’s surface. Minneapolis, where the protagonist relocates from, represents a quieter, more suburban life before the chaos in New York unfolds.

🌆 City 🏡 Country 🎭 Urban

Last Updated: January 14, 2025 at 22:09

Main Characters – The Believers (1987)

Meet the key characters of The Believers (1987), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Cal Jamison (Martin Sheen)

Cal is a psychologist burdened by the tragic death of his wife, which propels him into a nightmarish investigation of ritualistic child murders. His character embodies a blend of rationality and emotional turmoil, as he battles grief while desperately trying to safeguard his son from impending danger. Cal's journey is marked by his transformation from a grieving father to a determined protector.

👨‍⚕️ Psychologist 💔 Grief 🛡️ Protector

Chris Jamison (Harley Cross)

Chris, Cal's young son, finds himself at the center of a malevolent cult's plans. His innocence contrasts sharply with the dark developments around him. As a child caught in the escalating horror, Chris represents the vulnerability of youth against unseen and sinister forces.

👦 Child 💔 Innocence 🚨 Target

Jessica (Helen Shaver)

Jessica is Cal's girlfriend who becomes entwined in the dangerous events surrounding the cult. Her character is marked by vulnerability but also a sense of agency, as she becomes a target while attempting to navigate through fear and chaos. Her connection to Cal deepens the emotional stakes of the story.

💁‍♀️ Girlfriend ⚠️ Vulnerability 🌪️ Chaos

Palo (Richard Masur)

Palo is a sinister character representing the cult's malevolent influence. As a charismatic yet dangerous figure, he embodies the film's exploration of occult practices and the allure of power. His interactions with Cal and Chris pivot the story toward its harrowing climax.

🔮 Cultist ⚔️ Antagonist 😈 Malevolence

Last Updated: January 14, 2025 at 22:09

Major Themes – The Believers (1987)

Explore the central themes of The Believers (1987), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔮 Occultism

The film delves into themes of occultism and the influence of cults, exploring how ancient practices can intertwine with modern life. Characters find themselves engulfed in a world steeped in rituals, where belief systems clash with rationality and ethics. This theme underscores the horror of losing loved ones to dark beliefs and the desperate measures taken to protect one's family.

👨‍👦 Fatherhood

Cal Jamison's journey is fundamentally about fatherhood and the lengths a parent will go to protect their child. As he grapples with loss and fear, his paternal instincts drive him to confront unimaginable horrors. The evolving relationship between Cal and his son Chris is central to the narrative, highlighting both vulnerability and resilience.

Last Updated: January 14, 2025 at 22:09

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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.

Paranoid parental thrillers like The Believers

A parent's worst fear becomes reality in a sinister, hidden world.If you liked the gripping fear and desperate fatherly protection in The Believers, you'll find similar tension in these movies. This list features thrillers and horror films where parents battle sinister cults or hidden evils, creating stories of intense anxiety and child endangerment.

suspensefulparanoiddisturbinggrippingunsettlinganxiousdesperate

Narrative Summary

These narratives follow a protagonist, typically a parent, who discovers their child is the target of a malevolent force—be it a cult, a supernatural entity, or a criminal conspiracy. The story is a linear, high-stakes investigation where each revelation deepens the sense of paranoia and immediate danger, testing the protagonist's resolve and sanity.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by their core theme of parental protection pushed to the extreme, a consistently dark and tense tone, and a high-intensity emotional experience centered on the primal fear for a child's safety. The pacing is often steady, building dread through successive horrific discoveries.

Supernatural investigation movies like The Believers

A rational person uncovers horrific truths that shatter their reality.For viewers who enjoyed the investigative descent into occult horror in The Believers, this list collects similar movies. These films feature characters unraveling a sinister mystery that challenges their worldview, leading to dark revelations and a heavy, unsettling atmosphere.

suspensefuldisturbinggrippingunsettlingpsychologicaloccultinvestigation

Narrative Summary

The plot follows a protagonist, often a professional or skeptic, who is drawn into a mystery. Their methodical inquiry gradually exposes a supernatural or ritualistic underbelly, forcing them to accept irrational horrors. The narrative is straightforward but emotionally heavy, focusing on the psychological toll of uncovering disturbing secrets.

Why These Movies?

They share a core structure of a reality-shattering investigation, a consistently dark and suspenseful tone, and a focus on psychological horror over jump scares. The endings often leave a lasting sense of unease, reinforcing the themes of inescapable evil or ambiguous victory.

Unlock the Full Story of The Believers

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

The Believers Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Believers, 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.

The Believers Summary

The Believers Timeline

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

The Believers Timeline

The Believers Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Believers that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Believers Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Believers

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Believers: 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 The Believers

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