The Bride from Hades

The Bride from Hades

Year: 1968

Runtime: 89 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Satsuo Yamamoto

Horror

On the night of the summer Obon festival, Hagiwara Shinzaburo meets a beautiful courtesan named Otsuyu. Not knowing she’s a ghost, he becomes infatuated by her.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Bride from Hades yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – The Bride from Hades (1968)

Trace every key event in The Bride from Hades (1968) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Obon day opens with Shinzaburo teaching poor children

Shinzaburo spends the first day of Obon teaching the village's poor children in their row houses, showing his generosity despite his noble lineage. This act establishes his compassionate character and sets the moral center of the story. The scene contrasts with the upcoming tensions between duty and empathy.

Day 1 of Obon village row houses, feudal Japan
2

Family pressure to marry the widow

Shinzaburo's father pressures him to marry his brother's widow after the accident, but Shinzaburo hesitates. The obligation of family duty clashes with his own sense of responsibility to the villagers. The tension foreshadows the conflict between personal desire and social expectations.

Day 1, morning Shinzaburo's family home
3

Lantern float by the river

Shinzaburo leads the village children on a lantern float toward the river. He frees two lanterns snagged by a branch, earning thanks from two women who witness his kindness. The moment links his everyday benevolence to the later supernatural events.

Day 1 near the river, village
4

Yoshiwara visitors arrive and a marriage is proposed

The two women from the river visit Shinzaburo's home to thank him and reveal they are Yoshiwara courtesans permitted to leave during Obon. Oyone's mistress asks Shinzaburo to marry Otsuyu before Obon ends. The encounter introduces the central motive that drives much of the plot.

During Obon Shinzaburo's home
5

Banzo recognizes Otsuyu

Banzo, Shinzaburo's neighbor, sees the women leaving and recognizes Otsuyu. His recognition casts a shadow of recognition and danger over the visitors. It hints at a deeper secret behind these arrivals.

Later the same day Shinzaburo's home vicinity
6

A friend questions the visitors’ nature

Banzo discusses with a friend the possibility that the visitors might be ghosts, given Obon's significance. The friend argues against such supernatural explanations, adding tension between superstition and reality. This debate foreshadows the haunting to come.

Evening Banzo's home
7

A wedding is officiated and a union forms

Oyone arranges a wedding for Shinza and Otsuyu inside Shinza's home, and the couple sleep together during Obon. The intimate ceremony deepens Shinza's entanglement with the otherworldly visitors. The act accelerates the plot toward a tragic collision of worlds.

Obon night Shinzaburo's home
8

Banzo witnesses the ethereal encounter

Banzo witnesses the couple's intimacy and perceives Otsuyu as a ghoul, while Oyone's presence is felt as a ghostly threat. The sight drives Banzo to flee as the spirits pursue him. The supernatural intrusion erodes the boundary between the living and the dead.

Night Outside Shinza's home window
9

The villagers demand an end to the marriage

The villagers confront Shinza, insisting the marriage be ended or he will die. Shinza locks his doors to keep the ghosts out and tries to defend himself with his katana, but the danger presses in. Banzo attempts to rouse him from his trance, but fear and superstition prevail.

Next day Shinzaburo's home
10

The high priest suggests safeguards

The village's high priest advises locking Shinza away for the remainder of Obon and placing prayer scrolls over the doors to keep the ghosts out. Shinza agrees, prioritizing the children's safety over his own fate. The plan provides a temporary shield against the haunting.

During Obon Temple / Shinza's home
11

Ghosts return but are kept at bay

At night the ghosts return, yet are frightened away by the protection of the prayer scrolls. Shinza remains resolute, choosing to live for the sake of the children rather than surrender. The tension persists as Obon continues.

Night Shinzaburo's home
12

Digs for money to tear the scrolls

Oyone orders Banzo to obtain money by digging up a vault of 100 ryo from a grave north of their location. Banzo and his wife retrieve the money and gather to move toward Shinza's house to tear the protective scrolls. The plan embeds a moral collapse into the haunting.

Night Graveyard → Shinza's home
13

The door is opened and the ritual breaks

Banzo rips a scroll and opens the door; Otsuyu enters, telling Shinza they are taking him to the other world, and they share an embrace. The boundary between life and death shatters as the ritual consummates the ghostly plan. The moment marks Shinza's imminent downfall.

Night Shinzaburo's home
14

Shinza dies; funeral begins

The next day, the villagers find Shinza dead beside the skeletons of Otsuyu and Oyone, and a funeral procession begins for him. The community absorbs the loss as the supernatural horror lingers in their midst. The death cements the tragic consequences of the haunting.

Day after night event Village
15

Banzo and wife flee, killed by villagers

Banzo and his wife attempt to flee the village with the buried money, but are confronted by a mob that kills them in revenge for the alleged theft. Their end closes the loop of greed and vengeance that fueled the haunting. The village finally contends with the aftermath of Obon’s darkness.

After funeral Village graveyard / outskirts

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 09:18

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.

Unlock the Full Story of The Bride from Hades

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

The Bride from Hades Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Bride from Hades, 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 Bride from Hades Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Bride from Hades

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Bride from Hades

More About The Bride from Hades

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Bride from Hades: 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 Bride from Hades