The Death of Richie

The Death of Richie

Year: 1977

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: English

Director: Paul Wendkos

DramaTV Movie

A determined father battles to rescue his vulnerable son from a spiral of self‑destruction. Pressured and bewildered, the teenager turns to drugs, which wreak havoc on his school performance and strain family relationships, forcing the father to confront the painful realities of addiction and seek redemption.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Death of Richie 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 & Setting – The Death of Richie (1977)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Death of Richie (1977). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1970s

The events unfold in the 1970s, a period marked by rising teen drug use and shifting ideas about parenting and counseling. The suburban milieu and contemporary social pressures shape Richie's rebellion and his father's desperate attempts to save him. The era's context frames a story about fragile family bonds under strain.

Location

Suburban Cemetery, Werner Family Home

Primarily set in a suburban American neighborhood, with key locations at the Werner family home and a large cemetery where the funeral scene unfolds. The car and street sequences introduce the drug-use episodes and escalating risk, while the basement of the family home hosts confrontations between father and son. The settings contrast domestic safety with hidden dangers outside, underscoring the film's tragic trajectory.

🏡 Suburban 🪦 Cemetery 🚗 Street scenes

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:08

Main Characters – The Death of Richie (1977)

Meet the key characters of The Death of Richie (1977), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Richie Werner (Robby Benson)

A troubled 17-year-old whose charm masks a growing drug habit and volatile temper. He oscillates between protective feelings for his younger brother Russell and self-destructive impulses, lashing out at his father during confrontations. His craving for acceptance and closeness with Sheila drives his actions through the film.

🧒 Teen 👨‍👦 Family bonds 💊 Addiction

George Werner (Ben Gazzara)

Richie's stern yet caring father who loves his son but struggles to express it. He oscillates between attempts at connection, working to provide opportunities, and ultimately taking drastic steps in a desperate attempt to save Richie. His decision to shoot is framed as a final bid to force accountability.

👨‍👦 Protective father 🗣️ Communication barrier 🔒 Authority

Carol Werner (Eileen Brennan)

Richie's loving mother, seemingly ineffectual in stopping the descent into drugs but emotionally supportive. She embodies the well-meaning parent who wants to help yet cannot always bridge the gap between her son's world and the family’s closeness. Her presence underscores the emotional toll on the family.

👩‍👦‍👦 Maternal support 💗 Emotional strain 🕊️ Hope

Brick (Charles Fleischer)

The driver and informal ringleader whose influence drags Richie into the drug circle. He uses favors and intimidation to preserve the group’s dynamics, representing the external pressures pulling Richie away from his family. His actions help spark the escalating conflicts and danger.

🧭 Influencer ⚠️ Threat 🌀 Peer pressure

Sheila (Cindy Eilbacher)

A schoolgirl Richie likes, who becomes a personal anchor and a potential route to stability. George uses her as a bridge to connect Richie to a normal life, even as the relationship exists in a fragile balance with the boy’s addiction. Her role highlights the human costs of Richie's choices.

💞 Romantic interest 🧭 Stability anchor 🧪 Teen romance

Russell Werner (Lance Kerwin)

Richie's younger brother who both fears and admires his sibling. He represents the family’s vulnerable next generation watching the dysfunction unfold. His closeness to Richie adds emotional weight to the stakes of failure or success in Richie's life.

👶 Younger sibling 🫶 Family ties 📝 Protective

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:08

Major Themes – The Death of Richie (1977)

Explore the central themes of The Death of Richie (1977), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👪 Family Conflict

A tense father-son dynamic drives the narrative, with George's stern love clashing against Richie’s independence and addiction. The film tracks their attempts to bridge the gap through work, counseling, and confrontation, only to see escalating friction. The setting emphasizes how dysfunction within a household can spiral into tragedy.

💊 Drug Addiction

Richie's drug use becomes the centripetal force of the plot, corroding trust, employment, and safety. The dependency deepens as friends, peers, and social pressures pull him away from family. The story portrays addiction as a public and private threat that culminates in a fatal act.

🔫 Violence and Consequence

Tension erupts into a lethal confrontation when George shoots Richie in a desperate bid to save him. The moment reframes the story around responsibility, fear, and the limits of parental control. The epilogue underscores the legal resolution and the fragility of family judgment.

🗣️ Communication and Counseling

The film shows attempts at counseling and dialogue that fail to alter the course of events. Richie's resistance to talk and George's reluctance to participate bottle up issues until they explode. The narrative uses these failed conversations to critique how open communication can determine life-or-death outcomes.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:08

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 Death of Richie

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

The Death of Richie Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Death of Richie, 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 Death of Richie Summary

The Death of Richie Timeline

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

The Death of Richie Timeline

More About The Death of Richie

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Death of Richie: 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 Death of Richie

Explore More About Movie The Death of Richie

The Death of Richie (1977) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The Death of Richie (1977) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The Death of Richie (1977) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow