The Full Treatment

The Full Treatment

Year: 1960

Runtime: 108 mins

Language: English

Director: Val Guest

ThrillerMystery

Race car driver Alan Colby survives a severe head injury from a crash that awakens violent impulses toward his new wife, Denise. Determined to save their marriage, Denise convinces Alan to honeymoon on the French Riviera, where a French psychiatrist proposes a risky regression therapy that will return Alan to the moment of the accident in hopes of curing his murderous rage.

The Full Treatment (1960) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The Full Treatment (1960) 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 the aftermath of a harrowing crash that left him with a severe head injury, Alan Colby, a celebrated English racing driver, finds his world dimmed by unsettling mood swings and a growing sense of menace toward his newly‑wed wife, Denise. Their love, still fresh from vows and the promise of a future together, now rests on a fragile balance between affection and the shadow of an accident that refuses to stay in the past. Seeking a reprieve from the relentless pressure of his career and the strain on their marriage, the couple sets out for a restorative getaway on the sun‑kissed French Riviera, hoping the change of scenery will soothe the lingering tremors of trauma.

There, amid the glittering promenades and pastel‑colored villas, they encounter Dr. Prade, a charismatic psychiatrist who offers a daring form of regression therapy. He proposes to guide Alan back to the very moment of the crash, suggesting that confronting that pivotal instant could dissolve the violent impulses that now gnaw at his conscience. The proposal carries an intoxicating mix of hope and danger, hinting at the thin line between healing and the peril of reopening old wounds. The Riviera itself becomes more than a backdrop; its serene beauty and languid rhythm contrast sharply with the internal turbulence brewing beneath the surface.

The film settles into a tense, atmospheric mood, blending the glossy allure of a Mediterranean escape with the raw, unsettling intimacy of a mind on the brink. As Alan wrestles with his fragmented memories and the weight of his concealed anger, the audience is drawn into a psychological landscape where trust is tested, realities blur, and every tranquil vista may conceal a deeper, unspoken unrest. The story promises a delicate exploration of trauma, love, and the lengths one will go to reclaim sanity before it slips entirely away.

Last Updated: August 20, 2025 at 17:49

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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.

Claustrophobic Mind Games Like in The Full Treatment

Stories where sanity frays under mounting pressure in confined settings.Discover movies like The Full Treatment that feature psychological unraveling in close quarters. If you liked the tense, confined feel of trust deteriorating in a marriage under pressure, you'll find similar thrillers and dramas here. These stories explore the suffocating dread that comes from being trapped with a volatile mind.

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Narrative Summary

This narrative pattern often begins with a vulnerable character or relationship isolated in a setting like a secluded house or remote location. An external force—or the character's own psyche—introduces a destabilizing element, leading to a steady escalation of suspicion and fear. The conflict is intensely personal and psychological, forcing characters to question their own perceptions and the intentions of those closest to them.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are united by their use of confined settings to amplify psychological tension. They share a heavy emotional weight, a dominant tense tone, and a pacing that steadily builds unease. The central theme is the fragility of the mind and relationships when placed under extreme, inescapable pressure.

Movies About Dangerous Therapy Like The Full Treatment

Journeys into psychological treatment where the cure may be more perilous than the illness.If you liked The Full Treatment's twist on psychotherapy, explore more movies about treacherous healing. This thread gathers psychological thrillers and dramas where the search for a cure leads to greater danger. Find films similar to The Full Treatment that question the ethics of treatment and the reality of recovery.

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Narrative Summary

The pattern follows a vulnerable protagonist who places their trust in an authority figure—a doctor, therapist, or expert—promising a cure. As the treatment progresses, the methods become increasingly questionable, and the authority figure's motives are revealed to be sinister or self-serving. The story becomes a battle for the protagonist's mind and often their life, leading to a climax that exposes the deception.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared exploration of corrupted healing processes. They typically feature a high-intensity, tense atmosphere and a moderate narrative complexity with a central twist. The emotional journey is heavy, dealing with betrayal of trust and the profound violation of seeking help only to be manipulated.

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The Full Treatment Summary

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The Full Treatment Summary

The Full Treatment Timeline

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The Full Treatment Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Full Treatment

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Full Treatment

More About The Full Treatment

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