The Ghost Dance

The Ghost Dance

Year: 1982

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: English

Director: Peter F. Buffa

HorrorThriller

When you disturb the dead, you must pay the price. The spirit of a long-dead warrior possesses the body of an Indian medicine man and turns him into a homicidal maniac.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Ghost Dance (1982)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Ghost Dance (1982). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present day

The main events unfold in contemporary times around an active archaeological dig and academic study. The legend of Nahalla is tied to the 1890s, providing a historical backstory that intersects with modern-day discoveries. The narrative blends modern science with ancient ritual, showing how the past resurfaces in the present.

Location

Arizona desert, local museum

Located in the Arizona desert, the dig site sits near a small desert town and its museum. The desert environment is harsh, open, and sunlight-baked, creating a stark backdrop for uncovering ancient artifacts. The museum and a nearby medical lab become key settings where investigators study relics and corpses that hint at Nahalla's past.

🏜️ Desert 🗺️ Archaeology 🏛️ Museum

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:47

Main Characters – The Ghost Dance (1982)

Meet the key characters of The Ghost Dance (1982), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Kay Foster (Julie Amato)

An archeologist and anthropology professor who leads the dig; intelligent, dedicated, and skeptical of superstition. She becomes increasingly entangled as Nahalla's power tries to possess her. Her expertise drives the investigation, even as personal danger escalates. By the end, she embodies the conflict between science and the supernatural.

🔎 Archeologist 🧠 Scientist 💡 Leader

Tom Eagle (Victor Mohica)

Kay's boyfriend and a protective presence who becomes a target of Nahalla's influence. He remains practical and brave as he navigates escalating threats. His loyalty to Kay pushes him to confront both human and supernatural danger. He plays a crucial role in attempting to stop the possession and save Kay.

🔎 Partner 🧭 Protector

Aranjo / Nahalla (Henry Bal)

A local Native American man who is possessed by the vengeful shaman Nahalla. His actions drive much of the killings and haunt Kay and Tom. He embodies the conflict between historical trauma and present danger, acting as the instrument of the spirit's will.

🪶 Native American 🗝️ Possessed

Paul Michaels (James Andronica)

Kay's colleague who researches Nahalla's history and helps piece together the backstory. He is drawn into the danger as the clues lead to his murder, underscoring the threat of the spirit. He represents the scientific attempt to catalog and understand what haunts them.

🔬 Scholar 🧪 Investigator

Ocacio (Frank Salsedo)

A local medicine man who assists with the ritual to control Aranjo. He provides a bridge between indigenous spirituality and conventional medicine, though he pays a deadly price. His involvement highlights the reliance on ritual as a countermeasure against Nahalla.

🧭 Healer 🕯️ Ritualist

Carol (Patricia Alice Albrecht)

A colleague at the museum who is killed by the possessed Aranjo. Her death marks a turning point in the investigation and a grim reminder of the danger of the haunting. She represents the vulnerable victims and the cost of uncovering forbidden histories.

🕯️ Victim 🧭 Colleague

Rick Haley (J. Christopher Senter)

A colleague who falls victim to the rampage when Aranjo stalks the museum. His death underscores the threat to those near Kay and Paul. He helps establish the malevolent reach of Nahalla's influence.

🗒️ Colleague 🕯️ Victim

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:47

Major Themes – The Ghost Dance (1982)

Explore the central themes of The Ghost Dance (1982), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👁️ Possession

A malevolent spirit uses living hosts to reach the world of the living. Kay becomes a vessel for Melissa as Nahalla's legacy resurfaces through possession. The film tracks how control shifts from a living person to a spirit, creating danger for Kay and those close to her. The tension centers on whether the possessed body can be liberated or is doomed to become a conduit for the past.

🔬 Science

Archaeology and anthropology attempt to explain the inexplicable with historical records and lab work. Kay and Paul try to piece Nahalla's history from mummies, compendiums, and archives, but the ritual defies scientific explanation. Ocacio's medicine-man insights complicate the divide between empirical study and spiritual practice. The story questions whether science can fully contain or understand a supernatural threat.

🌵 Legacy

The Ghost Dance-inspired cult and Nahalla's past cast a long shadow over the present. The 1890s backstory reveals violence and kidnapping that haunt the region's memory. The film explores how colonial encounters and ritual beliefs persist, resurfacing as current danger. The climax ties ancestral vengeance to the modern world's stakes.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:47

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Unlock the Full Story of The Ghost Dance

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

The Ghost Dance Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Ghost Dance, 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 Ghost Dance Summary

The Ghost Dance Timeline

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The Ghost Dance Timeline

More About The Ghost Dance

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More About The Ghost Dance

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