The Last of Sheila

The Last of Sheila

Year: 1973

Runtime: 120 mins

Language: English

Director: Herbert Ross

DramaCrimeThrillerMysteryThrillers and murder mysteries

Any number can play. Any number can die. A year after Sheila is killed in a hit‑and‑run, her multimillionaire husband invites a group of friends to spend a week aboard his yacht, where they take part in a scavenger‑hunt‑style mystery game. The game soon becomes brutally real, turning leisure into lethal danger.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Last of Sheila 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 Last of Sheila (1973)

Trace every key event in The Last of Sheila (1973) 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

One year ago: Sheila's death and the gossip game

A year earlier, Sheila Greene dies in a hit-and-run that haunts Clinton Greene and his circle. Greene announces the Sheila Greene Memorial Gossip Game as a way to entertain the guests at his home. The participants—Alice Wood, Anthony Wood, Christine, Tom Parkman, Lee, and Philip Dexter—revisit a shared, suspicion-filled memory as the game is planned.

One year ago Clinton Greene's home
2

The cruise begins and the secret game is set

A week-long Mediterranean cruise begins aboard Clinton Greene's yacht. Greene explains that each guest has a secret to protect and the object is to discover others' secrets while keeping one's own hidden. The mood shifts between playful competition and underlying tension as past grievances simmer.

Day 1 Onboard yacht, Mediterranean Sea
3

Night 1: SHOPLIFTER card points to Alice

On the first night at a port, the card 'YOU are a SHOPLIFTER' is given to Philip but actually targets Alice, who was caught shoplifting before fame. The group receives a clue and is sent ashore to gather proof, raising immediate suspicion about Alice. The game begins to strain friendships rather than reveal light-hearted secrets.

Night 1 Mediterranean port city
4

Christine nearly dies; second secret revealed

Day 2 opens with Christine nearly dying as someone turns on the boat’s propellers while she swims nearby. The second secret, 'YOU are a HOMOSEXUAL', is revealed to the group. The close call heightens fear and speculation among the guests about the game’s real stakes.

Day 2 Near the yacht, Mediterranean waters
5

Monastery game and Greene's disguise

That evening, Greene heads to a monastery island to stage the next game. Guests dress in hooded robes, and Greene himself disguises as Alice with a wig and makeup. The event grows uneasy as the ceremony unfolds with an air of mystery and deception.

Evening Day 2 Monastery on island
6

Greene's disappearance and corpse discovery

The next day, the guests realize Greene has not returned from the monastery. They return to search and discover his body, signaling foul play and turning the game into a real investigation. The line between performance and murder becomes dangerously blurred.

Day 3 Monastery / nearby shore
7

Secrets laid bare and a killer theory forms

Back on the yacht, five cards—SHOPLIFTER, HOMOSEXUAL, EX-CONVICT, INFORMER, and LITTLE CHILD MOLESTER—are revealed. The HOMOSEXUAL card points to Parkman, who also reveals a sixth card, HIT-AND-RUN KILLER, suggesting the murderer who hid Sheila's death also killed Clinton. Tension escalates as motives and alibis clash.

Day 3 evening Yacht
8

Confessions surface: past deeds come to light

Christine explains her Red Scare-era past of informing on left-leaning actors to advance her career, now attempting to help them find work. Anthony reveals he is the EX-CONVICT, and Dexter is exposed as the LITTLE CHILD MOLESTER. The revelations deepen the moral quagmire among the guests.

Day 3 Yacht
9

Lee's confession and isolation

Lee confesses to killing Sheila while driving drunk and to provoking Clinton the night before. Overwhelmed by guilt, she locks herself in her cabin. The emotional confession foreshadows a darker outcome as the situation spirals toward tragedy.

Day 3 Lee's cabin (and later Greene's cabin area)
10

A brutal night: Greene murdered and Lee framed

In the second night, Parkman murders Greene and frames Lee for the deed. He spikes Lee's bourbon with sleeping pills, transfers her body to the bathtub, and makes it look like a suicide. The revenge solidifies Parkman’s hold on Sheila’s and Clinton’s fates through Lee's estate.

Night 2 Yacht, then Greene's cabin
11

Dexter's propeller attempt and Parkman’s counter-move

Earlier, Dexter had tried to kill Greene with the boat’s propellers to suppress his secret. Parkman attempts to kill Dexter but is stopped by Christine, who has learned enough to leverage the situation. The trio then negotiates: Parkman will finance Christine and Dexter’s next film with the money from Lee's estate in exchange for keeping the Greene murder secret.

Night 2 Yacht
12

SHEILA: the acrostic clue and final machinations

On the final night, Parkman spots that the six secrets spell out 'SHEILA', with one missing 'A'. He deduces a hidden motive and uses it to further his own survival and financial gain. The mystery tightens as he controls what is exposed and what remains buried.

Final night Yacht
13

Aftermath: greed, guilt, and the row of deceit

With Lee’s estate now entangled in Parkman’s hands and threats of further blackmail looming, the survivors are left to reconcile truth and performance. The line between game and murder has blurred beyond repair, leaving everyone morally bruised on the Mediterranean cruise.

After final Onboard yacht / shoreside

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:39

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 Last of Sheila

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

The Last of Sheila Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Last of Sheila, 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 Last of Sheila Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Last of Sheila

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Last of Sheila

More About The Last of Sheila

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Last of Sheila: 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 Last of Sheila

Similar Movies to The Last of Sheila

Discover movies like The Last of Sheila that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.