The Manitou

The Manitou

Year: 1978

Runtime: 104 min

Language: English

Director: William Girdler

Sci-FiHorror

A troubled psychic attempts to save his girlfriend from a sinister, malevolent force by summoning an ancient spirit. However, his actions inadvertently unleash a powerful and vengeful entity, threatening both their lives. As the spirit's influence grows, the psychic must confront a terrifying struggle against an escalating evil, blurring the boundaries of reality and sanity in a desperate fight for survival.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Manitou 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 Manitou (1978)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Manitou (1978). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

San Francisco

San Francisco, known for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge and vibrant culture, serves as the backdrop for Karen Tandy's harrowing quest for relief. The prestigious hospital where she seeks treatment symbolizes both hope and turmoil as she confronts the strange malady affecting her. The city's eclectic spirit is mirrored in the diverse characters who rally together in the face of supernatural chaos.

🌆 City 🏥 Hospital

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:15

Main Characters – The Manitou (1978)

Meet the key characters of The Manitou (1978), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Karen Tandy

Karen Tandy is a determined woman fighting against a strange and distressing condition. Her experiences evolve from seeking medical help to confronting dark spiritual forces, showcasing her resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. As she navigates her tumultuous journey, her character grows from desperation to empowerment.

👩‍⚕️ Protagonist 💔 Suffering

Harry Erskine

Harry is a dubious fortune teller who serves as a source of hope and conflict for Karen. His complex character blends elements of charm and skepticism, creating an engaging dynamic as he grapples with supernatural occurrences. His journey evolves as he confronts his own beliefs while striving to assist Karen amidst chaos.

🔮 Seer 🤔 Skeptical

Dr. Jack Hughes

Dr. Jack Hughes is a skilled surgeon who uncovers the shocking secret behind Karen's condition. Throughout the film, he embodies the tension between medical science and the inexplicable paranormal events surrounding Karen. His character is marked by professionalism but becomes increasingly affected by the chaos that unfolds.

🏥 Surgeon 🚑 Professional

Amelia Caruso

Amelia is a former psychic who provides insight and guidance as dark forces threaten Karen. Her character reflects the reliance on traditional wisdom and spiritual knowledge in combating the unknown. With an air of authority, Amelia commands respect within the group as they confront the supernatural.

🔮 Psychic 🌌 Guiding Spirit

John Singing Rock

John is a reclusive medicine man with deep ties to Native American spiritualism. He becomes a pivotal character as he sheds light on the nature of the manitou and the spirit threatening Karen. His journey showcases a struggle between hostility and collaboration as he seeks to counter the malicious forces at play.

🌿 Medicine Man 💪 Resilient

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:15

Major Themes – The Manitou (1978)

Explore the central themes of The Manitou (1978), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🪄 Mysticism

The film delves into the interplay between ancient mysticism and modern medical practices, exploring how beliefs in the supernatural shape the characters' realities. Karen's plight intertwines with Native American spiritual traditions, revealing the tension between science and the mystical forces at play. This theme compels viewers to ponder the legitimacy and impact of these age-old beliefs in contemporary society.

🌀 Chaos

As the story unfolds, chaos reigns both in the hospital and within the characters' lives, stemming from the awakening of the malevolent spirit Misquamacus. The narrative depicts how turmoil affects relationships and drives individuals to confront their fears and beliefs. This theme highlights the fragility of order in the face of dark forces and personal desperation.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:15

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.

Explore Movie Threads

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.

Ancient evil movies like The Manitou

Desperate struggles against vengeful supernatural forces from the past.If you liked The Manitou's fight against an ancient spirit, explore more movies where characters battle powerful, vengeful forces from the past. These supernatural horror and thriller films feature similar themes of cultural revenge, possession, and desperate struggles for survival against unstoppable evil.

supernatural dreadancient evildesperate strugglepossessionbody horrorclaustrophobicanxious

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically begin with the unintended awakening or summoning of a potent, ancient force. The narrative follows a rapid escalation of threat as the protagonists, often experts or psychics, scramble to understand and combat an entity that defies modern comprehension, leading to a climactic and costly confrontation.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared focus on a specific type of antagonist—an ancient, intelligent evil. They create a similar mood of anxious dread through fast-paced narratives, high-intensity supernatural violence, and a dark tone centered on the violation of body and mind.

Body horror possession movies like The Manitou

Where supernatural threats manifest through grotesque physical transformation and violation.Fans of The Manitou's gruesome possession and medical trauma will find similar chilling experiences here. These high-intensity horror films focus on supernatural forces that cause terrifying physical changes, blending psychological dread with visceral body horror for a deeply unsettling watch.

body horrorpossessionmedical traumagruesomedisturbingoppressivedesperatehorrifying

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a character becoming the host or vessel for a malicious force. The story unfolds through the progressive physical and mental degradation of the victim, often depicted through graphic medical or bodily decay, while allies race against time to perform a dangerous reversal or exorcism.

Why These Movies?

Movies here share a potent mix of supernatural horror and visceral body terror. They are united by a high-tension, fast-paced approach, a dark and oppressive tone, and a heavy emotional weight stemming from the horrific violation of a character's physical form.

Unlock the Full Story of The Manitou

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

The Manitou Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Manitou, 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 Manitou Summary

The Manitou Timeline

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

The Manitou Timeline

The Manitou Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Manitou that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Manitou Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Manitou

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Manitou: 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 Manitou

Similar Movies to The Manitou

Discover movies like The Manitou 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.