The Name of the Game Is Kill

Year: 1968

Runtime: 84 mins

Language: English

Director: Gunnar Hellström

Thriller

A desert family extends a warm welcome to a lone traveler, inviting him to share their isolated home. As the night unfolds, the stranger gradually learns that the family's generosity hides a dark, unexpected purpose, leading to a shocking and unforgettable conclusion that viewers are asked to keep secret.

Where to Watch The Name of the Game Is Kill?

Find where to stream, rent, or buy The Name of the Game Is Kill (1968) in the US with current JustWatch availability, up-to-date pricing, and platform listings for subscription, rental, and digital purchase options.

Amazon VideoRent $0.99 · SD

Streaming availability powered by

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Name of the Game Is Kill 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 Name of the Game Is Kill (1968)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Name of the Game Is Kill (1968). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:57

Was this helpful?

Main Characters – The Name of the Game Is Kill (1968)

Meet the key characters of The Name of the Game Is Kill (1968), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:57

Was this helpful?

Major Themes – The Name of the Game Is Kill (1968)

Explore the central themes of The Name of the Game Is Kill (1968), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:57

Was this helpful?

The Name of the Game Is Kill (1968) Character & Theme Questions Answered – Info FAQ

Browse frequently asked questions about The Name of the Game Is Kill (1968) focused on characters, relationships, themes, symbols, setting, and story context. This movie info FAQ gives spoiler-aware explanations for character arcs, world details, and thematic interpretation so readers can better understand what the film is really about.

Where is the movie set?

The movie takes place in a remote area of southwestern Arizona, along a dusty rural road and within the isolated Terry family home. The stark desert landscape emphasizes the family's isolation, making their dark secrets easier to conceal.

arizonadesertremote settingterry houserural

Why do the Terry sisters want to move to San Francisco?

The Terry sisters plan to escape their isolated desert home and start fresh in San Francisco, representing their desire for freedom and a different life away from the secrets and darkness of their family home.

san franciscoescaperelocationfreedom

What is the Hidden Identities theme about?

The film centers on characters who wear lies like masks, concealing true motives and hidden pasts. The arrival of the drifter Lipa exposes the veneer of domestic normalcy surrounding Mickey and her sisters, revealing how appearances can mask deadly truths.

deceptionlieshidden identityappearancessecrets

What does the Family Secrets theme explore?

Generations of hidden histories haunt the Terry household. The sisters describe their father as an artist and their mother as virtuous, but the truth proves far more sinister. The revelation of hidden family secrets becomes a catalyst for violence and psychological unraveling.

family secretshidden pasttruthrevelationdark family history

How does Parental Control function as a theme?

The patriarchal undercurrent governs the family's choices and loyalties, with the father figure's manipulation culminating in chilling control tactics. The family's loyalty becomes traded for survival, while genuine affection is warped by fear and manipulation.

patriarchycontrolmanipulationfamily loyaltyfear

Who is Mickey Terry?

Mickey Terry is the daughter who invites the drifter Lipa into her home and becomes romantically entangled with him. She shares a painful past with her siblings and dreams of leaving Arizona for San Francisco to escape her family's darkness.

mickey terryprotagonistromanceescape plan

Who is Symcha Lipa?

Symcha Lipa is a Hungarian-born drifter who enters the Terry household and becomes entangled with Mickey. As he questions the family's conflicting stories, he finds himself drawn to Mickey while uncovering the dangerous truths surrounding the family.

lipadrifterhungarianoutsiderprotagonist

What are the Terry sisters like?

The Terry sisters, Mickey, Diz, and Nan, present a united front but harbor fierce, unstable dynamics beneath the surface. Diz appears protective of the family's image while harboring deceptive tendencies, while Nan displays impulsive behavior that adds a brutal edge to their web of lies.

diz terrynan terrysistersfamily dynamicsdeception

What role does Sheriff Kendall play?

Sheriff Fred Kendall serves as a local lawman who warns Lipa about the Terry household's suspicious history. He acts as an external counterpoint to the family's internal deceptions, representing impending consequences and the outside world's awareness of the family's darkness.

sheriff kendalllaw enforcementwarningexternal threat

Q10

What does the desert setting symbolize?

The harsh Arizona desert symbolizes isolation, concealment, and the perfect backdrop for hidden crimes. The remote location allows the Terry family to maintain their dark secrets away from prying eyes while creating a sense of entrapment for those who enter their home.

desert isolationsymbolismconcealmententrapmentremote location

Q11

What is the tone of the film?

The film maintains a dark and psychologically threatening tone throughout, with constant suspense and unsettling revelations. The pacing builds methodically as the traveler uncovers conflicting stories, creating mounting unease that culminates in a disturbing climax.

thriller tonedark tonesuspensepsychological threatunsettling

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.

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.

Sinister Family Secrets Movies like The Name of the Game Is Kill

Stories where welcoming homes hide dark, disturbing family dynamics.Explore movies like 'The Name of the Game Is Kill' where a warm welcome masks a dark reality. If you liked the unsettling discovery of a disturbed family, you'll find similar thrillers here featuring psychological manipulation, hidden agendas, and homes that are anything but safe havens.

unsettlingclaustrophobicsinisterparanoiddeceptivebleaksuspensefulpsychological

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern typically involves an isolated setting, often a single home or small town, where a newcomer is gradually exposed to conflicting stories and bizarre behavior. The central conflict arises from the protagonist's attempts to uncover the truth while their own safety becomes increasingly precarious, leading to a violent or psychologically shattering climax.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the horror that can exist within domestic spaces. They create a specific kind of dread by subverting the idea of family as a sanctuary, instead portraying it as a cage of secrets and moral decay, making the viewer question the nature of trust and identity.

Slow Burn Psychological Thrillers like The Name of the Game Is Kill

A steady, creeping dread that exposes fractured minds and hidden truths.Find more movies with a slow burn pace and heavy psychological weight like 'The Name of the Game Is Kill'. These films favor a steady build of suspense and mind games over jump scares, perfect for viewers who enjoy stories of paranoia, deception, and ambiguous, thought-provoking endings.

suspensefulpsychologicalunsettlingparanoidbleakslow burntensemind-bending

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread unfold at a deliberate pace, layering clues and shifting perspectives to create mystery and doubt. The plot is often character-driven, focusing on the psychological impact of events on the protagonist. The journey is typically one of discovery that leads to a climactic moment of psychological shock or an ambiguous resolution that lingers with the viewer.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by their methodical approach to suspense and their exploration of psychological themes. They share a similar vibe of creeping paranoia and intellectual dread, appealing to viewers who enjoy being slowly drawn into a character's deteriorating sense of safety and certainty.

Unlock the Full Story of The Name of the Game Is Kill

Don't stop at just watching - explore The Name of the Game Is Kill 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 Name of the Game Is Kill is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Name of the Game Is Kill Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Name of the Game Is Kill, 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 Name of the Game Is Kill Timeline

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

The Name of the Game Is Kill Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Name of the Game Is Kill 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.

More About The Name of the Game Is Kill

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Name of the Game Is Kill: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links - all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to The Name of the Game Is Kill

Discover movies like The Name of the Game Is Kill 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.