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.

The Name of the Game Is Kill (1968) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The Name of the Game Is Kill (1968) 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 quiet heat of the Southwest, a lone drifter pauses on a dusty road, his past a distant echo of revolution and exile. Symcha Lipa arrives at a modest homestead where the desert wind carries the scent of sage and the promise of a fleeting rest. The landscape, stark and expansive, sets a tone of both isolation and the unexpected possibility of connection, inviting the traveler into a world that feels removed from the bustle of any city.

Inside the modest house, Mickey Terry offers a warm, almost immediate hospitality, opening her home to the stranger with a kindness that feels almost ritualistic. She lives with a tight‑knit family: a matriarch whose presence holds the weight of generations, and two sisters whose interactions flicker between teasing rivalry and guarded affection. Diz Terry and Nan Terry each display their own blend of curiosity and wariness, hinting at histories that linger just below the surface of everyday conversation. The family dynamic is suffused with a quiet intensity, suggesting that the bonds that hold them together may also conceal deeper, unspoken currents.

As night settles, the household’s easy greetings give way to subtle undercurrents. Mickey and Lipa find themselves drawn together, their conversation wandering from the practical to the personal, each revealing fragments of their pasts while masking the truths they guard most closely. The desert night amplifies the sense that something uncharted lies just beyond the polite veneer, and the family’s generous welcome begins to feel layered with an enigmatic purpose that the newcomer cannot yet decipher.

The film hangs in a liminal space between hospitality and mystery, its tone a blend of slow‑burn tension and unsettling charm. The stark beauty of the Southwest mirrors the characters’ own rugged façades, while the quiet rhythm of daily life hints at secrets waiting to surface. As Lipa settles into this isolated world, the audience is left to wonder just how far the family’s kindness extends, and what hidden intentions may be stirring beneath the warm glow of their desert home.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 23:18

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.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Name of the Game Is Kill

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

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.