The Night Brings Charlie

The Night Brings Charlie

Year: 1990

Runtime: 75 mins

Language: English

Director: Tom Logan

Horror

The film follows a grisly, horrifying plunge into the twisted killing spree of a psychopath. When Charlie Puckett comes back to the isolated town of Pakoe, a string of teenage beheadings erupts. Sheriff Carl Carson hunts the murderer, soon questioning whether Charlie’s sudden return hides a darker secret within the community.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Night Brings Charlie (1990)

Trace every key event in The Night Brings Charlie (1990) 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

Shannon Davis murder in Pakoe

In the small town of Pakoe, Shannon Davis is beheaded by a killer wearing swimming goggles and a burlap sack. New sheriff Carl Carson and mortician Walt Parker begin investigating this homicide and a previous one, as the body count rises and the killer taunts the police.

Night Pakoe
2

Suspect surfaces: Charlie Puckett

As the killer taunts the police, suspicion falls on Charlie Puckett, a disfigured gardener who wears a mask similar to the killer's. Carson and Walt keep Charlie under watch as the investigation widens.

Pakoe
3

Charlie questioned; silence

Charlie is brought in for questioning but refuses to talk. Carson seeks Walt's help, recalling their shared Vietnam service as a potential way to crack him.

Pakoe Sheriff's Office
4

Walt coerces confession

Walt manages to get Charlie to confess, but Carson remains doubtful of Charlie's guilt. The two partners set up a cautious interrogation to test Charlie's statements.

Pakoe Sheriff's Office
5

Trap exposes the true killer

Carson's trap flushes out the real killer: Walt. Carson reveals Walt's Vietnam-era dismemberment of a civilian and the dropped charges, shattering Charlie's assumed guilt.

Police interrogation room
6

Walt's panic and confession

When Carson notes that Charlie has been released from custody, Walt panics and admits that Charlie is like him. He claims Charlie helped him kill the Vietnamese girl and is behind the Pakoe murders.

Police station
7

Jenny's disappearance and family risk

Carson leaves to search for Charlie, while the detained Walt calls home. Tanya informs him that Jenny, his stepdaughter, has gone to the abandoned barn where Charlie was living.

Evening Police station / home
8

Walt escapes custody

Fearing for Jenny's safety, Walt escapes custody. He races to the barn to confront Charlie and protect his family.

Detention facility
9

Confrontation at the abandoned barn

Charlie reaches the barn, kills several people, and wounds Carson in a tense confrontation. He corners Jenny, but Tanya arrives to save her sister.

Night Abandoned barn
10

Sisters escape; Charlie set on fire

The sisters flee as Charlie advances; they accidentally shoot their father with Carson's gun. In a final act, Walt sacrifices himself by setting Charlie on fire to protect his daughters.

Night Abandoned barn
11

DA closes case; Walt blamed

The next day, Carson and his men search the lake for Charlie, but the district attorney prematurely closes the case, claiming Walt was responsible for all the murders. Carson laments that the danger isn't over.

Next day Lake near Pakoe
12

Charlie remains at large

As the town breathes a false sense of resolution, Charlie is seen picking up a female hitchhiker on the outskirts. The scene hints that the killer's spree may continue beyond Pakoe.

Aftermath Outskirts of town

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:05

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The Night Brings Charlie Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Night Brings Charlie, 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 Night Brings Charlie Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Night Brings Charlie

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Night Brings Charlie

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