The Night God Screamed

The Night God Screamed

Year: 1971

Runtime: 85 mins

Language: English

Director: Lee Madden

CrimeHorror

Death is the only way out! A woman is persecuted by Jesus freaks after they’ve crucified her preacher husband.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Night God Screamed 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 Night God Screamed (1971)

Trace every key event in The Night God Screamed (1971) 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

Lakeside revelation and the girl's drowning

At a lakeside ceremony, Billy Joe identifies a traitor among the teenage congregants. The accused girl tries to flee but is caught and baptized by the hooded Atoner; she drowns during the ritual, marking a brutal show of power. The moment sets Billy Joe's cultist menace on full display.

Evening Lakeside
2

Theft of groceries and looming revival

Fanny Pierce's groceries are stolen by a homeless man as she walks through a rundown neighborhood. She continues on to the church kitchen, where her husband Willis pours coffee for the destitute. She voices increasing unhappiness, and Willis reassures her that things will improve as he arranges a big revival.

Daytime Rundown neighborhood / Church kitchen
3

Gas station encounter: Billy Joe on the cross

On the way to the revival, Willis and Fanny stop at a gas station and are stunned to see Billy Joe ride up on the back of a motorcycle. Billy Joe climbs into the truck and poses on a giant crucifix. He compliments Willis on the cross and asks about the revival, while Tennessee makes advances toward Fanny; Willis dismisses Billy Joe as a cultist.

Evening Gas station
4

Revival night and the cruciform confrontation

That evening Willis delivers his sermon and asks for donations to support his mission. The silent Atoner appears with his tall cruciform staff. Willis is crucified and murdered on the couple's giant cross.

Evening Church
5

Courtroom verdict and the sentence

In court, Billy Joe swears vengeance as Judge Coogan sentences him, Tennessee, and Izzy to death for Willis' murder. The Atoner remains at large after the murder, continuing the cult's shadow.

Following the murder Courtroom
6

A year passes; Fanny becomes a housekeeper

A year later, Fanny works as a housekeeper for Judge Coogan and his wife. She is asked to supervise their four teenagers during a weekend away, a task that puts her at the center of a household with wary, planning teenagers. The quiet arrangement contrasts with the memories of her past.

One year later Judge Coogan's house
7

Threats begin: ominous calls and a 'vengeance' note

Back at the judge's house, Fanny starts receiving disturbing, threatening phone calls. She finds a hooded dummy in the backyard with a note reading 'vengeance' and hides it from the children. The eerie signals hint that someone is watching the house.

Night Judge Coogan's property
8

Backyard sighting and the first killing

Peter sees a hooded figure in the backyard and warns that Fanny's presence endangers the family. That night, a hooded intruder stabs Jimmy to death as the lights go out and the children panic. Peter later discovers the 'vengeance' note.

Night Judge Coogan's house backyard
9

The house siege escalates

A hooded figure enters the house and the children hide as Fanny searches for them. The attackers roam the rooms, leaving screams and fear in their wake, as the family fights to stay alive. The tension peaks when Peter's body is found later in a closet.

Night Judge Coogan's house
10

The twist revealed: Peter is the mastermind

In a dramatic turn, the hooded figure is revealed to be Peter, who with his siblings staged the terrifying events to frighten Fanny into leaving so they could join in their planned activities. The children explain their motive and the hoax becomes clear.

Night Judge Coogan's house
11

Sharon reappears and the plan to deceive

Sharon rises from the couch, proving the staged murders, and the siblings discuss how to tell the police a plausible story. The deception unfolds as a family project rather than a supernatural attack.

Night Judge Coogan's house
12

Final ominous call and blackout

The phone rings with an ominous voice declaring that the sentence is death on Judge Coogan's children and the execution is tonight. The Atoner stands outside as the house’s windows go dark and a male voice screams from inside, signaling the dangerous consequences of the deception.

Night Outside/Inside Judge Coogan's house

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 08:12

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 Night God Screamed

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

The Night God Screamed Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Night God Screamed, 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 God Screamed Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Night God Screamed

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Night God Screamed

More About The Night God Screamed

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Night God Screamed: 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 Night God Screamed

Similar Movies to The Night God Screamed

Discover movies like The Night God Screamed 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.