The Night of the Hunted

The Night of the Hunted

Year: 1980

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: French

Director: Jean Rollin

HorrorThrillerHorror

After being whisked away to an eerie, secluded clinic, she discovers that its patients are afflicted with a baffling condition that causes their memories and sense of identity to unravel, a phenomenon traced back to a bizarre environmental accident that has left their minds in disarray.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Night of the Hunted 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 Night of the Hunted (1980)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Night of the Hunted (1980). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Paris, France, Countryside, Clinic

The story shifts between a dimly lit Paris apartment, the surrounding countryside, and a secluded medical clinic. Paris provides a bustling, anonymous backdrop that contrasts with the isolation Elizabeth feels while on the run. The clinic functions as a controlled environment where memory is manipulated and controlled, driving the tension and fate of the characters.

❄️ Nighttime 🏙️ Paris 🏥 Clinic

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:42

Main Characters – The Night of the Hunted (1980)

Meet the key characters of The Night of the Hunted (1980), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Élisabeth (Brigitte Lahaie)

A young woman overwhelmed by memory loss, constantly fighting to hold onto a sense of self while being pursued. Her confusion and vulnerability drive the emotional core of the story and fuel the rescue dynamics with Robert.

🧠 Memory loss 😕 Confusion 💔 Vulnerability

Robert (Alain Duclos)

A man who finds Elizabeth during a cold night and offers refuge, only to become entangled with the clinic’s authority. He embodies determination and protective love, pushing against a system that seeks to erase memory.

🧭 Protector 💪 Determination ❤️ Love

Le docteur Francis (Bernard Papineau)

A physician directing the clinic’s operations, pressuring Elizabeth back into custody and overseeing memory manipulation. He represents calculated control and ethical erosion in the name of progress.

🧪 Science 🕴️ Control 🗝️ Deception

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:42

Major Themes – The Night of the Hunted (1980)

Explore the central themes of The Night of the Hunted (1980), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧠 Memory Loss

Memory loss is the central threat that unravels relationships and truth. Elizabeth struggles to recall names and moments, fueling paranoia and dependence on others. The plot hinges on what characters can remember and what they cannot, shaping their choices and destinies.

💔 Forbidden Love

A fragile romance forms between Elizabeth and Robert, offering humanity amid a world that seeks to erase memory. Their connection endures despite danger and moral ambiguity. The narrative uses love to test loyalty, trust, and the will to resist memory-altering forces.

🧪 Medical Ethics

Dr. Francis and the clinic are depicted as exploiting memory-impaired patients for experimentation and control. The story critiques the abuse of power within medical authority and the ethical boundaries of treatment. It questions whether memory can justifiably be manipulated for supposed healing.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:42

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.

Movies with institutional horror like The Night of the Hunted

Stories where oppressive settings trap characters in a battle for their sanity.If the oppressive clinic in The Night of the Hunted captivated you, explore more movies like it. These films feature characters trapped in sinister institutions, battling medical horrors and psychological manipulation for survival. Find similar thrillers and horror stories about escape from institutional abuse.

claustrophobicoppressiveanxiousdesperateparanoidunsettlingclinical

Narrative Summary

Narratives typically follow a protagonist who is either a patient or an investigator entering a seemingly benevolent institution, only to uncover its horrifying true purpose. The plot revolves around attempts to escape and expose the corruption, often escalating to a violent or desperate climax where the system's power is fully revealed.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a malevolent institutional setting as the core source of horror. They create a potent mix of psychological tension and physical peril, emphasizing themes of control, dehumanization, and the fragility of the self when pitted against an uncaring system.

Movies about memory loss and identity crisis like The Night of the Hunted

Films where the terror comes from the loss of self and memory.If you were fascinated by the memory-eroding horror in The Night of the Hunted, you'll find similar movies here. These stories explore psychological trauma, identity crisis, and the existential dread of forgetting who you are. Discover films like The Night of the Hunted that question the nature of reality and self.

dreamlikesurrealmelancholicdesperateunsettlingpsychologicalexistential

Narrative Summary

The story arc follows a character's progressive mental disintegration, often triggered by a trauma or a bizarre phenomenon. The narrative is a slow descent into confusion and paranoia, as the protagonist struggles to hold onto fleeting memories and a stable sense of identity, frequently culminating in a bleak or ambiguous resolution.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their exploration of a profound psychological theme: the horror of losing one's mind and identity. They share a dreamlike, surreal atmosphere and a heavy emotional weight, focusing on internal conflict and existential dread rather than external monsters.

Unlock the Full Story of The Night of the Hunted

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

The Night of the Hunted Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Night of the Hunted, 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 of the Hunted Summary

The Night of the Hunted Timeline

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

The Night of the Hunted Timeline

The Night of the Hunted Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Night of the Hunted 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 Night of the Hunted Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Night of the Hunted

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Night of the Hunted: 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 of the Hunted

Similar Movies to The Night of the Hunted

Discover movies like The Night of the Hunted 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.