The Night Walker

The Night Walker

Year: 1964

Runtime: 86 mins

Language: English

Director: William Castle

MysteryThrillerHorrorHorror the undead and monster classicsTerrifying haunted and supernatural horror

Will it dare you to dream of the things you’re ashamed to admit? A grieving woman is tormented by relentless, vivid nightmares that seem to be triggered by the memory of her late husband, who was believed to have perished in a fire. The film follows her uneasy confrontation with guilt, memory and the lingering presence of a love that may still haunt her sleep.

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Timeline & Setting – The Night Walker (1964)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Night Walker (1964). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1960s

The events unfold in a contemporary mid-20th-century setting, centering on a wealthy inventor's home and estate. The stylish, high-tech atmosphere—clocks, a locked lab, and a privileged household—frames the tense domestic thriller.

Location

Trent Mansion, Beauty Shop, Trent Estate

The story unfolds within a lavish Trent residence that doubles as a fortress of surveillance. The palatial mansion houses a synchronized clock system and a secret upstairs laboratory, reflecting Howard's control over Irene. Irene also operates a back-room beauty shop, a private arena where she seeks independence away from the mansion.

🏰 Palatial mansion 🕰️ Clock-filled home 🧪 Hidden laboratory

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:55

Main Characters – The Night Walker (1964)

Meet the key characters of The Night Walker (1964), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Irene Trent

An unhappy wife trapped by a jealous, possessive husband. She remains faithful, yet yearns for an extramarital affair, a longing that collides with the house's suffocating control. Irene navigates luxury and fear, seeking a path to independence through the beauty shop she runs from a back-room space.

🔒 Jealousy 💔 Unhappiness 💃 Yearning 🧠 Fragile sanity

Howard Trent

A blind, pathologically possessive millionaire inventor who micromanages Irene's life, recording conversations and imprisoning her within the mansion. He spends most of his time in an enigmatic upstairs laboratory, never revealing the true nature of his work. His death by laboratory explosion serves as the catalyst for the ensuing schemes.

🧠 Obsession 💰 Wealth 🔒 Control

Barry Morland

Howard's attorney and primary beneficiary schemer. He orchestrates deceit, disguises himself to impersonate Howard, and manipulates events to claim the fortune. His plan unravels as the conspiracy deepens, culminating in a fatal confrontation.

🧠 Manipulation 💰 Greed 🗝️ Deception

Joyce Holland

A newly hired beautician who becomes Irene's confidant. She relays critical messages and becomes a target in the web of deception, ultimately murdered by a masked assailant resembling Howard.

💄 Beauty industry 🕵️‍♀️ Victim

George Fuller

A private investigator hired by Howard who, in disguise as another figure, becomes entangled in the plot. He exposes Barry's scheme after Joyce's death, and joins Irene in confronting the truth about the murders.

🧠 Investigation 🗝️ Revelation

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:55

Major Themes – The Night Walker (1964)

Explore the central themes of The Night Walker (1964), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Illusion

Dreams and staged encounters blur the line between reality and fantasy. Irene's perception is manipulated through a series of surreal episodes, including a wax-witness wedding and a phantom husband. The plot twists reveal how carefully crafted illusion can weaponize fear and manipulate a vulnerable mind.

🧠 Mental Manipulation

The narrative centers on psychological control, with Irene subjected to surveillance and gaslighting. Barry and George use deception to shape Irene's sense of reality, turning dreams into evidence and fear into leverage. The mask, disguise, and manipulated events push Irene toward instability before the truth surfaces.

💰 Greed

Inheritance and wealth drive the plot's conspiracies. Barry's ambition to secure the fortune leads to calculated danger, murder, and a race to outmaneuver rivals. The estate becomes a battleground where money corrupts loyalties and motives are laid bare.

🗝️ Secrets

The Trent house conceals dangerous secrets—from the locked laboratory to the web of deceits surrounding Howard's will. The unraveling of these secrets culminates in a deadly confrontation that exposes how far people will go to protect or seize power.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:55

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The Night Walker Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Night Walker, 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 Walker Summary

The Night Walker Timeline

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The Night Walker Timeline

More About The Night Walker

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