The Other

The Other

Year: 1972

Runtime: 108 min

Language: English

Director: Robert Mulligan

DramaMysteryThrillerHorror

During a sweltering summer in 1935, a small American farm experiences a string of disturbing and violent incidents. The unsettling events draw the attention of two strikingly similar twin girls and their strained family, forcing them to confront a sinister presence hidden beneath the seemingly peaceful community. As the mysteries deepen, the family must grapple with the dark forces at play and the secrets that threaten to tear them apart.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Other (1972)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Other (1972). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1935

The story unfolds in 1935, an era marked by the Great Depression's impact, though the local setting remains largely unaffected by it. This period features traditional American values and a slower pace of life. The year emphasizes a time of innocence for the children, contrasted with underlying adult fears and supernatural elements.

Location

Pequot Landing, Connecticut

Pequot Landing is a rural town in Connecticut characterized by its small community and countryside setting. It is known for its quiet, picturesque landscape and historical American atmosphere during the 1930s. The town setting provides a secluded backdrop that enhances the mysterious and somber tone of the story.

🌳 Rural 🏡 Small Town 🕰️ 1930s

Last Updated: July 29, 2025 at 06:43

Main Characters – The Other (1972)

Meet the key characters of The Other (1972), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Niles Perry (Chris Udvarnoky)

A sensitive and imaginative 12-year-old boy. Niles struggles to understand the reality of his brother Holland's influence and the supernatural. His innocence is tested as he confronts the dark truths behind his past, showing his vulnerability and desire for connection.

🎩 Imaginative 😢 Vulnerable 👦 Child

Holland Perry (Martin Udvarnoky)

The mischievous twin brother, presumed dead but present as a supernatural presence. Holland embodies malevolence and chaos, symbolizing the darker side of childhood innocence and the impact of trauma. His manipulative influence drives much of the story's suspense.

😈 Malevolent 👻 Ghostly 🎭 Trickster

Ada (Uta Hagen)

The wise and caring grandmother who provides guidance and tries to protect Niles from his fears. She offers spiritual comfort and attempts to reconcile the disturbing events with the need for acceptance and closure.

🙏 Wise 🌹 Nurturing 👵 Elder

Last Updated: July 29, 2025 at 06:43

Major Themes – The Other (1972)

Explore the central themes of The Other (1972), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧙️ Imagination

Imagination plays a central role in the movie, serving as a means for the young characters to understand and cope with their world. Niles uses imaginative games to find comfort and meaning, yet these flights of fancy blur with reality, revealing darker truths about perception and innocence lost.

⚰️ Death & Loss

Death and loss are pervasive themes, profoundly affecting the characters' lives. The death of the twins' father, the supposed death of Holland, and the death of Mrs. Rowe symbolize the finality of mortality. The film explores how grief and fear influence human behavior and perception of reality.

Last Updated: July 29, 2025 at 06:43

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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 rural mysteries like The Other

Creeping dread and dark family truths unearthed in isolated, pastoral settings.If you liked the slow-burn dread and family secrets of The Other, explore more movies like it. This thread features psychological thrillers and gothic dramas set in isolated rural communities, where a sinister past threatens to destroy a fragile present. These films share a melancholic tone, heavy emotional weight, and a focus on secrets that fester in close-knit settings.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread often begin with a seemingly idyllic or mundane rural setting that hides a deep-seated rot. The plot revolves around the gradual uncovering of a family secret, a historical tragedy, or a supernatural presence tied to the land. The narrative builds steadily, using the isolation to create a pressure cooker effect, leading to a climax where the hidden truth is violently or tragically exposed.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here because they share a specific atmospheric blend: the use of a rural setting not just as a backdrop but as an active element of oppression. They combine a dark, melancholic tone with a steady pacing that methodically builds unease, focusing on themes of familial guilt, buried trauma, and the psychological impact of isolation.

Psychological horror about childhood trauma like The Other

Unsettling stories where a child's psyche fractures under the weight of grief and terror.For viewers who appreciated The Other's exploration of grief and trauma through a child's eyes, this thread collects similar movies. These films are heavy psychological dramas or horror stories centered on a child protagonist grappling with profound loss, family secrets, or a fractured sense of reality. They share a dark tone, high emotional intensity, and a focus on the haunting effects of trauma.

unsettlinganxiousgrief-strickenhauntingpsychologicaltragicambiguous

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a child protagonist who experiences a traumatic event, such as a death in the family. The story unfolds from their perspective, where reality becomes unreliable. Ghosts, visions, or malevolent forces may be real or manifestations of their grief and guilt. The plot steadily escalates the psychological pressure, culminating in a revelation or tragedy that underscores the enduring scars of the trauma.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because their primary source of unease and horror is the psychological state of a child. They share a high emotional weight, a dark tone, and a deliberate pacing that allows the audience to sit with the character's deteriorating mental state. The central theme is the exploration of how trauma warps perception and reality.

Unlock the Full Story of The Other

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

The Other Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Other, 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 Other Summary

The Other Timeline

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

The Other Timeline

The Other Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Other Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Other

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Other: 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 Other

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