The Philadelphia Experiment

The Philadelphia Experiment

Year: 1984

Runtime: 102 min

Language: English

Director: Stewart Raffill

AdventureSci-FiDramaThrillerRomance

When a secret military project to create an experimental propulsion system reactivates the infamous "Philadelphia Experiment," unforeseen and disastrous consequences unfold. A man and his granddaughter find themselves caught in the escalating crisis and must work together to combat the destructive fallout. Their journey tests their relationship as they navigate a world thrown into turmoil by the experiment's unexpected revival.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Philadelphia Experiment 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 Philadelphia Experiment (1984)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Philadelphia Experiment (1984). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1943, 1984

The movie spans two significant years: 1943, during World War II, where groundbreaking experimentation on cloaking technology takes place, and 1984, a time marked by technological advancements and the looming threat of ICBMs. This time-bending occurrence creates chaos and confusion for the characters involved.

Location

Philadelphia, Santa Paula, California

Philadelphia serves as a crucial setting where the USS Eldridge mysteriously reappears after its disappearance. Santa Paula, a small city in California, reveals secrets of the past as David searches for answers about his friend's fate and the experiment.

🏙️ City 🌄 Landscape

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:02

Main Characters – The Philadelphia Experiment (1984)

Meet the key characters of The Philadelphia Experiment (1984), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

David Herdeg

David is a brave and determined sailor who becomes entangled in the Philadelphia Experiment. His courage is evident as he leaps into unknown circumstances, driven by a desperation to understand his situation and rescue his friend Jim. As he navigates through time, he also discovers a burgeoning love for Allison.

🦸‍♂️ Hero 🚀 Adventurer

Allison

Allison is a resourceful and courageous woman who is thrust into chaos when David and Jim hijack her at gunpoint. As she becomes entangled in their journey, her quick thinking and bravery help navigate the treacherous landscape they find themselves in. Eventually, her growing bond with David showcases her vulnerability amidst the extraordinary events.

👩‍🎤 Courage ❤️ Love Interest

Dr. James Longstreet

Dr. Longstreet is the brilliant yet ethically questionable scientist behind the time-altering experiment. Driven by ambition to manipulate technology for defense, he embodies the complexities of scientific exploration. His desperation to fix the fallout from his experiment reveals a deeper inner conflict regarding the morality of his actions.

🔬 Scientist ⚖️ Ethics

Pamela

Pamela, Jim's wife, offers a glimpse into the past and serves as a link between the decades. Her character reflects the emotional impact of time travel, showcasing how relationships evolve over time. Her insights help David understand Jim's mysterious fate and adds depth to the narrative.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Wife 📜 Insight

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:02

Major Themes – The Philadelphia Experiment (1984)

Explore the central themes of The Philadelphia Experiment (1984), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌌 Time Travel

The central theme revolves around time travel, where two sailors find themselves displaced from their time and struggling to comprehend their new reality. Their journey explores the consequences and complexities of altering time, intertwining their fates in an unpredictable narrative.

💔 Love and Sacrifice

The romance between David and Allison blossoms amid crisis, showcasing love's resilience in the face of extraordinary challenges. Their growing bond highlights the personal sacrifices made for love and the importance of connection through turbulent times.

⚛️ Ethics of Science

The film raises ethical questions regarding scientific experimentation and the consequences of tampering with nature and time. The ambitious goals of Dr. Longstreet illustrate the potential dangers when humanity's pursuit of knowledge overrides moral boundaries.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:02

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.

Sci-Fi Disaster Thrillers like The Philadelphia Experiment

Frantic stories of averting a man-made catastrophe before time runs out.If you liked the frantic, high-stakes energy of The Philadelphia Experiment, explore more movies about characters racing to stop a catastrophic scientific event. These films share a similar sense of urgency, high intensity, and tense pacing, focusing on a desperate battle against a world-ending threat.

urgentchaotictensedesperaterace against timescientific crisishigh stakes

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically begins with the accidental triggering of a highly dangerous experiment or technology. The plot follows a small group of characters—often scientists or people caught in the fallout—who must work frantically to understand and reverse the effects before the situation escalates into an unstoppable global disaster.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a core premise of a scientific crisis, a fast-paced and tense atmosphere, and a narrative driven by a desperate countdown. The emotional experience is defined by high-intensity anxiety and the thrill of a last-minute solution.

Time Travel Paradox Movies like The Philadelphia Experiment

Stories where meddling with time creates chaos and moral dilemmas.For viewers who enjoyed the ethical dilemmas and chaotic fallout of time travel in The Philadelphia Experiment, this list features similar stories. These films explore the dark side of temporal manipulation, emphasizing regret, unintended consequences, and a mixed sense of resolution.

confusingparanoidtragicregretconspiracybody horrorunraveling reality

Narrative Summary

The narrative revolves around a time travel event that has gone awry, causing immediate and escalating danger. Characters are forced to confront the grim repercussions of their actions—or the actions of others—often dealing with body horror, altered realities, and the heavy burden of trying to fix a broken timeline.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their use of time travel as a primary source of tension and tragedy. They share a mood of confusion and paranoia, a focus on the ethical cost of scientific ambition, and endings that are often bittersweet or mixed, acknowledging the permanent scars left by temporal meddling.

Unlock the Full Story of The Philadelphia Experiment

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

The Philadelphia Experiment Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Philadelphia Experiment, 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 Philadelphia Experiment Summary

The Philadelphia Experiment Timeline

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

The Philadelphia Experiment Timeline

The Philadelphia Experiment Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Philadelphia Experiment 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 Philadelphia Experiment Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Philadelphia Experiment

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

Similar Movies to The Philadelphia Experiment

Discover movies like The Philadelphia Experiment 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.