The Shadow Over Innsmouth

The Shadow Over Innsmouth

Year: 1992

Runtime: 58 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Atsushi Nasuda

HorrorTV Movie

An one hour made for TV special. Set in modern Japan, a journalist goes Insumasu to investigate people with deformation.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Shadow Over Innsmouth (1992)

Trace every key event in The Shadow Over Innsmouth (1992) 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

Initial curiosity about Innsmouth

The narrator begins his investigation by gathering local history and rumors in Newburyport while waiting for a bus to Innsmouth. He learns about the town’s decline after the War of 1812 and the founding of a pagan cult by Obed Marsh, which turns out to be central to the town's dark past. The townsfolk's hostility towards outsiders signals a deep-seated suspicion and secrecy.

Before July 16, 1927 Newburyport
2

Journey to Innsmouth

The narrator travels by rickety bus from Newburyport to Innsmouth, which is depicted as a mostly deserted, dilapidated fishing town. The residents have distinctive shambling gait, narrow heads, flat noses, and stare with bulgy eyes. The town exudes an overwhelming fishy odor, adding to the sense of unease during his exploration.

Day of arrival Innsmouth
3

Encounter with the grocery clerk

The narrator meets a seemingly normal grocery clerk from Arkham, who provides him with a map and introduces him to Zadok Allen, an elderly local. Zadok is willing to talk after being plied with alcohol, offering crucial insights into the town’s history and secrets.

During exploration Innsmouth
4

Zadok Allen's revelations

Zadok recounts the history of Innsmouth, including Obed Marsh’s discovery of a tribe in Pohnpei that worships the Deep Ones, fish-like humanoids. He explains how Marsh and the town’s residents made sacrifices to these creatures in exchange for wealth, and how the Deep Ones retaliated by attacking and decimating the town.

During conversation with Zadok Innsmouth
5

The disturbing town and residents

The narrator observes the residents’ strange appearance and behavior, noting their odd gait and fish-like features that suggest degeneracy. The town’s architecture and the odor of decayed fish heighten the unsettling atmosphere of Innsmouth as he continues his investigation.

While exploring Innsmouth
6

The revelation of the Deep Ones' plans

Zadok explains that the Deep Ones and their hybrids, including Barnabas Marsh, have plans to invade the surface world. They have been using the ritual breeding with humans, and their underwater city Y'ha-nthlei under Devil Reef, to prepare for future conquests involving creatures like shoggoths.

During Zadok’s story Innsmouth, underwater city Y'ha-nthlei
7

Urgent warning and escape

As strange waves approach, Zadok warns the narrator that their presence has been detected, urging him to leave immediately. The narrator, dismissing the danger, prepares to depart but is warned that he is being watched and needs to escape the town’s search parties.

While leaving town Innsmouth dock
8

Night of pursuit and horror

The narrator spends a terrifying night in a hotel after engine trouble grounds the bus. He hears noises at his door, escapes through the window, and during his frantic escape, encounters Deep Ones on the road. He faints upon seeing their grotesque fish-like features but wakes up safely the next day.

Night Innsmouth streets
9

Return to Arkham and family revelations

Back in Arkham, the narrator learns that he is related to Obed Marsh, through his grandmother, inheriting a connection to the cult. His family history links him to the Deep Ones and their lineage, which begins to manifest in his physical and mental changes.

Shortly after leaving Innsmouth, post-1927 Arkham
10

Gradual transformation and dreams

By 1930, the narrator starts exhibiting signs of transformation into a Deep One, including odd speech and dreams of Y’ha-nthlei. His mental state begins deteriorating as he becomes increasingly immersed in his ancestral heritage and the impending doom from the Deep Ones.

1930 Toledo, Ohio
11

Full transformation and despair

The narrator concludes that he has fully acquired the 'Innsmouth look' and suffers a mental breakdown. Despite considering suicide, he instead embraces his fate and plans to rescue his further transformed cousin, Lawrence, and bring him to live with the Deep Ones in Y’ha-nthlei.

Post-1930 Toledo, Ohio

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:13

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Shadow Over Innsmouth

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