The Child

The Child

Year: 1977

Runtime: 82 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Voskanian

MysteryHorrorHorror the undead and monster classicsGory gruesome and slasher horrorGothic and eerie haunting horror

Set in early‑20th‑century California, young Alicianne accepts a position as nanny to the recently orphaned Rosalie Nordon. En route to the remote Nordon estate, a neighbor cautions her about the family’s dark reputation. At the house she encounters the grim, reclusive Mr. Nordon, his socially‑awkward son Len, and the aloof Rosalie, a girl whose anger seems to give her the unsettling ability to animate objects around her.

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Timeline & Setting – The Child (1977)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Child (1977). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 20th century

The events unfold in a rural, pre-digital era of the early 1900s, when a tight-knit community and old superstitions shape behavior. Halloween night is a focal point, blending everyday life with occult dread. The setting evokes a period where isolation and superstition drive the plot.

Location

Nordon estate, rural California, abandoned cemetery, surrounding woods, nearby abandoned factory

The Nordon estate sits in a remote stretch of rural California and anchors the story. The surrounding woods conceal an abandoned cemetery where murders and the ritual of Rosalie's 'friends' originate. An abandoned factory later becomes a refuge where Alicianne and Len confront the growing danger.

🏞️ Rural California setting 🕯️ Haunted atmosphere 🏚️ Dilapidated estate

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:59

Main Characters – The Child (1977)

Meet the key characters of The Child (1977), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Alicianne Del Mar

Alicianne arrives to take a nanny job at the Nordon estate, confident she can navigate the region due to local familiarity. Her initial practicality is tested as she encounters mutilated signs, a mysterious cemetery, and a house full of secrets. She demonstrates resourcefulness and a growing resolve as she confronts the supernatural threat, ultimately left dazed by the events.

🧭 Adventurous 👩 Nanny 🛡️ Resourceful

Rosalie Nordon

Rosalie is a telekinetic young woman who taunts others and commands the cemetery’s undead “friends.” Her defiance and isolation drive the horror as she wields her power to manipulate danger and hurt others. Her arc culminates in a fatal confrontation with Alicianne.

🧠 Telekinetic 👧 Manipulative 🌫️ Defiant

Len Nordon

Len is the Nordon family member who confides in Alicianne about past murders and the danger surrounding them. He combines warmth with a wary sense of duty toward his sister and father. He becomes a victim of Rosalie’s forces during the night of terror.

🧭 Loyal 🧠 Courageous 🪦 Victim

Mrs. Whitfield

Mrs. Whitfield is the elderly neighbor who pesters the Nordons with her nosy inquiries. She is attacked by an unseen presence and murdered, underscoring the malevolent reach beyond the main family. Her death heightens the sense that danger is pervasive.

👵 Elderly 🕵️ Nosy 🕯️ Vulnerable

Mr. Nordon

Mr. Nordon is a widower who lives in the large estate with his son and daughter. He is skeptical of outsiders and protective of his family, though his authority is challenged by Rosalie’s behavior. His responses hint at the underlying family tension and hidden history.

🧔 Patriarch 🗝️ Enigmatic 🛡️ Protective

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:59

Major Themes – The Child (1977)

Explore the central themes of The Child (1977), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕯️ Supernatural

Alicianne's world is overwhelmed by unexplainable phenomena—a telekinetic girl, a cemetery of undead 'friends', and ghostly sightings. The film leans on ritualistic horror and unseen forces to create dread that sits just beyond explanation. The supernatural elements reveal how power can distort family bonds and ordinary life.

🗝️ Secrets

The Nordon family harbors dark histories: a murdered woman, a missing mother, and a sister with dangerous abilities. Len's warnings and Rosalie's actions hint at hidden motives and past traumas that drive the present violence. The revelation of these secrets reframes what the characters fear and who they can trust.

👀 Paranoia

Mistrust grows as unseen assailants strike and the townsfolk remain silent. Alicianne and Len fear for their safety while the community's gaze becomes accusatory, suggesting everyone could be an ally or a threat. The feeling of being watched amplifies the horror as the boundary between ally and foe blurs.

⚔️ Violence

The film depicts brutal acts: an eye is ripped out, mutilated corpses, and zombies invading spaces. These scenes emphasize raw survival and the fragility of the characters, forcing them to improvise defenses in a collapsing world. Violence serves as a catalyst for transformation and a test of resolve.

🌙 Atmosphere

Halloween night, dim lamps, and the nocturnal woods create a thick, eerie mood. The setting blends rural quaintness with Gothic dread, producing a persistent sense of unease. The atmosphere drives tension as mundane spaces become sites of danger.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:59

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The Child Summary

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The Child Summary

The Child Timeline

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The Child Timeline

More About The Child

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The Child (1977) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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The Child (1977) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow