Year: 1975
Runtime: 90 mins
Language: English
Director: Freddie Francis
A former clergyman in 1920s England tries to keep his cannibalistic son locked in the attic.
Get a spoiler-free look at The Ghoul (1975) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In the bleak, rain‑slick countryside of 1920s England, a small band of friends sets out on an ambitious road trip toward the legendary point of Land’s End. The journey is as much a contest of wit and endurance as it is a leisurely escape from city life, and the open road is punctuated by the moody, mist‑filled landscape that seems to swallow the horizon. As fuel runs low and the group’s plans begin to crumble, the encroaching night adds a palpable sense of isolation, turning a simple adventure into something far more unsettling.
Amid the growing unease, Daphne Welles Hunter and her partner Billy become separated from the others after their car sputters to a halt. Seeking shelter, they stumble upon a remote Victorian mansion that looms like a relic of another era. Its owner, Dr. Lawrence, greets them with a quiet, measured courtesy that hints at both hospitality and hidden melancholy. Once a devoted clergyman, he now carries the weight of a past tangled with distant lands and uneasy faith, a history that subtly informs the house’s somber atmosphere.
Inside the manor, the pair meets the understated caretaker Tom Rawlings, whose steady demeanor masks the mansion’s deeper mysteries, and Ayah, a composed servant whose presence feels both loyal and enigmatic. The home is steeped in the lingering echo of Dr. Lawrence’s former life, and an unseen tension hangs over the attic—a place where the reverend’s secret is kept, a shadow that suggests a son whose existence has been cloaked in silence. The house itself becomes a character, its creaking corridors and dimly lit rooms reflecting the inner turmoil of those who reside within.
The film weaves a gothic tapestry of dread and restraint, balancing period detail with a lingering, oppressive mood. As the storm outside intensifies, the strangers are drawn into a fragile alliance, each grappling with their own doubts while the mansion’s quiet secrets whisper just beyond the light. The blend of historical melancholy, uneasy hospitality, and the promise of hidden darkness invites viewers to wonder what lies concealed behind closed doors, and whether curiosity will prove as perilous as the night itself.
Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 18:15
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.
Stories where a dark family truth is harbored within a suffocating home.If you liked The Ghoul's intense atmosphere of a dark secret festering in an isolated mansion, you'll find similar stories here. These movies focus on family curses, hidden monstrosities, and the psychological toll of confinement, delivering a potent mix of dread and domestic tragedy.
The narrative pattern follows characters, often family members or visitors, discovering a horrifying secret that a patriarch or matriarch has desperately tried to contain. The house itself becomes a character, a prison for the secret and those who uncover it, with tension escalating as containment fails, culminating in a violent and bleak revelation.
Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on domestic settings turned sinister by a hidden truth. They share a heavy, oppressive mood, a steady pacing that builds dread, and a consistent tone of dark, tragic horror centered on familial duty, guilt, and the consequences of keeping terrible secrets.
Paternal or maternal figures doomed by a supernatural burden they cannot escape.Explore more movies like The Ghoul that blend supernatural curses with deep human tragedy. These films feature characters grappling with an inescapable supernatural fate, leading to stories heavy with grief, guilt, and a palpable sense of doomed inevitability.
The narrative follows a central figure, often a parent, who is burdened with containing or managing a supernatural entity linked to their family. The story unfolds with a steady, grim inevitability as their efforts to control the situation fail, exploring themes of sacrifice, inherited sin, and the destructive nature of the curse on everyone it touches, leading to a catastrophic and sad conclusion.
These films are united by their fusion of supernatural horror with profound human tragedy. They share a bleak tone, heavy emotional weight, and a focus on the psychological torment of characters doomed by a curse. The pacing is often steady, allowing the tragic dimensions of the story to build alongside the horror.
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Ghoul 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 Ghoul is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of The Ghoul, 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.
Track the full timeline of The Ghoul with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Ghoul. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Ghoul: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.