The Locket

The Locket

Year: 1946

Runtime: 85 mins

Language: English

Director: John Brahm

CrimeThrillerDrama

A young woman harbors a dark, mysterious secret that compels her to manipulate and betray the men she meets. Driven by an insatiable hunger rather than love or profit, she lies, cheats and steals, ultimately ruining the lives of three men as the baffling secret is revealed.

The Locket (1946) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The Locket (1946) 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 polished world of Manhattan’s Upper East Side, society glitters with the kind of elegance that hides restless undercurrents. A lavish Park Avenue wedding frames the story, its grand chandeliers and immaculate suits setting a tone of polished façades while an undercurrent of unease simmers, suggesting that beneath the surface of wealth and ceremony something more unsettling lingers.

At the heart of that tension is Nancy, a strikingly beautiful young woman whose charm masks a darker, unspoken hunger. From childhood she has carried a secret so compelling that it drives her to manipulate the men she meets, turning affection and ambition into fleeting tools rather than genuine connection. Her behavior is less about love or profit and more about satisfying an insatiable need that she cannot fully name, leaving a trail of bewildered hearts and broken expectations in her wake.

Observing and attempting to untangle these complexities is Dr. Harry Blair, a composed psychiatrist whose presence at the celebration feels oddly out of place amid the glittering crowd. His measured demeanor and professional curiosity make him both a confidant and a reluctant participant in the unfolding drama. Through his eyes, the audience catches glimpses of the fragile veneer that shields Nancy’s inner world, and the subtle ways her secret influences each interaction.

Alongside them stands John Willis, the earnest groom whose life is about to intersect with Nancy’s enigmatic past, and Norman Clyde, an artist whose own perspective hints at the broader ripple effects of her actions. As the ceremony approaches, the atmosphere tightens, hinting at a collision between polished propriety and the concealed desperation that drives Nancy. The film promises a moody, psychological portrait of desire and denial, inviting viewers to wonder how far a hidden compulsion can stray before it reshapes the lives tangled around it.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 09:52

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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.

Unreliable Narrator Psychological Thrillers like The Locket

Stories where the truth is distorted by a deceptive point of view.If you liked the complex, deceptive storytelling in The Locket, explore other movies that use an unreliable narrator. These films often feature psychological manipulation, nested flashbacks, and a tense atmosphere where the viewer must actively piece together the puzzle.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread often employ non-linear structures, flashbacks, or subjective perspectives that deliberately mislead the audience. The central mystery isn't just about an event, but about the narrator's psyche, leading to a climax that re-contextualizes everything that came before.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared reliance on a deceptive narrative voice, creating a high level of psychological suspense and complexity. They prioritize the unraveling of a character's mind over a straightforward plot.

Bleak Psychological Tragedies of Destruction like The Locket

Emotionally heavy stories of characters consumed by their own pathologies.For viewers who appreciated the heavy emotional weight and bleak ending of The Locket, this thread collects movies about psychological manipulation, trauma, and the tragic downfall of characters driven by destructive compulsions.

tragicmelancholicoppressiveheavybleakpsychological decayemotional devastationdownward spiral

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a downward spiral, charting the devastating consequences of a character's psychological flaws—be it manipulation, obsession, or trauma. There is no redemption; the arc is one of inevitable collapse, leaving a trail of emotional ruin.

Why These Movies?

These films share a dark tone, heavy emotional weight, and a bleak, tragic resolution. They focus on the destructive power of the human psyche and offer a deeply unsettling, melancholic viewing experience with no easy answers.

Unlock the Full Story of The Locket

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

The Locket Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Locket, 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 Locket Summary

The Locket Timeline

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

The Locket Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Locket

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Locket. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Locket

More About The Locket

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Locket: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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