The Plumber

The Plumber

Year: 1979

Runtime: 77 mins

Language: English

Director: Peter Weir

ThrillerTV MovieHorrorComedyHorror the undead and monster classics

The relentless, hard‑edged plumber arrives to fix the household waterworks, but his grating, macho attitude causes more damage than repair. He keeps coming back day after day, and his intrusive presence soon evolves into a genuine threat for the intellectual wife of an absent‑minded doctor.

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Timeline & Setting – The Plumber (1979)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Plumber (1979). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Cowper's flat, high-rise apartment building

The action centers on a modern high-rise flat where the Cowpers live and which becomes the prime site of menace. A single bathroom and a malfunctioning plumbing system draw Max's ominous presence closer to the couple. The building's lift and shared corridors heighten the sense of intrusion into a supposedly safe domestic space. The bathroom's chaos—scaffolding, pipes and fetid water—serves as a constant reminder of how close danger lurks.

🏢 High-rise apartment 🛁 Domestic space 🌆 Urban setting

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:19

Main Characters – The Plumber (1979)

Meet the key characters of The Plumber (1979), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jill Cowper (actress Judy Morris)

Jill is a master's student in anthropology who notices the creeping, erratic behavior of the building's plumber. She becomes the catalyst for the film's tension, driven by intuition and fear as Max's visits invade her private space. Her skepticism about Max clashes with her husband's trust in the situation.

🧠 Intelligent 🏠 Domestic 😨 Fearful 🔍 Observant

Brian Cowper (Robert Coleby)

Brian is a doctor/scientist who dismisses Jill's concerns and is preoccupied with a WHO interview about his work. His professional focus reinforces a conflict between rational explanation and domestic dread. He underestimates Max's threat until it reaches a breaking point.

👨‍⚕️ Doctor 💼 Professional 🤝 Trusting

Max (the plumber) (Ivar Kants)

Max appears affable and loquacious, but his obsession with the plumbing project escalates into a chilling threat. He manipulates situations, uses the home as a battleground, and his threats culminate in a violent confrontation as the truth about his actions comes to light.

🕵️ Mysterious 😈 Threatening 🏗️ Obsessive

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:19

Major Themes – The Plumber (1979)

Explore the central themes of The Plumber (1979), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👁️ Intrusion

Max's constant, unpredictable appearances turn the couple's home into a site of threat. His affable demeanor masks a need to dominate the couple's private space, escalating tension. The film uses close-quarters settings, especially the bathroom, to heighten fear of the unseen observer.

🤔 Trust and Doubt

Brian's focus on his work and dismissal of Jill's concerns contrast with Jill's growing suspicion of Max. The couple's bond weakens as suspicion fractures communication. The WHO visit adds pressure, making truth harder to discern amid conflicting narratives.

🏠 Domestic Horror

The home becomes a trap as Max turns mundane maintenance into a weapon of menace. The escalation—from routine plumbing to dangerous scaffolding—transforms a domestic space into a perilous arena. The climax exposes how the confidences of marriage can crumble under perceived betrayal and manipulation.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:19

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The Plumber Summary

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The Plumber Summary

The Plumber Timeline

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The Plumber Timeline

More About The Plumber

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