The Premonition

The Premonition

Year: 1976

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Allen Schnitzer

ThrillerHorror

A chilling blend of terror and suspense follows a deranged woman and her carnival‑working boyfriend as they scheme to kidnap her biological daughter from the child's foster parents. Meanwhile, the foster mother is tormented by vivid premonitions and psychic visions that forewarn danger, heightening the film’s relentless tension.

The Premonition (1976) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The Premonition (1976) 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.

The quiet streets of a modest town are suddenly charged with an unsettling energy when Andrea Fletcher, a former concert pianist whose life has unraveled into madness, reappears after years of absence. Driven by an all‑consuming need to reclaim the child she once gave up, Andrea enlists the help of her volatile boyfriend, Jude, a charismatic circus performer whose own shadowy world of carnival lights and noise mirrors her inner turmoil. Their pursuit weaves together the ordinary and the uncanny, setting a tone that balances eerie anticipation with the raw edge of obsession.

Living far from that darkness, Sheri Bennett raises her foster daughter in a home that feels both ordinary and fragile. Her husband, Miles, an astrophysics professor, offers a rational counterpoint, filling their days with scholarly curiosity and a quiet, domestic rhythm. Yet the arrival of Andrea’s presence shatters the calm, pulling Sheri into a vortex of doubt and unease that feels as though the very walls of their home are listening for something missing.

Complicating the mix is a growing series of premonitions that invade Sheri’s nights, vivid visions that seem to whisper warnings just out of reach. Seeking answers, Miles turns to Dr. Jeena Kingsly, a specialist in parapsychology whose research blurs the line between science and the supernatural. Meanwhile, Detective Lt. Mark Denver begins to trace the threads that connect the disparate lives, his inquiries hinting at deeper mysteries hidden beneath the town’s surface. The convergence of these characters creates a taut atmosphere where every glance, sound, and fleeting thought could be a clue.

The film breathes a chilling blend of terror and suspense, its world defined by the stark contrast between the bright, moving spectacle of the carnival and the solemn, dim corners of a family’s home. Music, memory, and the lingering echo of an unseen past pulse through every scene, inviting the audience to feel the weight of unseen forces drawing everyone toward an inevitable, unresolved encounter.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 18:09

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

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.

Movies with psychic premonitions like The Premonition

Stories where characters are haunted by psychic visions of impending danger.If you liked the psychic tension in The Premonition, you'll find similar stories here. These movies feature characters tormented by visions of future danger, creating a unique blend of supernatural thriller and psychological horror where the race is on to change a foreseen destiny.

psychicominousanxiousparanoideeriesuspensefulhauntingunraveling

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically follow a protagonist who experiences vivid, often disturbing premonitions of a future crime or disaster. The plot revolves around their desperate, and often isolating, attempt to interpret these visions and prevent the tragic outcome, facing skepticism and disbelief from those around them.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on the core use of psychic foresight as the primary driver of suspense. They share a TENSE tone and HEAVY emotional weight, focusing on the psychological toll of knowing the future and the relentless anxiety of a ticking clock.

Family in peril thrillers similar to The Premonition

Desperate parents fighting to protect their children from a hidden evil.Fans of The Premonition's high-stakes story of a mother protecting her child will enjoy these movies. They feature ordinary families thrust into nightmares, dealing with kidnapping, obsession, and psychological torment, all driven by a steady, suspenseful pace.

suspensefuldisturbingclaustrophobicdesperateparanoidanxiousfamily dramaobsession

Narrative Summary

These narratives often begin with an idyllic family life shattered by an external, obsessive threat. The plot follows the parents' descent into a world of paranoia and danger as they use every resource to safeguard their child, leading to a climactic confrontation that leaves lasting emotional scars.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by the core theme of familial protection under extreme duress. They share a HIGH intensity, a STEADY pacing that builds dread, and a HEAVY emotional weight stemming from the vulnerability of children and the extreme measures taken to save them.

Unlock the Full Story of The Premonition

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

The Premonition Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Premonition, 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 Premonition Summary

The Premonition Timeline

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

The Premonition Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Premonition

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Premonition

More About The Premonition

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

More About The Premonition

Similar Movies to The Premonition

Discover movies like The Premonition that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.