The Uninvited

The Uninvited

Year: 1944

Runtime: 99 mins

Language: English

Director: Lewis Allen

HorrorMysteryRomanceFantasyHorror the undead and monster classics

A brother and his sister settle in a long‑abandoned seaside manor on the Cornwellian coast. As they adjust to the isolated home, they learn it is haunted by the spirit of a woman—the mother of their neighbor’s granddaughter. The brother becomes enamored with the granddaughter, intertwining a supernatural romance with the house’s eerie past.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Uninvited yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – The Uninvited (1944)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Uninvited (1944). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1937

The story unfolds during a seaside holiday in 1937 along the Cornwall coast. This interwar period framing gives the haunting a mood of superstition clashing with rational inquiry. The year grounds the characters in a slower, coastal town rhythm where old secrets have time to resurface. The date anchors the film's atmosphere as events unfold around Windward House and its tragic history.

Location

Windward House, Cornwall coast, Biddlecombe

Windward House sits abandoned on the rugged coast of Cornwall, drawing the Fitzgeralds to a seaside residence with a mysterious past. The nearby town of Biddlecombe anchors the story in a small, close-knit community where locals know the house’s history. The house itself contains an artist’s studio and creaking stairs that provoke an uncanny chill, signaling that the past is not finished with Windward. The setting emphasizes isolation and atmosphere, key to the film’s supernatural tension.

🌊 Cornwall coast 🏚️ Haunted house 🗺️ Windward House 🧭 Town of Biddlecombe

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:30

Main Characters – The Uninvited (1944)

Meet the key characters of The Uninvited (1944), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Roderick Fitzgerald (Ray Milland)

A London music critic and aspiring composer who, along with his sister Pamela, purchases Windward House during a Cornwall holiday. He is drawn to Stella and becomes increasingly invested in the house’s mystery, balancing charm with a growing resolve to uncover the truth. Rick’s skepticism about the supernatural gradually gives way to proactive courage as danger emerges. He drives the investigation and the plan to protect Stella from the past.

🎭 Charismatic 🧠 Analytical 💘 Impulsive

Pamela Fitzgerald (Ruth Hussey)

Rick’s sister and Windward House co-owner who shares the initial enchantment with the property. She stands by Rick as the mystery deepens, remaining supportive and practical while engaging in the search for answers. Pamela’s loyalty helps keep the investigation grounded, even as supernatural hints intensify. She remains a steady, thoughtful presence throughout the unfolding events.

🎭 Loyal 🧭 Open-minded 💫 Supportive

Stella Meredith (Gail Russell)

Beech’s granddaughter who is deeply attached to Windward House and its memories of her mother. She exhibits a calm, intuitive connection to the house but is susceptible to possession by the spirit guarding the past. Stella’s arc moves from attachment to fear to acceptance as the truth about her mother and Carmel comes to light. Her resilience becomes central to resolving the haunting.

🎭 Mysterious 💔 Torn 🌬️ Spirit-connected

Commander Beech (Donald Crisp)

The stern owner of Windward House who forbids Stella from seeing Rick. His control over Stella’s movements creates tension and fuels the sense that the past must be contained. Beech’s illness and final heart attack in the studio tether the supernatural events to his fate, underscoring how the living legacy of the house is intertwined with its ghosts. His insistence on propriety masks a deeper concern for Stella’s safety.

💼 Authority 🧭 Protective ⚡ Tense

Dr. Scott (Alan Napier)

The town physician who becomes a key investigator of the haunting. He sifts through historical records to connect the present phenomena with the past. Dr. Scott’s medical and analytical mindset helps ground the investigation, while his patient care keeps the group focused on Stella’s wellbeing. He ultimately aids in interpreting the family history that explains the possession and the ghostly disturbances.

🩺 Medical 🧠 Scholarly 🛟 Helpful

Lizzie Flynn (Barbara Everest)

The Fitzgeralds’ Irish housekeeper, deeply superstitious and observant. She senses the supernatural presence through drafts and unusual signs, and her animal companions react to the house’s energy. Lizzie’s pragmatism and local wisdom provide a wary counterpoint to the more romantic notions of Windward. Her caution helps alert the others to the seriousness of the danger.

🇮🇪 Loyal 🐈 Superstitious 🧭 Cautious

Miss Holloway (Cornelia Otis Skinner)

Miss Holloway runs the sanatorium and is connected to Mary’s confidante role. She offers crucial insights into the backstory, including Carmel’s past and Mary's actions, though she also embodies the era's caution about scandal. Holloway’s involvement provides a bridge between the living and the spirits while guiding Stella’s return to Windward House. Her recollections help piece together the truth that frees the spirits.

🗂️ Investigator ⚖️ Secrecy 🌫️ Mysterious

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:30

Major Themes – The Uninvited (1944)

Explore the central themes of The Uninvited (1944), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👻 Haunting

Windward House exerts a spectral influence that unsettles the living while exposing hidden truths. The unseen sobs and the eerie studio doorways signal a past that refuses to stay buried. The spirit presence initially unsettles but ultimately guides the characters toward confronting the history of Carmel and Mary. The haunting serves as a catalyst for revelation and closure, even as fear lingers.

🗝️ Secrets

The plot unravels a layered past: a painter's affair, a child born out of wedlock, and a mother who died on a cliff. The characters piece together documents and memories to uncover Carmel's true role in Stella's birth and Mary's death. Miss Holloway's memories and the physician's notes converge to reveal how past decisions shaped the present. The final revelation frees the spirits and reframes the house's history as a cautionary tale about concealed truths.

🛡️ Courage

Rick, Pamela, and Dr. Scott confront danger to protect Stella and confront the specters that haunt Windward. Their willingness to dig through family secrets and face the supernatural demonstrates collective bravery over individual fear. The rescue from the cliff and the subsequent unearthing of evidence require steady nerve and teamwork. Courage here blends rational inquiry with supernatural aid to secure a safer future for Stella.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:30

Unlock the Full Story of The Uninvited

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

The Uninvited Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Uninvited, 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 Uninvited Summary

The Uninvited Timeline

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

The Uninvited Timeline

More About The Uninvited

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Uninvited: 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 Uninvited