The Werewolf

The Werewolf

Year: 1956

Runtime: 79 mins

Language: English

HorrorScience FictionHorror the undead and monster classicsChilling experiments and classic monster horrorCreepy chilling and terrifying horror

The arrival of a disheveled stranger in a quiet mountain town sparks brutal killings blamed on a mysterious animal. The town doctor and his daughter try to help him while the sheriff investigates, uncovering a secret experiment by two rogue scientists involving a car‑accident victim, his family and a serum that turns a man into a ravenous werewolf.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Werewolf 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!

The Werewolf (1956) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The Werewolf (1956), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

On a cold winter night in the rural town of Mountaincrest, a disheveled man in a suit wanders down the main street and slips into a bar, insisting he has no idea who he is or where he came from. In the tense hush that follows, the local troublemaker, Joe Mitchell, demands money as the man exits. A struggle spills into an alley, and Ma Everett [Jean Harvey] glimpses four legs on the sidewalk and hears a savage snarl in the darkness; a figure surges from the shadows and disappears into the night.

Sheriff Jack Haines [Don Megowan] soon has Joe’s body brought to Dr. Jonas Gilcrist [Ken Christy] and nurse Amy Standish [Joyce Holden]. Gilcrist notes the wounds look animal in origin, yet Ma Everett’s horror story of “a thing” rather than a beast lingers in his mind. A posse is formed in response, determined to find the creature prowling Mountaincrest.

Deputy Ben Clovey [Harry Lauter] is attacked by the thing, and he describes it in halting, breathy detail: perhaps hands covered with hair, or paws like a wolf, but not entirely wolf. Jack declares a werewolf has claimed another victim, and Gilcrist and Amy walk the line of belief with him.

The disheveled man returns to Gilcrist’s office, unable to recall anything after a car accident. He confesses that he killed Joe, then flees when Amy tries to administer a sedative, crying out, “Those other doctors did something to me!” > Those other doctors did something to me!

Across town, Dr. Morgan Chambers [George Lynn] and Dr. Emery Forrest [S. John Launer] reveal their startling experiment: they injected the man with an experimental “irradiated wolf serum,” a prototype they hope will one day let a small, preselected group survive a looming nuclear holocaust, with lycanthropy as an unfortunate side effect. The man’s wife, Helen Marsh, and their young son Chris Marsh arrive and identify him as Duncan Marsh. The doctors, fearing blame, press toward Mountaincrest with a chilling plan—to kill Duncan before he can transform again.

In a mineshaft, Forrest corner’s Duncan, who pleads for mercy before he inevitably changes. The monstrous shift comes quickly: he becomes a werewolf and attacks Forrest, only to be driven back by shots from Chambers.

Amy urges Jack to bring Duncan in alive, and the group—Helen and Chris, along with Ben—set out to help. Helen calls Duncan through a megaphone, and in his human form he approaches, tearfully embracing his wife and son. Yet he begs Amy to take them away, fearing another turn could cost them everything they hold dear.

Duncan is placed in a jail cell, while Chambers and Forrest push their dangerous plan forward, attempting another injection. The werewolf materializes again, killing the two doctors and vanishing into the forest night.

The chase culminates on a bridge, where the werewolf is shot dead by the waiting posse. As the life drains from the creature, the beast reverts to Duncan’s human form, leaving the town to reckon with the hidden costs of science, fear, and a night that revealed a brutal truth about what humanity might unleash.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:18

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.

Unlock the Full Story of The Werewolf

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

The Werewolf Timeline

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

The Werewolf Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Werewolf

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

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Werewolf

More About The Werewolf

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