Time Walker

Time Walker

Year: 1982

Runtime: 83 mins

Language: English

Director: Tom Kennedy

HorrorScience FictionHorror the undead and monster classicsSci-fi horror creatures and aliensGory gruesome and slasher horror

Centuries after being sealed in Tutankhamun’s tomb, the ancient mummy Ankh‑Vanharis is shipped by Professor Douglas McCadden to the California Institute of Sciences. X‑ray scanning reveals five diamond‑like crystals, which technician Peter Sharpe steals, unintentionally reviving a green fungus. When the coffin is opened at a university press conference, the mummy disappears, signalling the Time Walker's return.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Time Walker (1982)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Time Walker (1982). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Modern day

The events take place in contemporary times on a university campus and in Egypt’s ancient tomb. Scientific research, media intrusion, and unexpected danger drive the plot forward in a present-day setting. The narrative moves briskly from discovery to public scrutiny to a hazardous confrontation, maintaining a real-world temporal frame.

Location

California University of the Sciences, Tutankhamun's tomb, Egypt, Campus boiler room

The discovery unfolds on the California University of the Sciences campus, where a mummy in Tutankhamun's tomb is brought for study. The tomb itself serves as a gateway to an alien life form, intertwining ancient mystery with modern science. Key action shifts between the campus laboratories, a high-profile press conference, and a climactic showdown in a campus boiler room.

🗺️ Mystery 👽 Sci‑Fi 🏺 Egyptology 🔬 Science

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:41

Main Characters – Time Walker (1982)

Meet the key characters of Time Walker (1982), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dr. Ken Melrose — Austin Stoker

A California University of the Sciences professor who leads the examination of the mummy and drives the initial scientific investigation. He translates hieroglyphic clues and tries to separate fact from sensationalism, though he becomes entangled in campus politics and danger as events unfold.

🧪 Scientist 🧭 Investigator 🧬 Curious

Prof. Douglas McCadden — Ben Murphy

A key scientist who discovers the mummy and pushes to decode its origins. He serves as a rational, research-focused figure who links the alien threat to a broader mystery, risking conflict with administrators to pursue knowledge.

🧪 Scientist 🧭 Scholar

Prof. Wendell J. Rossmore — James Karen

University president with political instincts who tries to weaponize the investigation to install a favored director. He prioritizes institutional power and public relations over collaborative science.

🏛️ Authority 💼 Power

Peter Sharpe — Kevin Brophy

A student who steals crystals from the examination, sells them, and unintentionally accelerates the alien’s reawakening. He serves as a catalyst for the crisis, driven by curiosity and opportunism.

🧭 Thief 🧪 Student

Lt. Plummer — Darwin Joston

The campus investigator who initially treats the attacks as a possible serial killer case. He pursues leads with determination, gradually unraveling a larger extraterrestrial threat.

🕵️ Investigator 🧭 Detective

Dr. Hayworth — Antoinette Bower

A fellow scientist who works with the team to identify and address the fungus threat. She balances skepticism with scientific urgency as the situation worsens.

🧪 Scientist 🧭 Researcher

Dr. Bruce Serrano — Sam Chew Jr

A professor who is positioned as the president’s preferred successor, highlighting campus politics and the competition for leadership within the department.

🏛️ Academic 🧠 Power

Linda Flores — Shari Belafonte

A student who becomes entangled in the crisis as the alien fungus threatens the campus community. Her involvement underscores the human stakes of the discovery.

👧 Student 🛡️ Resilience

Susie Fuller — Nina Axelrod

A student connected to the scientific work who witnesses the unfolding events and its consequences on campus life.

👩 Student 🧭 Observer

Jennie — Melissa Prophet

Another student who interacts with the mystery surrounding the crystals and the alien life form, highlighting the wider impact on the student body.

👧 Student 🧩 Participant

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:41

Major Themes – Time Walker (1982)

Explore the central themes of Time Walker (1982), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧪 Science Ethics

Time Walker examines how scientific curiosity can be entangled with political maneuvering and risk. The awakening of the alien fungus shows that knowledge can be weaponized or mishandled if power-hungry individuals intervene. Researchers face pressure to protect reputation and funding while ensuring public safety. The plot uses laboratory discovery to probe responsibility in science.

👽 Alien Life

An otherworldly being lies dormant until revived by human actions, challenging assumptions about biology and safety. The crystals become a critical element for interstellar travel, elevating the stakes of possession and control. The pursuit of the alien generates suspense as characters confront the unknown. The encounter questions humanity’s place in the cosmos and ethics of first contact.

💰 Greed & Power

University politics drive manipulation of investigations and leadership appointments. The president seeks to frame the discovery to advance his own ally, revealing how ambition corrupts judgment. A student’s theft of crystals accelerates danger and cover-ups, highlighting how greed can trigger catastrophic outcomes. The finale leaves a cautionary note about how power interests can overshadow truth.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:41

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Time Walker Summary

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Time Walker Summary

Time Walker Timeline

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Time Walker Timeline

More About Time Walker

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