Torment

Torment

Year: 1986

Runtime: 85 mins

Language: English

Directors: John Hopkins, Samson Aslanian

HorrorCrimeThrillerMystery

A detective sets out to capture a psycho who kills women, but the psycho turns the tables and goes after the detective’s girlfriend.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Torment 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 – Torment (1986)

Trace every key event in Torment (1986) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Bob's arrival and first killings

Bob arrives in San Francisco and begins a brutal killing spree. He meets Diane at a bar, but after she rejects him he follows her to her home and shoots Diane and her boyfriend Barry. This first murder marks the killer's pattern and sets the stakes for the investigation.

San Francisco (Diane's bar and home)
2

Second victim found in the Bay

A short time later, a second victim's body is found floating in the San Francisco Bay, signaling a serial-killer pattern. Detectives begin linking the murders as part of the same spree. The case draws the attention of Detective Michael Courtland.

San Francisco Bay
3

Investigation begins; wedding postponed

Detective Michael Courtland opens a formal investigation into the killings and searches for a unifying culprit. He becomes deeply absorbed in the case and postpones his wedding to Jennifer by two weeks to stay focused. The pursuit intensifies as more clues emerge.

San Francisco (police investigation)
4

Jennifer moves in with Mrs. Courtland

Jennifer is invited to stay with Mrs. Courtland at their mansion outside the city during the interim before the wedding. She starts to get to know her future mother-in-law and adjusts to life at the large residence. The arrangement sets the stage for the looming danger.

interim (two weeks before the wedding) Mrs. Courtland's mansion, outside San Francisco
5

Bob begins casing the mansion

Unknown to them, Bob has been casing the home, studying its routines and security. He notes entry points and how the household operates at night. The surveillance creates the conditions for a planned intrusion.

Mrs. Courtland's mansion
6

Bob breaks in and watches Jennifer

On Jennifer's first night there, Bob breaks in and watches her sleep. His quiet intrusion foreshadows the danger that will follow. Jennifer remains unaware of the intruder in her midst.

first night Mrs. Courtland's mansion, Jennifer's room
7

Mrs. Courtland fights back

The intruder attacks Mrs. Courtland, but she defends herself by slashing his wrist with a butcher knife and forcing him to drop his pistol. She barricades herself in the study and fires at him to keep him at bay. The tense standoff demonstrates her resourcefulness under pressure.

Mansion, study
8

Bob reveals himself as Jennifer's father

Jennifer returns home to find Bob at the front door, who turns out to be her father. He claims he has come for the wedding, while Mrs. Courtland argues that he was the intruder. Bob tries to downplay the danger and insists he is not the threat.

Mansion, entryway
9

The killer's identity and manipulation

Bob lays out a series of photographs of his victims and shows a forensic sketch of himself. He identifies himself as the killer Michael is chasing and pleads with Jennifer to help him evade authorities. Jennifer grows wary as the truth begins to surface.

Mansion, dining room
10

Abduction attempt and blackout

Bob attempts to abduct Jennifer, forcing her to come with him. Mrs. Courtland shoots him in the shoulder with a shotgun, and Bob disables the mansion's electricity, leaving the house in darkness. The power outage complicates the struggle and traps them inside.

Mansion
11

Officer Bogartis killed outside

Bogartis, a local officer, is summoned to the home and is hacked to death by Bob with an axe during the chaos. The murder raises the stakes and brings police closer to the truth. The assault pushes Jennifer and Mrs. Courtland toward a desperate plan.

Mansion grounds / outside
12

Final confrontation and Bob's death

In an upstairs confrontation, Jennifer and Mrs. Courtland work together to resist Bob's assault. As police arrive, they fatally shoot Bob just before he can harm them further. The killer's rampage ends with the arrival of law enforcement.

police arrival Mansion, upstairs

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:27

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Torment Summary

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Torment Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Torment

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