Tormented

Tormented

Year: 1960

Runtime: 75 mins

Language: English

Director: Bert I. Gordon

ThrillerHorrorHorror the undead and monster classicsTerrifying haunted and supernatural horrorCreepy chilling and terrifying horror

A ghost-woman owned him body and soul! A jazz pianist is haunted by his dead ex-lover’s crawling hand and floating head.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Tormented (1960)

Trace every key event in Tormented (1960) 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

Vi's arrival and threat before the wedding

Tom Stewart is about to marry Meg Hubbard when his ex-girlfriend Vi Mason arrives and threatens to end the relationship. Vi hints she will expose their past, using blackmail if necessary. The warning sets a dark, fatal mood over the island.

Before the wedding Cape Cod island
2

Lighthouse confrontation and fall

A heated argument between Tom and Vi takes place atop a lighthouse. The railing gives way and Vi drops, clinging briefly. Tom refuses to help and watches as she dies.

During the argument Lighthouse
3

Discovery of Vi's death

The next day Tom retrieves Vi's body from the water, only for it to dissolve into seaweed as it is brought ashore. The strange disappearance unsettles the community. Tom begins to feel the weight of guilt and suspicion.

The next day Sea near the island
4

Vi's haunting begins

In the days that follow, Vi's watch washes up on the beach and odd footprints appear in the sand. Vi's ghost materializes and vows to haunt Tom for killing her. The islanders sense that something otherworldly is at play.

Days after death Beach and shore
5

Ring theft by a disembodied hand

When Meg's sister Sandy asks to see the wedding ring, a disembodied hand makes off with it. The incident deepens the sense that the wedding is cursed. It also heightens Tom's fear that evidence of Vi's death could doom him.

Shortly after Wedding venue
6

Head in the wedding photo

During the wedding party, Vi's disembodied head appears in a photo taken by a guest. The uncanny image fuels speculation and fear among the guests and Tom. The haunting escalates from unseen threats to visible remnants.

During the party Wedding venue
7

Vi taunts Tom about exposure

Vi taunts Tom that she will tell the world how he killed her, using her voice to ruin his reputation. Tom becomes increasingly paranoid as the ghost's threat leaks into everyday life. The community's suspicion begins to turn against him.

After the party Island
8

Nick Lewis's arrival and blackmail

Nick Lewis, a beatnik ferryman, arrives demanding the five dollars Vi owed for her passage. Tom's quick payment keeps Nick in the loop and fuels ongoing blackmail. The mercurial creditor's presence adds a new thread of danger to Tom's situation.

Soon after Ferry dock / waterfront
9

Sandy witnesses a murder

Unbeknownst to Tom, Sandy has inadvertently witnessed Nick's murder while trying to protect Tom. She remains quiet, loyal to Tom despite the danger. The girl is the key witness who may expose the truth.

After Nick's murder On/near the docks
10

Wedding day interruption

On the wedding day, Sandy nearly speaks up when the minister asks if anyone has objections. The church doors burst open, flowers wilt, and candles die, halting the ceremony in a dramatic interruption. The disruption compounds Tom's panic and fear.

Wedding day Church
11

Tom's plan to leave; Sandy's knowledge

That night Tom returns to the lighthouse and tells Vi that he is leaving the island. He realizes Sandy may reveal what she knows, trapping him. The fear of exposure pushes him toward a drastic decision.

Night after interruption Lighthouse
12

The push: Vi's ghost causes Tom's fall

Tom attempts to push Sandy over the broken railing to silence her. Vi's ghost swoops in and causes him to go over the edge, while Sandy watches in horror. The act intertwines guilt, fear, and supernatural influence.

That same night Lighthouse
13

Search and discovery

The islanders search for Tom's body and instead find Vi's body; Tom's body is found later, placed beside hers. The strange tableau suggests a cursed union beyond death. The ring on Vi's hand hints at an impossible fate.

Following the fall Shore near lighthouse
14

Final tableau: Tom joined with Vi

Tom's body lies next to Vi's, with her arm across his and the wedding ring on her hand. The ghostly aftermath seals Tom's fate as forever bound to Vi. The wedding's memory becomes a haunting epitaph for the couple.

End of story Shore/Lighthouse area

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:02

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Tormented Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Tormented

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