Trapped Alive

Trapped Alive

Year: 1988

Runtime: 92 mins

Language: English

Director: Leszek Burzynski

DramaHorror

When a sheriff’s deputy, several escaped prisoners, and two young girls become trapped in a dark mine shaft, they realize they are not alone. A cannibalistic mutant lurks in the shadows, hunting them as food. With fear mounting, the unlikely group must battle the creature and the unforgiving underground to survive.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Trapped Alive (1988)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Trapped Alive (1988). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present day

The events unfold on Christmas Eve night in a contemporary setting, with a wintry environment isolating the characters. The story shifts from a family party to claustrophobic tunnels and a perilous rescue, reflecting modern law enforcement and emergency response dynamics. The timeframe grounds the horror in a relatable, real-world context.

Location

Snowy country road, Abandoned mineshaft, Rachel's house

Set against a wintry landscape, the action moves from a snow-covered country road into an abandoned mineshaft beneath Rachel's property. The nearby house serves as a tense anchor for the characters as they navigate the danger below. The harsh winter weather amplifies isolation and fear throughout the ordeal.

❄️ Snowy setting 🏚️ Abandoned mine 🏠 Rural house

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:33

Main Characters – Trapped Alive (1988)

Meet the key characters of Trapped Alive (1988), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Robin Adams (Sullivan Hester)

Resourceful and resilient, Robin navigates the mine’s dangers with quick thinking and calm under pressure. She forms a wary alliance with Randy Carter as they endure isolation, fear, and the mine's lethal traps. Her actions help the group move toward survival and eventual escape.

❄️ Resilient 🗺️ Quick-thinking

Monica Parry (Laura Kalison)

Robin's friend who becomes entangled with the abductors. She demonstrates loyalty and courage but is ultimately killed, underscoring the ruthless stakes of the situation.

🕯️ Loyal 🗺️ Courageous

Billy Williams (Randolph Powell)

The local sheriff who pursues the criminals and ends up trapped in the mineshaft. He acts decisively, but is killed when the situation escalates to explosion.

🛡️ Brave 🕵️ Protective

Louis 'Face' Napoleon (Alex Kubik)

One of the escapees who becomes a victim of the otherworldly danger in the mine. His fate is sealed when he is impaled by the mutated father.

💀 Antagonist 🗡️ Menacing

Mongo (Mungo) (Michael Nash)

An escapee who is fatally injured in the car crash, and later cannibalized within the mine, his presence amplifies the horror and stakes of survival.

💀 Victim 🧭 Unlucky

Randy Carter (Mark Witsken)

A fellow inmate who becomes the driver and reluctant ally. He grows protective of Robin and fights to survive, ultimately escaping with her.

🧭 Loyal 🗡️ Resourceful

John Adams (C Cameron Mitchell)

Robin's father and a lawyer who tries to reconnect with his missing daughter from outside the mine. He arrives at surface with police and helps coordinate the rescue.

🛡️ Protective 👔 Responsible

Rachel (Elizabeth Kent)

Rachel is the mine owner's wife who longs for her missing father. Her actions drive the search and she collaborates with the cannibal, ultimately meeting her demise in the explosion.

💞 Driven 🧭 Obsessive

The Monster (Rachel's father) (Paul Dean)

A mutated, cannibalistic figure who stalks the mine's tunnels and preys on the others. He is finally killed in the mine explosion.

🧪 Dangerous 🗡️ Vicious

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:33

Major Themes – Trapped Alive (1988)

Explore the central themes of Trapped Alive (1988), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧭 Survival

Characters are forced to improvise and endure in a lethal, confined environment. Alliances form under pressure as Robin, Randy, and others navigate traps, dwindling supplies, and fear. Every decision could mean life or death, making resilience the central edge they cling to.

👹 Horror

The mine becomes a primal nightmare with a cannibalistic figure stalking its tunnels. The threat is intimate and unpredictable, erupting violence in confined spaces and heightening paranoia among the survivors. The danger persists even when the surface seems within reach.

🗝️ Secrets

Hidden histories of the mine and the people connected to it emerge, reshaping motives and loyalties. Rachel's quest to find her missing father uncovers past neglect and deadly choices that haunt the present. The final revelations alter how the characters view trust and family ties.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:33

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Trapped Alive Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Trapped Alive, 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.

Trapped Alive Summary

Trapped Alive Timeline

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Trapped Alive Timeline

More About Trapped Alive

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