Year: 1993
Runtime: 106 min
Language: English
Director: Dario Argento
A young woman struggling with anorexia returns home to her parents after escaping a clinic. Upon her return, her mother holds a séance with friends, during which she claims a murderer is among them. In a panic, she flees, only to be murdered alongside Aura's father. Aura witnesses the killer escaping with their parents' heads and, with the help of a friend named David, begins a desperate search for the perpetrator, uncovering a horrifying secret in the process.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Trauma 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!
Get a spoiler-free look at Trauma (1993) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In the rain‑slick outskirts of Minneapolis, an unsettling quiet settles over a modest home where the past refuses to stay buried. Aura Petrescu, a young woman haunted by the grip of anorexia, has just fled the sterile walls of a treatment clinic and returned to the family she left behind. Her arrival is marked by a fragile hope for safety, yet the atmosphere feels heavy with unspoken dread, as if the very air knows that recovery will demand more than medicine.
Her mother, Adriana, a woman whose grief has turned into an obsession with the unseen, gathers friends for a midnight séance, convinced that something—perhaps even someone—among them holds murderous intent. The ritual, conducted in dim candlelight, casts eerie shadows that mirror the fractured trust between mother and daughter, while Stefan, Aura’s father, watches with a quiet resignation that hints at secrets long kept. The home becomes a liminal space where the ordinary and the occult brush shoulders, setting a tone that is both intimate and unnervingly mysterious.
Enter David Parson, a compassionate stranger whose chance encounter with Aura on a bridge sparks a tenuous friendship. Drawn by her vulnerability, he offers a steady, if somewhat bewildered, presence that contrasts sharply with the oppressive gloom of her household. As David becomes more entwined with Aura’s world, his own doubts surface, hinting at deeper layers of the town’s hidden currents and the personal demons each character wrestles with.
Together, Aura and David stand at the edge of a darkness that feels both personal and universal—a secret waiting to be uncovered beneath the veneer of family rituals and suburban normalcy. The film teeters between psychological tension and atmospheric horror, inviting the audience to wonder what lies just beyond the flickering candlelight and whether the truth can ever truly set them free.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 13:33
Don't stop at just watching — explore Trauma 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 Trauma is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of Trauma, 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.
Track the full timeline of Trauma with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover movies like Trauma that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
Trauma (1993) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Trauma (1993) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Trauma (1993) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like Trauma – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
The Tortured (2012) Detailed Story Recap
The Dead Girl (2006) Story Summary & Characters
Psycho (1960) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Malignant (2021) Full Summary & Key Details
Son (2021) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Thriller (2019) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Maniac (2013) Film Overview & Timeline
Scream (1996) Complete Plot Breakdown
Incident In a Ghostland (2018) Detailed Story Recap
The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962) Complete Plot Breakdown
Mom and Dad (2018) Story Summary & Characters
mother! (2017) Film Overview & Timeline
Resurrection (2022) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Prom Night (1980) Complete Plot Breakdown
Mother (2020) Detailed Story Recap